UK firms seek out new forms of finance November 22, 2009 UK companies are increasingly looking past banks to other forms of financing as a result of the financial crisis, according to an industry survey out today. And due to the difficulties in raising cash, firms are “more cautious” about all types of investment such as research and development, leading to projects being delayed or scrapped [...]
Study says customers want personal touch from their high street banks November 2, 2009 MORE than a fifth of banking customers have moved banks over the past two years due to dissatisfaction with the way they were treated, showing the importance of customer service in turbulent times. According to a YouGov study for the Deloitte, the amount and accessibility of branches, along with face-to-face interaction, remains a key consideration [...]
Hull deny sacking Brown as bookies suspend betting October 28, 2009 HULL CITY last night insisted manager Phil Brown had not been sacked and played down a warning from auditors about the club’s ability to stay solvent. Some bookmakers suspended betting on the under-fire Tigers boss to be the next top flight manager to go, after rumours spread that he had been fired. But Hull, who [...]
UK retail sales to dip in 2010 November 4, 2009 British retail sales will be flat over Christmas and are expected to fall 1.5 per cent in 2010, according to data from Deloitte. The business advisory firm said shoppers were moving towards supermarket groups and non-food retailers need to focus more on differentiating their products and improving customer service.
Personal insolvency on the rise November 5, 2009 The Insolvency Service is today expected to reveal that the number of people filing for personal insolvency in the third quarter of the year topped 30,000 for the second successive quarter as rising unemployment takes its toll on individuals’ bank accounts. Louise Brittain, a partner at Deloitte, said: “This figure is staggering, and unfortunately the [...]
London hotels outperform UK as bookings dwindle October 19, 2009 HOTEL occupancy in the capital has seen a marginal decline compared to the rest of the UK this year, according to figures out yesterday by accountancy firm Deloitte. Hotels in the UK have suffered a 10.9 per cent fall in revenue per available room (Revpar) during the first three quarters of 2009 to just £60. [...]
Blacks back on track after landlords grudgingly agree to accept rescue deal November 23, 2009 LANDLORDS yesterday accepted a financial rescue plan for Blacks Leisure, saving 4,300 jobs at the beleaguered high street retailer in the process. Although many of them are angry about accepting yet another company voluntary administration (CVA), an overwhelming 98 per cent of landlords voted to accept the conditions offered by Blacks to ensure its survival. [...]
HOW THE DUBAI CRISIS UNFOLDED November 29, 2009 Friday 20 NovemberUpheaval in Dubai’s financial elite begins as three key figures are removed from the state’s holding company, the Investment Corporation of Dubai. One of those to go is Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World. Sunday 22 NovDubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, arrives in London on a state visit to [...]
Dubai asks for delay over debt November 25, 2009 DUBAI WORLD, the owner of P&O, triggered fury last night after it called for a moratorium on its debt repayments. The announcement sent the cost of insuring Dubai’s sovereign debt against default soaring above Icelandic levels. The emirate was last night judged the sixth riskiest country in the world by the credit markets. The news [...]
Financial officers believe future looks promising October 18, 2009 FINANCIAL optimism is at its highest level for two years, according to a new survey of chief financial officers by Deloitte released today. But while those polled are full of optimism for their own companies, they do not foresee a strong recovery throughout the sector. Growth next year is expected to remain sluggish by 73 [...]