Cityline vanishes in compass revamp

By Gaby Huddart

The Cityline and Austin Bedford Catering names are set to disappear as Compass tidies up its portfolio following the acquisition of Eurest this summer.

Philip Redfern, who formed the two companies in 1987 and steered their sale to Eurest in March, has resigned his post as a director of Eurest.

The brands will now be subsumed within Compass divisions.

"When Cityline and Austin Bedford were sold to Eurest earlier this year, Philip Redfern was on an earn-out deal so he had to stay with the business for six months before he could leave - that's exactly what has happened," explained Mike Oldfield, director of Compass Business and Industry.

"Mr Redfern won't be replaced because the Austin Bedford business will now be merged within Compass South-East, while Cityline is going into Compass in the City," he added.

Meanwhile, the three divisions of Leith's are also undergoing a reorganisation, although in this case the brand will remain very distinct within Compass.

The Leith's concession and banqueting businesses, including the contract for the new Edinburgh International Conference Centre, will come under the control of Tony Roestenburg, the managing director of Letheby & Christopher and Eatons.

Its staff catering business will also continue as a separate brand but will now report to Edward Griffiths, the director of Roux Fine Dining, who will now also become director of Leith's.

Midlands-based Caterskill, which was acquired by Eurest last Christmas, will similarly retain its own identity.

Mr Oldfield said there would be no redundancies as a result of the changes.