Scottish Business Briefing - Thursday February 9, 2012
BANKING
Tesco rules out bid for Clydesdale’s branches
THE head of Tesco’s banking operation has effectively ruled out a bid for the Clydesdale Bank, as he insisted the business did not have any “acquisition aspirations” for the Glasgow-based institution amid speculation of a possible sell-off (Scotsman)
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ENERGY & UTILITIES
Open cast coal firm creates more than 50 jobs in West Lothian
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Hide AdMore than 50 jobs are being created in West Lothian as work presses ahead on an open cast coal mine.The Banks Group, a development company that runs mines as well as wind farms, is preparing to open the Rusha surface mine near the village of Breich. (Scotsman)
Shock software tax ‘may put firms out of business’
Scotland’s leading advisers on European energy standards in buildings are fighting a shock ‘software tax’ from a UK government department which they say will damage the fragile construction industry (Herald).
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Diageo half-year profits rise 15% on emerging markets
Drinks group Diageo has reported a rise in half-year profits as demand for its global brands continues to grow in emerging markets (BBC).
Vodka company in good spirits as it branches out to produce its first gin
SCOTLAND’s only single malt vodka company is branching out and making its first gin. Valt Vodka recently made a six-figure investment in buying its own distilling equipment and premises near Dumbarton (Herald).
TECHNOLOGY
BioQuarter’s first tenant is data analysis spin-out Fios Genomics
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Hide AdSCOTTISH Enterprise will tonight announce it has signed up the first tenant for its “bio-incubator” building at Edinburgh’s BioQuarter, the £600 million science park next to the city’s Royal Infirmary (Scotsman).