Morrisons

More grocers say small is beautiful

SIGNIFICANT changes in the food and drink retailing scene, including the rise of discounters, and the disruptive effect that has had on the once...
Jane Green

Considering reasonable questions of faith

Can an employee refuse to work on a Sunday or ask to be excused from serving alcohol because of their religious beliefs? Individuals have...
Post Office

Post office comes to market

HAYCOCKS Post Office in Stevenson, North Ayrshire is on the market. The current vendor has decided to place the business on the market due to...
Martin McColl’s

Chain adds Hamilton store

FAST-GROWING c-store owner Martin McColl’s has bought the Londis Convenience Store and Post Office in Cadzow Street, Hamilton, in South Lanarkshire. Daniel Arrandale,...
Jane Green

Take care to mind your languages

The UK has a very diverse workforce. In industries such as retailing there are practical needs for English langauge skills. But don’t rush language...
Energy costs and increasing transport costs were the main contributors to overall increases in the costs of doing business for small and medium-sized enterprises in Britain in 2013 said representative group the Forum for Private Business. But problems related to credit restrictions had eased for some businesses it said.

Business costs still hitting small firms

BUSINESS costs continued to rise during 2013, with energy costs still the most commonly seen increase among small businesses, according to research released late...
Jane Green

Zero hours could face regulation countdown

Contracts that pay workers only when required can be useful for employer and employee. But fears of exploitation mean they are under scrutiny. WITH the...

Business sales back on the front foot?

Agent sees deals up in October after strong summer ECONOMICS experts differ about how strong the economy currently is but one specialist retail and hospitality...
Jane Green

Time to talk with a degree of protection

Until recently ‘having a chat’ with an employee about their future employment could prove costly. Since the summer, however, things have changed. But even...
Jane Green

Take care of your staff and your business

Retail employees shouldn’t face the prospect of assault when they go on shift but sadly acts of violence against shop staff do occur. What...
Jane Green is a partner and head of the Employment & Pensions team at Maclay Murray & Spens LLP and a member of the firm’s Food and Drink team.

Employment tribunals see major changes

Fees to bring cases, changes to dismissal compensation amounts and new pre-claim arbitration periods make it a whole new world. By Jane Green THE government’s decision...
The new shop hybrids

The new shop hybrids – Retailers diversifying income sources

BUSINESS agent Bruce & Co reckons there’s a distinct trend to developing and selling independent hybrid retail outlets that draw business from more than...
Dominic is head of the food sector group at business law firm DWF

Use-by transgressions given frosty reception

The UK Supreme Court has ruled on an appeal by a local authority in a case about use-by dates on food that hadn’t actually...
Licensing fees are supposed to pay for the workings the system but he suspects they may turning a profit for some of the councils that administer them.

Variations on a theme – Trade still looking for answers

The Scottish Government has been consulting on the workings of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. Several areas of the law were highlighted for consideration....
Local buyer takes store

Local buyer takes store in Scottish Borders

RESTON Country Store, in Reston in the Scottish Borders, has been sold through business agent Bruce & Co. The agent said the store and...
Catriona Munro is a partner in the EU competition and regulatory team at and a member of the firm’s Food & Drink group

Legal advice – Don’t pay the price for careless chat

Be very careful who you discuss pricing with. It will soon become easier for authorities to prosecute on price fixing. By Catriona Munro COMPETITION in food...