March 2020




Hull Trains suspends all services

Hull Trains said it is temporarily suspending all train services from Monday, March 30, “as a result of unprecedented circumstances” surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. “Passengers…







Genedrive soars 280% on coronavirus test news

Shares of Manchester-based molecular diagnostics company Genedrive soared more than 280% on Wednesday after it issued a trading update saying it has “refocussed a significant part…

















Sage suspends £250m buyback to preserve cash

Newcastle-based software giant Sage Group said on Wednesday afternoon that “in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic” it has suspended its recently announced share buy-back…




Cussons sells businesses in Nigeria and Poland

Manchester-based soaps and consumer products company PZ Cussons announced on Wednesday the proposed sale of its Nigerian dairy business Nutricima and the completion of the previously announced sale…





Doncaster’s Polypipe ups revenue to £447m

Doncaster-based plastic piping and ventilation systems firm Polypipe Group said on Tuesday its 2019 revenue rose 3.3% to £447.6 million and underlying profit before tax rose 5.5%…










Bodycote reduces exposure to combustion engine

Macclesfield-based engineering and thermal processing giant Bodycote announced on March 12 a restructuring that will reduce its exposure to the internal combustion engine. The news came…


Morrisons speeds up payments to help suppliers

Bradford-based supermarket giant Morrisons said on Friday it will make immediate payments to its smaller suppliers to help them with cash flow during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “The…












Provident Financial downgraded by Fitch

Bradford-based subprime lender Provident Financial said on Tuesday that Fitch Ratings has downgraded the group’s credit rating from BBB- with a negative outlook to BB+…




Wakefield’s Team17 grows revenue 43% to £62m

Wakefield-based video game developer Team17 Group said on Tuesday its 2019 revenue grew 43% to £61.8 million and profit before tax rose 121% to £19.2 million. Team17 Group’s shares…




Oil falls 25% and global stocks plunge

Global stock markets tumbled on Monday as investors fled to bonds amid the economic shock of the coronavirus, while oil prices plunged about 25% after…


Nissan in £400m Sunderland investment

Nissan on Friday unveiled a new £52 million XL press line in its Sunderland manufacturing plant as it ramps up preparations for the next generation…










Begbies shares up 9% amid insolvencies boost

Shares of Manchester-based corporate rescue giant Begbies Traynor Group plc rose 9% on Tuesday after it released a trading update for its third quarter ended January 31,…