THE DAILY BRIEFING

SHOPPING SPREE retail footfall increased by 1.6pc last month driven by the fall in the pound following the Brexit vote and more staycations at easter. High streets saw a 2.3pc lift in April on the previous year, and retail parks were up by 2.7pc, the analysis consultancy springboard said.

MURRAY INVESTS Tennis star Andy Murray has backed two fledgling British companies on the crowdfunding platform seedrs, including a firm behind what is said to be the first fold-flat cycle helmet. The world No1 has ploughed undisclosed amounts into helmet company Morpher and the tech start-up Den, taking the scot’s portfolio on seedrs to more than 20 companies.

LLOYDS OFFLOAD The Government is on track to offload its remaining stake in Lloyds Bank this week in a move that closes the book on the £20.3bn bailout during the financial crisis. The taxpayer holds about 0.25pc of the lender, having taken a 43pc slice in 2008 to save it from collapse.

CHINESE DREAMS First-round bidders for the bedroom and mattress retailer Dreams, which was bought out of administration in 2013 by Sun European Partners, will reportedly include Chinese suitors. Mlily, the largest memoryfoam manufacturer in China, is thought to be interested along with rival King Koil China.

RUNWAY PLEA Bosses say Britain needs another two runways, following the controversial decision to allow a third one at Heathrow. The Institute of Directors says Heathrow’s new runway will not be complete until 2028, and Gatwick is filling up fast.