in brief
PIZZAEXPRESS FORUM
PizzaExpress has set up a staff forum as part of an effort to involve its employees more in how the company is run.
BEST WESTERN IN BHA
Best Western hotels has joined the British Hospitality Association (BHA). The consortium has 370 hotels.
The BHA has also recruited Cola Holdings, which owns three London hotels: the Westbury, Harrington Hall and the Kingsway Hall.
ETC ADVICE ON GRANTS
The English Tourism Council has published a booklet giving advice to tourism businesses on where to get grants for special projects. One Devon pub, the Jack Russell Inn near Barnstaple, obtained grants from the Countryside and the Regional Development agencies to help it build a function room and skittles alley.
ST GEORGE'S REFIT
Liverpool's St George's Hotel closed last Sunday (30 January) for reconstruction and will reopen in the autumn as the Holiday Inn, Liverpool City Centre.
IMPERIAL CONVERSION
The former headquarters of the Imperial Tobacco Company in Bristol could be converted into a 160-bedroom hotel if City and St James Property are granted permission.
LUKEWARM NEW YEAR
A survey by Foodservice Intelligence is the latest to confirm that the hospitality industry had a "lukewarm" Millennium Eve. It said that 40% of businesses failed to sell out for the night.
