Having hung on by his fingertips last year after the disastrous Tchenguiz-gate, the game was finally up for Tim Clarke, chief executive of pub group Mitchells & Butlers, this week when another cunning debt swap turned out to be no where near as clever as a fox that has been to the university of cunningness.
At least it means Clarke will not have to face the prospect of the pub sector and beer-tie being scrutinized by the Competition Commission, an eventuality that neither side of the argument seem keen on.
This week the finalists of the BBC's Great British Menu game together for a charity dinner hosted at London's Marriott Grosvenor Square hotel in aid of Hospitality Action.
London-based chef-restaurateurs Chris and Jeff Galvin confirmed the site of their long awaited new venture in east London as being St Botolph’s Hall in Spital Square.
Moat a problem? Ornate floating duck house getting you down? Well the hospitality industry stepped into the MPs' expenses row and suggested it could save the tax payer millions if second home allowance was replaced by hotel stays.
Carluccio's took a hit as the economy took its toll, while Jerry Brand’s Host made its first profit.
Although foxes aren't allowed, Compass extended its contract at Oxford Brookes University, which was the intelligent choice for all involved.
The head of operations at Gordon Ramsay Holdings is to leave, and the beleaguered Visit London lost its commercial director.
Caterer's Best for Business participant The Mulberry Tree in Boughton Monchelsea, Kent, has been named the regional winner for the South East by The Good Food Guide.
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Quote of the Week
"I would not wish to see our legislators go without their creature comforts. Let's welcome them into our hotels just as we do our business clients, whose expenses form the bedrock of weekday occupancy in the capital."
Peter Hancock, chief executive of Pride of Britain Hotels.
By Chris Druce