Caterer and Hotelkeeper – 29375

CLWYD County Council's director of commercial services resigned last week after consultants presented a report thought to be highly critical of the department.

Paul King, who is also chairman of the National DSO Forum, left his job after the consultants outlined a number of options for com-mercial services, which is set to make a loss this year of £1.5m.

The bulk of that loss will come from school meals, which employs around 1,000 of the department's 2,000-strong workforce.

Mr King's resignation, for which no reason has yet been given, follows the suspension of another senior officer within commercial services pending an investigation, though the two matters are not thought to be related.

A council spokeswoman said the implications of the consultants' report were being investigated and the commercial services board would meet tomorrow to discuss it.

Copthorne bid?

CONFLICTING rumours are circulating in the City over the future of Copthorne Hotels, following Aer Lingus's decision at the end of last year to openly canvass offers.

An Aer Lingus spokesman confirmed earlier this week that a number of responses with indicative bids had been received. "We're evaluating the proposals and seeking clarification on some of those bids," he added.

But while some City sources suggested Stakis as the most likely frontrunner - its backers are reported to be ready to provide £100m for expansion - others said Copthorne had failed to attract high enough offers.

With Copthorne unlikely to realise anything like its book value of more than £200m and the recession beginning to ease, Aer Lingus may have decided disposal of one of its best-performing assets may not, after all, be worthwhile.