The Queen’s Speech: Here’s what happened June 4, 2014 The Queen delivered her speech to MPs and Lords in Westminster this morning. Here's a recap of what happened: Two pension bills: One gives pensioners new freedoms to cash in pension pots and not buy annuity, and the other will cover collective schemes. Childcare: The existing employer-funded childcare scheme is to be replaced by a state-subsidy worth [...]
Cipriani stands by as Lancaster’s options dwindle May 21, 2014 SIX years after winning his last England cap fly-half Danny Cipriani looks to be in the driving seat to start at No10 against New Zealand next month, after it emerged yesterday that George Ford is to undergo a shoulder operation. Head coach Stuart Lancaster had begun making plans for the first of three Tests against [...]
Punch breaks debt obligations as restructuring talks continue April 15, 2014 STRUGGLING pub operator Punch Taverns has breached its debt obligations relating to part of its £2.3bn debt mountain, the company said yesterday. Punch’s debt structure is complex and split into two securitised vehicles. Punch A holds £1.45bn of gross debt, while Punch B holds £884m. The firm breached a debt covenant related to Punch A [...]
The BMW M235i is the perfect all-rounder coupe September 23, 2014 The M235i may be the best all-rounder coupe on BMW’s books – we drive it from New York to Montreal I’m powering along Interstate-87 in upstate New York, skirting the navy lakes and emerald mountains of the Adirondacks when I pass a police car hidden behind the trees and see its red lights [...]
The £20 million Easter egg hunt April 17, 2014 If you want to see a truly remarkable egg this Easter then make sure you head over to art and antiques dealer Wartski in Mayfair by 5pm today where the last surviving Third Imperial Faberge Easter Egg will have its final day of being on view to the public – just 8cm high, yet estimated [...]
Cipriani told to capitalise on second chance May 15, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has challenged Danny Cipriani to repay his show of faith after recalling the fly-half to the international fold for the first time in six years yesterday. Cipriani, 26, won the last of seven England caps in November 2008 but was named by Lancaster in a 20-man training squad ahead of [...]
M&B reports its biggest week of sales over Xmas January 30, 2014 CHRISTMAS saw pub group Mitchells & Butlers enjoy its biggest ever sales week, boosting the group’s trading for the year to date. The company, whose outlets include Harvester, Toby Carvery and All Bar One, yesterday said sales at pubs open over a year or more were up two per cent on a year ago for [...]
JD Wetherspoon reveals rise in Christmas sales January 22, 2014 JD WETHERSPOON reported strong results over the Christmas and New Year period yesterday, the latest in a series of UK pubs to benefit from the holiday season. Like-for-like sales for the twelve weeks of the second quarter were up by 6.7 per cent and total sales by 10.6 per cent, while year to date like-for-like [...]
Punch creditors say debt deal is scaremongering February 9, 2014 BONDHOLDERS of British pub operator Punch Taverns have claimed the company is “scaremongering” ahead of Friday’s vote on the restructuring of its £2.3bn debt mountain. Punch Taverns last week reminded bondholders of its imminent restructuring vote, warning that rejection would “have a material negative impact on the business”. The pub group, which now has over [...]
Brewers cheer beer price relief as cost of fags raised by 28p per pack March 19, 2014 PUBS, Scottish whisky distilleries and West Country cider brewers will all benefit from alcohol tax changes announced yesterday, while the tobacco industry faces increasing duty on cigarettes. The reforms announced in the Budget include a two per cent reduction on beer duty, amounting to a penny price drop in most pubs, for the second year [...]