Eighth office

Robert Barry & Co has opened a new office in Birmingham, taking the number of offices in the UK to eight. The new site will be headed by Jon Wren, above, who moved from the London office this month. The opening follows the launch of Robert Barry's Manchester and Southampton offices, and is part of a continuing long-term expansion into new locations. Shore thing A Rutland hotel let to Greene King subsidiary Old English Inns for the next nine years has been sold through Christie & Co. Anglian Water sold the freehold of the Normanton Park Hotel on the shore of Rutland Water at Normanton, to a London-based solicitor for a figure in excess of the £1m price. Twenty-two offers were received for the property. Steak out A former cabbie is selling the Birmingham restaurant and bar he set up after spotting a hole in the market 15 years ago. The venue ­ Galley Steak & Seafood Restaurant and the Crow's Nest Theatre Bar ­ was established after the owner, then a black cab driver, spoke to shift workers and late-night revellers wanting a good-quality late-night steak venue. The freehold business is for sale at £465,000 with Christie & Co.