When Pepsi was swapped for Soviet warships
Szu Ping Chan Business reporter Getty Images To break into the Soviet Union, Pepsi swapped its soft drink for vodka and even warships Bartering is one of the oldest ways of doing business in the world. The exchange of goods and services predates the use of money and is believed to have developed in the […]
‘One in seven’ shops lies vacant
Getty Images One in seven shops in Scotland is currently empty and no longer trading, according to new industry figures. The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) found that the shop vacancy rate rose by 0.4% to a six-year high of 14.4% in the fourth quarter of 2020. Scotland now has the fifth highest proportion of retail […]
When the tourists don’t turn up
Douglas Fraser Business and economy editor, Scotland This should be the start of the main tourist season, but next-to-nothing is moving, and it’s unclear when it will pick up again The mood of those who run businesses is said to be turning to ‘despondency, anger and frustration’ as they realise government support measures aren’t going […]
A mission to the Pacific plastic patch
Dr Charlotte Brassey Science writer Mission to the plastic patch: On board with Capt Charles Moore and his team A mariner who has spent years travelling “hundreds of thousands of nautical miles” to measure the impact of plastic waste in the ocean has estimated that a “raft” of plastic debris spanning more than 965,000 square […]
Ford’s Merseyside investment to secure 500 UK jobs
Ford Europe Ford is to invest £230m in its Halewood plant on Merseyside to make electric car parts, helping safeguard 500 jobs. The investment will mean the plant will run for many years longer, said Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe. There had been speculation about the future of the Halewood factory complex as Ford […]
Brexit plea over Scotland’s perishable exports
Getty Images The UK government has arranged additional freight capacity Scotland’s transport secretary has called for time-sensitive exports to be given priority in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Michael Matheson has written to his UK counterpart Chris Grayling asking for goods such as Scottish seafood to be given space on ferries. He warned that […]
UK councils fear bankruptcy amid Covid-19 costs
Getty Images Leeds City Council said the government needed to step in and help stabilise local authority finances Some of the largest UK councils say they may have to declare themselves effectively bankrupt unless the government agrees to further support. Nearly 150 authorities have forecast a combined budget shortfall of at least £3.2bn, the BBC […]
How a Highland village is changing to meet staycation demand
BBC Ullapool and the surrounding area in Wester Ross have grown in popularity in recent years Tourism businesses in and around Ullapool are expecting a busy summer, with the area a popular destination for people who choose to holiday closer to home amid the pandemic. Will Copestake, an outdoor instructor and former Scottish and UK […]
Making sure you get the right type of calorie
Michelle Roberts Health editor, BBC News online Getty Images The British Nutrition Foundation is launching a concept called the “quality calorie”, to make people think more about the types of foods they eat. While most adults consume more than they need, simply counting calories and cutting down is not enough, it says. It wants people […]
Fuel price rise concerns after oil hits 10-month high
BBC Annie Davies says she has to ask herself whether she can afford to fill up her car Filling up her tank with diesel, Annie Davies said she wished she had done it a day earlier when it was 4p cheaper per litre. The mother, from Llandysul, Ceredigion, said she has been unable to take […]