Chain hotels threatening existence of independents – For more hospitality stories, see what the weekend papers say

Chain hotels threatening existence of independents
Independent on Sunday](http://www.independent.co.uk/), 29 July

Wetherspoon report surge in demand for pub food Pub chain JD Wetherspoon says the recent UK-wide ban has been good for it because of rising food sales. Wetherspoon said the change to non-smoking had resulted in a surge in demand for food. - [The Scotsman](http://www.scotsman.com/), 28 July

Flooded hotels to get tax breaks Hotels, pubs and other businesses affected by the flooding are to be given tax breaks by HM Revenue & Customs that will allow them to defer tax payments without penalties. - [The Times](http://www.timesonline.co.uk), 28 July

Raw fish freezing law will "ruin" sushi Sushi chefs in Britain yesterday claimed that a European Union health and safety directive would ruin the quality of their food. The EU says that raw fish must be frozen to a temperature of at least -20ºC for more than a day in order to kill parasites.- [Daily Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/), 28 July

Hilton report shareholder losses of $200mHilton Hotels Corporation, which is the subject of a recommended £12.7b bid from Blackstone Group, revealed that the debt market volatility had cost its shareholders more than $200m. - [The Times](http://www.timesonline.co.uk), 28 July

Hilton chief to get £62m bonus after sale to Blackstone Stephen Bollenbach, outgoing chief executive of Hilton Hotels, £62m pay day on completion of the company's sale to the private-equity firm Blackstone Group. - [Sunday Times](http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/), 29 July

By Bob Gledhill

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