Walkabout is Regent Inns’ best-known pub chain.

The UK’s Regent Inns, owner of the Walkabout, Jongleurs and Old Orleans pubs and restaurant chains, announced Tuesday it has received a number of offers for a possible takeover.

The company said they are “in very early stage discussions with some of these potential offerors”, and emphasised that they may not lead to an offer or offers being made for the entire issued share capital of the company.

The retail and management group also announced that since its AGM statement of 3 December 2007, it continues to “experience more challenging market conditions against a background of a difficult consumer market generally.”

According to thetelegraph.co.uk , Channel Islands investment company Sanne Trust today increased its stake in Regent from 9% to 14.62% - suggesting that Sanne is working on behalf of one of the potential bidders.

Regent Inn shares increased 10% on Monday and were up 19.70% at 16.00 GMT on Tuesday.

By Natasha Piscitelli