Harris decides not to grasp Thistle Hotels

Thistle Hotels' bid to poach the managing director of Stakis Hotels to fill the boots of its ousted chief executive, Robert Peel, has met with failure.

A spokesman for Stakis confirmed that Anthony Harris had been approached by Thistle a few weeks ago, but was delighted to say that he had decided to stay at Stakis. He would not comment on Harris's reasons for turning the position down.

However, it is rumoured that Harris was concerned that, if he revitalised the group, owner Brierley Investments would merely sell Thistle on within a few years.