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What readers think of lockdown decisions five years on
Readers of Reach plc titles across the UK still believe that the country was right to go into lockdown – but opinions vary depending on where you live and which of our titles you read. The Reach lockdown survey was taken by over 15,000 UK readers of titles owned by BusinessLive’s parent company. It shows …
Business
Business Live
Shop closures continue in North East but pace of decline slows
Shop closures in the North East continued to outpace openings last year but the gap has closed, new figures show. Data from financial services firm PwC found that 502 retail stores, leisure venues and service outlets closed in the North East in 2024 while there were 359 openings. The net closures of 143 stores in …
Business
Business Live
TSB appoints new CEO amid parent company’s uncertain future
UK retail bank TSB has declared that Marc Armengol is now at the helm as its new chief executive officer. Armengol, stepping up from his role as corporate strategy director within the institution, was selected for leadership duties back in November 2024, as reported by City AM. The executive shuffle came along with the retirement …
Business
Business Live
UK’s ultrafast broadband expansion set to reach 96% of homes by 2027, Ofcom reports
The UK’s ultrafast broadband roll-out is entering its “final phase” and could reach nearly all homes by 2027, according to Ofcom. The industry regulator revealed that data from telecoms firms suggests 96 per cent of homes and businesses would have access to full-fibre by 2027 with the right investment and regulation, as reported by City …
Business
Business Live
Tech infrastructure company Softcat beats analyst expectations as profit jumps
UK tech infrastructure company Softcat surpassed analyst predictions last year, with profit growth soaring into double digits over the final six months of the year. The firm’s gross profit rose by 12.1 per cent to £220.2m, exceeding analyst forecasts of £218.3m, as revealed in its half-year report, as reported by City AM. Operating profit also …
Business
Business Live
Asos shares plunge as investors ‘lose confidence’ in retailer’s turnaround plan
Asos shares have plummeted over 8% in early trading, exacerbating losses accumulated over several months as investors’ faith in the retailer’s recovery strategy has dwindled. The e-commerce company’s share price has fallen by a third in the past month and has halved since the start of the year, with a 15% decline in the last …
Business
Business Live
Portishead Railway gets back on track as £27m funding approved
The West of England Combined Authority has committed £27m to resurrect the Portishead Railway line. Work on the long-awaited project is set to start in the summer – some 61 years after the line’s closure. The news comes after a period of uncertainty last year when government funding for the project was withdrawn. But following …
Business
Sky News
Digital lender OakNorth to be parent of US bank CUB
OakNorth, the British-based digital bank, will this week unveil a milestone US deal that will pave the way for it to launch a significant expansion on the other side of the Atlantic.Sky News has learnt that OakNorth, which is chaired by the former City watchdog chair Lord Turner, will on Monday announce that it has …
Business
Sky News
Premiership Rugby rivals and CVC to fund Newcastle Falcons loan
English rugby union’s top teams and the sport’s private equity backer are in advanced talks to fund a multimillion pound loan to Newcastle Falcons to help it meet financial criteria allowing it to play next season.Sky News has learnt that the nine other Gallagher Premiership Rugby sides, which include current league leaders Bath, Saracens and …
Business
Business Live
91m mast could pave the way for ‘England’s largest onshore windfarm’
A proposed 91m meteorological mast on moorland to the north of Manchester may pave the way for the creation of England’s largest onshore wind farm, if authorities give the go-ahead. Cubico Sustainable Investments revealed plans last year for Scout Moor II, with 21 powerful wind turbines across the moors bridging Greater Manchester and Lancashire, adjacent …
Business
Business Live
Vanquis shares plummet as it posts £34.8m loss for 2024
Vanquis Banking Group, the specialist lender, has reported that its “turnaround” is “on track”, despite posting a loss in 2024. The Bradford-based firm recorded a £34.8m loss, a significant decrease from its pre-tax profit of £17.3m in 2023, as reported by City AM. The company’s bottom line was impacted by the rising cost of dealing …
Business
Business Live
Promotional products firm 4imprint reports 10% rise in profit
4imprint, the promotional products manufacturer, has announced a 10% increase in profit for 2024, outperforming the wider market and growing its market share. The company revealed to markets this morning that revenue climbed by three per cent year on year to £1.36bn, up from £1.32bn the previous year, as reported by City AM. The London-based …

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