Ramsay admits talks to buy River Café
After denials by River Café owner Ruth Rogers that the restaurant is up for sale over a rents dispute, Gordon Ramsay has admitted he has held talks over buying River Café. Ramsay, speaking from Dubai, said: “They have approached me, yes. They approached me at the beginning of the year. The negotiations were between February and March.” – The Times, 10 September

Conran restaurant voted Scotland’s best
Étain, Sir Terence Conran's first restaurant in the UK outside London, has been named Scotland's Restaurant of the Year by the Automobile Association. The restaurant has been in business for only two years but has a formidable reputation for food and ambience. Yesterday, leading restaurateurs in the city said the award was further proof of Glasgow's stature as a culinary centre. – The Scotsman, 10 September

McDonald’s report sales rise for August
McDonald’s reported that sales at its restaurants open at least 13 months rose 3.4% in August, helped by demand for new chicken sandwiches in the USA. – The Times, 10 September

Gate Gourmet peace deal steps nearer
A peace deal inched closer at Gate Gourmet, the caterer at the centre of industrial unrest at Heathrow airport, yesterday after the company and unions agreed the criteria under which staff will be made compulsorily redundant. The agreed criteria include standard performance-based measures such as skills and knowledge, attendance and disciplinary records. The results of the offer will be known by the end of next week. – Daily Telegraph, 10 September

Doyle family reveal €131m holding in family hotel group
The third-generation of the Doyle family owns shares in Jurys Doyle Hotel Group to the value of €131m. The late PV Doyle's legacy to his grandchildren is detailed in a submission made to the Irish stock exchange yesterday. – Irish Independent, 10 September

New drinking hours will increase violent crime say police
Violent crime, including murder and rape, will soar when the Government’s liberalised drinking law comes into effect, an internal Scotland Yard study has warned.  Cases of murder, rape, physical assault, domestic violence and drink-driving are all likely to increase when opening hours are relaxed in November, the Metropolitan police clubs and vice unit says. – Sunday Times, 11 September

Doyle family poised to enter Jurys Doyle takeover battle
The Doyle family stands poised to make a full €1.2b bid for the entire Jurys Doyle Hotel Group following dramatic developments in the takeover battle last week. In recent days the super-rich family has engaged blue-chip advisers Goldman Sachs from the UK, and top corporate brokers NCB in Irelanc, in a clear demonstration of their full commitment to the future of the company. – Irish Independent, 11 September

M&B and Punch in joint bid for Spirit
Two of Britain’s biggest quoted pub groups, Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) and Punch Taverns, are in detailed talks over a £2.5b joint bid for rival Spirit Group. M&B, which owns the All Bar One and Harvester chains, has appointed Citigroup to advise it on the deal, while Punch, which is one of Britain’s largest tenanted pub companies, has engaged Morgan Stanley. – Sunday Times, 11 September

Pizza Express in £900m flotation
Pizza Express will float for up to £900m before January. The listing will crystallise vast profits for TDR Capital and Capricorn Ventures, the private equity firms that own Altia, Pizza Express's parent company. TDR bought Pizza Express in 2003 for £280m. Last year it bought Ask Central, the restaurant group that owns the Ask and Zizzi chains, for £213m and added it to the group. – Sunday Telegraph, 11 September

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