PRESS DIGEST - British business - April 11

The Times

GREEN FORECASTS RECORD YEAR FOR TOPSHOP

Sir Philip Green vowed on Thursday Topshop and Topman would have a "record year" despite the toughest trading climate he can remember. The billionaire said he still had access to money for any potential acquisitions - "I could ring up the bank and get a cheque over tonight" - and that India would be the next staging post in his overseas expansion plans.

GARNIER GRANTED OPTIONS THAT COULD PAY 2.5 MILLION POUNDS

The head of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), JP Garnier, will bow out of the pharmaceuticals giant on a sour note after being granted options that could entitle him to be paid up to 2.5 million pounds long after his retirement. On Thursday, it emerged Garnier was granted share options last year after saying in 2006 that he planned to retire. The options will not pay out until the end of the 2009-10 financial year.

BUSHMAN'S HOLIDAY FOR STAFF AT JOHN LEWIS

John Lewis is known for its good treatment of staff and employees have recently taken home record bonuses. Staff shared more than 150 million pounds among 68,000 employees, and this equates to about 18 percent of their salaries. It has also emerged the company has acquired a hotel through Christie & Co for its staff and their families. John Lewis paid 1.5 million pounds for Bala Lake Hotel in Snowdonia, North Wales.

The Daily Telegraph

BRITISH ENERGY SOARS ON HOPES OF COSTLY AUCTION