Rollforward of other intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Carrying amount:
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 21,763,000	$ 22,169,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment, finite-lived intangibles	(1,465,000)	(406,000)
Impairment of intangible assets of discontinued operations		0	0
Balance at the end of the period	17,483,000	21,763,000	22,169,000
Accumulated amortization:
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,155,000	2,704,000
Charge for the year	448,000	490,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(272,000)	(39,000)
Balance at the end of the period	3,331,000	3,155,000	2,704,000
Net book value:
Net book value	14,152,000	18,608,000	19,465,000
Discontinued operations
Carrying amount:
Impairment of intangible assets of discontinued operations	(2,815,000)
Trade names
Carrying amount:
Balance at the beginning of the period	7,100,000	7,100,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment, indefinite-lived intangibles	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	7,100,000	7,100,000
Net book value:
Net book value	7,100,000	7,100,000	7,100,000
Trade names | Discontinued operations
Carrying amount:
Impairment of intangible assets of discontinued operations	0
Favorable lease assets
Carrying amount:
Balance at the beginning of the period	12,971,000	13,460,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment, finite-lived intangibles	(1,496,000)	(489,000)
Balance at the end of the period	8,660,000	12,971,000
Accumulated amortization:
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,248,000	1,972,000
Charge for the year	311,000	354,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(291,000)	(78,000)
Balance at the end of the period	2,268,000	2,248,000
Net book value:
Net book value	6,392,000	10,723,000	11,488,000
Internet sites
Carrying amount:
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,692,000	1,609,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment, finite-lived intangibles	31,000	83,000
Balance at the end of the period	1,723,000	1,692,000
Accumulated amortization:
Balance at the beginning of the period	907,000	732,000
Charge for the year	137,000	136,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment	19,000	39,000
Balance at the end of the period	1,063,000	907,000
Net book value:
Net book value	660,000	785,000	877,000
Internet sites | Discontinued operations
Carrying amount:
Impairment of intangible assets of discontinued operations	$ 0