Small firms’ confidence soars as the recovery takes hold at last September 15, 2013 THE RECOVERY means most London firms expect to be able to grow in the next year, while hiring is up across the country as confidence rises, according to two studies. Small firms in the capital are at their most confident ever, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Its confidence index shot up to [...]
Accountants predict robust UK growth to bounce back in 2014 September 15, 2013 AFTER good growth figures were revealed for the second quarter, a major group of accountants has raised its growth forecast for the UK, citing the strongest business confidence since 2010. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) announced today that it expects 2.3 per cent growth next year, after 1.5 per cent [...]
Listed firms on London Fashion Week stage September 15, 2013 Luxury handbag and fashion favourite Mulberry revealed its latest collection yesterday at London Fashion Week, with model Cara Delevingne also stepping out for Sir Philip Green’s Topshop Unique brand. Models for FTSE 100 firm Burberry will tread the boards today.
Royal Mail faces legal fight over tax exemptions September 15, 2013 THE GOVERNMENT’S plan to privatise the Royal Mail came under attack this weekend as the postal service faces legal action over its VAT exemption status as well as the increasing possibility of strike action over its float. TNT Post UK will go to the High Court on 26 November to challenge the Royal Mail’s 20 [...]
Cash shunned by consumers and firms as payments go mobile September 15, 2013 MOBILE transaction volumes will come close to the 30bn mark in 2014, according to a report out today from RBS and Capgemini, as consumers and firms increasingly move away from cash and onto electronic channels. Non-cash payments are expected to top 333bn transactions globally this year, a rise of 8.5 per cent on the year. [...]
Cyber criminals target suppliers to hit big firms September 15, 2013 HACKERS are increasingly accessing the computer systems of large corporations by targeting their much smaller suppliers, insurer Allianz will claim today. Large businesses have spent billions beefing up their security systems. But while this has rebuffed some computer criminals, hackers have responded by attacking small firms that supply the same firms. “Many cyber criminals are [...]
Brunei family’s secret £500m swoop on Queensway September 15, 2013 A PRIVATE Brunei family has spent £500m secretly buying most of Queensway, with the aim of regenerating the area into an urban village. The off-market deals are being arranged by Siahaf, a property development firm run by British businessman Johnny Sandelson and Bruneian entrepreneur Mohamad Shuif Hussain. A spokesperson for Sandelson would not confirm the [...]
Media firms double demand for office space on the Southbank September 15, 2013 BOOMING demand from the media industry is set to double take-up of office space along London’s Southbank this year, according to new research from estate agent Knight Frank. Nearly 700,000 square feet (sq ft) of office space has been acquired on the Southbank in 2013 so far. Major leasing deals this year include News Corp, [...]
Longchamp opens British flagship store September 15, 2013 French luxury goods retailer Longchamp officially opens its biggest store in Europe today, on London’s Regent Street. Kate Moss, pictured here at the store’s opening party on Saturday night, models for the brand. The 5,400 sq ft store is Longchamp’s third British outlet, alongside Westfield London and New Bond Street. The opening is part of [...]
Five years since Lehman failure heralded crisis September 15, 2013 THIS WEEKEND marked the fifth anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the landmark moment that began the sharp spiral into the financial crisis. The iconic investment bank was declared bankrupt after more than 150 years of business, and its web of complex trades around the world baffled investors and regulators, and sparked panic globally. [...]