Britain’s high streets continued to shrink in 2024, with an average of 35 stores closing each day as retailers battled online competition and economic uncertainty. However, despite 12,804 closures last year, the latest data from PwC indicates a more positive outlook for the sector, with the rate of closures slowing compared to 2023, when 14,801 stores shut their doors. While closures outpaced new openings, the retail landscape saw signs of resilience, with 9,002 new shops...
A landmark tribunal ruling could provide major inheritance tax relief for families who engaged in historic ‘home loan’ schemes, potentially saving them six-figure sums in tax bills, according to national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP. The ruling in Elborne v HMRC overturned a previous decision that would have allowed HMRC to claim inheritance tax on properties placed in trust decades ago. The case involved the estate of Leslie Elborne, who used a ‘home loan’ scheme...
The online betting world never sits still. It’s an industry built on risk, and change is part of the game. Over the past decade, blockchain has been the latest disruptor, promising to fix long-standing trust issues while reshaping how players interact with betting platforms. But here’s the real question does blockchain genuinely improve the experience, or is this just another overhyped tech experiment that will fade away like so many others before it? The Trust...
Eddie Jordan, the flamboyant and fiercely independent Formula One team owner, businessman, and TV pundit, has passed away at the age of 76. A larger-than-life figure in motorsport, Jordan was best known for founding the Jordan Grand Prix team, which brought a refreshing, rebellious energy to F1 in the 1990s. His eye for talent helped launch the careers of some of the sport’s greatest drivers, including Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine. Born in Dublin in...
Bentley is pressing forward with its electric vehicle (EV) transition despite admitting that some of its most loyal customers may never give up internal combustion engines. Chief Executive Frank-Steffen Walliser acknowledged that while many high-net-worth buyers are eager to adopt cutting-edge technology, others remain unwilling to embrace electric powertrains. “There are, for sure, customers who say, fine, if it’s the latest and greatest technology I will take it, whatever it is,” Walliser said. However, he...
The Bank of England is set to maintain its base rate at 4.5% when its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announces its latest decision on Thursday, as policymakers weigh inflation risks against economic growth. With inflation rising to 3% in January, analysts predict the Bank will take a cautious approach, despite market expectations of two further rate cuts by the end of 2025. The decision will have widespread implications for households, businesses, and investors, affecting everything...
Lord Sugar has extended his tenure on The Apprentice, signing a new three-year contract with the BBC that will see him remain at the helm into his 80s. The billionaire businessman was already committed to hosting the 20th series of the show next year but has now confirmed he will continue for at least three more seasons. Speaking to BBC journalist Amol Rajan, Lord Sugar, 77, revealed the deal and reflected on the enduring impact...
A growing consumer backlash against Amazon’s perceived political affiliations could see UK shoppers joining their US counterparts in boycotting the retail giant, potentially costing it up to £47 million in lost sales, according to delivery expert Parcelhero. In the US, consumer activism is on the rise, with 9% of Amazon shoppers last week planning to participate in an economic blackout against the company. A Guardian-Harris poll found that a quarter of American shoppers have abandoned...
Blake Morgan has been appointed to all 14 lots of the Welsh Government Commercial Delivery (WGCD) Solicitors Services Framework, making it the only law firm to achieve this distinction. The appointment cements the firm’s role as a key legal partner to the Welsh public sector, providing expert legal services across a broad range of specialisms for the next four years. Strengthening legal support for the welsh public sector The WGCD framework is a vital procurement...
Polaron, a spin-out from Imperial College London, has developed a groundbreaking AI solution that reduces the time needed to create advanced materials—from years to mere days. This innovation could transform the production of materials used in wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, and infrastructure, supporting the UK’s push for economic growth and net-zero targets. Polaron’s AI technology analyses microstructural images—microscopic features of a material visible under a microscope—to rapidly predict how materials will perform. By enabling...
