PUB group Yates, owner of the Yates's Wine Lodge chain, is in takeover talks.
The Bolton-based group confirmed that it was in "preliminary discussions regarding a possible offer."
The group is one of the country's oldest pub operators.
Yates owns 113 Yates's Wine Lodges throughout the country as well as the Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen chain.
It said a further announcement would be made "as soon as possible."
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