Whitbread's good start: Whitbread reported an encouraging start to its financial year after sales grew across nearly all its businesses.

Trading in the first quarter was slightly ahead of expectations. Whitbread's Travel Inn business achieved annual like-for-like sales growth of 6.3 per cent in the 14 weeks to June 8, while Marriott properties overcame a decline in US visitors by targeting more domestic trade.

JOB EVENTS: Following job losses at electronics firm Circatex, Jobcente Plus, in South Shields, is holding information events at the company on Monday and Tuesday. The sessions run from 9.30am to noon, and 1pm to 3pm. Former employees are invited to find out about the help available to them.

FARES SLASHED: British Airways is cutting its European fares by up to 80 per cent on routes out of Manchester Airport. There are new lower year-round tickets on flights to France, Italy, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Fares start from £59 return on domestic routes, and £89 return from Manchester to Paris and Amsterdam.

NAME CHANGE: Defence and aerospace group, Northern Defence Industries, has started a rebranding exercise. Members of the aerospace cluster within the group have already agreed to rebrand as NDI Aerospace.

NO DEAL: Train operator GB Railways has ended takeover talks as it revealed it was on track to move into profit. GB, which runs the Anglia Railways franchise, has spent several months locked in talks with a number of suitors. Yesterday, the AIM-listed group reported a reduction in final losses for the year to March 31, from £3.3m to £1.2m.