Gill gives new life to Musselburgh complex

LAST night Charan Gill marked the latest stage in his illustrious business career with the relaunch of his new venture, The Quay Complex at Fisherrow Harbour, in Musselburgh.

The man who pocketed an 8 million cheque for the sale of Harlequin Leisure Group and his chain of 17 Indian restaurants - the largest chain of its type in Europe - bought the tired-looking pub and restaurant site in April for 1.35m and has since spent 750,000 doing it up.

Before then the Fisherrow and Musselburgh Co-operative Society had concluded the site was placing an unsustainable drain on its resources and launched a nationwide search for a "white knight" to take it over.

Gill showed off the details of the upgrade, which maybe inevitably includes a new Indian restaurant called Chubara (Indian for penthouse) and two refurbished function suites.

He also revealed that, in the five months since the sale, Quay Complex is exceeding its sales targets and is on course to double its 1m turnover within its first year under his ownership.

FACT OF THE DAY

-12.97%

THE amount Umbro slumped after the replica kit firm reported a slide in first-half figures and said lower replica jersey sales will impact earnings in 2008. The group said replica sales of England shirts in the summer months have been especially "disappointing", though it believes full-year licensed apparel sales will be in line with expectations. Pre-tax profit for the half slumped 44.5 per cent to 9.8m.

KILLER QUOTE

"ICAS is in great shape as it launches its new strategy this month. I am determined it continues to make a difference and to influence accountancy developments globally."

- Suitably upbeat words from Alan Thomson, the former finance director of Smiths Group, next vice-president of the Scottish accounting institute, who will become president in 2010.

GOOD DAY

HMV

A BOOST to DVD sales from wet summer weather and the launch of the latest Harry Potter novel saw like-for-like group sales grow by 5.8 per cent in the 18 weeks to 1 September at HMV. The retailer said the business was in good shape for Christmas.

BAD DAY

Call centre workers

EASYJET is to close its Luton call centre with the loss of 144 jobs. The budget airline has decided to move the operation to Berlin in Germany and Poznan in Poland to cut costs. The firm, based in Luton, said it was working with call centre staff and would provide career advice.