English National Opera defends bottled water ban after punters sneak vodka into shows October 1, 2018 Both are known for giving people headaches and have strong associations with Russia, but fans are now allegedly mixing opera and vodka – sneaking the latter into the former by “decanting” the party-friendly spirit into water bottles – according to the chief executive of the English National Opera (ENO). Stuart Murphy said some patrons were “decanting [...]
Planet Organic prepares for expansion drive after fund takeover October 1, 2018 Scottish private equity firm Inverleith has taken a majority stake in London-based retailer Planet Organic, unveiling plans to double the organic supermarket’s store count over the next five years. Inverleith has made an equity investment into the company, which currently has seven stores in London, to grow its footprint. Planet Organic, the UK’s largest fully-certified [...]
Pressure mounts on the CMA to break up accountancy’s Big Four October 1, 2018 The UK’s competition body has been told to “bare its teeth” and investigate breaking up the Big Four accountancy firms, as it prepares to announce a decision on whether it will investigate the sector. Three senior politicians from across the main parties have called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to find ways to [...]
UK banks’ share of global equity capital and loans markets slip to record lows September 30, 2018 UK banking’s global market share in equity capital market (ECM) trading and loan fees have hit their lowest and second-lowest values on record respectively, amid continued Brexit fallout and global uncertainty. The UK’s lenders fell to a 4.8 per cent share of ECM fees, and 8.7 per cent of loan fees – the latter nearly [...]
City leaders sound alarm over risk of no-deal Brexit ‘cliff-edge’ September 30, 2018 City leaders have issued an urgent plea as Conservative conference gets underway, calling on the government to embrace a special deal for EU migration and avoid veering off a “Brexit cliff-edge” over compliance issues. The majority of business leaders said a non-deal Brexit would have a negative effect on their businesses, with over a third [...]
Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt sparks row after comparing EU to Soviet Union ‘prison’ September 30, 2018 The foreign secretary sparked a diplomatic row last night after comparing the European Union to a Soviet Union “prison”. Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Jeremy Hunt scolded Brussels for its treatment of Prime Minister Theresa May, saying the “arrogance” of the EU meant he would vote Leave if the referendum were now, [...]
Ted Baker expected to boost revenues despite high street worries September 30, 2018 Retailer Ted Baker is expected to show it has raised revenues in results released this week, despite tough high-street conditions. Analysts suggest the clothing company’s half-year revenue will be shown to have gone up around 4.5 per cent when it announces results this Thursday, as luxury goods continue to escape the bloodbath at the lower [...]
Iranian foreign minister claims country is close to European oil deal despite US sanctions threat September 30, 2018 The Iranian foreign minister claimed last night that Tehran was drawing close to an agreement which would allow the country to sell oil to European nations, in spite of threats by the United States that it would impose sanctions on countries that do business with Iran. Iran is planning to avoid US sanctions on its [...]
Itsu takes a bite out of its losses despite heavy growth investment September 30, 2018 The founder of fast food chain Itsu has claimed “food is the new fashion”, after the company saw its end-of-year losses fall despite investments in overseas expansion. Itsu, which is known for its Asian-influenced food, particularly sushi and rice dishes, saw raw sales growth of 10 per cent last year, with pre-tax losses dropping to £8.9m, [...]
World Bank sells record-breaking £1.25bn bond using ‘Libor-killer’ benchmark September 27, 2018 The World Bank has sold a £1.25bn bond using Sonia, the Bank of England-backed interest rate benchmark designed to replace the scandal-battered Libor. The record-size sale, which arrived shortly after the alternative benchmark’s first use by a lender, marks its continued emergence as an alternative to Libor, the London Inter-bank Offered Rate, its tarnished forerunner. [...]