Rank Group's firm action in dealing with a boardroom split over its Hard Rock Café strategy appears to have paid off. Its share price rose 2.75% last week as John Garrett, leisure division head, left. Meanwhile, the company announced a deal with the National Basketball Association in the USA to open 10 basketball cafés.

Rank is investing $90m (£53.4m) in the project. The first should open next year at Universal Studios in Orlando.

JD Wetherspoon's share price also ended the week 8.55% higher, despite profit down gradings earlier in the week. The pub company has just announced plans to invest £6m in five new pubs, creating 120 full- and part-time jobs in Wales.

Bass and Ladbroke's share prices both fell back (3.04% and 5.07% respectively) as the market had second thoughts about the two battling for Inter-Continental Hotels. Granada, which endured a publicity filled week (see page 14), also saw its share price lose 5.19%.