Provident Financial shares climb after credit card business beats expectations January 15, 2020 Shares Provident Financial rose today after the subprime lender said its credit card business, Vanquis Bank, performed “modestly above expectations” in the fourth quarter. Provident Financial led the FTSE 250 index risers on Wednesday, with shares up as much as 5.85 per cent to 446.6p by lunchtime. Read more: Non-Standard Finance abandons offer for Provident [...]
Revolution Bars secures deal to cut rents and close venues January 15, 2020 Revolution Bars Group is planning to shut two loss-making venues and has secured rent reductions at three more, as the operator aims to adapt to changing consumer habits. The company has come to an agreement with its landlord Aprirose to exit leases at five Revolution bars. Venues in Lincoln and Fallowfield – a student area in [...]
Nigel Farage’s Westminster Brexit bash granted planning approval January 15, 2020 Nigel Farage has been granted permission to throw a Brexit day party at Wesminster’s Parliament Square. The Brexit bash is set for 31 January to coincide with the date Britain leaves the EU, and is expected to cost £100,000 and attract 10,000 people. Read more: Planning uncertainty over Nigel Farage Brexit night party Farage tweeted [...]
Picardilly Circus: TfL renames Tube station to celebrate Star Trek launch January 15, 2020 When Star Trek fans talk about exploring strange new worlds, they probably don’t have Piccadilly Circus Tube station in mind. However, Trekkies can now enjoy a taste of the extraterrestrial thanks to a publicity stunt launched by Transport for London (TfL). Read more: Experts unsure about the effect of air pollution on the Tube For [...]
Karren Brady says feminist principles ‘didn’t square’ with Sir Philip Green allegations January 15, 2020 Baroness Karren Brady said quit the board of Arcadia’s holding company as her feminist principles did not “square” with allegations about retail tycoon Philip Green. Brady stepped down as non-executive chairman of Taveta Investments last February as Green faced allegations of harassment and bullying, which he denies. Read more: Karren Brady and a lesson on [...]
Health secretary Hancock suggests A&E waiting targets could be scrapped January 15, 2020 Four-hour waiting targets for A&E could be scrapped in England, on the back of the worst figures on record this winter, Matt Hancock hinted this morning. The health secretary said “clinically appropriate” aims and the “right targets” would be a better approach, as he sought to defend the NHS’s failure to meet existing targets in [...]
UK house prices increase as market shows signs of confidence in November January 15, 2020 UK house prices increased in the year to November, demonstrating returning signs of confidence in the property market, according to the latest data. Average UK house prices were up 2.2 per cent in November last year, compared to a 1.3 per cent jump in the year to October. Read more: London’s house prices rose twice [...]
New mortgages fall in November after 2018 surge January 15, 2020 The number of first time buyer mortgages dropped in November last year, following a surge in house purchase activity in 2018. There were 30,620 new first-time buyer mortgages completed in November 2019, a decline of 10.5 per cent compared to the same month the previous year. Read more: First time buyer mortgages hit 12-year high [...]
London investor in Peloton and Goop raises third fund at $300m January 15, 2020 Venture capital firm Felix Capital has today revealed its third fund at $300m (£230.3m), targeting startups at both early and growth stages across London and beyond. The firm has previously invested in the likes of Deliveroo, Peloton and Mejuri, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle brand Goop. The new fund is double that of its [...]
Greggs picks Just Eat over Deliveroo for nationwide delivery roll out January 15, 2020 Greggs has chosen to partner with Just Eat as it expands its food delivery option nationwide, in a boost for the takeaway app over rival Deliveroo. The high street bakery chain was weighing up both food delivery companies following successful trials in several cities last year. This morning Greggs said it had opted to work [...]