Pound soars against the dollar as Remain takes 18-point lead in new opinion poll May 18, 2016 The pound has shot up against the dollar after a new opinion poll showed the Remain side could be soaring ahead as the EU referendum campaign enters its final five weeks. In a new Ipsos Mori poll for the Evening Standard, released this afternoon, 55 per cent of voters said they were in favour of staying in [...]
Johnston Press shows signs of a turnaround after bumpy start to year May 18, 2016 Regional publisher Johnston Press, which recently bought the i newspaper, today said it expects its full-year results to be in line with expectations despite a challenging first quarter. In its trading update for 3 January 2016 to 30 April 2016, group revenue fell by 13.7 per cent, hit by a 16.9 per cent decline in [...]
Uber commissioned research says Uber is not the source of London congestion May 18, 2016 Uber is often blamed for London's congestion, as the city grinds slower and slower to a standstill. But it's not Uber's fault… according to research commissioned by Uber. The research has looked into why London is now the most congested city in Europe, and found the problem is due to e-commerce. How? The research shows that demand [...]
The Queen’s Speech 2016: Here’s everything announced today May 18, 2016 Today's Queen's Speech was announced as a “one nation” effort by Prime Minister David Cameron, and was set around three principles – the economy, increasing chances for the disadvantaged and security. The economy – digital, transport, planning and jobs The Queen laid out plans to modernise Britain's climate for business through a Digital Economy Bill, [...]
Marston’s raises a glass to growth from posh pub food and its beer business in its half-year results May 18, 2016 Premium pub owner and brewer Marston's raised a glass to strong growth across the board in its half-year results today, with extra boosts from its beer segment and posh pub food. The figures Marston's, which has an estate of around 1,600 pubs in the UK, posted growth of 11.5 per cent in group underlying revenue in the [...]
Now Markit’s household finance index comes in at a two-year low as families batten down the hatches May 18, 2016 Families are feeling a pinch in their pockets as the latest crucial indicator of consumer confidence falls to a two-year low. The Markit household finances index, which tracks disposable incomes and optimism among UK households crashed to 42.3 – on an index where scores below 50 indicate pessimism – from a score of 45.1 last month. "The reading pointed to a substantial deterioration in [...]
EU referendum: What Brexit means for the mid-market May 18, 2016 A vote in favour of Brexit presents many challenges to business but the mid-market, niche by nature and agile by necessity, is well placed to adapt. Indeed, it is fundamental that it does so: mid-sized businesses are only going to increase in their importance to the overall economy, forecast to be the fastest growing segment [...]
Patisserie Holdings’ share price rises after unveiling sweet profits and revenues May 18, 2016 Patisserie Valerie owner Patisserie Holdings saw its share price soar by 4.4 per cent this morning after its half-year results revealed bumper revenues and profits. The Aim-listed company, which also owns the cafe chain Baker & Spice, reported a 14.4 per cent rise in revenue to £50m for the six months ended 31 March 2016, [...]
The Nokia brand is as tough as the 3310 and is making a come back: Microsoft offloads Nokia handset business to Foxconn for $350m while Finnish company HMD picks up licences May 18, 2016 After Microsoft bought Nokia's handset business in 2014 we thought the 1990's icon Nokia would be gone from phone shops for good. Now it looks as though the brand is a tough as its famously indestructible 3310, after being revived by a sell off from software behemoth Microsoft. Microsoft, after just yesterday revealing its stance on Brexit, has passed on its mobile [...]
Why Google’s Android Pay UK launch is far more exciting than Apple’s May 18, 2016 Less than a year after Apple Pay reached the UK, Android Pay has landed. Since last July only a lucky few – those who own an Apple Watch or one of the recent raft of iPhones (including the SE) – could pay for goods and services via their phones. This was merely the green shoots [...]