Kinko's - a 24-hour friend

Veteran business travellers to the US will probably have had their reputations saved by an all-night Kinko's. These are the round-the-clock stationary, printing, photocopy, computer, laser-document, Internet access, binding, presentation, FedEx, and much more stores that can be found in most large American cities.

Many's the industrious exec that was able to produce a beautifully-bound document at a morning meeting after downloading it from the company's Internet site at Kinko's, then turning it out in full colour on one of the shop's laser printers.

Now Richard Branson's Virgin group has signed a joint venture deal with the US firm, paving the way for Kinko's in Britain and France. The first two branches will be in London, opening late this year or next year.

Got a business travel gripe? Perhaps praise for exceptional service? This column appears every fortnight, and all comments or suggestions are welcome; contact Sean Mac Carthaigh, at The Irish Times, 6792022, extension 339 or smacca@irish-times.ie