1+ week, 5+ day ago (649+ words) Britain's competition regulator has opened investigations into eight companies, including leading ticket resellers StubHub and Viagogo , over hard sell online pricing practices. The companies being probed by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are StubHub, Viagogo, AA Driving School, BSM Driving School, Gold's Gym, Wayfair, Appliances Direct and Marks Electrical. It is the first time the CMA has used new consumer protection powers to launch an investigation into anti-competitive behaviour. The latest crackdown comes after it was revealed reselling tickets for profit is to be outlawed under plans due to be announced by the Government tomorrow. Ministers had been originally considering allowing companies and ordinary consumers to sell on a ticket for up to 30% above the original face value but it is now thought that reselling a ticket at anything more than the original face value will be banned. It…...

11+ mon, 3+ week ago (226+ words) London, as we know, is the global epicentre of artistic creativity, and has been since the Fifties tick-tocked into the Sixties, 65 years ago. In this respect we are the most regenerative city in the world, a creative hub that regularly throws up young, energetic talent in all the major creative pursuits, from music to theatre, from art to dance, and from every modern genre fragmentation in worlds as diverse as DJ culture and poetry, AI design and narcotic experimentation. There must be something in the water, as the portents of rebellion are always harnessed here before anywhere else. Gregg Wallace: why I stand with him The London Standard is available for free pick-up across the city from Thursday to Monday Nicholas Cullinan's guide to London: Korean fried chicken, karaoke and The River Caf" David Ellis reviews Mondo Sando: Probably the…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago (606+ words) The Government "only listens to big business, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said as he set out his party's pitch to small business owners. Big businesses "virtually control and own the political arena, Mr Farage said, as he vowed to cut red tape and regulation for business owners who are "literally living in fear about the inspector walking through the door. Speaking at a press event in central London, he told the 300 small and medium-sized business owners joining him that he understood the challenges they face. "We get it. I've been in business, I've run my own businesses, as many of my colleagues have, as thousands of our members have, he said. "Some on the left will tell you "the economy is failing because capitalism is failing'. No. We're not living in capitalism, we're living in an age of global…...

5+ mon, 4+ week ago (628+ words) More shops are set to disappear from British high streets, after more than 13,000 closures last year. From January to May, scores of shops shuttered, including those belonging to Morrisons to New Look and WH Smith. Sadly, the trend is set to continue in June, with a number of businesses shutting for good in the coming weeks. Here are the main shop closures in England, Scotland and Wales this month. The discount high street chain plans to close nine shops this month. The following shops will shut: The retailer previously said it would have to close "loss-making" stores following financial struggle. In February, private equity firm Modella Capital bought The Original Factory Shop, launching a restructuring effort to renegotiate rent costs at the 88 stores. Modella Capital also bought WH Smith and Hobbycraft. The bargain store chain is set to shut an…...

2+ mon, 3+ week ago (729+ words) Running a business brings constant challenges. The right support can transform how you work. From automating workflows to strengthening teams and building tailored technology, these providers offer solutions designed to keep your business moving forward. With its no-code design, OCTO can be deployed fast " no developers required " enabling firms to adapt quickly and stay competitive. Clients report measurable efficiency gains, increased capacity and growth without extra headcount. To explore how TCG can transform your operations, email [email'protected] or visit tcgprocess.com. When off-the-shelf systems don't cut it, ioSTUDIOS develops software tailored precisely to your business needs. With over 17 years of experience of deploying solutions to an ISO 27001 standard, this highly regarded agency has delivered solutions that have helped clients secure honours such as the Queen's Award for Enterprise and the ukactive Digital Transformation Award. Claim a complimentary profile today at…...

10+ mon, 2+ week ago (336+ words) Sainsbury's today said grocery sales rose 3.8% in the six weeks to 4 January. Chief executive Simon Roberts said the performance represented seven consecutive quarters of volume performance ahead of the market. He added: "We have won grocery market share for the fifth consecutive Christmas, with more customers choosing Sainsbury's for their big shop." It remains on track for an annual operating profit within the company's guidance range between "1.01 billion and "1.06 billion, representing growth of around 7%. Across the third quarter of the financial year, like-for-like sales rose by 2.8% compared with 4.2% in the previous three months. Argos sales fell 1.4% in the quarter but with a return to growth over the eight weeks covering the peak Christmas and Black Friday period. Sterling stands at $1.227 this morning, having fallen to a one-year low during a turbulent week for UK financial markets. The 10-year gilt yield…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago (983+ words) Customers will be able to get help day or night from August 1 if their meter fault has interrupted their gas or electricity supply, Ofgem said. Energy suppliers must soon run a round-the-clock helpline for customers cut off due to meter faults. Customers will be able to get help day or night from August 1 if their meter fault has interrupted their gas or electricity supply after regulator Ofgem concluded that suppliers have ultimate responsibility for ensuring resolution. Ofgem data suggests that more than 80,000 customers seek help for meter fault issues out of hours every year. While some energy suppliers already offer 24/7 services for meter faults, others do not. This means that if a customer has lost their supply due to a meter fault outside of their supplier's regular contact hours " such as overnight, weekends or bank holidays " they are not able…...

10+ mon, 3+ week ago (191+ words) The pound came under further pressure today, falling to $1.2311 after dropping yesterday to its lowest level versus the US dollar since April last year. Trade war fears and expectations of fewer Bank of England interest rate cuts have also left the 10-year UK gilt at 4.8%, the highest level since 2008. US Treasury yields also moved higher on Wednesday, with the 10-year yield rising to 4.7% by last night and the highest level since April last year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average last night finished 0.3% higher and the S&P 500 rose by 0.2%. The US stock market will be closed for the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, whilst bond markets are also closing early. The FTSE 100 index is set for a flat start to today's session, having closed broadly unchanged last night. The domestic-focused FTSE 250 lost 2%. Tottenham player ratings vs Liverpool: Antonin Kinsky…...

11+ mon, 3+ week ago (912+ words) Shopping | ES Best Home | Home & Garden It may not be on the same life-saving level as first aid, cycling or knowing how to swim, but in my book, sewing is a life skill. I learned basic stitching at my paternal grandmother's knee, a woman who was proudly part of the make-do-and-mend generation. In her eyes, a small rip or tear didn't justify binning an otherwise good piece of clothing, a mentality that's come full circle against the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis and rightful questions about fashion sustainability. She showed me how to make custom outfits for my Barbies, igniting a passion that would eventually lead me to fashion college. Although I ultimately chose a different career path, I still use those hand-stitching skills to repair minor wardrobe mishaps today. As a young fashion student, I spent many afternoons trawling…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (275+ words) Commuters are not set to face any delays on their way to work this morning. At 6:45am, a good service was being provided across all London Underground and Overground lines. Chancery Lane station resumes good service following early morning closure on Thursday. Engineering work is taking place between Cambridge Heath and Cheshunt, closing some lines. From 23:35 Thursday evening until approximately 05:15 on Friday morning, all Greater Anglia and Stansted Express trains that usually run via Seven Sisters will be diverted to run via Tottenham Hale instead. Stations on the Tottenham Hale line are only a short distance from those on the Seven Sisters line. Chancery Lane station is closed due to unavailability of station staff. Tickets are being accepted on London Buses. No delays are being reported on the London Underground and Overground. Traffic is flowing well on the A10 and A406, following earlier…...