BAR and nightclub operator Luminar said a number of potential suitors had shown interest in snapping up its Jumpin' Jaks and Chicago Rock Cafe chains.

The company, which said earlier this year that it was considering selling the entertainment division to focus on its nightclubs, did not reveal who had made the approaches.

Luminar revealed on May 25 that pre-tax losses had widened to £14 million from a deficit of £11 million last time, during what it described as a "year of transition".

Last March the Echo reported that the planned Chicago Rock Cafe in Bournemouth had been thrown into disarray because the chain was potentially up for sale.

A Chicago Rock Cafe playing music from the 1950s to the 1980s was an integral part of the Oceana entertainment complex planned for the vacant site of the former ice rink in Westover Road.

Luminar also has permission to build a live music venue called Jam House, a '70s-style nightspot called Disco 45 and two more bars, Aspen Ski Lodge and Paris Boudoir.

Luminar is in the middle of a strategic overhaul after experiencing difficult trading over the last couple of years.

It said trading was showing signs of stabilising, with same-venue sales flat in the first 10 weeks of its new financial year, compared with a four per cent fall in the year to February 27.

Chief executive Stephen Thomas said: "While like-for-likes are showing signs of stabilising, we've still got a great deal to do."

Total sales decreased by six per cent to £375.1 million after 15 outlets were sold, leaving it with a total of 283. Its entertainment division now includes 56 Chicago Rock Cafes and 16 Jumpin' Jaks bars.

During the year, the company reduced its debt to £158 million from £189 million.

Investec Securities analyst James Wheatcroft said that for the next few months, he believed risk from the disposals strategy and difficult trading outweighed more positive factors. He said the results were in line with his expectations.