Petition to block M&S’ pay cut plans draws over 20,000 signatures in three days July 29, 2016 Pressure is mounting on M&S' chief executive Steve Rowe to cancel a pay cut for his staff as an online petition to block the plan has received nearly 20,000 signatures in three days. The company is consulting its staff over cutting premium pay on Sundays, and cuts to pay for bank holidays and employees working at anti-social hours, which could [...]
Goodwood betting: Cash in on The Cashel Man in Goodwood’s marathon July 26, 2016 An abundance of stamina is required to successfully conquer Wednesday's 2m5f Goodwood Stakes (2.00pm) and, although he’s yet to be asked the question, I think THE CASHEL MAN will relish the trip. After blowing away the cobwebs at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance, David Simcock’s four-year-old ran well over two miles at York to finish [...]
Horse racing betting: Sea Of Heaven set to leave rivals toiling in his wake July 21, 2016 Trainer Sir Mark Prescott has been among the winners of late and I’m confident he can grab another with SEA OF HEAVEN in Friday's John Guest Brown Jack Stakes (2.55pm) at Ascot. The four-year-old ran a cracker at Newbury last week, finishing second behind the highly progressive Sweet Selection who was rattling off a hat-trick. [...]
New homes on sale in London this weekend: from the biggest development in Chelsea for a century to the regeneration of Catford July 21, 2016 Chelsea Waterfront From £1.55m Overseas buyers are showing a strong interest in new homes at Chelsea Waterfront following the EU Referendum result, according to its developer Hutchinson Property Group. The first phase of the redevelopment of the former Lots Road Power Station has sold out, and 17 out of 28 units remain in the second [...]
Pay row: M&S accused of threatening to sack staff who reject new contracts July 12, 2016 Marks & Spencer has become embroiled in a dispute over staff pay as it grapples with a sales slide in its clothing division. Chief executive Steve Rowe told shareholders at yesterday's AGM that the retailer faces "tough decisions" in the coming months. M&S is consulting staff over the axing of premium pay on Sundays, and cuts [...]
Marks & Spencer reports 1.1 per cent dip in UK revenue, driven by 8.3 per cent decline in clothing and home sales July 7, 2016 Marks & Spencer has reported a 1.1 per cent reduction in UK sales for the first quarter of its financial year, as the retailer continues to try and turn around its struggling clothing & home division – but guidance for its full year results remains the same. A four per cent increase in UK food sales [...]
Week ahead: Brexit fears set to hang over FTSE earning reports July 4, 2016 The market is bracing itself for a slew of Brexit induced profit warnings this week as we enter the early stages of reporting season. After the UK’s shock vote to leave the European Union triggered a sharp sell off, the FTSE 100 has rebounded strongly – pushed on by international earners. The blue-chip index ended [...]
London’s drinking hotspots outdid the rest of the UK in May June 16, 2016 Ahead of the annual summer drinking boom London's pubs and bars were buoyed in May, as sales at the capital's drinking holes outpaced the rest of the country. Like-for-like sales at pubs and bars in London were up 3.8 per cent, while the pub and restaurant sector as a whole grew by 0.9 per cent. "With a [...]
Horse racing betting: Hunt Cup is a Breeze for Ivory while Glory Awaits June 14, 2016 Some love them; some hate them, but working out one of Royal Ascot’s fiendishly difficult handicap puzzles rewards punters like nothing else. The Royal Hunt Cup (Wednesday 5.00pm) is possibly the biggest lottery of them all, especially when the ground is soft and the effects of the draw unclear. Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore team [...]
M&S set to reveal former chief executive Marc Bolland earned over £15m June 5, 2016 Marks & Spencer are set to unveil this week that the retail store's former chief executive Marc Bolland received over £15m during his years at the company. The firm's annual report is due out later this week and will include details of Bolland's remuneration since he took the helm in 2010. Bolland resigned in January, but will receive salary, [...]