BROADCASTER BSkyB is likely to end up with a near-two per cent stake in Johnston Press this week.

Shareholders in the newspaper publisher are to vote on Tuesday to approve a £360 million refinancing.

BSkyB, which has an advertising partnership with Johnston, will spend around £5 million on additional shares according to the Sunday Times.

AstraZeneca is likely to be successful in fending off the attentions of Pfizer, says the Sunday Telegraph. A takeover panel deadline for the deal to take place expires at 5pm today but a late intervention from the US firm is thought to be unlikely. There is also speculation Pfizer may revisit the deal in six months time.

Cafe chain Eat is planning to expand beyond its current 112 locations. Chief executive Adrian Johnson told the Mail on Sunday he believes there is demand for around 300 outlets and plans to open in at least 30 new places each year.

Selfridges is planning to spend in the region of £300 million overhauling and expanding its flagship store in London. The Sunday Times says a new entrance and accessories hall is to be built in addition to more retail space .

Clothing chain LK Bennett saw its sales drop three per cent to £91.2 million in the 12 months to July 2013. The companysaid in the Mail on Sunday that heavy discounting in the UK saw annual losses widen from £7.23 million to £11.2 million.

Meanwhile the Sunday Herald reports the Business Rates Incentivisation Scheme, introduced in January 2012 and which allows local authorities to keep 50 per cent of business rates cash brought in over official targets, has run into problems. The first two years of the system are said to have delivered no cash benefits.

A midwife says she expects to beat sales targets of an inflatable birthing stool. Cass McNamara, based in Ayrshire, told Scotland on Sunday she initially hoped to sell 1200 of the Comfortable Upright Birth devices but now expects to reach up to 4000 in her first year of trading.

Intercontinental Hotels Group, is reported to have snubbed a £6 billion takeover bid. The Sunday Times said the offer, from an unnamed investment fund, has already been knocked back.