Diageo weighs London job cuts to boost profits September 18, 2016 Drinks giant Diageo – owner of Guinness and Smirnoff brands – is finalising plans to slash jobs at its London headquarters. A review of staffing at offices in Park Royal, northwest London, is expected to significantly reduce the 1,500 headcount, though the axe is expected to fall across Diageo’s operations around the world. A productivity programme [...]
Online retailer Hut Group set to announce Ideal acquisition September 18, 2016 Online retailer Hut Group is poised to announce the takeover of an American dieting and sports nutrition company. The digital retailer is expected to announce the deal for Ideal Shape in the coming days, Sky News reported. Read more: The Hut Group eyes acquisitions after securing £210m loan Hut Group reported group sales of £334m, [...]
Mmmm: Doughnut company Krispy Kreme prepares for London float September 18, 2016 Doughnut company Krispy Kreme is progressing with its plans for an initial public offering (IPO) in London. The UK arm of the American company, which is controlled by private equity firm Alcuin Capital, is planning to float on the London Stock Exchange next month. Read more: Premier listing: Fund manager plots London Stock Exchange flotation The float, [...]
City Pub Company says cheers to AIM listing as sales rise by a third September 16, 2016 Quaint pub group City Pub Company has announced its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange's junior market late next year, while revenues at the firm have risen by a third. The figures Sales at City Pub Company rose by 36 per cent to £12.1m in the first half of the year, up from £8.9m in the same period [...]
London is the healthiest region in the UK with the highest number of cyclists and the best BMIs September 16, 2016 If you're someone who's been lured into the world of London Park Runs or has become addicted to the capital's latest healthy food pop-ups – you're not alone. London is the healthiest region in the UK, according to data from healthcare provider Simplyhealth and YouGov. Nearly half of adults living in London have a "healthy" body [...]
Whisky galore: Scotch exports rise for first time since 2013, but Brexit concerns weigh heavy on industry September 16, 2016 Scotch was used to prop up bars a little more worldwide last year as global export volumes grew for the first time since 2013 – though the industry is still hesitant on the challenges of Brexit. Volumes of Scotch, which already adds £5bn to the UK's economy, shipped overseas grew by 3.1 per cent over the first [...]
Next and Morrisons: What a difference a year makes September 16, 2016 What a difference a year makes. This time in 2015, shares in clothing retailer Next were up after it reported a jump in sales in its first half. Meanwhile, Morrisons warned of a “long recovery” as it made plans to sell its underperforming M Local stores amid falling sales and profits. Yesterday those fortunes reversed: [...]
Drinks industry body and local companies file lawsuit in bid to halt Philadelphia sugar tax on soft drinks September 15, 2016 A US drinks industry body and small businesses have launched a lawsuit to try to block a soft drinks tax in the US city of Philadelphia. The city council voted in favour of the tax in June, which will introduce a levy of 1.5 cents per ounce to sugar-sweetened soft beverages in January. Proceeds from [...]
Curzon cinema Mayfair under threat of closure in soundproofing row September 15, 2016 The historic Curzon cinema in the West End may closure after developers have made a noise complaint. Developers want the cinema – which has been on Curzon street since 1934 – to pay for soundproofing to make it easier to sell the £2m flats being converted on the floors above. However, the cinema will not be able [...]
Car repair and Ovenclean owner Franchise Brands polishes off double-digit revenues after August IPO September 15, 2016 Recently-listed international group Franchise Brands posted double-digit turnover in its maiden results today. The figures Franchise's two main brands, DIY disrupters Ovenclean and minor car repair service ChipsAway, traded well in the six months to 30 June, with group revenue rising 10 per cent to £2.5m. Profit before tax nudged up 18.3 per cent for [...]