Business in brief: Peter Vardy | Calanike | LSE | Debenhams | Topps Tiles

THE latest from the world of business.

More apprentices for Peter Vardy

CAR dealer Peter Vardy is creating up to 15 jobs through the third year of his apprenticeship scheme.

The chain – which has seven showrooms selling brands including BMW, Mini and Vauxhall – took on 15 staff from the 400 applicants who applied for last year’s scheme and the firm expects to take on a similar number this year.

More than 300 applicants have already put their names forward for this year’s training programme, through which the trainees will be taught how to sell cars and get a taste of other areas of the business.

DCC buys Calanike’s 19 filling stations

DCC, the Irish oil company that owns GB Oils and Thistle Fuel Retailing, has bought Calanike Retailing out of receivership.

Calanike – which runs 19 filling stations in central Scotland and northern England under brands including BP and Esso and employs 147 staff – fell into receivership in January.

Owner Kenny Webster blasted Allied Irish Bank for “ripping” the business – and soft drinks maker Sangs – away from him “without warning”. DCC, which also owns Scottish Fuels, has faced protests in the Western Isles over high prices.

LSE reports fall in daily trade values

London Stock Exchange Group said the average value of UK traded shares fell to

£4 billion a day during the five months to 31 August, down from £5bn last year, while the number of companies to float on its main and junior markets fell from 86 to 45.

The group also runs Italy’s market and chief executive Xavier Rolet said: “We are well positioned to benefit from improved sentiment in the eurozone and remain focused on growth opportunities.”

Debenhams opens Indonesian store

Debenhams yesterday opened its second-largest overseas department store to date as it ramps up its business in fast-growing developing markets.

It said the latest outlet at a new mall would open up its brand to people in the south of Indonesia’s sprawling capital, Jakarta.

The firm’s international director, Francis McAuley, said: “We aim to double the scale of our international business over the next five years and Indonesia’s impressive projected growth makes it a key country in the Asian market.”

The move follows Debenhams’ launch into Russia earlier this month.

Topps ready to top last year’s figures

Topps Tiles has predicted a strong finish to its financial year, which ends on Saturday, and said it was comfortable with City forecasts of a profit of around £13.1 million.

The UK’s largest tile and wood-flooring specialist said like-for-like sales are expected to increase by 3.7 per cent in the fourth quarter, giving a full-year figure of around £177m – an increase of 1 per cent over the previous year. The firm runs 325 stores across the UK.