BEST OF THE BROKERS September 13, 2010 THORNTONS FinnCap reiterates its “sell” rating on Thorntons saying its recent results marked the latest in a disappointing run for the chocolate firm. It believes long term success depends on the business successfully rebalancing the business away from its retail stores towards other commercial sales. It adds this strategy is unproven. DE LA RUE Evolution [...]
FOCUS ON: CAMDEN September 9, 2010 BAYHAM STREET, NW1 Price: £925,000 This four-bed house is located between Camden Town and Mornington Crescent. It has been renovated to provide a home with master suite, an open-plan kitchen and a reception on the first floor. The house has a landscaped garden with a terrace and a balcony. Contact: Chesterton Humberts on 020 7267 [...]
Prezzo revenue rises as its new outlets pay off September 8, 2010 PIZZA restaurant chain Prezzo yesterday reported a 21 per cent rise in first-half adjusted pre-tax profit, helped by new restaurant launches and improved margins, and said it was confident for the rest of the year. The company, which opened seven new restaurants during the first half, said current trading was in line with expectations. January [...]
PROPERTY FIRM OF THE YEAR | September 8, 2010 THE City’s skyline is changing. Skyscrapers are springing up – okay, more slowly than before, but they are coming. Added to that the commitment to opening retail space and the whole character of the Square Mile is changing. At a time when it might have been easier to abandon their projects, they have shown confidence [...]
Pinnacle team brings in second agent to attract pre-let tenants to the tower September 7, 2010 ARAB Investments, the developer of the Pinnacle skyscraper, has brought in an extra letting agent to sell leases in the tower on Billingsgate. Property company CB Richard Ellis has joined Savills as joint leasing agent on the tower, which is set to be the tallest building in London when completed in 2013. “It’s something we’ve [...]
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 [...]
Wagamama gears up for auction September 5, 2010 Wagamama owner Lion Capital is expected to contact potential bidders this week before auctioning the restaurant chain for as much as £250m. Rothschild, which is advising Lion, will send a memorandum with further information to interested parties this week. Lion cancelled a public flotation and turned down a £210m bid in 2007, after it felt [...]
BANK BOSS DIMON HIT BY HOUSE PRICE WOES September 5, 2010 LIFE sucks if you’re the boss of one of the world’s largest banks in the wake of the crisis – not only are you required to defend your dwindling pay package and parry stinging verbal attacks from politicians on an almost daily basis, but you’re also cursed with ill luck in the real estate arena. [...]
Brazilian trio takes Burger King for $4bn September 2, 2010 A LITTLE-KNOWN private equity firm stunned Wall Street by taking over troubled fast food chain Burger King in a $4bn (£2.6bn) deal yesterday. Analysts began talking about a potential wave of takeovers in the restaurant sector after 3G Capital, a New York-based vehicle run by three Brazilian billionaires, agreed a $24-per-share offer with the company’s [...]
HSBC warns over UK banking exodus September 2, 2010 A LITTLE-KNOWN private equity firm stunned Wall Street by taking over troubled fast food chain Burger King in a $4bn (£2.6bn) deal yesterday. Analysts began talking about a potential wave of takeovers in the restaurant sector after 3G Capital, a New York-based vehicle run by three Brazilian billionaires, agreed a $24-per-share offer with the company’s [...]