More than 400 pubs in England and Wales have either shut down or been repurposed over the past year, taking the total number below 39,000 for the first time. Commercial real estate firm Altus Group says 412 public houses were demolished or converted for alternative use in 2024, leaving only 38,989 in operation. The UK’s…
Major government contractors are pushing the costs of rising national insurance (NI) and higher wage bills back onto the Treasury, prompting concerns over the ultimate burden on taxpayers. Cleaning and facilities management groups such as Churchill Group and Mitie, together with construction giant Mace, are among those negotiating with Whitehall to pass on the financial…
Could Nigel Farage really be the next UK Prime Minister? It’s a question that, a mere five years ago, would have sounded rather like asking if we’d ever see Piers Morgan run the Ministry of Manners. And yet here we are, with Farage’s Reform UK party reportedly garnering a surge in new members—apparently outrunning the…
In a world that is becoming progressively digitalised, it is important to have a clear understanding on how industries can work collaboratively with the likes of AI to ensure they are not left behind. Gaining this understanding early will help avoid scaremongering and allow businesses to use the development of technology in their favour as…
Myenergi, a British startup that produces home chargers for electric vehicles and energy-saving devices, has swung from a £8.8 million profit to a pre-tax loss of £25 million in the year to May. The company, whose high-profile backers include former Tesco chief Sir Terry Leahy, blamed the downturn on weaker demand, intensifying competition, and a…
Homebase is set to return in a slimmed-down format after the DIY chain’s collapse last month, with its new owner CDS confirming plans to reopen 70 former stores under the Range Superstores banner. Each outlet will preserve the Homebase name in garden centre sections, and some will also incorporate Homebase-branded kitchen departments. CDS, founded by…
Joey Miller has made a name for himself as a dedicated mentor and experienced investor. His journey is marked by a continuous pursuit of knowledge and a commitment to sharing his insights with others. Joey Miller‘s story offers a glimpse into the intricate balance of learning and teaching, investing and mentoring, that defines his professional…
Donald Trump has threatened European Union member states with punitive tariffs if they fail to purchase more American oil and gas, reviving the prospect of a renewed transatlantic trade war. On Friday, the president-elect declared on social media: “I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States…
Shoe Zone, the beleaguered UK footwear retailer, has pinned the blame for a fresh wave of store closures on cost pressures stemming from October’s budget measures. The Leicester-headquartered chain, which currently employs around 2,250 staff across 297 stores, said new financial burdens—especially higher national insurance contributions and an increased minimum wage—had pushed some outlets beyond…
If you’re hurtling like a juggernaut towards year end with a demanding ‘To Do’ list flashing before your eyes as soon as your head hits the pillow, you are not alone. 2024 has been a year of upheaval, with the UK and US elections, a new UK government, and the Autumn Budget, all fuelling uncertainty….
The Business Secretary is facing accusations of failing to fully engage with Vauxhall’s parent company Stellantis ahead of its decision to close the van-making plant in Luton—a move that puts up to 1,100 jobs at risk. Critics claim the Government neglected to maintain meaningful dialogue for months despite an early warning of potential closure. Stellantis,…
Surrey County Council has admitted it does not have enough state school places to accommodate children transferring from private schools, following the government’s introduction of a 20 per cent VAT levy on independent education. Forecasts obtained through a Freedom of Information request show that for the September 2025 intake, there are expected to be no…
More than 10,000 people running small businesses have enrolled in the Help to Grow: Management programme, a government-subsidised training initiative designed to enhance leadership and boost productivity. By September, 10,635 individuals had signed up, with 7,860 completing the 12-week course since its launch in June 2021. The scheme, which costs business owners £750 each, is…
Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund is set to acquire the automotive division of McLaren, the renowned British supercar manufacturer, in a move that reshapes the ownership of one of the UK’s most iconic motoring brands. The deal follows a difficult period for the Woking-based firm, which recorded a record annual loss of £924 million in…
Energy bills for most British households are poised to rise again this spring, as an uptick in wholesale gas prices and escalating network charges put renewed financial pressure on millions of families. Forecasts from Cornwall Insight, the energy consultancy, indicate that Ofgem’s price cap could nudge up by around 1 per cent to £1,762 a…
