Here are the stories making the business headlines across the country this morning.

Pubs will cut their opening hours as peak rail fares return, warn business leaders

Bars and restaurants are preparing to cut back their opening hours as business leaders warned that fewer people will visit city centres after peak rail fares were reintroduced.

There are widespread concerns the decision by SNP ministers will result in a drop in economic activity.

Hospitality and retail are expecting to bear the brunt of the slowdown with city centres thought to be most acutely affected, in addition to not having fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic.

Office occupancy across Scotland’s main cities remain down on 2019 levels partly as more staff can now choose to work remotely.

M&S to open clothing-only boutique as lingerie demand helps reverse sales decline

Marks & Spencer is considering opening a range of clothing-only boutiques as soaring demand for its lingerie and cashmere jumpers help reverse years of decline in its fashion sales.

The retailer will open a standalone clothing boutique in London’s Battersea Power Station later this year as a trial ahead of potential further openings.

M&S’ clothing business is undergoing a resurgence as executives target younger customers after years of seeking to attract older shoppers.

The company’s clothing sales have now risen for three consecutive years and it enjoys a 10% market share in Britain.

Liverpool FC owner’s £66m superyacht docks in Aberdeen

A £66 million yacht belonging to the owner of Liverpool FC has docked in Aberdeen.

Elysian, a 66-metre-long vessel owned by John W Henry – majority shareholder for the Anfield club – appeared at Aberdeen Harbour on Saturday.

The vessel, which sails under the Cayman Islands flag, had departed from Leith in Edinburgh earlier in the day.

It is not known how long the yacht will stay in Aberdeen.

Fish and chips price rise tops UK takeaways

Fish and chips is a British family favourite equally enjoyed around the table on a Friday night or out of the paper on an often overcast beach.

But the deep fried delicacy has seen the biggest price increase of some of the UK’s most popular takeaways, according to new figures.

The average price for a portion of fish and chips rose more than 50% to nearly £10 in the five years to July – while the cost of a kebab went up 44% and pizza 30%.

Chip shop owners cite a "perfect storm" of costs in recent years, including soaring energy bills, tariffs on seafood imports and extreme weather hammering potato harvests.

More like this…

View all