Ramsay goes to Hollywood
Gordon Ramsay is looking to expand his burgeoning empire by opening two new restaurants and a bar in the Bel Age Hotel in west Hollywood. The restaurants are due to open in the spring of 2007, when the Bel Age undergoes an extensive refurbishment and is renamed the London LA Hotel. – The Observer, 6 August

TV hotelier found dead
Timothy Hadcock-Mackay, the hotelier and presenter of the Channel 4 series Time To Get Your House In Order, has been found dead after his business collapsed. His body was discovered hanging near his home, Barnby Moor Hall near Worksop. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. – The Times, 5 August

UK McDonald’s and KFC contain higher levels of harmful fat

A portion of McDonald’s chicken nuggets and chips bought in Britain has more trans fats, which increase the risk of heart disease, than the same meal bought in most of Europe. An international survey of McDonald’s and KFC outlets shows how customers are being unwittingly exposed to potentially harmful levels of processed fats. – Sunday Times, 6 August

Whitbread may bid for rival leisure chain
Two of Britain’s largest gym chains, Esporta and Cannons, are limbering up to change hands in deals that could be worth a combined £850m. Duke Street Capital, the private-equity group that owns a majority stake in Esporta, has appointed Citigroup to conduct an auction after expressions of interest from Apax and Blackstone, the rival buyout firms. Whitbread, who owns David Lloyd Leisure, is expected to be among the bidders for Esporta. – Sunday Times, 6 August

By Bob Gledhill

 

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