Post Office apologises after major glitch shuts down counter services across the country May 9, 2016 A major technical glitch meant thousands of people were turned away at Post Office branches around the country today. Customers hoping to pay bills, post packages or collect benefits claimed the outage was affecting branches nationwide, with many saying they had tried a number of branches before giving up, but the group insisted it was only [...]
At the open: FTSE 100 falls as gold and oil lose their shine May 4, 2016 There was no "dead cat bounce" on European markets this morning as they continued to crash, hitting three-week lows on the back of a smorgasbord of mediocre economic data. The FTSE 100 sunk 0.6 per cent in the first few hours of the day to stand at 6,150.48. The German Dax is now more than 100 [...]
Sainsbury’s beats forecasts on results, but profits and sales still slide as Mike Coupe warns of tough road ahead May 4, 2016 Sainsbury's share price fell this morning as full year profits came in ahead of analyst forecasts – but still show a hefty year-on-year decline as the price wars continue to take their toll. The figures The supermarket reported group sales of £25.8bn for the 12 months to 12 March – down 1.1 per cent on the same period last [...]
Top Cat advert might be the top dog for Halifax May 4, 2016 In its new campaign aimed at first time buyers, Halifax has incorporated the cartoon character Top Cat into its television, print and online push. The campaign has been ridiculed in some quarters, particularly on social media. Sharp-witted users have been quick to remind Halifax that Top Cat in fact resided in far less salubrious surroundings [...]
Post room boom: Workplaces are being overrun by packages delivered to employees, research by Barclaycard shows May 3, 2016 Offices are being overrun by packages delivered to employees, according to new research from Barclaycard. Company post rooms are likely to suffer from a deluge of mail this week as 17.1m British shoppers anticipate spending more than usual online over the Bank Holiday weekend. Over half, 58 per cent, of Londoners now regularly use their work address [...]
From BHS to Brexit and the banks we love to hate: Here’s what got us talking April 29, 2016 We learned what makes Sadiq Khan and Zac Goldsmith crumble. Halifax was in the dog house over Top Cat. And the pot called the kettle black when Cameron took Farage to task over his “poncey” surname. Here’s what got us talking… The billionaire has faced calls for his knighthood to be taken away (Source: Getty) [...]
Purrplexing: Halifax faces questions over decision to give “dodgy”, “high-risk borrower” Top Cat a mortgage loan April 28, 2016 Halifax's latest advert has left some purrplexed. The bank has been teased over its decision to make Top Cat the star of a mortgage advert. In the clip, the gangster cat is approved a loan in a branch of Halifax. Read more: That Robert Dyas Christmas ad: What were they thinking? But some on social media have [...]
Kojawan restaurant at the Hilton Metropole is like a retro-futuristic art gallery in the sky April 26, 2016 Andrew Baggs overcomes a fear of high restaurants to thoroughly enjoy this Asian fusion izakaya Food | ★★★★☆ | Value ★★★★☆ | Vibe ★★★★☆ | Hilton Metropole, 225 Edgware Rd, W2 1JU Tel: 020 8088 0111 | Cost for two with wine: £140 I have, over the years, learnt to read the restaurant warning signs. There is an inverse relationship between [...]
Brexit myths debunked: The Leave campaign shouldn’t fear arguing that leaving the EU would be good for the economy April 26, 2016 Conventional commentariat wisdom has it that the EU referendum pits those concerned about economics versus those concerned about immigration. But a quick perusal of the leading intellectual voices supporting Leave shows this is nonsense. Many have long thought the UK outside the EU would not only be more free and democratic, but more prosperous too. That’s [...]
Sunderland 0, Arsenal 0: Black Cats escape relegation zone and add to Arsene Wenger’s top-four worries April 24, 2016 Sunderland 0, Arsenal 0 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he fears for his proud Champions League qualification record after the Gunners’ grip on a top-four finish loosened at relegation-threatened Sunderland. Forward Alexis Sanchez’s first-half free-kick was perhaps the closest the visitors came to beating their former goalkeeper Vito Mannone, while the hosts went close through [...]