Whitbread is working on plans for a £1bn bid for Travelodge which Permira is likely to put up for sale in the second half of this year. The owner of Premier Travel Inn is thought to have approached the Office of Fair Trading to get its view on a possible deal. Whitbread’s management is thought to want to bulk up before sanctioning any disposals. Analysts expect it to start selling some of its businesses, such as David Lloyd Leisure or the pub-restaurants. The Sunday Times (Business) 05/02/06 page 3 The Mail on Sunday 05/02/06 page 61