Stop the bus!
SIR Brian Souter was in characteristically ebullient form as he compered the Stagecoach annual general meeting in Perth.
After listening to the concerns of one shareholder, who seemed less than impressed with the provision of toilets on some services run by the bus and rail giant, Sir Brian was sympathetic about the needs of travellers of a certain vintage.
The businessman, 64, told investors he was particularly interested in the issue “because when you get to our time you need to go to the toilet more often!”
Dram history
THE achievements of the Scotch whisky were toasted at a reception held in the Scottish Parliament earlier this week.
The Scotch Whisky Association(SWA) invited MSPs to join in a celebration of an industry which now has 128 distilleries in operation across five whisky regions in Scotland – the most since 1945.
Speaking at the event, chief executive Karen Bett called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to freeze excise duty in next month’s Autumn Budget.
Ms Betts said: “With £3 in every £4 of a bottle of Scotch being collected in duty and VAT, Scotland’s national drink is already one of the highest taxed consumer goods in the UK – more than any other alcoholic product.
“That is why we are asking the Chancellor to signal his support for our national drink by delivering an excise freeze in the Autumn Budget to help encourage investment within Scotland and help make Scotch more competitive on the domestic playing field.”
There was no mention of whether whiskies from all 128 distilleries were available for sampling at the event.
Off target
BACK at the Stagecoach AGM in Perth and one shareholder quizzed the board about its flagging share price and decision to cut the dividend.
Asked whether the board sets a target share price for the company, chairman Sir Brian Souter said that if it did it would be a “lot higher than it is the now!”
Killing Kili
WORKERS at Glasgow’s Skypark have been handed a charity challenge with a difference.To coincide with charity campaigner Corinne Hutton’s bid to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, staff based at the massive business park are being encouraged to cover the same distance at home – by swimming, cycling, running or walking. The challenge is being held in partnership with Skypark-based gym SWEAT!
Ms Hutton is making the climb to raise funds for Finding Your Feet, which supports families affected by amputation or limb difference. She said: “If you cannot make Kilimanjaro with us – you can still kinda conquer Kili! Our group will be hiking 90km over 11 days, so together with SWEAT! and Skypark’s community we’re asking as many people as possible to cover the same distance, whether it be walking, running, cycling or even swimming. Just set your fundraising target, choose how you would like to cover the 90km distance and complete it before the October 6.”
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