Asda deal to sell petrol forecourts to EG Group terminated October 18, 2021 The Issa brothers have decided to terminate EG Group’s acquisition of Asda’s petrol forecourt business. In an update on Monday, Asda said the termination came after the supermarket and the Issa brothers’ EG were allowed to share commercial information with one another. They had been previously restricted under UK competitive law but a ‘hold separate’ [...]
Colin Powell: First black US secretary of state passes away after Covid complications October 18, 2021 Colin Powell, the first black US secretary of state and military leader, has died from complications of coronavirus. The diplomat served under several Republican administrations, including under President George W. Bush as the 65th secretary of state. In a post on Facebook, Powell’s family confirmed he had passed away on Monday morning, CNN reported. “General [...]
Timpson to cover HRT costs for staff going through menopause October 18, 2021 Retail service provider Timpson Group has said that staff can expense their prescription costs for recommended HRT. Employees of the cobbler and key-cutting firm can claim hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on expenses. The treatment relieves symptoms of the menopause. In a tweet, group chief executive James Timpson said: “It’s so important that we support our [...]
Qatar emerges as front runner in talks for £4bn Selfridges October 18, 2021 The Qatar sovereign wealth fund has been revealed to be a front runner in the £4bn takeover race for the iconic Selfridges. It was reported this summer that the Westons – the billionaire family behind the department store chain – had launched a formal sales process after an approach. Now, The Mail on Sunday has [...]
Treasury presses ahead with online sales tax October 18, 2021 The Chancellor is reportedly amping up plans for an ‘Amazon tax’ that would help bricks-and-mortar high street stores. It comes after businesses were left bitterly disappointed by reports that Rishi Sunak has delayed a radical overhaul of the business rates system. Treasury officials have sped up work on a new online sales tax in the [...]
Supreme enjoys growth after dodging supply chain chaos October 18, 2021 Wholesale supplier Supreme has said it is pleased with a strong performance in the first half of the financial year, driven by vaping and fitness trends. In an update for the six months ended September 30 2021, the group said it was confident in achieving full year expectations. Sales have been driven by its vaping [...]
West End bemoans business rates delays as reform heads for the long grass October 15, 2021 Central London bosses last night said another delay to business rates reform would be a “further blow” for beleaguered bars and restaurants. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has reportedly delayed a fundamental review of the levy, further rubbing salt in the wounds of West End businesses teetering on the brink after several lockdowns and fledgling return of [...]
Lateral flow tests to replace PCRs for double jabbed arrivals October 14, 2021 Fully vaccinated passengers arriving in England from countries not on the red list can take a lateral flow test rather than a PCR shortly. The government confirmed on Thursday evening that from October 24 double jabbed fliers and most under-18-year-olds will be able to take the cheaper test. They must take the test on or [...]
Met warns over fraudsters dressing up as police after pair pictured entering home October 14, 2021 A video has depicted two men dressed up as police officers and gaining entry to an east London home. The Met police has said it is looking to speak to two men after police were called at 6.15pm on Tuesday October 12 to a property in The Shaftesburys, Barking. The pair claimed they were there [...]
Genome sequencing firm Oxford Nanopore raises revenue growth guidance October 14, 2021 Oxford Nanopore Technologies has raised revenue growth guidance for its core unit for the current financial year. The nanopore-based sensing technology firm increased guidance for the core Life Science Research Tools (LSRT) unit after strong growth. The company now expects constant currency growth between 60 per cent and 70 per cent at the unit in [...]
