LONDON BOOMING
It’s good to learn that John Lewis in Oxford Street, one of the brighter spots in an otherwise overrated thoroughfare, recorded its first £1m day at the end of September (the 29th), a month earlier than normal. Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis department stores, said: “The West End is robust. We’re on […]

CITIZENS ADVICE STAFF JOIN PENSIONS LOSERS
Citizens Advice is closing its final salary pension scheme for current and future workers, affecting 375 staff. The scheme’s deficit has risen from £12.5m to £25m in the past three years and a spokesperson called it “fundamentally unaffordable”. But it strikes me as ironic that the so-called consumer’s ‘champion’ […]

Personal loan rates have rocketed by up to 4% as the credit crunch continues to impact adversely on consumers.
According to financial website Moneyfacts.com, nine High Street lenders have raised the cost of their personal loans this week, with Bradford & Bingley increasing the rate on its loans between £2,000 and £2,950 by four percentage points.
Northern Rock, […]

NORTHERN ROCK shares recovered by around 10% in early morning trading on the back of reports that private equity group JC Flowers was interested in buying the bank for £15bn. With takeover rumours buzzing around the now tarnished company, observers are keeping a sharp eye on developments. Maybe Roman Abramovic might be interested if his love affair with […]