Clapham House warns of tough times ahead September 6, 2010 GOURMET Burger Kitchen (GBK) owner Clapham House yesterday warned of a “volatile” environment as it opened a new outlet at the 02 complex in Greenwich. Clapham, which also owns The Real Greek chain, has received a takeover approach from an unnamed suitor and talks over a possible deal are ongoing. But chairman David Page did [...]
Mitchells & Butlers sees food sales soar September 23, 2010 Britain’s biggest pubs and restaurants group Mitchells & Butlers reported a 4.4 per cent increase in sales at outlets open for more than a year driven by a surge in demand for food. The company, which is re-shaping itself into a food-led business, said sales of food increased 7.1 per cent in the nine weeks [...]
Beauty, isolation and serious bling November 11, 2010 THE Cornish coast is known for many things – ancient ruined castles, desolate cliffs, a thriving arts scene, high-grade surfing – but blinging property isn’t generally one of them. Blue Point, a £3.25m home overlooking the bobbing fishing boats of the tiny fishing village of Gorran Haven on Cornwall’s eastern coast, is the kind of [...]
Beauty, isolation and serious bling November 11, 2010 THE Cornish coast is known for many things – ancient ruined castles, desolate cliffs, a thriving arts scene, high-grade surfing – but blinging property isn’t generally one of them. Blue Point, a £3.25m home overlooking the bobbing fishing boats of the tiny fishing village of Gorran Haven on Cornwall’s eastern coast, is the kind of [...]
Finally, the City gets the retail hub it deserves October 27, 2010 DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT LAND SECURITIES AFTER years in the making, I am very excited to introduce One New Change, the City of London’s newest and largest retail experience, as it opens at midday today. Boasting 60 stores over three floors, One New Change offers something for everyone. Some of the UK’s most loved brands, including [...]
Finally, the City gets the retail hub it deserves October 27, 2010 DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT LAND SECURITIES AFTER years in the making, I am very excited to introduce One New Change, the City of London’s newest and largest retail experience, as it opens at midday today. Boasting 60 stores over three floors, One New Change offers something for everyone. Some of the UK’s most loved brands, including [...]
HOTEL REVIEW October 17, 2010 The Oberoi – Mumbai THE GLEAMING five-star Oberoi hotel has spent a lot of time and money trying to forget the past. The Mumbai landmark, a playground for the megacity’s elite as well as foreign VIPs like former US President Bill Clinton, was reopened in April following an 18-month, $40m renovation after being at the [...]
Glamour is going west for the winter November 17, 2010 FOLLOWING the slew of recent East London launches, attention is shifting to the West where things are hotting up. After the summer additions of the Brompton Club and Beaufort House, the most exciting new club for some time is heading to Chelsea in the shape of Guy Pelly’s new offering, Public on the King’s Road. [...]
Restaurant Group profit surges September 2, 2010 The Restaurant Group – which owns Garfunkel’s, Chiquito, Frankie & Benny’s – yesterday reported an upturn in profit despite the ash cloud crisis which hit its airport concessions. It saw its pre-tax profit rise 13 per cent to £24.6m in the six months to July. The company raised its interim dividend ten per cent to [...]
CARLUCCIO’S SOLD IN £90m DUBAI DEAL September 2, 2010 Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s yesterday agreed to a £90.3m takeover by Middle Eastern retail giant Landmark Group. Dubai-headquartered Landmark has offered 142p a share in cash for Carluccio’s, which has 47 restaurants and food shops in the UK. Landmark plans to keep on Carluccio’s existing management team, including chief executive Simon Kossoff and chairman Stephen [...]