31. Half-term hoist for John Lewis

Cold weather purchases and half-term shopping provided a welcome boost to sales last week, said the John Lewis Partnership.

32. Royal taste in sweets!

Weird and wonderful sweets supporting Reading Football Club, London Irish Rugby Club and Reading Rockets basketball team are ‘jars’ the ticket at a new sweet shop.

33. Contract delays ‘destabilising’

Delays in awarding a contract to handle millions of pension and benefit payments through a card account are “destabilising” the Post Office, MPs warned today.

34. Firm failures in biggest leap since 1990

Corporate failures are rising at their fastest rate for 18 years.

35. Food award on a plate for Reading company

36. Business advice

Lloyds TSB Commercial has put together the following 10 tips to help local businesses to respond to an uncertain market:

37. Clarify policies on absence for care

An employee can complain to a tribunal if they suffer a detriment because they have taken, or have sought to take, time off for a dependant.

38. Free networking event for women in business

Business Link is inviting aspiring businesswomen in Reading to a free networking event designed to help them get ahead.

39. Double win for revamped hotel

A Reading hotel has proved the town’s tourism industry remains buoyant in the face of the economic downturn by scooping two national honours.

40. The school of thought

Evening Post reporter Paul robins finds inspiration at Reading’s innovation lab