Walkabout owner cautious on trading

Walkabout owner Regent Inns today said uncertainty over England’s participation in Euro 2008 had added to its trading worries.

The group identified the national team’s possible failure to qualify for next summer’s football tournament as one of the reasons why it remained cautious about prospects. It also noted the “increasing likelihood” of a slowdown in consumer spending, plus the full impact of the UK-wide smoking ban.