Business news in brief 13/03/2012

Scots bus groups in Devon sale deal

FIRSTGROUP, the Aberdeen-based transport firm, yesterday sold its bus business in north Devon to Perth-based rival Stagecoach for £2.8 million.

Stagecoach, run by chief executive Sir Brian Souter, will take over the running of ten routes in Devon, adding 30 buses and 100 staff to its existing fleet of 48 vehicles and 120 workers in the area.

The north Devon operations will become part of Stagecoach South West, run by managing director Michelle Hargreaves.

FirstGroup said the sale was in-keeping with its long-term strategy for its bus operations in the UK.

Aberdeen flying with 18.7% rise

ABERDEEN was the best-performing site in airport operator BAA’s portfolio last month after the North-east hub bounced back from last year’s heavy snow with an 18.7 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger numbers.

Figures released yesterday showed that Glasgow’s traveller numbers increased by 3.2 per cent, while Edinburgh – which is up for sale – edged ahead by 0.1 per cent.

London’s Heathrow airport posted a 3.8 per cent rise in passenger figures, buoyed by increased demand for flights to Brazil, BAA said.

North Star shines on Greene King

BREWING giant Greene King yesterday selected Edinburgh-based media agency North Star Advertising to promote its beers under a £4 million deal.

North Star, which already handles the Belhaven Best account for Suffolk-based Greene King, will work along side Grey London, which has been appointed to handle the creative work for the beer brands, including Abbot Ale, Greene King India Pale Ale and Old Speckled Hen.

The advertising agency’s other clients include Apex Hotels, Genius Foods and the National Galleries of Scotland.

Gleaner bosses in retirement move

GLEANER Oils chairman Billy Laing and fellow shareholder Brian Young yesterday signalled their intention to retire, firing the starting gun for the sale of one of Scotland’s largest fuel distribution companies.

Elgin-based Gleaner owns six filling stations – including the UK’s most northerly, at Skiach in Ross-shire – and supplies fuel to a total of about 70 sites. Last year the firm turned over about £120 million. The company, which also supplies heating oil, was founded by the Young family in 1954 and has branched out from distributing just Shell fuels to also sell other brands.