Twist review – Sky’s Dickens update is not so Artful January 28, 2021 Like Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, Oliver Twist is a character that seems to have been reimagined a number of ways over the years on the big screen. As well as the standard dramatisations of Dickens’ classic, there’s the beloved 60s musical Oliver!; animated hit Oliver & Company; and, er, a version set in the New [...]
Sky owner Comcast beats revenue forecasts on broadband and streaming boost January 28, 2021 The US owner of Sky, Comcast, has posted better-than-expected revenues as broadband sales offset its losses from closed themeparks and empty cinemas
Tory MP slammed after telling anti-vaxxers NHS figures are ‘manipulated’ January 28, 2021 A Conservative MP has faced condemnation from government ministers after he told an anti-vaccination campaign group that NHS statistics are being “manipulated” and that we are living in a “police state”. Sir Desmond Swayne told Save Our Rights UK, which organised the anti-lockdown rally in Trafalgar Square last September, to continue their fight against lockdown [...]
Paperchase rescue deal to save 1,000 high street jobs January 27, 2021 High street stationery retailer Paperchase is set to announce a rescue deal today that is expected to save around 1,000 jobs. Paperchase will be sold through a pre-pack administration to Permira Debt Managers – connected to its current private equity owners – which has provided funding for the business since 2015, Sky News reported. Up [...]
Topshop owner Arcadia collapsed with debts of hundreds of millions of pounds January 26, 2021 Troubled retailer Arcadia collapsed with gross liabilities of more than £550m, according to documents prepared by Deloitte, Arcadia’s administrator. Reports prepared at the end of November 2020 revealed Topshop – Arcadia’s flagship brand – and Topman failed with gross liabilities of more than £550m, the Telegraph revealed. Discount brand Outfit owed £80m. The Telegraph [...]
JD Sports mulls equity raise to fund acquisition spree January 26, 2021 JD Sports has confirmed it is considering tapping shareholders for extra cash to fund acquisitions, following reports that it is mulling a £400m equity raise. The retailer announced this morning that it is “exploring additional funding options” which could involve an equity placing. It said it is seeking to increase its “flexibility to invest in [...]
Facebook launches UK news service in boost for publishers January 26, 2021 Facebook will today start rolling out its dedicated news feed, marking a major boost for publishers in a long-running tussle over online advertising revenue. Facebook News will offer users a selection of curated stories alongside news personalised to their interests from hundreds of national, local and lifestyle outlets. The social media site today said it [...]
Rolls-Royce shares plunge as firm cuts flying hours forecast January 26, 2021 Rolls-Royce shares nose-dived this morning as the blue-chip stock lowered its forecasts for the number of hours it expects aircraft powered by its engines to fly this year. Shares fell 6.0 per cent in the morning’s trading as the coronavirus showed no signs of abating. The FTSE 100 firm said that it now expected flying [...]
PwC employee killed in car accident while out jogging January 25, 2021 Jack Ryan, who was a senior digital marketing manager at PwC, was struck by a car and killed while out jogging earlier this month. Ryan was hit at Battersea Bridge by an individual driving a Range Rover on 13 January, the Birmingham Mail first reported. Medics tried to save Ryan, but the 29-year-old was pronounced [...]
Boris Johnson says some restrictions could be relaxed ‘before mid February’ January 25, 2021 Boris Johnson has said that ministers are considering relaxing some coronavirus restrictions before mid-February, Sky has reported. The Prime Minister reportedly made the comments this morning to a pool of reporters. The comments come with ministers expected to meet tomorrow to discuss tougher controls on people entering the country. Measures such as forcing incoming travellers [...]