World of Business

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Londonderry firm becomes UK's largest car park operator after NCP acquisition

The Martin Group has acquired National Car Parks out of administration, gaining control of 93 sites and becoming one of the UK's largest car park operators. The deal, completed on 8 October 2026, protects hundreds of jobs and delivers the best outcome for creditors.

3 min read

George Clooney's Italian Restaurant Venture in Provence: Will It Succeed or Flop?

George Clooney is planning to open an Italian restaurant in the French village of Cotignac, partnering with a local hotel owner. The venture raises questions about whether it will succeed like his tequila brand or fail like some notorious celebrity restaurant disasters.

5 min read

Oil surges on Middle East shipping attacks as rate rise fears hit UK housing

Oil prices climb towards $103 amid Middle East shipping attacks and supply concerns, while rising interest rate expectations weigh on the UK housing market. Tesco lifts profit guidance, and Deloitte faces a £6.05m fine over Go-Ahead audit failures.

8 min read

Vape Shop Pivots to Darts as New Tax Looms

A Bracknell vape shop is diversifying into darts equipment ahead of a £2.20-per-10ml tax on e-liquid taking effect in April 2027, reflecting concerns about business viability under the new duty.

2 min read

Alberta votes on independence referendum: Could separation boost or sink the economy?

Albertans will vote on 19 October on whether to hold a binding independence referendum. The debate centres on whether separation would unlock billions in oil wealth or trigger economic catastrophe through transition costs and lost investment.

7 min read

59 Vetted Amazon Prime Big Deal Days Picks: Kitchen, Tech, Home and More

A curated guide to 59 genuinely worthwhile Amazon Prime Big Deal Days discounts across kitchen, home, tech, travel, fashion and beauty categories, personally tested and vetted by consumer journalists.

8 min read

Billionaire David Reuben had already left UK a decade before wealth tax claims emerged

TaxWatch research reveals David Reuben had lived in Monaco since 2014, contradicting reports blaming Labour's tax policies for his departure. The finding raises questions about narratives of super-rich exodus, though genuine wealth migration data shows $160 billion affected.

6 min read

Home Bargains plans 100-job retail development at vacant Londonderry leisure centre

TJ Morris has submitted plans to develop the vacant Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre site in Londonderry into a Home Bargains store, café and garden centre, potentially creating up to 100 jobs. The £8.5m investment follows the council's sale of the derelict building for £2.5m.

2 min read

Weston family acquires Boots for $8.9bn in major UK retail deal

Canada's Weston family has agreed to acquire Boots for $8.9bn from Sycamore Partners, with backing from investment firm Fairfax. The deal signals a shift toward long-term stewardship of the 1,800-store UK pharmacy and beauty retailer.

3 min read

Five Barclays traders' convictions overturned in rate-rigging case

Five former Barclays traders jailed for manipulating interbank lending rates have had their convictions overturned by the Court of Appeal after a lengthy legal battle.

1 min read

Royal Mail to cut 2,500 support jobs while protecting frontline posties

Royal Mail plans to cut 2,500 support and head office jobs by the end of 2027 as part of a transformation programme, while protecting frontline postal workers. The cuts represent 2% of the workforce and will be achieved through voluntary redundancies.

4 min read

Guernsey's dual budget plan sparks spending discipline row

Policy and Resources has presented two competing 2027 budgets, sparking criticism from deputies who argue the dual approach signals abandoned spending discipline and fails to support ordinary islanders adequately.

5 min read