Threat of Virgin strike is lifted

7 July 2011 Last updated at 17:41 GMT Virgin Atlantic pilots have never been on strike The airline pilots' union Balpa says it is lifting the threat of strike action at Virgin Atlantic which could have affected travellers' summer holidays.

Balpa said it had secured a new offer from the airline, which it will present to its members in the coming weeks.

Details of the fresh offer have not been announced.

Last month, Virgin pilots voted overwhelmingly to go on strike for the first time in the airline's history in a dispute about pay.

Balpa general secretary Jim McAuslan said: "Pilots have never wished to inconvenience the travelling public, especially those looking forward to summer holidays. We have therefore lifted the threat of strike action."

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson had warned that the threatened strike would leave an "indelible scar" on the airline.

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Whitbread sales lifted by Costa

21 June 2011 Last updated at 07:11 GMT Costa Coffee sales were helped by branch openings and new customers joining its loyalty scheme Strong sales and store openings at Costa Coffee have helped Whitbread weather the weak UK retail market.

Total sales at its coffee chain in the last three months were 22.5% up on a year ago, pushing group sales up 9.2%.

Its Premier Inns chain also did well thanks to strong sales in London, with 8% growth.

But trading at its restaurants was hurt by "a more difficult casual dining market" in the rest of the country, chief executive Andy Harrison said.

Like-for-like sales at its restaurants, which ignore the effects of new restaurant space, fell 1.4% compared with a year ago.

Expansion plans

The overall sales figures were largely in line with analysts' expectations, and have come ahead of Whitbread's annual general meeting, which is due to start later on Tuesday.

Business was "adversely affected by the extended Easter and Royal Wedding holiday", Mr Harrison added, with trading recovering well at Costa and Premier Inn afterwards.

Costa was boosted by the opening of 73 new branches during the period, as well as new customers joining its loyalty scheme.

Ignoring the new store openings, like-for-like sales at Costa were up 4%, and adjusted for the value of new loyalty points given away, they were up just 1%.

The hotel and restaurant group plans to open another 300 Costa Coffee outlets over the next year, a 15% increase, and to add 4,000 rooms to Premier Inn, which is a 9% increase.

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