Here are the stories making the business headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Boost for Trinity Centre with new business expected to open
Shot ‘n’ Roll is expected to open in the former Debenhams premises in the recently purchased Union Street mall.
The local brand will sell freshly baked and loaded cinnamon rolls and specialist coffee.
It’s the latest boon for new centre owners Ardent Group, after convincing outdoor brand Trespass to extend their lease and the recent refit of HMV.
Debenhams never reopened in Aberdeen after Covid-forced closure and a buyout by online brand Boohoo. After months of uncertainty, its fate was sealed early in 2021.
Read more in today's Press & Journal.
BP names offshore wind project Flora in honour of Scottish suffragette
BP has named its first floating offshore wind demonstration project in the North Sea after Scottish medical pioneer and suffragette Dr Flora Murray.
The energy firm made the announcement at the Floating Offshore Wind 2023 conference at P&J Live in Aberdeen.
Its offshore wind demonstator is being developed after a successful application to Crown Estate Scotland’s Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas leasing round earlier this year.
BP submitted a bid for a 50-megawatt project off the Aberdeenshire coast.
Petrol prices rise for fourth month in a row
Petrol prices have risen for the fourth month in a row, jumping by 4.5p a litre on average last month, the RAC says.
Unleaded went up from about £1.52 to £1.57 in September, pushing the cost of filling a family car to over £86.
The RAC said increased fuel costs were being driven by higher global oil prices, but it also claimed that petrol was being "overpriced".
But independent forecourts said they were "not unjustifiably pricing petrol higher than needed".
The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents independent sellers accounting for 64% of UK forecourts, said margins were "under pressure" due to higher labour and energy costs, and reduced sales.
Diesel has risen to £1.63 from £1.54 per litre since the start of last month.
Shell's CEO plans town hall for staff amid anxiety over oil shift
Shell Plc Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan will meet with employees later this month to discuss his clean energy strategy amid internal anxiety over the decision to put a greater share of investment into fossil fuels.
Sawan has faced a backlash from environmentalists for placing shareholder returns at the heart of his strategy and renewing focus on the core oil and gas business.
While many staff have been supportive of this approach, he’s facing resistance from others, especially those working in the Renewables and Energy Solutions division, according to Shell employees who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Sawan invited staff to join a virtual meeting titled “A Conversation With Wael” on Oct. 17 to “deepen our conversation on the opportunities and dilemmas we face as we position Shell to win in the energy transition,” according to an invitation seen by Bloomberg.