Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
St Nicholas Kirk ‘to become cruise ship tourist draw’ as revamp plans approved in bid to boost Union Street
Plans to breathe new life into St Nicholas Kirk have been approved – as the owners pledge to turn it into a tourism draw for cruise ship passengers.
Charity Scot-Art, formerly known as Edinburgh Palette, bought the building last year and have spent months working on a proposal to transform the West Kirk.
The last service held in the kirk was back in December 2020, so it has been lying empty for some time.
Read the full story on the P&J website.
Worry for learner drivers 'waiting months' for tests
Learner drivers in rural parts of Scotland have told BBC News of their frustration as they wait months to sit their tests.
One said they were unable to book a test in their local area at all, while another faces a wait of up to five months. It has led to fears that the mobility and employment prospects of young people in rural areas is being jeopardised.
On Wednesday, UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told MPs her department aimed to end the backlog across the country by summer next year.
Aberdeen west end office hits the market for £1.5million
A substantial Aberdeen office in the west end has found its way onto the market.
The Albyn Place property was the North-east home of Suncor Energy UK, but is now looking for a new owner.
The two-floor building is on the market with a price tag of £1.5million.
Read more in the P&J.
UK luxury brands call on Labour to bring back tourist tax break
Britain’s luxury sector has renewed calls for the return of tax-free shopping for tourists as it warned that President Trump’s tariff regime risked pushing high-spending American shoppers towards other European countries.
Walpole, the body for British luxury brands including Alexander McQueen, Burberry and Harrods, said the government should urgently reinstate the VAT refund scheme to help the UK stay competitive against countries such as France and Italy amid the tariff chaos.
Helen Brocklebank, Walpole chief executive, said “more Americans will go on holiday to Europe to do their shopping” because of increased prices caused by new tariffs, “but we’ve got a competitive disadvantage because of the lack of tax-free shopping”.
Apple and Meta attack 'unfair' €700m EU fines
The European Union has ordered Apple and Meta to pay a combined €700m (£599m) in the first fines it has issued under legislation intended to curb the power of big tech.
It has issued a €500m (£428m) fine to Apple over its App Store, while Meta has been fined €200m (£171m) over how much choice users had to consent to data collection.
The two tech firms have reacted angrily, with Meta accusing the EU of "attempting to handicap successful American businesses" and Apple saying it was being "unfairly targeted" and forced to "give away our technology for free."
Click here to read more.