Qualify springs massive surprise to land Oaks win June 5, 2015 TRAINER Aidan O’Brien’s third string Qualify had punters scratching their heads and bookmakers rubbing their hands when she stormed home at 50/1 under Colm O’Donoghue to land the Investec Oaks by a short head from favourite Legatissimo. The daughter of Fastnet Rock was the complete outsider in the field of 11 and arrived at Epsom [...]
Game Group “pay as you stay” appeal rejected by Supreme Court October 31, 2014 Game Group's appeal against a landmark decision forcing retailers to pay rent even after they have filed for administration has been rejected by the Supreme Court. The test case was brought by landlords British Land, Hammerson, Land Securities and Intu, and the February ruling in their favour paved the way for so-called “pay as [...]
Forget nationalisation: UK railways need a radical dose of devolution August 12, 2015 It's been a torrid time for Britain’s railways lately. In the last six months – as many a hard-pressed City A.M. commuter will know – there have been bad tempered strikes on the Tube and commuter railways. Channel Tunnel trains have had to run the gauntlet of tyre-burning port workers in Calais as well as [...]
A place in the sun: Your guide to buying a home in Spain October 5, 2015 Many Londoners have a hankering to buy a second home abroad, and Spain ranks as one of the most popular places to own one. There are officially 750,000 British people living in Spain, and thousands more who own property but live in the UK. Spain’s economy was hit hard by the financial crisis, and [...]
FTSE rises as energy firms expect Opec to cut production – London Report November 18, 2014 BRITAIN’S top share index yesterday climbed to a seven-week high, helped by better-than-expected German investor sentiment data and a rally in energy stocks on speculation that oil producing countries may agree to cut output. The blue chip FTSE 100 index closed up 0.6 per cent at 6,709.13 points after rising as high as 6,714.12, the [...]
English Heritage listed buildings: Protecting our past is a tricky affair January 28, 2015 One Finsbury Avenue squats on the western edge of the Broadgate development at Liverpool Street, like a huge camouflaged army tank under the false illusion that no one can see it. Capped with a large glass roof to allow UBS traders to benefit from as much daylight as possible, the building’s bronze-coloured sides are clad [...]
Cheesegrater office letting smashes City record October 30, 2014 A letting at newly-completed skyscraper the Leadenhall Building – known to its friends as the Cheesegrater – has set a new price record for the City of London. Industry magazine Property Week reported today that US-based insurance firm FM Global is understood to have agreed a deal to take the 7,700 sq ft 41st floor [...]
China slowdown: The two reasons British business should remain optimistic August 18, 2015 It’s easy to be down on China. Last week’s negative headlines after the unexpected devaluations of the renminbi (RMB) played into the “China slowdown” narrative which has taken root as this year’s accepted story. But we’re not giving China enough credit. By opening up the RMB to more market forces, it has moved one step [...]
A French Prince will be crowned on the Knavesmire July 23, 2015 THE trip is the most important factor in tomorrow’s £100,000 York Stakes (2.55pm), with current market leader Custom Cut having never run over 10 furlongs. Top Notch Tonto, Bragging and Tullius are all also unproven in the staying department, while distance winner Kelinni is sure to be outclassed in what will be his first Group [...]
Tim Henman: Impending fatherhood will help Andy Murray win grand slams August 26, 2015 Former British No1 Tim Henman believes Andy Murray has mastered his self-destructive tendencies to hit the form of his career, and expects the Scot’s imminent fatherhood to encourage that trend. Murray heads to the US Open next week buoyed by a strong start to the hard-court season, which followed his virtually single-handed defeat of [...]