THE future of a major hotel chain, which has an outlet in Glasgow Central station, was looking uncertain last night after it reported a one-third drop in profits.

THE future of a major hotel chain, which has an outlet in Glasgow Central station, was looking uncertain last night after it reported a one-third drop in profits.

The Real Hotel Group, which also has a hotel at Braehead shopping centre in Renfrewshire and one in Perth, said it was "actively considering its financial position" after preliminary data for the first seven days of January showed a 34% reduction in profits compared with the same period last year.

In a statement to the stock market, the group said it was in discussions with its bankers which were expected to be concluded shortly. "Should these discussions not be successful, the group will be forced to consider all options open to it," the statement said.

The chain owns more than 50 hotels throughout the UK. Its purplehotels brand include the 103-room Braehead site, which opened last February. Its Choice Hotels brand includes its Glasgow Central and Perth outlets.

The company said that early indications suggested a "slower than normal" return to work by corporate customers after the festive period.

A spokeswoman for the firm declined to comment further last night.