EU’s Oettinger: German nuclear deal is fair September 6, 2010 European Union energy commissioner Gunether Oettinger yesterday welcomed Germany’s nuclear energy move made by the government on Sunday, saying plans to grant nuclear plants longer life cycles tied in with wider energy plans for the bloc. Talking to reporters at an energy conference in Munich, he said: “The EU wants to lay down a focus [...]
Invensys eyes nuclear deal September 6, 2010 British engineering group Invensys yesterday said it was in talks to provide controls and systems for up to four new nuclear power stations in China. Chief executive Ulf Henriksson said at Nomura’s Rail Infrastructure seminar that Invensys was increasingly targeting emerging markets, particularly in its power, oil and gas and railway operations. “We have had [...]
Clapham House warns of tough times ahead September 6, 2010 GOURMET Burger Kitchen (GBK) owner Clapham House yesterday warned of a “volatile” environment as it opened a new outlet at the 02 complex in Greenwich. Clapham, which also owns The Real Greek chain, has received a takeover approach from an unnamed suitor and talks over a possible deal are ongoing. But chairman David Page did [...]
Car sales fall as scrappage bites the dust September 6, 2010 NEW car sales plunged 17.5 per cent year-on-year in August after the scrappage scheme was phased out, figures showed yesterday. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) data revealed that sales had dropped for the second consecutive month, after falling by 13 per cent year-on-year in July. The biggest fall was in private car [...]
Goals Soccer hit by snowfall September 6, 2010 GOALS Soccer Centres saw its profit dip after heavy snowfall cost it £180,000. The company, which operates 37 five-a-side soccer centres across the UK, reported a slight drop in half-year profits to £3.8m. The company’s sales fell by four per cent, but its birthday party bookings and corporate events were both up four per cent. [...]
Westfield hosts a car boot sale September 6, 2010 SHOPPING centre Westfield London will host a designer car boot sale this month, with designs and exclusive pieces from retailers Whistles and House of Fraser. The mall, in Shepherd’s Bush, will see the goods sold from 20 Hyundai cars in the centre’s car park. The event is to celebrate London Fashion Week, and will run [...]
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR | September 6, 2010 THESE are interesting times for the City’s law firms. The coming years promise massive changes, and the firms that make our shortlist are those which are positioning themselves to take advantage of the opportunities. Whether it’s looking at promising practice-areas, merging or looking towards the new markets, law firms are prepared. Don’t miss the City [...]
DEALMAKER OF THE YEAR | The Shortlist September 6, 2010 THE past 12 months have seen a boom in M&A as we have emerged from the downturn, with the Kraft-Cadbury deal filling endless column inches.?Elsewhere, Santander’s onward march continued. Other deals brokered by our short list were perhaps not so high-profile, but just as impressive in their own sectors. Don’t miss the City event of [...]
The City will pay a high price for a Tobin Tax September 6, 2010 EU FINANCE ministers are meeting today to discuss the latest incarnation of the Tobin Tax. The City should be worried. Tobin’s proposed tax on foreign exchange transactions has deservedly been in the wilderness for forty years, but the mood has changed. There is a real danger that a punishing levy could happen, sooner rather than [...]
Shell in refinery sale talks September 6, 2010 ROYAL Dutch Shell is in exclusive talks with Finnish fuel distributor St1 to sell the oil major’s Swedish refinery, both companies said yesterday. If the companies reach an agreement, it would be the second European refinery deal for Shell in a short period, following the sale of its German refinery in late August. Both of [...]
