Record 24.7m music tourists spent £11.2bn at UK gigs in 2025, led by the Oasis reunion. What the live music boom means for SMEs and local economies.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Wayve staff cash in $85m in UK’s first private market share sale
Wayve’s $85m employee share sale on the LSE Private Securities Market is a UK first and the biggest PISCES deal yet. What it means for staff equity.
Xavier Niel seizes top spot at Vodafone with £4.4bn stake swoop
Xavier Niel is set to become Vodafone’s largest shareholder after a £4.4bn deal with e&. What the French billionaire’s arrival means for UK firms.
Covid support abuse behind more than half of 3,280 director bans
More than half of 3,280 UK director disqualifications since 2023 stem from Covid support abuse. See which sectors and regions face the greatest risk.
Start-ups raise record $17bn but British money misses the party
UK startup funding hit a record $17bn in H1 2026, but just 16% of large rounds involved British investors. What the boom means for firms raising now.
Iran strikes and Burnham jitters keep UK borrowing costs near highs
FTSE 100 swings and gilt yields hold above 4.9% as US strikes on Iran and Burnham uncertainty rattle markets. What it means for UK SME costs and borrowing.
Zuber Issa snaps up 85 Prax forecourts in dash to rebuild fuel empire
Zuber Issa has bought 85 forecourts from the collapsed Prax Group, taking EG On The Move to 285 sites. What the deal means for forecourt operators.
Gas prices leap 5% as Trump declares Iran ceasefire ‘over’
Wholesale gas prices jumped 5% after Donald Trump declared the Iran ceasefire over, reviving fears of another energy cost shock for UK businesses.
John Lewis calls time on currency desks, putting 200 jobs at risk
John Lewis job cuts put around 200 roles at risk as it plans to close in-store currency desks and gift wrapping, blaming the shift to digital payments.
23andMe breach victims land $47m payout from firm’s new owner
Victims of the 23andMe data breach will share a $46.75m payout after a US court ruling. What the case means for UK firms holding sensitive customer data.
Part-time hiring hits three-year high as wary employers keep permanent roles on ice
UK part-time hiring has hit a three-year high as cautious employers meet rising demand without permanent staff costs, new KPMG and REC figures show.
Farage quits as MP and forces Clacton by-election amid deepening row over undeclared donations
Nigel Farage has resigned as MP for Clacton and will stand in a by-election, as two standards investigations into undeclared payments are suspended by his exit.
Prince Harry’s £50m hacking claim against Daily Mail publisher thrown out in full by High Court
The High Court has dismissed in full the £50m unlawful information gathering claim brought by Prince Harry, Sir Elton John and Baroness Lawrence against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers.
Glamping couple take Britvic to court over Magic Mushroom Cabin photo
A Northamptonshire glamping couple are suing J2O maker Britvic over the unauthorised use of a photo of their Magic Mushroom Cabin, in a case every SME should watch.
US jobs growth stalls in June as World Cup boost fails to materialise
US payrolls rose by just 57,000 in June, barely half of Wall Street forecasts, as the World Cup failed to lift hiring and the Fed weighs its next move on rates.
