“We’re not just competing against other sports”: The Hundred’s managing director explains why English cricket needs a new format May 21, 2019 The staggered launch of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s great new hope hasn’t gone exactly to plan. Although it was always unlikely to begin in textbook fashion, The Hundred has so far experienced the full repertoire of problems on the runway, leaving the majority of its passengers apprehensive ahead of take-off. After all, the [...]
Profit falls steeply at Halfords in face of ‘fragile’ consumer confidence May 21, 2019 Halfords said profit before tax fell 24 per cent in 2019 to £51m. The figures The company said revenue remained broadly flat on £1.138bn, but profit fell sharply. It said underlying profit before tax fell 17.9 per cent to £58.8m, with underlying basic earnings per share down 17.2 per cent on 24.5p. Read more: Halfords share [...]
Sports Direct mulls legal challenge over Debenhams rescue plan May 19, 2019 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct is looking to launch legal action against Debenhams over a controversial rescue deal secured earlier this month. The sportswear group is set to challenge two company voluntary arrangements (CVA) that could lead to the closure of 50 the chain’s 166 stores, with rent cuts expected on dozens more. Read more: Local [...]
Susie Wolff interview: Venturi team boss on life in Formula E, increasing women’s participation in motorsport and competing against husband Toto next season May 15, 2019 Five years ago, Susie Wolff made history by becoming just the sixth woman to be involved in a Formula One grand prix weekend, and the first since 1992. Today, the Scot is continuing to help break down gender barriers in motorsport, although now she is doing so as a team principal, in charge of Venturi, [...]
Embattled Goals Soccer Centres loses second CEO in two years May 13, 2019 Five-a-side football operator Goals Soccer Centres has confirmed that chief executive Andy Anson is stepping down after just a year in the job. Read more: Accounting errors cause Goals Soccer Centres to suspend trading Anson will take the role of chief executive at the British Olympic Association (BOA), where he has been a board member [...]
Sir Philip Green loses his billionaire status May 12, 2019 Sir Philip Green has lost his billionaire status, rounding off a torrid 12 months for the scandal-hit fashion mogul. For the first time since 2002, Green can no longer count himself a member of the billionaires club after seeing his personal fortune halve over the course of the last year. The Topshop tycoon and his [...]
High Street fashion chain Select enters administration May 10, 2019 Fashion retailer Select has fallen into administration, placing around 1,800 jobs at risk. The company, which has 169 stores throughout the UK, has been struggling with debt and was reportedly lining up administration last month. Read more: Debenhams gets green light for CVA It will continue to trade online and in stores for the time [...]
India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani snaps up iconic toy store Hamleys May 10, 2019 Iconic toy retailer Hamleys has been sold to India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani for an undisclosed sum. Mumbai-headquartered conglomerate Reliance Industries, which is owned by Ambani, said late last night it had signed a deal to buy the chain from Chinese giant C Banner International. Read more: Billionaire Mike Ashley may bid for iconic toy [...]
Debenhams to remain under control of investors after no appropriate buyer found May 9, 2019 Debenham’s will remain under the control of its investors after no alternative buyer was found for the struggling department store. The retailer entered a pre-pack administration in April and ownership was passed into the hands of its investors, however, administrators FTI consulting launched a marketing process to sell the company. Read more: Debenhams versus Mike [...]
Debenhams versus Mike Ashley: Something has gone horribly wrong May 9, 2019 Magpies are among the world’s cleverest animals. Prone to cunning theft from other nests, they enjoy a surprising degree of protection. Foiled Debenhams suitor Mike Ashley won’t miss the irony that while his Newcastle United Football Club is nicknamed after these swooping robbers, a marauding band of debtholders have led a planned effort to steal [...]