In brief

The Rank Organisation is set to further expand its Warner Holidays division by buying the 59-bedroom Nidd Hall, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

The property is part of Noble Manor Hotels, owned by Ireland-based Leisure Holdings.

Chief executive Owen McGartoll refused to comment on the sale.

The move follows the acquisition of Littlecote Manor in Hungerford, Berkshire, which Rank bought in March.

Pride of Britain, the 34-member consortium, has formed an alliance with two similar overseas hotel groups.

Marketing initiatives between the UK operation and South African-based Portfolio Country Places Collection and Ireland's Blue Book will begin towards the end of this year.

Among the activities planned are brochure page exchanges, brochure distribution and fulfilment, and marketing and public relations link-ups.

Midlands-based Caterskill has won the contract to operate the main catering facility at the Yorkshire Outlet shopping centre in Doncaster.

The new restaurant, which has a 304-seat capacity, is themed on Doncaster's transport heritage and is called the Dining Car.

Caterskill beat eight other national and regional catering firms to win the contract.

Birthday honour

The founder of Dualit, Maximillian Gort-Barten, was made an MBE in last week's Queen's birthday honours for services to the catering industry.