When Andy Harrison decamped from easyJet to Whitbread four years ago, there was speculation that one of the first things he would do would be to review the leisure group’s continued ownership of its two very distinct businesses: budget hotels and premium coffee shops.
As it turned out, by the time he had completed a short handover with Alan Parker, he had already completed the review and as chief executive he expounded the benefits of having two strong core businesses, with a third — pub-restaurants — acting as an adjunct to Premier Inn.
Since then, Mr Harrison has been consistent on the matter. While conceding that there are few synergies between the two brands, so long as both continue to fire on all cylinders under