Tchenguiz looks set to buy Spirit for £2.8b
Robert Tchenguiz last night looked to be in pole position to win the £3b bid battle for Spirit Group, Britain’s biggest privately owned pub company. Mr Tchenguiz was poised to enter negotiations with Spirit to clarify key points on the deal, with a view to gaining an exclusive negotiating position this weekend. The property entrepreneur, who is building one of Britain’s biggest pub empires, is thought to have submitted the highest offer for Spirit with a bid of about £2.8b. – The Times, 26 November

Compass deny bugging supplier negotiations
Compass has denied it has been involved in bugging sensitive price negotiations with potential suppliers. An analyst at Panmure Gordon contacted many of Compass's suppliers and was told by some that they believed Compass staff would secretly record conversations during breaks in negotiations over price. However, Compass said yesterday: "The purchasing team is very clear that no such thing happened. “ – Sunday Telegraph, 27 November

Hilton in another sale and leaseback deal
Managed Hotels Unit Trust, an Israeli property company which handles funds for Israeli investors and pension interests, is set to add to the Hilton properties it bought last week with a separate £14m deal to buy the Hilton Edinburgh Airport. – Sunday Herald, 27 November

Scottish late opening pubs must pay for security
Pubs that want late licences will be forced to install sick bays and CCTV to cope with an expected rise in alcohol-fuelled violence. Under the new Licensing Bill — which allows 24-hour drinking in Scotland — pub, club and bar owners will also have to employ more door staff and charge entrance fees to pay for increased security. – Sunday Times (Scottish edition), 27 November

20 bidders line up for Compass SSP division
Up to 20 private equity companies with more than £1.74b of funds under management are preparing to make offers before Christmas for Compass’ £1b travel concessions business, Compass Select Service Partner, according to sources. Citigroup is handling the auction for the unit, which includes Upper Crust and Moto, the motorway services provider. – The Business, 27 November

Compass chief exec short list drawn up
Headhunters are believed to have drawn up a short list of candidates who could step into the chief executive’s role at Compass at relatively short notice. Internal candidates include Gary Green, the former chief executive of the Compass Americas division who has been acting as temporary chief executive of UK and Europe. – Sunday Herald, 27 November

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