Roll with it
WE rather enjoyed a note we received this week from Fidelity Personal Investing, whose director Emma-Lou Montgomery ruminated on the strong performance of high-street baker Greggs.
Reflecting on the company’s third-quarter results, which revealed a 7.3 per cent rise in total sales for the 13 weeks to September 29, Ms Montgomery wrote: “Just 10 years ago if someone had suggested bakery chain Greggs would one day win an award for the best vegan sandwich for its Mexican Bean Wrap at the PETA 2018 Vegan Food Awards you’d have choked on your sausage roll.
“But today Greggs has shown how businesses have to adapt or die.
“Its third quarter trading update, littered with words such as focaccia and Fairtrade, shows how far the business has gone to give customers what they want.”
Friends reunited
FRED Macaulay, pictured, was reunited with old friends when he hosted the Glasgow Business Awards.
The comic’s regular gig at the event did not go unnoticed by one guest he met in the lift at the Hilton Hotel, who enquired how often he had compered the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce event.
Macaulay said the wag went on to quip: “You do a good job at hiding your excitement!”
In train
RAIL travel is hard to avoid when you work in public relations for a train company.
This week we phoned the spokesman for Spanish train manufacturer Talgo to request an interview with the company about its UK expansion plans.
Requesting to call back in around one hour, he noted: “I’m on a train, inevitably!”
Food for thought
GUIDANCE for food and drink businesses seeking investment is on the menu at an event in Edinburgh this evening.
Accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael is hosting its second “Meet the Food & Drink Investor” evening at the Penthouse of The Edinburgh Grand. Its inaugural event was held in London.
Speaking in Edinburgh tonight will be Malcolm Offord, founder and chairman of investment firm Badenoch & Co, who will explain how private capital can help food and drink companies grow. Its investments include Borders Distillery, the first whisky distillery to exist and operate in the Scottish Borders since 1837.
Adam Hardie, head of food and drink at Johnston Carmichael said: “This is an excellent opportunity for Scottish food and drink companies to meet and talk with prospective investors in the industry in an exclusive setting.
“I’d therefore urge any businesses who are actively seeking growth funding, as well as investors who are interested in opportunities in this exciting sector, to get in touch with us.”
Stage warning
BACK at the Glasgow Business Awards and host Fred MacAulay made a play for winners to not bring their entire teams to the stage to collect their prizes.
“That’s just tragic,” he joked dryly.
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