Henry Saker-Clark
Business News
Greene King-backed Hickory’s to open 10 restaurants a year
The BBQ smokehouse brand, which was acquired by Greene King in 2022, has said it sees a ‘substantial opportunity’ to grow despite sector challenges.
21 Apr 2025
Business News
Watchdog boss stepped down over ‘different approach’, says Chancellor
Marcus Bokkerink left his role as chairman of the Competition and Markets Authority earlier this week.
22 Jan 2025
Business News
Wetherspoons calls for pub food tax cuts ahead of Budget cost increases
It came as the hospitality giant revealed stronger sales for the half-year so far despite selling off more venues.
22 Jan 2025
Business News
Marston’s toasts bumper Christmas sales despite wet winter
Marston’s reported that total retail sales across its managed and partnership pubs grew by 3% over the 16 weeks to January 18.
21 Jan 2025
Business News
Soaring mince pie sales help Mr Kipling owner towards strong profits
Group sales grew by 3.1% for the 13 weeks to December 28, Premier Foods reported.
21 Jan 2025
Business News20 Jan 2025
Pod Point cuts forecasts due to weakness in UK electric vehicle market
The company said it expects to have delivered revenues of £53 million in 2024, having previously pointed towards revenues of £60 million.
Business News
Chancellor urges regulators to ‘tear down’ red tape in bid for growth
It came after fresh data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that the UK economy grew by a weaker-than-expected 0.1% in November.
20 Jan 2025
Business News
UK economy to grow by 1.6% this year after weaker-than-expected 2024 – IMF
The improved growth prospects will provide a boost for under-pressure Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
20 Jan 2025
Business News
FTSE soars and pound slips as more interest rate cuts predicted
The FTSE 100 finished 113.32 points, or 1.35%, higher to end the day at 8,505.22.
17 Jan 2025
Business News
Primark owner to shed light on high street Christmas trading
Associated British Foods (ABF) will also reveal whether the consumer group has been affected by recent weakness in sugar prices.
17 Jan 2025
Business News
CAB Payments to cut workforce by a fifth
It is understood that it will cut around 80 jobs as part of the plan, with the vast majority of job losses in the UK.
16 Jan 2025
Business News
Young’s cheers jump in festive sales ahead of Budget headwinds
Total managed revenues were up 30.4% for the five weeks to January 13, with like-for-like sales up 11.6%.
16 Jan 2025
Business News
Poundland owner to take ‘immediate measures’ to halt chain’s sales slump
Pepco Group said the UK business will increase the number of products it sells for £1 or less in a bid to improve its performance.
16 Jan 2025
Business News
Bank of England should cut rates pre-emptively, says committee member
Alan Taylor, the most recently appointed member of the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) said the UK is ‘in the last half mile on inflation’.
15 Jan 2025
Business News
Slower inflation provides ‘welcome’ boost to London markets
The FTSE 100 finished 99.59 points, or 1.21%, higher to end the day at 8,301.13.
15 Jan 2025
Business News
Fortress ups takeover bid for hospitality chain Loungers to £354m
Fortress Investment Group said it has now made a 325p-per-share offer to buy the group after pushback from investors.
15 Jan 2025
Business News
Hays profits set for ‘lower end’ of targets amid weaker recruitment market
The company said its profits are set to be at the lower end of previous targets after a slump in net fees.
15 Jan 2025
Business News
Lloyds bank to shut Liverpool office with 500 workers impacted
Lloyds said it has not cut jobs as part of the closure plans but will require around 100 staff to relocate to Chester.
15 Jan 2025
Business News
Armed conflicts most urgent risk to global economies – World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual global risk survey highlighted declining optimism around the global economic backdrop.
15 Jan 2025
Business News
FTSE 100 slips to two-week low as pound falls again
The FTSE 100 finished 22.65 points, or 0.28%, lower to end the day at 8,201.54.
14 Jan 2025
Business News
Who were the winners and losers on the high street this Christmas?
Here the PA news agency looks at who the festive success stories are so far, and which retailers have appeared more downbeat.
14 Jan 2025