Allied Leisure is taking a 23 per cent interest in Ofex-traded Sanctuary Leisure. The stake is part of a pounds 2.3m sale of six bowling centres to Sanctuary, which is also paying pounds 900,000 on completion and pounds 600,000 in stages. Allied softened 0.5p to 32.5p. Sanctuary held at 30.5p. The company has two night clubs and two American pool bars. It made profits of pounds 200,000 in its last financial year.

Interest is building in Merchant Retail, which takes in the Perfume Shops and a chain of department stores. The shares rose 3.25p to a 35.75p peak. Year's profits of around pounds 2.3m (pounds 1.8m) are expected.

Market Link Publishing arrived on AIM. Placed at 50p the shares closed at 55p. The flotation raised pounds 3.1m.