Off-trade sales will rise in Scotland after smoke ban
Alcohol consumption in the home is expected to rise in Scotland in the wake of the smoking ban, as off-licences and supermarkets prepare for a surge in sales after 26 March when consumers will be unable to smoke in bars and restaurants. – The Scotsman, 21 January
Compass seek purchasing agreement after sale of SSP
The break-up of Compass has been thrown into doubt after it emerged that it is demanding that bidders for SSP, one of its largest subsidiaries, continue sourcing all their supplies from Compass for the next five years. Bidders have been told that a condition of the sale is that they must continue to use Servita, Compass's centralised food buying operation, which is based in Switzerland. – Sunday Telegraph, 22 January
Wetherspoon’s to introduce televisions
JD Wetherspoon is to break with its strict no-music and no-television policy by introducing TV sets across its estate. The group has now decided that every pub in the 640-strong estate will be fitted with two plasma screens, at a cost of around £2,500 per outlet. – Independent on Sunday, 22 January
Top Scottish hotels will allow smoking
Several of Scotland's most luxurious hotels will allow guests to light up in their bedrooms after opting to use a special exemption in the smoking ban law. Fearful that their well-heeled customers might be driven away, leading establishments including the Balmoral and Caledonian in Edinburgh, will allow smoking in specially designated when the legislation comes into force on 26 March. – Scotland on Sunday, 22 January
London and Glasgow hotels sold
Northern Irish property company WG Mitchell has bought the Radisson SAS hotel in Glasgow as part of a trio of new deals amounting to close to £200m. The acquisitions also include the £75m purchase of a Novotel on Euston Road in London. - The Herald, 22 January
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