Robocop Nwume does battle again February 24, 2010 HE has seen active service in Afghanistan, lifted the Heineken Cup with London Wasps and is also a former Oxford Blue – but tomorrow Henry Nwume is embarking on his greatest challenge yet. A gruelling selection process in 2009 saw brakeman Nwume earn his place in a four-man Great Britain bobsleigh team for Vancouver. Zambian-born [...]
Housing sales boost bottom line at Barratt February 24, 2010 HOUSEBUILDER Barratt Developments saw its losses narrow in the second half of the year as the housing market showed further signs of finding its feet. Pre-tax losses came in at £178.4m compared to a loss of £594.5m a year earlier. However, it took a £129.9m hit from finance costs following its £720m placing and rights [...]
Pompey bid for cash advance falls on deaf ears at League February 24, 2010 PREMIER League chiefs rejected a plea from crisis-club Portsmouth for an advance on some of the payments due to them over the coming months. Pompey owner Balram Chainrai hoped to persuade League chief executive Richard Scudamore to make a special case, since they are poised to become the first top-flight club to go into administration. [...]
Housebuilders are still a risky bet February 24, 2010 DURING his election campaign, President Barack Obama told voters that America could “build itself out of recession”. That’s just what the housebuilders are hoping they can do. Barratt Developments was putting a brave face on it yesterday, as it reported higher operating margins and strong forward sales. Galliford Try and Kier Group were also cheery. [...]
Maturing Tait ready to stake claim at outside-centre February 24, 2010 ENGLAND centre Mathew Tait has vowed to make the No13 shirt his own and shrug off his reputation as a utility man once and for all. Tait’s versatility has hindered his international career, denting his bid for a regular place and meaning he did not start a single match at the 2007 World Cup in [...]
Diageo in spat with Bacardi over rum February 24, 2010 DRINKS giant Diageo has accused rival Bacardi of trying to drive its Captain Morgan rum production out of the United States in order to protect its own rum subsidies from the Puerto Rican government. The company claimed Bacardi is leading a “hidden campaign” to hound Diageo’s Captain Morgan rum production out of the US Virgin [...]
BURBERRY BUCKS THE WINTER BLUES February 24, 2010 BURBERRY Group chief executive officer Angela Ahrendts yesterday said demand for the retailer’s luxury items was still strong and showing “no signs of slowing down” in Hong Kong and the UK. Speaking at the retailer’s autumn/spring fashion show during London Fashion Week, she gave an upbeat analysis of the group’s performance.
Starbucks bags motorway deal February 24, 2010 Starbucks has sealed a deal to open 29 new outlets at Welcome Break motorway service stations. Welcome Break will spend up to £10m on re-branding Coffee Primo shops. Oxford Services on the M40 and Hopwood Park on the M42 will open before Easter with the rest due to be in business within the next 16 [...]
House of Fraser to open first stores overseas with Middle East expansion February 24, 2010 HOUSE of Fraser is to expand into the Middle East as the retailer attempts to cash in on the popularity of designer brands in the region. The chain could open its first new stores in spring 2012 after sealing a deal with Retail Arabia International. It has 62 stores in the UK and Ireland and [...]
Labour’s top brass present united front February 24, 2010 THE high command of the Labour party tried to present a united front yesterday, after Alistair Darling admitted that Number 10 had briefed against him. Gordon Brown “unleashed the forces of hell” on his chancellor back in 2008 because he predicted the world was facing the worst recession for sixty years, Darling said in a [...]
