ECB takes its foot off the gas in bond purchase programme December 20, 2010 THE European Central Bank (ECB) slowed its rate of sovereign bond purchases significantly last week, figures out yesterday showed. The ECB bought €600m’s (£507m) worth of gilts in the week to last Friday, marking a sharp downward shift from its purchases of €2.7bn, €2bn and €1.3bn in the previous three weeks respectively. Last week also saw [...]
Speakeasy cocktails come to Chinatown January 19, 2011 WHILE the new year has already seen a fresh batch of new London openings, one of the most original happened just before Christmas with the small but extremely endearing Parisian import, the Experimental Cocktail Club (www.chinatownecc.com). Touching down in Chinatown, an unusual destination address for discerning cocktail aficionados, ECC is nestled innocuously amongst the dim [...]
Cut down your energy bills December 16, 2010 IT HAS been a sad few weeks for anyone with a gas or electricity bill to pay. Last week, Npower announced plans to increase electricity and gas prices by 5.1 per cent, bringing to four the number of big energy companies hiking rates this Christmas, bringing the average household’s bill to £1,210. And just yesterday, [...]
Three ways to save your pennies overseas December 16, 2010 IF THE estimates of the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) are to be believed, nearly 4m of us will be heading abroad over Christmas. But whether you’re escaping to sunnier climes or hitting the slopes, here are three tips to help you avoid parting with your cash. 1 BEST CREDIT CARD TO TAKE ABROAD [...]
BAA re-opens runway and apologises for chaos December 21, 2010 AIRPORT operator BAA last night re-opened the southern runway at Heathrow airport in a bid to end the snow chaos that has left thousands of passengers stranded. Airport bosses hope the move will help them to reduce the delays and cancellations caused by the weather, with 700 flights axed yesterday and only a third of [...]
Hackers under suspicion for Amazon crash December 12, 2010 WEB giant Amazon last night became the latest suspected victim of a cyber attack by supporters of WikiLeaks. The firm’s website was out of action for more than half an hour during one of the most lucrative shopping days in the run-up to Christmas. The firm’s operations in the UK, France, Germany and Spain were [...]
Portugal on the brink as fear returns January 10, 2011 PORTUGAL is scrambling to avoid being hit by the Eurozone debt crisis, amid mounting expectations of a third bailout for the currency region. Analysts yesterday said that only the European Central Bank’s special bond purchasing programme is standing between the country and a rescue. With Portugal facing its first sale of long-term debt tomorrow, figures show [...]
Ocado sales increase but jury still out January 10, 2011 ONLINE grocer Ocado yesterday reported a 27 per cent sales rise in the four weeks to Christmas – but some analysts still questioned the company’s progress following a troubled float. The firm posted gross sales of £50.9m for the period, helped by more customers shopping online instead of going to supermarkets in freezing weather conditions. [...]
Fare hike hits commuters January 3, 2011 COMMUTERS returning to work following the Christmas break have been hit with a fare hike of up to 13 per cent on annual rail season tickets. Rail passengers in London and the South East are facing increases as high as 12.8 per cent on some high-speed lines. Yearly tickets will increase across the country by [...]
Flights and commuters hit by snow December 19, 2010 SNOW storms and intense frost risk causing commuter chaos today, train operators and airports warned last night. Holidays have also been ruined at the busiest time of year, after Heathrow abandoned all of yesterday’s flights. Flight delays are expected throughout the week, as problems build up. Around half a million passengers are thought to have [...]