Rocco Forte to operate £170m resort in Morocco
Sir Rocco Forte has signed a contract to operate a new £170m golf resort being built in Marrakesh and is in advanced talks over a city centre project in Moscow. Rocco Forte Hotels is also seeking properties in Paris, Milan, Madrid, Barcelona and Amsterdam and for the first time is actively seeking an entry into the New York market. – The Times, 28 May. 

Principal Hotels buy rival group for £358m
Principal Hotels, controlled by Permira, has bought Haley Conference Centres for £358m in its drive to become a pan-European hotel and conference operator. – The Times, 26 May.

Strada restaurant group set for takeover
Tragus, the restaurant operator controlled by Blackstone Group, has entered exclusive talks to acquire the Strada restaurant chain from Richard Caring, the entrepreneur, for up to £150m. – The Times, 26 May.

McDonald's to go trans-fats-free in the US
McDonald's announced it will eliminate trans fats from its US restaurants nationwide by the end of the year, taking the process slowly to preserve the taste of the chain's classic fries. – Chicago Tribune, 26 May.

Health bar chain set for expansion
The Pure California juice and salad bar brand is to expand from the present two outlets to 12 after the company received £500,000 of backing from Jonathan Kaye, chief executive of Prezzo restaurant group. – Mail on Sunday, 27 May.

Plans for new £40m golf hotel in Scotland
Edinburgh-based FM Developments has applied for planning permission for a £40m development near Stonehaven in north-east Scotland for a championship golf course and hotel with function and conference facilities. – The Scotsman, 28 May.
 
By Bob Gledhill

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