Scottish Business Briefing – Thursday 4 July, 2013
ECONOMICS
Service surge eases stimulus calls
MARK Carney, the Bank of England’s new governor, is likely to sit on his hands until next month at the earliest after further upbeat news on the economy slashed the chances of fresh monetary stimulus. Analysts believe policymakers will vote against a fresh bout of money printing when they conclude their latest rate-setting meeting at lunchtime today (Scotsman).
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Thistly Cross cider to be sold in 77 Tesco stores
ARTISAN cider maker Thistly Cross has won a contract to supply its drinks to 77 Tesco supermarkets in Scotland and is preparing to expand into the Canadian and Russian markets. The Dunbar-based business – which already sells its produce in Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose – will market five of its six ciders in Tesco’s stores (Scotsman).
Drinks company C&C hails Tennent’s sales
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Hide AdTHE coldest spring in 50 years has seen UK and Irish cider sales slump at Irish drinks company C&C. C&C revealed yesterday that the exceptionally cold weather helped trigger a 22 per cent fall in cider volumes in the UK in the three months to end-May. Stephen Glancey, group chief executive, said Tennent’s had continued to do well “and provides a degree of balance to a competitive UK cider market” (Scotsman).
INDUSTRY
Wood Group buys Forth Bridge contractor
ENERGY services giant Wood Group yesterday snapped up one of the contractors that worked on the Forth Bridge refurbishment as it moves into the specialist coatings sector. The Aberdeen-based FTSE 100 firm remained tight-lipped over how much it had paid for Gateshead-based Pyeroy Group, which was founded in 1973 and now employs 1,800 staff across eight sites in the UK and Ireland (Scotsman).
SCOTSMAN CONFERENCE
The Future of the UK Aerospace Industry – 5 September 2013, Prestwick
20% Early bird discount until 12 July
The UK Government signed up to a £2 billion partnership to keep the UK aerospace industry at the forefront of world aerospace manufacturing. Join us and hear the government explain its strategy to secure large numbers of high value jobs. Book your place today.
MEDIA & LEISURE
Goals scores ‘marginal’ first-half sales increase
GOALS Soccer Centres, the East Kilbride-based five-a-side football pitch operator, yesterday unveiled a “marginal” rise in first-half like-for-like sales – but warned its interim profits would fail to match last year’s level due to spending on “operational and organisational reviews”. The Aim-quoted company announced in January it was slowing down its expansion plans in order to pay down its debt (Scotsman).
RETAIL
New plan to save Scotland’s town centre shops
Public bodies should put “town centres first” in their decision-making. The National Review of Town Centres, a report commissioned by the Scottish government, said a mix of leisure, public facilities and homes is needed. The review panel was chaired by architect Malcolm Fraser and included business figures and public bodies (BBC).