Local News

Move is part of a wider £250m-£300m property strategy A Premier Inn sign in London(Image: Getty ) Hospitality group Whitbread has sold several of its Premier Inn properties to real estate firm Londonmetric in an £89 million transaction aimed at enhancing profitability. The company has divested nine hotels from its South East cluster, with locations […]

The crafts and hobby retailer reported that total revenues lifted by 6.3% over the six weeks to December 28 Henry Saker-Clark PA Deputy Business Editor 15:47, 12 Jan 2026 Hobbycraft was acquired by Modella Capital in 2024(Image: PA Archive/PA Images) Craft retailer Hobbycraft said a surge in enthusiasm for crochet and knitting contributed to robust […]

The average yearly salary for chief executives of UK blue chips stands at £4.4m Beatrice Learmouth, Press Association and Hannah Baker South West Business Editor 08:00, 06 Jan 2026 Founder of bet365 Denise Coates(Image: ) FTSE 100 bosses will have to work less than three days of 2026 to overtake the average annual salary of […]

Hotels, pharmacies, retailers and night-life venues are all calling for support Christopher McKeon, David Lynch and Henry Saker-Clark, Press Association 07:42, 09 Jan 2026 A closing down sign in a shop window(Image: Rui Vieira/PA Wire) High street businesses have called on the Government to expand business rate relief plans beyond pubs following reports of an […]

The two retailers were bought by investment firm Modella Capital last year Anna Wise, Press Association Business Reporter 08:17, 06 Jan 2026Updated 08:18, 06 Jan 2026 A general view of a Claire’s Accessories(Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) High street chains Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) are being put into administration, after their owner said […]

Retail experts warn more high street brands could fall into administration as online platforms reshape UK shopping habits Beatrice Learmouth Press Association 09:21, 07 Jan 2026 Fashion accessories chain Claire’s was a high street staple(Image: Mike Egerton/PA) Retail experts have warned that competition from online retailers is putting the squeeze on high street brands, following […]

Outsourcing giant collapsed eight years ago Holly Williams Press Association Business Editor 12:16, 07 Jan 2026 Carillion was based in Wolverhampton(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined two former finance directors of the collapsed firm Carillion for acting “recklessly” and contributing to misleading statements issued by the outsourcing giant prior to […]

Housebuilding seeing its deepest slump since the early Covid pandemic Anna Wise Press Association Business Reporter 12:47, 07 Jan 2026 The latest S&P Global UK construction PMI survey paints a gloomy picture(Image: PA) UK housebuilding activity has continued its most severe downturn since the onset of the Covid pandemic, with the broader construction sector marking […]

Production struggled to recover from September attack, US tariffs and Jaguar model wind-down Simon Hunt www.cityam.com 11:21, 06 Jan 2026 Jaguar Land Rover said production only returned to normal levels by mid-November after the cyber attack(Image: Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live) Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) saw a significant drop in sales in the final quarter of last […]

Professional services firms say tie-up will help their ‘ambitious growth plans’ Ian Wilkinson (Perspective Financial Group), left, and Scott Heath (DJH) (Image: DJH) A national financial planning group has teamed up with a fast-growing accountancy and professional services firm in a new wealth management joint venture. Perspective Financial Group, based in Chorley, has teamed up […]