Bass proposes change of name to Six Continents

Bass plans to change its name to Six Continents after selling off its traditional brewing operations.

The company's board says the new name reflects Bass's global importance. The group now focuses on hotels, leisure, retail and branded drinks after selling its brewing operations to Belgian firm Interbrew last year.

Bass must change its name by August, 2002, as one of the conditions of the deal.

The board of Bass has called a meeting on July 20 when shareholders will be asked to approve the Six Continents name. If shareholders vote in favour, it will become the company's official title on July 30.

The £2.3bn deal with Interbrew has sparked a lengthy legal battle with the British Government.

Before the General Election, the then Trade & Industry Secretary Stephen Byers was ordered to reconsider his decision to force the Belgian group to sell Bass Brewers.

Interbrew had announced its £2.3bn takeover of the brewery business last June, but Mr Byers rejected the deal in January - fearing it could reduce competition in the UK brewing industry.

The Belgian brewer successfully challenged the decision in the High Court in May.

The Office of Fair Trading hopes to come up with a solution to the dispute next month.