Evening Times

Scots Jobs Fear As Bank Axes 1700

SCOTS staff fear job losses after the Clydesdale Bank's parent company today revealed it was to shed 1700 posts. National Australia Bank, which owns the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks, announced the cuts as part of a restructuring plan aimed at saving pounds-117million over the next 18 months.

Star Denies Speeding

CELTIC defender Stephane Henchoz has denied speeding at 109mph on the M74. The 30-year-old Swiss player was stopped near Gretna on February 1.

Wallace Sword Off to U.S.

A SWORD that belonged to William Wallace will today leave Scotland for the first time in 700 years. The sword is travelling to the US to feature in its Tartan Day celebrations in April.

Residents Sad 'at Loss to Community

RESIDENTS of Parkhead said today the closure of Barr's distribution depot was a devastating blow to the local community. They said the company had been an integral part of their community for 130 years and remains the area's biggest employer even today.

Firm Announces Record 15.6 M Profits

BARR'S move came as it announced record pretax profits of pounds- 15.6million - up from pounds-13.8m the previous year. With a turnover of pounds-127.2m and pounds-35m cash in the bank, the firm is undergoing a re-birth since it broke with history in 2002 by appointing a non-family member to run the firm.

Letwin Vow On Executive Budget

LABOUR was today accused of lying after claiming the Tories had secret plans to cut spending in Scotland. Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin, speaking in Edinburgh, promised Tory plans for savings of pounds-35billion in public spending would not apply to the Scottish Executive's budget.

Lorry Driver Hurt in Crash

A LORRY driver had to be cut from his vehicle by firefighters after an early morning crash in Glasgow today. The Mortons Bakery driver suffered spinal injuries when his vehicle toppled onto its side after a collision with a car at 5.30am in Anniesland Road.

Barr's Pulls Out of Glasgow After 120 Years Irn-Bru Firm's Surprise Move

THE makers of Irn-Bru are to quit Glasgow after almost 120 years in the city. A shock announcement today revealed AG Barr was centralising all its Scottish operations in a new pounds-17million base at its plant in Cumbernauld.

Barr's to Break Its 120-Year Link with Glasgow Soft Drinks Giant to Close Gallowgate Base in Move to Purpose-Built 17 M Hq in Cumbernauld

SOFT drinks firm AG Barr is breaking its links with Glasgow after nearly 120 years. The company is to close its headquarters in the Gallowgate and move to Cumbernauld.

Ravenscraig Plan Boost As Plea Fails

A PLAN to create a new town on the site of Lanarkshire's former Ravenscraig steelworks was boosted today as appeal judges rejected a legal challenge. A pounds-1billion plan for houses, a shopping centre and a business and enterprise area has been put forward, which it is hoped will generate up to 12,000 jobs on the largest urban derelict site in Scotland.

Labour Takes Aim at Tory Spending

LABOUR challenged shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin today over what it says are secret plans to cut spending in Scotland. The Tories dismissed the claim by Scottish Secretary Alistair Darling as Mr Letwin visited Scotland as "lies".

Drug Find Worth 500,000

Flowers Laid in Tribute at Death Scene

FLORAL tributes have been laid at the scene where a woman died after being dragged under a bin lorry. Relatives and friends of Ann Stewart, 58, left flowers just yards from her home in the Cambuslang area of Glasgow.

Clyde Base Death Probe

Curry King Bows Out Former Waiter Pledges to Expand After Snapping Up Indian Restaurant Group Charan Gill Sells Empire to Ex-Waiter for 8million

GLASGOW'S curry king today announced the 8million sale of his Indian restaurants to a business partner who started out as one of his waiters. Charan Gill MBE abdicated his throne after two decades to make way for Sanjay Majhu.

From One Restaurant to Europe's Largest Chain

HE'S the man who has transformed the image of the curry for a generation of Glasgow diners. Charan Gill's name it seems has forever been associated with spicy Indian dishes and cold beer, with restaurants like the Ashokas and the Spice of Life.

Kerr Hails Irish Smoking Ban As Health Winner Figures Show 45% Fall in Carbon Monoxide Levels for Bar Workers

NEW figures from Ireland show smoke-free laws work, Scots Health Minister Andy Kerr claimed today. A year after it banned smoking in enclosed public places, the Irish government today said levels of poison carbon monoxide in bar workers had fallen by 45-per cent.

Boneshaking Music Beats Big Yin As Painkiller

IF YOU'VE ever been in stitches watching Billy Connolly, then music's the answer for you. New research shows that listening to a good tune can reduce stress and even act as a painkiller.

Noise Pests Face 100 Fines in New Crackdown Legislation Now Means Council Officers Can Seize Equipment

NOISY neighbours are to be hit with pounds-100 fines in a Glasgowwide crackdown being launched in early May. New legislation will mean council officers can turn up on people's doorsteps at any time of the day to serve warning notices on those causing a noise problem.

Brits Missing Af Ter Quake Fears for Tourists As Hundreds of Bodies Recovered On Indonesian Island

SEVERAL Britons are reported missing in the area hit by Monday's killer earthquake in Asia. Anxious family and friends have called the Foreign Office to say they had not heard from loved ones they believed to be in Western Sumatra and the islands off its coast - including Nias, the worst hit by the disaster.

Sections

Calendar

2005March

Other related sources

Evening Times, March 30, 2005

News