In brief

A major new wine centre is scheduled to open in London by November 1998. Vinopolis, next to the Globe Theatre, will include wine tasting halls, four restaurants, five conference and banquet rooms, and retailers.

Tom Clarke, minister for film and tourism, officially opened Warner Holiday's fifth country hotel, the Grade I-listed Littlecote House Hotel in Wiltshire, near Hungerford.

The Royal Moat House Hotel, at Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, is to spend £1m on installing a swimming pool and gym to satisfy growing demands from conference clients.

The hunt is on for the hotel and restaurant lavatory of the year. The Loo of the Year Awards, in its 10th year, has clocked up 20,000 lavatory inspections. Nominate worthy loos by ringing 01962 850277 before 31 August.

First Leisure Corporation saw pre-tax profits fall by 5% to £17.2m on turnover up 7% to £88.8m for the six months to 30 April 1997.

Top Chicago chef Charlie Trotter will be signing copies of his new book in Harvey Nichols in London's Knightsbridge today (3 July).