QUINLAN Private, the investment group led by former Revenue tax inspector, Derek Quinlan, was the slight favourite to buy the chain of Jurys Inns, as the auction approached a close yesterday.

HEALTH club owner Next Generation has whittled its suitors down to Whitbread, Esporta and property firm London & Regional, with bids around £200 million (€288.1 million), according to sources close to the auction.

Further evidence of a recovery in the UK hotels sector emerged today after Whitbread said its Marriott business had returned to growth.