Big Four client numbers fall but FTSE 100 stranglehold remains December 2, 2019 The number of clients audited by the Big Four accountancy firms has fallen but they retain an iron grip on the FTSE 100, figures published today show. Figures from Adviser Rankings for the quarter to 6 November showed the number of stock market clients audited by PwC (353), KPMG (312) and Deloitte (225) all fell [...]
Troubled burrito bond chain Chilango postpones AGM amid questions over future November 26, 2019 Chilango has postponed its annual general meeting (AGM) amid continued questions over the burrito chain’s future, City A.M. can reveal. The Mexican restaurant group is in talks with restructuring firm RSM to secure its long-term future, and is almost eight weeks late posting its accounts to Companies House. Read more: FCA to ban marketing of [...]
Sports Direct to rebrand as Frasers Group as Mike Ashley attempts to elevate image November 25, 2019 Sports Direct International has announced it will rebrand as Frasers Group as retail tycoon owner Mike Ashley attempts to improve the company’s image. The proposed rebrand, which will be voted on by shareholders on 16 December, follows the announcement that the company is planning to launch a chain of of luxury high street stores named [...]
Tossed owner Zest Food seeks rent cuts in restructuring plan November 20, 2019 Zest Food, the owner of healthy eating brand Tossed, is the latest casual dining chain to seek a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) restructuring plan. The company is asking landlords to agree to a combination of zero rent and rent reduction arrangements as part of the rescue plan. Read more: UK’s top restaurants swing to £93m [...]
Mike Ashley demands landlords link rent to sales November 17, 2019 Retail tycoon Mike Ashley, the founder of Sports Direct, has demanded that new rent deals are tied to sales across his high street empire. Ashley has reportedly asked landlords to agree to turnover rents, where up to 15 per cent of the rent payable is linked to in-store sales. Read more: Sports Direct ends two [...]
Exclusive: Questions over Chilango’s future after burrito chain calls in restructuring firm RSM November 14, 2019 Mexican chain Chilango, best known for its “Burrito Bonds”, is in talks to secure its long-term future with restructuring firm RSM and is more than six weeks late posting its accounts. City A.M. understands from a source familiar with the discussions that the firm is considering all options including administration or a company voluntary arrangement [...]
Goals Soccer Centres bought by Soccerworld and private equity firm Inflexion after accounting fiasco October 31, 2019 Five-a-side football operator Goals Soccer Centres has been acquired today by rival Soccerworld and private equity firm Inflexion. Goals has been hit by an accounting scandal after its auditor BDO discovered it had mis-declared VAT amounting to at least £13.2m. The company delisted its shares from Aim in August after it declared it was unable [...]
Business administrations soar 20 per cent October 30, 2019 Business administrations in England and Wales jumped 20 per cent in the third quarter, rising to the highest level for more than five years. In the third quarter the number of companies entering administration rose to 484 from 403 in the previous quarter. Company insolvencies rose 0.4 per cent on the previous quarter to 4,355 [...]
Sports Direct ends two-month wait for new auditor, appointing RSM October 23, 2019 Sports Direct has appointed an auditor two months after Grant Thornton quit as billionaire Mike Ashley’s company’s accountant. Read more: Sports Direct launches ‘skulduggery’ screed against Goals Soccer Centres RSM will now take up the post. The auditor had most recently stepped in to look after Patisserie Valerie’s accounts after the bakery chain became embroiled [...]
City Moves for 18 October – Who’s switching jobs at RSM, Black Isle and Octopus? October 18, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes RSM, Black Isle and Octopus RSM Leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has appointed Neil Griggs as an audit partner in its financial services team. Neil joins RSM from BDO, prior to which he worked at both Big Four and boutique firms. He has 20 years of financial dervices experience [...]