What the Sunday papers said

Mail on Sunday

• Leisure entrepreneur Trevor Hemmings is believed to be considering a bid for troubled high street bar operator Yates Group. Yates is expected to confirm this week that it has seen sales slump by five per cent in the first six months of the year, while Hemmings is understood to be looking to add more pubs to his leisure empire. Read more on thePublican.com.

The Observer​

• An interest rate rise of 0.25 per cent is a 'forgone conclusion' this week according to a poll of City economists. A booming housing market, record household debts and healthy retail sales all point to the Bank of England increasing rates for the first time in four years.

Alcohol Concern has thrown its weight behind the campaign to place health warnings on cans and bottles after a survey revealed that Britons have no idea how much they can safely drink. The pressure group also wants to ban the drinks industry targeting young audiences through TV sponsorships such as Baileys' link with 'Sex and the City.'

Quintain Estates, owner of 56 acres surrounding Wembley Stadium, is in talks with Hilton to open a five-star, 400-bed hotel next to the stadium when it is functioning again in 2006. Quintain has unveiled plans for a £1bn redevelopment of Wembley including bars, shop, offices and homes.

Sunday Times​

• Cabinet ministers are expected to call a truce over identity cards this week by agreeing to include the measure in the Queen's speech in the form of a draft bill. Tony Blair, who says he is in favour of introducing the cards 'in principle', is determined to keep the option open.

Independent on Sunday​

• Restaurant group Paramount has brought in a leading Italian chef to make its Italian chain, Bertorelli's, more Italian. The group, which owns the Chez Gerard steak and chips restaurants, has recruited Riccardo Isolini to overhaul the menus at its three London outlets.

Sunday Telegraph​

• Cadbury Schweppes has raised the possibility of demerging its American soft drinks business, which includes the Dr Pepper, 7 Up, Snapple and Mott's brands. A demerged US soft drinks business could be worth about $7bn.

Financial Times (weekend edition) ​

• Takeover talks between Punch Taverns and Pubmaster are understood to be faltering. Punch had hoped to announce a takeover deal this week, but a source close to the situation said both sides are wavering on price. Read more on thePublican.com.

Neither the Shepherd Neame board nor shareholders are prepared to back suggestions by Stuart Neame, former vice-chairman that the Kent brewer should be split to unlock its property assets and create renal income from its pubs.

Sunday Express​

• Coffee Republic is targeting the fast casual dining market as owner Bobby Hashemi progresses plans to change the chain's name to Republic Deli. The aim is offer meals made with fresh food in under five minutes, for less than £5.

The Business​

• Cadbury Schweppes is paying the price of pouring cash into takeovers rather than product development. Having acquired Orangina and other soft drinks from Pernod Ricard among other acquisitions such as Slush Puppie and 7-Up, it must shed 10 per cent of its workforce and close a fifth of its factories worldwide to rationalise its operations.