Whitbread Restaurant Staff Fear for Jobs

Staff at Whitbread are facing months of uncertainty after the leisure group announced its plans to sell the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chain.

About 250 Beefeater and Brewers Fayre pub restaurants have been put up for sale so that the company can focus more on its leading brands, including Premier Travel Inn and Costa Coffee.

A spokeswoman for the group said it was too early to say how many staff would be affected. Whitbread is also considering selling off Pizza Hut and TGI Friday's.

Alan Parker, Whitbread chief executive, said the company was on track to becoming a "leaner, sharper and more focused group".

The group plans to build about 100 new Premier Travel Inn sites and expand the hotel chain abroad.