PRESS DIGEST - British business - July 26

The Times

SHAREHOLDERS LEFT FOR DEAD AS RIVAL SNAPS UP UK ASSETS OF PATIENTLINE

Shareholders' investments in Patientline, the hospitals communications provider, were rendered worthless on Friday as the company was taken private. Shares in Patientline PTL.L closed at 0.25 pence and are expected to be cancelled from July 28, leaving 120 institutional investors out of pocket, following the sale of subsidiary Patientline UK to Hospedia. The company had seen its share price shrink from its January 2002 high of 228.5 pence to 0.25 pence on Friday.

M&B BENEFITS FROM SOARING PRICE OF FOOD IN SHOPS

Mitchells & Butlers (MAB.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said consumers were being persuaded to eat out in its pubs by the rising cost of fresh food in supermarkets. Tim Clarke, chief executive, said: "There is no doubt that the steep rise in the price of fresh food in supermarkets has made the value comparison with eating out in our pubs all the more powerful. It's encouraging more people to come out." Shares gained 2.25 pence at 264.75 pence.

PRESSURE ON CONSUMERS FROM RISING COST OF LIVING TAKES THE FIZZ OUT OF BRITVIC