Latest news with #Bolton-based
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Four Bolton-based sub-postmasters could be in line for compensation
Hundreds of former subpostmasters are to be compensated by the Post Office after it accidentally leaked their names and addresses online last year. A total of four Bolton-based sub-postmasters have had their home addresses published by the Post Office on its website in a massive leak. The Post Office confirmed it has agreed to pay individuals either £5,000 or £3,500, depending on whether they were living at the address leaked at the time, while higher claims may be pursued in 'special cases'. The data breach was revealed last June when it emerged the personal details of 555 victims of the Horizon IT scandal had been published on the Post Office's website. READ MORE: Bolton sub-postmasters affected by Post Office leak Postmaster speaks of ordeal after Post Office scandal Bolton postmaster gives evidence to inquiry into Post Office scandal The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has launched an investigation. A Post Office spokesman said: 'We have written to all named individuals either directly or via their solicitors. 'If there are any individuals whose name was impacted by last year's breach, but who have not received information about the payment for some reason, they can contact us or ask their solicitors if they have legal representation. 'In the meantime we remain in full co-operation with the ICO's investigation, which was opened following our initial self-referral when the breach was discovered.' The law firm acting for the sub-postmasters, Freeths, said it has been told most of those affected will receive a 'significant interim compensation payment', and confirmed that 348 of its clients have already received an interim settlement. Will Richmond-Coggan, the lawyer at Freeths leading the claim, said: 'We welcome the progress we have made with this case but there is still a long way to go to recognise the devastating impact of this breach for those affected. 'My team will continue to use our considerable expertise in matters like these to secure a final resolution to this situation which reflects the severity of the impact on our clients.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hovis and Kingsmill in merger talks as demand for sliced bread falls
Take-home volumes of sliced and wrapped bread like Kingsmill have fallen by about 15pc over the past five years - Phil Noble/Reuters Hovis and Kingsmill are exploring a merger as Britain's appetite for sliced bread wanes. Associated British Foods (ABF), the owner of Kingsmill, confirmed on Tuesday that it was in talks with Endless, the private equity owner of Hovis, over a 'potential transaction' after reports said they were exploring a combination of the historic brands. ABF owns Kingsmill through its Allied Bakeries division, which was founded in 1935. Endless has owned Hovis, which was founded in 1890, since 2020, having acquired it from Premier Foods, the owner of Mr Kipling owner. The merger talks come as bakers like Kingsmill battle to stave off a big decline in demand for sliced bread amid changing dietary trends and a backlash against so-called ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Take-home volumes of sliced and wrapped bread have fallen by about 15pc in the past five years, according to Kantar data, while ABF warned it faced 'a very challenging market' as it confirmed talks. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: 'People are not buying as often, and they're not buying as much.' He said people were seeking out alternatives to toast at breakfast because of concerns over carbohydrates. 'People are thinking a lot more about protein these days, which lends itself to Greek yoghurt, eggs, all those kinds of things.' At the same time, almost half (49pc) of UK consumers said they considered most bread available in supermarkets to be ultra-processed, according to a recent survey by the data firm Mintel. The term UPF has no official definition but is broadly used to refer to foods with artificial ingredients such as emulsifiers and preservatives, which have been linked by some studies to health issues like obesity and heart disease. 'About a third of food and drink items are chosen for reasons of health, and there's been a lot of noise about UPFs, so people are considering it,' Mr McKevitt said. Bakers have also had to grapple with soaring costs in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which sent the price of wheat soaring and heaped pressure on their operations. Competition issues The family-owned bakery Warburtons is currently the biggest player in British bread with just over a third of the market. However, while sliced bread sales have slumped, the Bolton-based company has spent recent years boosting its production of other types of baked products such as wraps, pittas, bagels and crumpets so it is less reliant on sales of loaves. Warburtons' profits soared from £5.1m to £34.3m in 2023, its last available accounts show.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bolton finance firm celebrates first year with 'strong results and big ambitions'
A Bolton-based commercial finance firm is celebrating its first birthday with "strong results and big ambitions". Since launching on May 1, 2024, has grown to a 10-person team, moved into new office space, and supported more than 100 UK businesses with what it describes as "access to flexible, fast, and transparent funding". Eighteen per cent of the firm's customers are said to have returned for further support within the first year. READ MORE: Bolton Ironman 70.3: Road closures announced in full Former Argos building in Bolton town centre sold Olivia Coleman to appear on Warburtons new TV advert CEO and founder, Lee Schofield, said: "Starting and building this business in Bolton was important to me. "This town has shaped who I am, and I wanted to build something here that could grow, create jobs, and genuinely support UK business owners. "I'm proud of what we've achieved in year one, but even more excited about what's ahead. "We're building a modern, scalable finance business right here in Bolton - one that delivers real outcomes for our customers and opportunities for our team." The company plans to expand its team, deepen relationships with lenders, and continue investing in its platform - with Bolton remaining "at the heart of its future plans."
Hamilton Spectator
03-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian eyewear retailer Hakim Optical files for creditor protection
Canadian eyewear retailer Hakim Optical is seeking creditor protection as part of restructuring proceedings. Hakim Optical Laboratory Limited filed a notice of intention (NOI) to make a proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act on April 16. KSV Restructuring Inc. has been appointed as the licensed insolvency Trustee. According to the NOI filing, the proceedings are intended to give the company an opportunity to negotiate an asset purchase agreement with its senior secured lender, which would allow the company to continue operating. The NOI says the Toronto-based company is working to finalize the asset purchase agreement and intends to seek court approval of a sale process immediately after. The NOI filing shows the company owes more than $25 million — nearly $16 million of which is owed to its lone secured lender, a Bolton-based numbered company, 1001112855 Ontario Inc. Hakim Optical currently has more than 140 locations across Canada. The company was founded in 1967 by Iranian immigrant Karim Hakimi, who has a real-life rags to riches story. His father died when he was young and he worked from about age nine or 10 to support his family. In his young adult life, he was able to immigrate to Canada and worked in Toronto factories for six months before he opened his own wholesale optical business. He rented space in a downtown location and had a handwritten sign in front of his business. He sold glasses at discount prices and the business grew, eventually exceeding 160 stores, more than 600 employees and tens of millions of pairs of glasses sold. Metrolinx named a future stop on Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown LRT line in honour of him and another business leader, Joe Lebovic. The Hakimi Lebovic stop will be located on Eglinton Avenue at Hakimi and Lebovic avenues (west of Warden Avenue) in Scarborough.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New bands prove to be a hit at this year's Bolt Stock
A rock gig held for charity in Bolton earlier this month went down a storm. Bolt Stock took place on, at The Roundhouse on Kenton Close in Halliwell. The charity gig, which is in its third year, is a showcase for young, independently formed, original bands who give their time and effort freely. This year, it supported Bolton-based Backup North West, which helps homeless young people to be safe, stable and develop skills for independence. Bolt Stock raised a whopping £1080 for the local charity. Bolt Stock 2025 (Image: Henry Lisowski) Hosted by Bolton FM's Rachel Darne, who promotes fresh new musical talent on her show, the event featured talented, young, independent local bands from the North West, playing their own brand of indie and rock-based music. The Lakes, F3INT, The Velvetines and Radio Addicts, billed as aspirational, young, powerful bands performed on the night. Read more: Emerging indie bands to take to the stage in Bolton Read more: Former member of famous band holding festival to celebrate 50 years of music Read more: Roy Orbison Story brings Barry Steele to Bolton and Burnley Bolt Stock 2025 (Image: Henry Lisowski) The Lakes are a tight, contemporary indie band, F3INT produce their own brand of technical, contemporary alt-rock, The Velvetines play great, upbeat modern indie and Radio Addicts play pseudo-punk style musings. Claire Hand, fundraising and events coordinator at Backup North West, said: 'I attended Bolt Stock which was an incredible event that showcased four local bands. All bands were fantastic. "All proceeds from the ticket sales and raffle on the night were donated to Backup North West and a whopping £1080 was raised. "I want to thank the organisers of the event, Pete and Natalie. Thank you so much for organising, and thank you to the wonderful bands." Local freelance photographer, Henry Lisowski, headed down on the night and took plenty of stunning pictures of the action, showing off the bands and the crowd. A selection of his photos are in the gallery at the top of the page.
