Italy's leading business daily, Il Sole 24 Ore, which is owned by Confindustria, the businessmen's association, was strikingly reticent in its coverage of the row.
The bid by Croydon Old Town BusinessAssociation (COBA) and Croydon Council also includes plans to create a member-owned cooperative to provide small loans to people wanting to open shops in the area.
His company, a global sales operation with an association of independently owned four- and five- star hotels, secures hotel buyouts for group business meetings.