Latest news with #Kingsmill
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Families of Kingsmill massacre victims call for Provisional IRA perpetrators to be named
A legacy body set up to help victims uncover the truth is facing pressure from relatives of those killed in the Kingsmills massacre to name the deceased IRA suspects. Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW), which is assisting some of the families, welcomed the decision of the Independent Commission of Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRAR) to investigate the atrocity. Bereaved relatives have described the move as "real progress and a significant advance for relatives" with some demanding that the dead men suspected of carrying out the attack on a minibus full of textile workers as they travelled home from work near Kingsmills in south Armagh in 1976 be named. Kenneth Worton, whose brother Colin was among those slain, wants real answers. 'We have an opportunity here to get answers to events that surrounded the massacre,' he said. 'Forty-nine years on from these brutal slayings, we have been given some hope by this decision by the ICRIR to launch an investigation. 'Families can only expect limited closure but naming those who gunned down our relatives would be a positive step.' Watch: Kingsmill report finds failings in original probe and 'wholly insufficient' use of resources to catch IRA killers The Kingsmill legacy inquest coroner ruled that approach out as part of the process. Ten Protestant workmen were murdered in the IRA attack near Whitecross with the youngest victim aged only 18-years-old – he was Robert Chambers. One worker, Richard Hughes, was prevented by his concerned colleagues from revealing his religious identify when one of the gunmen asked which one was Catholic. When Hughes did reveal himself, he was instructed to 'Get down the road and don't look back' before his 11 colleagues were then shot. Then 32-year-old Alan Black was the sole survivor. Almost 50 years later, the ICRAR has formally accepted the request by two families to investigate the sectarian killings. UHRW Advocacy worker, Jonathan Larner said the Irish government had been 'dragging its heels on Kingsmill as with all cross-border cases'. 'Families want to see Dublin become fully engaged with the ICRIR and agree to open their files,' he said. 'The role of the Gardaí deserves close scrutiny if we are to get to the truth and if suspicions of collusion are to be addressed.' 'This decision by the ICRIR is real progress and a significant advance for relatives. 'Kingsmill families have waited long enough for answers which merely served to retraumatise them and cause pain and anguish. 'They hope to learn why, for example, Public Interest Immunity Certificates were issued and what they were attempting to conceal. 'Also concerning are the reasons for the Irish 'closed court'. Why and what purpose did that serve? 'We're trying to shine a light into a dark corner and the hope has to be that the ICRIR unearths information that gives the families some closure and peace.' 'UHRW calls on the Republic of Ireland Government to effectively commit itself to co-operating fully and unreservedly with the ICRIR providing unfettered access to the information it holds in relation to this barbaric atrocity.' The names of the 11 suspected perpetrators, who are now deceased, were not revealed by the Kingsmill massacre coroner back in April 2024. Families have submitted 57 questions to the ICRAR. John Bryans (46), Reginald Chapman (29), Walter Chapman (35), Robert Freeburn (50), Joseph Lemmon (46), John McConville (20), James McWhirter (58) and Robert Walker (46) were also among the victims.
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Two of Britain's oldest bread brands in bombshell merger talks to combine their bakeries
TWO of Britain's oldest and best-known bread brands reckon they might make more dough if they combine their bakeries. Kingsmill owner Associated British Foods yesterday confirmed it was in talks with the owner of Hovis. 3 Kingsmill owner Associated British Foods yesterday confirmed it was in talks with the owner of Hovis 3 Kingsmill, promoted here by Mel & Sue, has had a tough time financially Credit: YouTube Hovis, which is still known for its classic boy on a bike advert, traces its roots to 1886. It was bought by Endless, a turnaround firm, from Bisto-maker Premier Foods five years ago. The talks come a week after ABF said that it had launched a strategic review of its Allied Bakeries business, which includes Kingsmill, amid slowing sales and a squeeze on profits. Bakeries have been struggling for the past decade as health- conscious Brits are eating less white bread, opting for breakfast cereals instead of toast. Non-gluten diets have also been on the rise. Brits now eat half the amount of bread they did 50 years ago, according to recent research. A combination between Kingsmill and Hovis would see the combined company overtake current market leader Warburtons, which has boosted its sales with crumpets, wraps and muffins as loaf sales falter across the industry. Meanwhile, intense competition in supermarkets has also limited the ability for bread-makers to increase prices as shoppers often use the price of a loaf of as an indicator for whether or not a supermarket is more expensive than a rival. ABF said: 'Allied Bakeries continues to face a very challenging market. We are evaluating strategic options for Allied Bakeries against this backdrop and we remain committed to increasing long-term shareholder value.' The potential deal has been called 'survival through scale' by Anubhav Malhotra, an analyst at Panmure Liberum, who said that the two companies may 'struggle to remain viable independently'. He said: 'Allied Bakeries has faced ongoing challenges amid a highly competitive UK bakery market, characterised by competition for volumes, a price-sensitive consumer and retail landscape conditions under which Hovis also reported an operating loss last year.' Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains Allied Bakeries, founded in 1935, makes around £400million in sales a year, but is thought to have made a loss of £30million in 2023. By comparison, Hovis made revenues of £478million and an operating loss of £3.5million. Meanwhile, rival Warburtons made a £34.3million profit on £711million of sales during the same period. However, a combination of Kingsmill and Hovis would likely attract scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority. Deliveroo swallowed up THE boss of Deliveroo yesterday shrugged off the takeaway company's bumpy ride on the London stock market as it was swallowed by a much larger American rival. Doordash bought the firm for £2.9billion — just over a third of what investors paid to back its £7.6billion London listing four years ago. 3 Doordash has snapped up Deliveroo for £2.9bn — about a third of its £7.6billion London listing four years ago Credit: Alamy Will Shu, who founded Deliveroo in 2013, told The Sun 'shares go up and shares go down', adding: 'I'm proud of what we have achieved as a company.' Shares in Deliveroo crashed after its stock market debut in 2021. Despite expanding its business into delivering goods for supermarkets, the firm has never clawed back to its listing price. Mr Shu, an ex-banker, will make around £185million from cashing in his shares in the takeover and could stay with the business. Staff, who own 36million shares, will share a £65million windfall. But up to 800 jobs may be at risk as a result of the takeover. Amazon, which bought a 13 per cent stake in Deliveroo when it was valued at £5.2billion, declined to comment. The shelf hackers THE CO-OP said it was 'working around the clock' to battle a cyber attack that has left gaps on shelves and payment problems in stores. It has been hit by the same hackers as M&S, which has been impacted since Easter and cannot take online orders. The Co-op admitted a 'small number of stores' could only accept cash after problems with contactless payments on Monday and yesterday. Some have missing items, because deliveries have not arrived as stock ordering systems have been taken offline. Services in slump THE UK's service sector has shrunk for the first time in a year and a half as uncertainty from Trump's tariffs triggered overseas firms to halve orders. The purchasing managers index (PMI) hit 49.0 in April, down from 52.5 in March. Under 50 shows contraction. New work from abroad fell at its fastest rate since February 2021. And smaller services firms also highlighted higher costs and staff reductions caused by the Budget. More than a fifth expect activity to fall in the next year. Tim Moore at S&P Global Market Intelligence said: 'Heightened uncertainty weighed on order books.' Car sale nosedive SALES of new cars slumped by more than 10 per cent last month on the back of changes to tax rules for electric cars. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 120,331 new vehicles were registered in April. The industry blamed the fall on people rushing to buy electric vehicles earlier in the year before a tax deadline that added £425 a year to the cost of 'expensive cars' from April 1. Electric car registrations still rose by 8 per cent in April, but their market share is significantly below the Government's Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. SHARES BARCLAYS down 2.95 to 298.10 down 2.95 to 298.10 BP up 4.85 to 355.15 up 4.85 to 355.15 CENTRICA up 1.25 to 159.15 up 1.25 to 159.15 HSBC up 1.10 to 846.50 up 1.10 to 846.50 LLOYDS up 1.04 to 71.62 up 1.04 to 71.62 M&S down 17.60 to 360.20 down 17.60 to 360.20 NATWEST down 4.00 to 478.00 down 4.00 to 478.00 ROYAL MAIL down 1.20 to 360.00 down 1.20 to 360.00 SAINSBURY'S up 9.00 to 272.40 up 9.00 to 272.40 SHELL down 52.50 to 2434.00 down 52.50 to 2434.00 TESCO up 5.80 to 376.80
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Two of Britain's oldest bread brands in bombshell merger talks to combine their bakeries
TWO of Britain's oldest and best-known bread brands reckon they might make more dough if they combine their bakeries. Kingsmill owner Associated British Foods yesterday confirmed it was in talks with the owner of Hovis. 3 3 Hovis, which is still known for its classic boy on a bike advert, traces its roots to 1886. It was bought by Endless, a turnaround firm, from Bisto-maker Premier Foods five years ago. The talks come a week after ABF said that it had launched a strategic review of its Allied Bakeries business, which includes Kingsmill, amid slowing sales and a squeeze on profits. Bakeries have been struggling for the past decade as health- conscious Brits are eating less white bread, opting for breakfast cereals instead of toast. Non-gluten diets have also been on the rise. Brits now eat half the amount of bread they did 50 years ago, according to recent research. A combination between Kingsmill and Hovis would see the combined company overtake current market leader Warburtons, which has boosted its sales with crumpets, wraps and muffins as loaf sales falter across the industry. Meanwhile, intense competition in supermarkets has also limited the ability for bread-makers to increase prices as shoppers often use the price of a loaf of as an indicator for whether or not a supermarket is more expensive than a rival. ABF said: 'Allied Bakeries continues to face a very challenging market. We are evaluating strategic options for Allied Bakeries against this backdrop and we remain committed to increasing long-term shareholder value.' The potential deal has been called 'survival through scale' by Anubhav Malhotra, an analyst at Panmure Liberum, who said that the two companies may 'struggle to remain viable independently'. He said: 'Allied Bakeries has faced ongoing challenges amid a highly competitive UK bakery market, characterised by competition for volumes, a price-sensitive consumer and retail landscape conditions under which Hovis also reported an operating loss last year.' Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains Allied Bakeries, founded in 1935, makes around £400million in sales a year, but is thought to have made a loss of £30million in 2023. By comparison, Hovis made revenues of £478million and an operating loss of £3.5million. Meanwhile, rival Warburtons made a £34.3million profit on £711million of sales during the same period. However, a combination of Kingsmill and Hovis would likely attract scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority. Deliveroo swallowed up THE boss of Deliveroo yesterday shrugged off the takeaway company's bumpy ride on the London stock market as it was swallowed by a much larger American rival. Doordash bought the firm for £2.9billion — just over a third of what investors paid to back its £7.6billion London listing four years ago. 3 Will Shu, who founded Deliveroo in 2013, told The Sun 'shares go up and shares go down', adding: 'I'm proud of what we have achieved as a company.' Shares in Deliveroo crashed after its stock market debut in 2021. Despite expanding its business into delivering goods for supermarkets, the firm has never clawed back to its listing price. Mr Shu, an ex-banker, will make around £185million from cashing in his shares in the takeover and could stay with the business. Staff, who own 36million shares, will share a £65million windfall. But up to 800 jobs may be at risk as a result of the takeover. Amazon, which bought a 13 per cent stake in Deliveroo when it was valued at £5.2billion, declined to comment. The shelf hackers THE CO-OP said it was 'working around the clock' to battle a cyber attack that has left gaps on shelves and payment problems in stores. It has been hit by the same hackers as M&S, which has been impacted since Easter and cannot take online orders. The Co-op admitted a 'small number of stores' could only accept cash after problems with contactless payments on Monday and yesterday. Some have missing items, because deliveries have not arrived as stock ordering systems have been taken offline. Services in slump THE UK's service sector has shrunk for the first time in a year and a half as uncertainty from Trump's tariffs triggered overseas firms to halve orders. The purchasing managers index (PMI) hit 49.0 in April, down from 52.5 in March. Under 50 shows contraction. New work from abroad fell at its fastest rate since February 2021. And smaller services firms also highlighted higher costs and staff reductions caused by the Budget. More than a fifth expect activity to fall in the next year. Tim Moore at S&P Global Market Intelligence said: 'Heightened uncertainty weighed on order books.' Car sale nosedive SALES of new cars slumped by more than 10 per cent last month on the back of changes to tax rules for electric cars. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 120,331 new vehicles were registered in April. The industry blamed the fall on people rushing to buy electric vehicles earlier in the year before a tax deadline that added £425 a year to the cost of 'expensive cars' from April 1. Electric car registrations still rose by 8 per cent in April, but their market share is significantly below the Government's Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.
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.
Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Hovis and Kingsmill in merger talks as demand for sliced bread falls
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. Mr McKevitt said: '[Warburtons] have done a great job. They've got their giant crumpets. They've got those pitta breads that are really easy to put stuff in and don't fall apart. They've had a very conscious effort to diversify the brand into associated bakery products, and not just the core bread.' A potential merger between Hovis and Kingsmill could potentially face a challenge from the competition watchdog because the two brands combined could account for a large proportion of total bread sales in the UK. While talks are under way, ABF insisted there was no guarantee that a deal between Hovis and Kingsmill would take place.
