LSE boss calls for long-term campaign to get Brits investing again June 28, 2025 The chief of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) has called for a new program to encourage investment in the UK’s beleaguered bourse amid fears the stock market is headed for long-term decline. Dame Julia Hoggett suggested a ‘Tell Sid’ style campaign, which was a successful advertising initiative launched in 1986 to encourage the public to buy [...]
Government announces concessions to welfare bill in ‘screeching U-turn’ June 27, 2025 People who currently receive the personal independence payment (Pip) will continue to do so after the government made concessions to Labour rebels on controversial welfare reforms. A letter from Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall to MPs said adjustments to universal credit would also see incomes protected. The announcement comes after crisis talks with backbenchers, [...]
The Eastern City BID Announces £100,000 Funding and Two-Year Partnership with Providence Row June 26, 2025 The Eastern City Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce a two-year partnership with local homelessness charity Providence Row, accompanied by a £100,000 funding commitment. As part of this partnership, Providence Row has been named Eastern City BID’s Charity of the Year, marking a significant step in the BID’s ongoing efforts to support vulnerable [...]
Alibaba launches competition for UK and European SMEs June 26, 2025 Alibaba.com has launched an innovation-based competition for UK and European small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a prize pot of £750,000. The Co-Create Pitch awards, which launched last year internationally, will judge competitors’ products based on innovation, feasibility and market potential. Shortlisted companies will pitch at Alibaba.com’s flagship Co-Create trade events in Las Vegas and [...]
What happened to River Island? June 26, 2025 River Island is suffering from a common affliction. Declining sales and an inability to keep up with competition have led to a restructuring plan, with imminent store closures if the strategy goes ahead. High-street peers like Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams have already disappeared and become online-only – River Island is just the “latest [...]
Obituaries: A dying Art. Who writes them and why do they matter? June 26, 2025 “To look at the paper is to raise a seashell to one’s ear and to be overwhelmed by the roar of humanity,” the philosopher Alain de Botton once said. Clearly Mr de Botton didn’t make it to the obituary pages very often. Every day newspapers devote a few pages to covering the lives of interesting [...]
Serco appoints new chair amid better than expected performance June 26, 2025 Serco has appointed Keith Williams as chair amid a period of strong growth boosted by government spending on defence and immigration. The Halfords chair will take over from John Rishton, who will have completed a nine-year tenure by the time he steps down in December. Williams said it was an “honour” to have been selected [...]
Retail is now the most distressed sector in Europe June 26, 2025 Distress in the retail and consumer goods sector has reached its highest level since the financial crisis as geopolitical and economic volatility continue to erode businesses. The downturn has been driven by a combination of high interest rates, cost inflation and low consumer demand, with the latter a particular strain on UK businesses, according to [...]
Boardroom Uncovered: Can Motorway change how the UK views used cars? June 25, 2025 Speaking on the latest episode of Boardroom Uncovered, Tom Leathes opened up about the chances of Motorway going public on the London Stock Exchange.
‘Bold’ new plans for Barbican area submitted June 25, 2025 Plans have been submitted to redevelop 1 Silk Street, featuring a public plaza at the Barbican Centre’s main entrance and a retail arcade. The proposal seeks to turn the existing building, which is currently occupied by Linklaters but set to become unlettable due to tightening energy efficiency standards, into a “long-term, sustainable” site. “We’re pleased [...]
