in brief

Principal sale denied

Principal Hotels has denied rumours that it has been bought by a US company. Managing director Tony Troy said: "We are not discussing anything with an American company but, from time to time, we do hold discussions with people." Last year, Principal admitted that it was likely it would eventually be sold or merge with another group, after it emerged that it had held discussions with De Vere (Caterer, 20 April 2000, page 7).

Gold winners

Four gold medals were given in the New Product Awards held on Monday at Hospitality Week 2001 at Birmingham's NEC. In the catering equipment and services category, Williams Refrigeration won top prize for its Glycol Chillers, while Pritchitt Foods won the food and drink category with its Twinners ready-to-go cereals. For furniture, furnishings and tableware, gold went to the American Trading Company for its Parasolar Parasols, and in the premises, facilities management and technology category, JTech Communications' Electronic Comment Card Customer Survey System was the winner.

Carter's new route

Elizabeth Carter, whose editorship of the AA restaurant guide was terminated last year following abortive management buyout talks, this month took over as the editor of the Les Routiers guide.