What the Sunday papers said

Sunday Express

Tony Hill, founder and former chairman of SFI, was planning a management buy-out shortly before he resigned earlier this month. Hill met advisers to discuss a bid for the company after the share price fell from 216p at the start of the year to 50p before when he stepped down.

Noble House Leisure, headed by entrepreneur Robert Breare, is close to acquiring 70 pubs from an unnamed seller. The £70 million deal could be complete by January. Both Eldridge Pope and Conquest Inns have been ruled out as the mystery vendor.

Restaurant group Fishworks is to launch a home delivery service, Fishworks Direct. Customers will be able to order a full range of seafood.

Mail on Sunday​

Half year results from Scottish & Newcastle on Wednesday will show a sharp rise in profits from £245 million to £290 million, thanks in part to overseas acquisitions. Attention will focus on plans to sell the managed pub business and how it will use the cash.

Venture capital group Permira has lined up Gavin Simmonds, former finance chief of the Millenium & Copthorne hotel group, to head up the Travelodge and Little Chef business it is buying from Compass.

The Business​

Diageo is considering a plan to securitise Burger King by selling bonds in the debt market secured by franchise and property income. The option is being drawn up by advisers to the drinks group in the event of the sale of the business to Texas Pacific Group, currently being renegotiated, collapsing.

Six Continents' figures for the year to September, due on Thursday, are not expected to bring much that could invigorate the company's valuation. However, the shares remain cheap and as soon as the demerger of the pubs and hotels businesses is complete, the market is likely to be reminded of the enormous value within the conglomerate.

Sunday Telegraph​

Stanley Leisure will this week launch a £250m bid for London Clubs International, the company that owns some of the capital's most prestigious casinos. An indicative offer of 25p to 30p per share is being planned by Stanley, which is linking with Hg Capital for the deal. Hg is interested in buying a number of LCI casinos that Stanley does not want.

Sunday Times​

The Sunday Times tips JD Wetherspoon as its Share of the Week, despite last week's profit warning. Wetherspoon has produced strong growth over the years, and Tim Martin is still confident he will outperform rivals such as Punch Taverns and Greene King, whose shares are also feeling woozy.

Sol Kerzner, billionaire luxury resort developer and South Africa's wealthiest self-made man, is keen to break into Britain when the gaming regulations are relaxed. Kerzner made an informal approach to troubled casino group London Clubs over the summer which came to nothing, but would be interested if the business went into play.

Stanley Leisure has teamed up with Alan Goodenough, former head of London Clubs International, to mount its bid for the rival gaming group.

Independent on Sunday​

Executive pay will be top of the agenda for Six Continents on Tuesday, with an update expected on talks between investors and management about a large share option pay package for executives of the hotel division.

The Observer​

Controversial plans to refurbish the Grill Room at the Savoy Hotel, long regarded as the power-eating heart of the business and financial community, have provoked dismay among its clientele. Angelo Maresca, Maitre d' at the Grill for 20 year, is pledging to oppose changes proposed by the Savoy's US owner Blackstone.