Dublin's retailers may be complaining but Jurys Hotel Group in one firm that won't be bemoaning the arrival of the Tour de France in Ireland at the weekend. Chief executive, Mr Peter Malone, informed journalists at the release of the group's annual results last week that the Tour expected to attract a television audience of 950 million will pass no less than six of Jurys' Irish hotels.

The lucky premises include the Jurys flagship hotel in Ballsbridge, the two Dublin inns at Christchurch and on Custom House Quay, the Waterford hotel and the inn and hotel in Cork.

In addition to the business from the 3,500 personnel and the 1,000 journalists accompanying the Tour, management will also be hoping to benefit from the follow-up tourist business.