Take care to mind your languages
The UK has a very diverse workforce. In industries such as retailing there are practical needs for English langauge skills. But don’t rush language...
Business costs still hitting small firms
BUSINESS costs continued to rise during 2013, with energy costs still the most commonly seen increase among small businesses, according to research released late...
Zero hours could face regulation countdown
Contracts that pay workers only when required can be useful for employer and employee. But fears of exploitation mean they are under scrutiny.
WITH the...
Business sales back on the front foot?
Agent sees deals up in October after strong summer
ECONOMICS experts differ about how strong the economy currently is but one specialist retail and hospitality...
Time to talk with a degree of protection
Until recently ‘having a chat’ with an employee about their future employment could prove costly. Since the summer, however, things have changed. But even...
Take care of your staff and your business
Retail employees shouldn’t face the prospect of assault when they go on shift but sadly acts of violence against shop staff do occur. What...
Employment tribunals see major changes
Fees to bring cases, changes to dismissal compensation amounts and new pre-claim arbitration periods make it a whole new world.
By Jane Green
THE government’s decision...
The new shop hybrids – Retailers diversifying income sources
BUSINESS agent Bruce & Co reckons there’s a distinct trend to developing and selling independent hybrid retail outlets that draw business from more than...
Use-by transgressions given frosty reception
The UK Supreme Court has ruled on an appeal by a local authority in a case about use-by dates on food that hadn’t actually...
Variations on a theme – Trade still looking for answers
The Scottish Government has been consulting on the workings of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. Several areas of the law were highlighted for consideration....
Local buyer takes store in Scottish Borders
RESTON Country Store, in Reston in the Scottish Borders, has been sold through business agent Bruce & Co. The agent said the store and...
Legal advice – Don’t pay the price for careless chat
Be very careful who you discuss pricing with. It will soon become easier for authorities to prosecute on price fixing.
By Catriona Munro
COMPETITION in food...
Early licence holders need to refresh – Deadline for resits
IT’S time to go back to school for some of the country’s earliest holders of the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders.
The Licensing (Scotland)...
When shops want to call time at the pub
There’s no shortage of former pubs looking for a new use. If you want to replace a bar with a convenience store what do...
It’s clearly time for a dose of transparency
The current Scottish Government consultation on the licensing laws should consider some of the nitty gritty difficulties of administration
By Euan McSherry
THE sale of alcohol...
A rates strategy that will do serious harm
One of Scotland’s leading rating experts argues that businesses in Scotland should lobby urgently for a Holyrood u-turn
by Peter Muir
THE Scottish Government has...
