Amazon’s Fire launches in the UK September 8, 2014 AMAZON’S Fire smartphone, the online retailer’s first foray into the crowded smartphone market, will go on sale in the UK on 30 September following its US launch in June. Amazon yesterday announced it has partnered exclusively with O2 to launch the phone which will be free on a £33 a month contract. The Fire features [...]
Hannam back in the game with new firm September 8, 2014 SEASONED City dealmaker Ian Hannam yesterday relaunched advisory boutique Strand Partners as Hannam and Partners. The firm is Hannam’s first foray back into finance since losing a market abuse fine appeal earlier this year. Hannam & Partners will be led by new chief executive Neil Passmore, a former colleague of Hannam’s during his days at [...]
Glenfiddich owner swallows Drambuie September 8, 2014 William Grant & Sons, the Scottish maker of Glenfiddich whisky and Hendrick’s gin has added Drambuie to its portfolio after snapping up the company yesterday for an undisclosed price. Drambuie, a blend of Scotch whisky, spices and honey whose history goes back to 1745, was put up for sale earlier this year by its owners, [...]
Ikea sleepover offers locals an Essex spa break September 8, 2014 YOU MAY have recently rested your frazzled over-worked minds, dear readers, by heading off to some faraway exotic location for a relaxing summer break. Yet for 20 lucky souls in Essex last weekend, an opportunity for chillaxing came from a less typical source. The pack headed off to Lakeside Ikea where they were treated to [...]
Jobhunters get suited and booted September 8, 2014 SHARP-SUITED City men, take note. If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, make sure you do another would-be man about town a favour by donating your old suit. House of Fraser is currently supporting Suited & Booted, a charity which gives donated interview clothes as well as job interview advice to vulnerable and unemployed men [...]
House prices show market finally cooling September 8, 2014 HOUSE prices rose by just 0.1 per cent in August, according to the Halifax index, showing that the UK’s fast-moving property market is finally slowing down. The small increase took the average price to £186,270, with prices in the three months to August three per cent higher than the previous quarter and 9.7 per cent [...]
Electra strikes £90m deal to buy The Original Bowling Company September 8, 2014 Private equity firm Electra Partners yesterday clinched a £91m deal to take control of the UK’s largest bowling alley operator The Original Bowling Company. The group, which is currently wrestling with activist investor Ed Bramson over strategic control of Electra’s future, has bought the 43-site business from CBPE Capital. “We are now firmly established as [...]
Germany and Spain rebound as Eurozone continues to struggle September 8, 2014 GERMAN exports soared over the summer, official data showed yesterday. And Spanish house prices are rising for the first time since the financial crisis struck. Germany’s exports hit a record high of €101bn (£80.9bn) in July, up 8.5 per cent on the year. At the same time imports edged up one per cent to €77.6bn. [...]
Trade unions received £108m from the taxpayer last year September 8, 2014 TRADE unions took more than £100m in government support in 2012-13, according to figures published today by the Taxpayers’ Alliance. Unions received £85m in paid staff time, the study estimated, and £23m in direct payments. “It is simply wrong that taxpayers continue to see their money used to pay thousands of trade union activists who [...]
Bolt out of blue for Schroders as fund star quits September 8, 2014 Funds group Schroders yesterday lost one of its top performing fund managers after she unexpectedly resigned from the group. The FTSE 100 fund giant, the UK’s second-biggest independent manager, said Julie Dean will step down from the group and hand over the reins of her £2.2bn UK fund immediately. Schroders unveiled fund manager Matt Hudson [...]