Granada would have been £1b better off by not buying Forte
Sir Gerry Robinson has been branded a “naked chef” who destroyed more than £1b of the value when he pounced on Forte nine years ago. Terry Smith, chief executive of Collins Stewart Tullett and a highly regarded former equity analyst, says that Granada, Sir Gerry’s investment vehicle, would have been £1b better off if it had invested in risk-free gilts rather than pay £5.3b for Forte. – The Times, 15 October

Michels may retire if Hilton merger goes ahead
David Michels, chief executive of Hilton Group, is expected to leave the company if a £3.6b indicative offer for its Hilton International Hotels arm goes ahead. A source close to the talks said: "With two companies going into one, you only need one chief executive. Operational roles will continue." – Daily Telegraph, 15 October

Dublin’s new hotel will be five star, not six star
Ireland is supposed to be getting a new six-star hotel, but the news caused some surprise yesterday to the group which is to run it. Le Meridien, which will have the task of managing the 179-bedroom hotel, are describing it as a five-star hotel. Grand Canal Harbour Hotel, which yesterday applied for and was granted full licensing for the hotel, plan to have it built by the summer of 2007. – Irish Independent, 15 October.

Hilton may swoop for gaming clubs if hotel sale succeeds
Ladbrokes, the betting arm of Hilton Group, is understood to be weighing up a bid for Rank Group, the owner of Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, once its proposed demerger from Hilton’s hotel arm is completed. – The Times, 15 October

28% of Jurys Doyle poised to come to market
Property developer Sean Dunne is poised to sell his stake in Jurys Doyle Hotel Group at a profit of at least €20m (£13.7m). Sources close to the deal say Mr Dunne is pondering the sale of his 28% holding to the highest bidder. – Irish Independent, 15 October

Plans for smoking ban in Northern Ireland public places
A complete ban on smoking in public areas in Northern Ireland will be announced by the British government tomorrow. The prohibition will not come into effect until April 2007, a time-lag needed to allow primary legislation to be passed and debated in Westminster. The delay may be because a similar ban will be introduced across the UK on the same date. The devolved administration in Scotland is to introduce a complete ban next April. – Sunday Times (Irish edition), 16 October

Third party may bid for Hilton hotels
The premature disclosure of a potential deal between Hilton Hotel Corporation and Hilton Group could leave the way open for a third party to launch a bid for Hilton Group. – Mail on Sunday, 16 October

Deadline set for Spirit group takeover bids
7 November has been set as the deadline for takeover bids for the £2.5b Spirit pub group. Punch Taverns and Mitchells & Butlers are favourites to win the race. – Mail on Sunday, 16 October

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