Important information: The value of investments can go down as well as up so you may get back less than you invest. Investors should note that the views expressed may no longer be current and may have already been acted upon. This is a third-party news feed and may not reflect Fidelity’s views.
(Sharecast News) - The French sports gear retailer Decathlon and a Chinese investment group that was an early backer of Labubu soft toys have bought stakes in the British folding bike maker Brompton, as its boss said the cycling market was recovering from a slump in sales. Decathlon has acquired a 10% stake in the manufacturer while BA Capital has bought 5% in a deal understood to collectively be worth about £18m. - Guardian
All-night slot machine shops and casinos could face a £460m tax rise if Andy Burnham acts on his concerns about the gambling industry as prime minister, after an influential thinktank found the policy would have public support. Known by some in the gambling sector as "slot sheds", adult gaming centres (AGCs) have flooded UK high streets in recent years, disproportionately targeting economically deprived areas. - Guardian
WH Smith's former high-street business is on the brink of insolvency after a judge delayed ruling on its restructuring plan. TG Jones, which formerly traded as WH Smith on the high street, warned it would struggle to pay millions of pounds in bills due on Tuesday after Mr Justice Hildeyard said he needed more time to decide the complex case. The delay threatens to push the retailer to the brink of collapse, putting around 480 stores across Britain and 5,000 jobs at risk. - Telegraph
Labour is poised to legalise pavement delivery robots despite concerns about the safety of pedestrians. Transport ministers will consult on plans to allow the autonomous machines, which can deliver takeaways and groceries, to travel along pavements at up to 4mph - faster than the average walking speed of 3mph. - Telegraph
Seven of the country's largest building companies face a £4.5 billion class action over claims that alleged anti-competitive practices resulted in higher prices for homebuyers. The claim is being led by Mark McLaren, a former legal affairs manager at the consumer group Which?, against Barratt Redrow, Bellway, The Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and the Vistry Group. - The Times