57 h. ago Barclay family sells Littlewoods owner The Very Group to US private equity

The Barclay family has sold online retailer The Very Group to US private equity after more than 20 years of ownership.

Politics

3 d. ago The Guardian view on Scottish land reform: vast estates remain feudal in scale | Editorial

Half of the country’s privately owned countryside is held by just 421 owners. New legislation suggests democrats still fear powerful interestsNo other European country has such a narrow base of proprietorship as Scotland. Half of all privately owned rural land is held by 421 people or entities. The roots of such disparities lie in the past. The 18th- and 19th-century Highland clearances emptied the glens and readied them for private takeover. On the continent, and eventually in England, the great estates were broken up by inheritance and land taxes. By comparison, Scotland is still feudal in scale.The passing of a land reform bill, its supporters say, will change that. But doubts remain. Its proponents say the legislation could allow the Scottish government to intervene in private land sales and require large estates to be broken up. At its heart is the so-called transfer test. This would see Scottish ministers notified before any land sale over 1,000 hectares. However, they lack an...

Politics

4 d. ago Five Welsh 'Celebrity Traitors' castles you can privately hire and stay in

Wales is the land of castles and whether you're a faithful or a traitor you can hire these famous five for your own private gathering

Politics

5 d. ago An Arizona town is dreading plans to turn its prison into an ICE facility: ‘It’s morally objectionable’

In Marana, residents crowded into a town hall recently to learn the fate of a building that’s been closed for two yearsIn an Arizona town where farmers have long wrested a living off the arid land, reports that a former prison complex may be turned into an immigration detention center have sparked a fierce backlash, with residents seeing the potential transition as the latest undesirable symbol of the Trump administration’s massive escalation of immigration enforcement.The facility in Marana, a town of about 63,700 people located north of Tucson, sprawls across a flat expanse of desert studded with scrubby bushes and hardy trees. It was shuttered almost two years ago, and the Management and Training Corporation, the private company that owns it, informed the town manager of company plans to operate a detention center in the prison. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago ‘Cars keep parking on my property and people think I’m in the wrong’

Lauren Murray left a short note on the windscreen of a black Renault Clio that was parked in her privately owned parking space outside her home and couldn't believe the response the received

Politics

6 d. ago Troubled New Zealand wildlife park euthanizes two lions, fate of five more unclear

Members of the public have pleaded for a reprieve for the remaining lions, while former staff members hope the sanctuary will reconsider putting them downA troubled New Zealand wildlife park says it has been forced to euthanise two of its elderly lions, with the fate of its remaining five lions unclear, after it ran into financial difficulties.The privately owned Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary in the northern city of Whangārei closed its doors on the weekend. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Idyllic cottage that comes with its own private island goes on sale for £550,000

It is described by estate agents as a 'one-of-a-kind' listing

Economics

7 d. ago Top UK lawyer is ousted from his own firm after 'spending cash meant for litigation on private jets and parties'

Thomas Goodhead, 43, co-founder of the high-profile law firm Pogust Goodhead, has been accused of blowing investor funds on extravagant travel and luxury hotels.

Economics

8 d. ago A grand slam deal: Breakfast diner Denny’s is sold for $620 million and will be privately owned

If Denny’s shareholders approve, the deal is expected to close in early next year

Economics

1 week ago Private jet owners rent out aircraft engines amid supply crunch

Some travellers prefer to borrow engines to use with their own customised jets

Society

1 week ago Hamilton business consultancy partners with services provider to deliver IT support for companies

The link up with the Glasgow firm comes as part of Inspirent’s expansion into the private sector with a recently-launched suite of audits designed to help owner-led private enterprises, both large and small.

Politics

1 week ago What’s next for Andrew? The civilian formerly known as ‘prince’

What is next for the commoner once known as Prince Andrew probably involves moving trucks as he packs up the trappings of his once royal life to move to an isolated private home owned by his brother, King Charles III

Politics

1 week ago Andrew, the civilian formerly known as 'prince,' faces an uncertain future

What is next for the commoner once known as Prince Andrew probably involves moving trucks as he packs up the trappings of his once royal life to move to an isolated private home owned by his brother, King Charles III

Politics

1 week ago What now for Fergie? Sarah Ferguson is evicted from Royal Lodge alongside Andrew as shamed ex

Unlike Andrew who will move onto a property on the private Sandrigham estate, Fergie will make her own arrangements, it is understood.

Politics

1 week ago NTSB says FAA was wrong not to require inspections of Learjet landing gear after Arizona crash

The National Transportation Safety Board wants the owners of nearly 2,000 Learjets to urgently inspect their landing gear to make sure they won't collapse like they did in a fatal crash earlier this year involving a private jet owned by Motley Crue singer Vince Neil

Events

2 w. ago Battle over Sandbanks 'private beach': Millionaire mansion owners go to war with dog walkers after beach they've used for years is fenced off in 'land grab'

For decades people have enjoyed unrestricted access to the sandy foreshore on the northern side of the exclusive peninsula in Poole Harbour, Dorset.

Economics

3 w. ago Katherine Ryan details the VERY quick arrival of newborn baby Holland as she returns to her podcast just days after giving birth in a £10k private hospital suite with its own 'opiate menu'

Katherine Ryan has revealed she gave birth in just 45 minutes as she shares her speedy birth story after returning to her podcast.

Economics

3 w. ago The Scottish winter lodge getaway on edge of loch available for 69 per cent off

The accommodation has its own private pebble beach.

Politics

3 w. ago Beckhams' own goal over private beach after Netflix show sparks planning row

Council officials are looking to probe if the 1,000 sq ft sand bank featured in Victoria Beckham's new Netflix documentary breaches very strict UK planning rules

Politics

3 w. ago We tried Bents Winter Food Market in our own private dining globe

It's not just the wooden chalets that are back this year

Economics