Monthly Archives: February 2013
FSA praised for swaps action
A GLASGOW restaurant owner last week welcomed the initial findings of a City probe into the sale of interest-rate hedging products (IRHPs) – complex financial products sold by banks alongside or as part of business loans.
IRHPs, also known as interest rate swaps, were sold by banks to SMEs, largely between 2001 and 2006, to insure commercial loans against the possibility of interest rates soaring.
SWA to host major independence debate
Summer conference will see wholesalers discuss ramifications of 2014 referendum
THE hot topic of Scottish independence and its potential ramifications for the wholesale sector will...
Act now to avoid the training trap
Operators must plan for refresher course, writes lawyer Audrey Junner
THOSE holding personal licences issued in 2008 would be justified in thinking that the five-year...
Pubs keeping up outdoor appearances
Outside areas can bring a real boost to business
WITH the weather still on the chilly side, it’s difficult to believe that spring and summer...
Edinburgh chefs to launch pub
EDINBURGH chefs Tom Kitchin and Dominic Jack have joined forces again to launch a new pub in Stockbridge.
The duo, who opened Castle Terrace restaurant...
Spirits group in pre-Budget call
THE Wine and Spirit Trade Association is the latest trade group to appeal for the alcohol duty escalator to be scrapped.
The organisation, which represents more than 300 companies in the wine and spirits industry, met with economic secretary to the treasury, Sajid Javid, earlier this month to put forward its argument for removing the escalator, which increases duty by 2% above the rate of inflation each year.
Fosters’ mid-market move
HEINEKEN is aiming to capitalise on anticipated growth in the mid-strength category with the launch of a new 2% ABV beer.
Foster’s Radler, which comes...
Knowledge is Scotch power
Whisky is becoming as popular in its homeland as it is around the world but, writes Jon Beach, there’s still work to be done...
Wholesale chiefs in tax summit
THE difficulty wholesalers have in competing with rivals that cheat the tax man was set out by the industry’s leading representative group in a...
Recovery hopes as failures fall
Trade administrations drop to lowest rate in five years, new survey claims
A SIGNIFICANT fall in business failures last year has sparked hopes that the...