Now BHS is in administration, the bidders are circling – but wouldn’t it be wiser to let it die with dignity? April 26, 2016 After the sale of BHS by Sir Philip Green to the previously unheard-of Retail Acquisitions last year, it was only a matter of time before we reached this point. Bought for £1 because of the heavy debt and pensions liabilities, too much work was needed for the 88-year-old retailer to find its footing again. Even [...]
Sirius Minerals share price falls on North Yorkshire Potash mine costs March 17, 2016 Sirius Minerals shares slumped today after the miner said its North Yorkshire potash mine could cost up to $3.5bn (£2.4bn). The first phase will cost $1.6bn, followed by another $1.9bn in the second phase, according to a widely anticipated study into the project. This helped send the company's shares down as much as 17.8 per cent to [...]
EU Tobacco Products Directive chokes off the UK’s e-cigarette and vaping market May 5, 2016 The European Court of Justice (ECJ) yesterday ruled in favour of legislation that will significantly choke off the UK’s burgeoning, multi-million pound e-cigarette market. From 20 May, the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive will restrict e-cigarette advertising in print, on television and radio, as well as clamp down on the strength of nicotine liquids and flavours [...]
What next for Premiership champions Saracens after their domestic and European double? All eyes on another double according to veteran scrum-half Neil de Kock May 30, 2016 There will no be relaxation in all-conquering Saracens’ quest for a vice-like grip on a golden era of success, according to the north London club’s veteran scrum-half Neil de Kock. Former South Africa international De Kock played the final 11 minutes as Sarries dispatched Exeter Chiefs 28-20 at Twickenham on Saturday to retain their Premiership [...]
Five from West Ham and three from Sunderland: my alternative team of the season May 18, 2016 You could make a case for including every Leicester player in a Premier League team of the year but away from them – and other stars who have also already been recognised – other less celebrated figures have made significant contributions too. Here is my unsung XI. Goalkeeper: Adrian, West Ham Fraser Forster had a [...]
House of Fraser plots first three stores in China April 21, 2015 HOUSE of Fraser is poised to make its first foray into China, the department store chain said yesterday as it posted record full-year underlying sales. The retailer was snapped up last year by Chinese conglomerate Sanpower through its Nanjing Cenbest subsidiary in a £480m deal. The company said that it will open its first three [...]
Another director leaves House of Fraser following Chinese acquisition April 27, 2015 House of Fraser is losing another member of its senior team, months into the department store's ownership transition. Chief financial officer Mark Gifford is leaving the company in September after eight years in the role, and 13 years at the company all told. Colin Elliot, a chartered accountant who has most recently worked [...]
Dunedin private equity backs asset management adviser to fund expansion February 5, 2016 Private equity company Dunedin has invested £80m in specialist asset management adviser Alpha Financial Markets Consulting, City A.M. has learned. The consultancy plans to use the investment to expand its operations internationally and in the UK. Alpha’s chief executive Euan Fraser said: “Our plans for the future are no less ambitious and we look forward [...]
Cipriani unable to resist lure of old flame Wasps as fly-half confirms return to his first club February 16, 2016 England fly-half Danny Cipriani insists the lure of rekindling his former love affair with Wasps proved irresistible after yesterday confirming that he will re-join the club from Sale Sharks next season. Wasps fended off competition from Harlequins for the signature of Cipriani, who had a season to run on his existing deal at Sale but [...]
Kings Cross evacuated during morning rush hour: Victoria, Circle, Metropolitan, Piccadilly, Hammersmith and City and Northern Lines affected March 8, 2016 Commuters were thrown into chaos this morning after Kings Cross station was evacuated during rush hour. The major Tube station was closed just before 9am, forcing hundreds of passengers outside during the busiest time of the day. TfL said the station closure was down to heavy overcrowding – however commuters said they saw "police everywhere", and said [...]