Bridges stakes his Oscar claim in a hoary old tale February 18, 2010 Film CRAZY HEART WERE it not for Jeff Bridges’ dazzling central performance, Crazy Heart would be a hard sell, particularly in this country. The story of a washed-up, hard-living country music star finding redemption in the arms of a pretty young gal has all the formulaic, tug-the-heartstrings predictability of a made-for-TV movie. So even with [...]
Why the City’s women are going bespoke February 18, 2010 SAVILE Row is a male-dominated environment, but women are increasingly alive to the joys of getting something that fits them – and only them ?– rather than making do with off-the-peg clothes. There’s a very physical reason for this – as any fuller-chested woman will tell you, there is one thing that makes the female [...]
HOW TO TAKE TEN YEARS OFF February 18, 2010 I HAD a very pleasant shopping experience yesterday. On my way to check out the new spring businesswear, Claire on the Clinique counter sidetracked me by offering me a “lip consultation”. Well, this was a first and I was intrigued, especially as the cold weather has rendered my lips a little on the dry side. [...]
Miko De Beauchene looks pure Gold to add to tremendous Haydock record February 18, 2010 THE expression ‘horses for courses’ could not be more appropriate when it comes to weighing up the chances of MIKO DE BEAUCHENE in bottomless ground at Haydock. Venetia Williams’ 10-year-old is attempting to win the Blue Square Gold Cup for a second time and represents terrific each-way value at 10/1. The 2007 Welsh Grand National [...]
the INSIDER February 18, 2010 It’s that time of year when the two-year-olds face the stalls for the first time. The outcome is polarised. They are either indifferent to the starting stalls and walk in, or they have to be man-handled into the offending metal framed contraption. Witnessing the careful preparation of 40 or so individuals makes you realise just [...]
City and Reds to share the spoils as battle for fourth spot heats up February 18, 2010 MANCHESTER CITY V/S LIVERPOOL Sunday – 3.00pm THIS game could quite easily decide which team finishes fourth and takes the crucial final Champions League spot. Manchester City and Liverpool have been nip and tuck all season and a 10th home victory of the season for the host side would put them in a hugely strong [...]
Asda to concentrate on smaller stores February 18, 2010 ASDA said it would expand into smaller format stores, open more non-food shops and slash costs to drive growth in tough markets after posting its lowest quarterly sales growth in about two years. Chief Executive Andy Bond said the chain, owned by U.S. group Wal-Mart Stores, became too focussed on promotions in 2009, which clouded [...]
Halfords expands into car servicing February 18, 2010 CAR and bike accessories retailer Halfords is expanding into car servicing after buying Nationwide Autocentres for £73.2m. The company said the ‘Halfords Autocentre’ business would be a major source of growth for the firm. In addition to Nationwide’s existing 224 sites, it is expected that Halfords open 200 new centres, creating 1,000 new jobs. Shares [...]
Tax collection costs UK firms £20bn a year February 18, 2010 TAX collection costs the UK an astonishing £20bn a year, according to new research from the Institute of Economic Affairs. It claims the UK is one of only three of the 43 most advanced economies where the cost of tax collection is not falling. The IEA called for radical tax reforms it says could reduce [...]
Public borrowing hits high as tax receipts fall February 18, 2010 THE state of the UK’s public finances got even worse in January after spending rose more than expected while tax revenues declined, according to official figures. Figures from thr Office of National Statistics (ONS) said the government borrowed another £4.3bn last month. Analysts had expected the government to repay about £2.8bn of its debts. January [...]
