Campari’s chief is taking a breather before returning to the M&A trail October 25, 2009 Having forked out a cool $2bn (£1.2bn) on 16 separate acquisitions over the past 15 years, it is no wonder that Campari – the world’s sixth largest drinks firm – is now calling for a temporary halt to the spending. Its chief executive, Bob Kunze-Concewitz, recently struck a cautious note due to the downturn that [...]
Returning Cole set for new talks October 25, 2009 LEADERS Chelsea will be looking to speed up contract talks with Joe Cole this week after the England midfielder impressed on his return to the first-team fold at the weekend. Cole, 27, looked back to his very best as he played a starring role in the Blues’ 5-0 victory over Blackburn at Stamford Bridge. The [...]
LET THEM EAT CAKE October 21, 2009 THE diet police seem to be losing. For nothing, these days, is chicer than a fresh baked goodie. The cupcake has taken us by storm, and the allure of the soft-baked cookie, or moist piece of cake containing anything from beetroot to peanut butter has seduced us entirely. So slinky have baked goods become, that [...]
West End delivers boost for London sales growth October 18, 2009 LONDON retail sales in September had their strongest growth since August last year due to a wave of renewed consumer confidence, according to figures out today from the London Retail Consortium. Retail sales in central London were 7.5 per cent higher on a like-for-like basis in September than a year ago, when sales nosedived to [...]
Crouch at double as Capello aims Obama jibe at Beckham October 14, 2009 ENGLAND (3) vs BELARUS (0)HEAD COACH Fabio Capello compared David Beckham to US President Barack Obama after the veteran midfielder’s cameo helped England end their World Cup qualifying campaign in triumphant style. Tottenham striker Peter Crouch caught the eye with two goals, taking his tally to 18 England strikes from 17 starts, while Manchester City [...]
MERCEDES’ NEW COUPE IS A TRUE MILE-MUNCHER October 13, 2009 WITH increasing frequency, I get into a new car and find myself banging my head or elbow on something that’s infringing on the space inside the cabin. Take this latest coupe. As I lean forward to adjust the steering column, my head connects with some protrusion above as soon. Airbags, impact protection bars and no [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 7, 2009 Lions reneage Shaw interestRUGBY UNION: South African side Golden Lions have ended their interest in signing England second row Simon Shaw. The franchise stepped up their bid to sign the 36-year-old lock after he impressed on the recent British Lions tour, but the Wasps star has since suffered a metatarsal injury. A Golden Lions statement [...]
The private equity boss who says credit is about to flow once again October 5, 2009 THE economic downturn has meant that private equity business Duke Street, like the rest of the industry, has spent the last 12 months treading water – and its managing partner Peter Taylor is keen the firm gets on with things over the coming year. Cutting deals is meat and drink to London’s private equity industry. [...]
FIRMS HIT BY TAX HIKE ON OFFICE SPACE October 1, 2009 CITY firms are bracing themselves for a crippling increase in business rates after new valuations for their premises were released yesterday. The tax hikes led to fury after it emerged that the majority of businesses will see increases of between 25 and 40 per cent. From April next year, the new business rates will be [...]
Fresh tax hikes on business are senseless October 1, 2009 IF you want a taste of things to come, look no further than the devastating tax hikes that are about to hit London’s struggling private sector firms. Business rates are about to jump, in many cases by 30-40 per cent or more. The reason: the tax, which is set by the Treasury but collected by [...]