Heineken takes on debt from Globe Pub division May 28, 2009 DANISH brewer Heineken said yesterday it has acquired discount debt from its UK pub management firm, Globe Pub Company, in a bid to reduce its own debts. The beer-maker acquired a further 55.6 per cent of class A1 notes, representing a face value of £111.2m, issued by Globe, meaning it now owns 85.7 per cent [...]
McGeechan hands Shaw Test chance June 25, 2009 THE BRITISH and Irish Lions face South Africa tomorrow in Pretoria, 4,500 feet above sea level – and head coach Ian McGeechan has told his players to set their expectations just as high. McGeechan’s beefed-up side head into the second Test at Loftus Versfeld trailing 1-0, after being overpowered in last weekend’s 26-21 defeat in [...]
OTHER RELAUNCHED GRAND HOTEL RESTAURANTS June 1, 2009 THE LANDAU AT THE LANGHAMOnce the ballroom of the newly reopened former grand hotel, the Landau offers posh and interesting European haute-cuisine with plenty of fish, and it’s quickly becoming a hot spot for afternoon tea. 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, GB W1B 1JA, tel: 020 7636 1000 HELEN DARROZE AT THE CONNAUGHTThe hotel – [...]
Home Retail sales enjoy a sunshine lift June 11, 2009 HOME Retail Group yesterday brought some cheer to the market after its Homebase chain reported its first positive sales figures in two years. The DIY chain yesterday posted a 3.8 per cent increase in like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks to 30 May, beating market expectations. Homebase said total sales, which include those from new [...]
Home Retail sales enjoy a sunshine lift June 11, 2009 HOME Retail Group yesterday brought some cheer to the market after its Homebase chain reported its first positive sales figures in two years. The DIY chain yesterday posted a 3.8 per cent increase in like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks to 30 May, beating market expectations. Homebase said total sales, which include those from new [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 30, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES EON WARNS ON EU EMISSION COSTSThe European Union risks driving industry out of the region if it continues to push for deeper cuts in carbon dioxide emissions than other economies, according to the chief executive of Eon, one of the world’s biggest renewable energy companies. Wulf Bernotat, Eon’s chief executive, told the Financial [...]
How to find love? Try giving up sex July 29, 2009 CHASTENEDBY HEPHZIBAH ANDERSONChatto & Windus, £12.99 I FEEL a little bad for Hephzibah Anderson. She’s gone ahead and voiced the doleful narrative of a many a well-heeled, well-educated 20 and 30-something urban woman – albeit in a kind of dreamily wannabe-poetic style – and has evoked the ire of countless woman critics. I am not [...]
OUT OF OFFICE May 20, 2009 PAMPERING AT SELFRIDGESCutting-edge skin care brand 3LAB will be in situ at Selfridges throughout June and July, inviting shoppers to “experience pure pampering” with its range of treatments, moisturisers, toners and cleansers. On offer will be express facials, skincare consultations and the chance to win the whole Pure Pampering Collection (worth over £600), which includes [...]
VETERAN BAR OWNER HANGS UP CITY APRON June 3, 2009 AFTER a lengthy 48-year spell in the City, it’s finally time to say goodbye to ship broker-turned-restaurateur David Hughes, who’s often been described one of the friendliest bar owners in the world. Hughes first came to the City in 1961, aged 15, working as a ship broker at the Baltic Exchange on St Mary Axe, [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 16, 2009 FINANCIAL TIMES NATIONAL EXPRESS IN DEBT TALKSNational Express is in talks with bankers to renegotiate terms on part of its £1.2bn debt amid fears that the bus and rail operator will breach loan conditions in December. The group is expected to pass a key test of whether it is meeting the terms of its debt [...]