The company behind The Number, the directory enquiries business famed for its 1970s-style joggers sporting 118 118 running vests, is planning a £700m flotation. One operator, Thus, has pulled out of the directory enquiries market. Another, Conduit, is effectively for sale. But Mr Moss denied speculation that The Number was a potential buyer. "It is not something we have talked about," he said, adding that The Number had been approached by other "well-known" directory enquiries companies looking to sell out.