The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Betting giant’s revival ‘ontrack’
Betting giant William Hill has celebrated growing revenue from its digital business and assured investors its turnaround programme is still on track.
Net revenue from the firm’s online business grew by 6% over the 17 weeks to October 24, with the amounts wagered rising 13% for the period.
UK retail stores reported half of that revenue growth at just 3%, while wagers fell by 1%.
Chief executive Philip Bowcock said the results highlighted “good financial and operational progress” in the second half of William Hill’s trading year.
International performance was mixed, with Australian revenue and wagers falling 2% and 5%, respectively, while US business delivered a 28% rise in revenue and a 33% jump in wagers. Aberdeenshire baker and coffee shop owner Ella Barton is celebrating success at the Cake International show in Birmingham.
She returned from the event, which was one of two Cake International shows this year, with a gold award for small decorative exhibit.
Ms Barton runs the Old Bakery Coffee Shop in St Cyrus.
“That was my second entry to the competition,” she said, adding: “In April, I got a bronze award at Cake International in London.”
Cake International, billed as the UK’s leading cake decorating, sugarcraft and baking show, features the latest trends and supplies, workshops and baking demonstrations, as well as competitions.