PRESS DIGEST - British business press - Aug 18

The Times

MWB AIMS FOR THIRD TIME LUCKY IN HOTEL CHAINS SALE

Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) has begun to sound out potential purchasers of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, its boutique hotel chains, with a combined asking price of more than 650 million pounds.

Bank of America has quietly started to re-contact interested parties in recent weeks. It is also understood to be canvassing interest in the two brands separately rather than as a single package.

It is believed MWB is looking for roughly 350 million pounds for the Malmaison chain, and at least 300 million pounds for the Hotel du Vin.

REGIONAL ITV CHANNELS FIGHT HIGHER BILL FOR PROGRAMMING

The chief executive of UTV, John McCann, has accused Michael Grade's ITV (ITV.L) plc of taking millions of pounds of benefits without sharing a penny with the ITV broadcaster in Northern Ireland.

Mr McCann said: "ITV plc gets subsidy benefits from repeating ITV1 shows on its digital channels and from on-air cross-promotion that we carry that run into the three-figure millions - and we've never seen any of that returned to us."

LEISURE

The Dark Knight, this summer's blockbuster Batman movie, is expected to provide a dramatic boost to Cineworld's (CINE.L) second-half trading.

The cinema chain is expected to announce its interim results on Thursday. The company also revealed in July that first-half revenues were up by 0.7 per cent on a year ago.

The Daily Telegraph

Manchester Airport Group (MAG) has confirmed that it was one of the bidders to have approached BAA (FER.MC) with an offer to buy Gatwick airport if the Competition Commission forces a sale of Gatwick airport this week.

The owner of Manchester airport told Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of BAA, that it intends to buy London's second airport, ahead of the controversial report from the Commission.

Geoff Muirhead, chief executive of MAG, said: "The group is interested in acquiring assets that will add value for our shareholders. We have a strong track record when it comes to running airports."

ULYSSES IN NOVEL CARBON CAPTURE