A round-up of the weekend's news affecting the hospitality industry...
Scotland takes a step nearer public smoking ban
Scotland is likely to become the first part of Britain to have a ban on smoking in enclosed public places after a consultation produced a large majority in favour of the move. The final results of the Scottish Executive’s public consultation, which ended on Friday and which attracted a record 35,000 responses from official bodies and individuals, will not be available for at least a week, but it is believed the majority in favour of a ban was around four to one. – The Times, 2 October
W&D reports profits rise from managed pubs division
Wolverhampton & Dudley (W&D), Britain’s biggest regional brewer, bucked the gloom in the pub sector yesterday after reporting a 3.6% uplift in like-for-like sales at Pathfinder, its managed pub estate, in the 26 weeks to 25 September. Ralph Findlay, chief executive, said that the performance was boosted by strong demand for “value” pub food, which now accounts for 30% of sales. – The Times, 2 October
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Venison trial for Scottish school dinners
Venison burgers - made from culled red deer - are to be offered to hundreds of Scots children later this month in a healthy eating scheme that could be repeated across Scotland. Nutritionists say venison is a healthier, home-grown alternative to other red meats on the school menu. The meat will be served up as burgers or in casseroles in Highland region’s 29 secondary schools, in a trial starting next week. – Scotland on Sunday, 3 October
Wentworth sale looks finally to have gone through
Property group Chelsfield, which owns 60% of Wentworth, is believed to have formally accepted a bid of £122m for the Surrey golf course from Irish businessman Sean Quinn. An announcement is expected this week. – Mail on Sunday, 3 October
Edinburgh hotels have highest occupancy in 10 years
Scottish hotels are starting to shrug off the difficulties of recent years, and are now enjoying some of their highest occupancy levels in a decade, particularly in the Edinburgh and Lothians area, according to a survey from property advisors Knight Frank. The rise was attributed to "the steady return of overseas visitors to the area." – The Scotsman, 2 October
Scottish books in Scottish bedrooms scheme criticised
A VisitScotland plan to boost Scottish literature by putting books in hotel bedrooms both to read and to buy has been criticised by the hotelier who first had the idea. Jean Urquhart, who has 130 books in her Ullapool hotel the Ceilidh Place, warns that the VisitScotland scheme could become too commercial and may put profit above the provision of great literature. – Sunday Herald, 3 October
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