Waterstones is set to make a significant return to the renowned Oxford Street in collaboration with John Lewis.The new bookshop will occupy a space on the second floor of the John Lewis flagship store, offering nearly 20,000 books.This re-establishment marks Waterstones’ return to a location it vacated in 2016, where it once had four stores.The collaboration is seen as a strategic alignment with shared customer values between John Lewis and Waterstones.Both brands express enthusiasm for the new venture, which aims to enhance customer experience.Waterstones is poised to reopen its doors on Oxford Street, this time as part of a collaborative…
Author: Dave Antrobus
The high street faces significant challenges as nearly 40 stores shut each day in 2024, data shows.Research by PwC indicates a rise in daily store closures from 36 last year to 38 this year.New store openings lag behind closures, with only 25 stores opening daily on average.Value retailers and convenience stores buck the trend with notable growth, adding over one store per week.The net closure rate has stabilised, but stakeholders must support revitalisation efforts.Recent data reveals a troubling trend for the high street, with an average of 38 stores closing each day throughout 2024. This increase from the previous year’s…
DC01UK has announced plans for a substantial data centre in Hertfordshire.The project is slated to be one of the largest in the UK upon completion.DC01UK is a collaboration between Griggs Group and Chiltern Green Energy Ltd.Plans include transforming a nearby pub into a technology hub.The centre could start operating by 2029, generating extensive economic benefits.A company known as DC01UK has revealed its intention to construct a massive data centre on an 83-acre site in Hertfordshire. This project is anticipated to become one of the UK’s most significant data centres, with a planned operational date of 2029.DC01UK, established in 2022, has…
Rachel Reeves faces scrutiny over her £4,400 energy claim for a second home while winter fuel payments for pensioners are being cut.The expenses are defended as necessary for MPs who must maintain residences in both London and their constituencies.Reeves has claimed a total of £3,700 in taxpayer funds for energy bills over the last five years.This situation arises against a backdrop of political tension, with 50 Labour MPs opposing their leader’s move to cut pensioner payments.The incident underscores the ongoing debate concerning the fairness of MP expenses and support for vulnerable citizens.In an interview with GB News, Rachel Reeves defended…
Bob Sutor, former IBM quantum computing lead, joins Nu Quantum’s board as the company expands to the US.Sutor brings nearly four decades of experience in quantum computing from IBM to Nu Quantum.Nu Quantum, a Cambridge startup, is developing technology for a scalable quantum network.CEO Carmen Palacios-Berraquero highlights the significance of Sutor’s involvement.The company raised £7m last year and is opening a new location in Los Angeles.Bob Sutor, a respected leader in quantum computing, has joined the board of Cambridge-based Nu Quantum. After a distinguished career spanning nearly 40 years at IBM, where he led their quantum computing programme, Sutor is…
Glaswegian agritech startup Solasta Bio has secured £10.7m to advance its innovative pest control technology. The company focuses on developing environmentally sustainable insecticides using biopeptides. Field trials have shown effective results comparable to conventional products. The investment round was led by Forbion with participation from several notable ventures. Since its inception, Solasta Bio has amassed $19m in total funding.Glaswegian agritech startup, Solasta Bio, recently secured a significant investment of £10.7m to further progress its pioneering pest control technology. The company, which was founded in 2021, is dedicated to creating insecticides that are inspired by nature. By developing a peptide-based solution,…
Trustpilot, the online review platform, has seen a notable increase in its share prices following better-than-expected profits for the first half of 2024.The company reported a significant profit of £7.3 million, a sizeable increase from £117,000 in the same period last year.Under the leadership of Adrian Blair, the integration of AI has been a key factor in Trustpilot’s recent success.Trustpilot announced a £20 million share buyback programme, marking its second such initiative this year.The company’s shares rose approximately 10% after the announcement, reflecting investor confidence.Trustpilot has captured market attention with a striking rise in its share prices, attributed to a…
The United Kingdom may lose its competitive edge in quantum computing due to funding challenges.Start-up founders warn that the UK is at a “critical juncture” in the quantum computing sector.The UK government withdrew £1.3 billion in funding, impacting technology and AI projects.There is mounting concern over declining venture capital investment in quantum computing in the UK.Compared to the US and China, the UK risks becoming dependent on international goodwill.Ashley Montanaro and Toby Cubitt, co-founders of Phasecraft, have expressed serious concern regarding the UK’s position in the global quantum computing landscape. According to them, the country is at a “critical juncture”…
Boohoo is restructuring its logistics to boost efficiency and growth, transitioning US order fulfilment back to the UK.The Pennsylvania warehouse, operational since last August, will cease operations as Boohoo centralises its distribution.US customers will benefit from a wider product selection, aligning with the offerings in the UK market.The move is expected to reduce operational costs while the company explores new market opportunities.Despite challenges, Boohoo remains optimistic about its growth prospects in the US market.Boohoo has announced a strategic shift in its logistics operations, moving the fulfilment of US orders to the UK. This decision forms part of a broader strategy…
Vypr, a Manchester-based business, is embarking on a significant expansion into the US market, aiming to quadruple its size.The company plans to increase its workforce by 100 as part of this ambitious growth strategy.Vypr has already achieved notable success, working with leading brands and quadrupling its revenue since 2021.The company leverages a “digital community” of 70,000 for product development and refinement.Vypr’s innovative use of behavioural science in market research sets it apart in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.Vypr, a company rooted in Manchester, is setting its sights on a major expansion into the American market, with aspirations to increase its…