B&Q owner Kingfisher sells underperforming Romanian arm December 18, 2024 Kingfisher has agreed to sell its Brico Dépôt Romania business for £58m to Altex Romania. The sale, which is expected to be completed in the first half of the next financial year, comprises the entire Brico Dépôt Romania business, including its network of 31 stores in 24 cities, distribution operations, and head office in Bucharest. It [...]
Heathrow to invest £2.3bn as Ardian and Saudis take stake December 18, 2024 Heathrow's investment is an uplift from prior forecasts of around £244m and will be used for upgrades across all its terminals.
Shoe Zone: Firm slams Budget tax hikes as it’s forced to close ‘unviable’ stores December 18, 2024 Shoe Zone has said it has been forced to close “a number” of stores following higher costs announced in the Autumn budget. The affordable footwear company said a combination of lower consumer confidence following the budget, plus “significant additional costs” due to the increases in National Insurance and the National Living Wage, have made the stores [...]
Red Bull: Leeds United minority owner set to increase football investment December 18, 2024 The energy drinks brand already has a minority stake in Leeds but has an option to increase it.
Build a new town in London December 18, 2024 The government has committed to building new towns with at least 10,000 homes but where should they go? London is the obvious place, says Jonathan Seager If you were asked to picture a new town in England, what comes to mind? Some of the better-known settlements established in the mid-20th century may well feature – [...]
Monarchists shouldn’t sweat over Prince Andrew December 18, 2024 Prince Andrew is an embarrassment but the Royal Family is still one of Britain’s greatest assets on the international stage, says James Price This Christmas, many of us will be forced to fraternise with embarrassing uncles (not you, if you’re reading this, Uncle Mike!) – and the Royal Family is no exception. As if his [...]
DCMS fear rugby future as £30m in taxpayer loans expected to be written off December 18, 2024 The government could be forced to write off nearly £30m of taxpayers’ money loaned to sports bodies, clubs and the arts during the Covid-19 pandemic. The figures, revealed today by the National Audit Office, provide a stark update on the £474m aid package provided by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Rugby union was [...]
Vannes shows Top 14 and France are doing it right. England should learn December 17, 2024 Matt Hardy went to Vannes this December and saw exactly why French rugby and the Top 14 is exactly what every league should aim for. Rounding a grand piano in the courtyard of a music school to reach the turnstiles at the Stade de La Rabine is not something you’d expect – posh boy stereotypes [...]
All BBC Sports Personality of the Year category winners December 17, 2024 On Tuesday the nation picks its Sports Personality of the Year with a grand ceremony crowning the winner. Jude Bellingham, Luke Littler, Alex Yee, Keely Hodgkinson, Dame Sarah Storey and Joe Root are up for the main gong. But there are a number of awards that celebrate teams, individuals and unsung heroes. An all-female cast [...]
Back Christmas cracker Banbridge for King George glory December 17, 2024 CHRISTMAS is nearly upon is, and for racing fans, bar Cheltenham, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Kempton’s King George on Boxing Day (2.30pm) is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the festive feast which awaits punters, with top quality racing on offer across both sides of the Irish Sea all the way [...]