in brief
US chains for UK
Premier Hotels is introducing two established US hotel chains to the UK - Days Inn and Howard Johnson. The company has committed £300m to investment in the hotels, and plans to open more than 60 during the next three years. The first, a 162-bedroom Days Inn, is being built in Kennington, south-east London. It should open in November.
T&J Bernard grows
Scottish & Newcastle Retail has unveiled plans to invest £54m in expansion of itsT&J Bernard traditionaltown-centre pub brand. The programme will take the number of T&J Bernards from 70 to 160 by the year 2002, through converting existing pubs in the S&N estate and acquiring single sites. Nearly 1,500 jobs will be created.
Sands on course
The Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa at St Andrews in Scotland is to open a new brasserie-style restaurant, Sands, in May. It will seat 80 people and feature a private dining area suitable for parties of as many as 30 people.
Petrus set to open
Chef Marcus Wareing is to open his 50-seat restaurant Petrus at 33 St James's Street, London, on March 22. The new opening date has been announced following previous delays.
Web attractions
London sister hotels the Halkin and the Metropolitan, located in Belgravia and Old Park Lane respectively, have launched their own Web sites to attract potential customers. The addresses are www.halkin.co.uk and www.metropolitan.co.uk
