Dome: rival bidders join forces

The battle to buy the Millennium Dome has intensified with the alliance of two rival bidders.

The Experience consortium, which includes showbusiness impresario Harvey Goldsmith, agreed to join a four-company group which includes the Duke of Westminster's company, Grosvenor.

The link with Experience means the consortium can challenge a rival bid from former Dome chief executive Pierre-Yves Gerbeau, who wants to keep the Dome as a visitor attraction.

The Grosvenor consortium is already in discussions with the BBC and Tussaud's Group. It comprises three other property companies - Quintain, Lend Lease and Stanhope.