O2 trials faster data downloads in King’s Cross and Marble Arch as it prepares for 5G November 26, 2018 O2 is trialling new technology that will boost network connections in London as it prepares to roll out 5G in the UK. The trial, which is being carried out in partnership with Nokia, has been launched at King’s Cross and Marble Arch as the company looks to lay the foundations for future high-speed connections. The [...]
UK pub employment on the rise despite spate of closures November 26, 2018 The number of people employed by pubs in the UK has increased over the last decade, despite a shrinking number of watering holes, new figures have revealed. Research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that while the number of pubs has shrunk from roughly 50,000 in 2008 to 39,000 in 2018, the number of employees [...]
WPP to merge JWT and Wunderman as part of streamlining plan November 26, 2018 Advertising giant WPP is merging its J Walter Thompson (JWT) and Wunderman agencies as the company attempts to streamline its complex business structure. The deal to combine the two subsidiaries will create a new entity called Wunderman Thompson, which will have headquarters in New York and London. The new company will employ roughly 20,000 people in 200 [...]
Trump threatens to close Mexico border permanently after migrants storm crossing November 26, 2018 President Donald Trump today said the US will close its border with Mexico permanently if needed as he repeated calls for a wall between the two countries. “Mexico should move the flag waving Migrants, many of whom are stone cold criminals, back to their countries,” Trump said today on Twitter. “Do it by plane, do [...]
Tech giants criticised for lack of transparency over political lobbying November 26, 2018 Tech behemoths Amazon, Facebook and Google are among the worst companies for failing to offer transparency over their political lobbying efforts, according to Transparency International UK. The organisation's report into corporate political engagement, published today, included assessments of UK companies’ political contributions and lobbying, as well as the so-called revolving door between corporations and politics. Transparency [...]
Melrose share price tumbles following low-ball bids for GKN unit November 26, 2018 Turnaround specialist Melrose led FTSE fallers today as its share price fell over six per cent following reports of disappointing bids for one of its GKN units. Melrose, which bought aerospace company GKN in an £8bn hostile takeover earlier this year, was reportedly forced to reconsider its options after it was low-balled by bids for [...]
Norwegian oil and gas firm DNO makes £608m hostile bid for Faroe Petroleum November 26, 2018 Norwegian oil and gas operator DNO has made an offer to buy Aberdeen-based rival Faroe Petroleum for roughly £607.9m after months of tension between the companies. DNO said today it has offered 152p per share, which it said represents a premium of 20.8 per cent to Faroe’s share price of 125.8p at the close of [...]
Rio Tinto to sell stake in African uranium mine for up to $106.5m November 26, 2018 Global mining group Rio Tinto has agreed a deal to sell its stake in Rossing uranium mine in Namibia to China National Uranium Corp for up to $106.5m (£83m). Rio Tinto is selling its entire 69 per cent in Rossing Uranium Limited, which owns the mine, for an initial sum of $6.5m, the company said [...]
Giggling Squid founder Andy Laurillard on provincial dining and the secrets of his chain’s success November 25, 2018 It’s a laugh a minute for Giggling Squid. The Surrey-based restaurant chain is cropping up in more and more affluent market towns and sleepy suburbs across the south of England, looking to entice customers with its unique offering of accessible Thai cuisine in a relaxed environment. Co-founders Andy Laurillard and his wife Pranee opened their [...]
Giggling Squid founder used ‘Range Rover count’ to choose locations for Thai restaurants November 25, 2018 The founder of Thai restaurant chain Giggling Squid counted the number of Range Rovers in suburban towns to decide whether they would be suitable locations for his restaurant. Andy Laurillard told City A.M. he counted how many Range Rovers passed a potential restaurant site during morning rush hour as part of his research into a town’s [...]