Going nowhere

THERE has been a steady stream of speculation over Ross McEwan’s future ever since the New Zealander led Royal Bank of Scotland back into profit and resolved the major legacy issues facing the bank.

The issue reared itself again when Mr McEwan addressed journalists as he unveiled the bank’s latest annual results last Friday.

Asked by one reporter whether there was any update on his departure, Mr McEwan, 61, said: “Thank you very much for your concern for me.

“We will put out an RNS (regulatory news service statement) when I am ready to go [but]… we still have targets to do and things to get

on with. I have still got life in me.”

The journalist retorted: “I am not concerned!”

Warehouse strain

WE hear that the extent to which businesses are stockpiling in preparation of Brexit border chaos is reaching quite extraordinary

levels in Scotland’s Central Belt.

There have been widespread reports in recent months of companies stockpiling all manner of items, from baked beans to body bags, in the event a no-deal Brexit leads to gridlock at the UK’s ports. And a side-effect of all this has been to put enormous pressure on the country’s logistical capacity.

One source has told us: “Rumour has it is there is no warehousing between Glasgow and Edinburgh, so if you build warehouses you are quids in!”

The big question is: what are we going to do with all these buildings when the dust settles?

Raise a toast

MODERN toasters, eh?

We learned from social media this week, pictured, that one man has taken an innovative step to ensure the next toaster he buys does not disappoint come breakfast time.

Manufacturers, take note!

Race meats

HORSERACING fans are a discernible lot when it comes to food and drink, it seems.

Heritage Portfolio, the Edinburgh-based catering firm, has won

a 10-year contract to supply Perth Racecourse.

It comes after competitive tender process was held to find a caterer

which would allows the venue to provide “more niche and tailored catering” on race days.

The contract has been awarded to Heritage ahead of Perth’s 2019 season, which will include 15 race meetings between April and September, as well as a busy programme of events, conference and wedding business.

The racecourse is the UK’s most northerly and is situated in the grounds of Scone Palace.

Hazel Peplinski, chief executive of Perth Racecourse, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Heritage Portfolio team to Perth as our catering partners in time for the 2019 season. I believe the racecourse is now very well placed to take the quantum leap forward it deserves in an increasingly discerning marketplace.”