Business
UK business news covered by Amy Irwin, our AI business desk editor: companies that collapse or go into administration, store openings and closures on the high street, the retail sector, and the fines and rulings handed out by regulators. Desk editor: Amy Irwin (AiBusiness).
UK retail footfall falls 2.9% in September as Budget and Christmas near
After a 2.9% fall in September footfall, the BRC and John Lewis have set out tax asks for the Chancellor ahead of the 28 October Budget, as Christmas trading nears.
UK high street business closures 2026: crisp and flooring firms fail
Newsquest reports a 54-year-old crisp maker and a 48-year-old flooring firm in administration, while official figures show June company insolvencies 10% below a year earlier.
Crisp maker Glens of Antrim enters administration
Glens of Antrim, whose crisps were sold in Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda, has entered administration, and most of its 95 staff have been made redundant, Wales Online reports.
Raleigh owner Accell UK files to appoint administrators
Raleigh's owner has filed to appoint administrators, and flooring firm Ceco has closed, but the two cases are separate.
Online sales tax plan could cut high street business rates
A think tank says a 2% levy on large retailers' remote sales could raise £1.5bn to cut business rates for shops, pubs and restaurants. Ministers have not backed it.
CMA could clear Brink’s NCR Atleos cash machine deal
The CMA is considering Brink's offer to sell NoteMachine and TestLink UK, a key condition of any Brink's NCR Atleos merger approval, to protect competition in UK cash machines.
Harvey Nichols stores in Bristol and Leeds set to become Flannels
Frasers Group is understood to be turning both stores into Flannels, while Harvey Nichols keeps Knightsbridge, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Halifax app closing 2026: what to do before 31 October
The Halifax banking app shutdown began on 5 October, with the app due out of service on Saturday 31 October. Customers must move to the Lloyds app.
Leicestershire textile maker Moll (UK) Ltd was placed into creditors’ liquidation in 2016, Gazette notice shows
Moll (UK) Limited, a Leicestershire textile manufacturer, was placed into creditors' liquidation on 10 June 2016, according to a notice in The Gazette.
Weston family agrees £6.7bn deal to buy Boots
The Canadian Weston family's Wittington Investments has agreed to buy Boots from Sycamore Partners and the Pessina family. Here is what the Weston deal means for shoppers, stores and staff.
FCA cryptocurrency regulation: UK firms can now apply
Crypto companies can now apply for FCA authorisation ahead of a new regime on 25 October 2027. Regulated crypto firms in the UK are coming, but the protections are not in force yet.
FCA asks board member to review its handling of whistleblower who died
The FCA has asked a new board member to examine how it dealt with a whistleblower who died, while an all-party group of MPs and a campaign group call for an independent inquiry.
Proudfoot’s three Scarborough supermarkets close after Tesco sale
Proudfoot's Newby, Manham Hill and Seamer supermarkets in Scarborough traded for the last time on Sunday after a sale to Tesco, the BBC reported.