City briefs
- Heavitree Brewery saw operating profits fall to £875,000 in the year to the end of October 2001, down from £1.2m the previous year. During the year, Heavitree took over the running of its managed estate, previously contracted out, and part of the profit fall came through a £200,000 investment in operational systems. The number of managed houses increased from 12 to 18, pushing turnover up to £11.91m from £10.29m. The core tenanted business was up by 14 per cent.
Scott Cooper is to become chief executive of Henley-on-Thames pub operator Brakspear. The move follows a management shake-up in the wake of the company's decision to quit brewing and concentrate on its regional pub business. Mr Cooper, currently finance director, will succeed current chief executive Jim Burrows on March 1. Brakspear chairman Mike Foster said: "With the major changes complete, the board believes it is the right time to slim down the executive team and Jim Burrows has agreed to step down."
French wines and spirits group Pernod Ricard has reported sales of €4,835m (£3,235m) for the year to the end of December. The figures, up six per cent on the previous year, were boosted by the integration of former Seagram brands such as Sandeman, acquired at the end of 2001. Sales of Jacob's Creek and Havana Club were up 12 per cent, while Jameson rose seven per cent.
The Somerset-based Wessex Pub Company has gone from owning just one pub to four within three months. Managing director Nick Buckland has added the Ship at Upavon, Wiltshire; the Plume of Feathers in Rickford, and the Fox and Hounds at Farleigh Wick to his original pub the Castle of Comfort at Rickford. Steve Crook, manager of the Castle of Comfort for the past 18 months, has become a director of the company.
