Uber launches driverless car pilot in Pittsburgh September 14, 2016 Uber users in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania could be in for a surprise today – their car could turn up with no-one in the driver's seat. The tech firm has made self-driving Ubers available for the first time in the US city – although they will come with a safety driver "to make sure the ride goes [...]
Pure Gym Group announces intention to float on London Stock Exchange September 14, 2016 Pure Gym Group has unveiled its IPO plans, after months of working towards a flotation on the London Stock Exchange. The company said this morning it intends to apply for a listing on the main market, and the IPO is "expected to raise gross proceeds of £190m". Pure Gym will use the proceeds to repay [...]
Delays at King’s Cross and Moorgates stations due to derailed train at Welwyn Garden City September 13, 2016 Commuters are facing delays at King's Cross station after a train derailed at Welwyn Garden City. According to Great Northern rail, the low speed derailment of an empty train at Welwyn Garden City late last night is causing disruption to journeys between Stevenage and London Kings Cross and Moorgate. As a result of the incident, the company [...]
European Parliament’s Brexit point man Guy Verhofstadt calls for speedy negotiation process September 13, 2016 The man appointed to lead the European Parliament's role in Brexit negotiations with Britain, Guy Verhofstadt, has called for a speedy conclusion to the process. Verhofstadt, an influential MEP who was Prime Minister of Belgium from 1999 to 2008, said on Twitter today that Brexit should be delivered by 2019, when EU politics enters into [...]
Ikea sales hit a record €34.2bn in the year to August 2016 as company’s focus on food pays off September 13, 2016 The world just can't get enough of meatballs and flatpack furniture – and it's reflected in record sales at Ikea, which the company attributed largely to its focus on food in the last year. The Swedish group's total sales rose to €34.2bn (£28.8bn) in the 12 months to the end of August, from €31.9bn the year before. Total sales [...]
Online insurer Esure confirms intention to pursue demerger of Gocompare.com September 13, 2016 Insurance firm Esure has confirmed its proposal to spin off Gocompare.com and list it separately on the London Stock Exchange – just 18 months after buying the price comparison website. Esure made the decision to pursue the demerger after a strategic review, and the appointment of Matthew Crummack as Gocompare's chief executive. Shares in the company [...]
Primark owner Associated British Foods warns Brexit-related currency volatility could hurt profit margins in the new year September 12, 2016 Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) has been feeling the benefits of post-Brexit currency volatility since June – but warned that it may start to see a negative impact in the new financial year. Shares in the company have dropped by 10.68 per cent so far today. [stockChart code="ABF" date="2016-09-12 15:25"] The company said [...]
Public Health England issues health warning ahead of heatwave set to arrive this evening September 12, 2016 The government has issued a health warning ahead of a heatwave which is set to hit the capital this evening. The Met Office has warned that hot and humid weather will arrive today in the east of England, the south east, London and the east Midlands, which will all be put on heatwave level 2 status [...]
Standard & Poor’s says UK economy’s rebound in August may be a “mirage” September 12, 2016 Ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) has warned that signs of a post-Brexit vote recovery in Britain's economy may prove to be a "mirage" as uncertainty about the country's relationship with the European Union weighs on business investment. "While the news is encouraging, we believe it has no bearing on the cloudy longer-term outlook for the [...]
London commuters face transport delays due to 24-hour bus strike September 12, 2016 Commuters in London are facing delays today due to a 24-hour bus strike. Workers from Tower Transit, which operates around five per cent of London bus routes, began their strike at 00:01, and the industrial action is set to continue until 23:59. The staff are members of the Unite union, and previously led industrial action [...]