....another private equity rumour swirling around hospitality.
The Times is today reporting that Permira, owner of Principal Hotels, is among the front runners in the €1 billion auction of Jurys Inns, which has 14 hotels in Britain and six in Ireland.
The auction, which was kicked off recently by Dublin's Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, had been expected to be the preserve of Irish property investors, such as Derek Quinlan, the owner of Claridge's, and Paddy Kelly, who controls the Prem hotel group.
Permira, which also faces competition from its private equity rival Doughty Hanson, is said to be keen to establish Jurys Inn as a second brand alongside its Principal Hotels operation, The Times suggests.
Principal Hotels recently snapped up the iconic St David's Hotel in Cardiff from Rocco Forte.