Jurys Doyle sale accepted by board
A three-month battle for control of Ireland's largest hotel company looked to be over after the board of Jurys Doyle Group agreed to sell out to a group of private investors, Irish-based Precinct, for €1.1b. The sale still has to be approved by shareholders. Precinct last year paid €117m for Gresham Hotels. – Irish Independent, 30 July
BHA admits London hotel bookings are down
Hotel bookings for the pre-Christmas season in London are already down 25%. "People aren't cancelling their trips but they are not booking them," said Bob Cotton of the British Hospitality Association. Most restaurants report a 30% drop in custom. At Planet Hollywood, close to Piccadilly Circus, children will be eating for free from next week in an effort to turn around a 25% downturn. – The Guardian, 30 July
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VisitBritain forecasts £300m losses
Tourist organisation VisitBritain is forecasting a £300m blow to tourism revenues based on the 7 July figures alone. Almost half of all international travellers visit London. – Mail on Sunday, 31 July
Restaurant manager wins compensation after chef taunts
A Filipino restaurant manager at a country hotel who was called "the Japanese emperor" by one of his chefs has been awarded £7,500 compensation after winning a racial-discrimination claim. Wilfred Carranza, the former food-services manager at Ardoe House Hotel, near Aberdeen, claimed temporary chef, Gavin Young, would make "elaborate bows" to him and place his hands together. – The Scotsman, 30 July
Tiger Tiger chain studying two more offers
Urbium, owner of bar chain Tiger Tiger, has received preliminary offers from at least two private equity firms. Alchemy and Electra Partners have both shown interest. Urbium said this month it was evaluating offers after rejecting a bid from Regent Inns. – Mail on Sunday, 31 July
