Abraham steps down

Neville Abraham is stepping down as executive chairman of restaurant chain Groupe Chez Gérard on Wednesday.

Abraham, who becomes non-executive chairman, announced at the group's annual general meeting today that he was giving up his executive role.

He also told the meeting that the group has sold two loss-making Richoux Coffee Co branches in London's Kensington and Piccadilly.

And it has delayed plans to open four Richoux restaurants because of a drop in the chain's profits.

A 10th Chez Gérard restaurant is to open at Heathrow airport's Terminal 3 in spring 2000.

The company is spending £600,000 on fitting out the 120-seat restaurant, its first outside central London. A ninth Chez Gérard opens today on London's South Bank.

Groupe Chez Gérard is also expanding its Livebait chain, opening its fifth restaurant next summer. It will be in Watling Street in the City of London and will seat 120.

The fourth Livebait opens in Notting Hill, west London, in January.