Costain launches £10m share buyback as profit and backlog jumps August 21, 2024 Engineering firm Costain has kicked off a £10m share buyback after it revealed a set of strong results this morning. In its half-year results, the company revealed that adjusted operating profit had jumped 8.7 per cent to £16.3m, thanks to an increased operating margin at its transportation arm and increased revenue at its natural resources [...]
The pockets of London propping up the prime commercial property market August 20, 2024 The commercial prime market is, for want of a better word, doing OK. In the City, leasing increased by one per cent over its long-term average in the second quarter, while overall demand was 12 per cent below its long-term average. For a sector pummelled by downsizing amid changes to weekly working patterns, it’s not [...]
Why Lord’s Cricket Ground and Wembley Stadium are the best areas for buy-to-let in London August 19, 2024 Buy-to-lets in London are, famously, quite a good idea – if you have the money to spend on them. But rental yields – defined as the return on your investment after accounting for costs like mortgages and taxes – have been hammered by high interest rates lately, making it crucial to buy in the right [...]
Crafty Londoners to create sign for renamed Overground line August 18, 2024 A textile version of a new London Overground sign will be created at public weaving sessions, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. Participants will work together to make a Weaver line roundel to be displayed at a station on the route for millions of passengers to see. Each of the six Overground lines will be [...]
Aslef: Rail strikes called amid ‘toxic situation’ in dispute with LNER August 17, 2024 Aslef’s lead negotiator has said the union is putting “members first” in a “toxic situation” after announcing a fresh series of strikes. Train drivers working for LNER – which runs the passenger service on the East Coast main line between London and Edinburgh – will walk out on weekends from the end of August in [...]
More rail strikes coming: Aslef accuses LNER of ‘bullying’ and breaking agreements August 16, 2024 The Aslef train drivers union has called for industrial action every weekend until November, citing a “breakdown” in relations with the LNER train company. In an announcement this morning, the leader of the union said the company’s “continued failure” to sort out long-standing issues had “forced us into this position.” Drivers on the east coast [...]
ULEZ: Sadiq Khan to shut scrappage scheme as London drivers scramble to apply August 16, 2024 London Mayor Sadiq Khan will close the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) scrappage scheme next month as drivers in the capital scramble to make last-minute applications. The announcement comes after Khan expanded the controversial scheme to more areas of greater London shortly before his re-election earlier in the year. The scrappage scheme, which drivers can apply to [...]
Balfour Beatty bullish on UK infrastructure outlook as profit hits £98m August 14, 2024 Investors were concerened after Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled plans to axe a string of UK infrastructure projects last month.
Inside the music festival where Kate Middleton partied with underground DJs August 13, 2024 Houghton Festival on the grounds of Houghton Hall returns in August 2025. Adam Bloodworth went to its 2024 edition to follow in the footsteps of unlikely dance music fan, Kate Middleton Alongside ‘Alec Baldwin shoots cinematographer’ and ‘Will Smith punches Chris Rock,’ ‘Kate Middleton goes to underground electronic music festival’ lives high on the list [...]
London economy set for another Taylor Swift gold rush August 13, 2024 London is set to receive another gold rush this week as Taylor Swift returns for the second UK leg of her Eras tour. The global pop sensation, who has already dazzled London with three dates in June, will perform five more shows in the capital, which is expected to generate £108.5m for the city’s economy, [...]