YATES, the Bolton-based wine bar chain that went private last summer, is interested in buying SFI Group, the pub group that owns the Slug & Lettuce brand.

SFI has appointed Kroll Corporate Finance to advise it on strategic options, including the possible sale of the company.

SFI has 155 sites in its estate, including Bar Med in Manchester and Wigan, and a Slug and Lettuce outlet in Manchester. Yates has more than 130 town and city centre outlets, and a 20-strong chain of HaHa wine bar sites.

SFI Executive chairman Stuart Lawson said: "An information memorandum has been put together and issued under confidentiality to relevant parties."