Local News

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 […]

Changes to property taxes announced in the Budget are ‘unlikely’ to have a significant impact on the market, Nationwide said For sale, under offer and sold signs, West Hampstead, London(Image: Tim Graham/Getty Images) The UK housing market ended 2025 on a “softer note,” with annual price growth slowing to 0.6% in December, from 1.8% in […]

Sector experts have told the Press Association that they expect insolvencies to continue to rise this year Sion Barry and Henry Saker-Clark PA Deputy Business Editor 09:12, 02 Jan 2026Updated 09:13, 02 Jan 2026 The store is closing its doors after 153 years of trade (stock image)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto/atmoosh ) Company restructurings and insolvencies are […]

But the Treasury says it is making ‘fair and necessary decisions’ David Hughes, Press Association Political Editor and Hannah Baker South West Business Editor 22:00, 01 Jan 2026 Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks at a business reception at Lancaster House in central London (Image: PA) Rachel Reeves is “hammering” workers with stealth taxes […]

The largest declines were seen in the East Midlands, North West and Yorkshire & the Humber Henry Saker-Clark, PA Deputy Business Editor 07:45, 01 Jan 2026 A pint of Heinken being poured One pub shut its doors for good each day in 2025 as cost pressures continued to weigh on the sector, according to new […]

Tom Bradshaw said the agricultural sector had experienced one of its “toughest years on record” Tractor in a field(Image: Leitenberger S/Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) British farmers are likely to face continued uncertainty in 2026 but have a “stronger foundation” to build on and grow, the president on the National Farmers Union (NFU) has […]

Alex Scrimgeour has been at the helm for five years and has been replaced on an interim basis by a non-executive director 08:04, 29 Dec 2025Updated 08:29, 29 Dec 2025 Everyman screen branding(Image: Publicity still) The boss of upmarket cinema firm Everyman Media Group has stepped down after nearly five years at the helm. Everyman […]

A raft of major brands have been forced to close branches as the retail sector continues to face tough trading conditions Henry Saker-Clark, PA Deputy Business Editor 08:25, 29 Dec 2025 A Poundland shop(Image: Pepco/PA) A host of major UK retail and hospitality brands closed stores across the UK this year, with other high street […]

UK economy grew by an unrevised 0.1% between July and September while expansion was weaker than first thought in the second quarter, according to ONS figures Holly Williams Press Association Business Editor 07:52, 22 Dec 2025 Manufacturing performance in the UK was hit by the JLR cyberattack (Image: PA) The UK’s economy did grow at […]

Baby products retailer says it has ‘stabilised’ despite posting further losses after seeing half-year sales tumble Holly Williams Press Association Business Editor 09:44, 23 Dec 2025 Mothercare is still hunting a new CEO(Image: Graham Young / BirminghamLive) Baby products retailer Mothercare says it has “stabilised” and plans to rebuild its presence both in the UK […]