Britain is a nation of morning people according to a new poll by Hillarys March 31, 2016 You may have found it hard to get out of bed this morning, but new research shows (surprisingly) that Britain is a country of morning people. Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of respondents in a poll identified themselves as a "morning person", with morning people being defined as those who feel liveliest, happiest and [...]
Members of The Hundred Group considering taking a public stance on Brexit March 31, 2016 The finance directors of Britain's biggest companies are being polled on whether to take an official, public stance on Brexit ahead of the European Union membership referendum in June. Finance chiefs from the Hundred Group, a deliberately low-profile organisation comprising finance directors of FTSE 100 and other major UK companies, are being questioned about their corporate and [...]
Tesco prepares to sell off restaurant chain Giraffe March 31, 2016 Tesco is preparing for another disposal and sounding out potential buyers for restaurant business Giraffe. The supermarket bought the chain in 2013 for £49m, with plans to open Giraffe branches beside its stores. At the time, Tesco said the deal was an "opportunity to develop some of the space in our larger stores to create retail destinations [...]
Camra could call last orders on traditional focus as it launches consultation among its 177,000 members March 31, 2016 The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has launched a consultation among its 177,000 members to ask "who and what it should represent" in the future, even if it means not focusing on real ale. Camra, which launched in 1971, has traditionally focused its activities on promoting and protecting traditional real ale, but has also supported issues to [...]
Christie’s is auctioning off the world’s largest blue diamond – the Oppenheimer Blue – which could go for up to $45m March 31, 2016 Jewel connoisseurs will have the opportunity to pick up one of the world's "most legendary" diamonds in May, when the Oppenheimer Blue is put on the market by Christie's. Weighing 14.62 carats, the Oppenheimer Blue will be the largest vivid blue diamond ever to appear at auction – and is estimated to be worth between [...]
Co-op Bank kicks off search for new boss to replace Niall Booker, update expected with tomorrow’s results March 31, 2016 The troubled Co-op Bank has begun its search for a replacement for its outgoing chief executive Niall Booker, with top bankers at Barclays and Santander already approached for the role. Stephen Jones, who stepped down as Santander UK's chief financial officer several months ago, and at least one internal candidate are thought to have been shortlisted. [...]
Should the UK worry about its record current account deficit? March 31, 2016 The UK's current account deficit has reached its highest level since comparable records began in 1955. It rose to £32.7bn in the final three months of 2015, equal to seven per cent of GDP. A big current account deficit can often be a precursor to an economic crisis, so should the UK worry about it? A sign [...]
Work in Canary Wharf? Charitable hot drink vendor Change Please is coming to the Docklands, so now there’s an ethical way to get your morning coffee March 31, 2016 Canary Wharfers are getting a new way to have their morning coffee fix. If you've been mulling the ethics of where you get your morning coffee from, fret no more: there's a new solution in the Docklands. Change Please, founded by former City trader Cemal Ezel and the Big Issue, transforms the lives of London's homeless and [...]
Landlords make last minute dash to beat buy-to-let stamp duty hike deadline March 31, 2016 Landlords and agents were scrambling to complete last-minute purchases of second home and buy-to-let properties today ahead of stamp duty hike which comes into effect at midnight. George Osborne's clampdown on buy-to-let properties was announced in November's Autumn Statement as part of a raft measures designed to tackle the housing crisis and help more first-time buyers on the property [...]
Steel crisis: Four things that could happen to Tata steelworks next March 31, 2016 The government has been forced to hold a crisis meeting, while dissatisfaction among unions, business groups and the opposition continues to rise. With thousands of British jobs at stake, what could happen to Tata's embattled UK business? Full or partial sale In an ideal world, Tata would be able to find a buyer for its stricken [...]