Alys Key
The Independent
United Kingdom
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Past articles by Alys:
Persimmon review into housebuilding scandal seeks views of 100,000 people
More than 100,000 people are being asked for their opinions on housebuilder Persimmon as the housebuilder seeks to address a scandal around poor build quality, customer service failings and large payouts to top executives An independent review is this week asking suppliers, trade bodies, local authorities, customers, employees and civil servants for information on the → Read More
Sports Direct rescues Jack Wills in £12.75m deal
Sports Direct has won the bidding war for Jack Wills, adding yet another brand to Mike Ashley‘s high street empire. Advisers at KPMG said Jack Wills had been put into administration on Monday and was immediately sold to Sports Direct in a process known as a pre-pack administration. The sale, for which Sports Direct paid £12.75m, includes all 100 UK and Ireland stores and → Read More
UK construction sector shrinks as Brexit uncertainty spreads
Output in Britain's construction sector contracted in May, as Brexit uncertainty weighed on demand while job numbers fell at their fastest rate since November 2012. The Markit/CIPS UK Construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) recorded a reading of 48.6 for May, down from 50.5 in April. Economists were expecting a figure of 50.5. A reading above 50 indicates growth, below → Read More
Mothercare sales plunge and losses widen after store closure plan
Losses at Mothercare have widened on the back of a drastic restructuring plan, but the company said it will now focus on rebuilding its brand. Headline losses before tax came to £87.3m for the 53 weeks to 30 March, compared to £72.8m this time last year. → Read More
JD Sports to buy Footasylum in £90m deal
JD Sports is to buy fellow retailer Footasylum in a deal valuing the company at more than £90m. The sportswear chain said it has agreed to pay 82.5p per share for the company, marking a 77.4 per cent increase on Footasylum's closing price of 46.5p last week. It comes just a month after JD said it had no intention of making an offer despite acquiring a stake of 8.3 per cent in → Read More
Evans Cycles to close more stores after sale to Sports Direct
Three more branches of Evans Cycles are to close this month as the chain approaches the end of a review process following its sale to Sports Direct. The stores are all in London, located in Victoria, Crouch End and Mark Lane in The City. They are scheduled to shut down on 22 March, the Press Association reported. One site in Spitalfields, East London has already closed. → Read More
Mothercare sales plummet as store closure plan continues
Mothercare's UK sales dropped in the third quarter as the beleaguered retailer cut back on promotions amid its dramatic transformation plan. In the 13 weeks to 5 January, UK like-for-like sales dropped 11.4 per cent. Mothercare said this reflected a mix of consumer caution and less discounting compared to the previous year which was boosted by aggressive promotional activity. → Read More
Patisserie Valerie boss Peter May resigns after accounting scandal
The boss of beleaguered cake chain Patisserie Valerie has stepped down as the company installs a new CEO to lead its recovery. Paul May's departure comes just over a month after the company found a hole in its accounts and was forced to raise emergency funds to stay afloat. → Read More
You can now book a table at this VIP branch of McDonald's in London
Customers can book a table at the High Street Kensington branch of McDonald's from today, as the chain pilots a luxury experience at its restaurants. → Read More
Innovaderma shares jump as new CEO is named and Roots shampoo enters Tesco
Shares in health and beauty company Innovaderma jumped in early trading this morning on the double announcement that it has appointed a new boss and → Read More
Luke Johnson among bidders for collapsed Gaucho chain
Hospitality mogul Luke Johnson has emerged as one of the bidders for steak restaurant chain Gaucho, after the group went into administration last month. → Read More
M&S has partnered with True in another push towards digital innovation
Marks & Spencer has announced yet another digital-focused partnership in its bid to bring the retail business into the 21st century. → Read More
Benito's Hat eyes expansion after securing new funding
Mexican restaurant Benito's Hat is plotting a major expansion push after refining its store format and securing new funding. → Read More
House of Fraser's prospective backer officially calls off stake acquisition
House of Fraser's potential saviour has officially confirmed that it is attempting to cancel its deal to acquire the company, after it said earlier this → Read More
Court date set for challenge to House of Fraser CVA
House of Fraser will face a legal challenge from some of its landlords in court within two weeks, when it will defend its restructuring plans. → Read More
Heineken dampens profit guidance as currency pressure squeezes margins
Heineken cut its profit guidance this morning as earnings fell below market expectations. → Read More
Exclusive: Fashion Collective halted in bid to fill House of Fraser City branch on King William Street
An audacious bid to fill the House of Fraser branch in the City has been stopped in its tracks, after the landlord opted to sit on the property while → Read More
House of Fraser's funding lifeline faces delay after CVA challenge from landlords
House of Fraser is in danger of having its emergency funds delayed after landlords launched a legal challenge to its restructuring process. → Read More
Joules delivers double-digit growth as it plots more UK stores and concessions
Clothing and lifestyle brand Joules continued its winning streak against a tough retail backdrop today, revealing double-digit growth in profit and sales. → Read More
The Lady magazine looks for restaurant to fill Covent Garden office space
Iconic magazine The Lady is on the hunt for a restaurant operator to rent the bottom half of its offices, after more than 125 years in the building. → Read More