CITY BRIEFS
Zenker snaps up Christie shares
Property agent Christie Group's finance director Robert Zenker has bought three tranches of shares in the company in a short time. Zenker now holds 172,000 shares having bought 50,000 shares in three tranches. The company is in the process of moving to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
Ringlestone added to Sheps' flock
Shepherd Neame has recently acquired one of Kent's best-known historic ale houses, the Ringlestone Inn, which is in an area of countryside in a tiny hamlet near Harrietsham. Shepherd Neame property director George Barnes said: 'We are delighted to have purchased the Ringlestone Inn, which is a popular destination for tourists and walkers.'
Spirit boss joins Gondola board
Spirit boss Karen Jones is to join the board of Gondola Holdings, the new name for the Pizza Express, Ask and Zizzi business. Gondola, which has turnover of £371m and Ebitda of £84.6m in the year to 26 June, is seeking an initial public offering. The company employs 10,000 people, runs 497 restaurants and serves 30m meals a year. It opened 24 restaurants last year and plans to open another 20 to 25 venues this year. Like-for-like sales in the 16 week period to 16 October were 3.2% up. TDR Capital acquired Pizza Express in 2003 and Ask in 2004.
Punch reopens fire-damaged bar
Punch Taverns is to reopen the Clarendon bar in Glasgow in January. The pub has been closed for two years following a fire that killed Gillian Purvis who was living in a flat above. The blaze took firefighters seven hours to control and six people in other flats were taken to hospital.
Barracuda hits 73rd S&J outlet
Barracuda has opened its latest Smith & Jones outlet, the Lockstone, in Long Eaton, Derbyshire. The pub is located in the 1937 art deco gas showroom at Therm House in the town and cost £1m to convert. The Lockstone brings the total number of Smith & Jones pubs across the country to 73.
