Mr Springford reckons it's all good fun

Spring in his step. So many pots simmering away on the front and back burners, all Norman Springford needs to do in these hazardous times is keep stirring. Gently.

He is sitting at the head of his Apex empire. Not a word he's at ease with. Hardly an empire, he'll say, more like a "wee clutch" of hotels. But empirical in its way.

Let's see ... the Apex International, where it all started in 1996 (171 rooms), the Apex City (119), the Apex European (66), the Apex City of London Tower Bridge (130), Apex Moorgate London (89) and planning permission sought for Sarjents Inn, off Fleet Street (184).

I almost forgot. The Apex Waterloo Place (186) will be ready come February.

And there's dear old Partick Thistle. Springford took a financial interest in the club in 1997.

"I'm no longer in the boardroom but I had a fling with the club and I'm still a supporter, although I don't see their matches.

"I used to travel from my Edinburgh home to watch them home and away.

"If I'm having a fling at all now in football it's with Stenhousemuir. I sponsor their away strip. Thistle, by the way have a new away strip that caused a mini sensation – a rather fetching pink."

This non-empire of his is burgeoning. He isn't exactly enamoured with that word either. "You just keep going. It's just good fun." Precisely.

Have a little Hope

Too few of us seem to have taken Marvin Gaye's advice to save the children. The European-Bangladesh Federation Commerce & Industry is to be launched in Brussels next month, rubber stamped by Peter Mandelson.

An offshoot has already been set up in Edinburgh. HOPE (Lulu's a patron) will help handicapped, orphaned, poor and exploited children, particularly in developing countries.

Chairman of the charity's Scottish branch is Leith-based restaurateur with children of his own, Wali Uddin.

Ever the enthusiast, he's saying: "Our supporters urged us to establish a Scottish branch and we are welcoming inquiries at HOPE Scotland, 57 East Crosscauseway, Edinburgh EH8 9HG." You know where they are.