Ashley's chains, which include Sports Direct and House of Fraser, have been forced to close amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and are in arrears to suppliers.

The bank wants to discourage 'non-essential' customer visits after some of its staff complained in a union survey that irate members of the public had spat on them.

There are mounting calls for super-rich fat cat executives to play a bigger part in shouldering the financial burden stemming from the crisis, which will end up hitting taxpayers hard in the pocket.

Analysts are predicting it will unveil first-quarter sales of around £59 billion. But the retail giant has been accused of abandoning fraud victims by closing a crucial helpline.

The retailer announced it would reopen its Lancashire textiles factory to make 8,000 washable gowns for Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust over four weeks.

The Investment Association said firms will need 'to take account of their individual circumstances particularly considering the impact on their stakeholders' when deciding executive pay.

Following a row over the cost of new planes, Haji-Ioannou is trying to oust chief executive Johan Lundgren and chairman John Barton at an extraordinary shareholder meeting on May 22.

The crash in oil prices could put 10 per cent of the sector's 300,000 workforce at risk and reduce new investment in the region to the lowest level since 2000.

Paracelsus Recovery said the rise in requests was mostly from high-flying businessmen who were struggling to adapt to their new style of life.

Treasury officials and the City watchdog expressed concern after it emerged a company is charging £500 upfront, then a percentage of the value of the loan if the application is successful.

Royal Mail is poised to benefit from the new reliance on web sales. Citigroup Analysts bestowed a rare double upgrade on the 504-year-old postal service, moving it from 'sell' to 'buy'.

Many had been worried BP would have to cut or axe the payout after oil prices began tanking in late January. But the energy giant has raised the amount it will give to shareholders.

The group, which has scrapped its dividend for shareholders and furloughed 16,500 staff, saw its share price jump over 19 per cent earlier today.

Over the last 17 years Rolls (pictured) and his business partner, chief exec Tim Warrillow , have transformed the market for tonic waters - and created a stock market darling.

The US social media group said 14m more users are using its platform every day compared to a year ago, taking the total number to 166m.

Laxman Narasimhan, chief executive of Reckitt Benckiser, said sales of condoms had been hit in the UK and Italy - but not in China, where restrictions are being lifted.

The pandemic could result in 257,000 fewer vehicles rolling off production lines this year, after output plunged by almost 38 per cent last month, an industry report predicted.

Tesla's factory in Fremont, California, has been closed since March 24 as part of a government clampdown, requiring people to stay indoors to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Stephen Lansdown found the company's stock was so sought after that, when he launched his latest sale of shares, he had to increase the amount up for grabs twice.

Sam Fischer spent £479,000 exercising options to buy 28,000 shares at 1709p. He later sold the stock at 2663p, netting £267,000. Diageo's market value has fallen 14 per cent this year.

Insurers have come under fire for refusing to pay out claims to companies which have been devastated by the lockdown. The Financial Conduct Authority plans to resolve this as quickly as possible.

RBS, which is changing its name to Natwest later this year, said the loss provisions dragged profit down by almost 50 per cent to £519m in the first three months of 2020.

More than 300 listed companies have cut or cancelled payouts as they battle to survive. It is now feared that total dividend payments will fall from £98.5 billion last year to just £47.2 billion this year.

In an indictment of the failure of the Government's original aid schemes to help many businesses, lenders received tens of thousands of applications for the new 'Bounce Back' loans within hours.

William Hill is benefiting to the tune of over £30m per month from the wage subsidy scheme and the business rates holiday, while Paddy Power is saving £400,000 per month in business rates.

The insurance giant said it would sell up to 58m shares, which at last night's price of 692.4p would be worth £400m, collecting the money so it could 'respond to future growth opportunities'.

Vue boss Tim Richards is 'hopeful' that venues can be open in time for the release date of Nolan's new film, Tenet (starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, pictured) on July 17.

The Lloyd's of London insurer was a top FTSE 250 riser after placing the 57.6m shares, priced at 650p. This was 6 per cent cheaper than its share price the day before the fundraising launched.

Chief executive Philip Jansen, who recently recovered from Covid-19, said a new target of full fibre to 20 million homes by the mid to late 2020s is now in place.

The products and services provided by the big tech firms are deeply embedded in the lives of individuals and the business practices of companies.

The anti-viral solution leaves a protective layer that bonds to the surface, creating a safer environment in shared spaces such as restaurants, bars and shops.

IAG said it is 'planning a meaningful return to service' in July. But it conceded the plans were 'highly uncertain and subject to the easing of lockdowns and travel restrictions' globally.

Uber Eats sales jumped 50 per cent as people locked down all over the world turned to restaurant deliveries as a treat at home. The company is trying to save more than £800m this year.

Alexis Sanchez agreed to a new Arsenal contract before staging a last minute U-turn, according to the club's former transfer negotiator Dick Law.

The Chilean international, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury, returned to his car in Wilmslow after taking a train from London, only to discover that a parking warden had paid it a visit.

Alexis Sanchez was apparently left fuming after clashing with youngster Mason Greenwood while on Manchester United's pre-season tour. Sanchez is currently recovering from a hamstring injury.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to banish Alexis Sanchez to train with the reserves unless he agrees to a move away, according to The Sun. Roma are currently his only potential suitors.

Antonio Conte is pushing his Inter Milan bosses to pursue a deal for Manchester United flop Alexis Sanchez. However the Chilean's huge wages will likely be a huge problem.

The Chilean forward is keen to move to Inter Milan and has received permission from Manchester United to speak to the Italian giants and manager

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted Alexis Sanchez could leave Manchester United in the coming weeks, with Inter Milan among the clubs showing interest in the forward.

Alexis Sanchez featured in a behind-closed-doors Manchester United fixture against Sheffield United, as he prepares to end his Old Trafford nightmare and seal a summer move to Inter Milan.

The 30-year-old, who has struggled for form at United, is in negotiations with Inter Milan over a season-long loan deal from Old Trafford. He reportedly had to visit the US embassy in the capital.

Inter Milan welcome Leece in their opening Serie A match on Monday night and Sanchez could reportedly be in attendance before undergoing a medical the next day.

Manchester United's plans to sell Alexis Sanchez to Inter Milan look set to be placed on hold while the club waits for news on Anthony Martial's thigh injury.

ADAM SHERGOLD: The transfer window in Europe's leading leagues closes on Monday and we could well see some of the continent's elite clubs involved in a scramble for some big stars.

Man United walked away from a summer deal for Juventus striker Dybala 'because Ed Woodward feared another Alexis Sanchez situation' over the Argentine's £18million-a-year wage demands.

Manchester United have confirmed that Alexis Sanchez has joined Inter Milan on a season-long loan deal. The winger had fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and will hope to rediscover his best form.

ADAM SHERGOLD: Alexis Sanchez was transformed from a skinny 16-year-old to one of the world's most exciting young prospects during five years on the books at Udinese.

The Chilean star had endured a nightmare spell at Old Trafford and was sidelined under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a string of injuries and below-par performances.

Sanchez and Lukaku both moved to Inter Milan this month, ending torrid spells at Manchester United. Sanchez joined the Italian side for a season-long loan, while Lukaku moved on a permanent deal.