Gluten-free food producers are being urged to capitalise on a surge in export sales opportunities, notably in Britain and Spain, according to Bord Bia market analysis.

The firm which operates the Milano restaurant chain sustained a marginal decrease in pre-tax profits in its most recent financial year, according to newly- filed accounts.

The company that operates the Milano chain of restaurants in Ireland last year sustained a 14% drop in pre-tax profits in spite of an increase in revenues.

London’s blue chip index slumped to a three-month low today after being dogged by fresh fears that Greece would default on its debts.

THE company that operates the chain ofMilano restaurants in Ireland last year sustained a 3% drop in pre-tax profits to €3.3 million.

Life insurance firm Pearl Group could muscle in on an £8.6bn (€12.7bn) merger between rivals Resolution and Friends Provident, it was reported today.

A resurgent Morrisons led the London market forward today after the supermarket chain impressed the City with its half-year results.

The owner of UK-based Pizza Express and two other restaurant chains said today it had received a takeover approach valuing the business at more than £550m (€809.6m).

The London market closed barely ahead of its opening mark today following a mixed session in the City.

London markets were in positive territory today after investors benefited from a strong finish to trading in New York and a boost by PartyGaming.

The owner of restaurant chain Pizza Express today said a “particularly strong” Christmas had kept it on course for results in line with expectations.

Celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio and his wife Priscilla were set for a multi-million pound windfall today with a British stock market flotation of their Italian restaurant and shops empire.

A bumper crop of corporate results sent the FTSE 100 Index soaring above the key 5400 mark today.

Pizza Express is set for a stock market return just two years after it was taken private, it was announced today.

RESTAURANT Restaurant chain Pizza Express could soon be back on investor’s menus after it was reported to be planning a stock market return.

Restaurant chain Pizza Express could soon be back on investors' menus after it was reported to be planning a London stock-market return by January.

Restaurant chain Pizza Express could be led back to the UK stock market by one of the co-founders of Carphone Warehouse, it was reported today.

Pizza Express appeared closer to a stock market return today after a report said the restaurant chain’s owner had begun a search for advisers.

Entrepreneur Luke Johnson has been named the new chairman of Channel 4.

ACQUISITOR Holdings, the offshore investment vehicle backed by restaurant entrepreneur Luke Johnson has upped its stake in Baltimore Technologies.

Struggling Pizza Express - sister chain to Pasta di Milano and Milanos in Ireland - has put a slice of its restaurants up for sale as it tries to rekindle its 1990s success.

Hopes of a strong start to the week from London’s leading shares evaporated today as the FTSE 100 Index fell back from earlier gains.

The FTSE 100 Index sunk to its fourth successive loss today as investors found little reason to put money into the London market.

Investors shied away from the London market today as lacklustre trading left the benchmark FTSE 100 Index only marginally in positive territory.

The London market overcame fears of a weak start today as the FTSE 100 Index pushed ahead on the back of firmer banking shares.

UK entrepreneur Hugh Osmond will make a hostile bid for the leisure group Six Continents if his proposed offer is rebuffed, it emerged today.

London shares staged a much-needed rally today after drawing encouragement from a positive close to trading in New York last night.

Pizza Express was today hoping that size really does matter after the troubled chain failed to land a sales revival in the run-up to Christmas.

The FTSE 100 Index staged a spirited attempt to break through the 4000 barrier today as bargain hunters flocked to the beleaguered banking sector.

OIL giants BP and Shell weighed on the London market yesterday as the FTSE 100 Index failed to make any progress in another quiet session.

Hopes of lower interest rates on both sides of the Atlantic drove the FTSE 100 Index sharply higher today.

The FTSE 100 Index is up 27.4 points at 4030.1 on hopes of another bright session on Wall Street.