CLAPHAM House is listening to offers for one or more of its brands as it tries to prevent a takeover by Capricorn Ventures.
THE company behind the Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) restaurant chain, which is run by former Pizza Express bosses David Page and Paul Campbell, is said to have received a number of inquiries from investors keen on the Bombay Bicycle Club, The Real Greek and Tootsies, Clapham House`s other restaurant brands.
The Times says the group is exploring whether it would be worth pursuing the sale of one or more of the brands, which would raise money to invest in its core GBK operation.
A source told the Times: “The company is reviewing its structure."
There has been talk in the city that Capricorn, which owns the Nando’s chicken restaurant chain and has amassed a 29.9 per cent stake in Clapham House, could be getting ready to launch a takeover bid.
Capricorn emerged as a shareholder in December after a downbeat results statement from Clapham House saw 40 per cent wiped off the company’s share price.
The review is believed to be in its early stages, but the company hopes that diverting funds into the popular GBK chain would be enough to put Capricorn off.