Today's other stories in brief

Mandate union in talks with Arnotts' representatives

The trade union representing 900 Arnotts workers, Mandate, met with representatives of the Dublin department store yesterday afternoon to set a timetable for discussing issues relating to the future of the company.

This follows last week’s news that Ulster Bank and Anglo Irish Bank had moved to take control of Arnotts.

John Douglas, general secretary of Mandate, said company representatives had committed themselves to “full and ongoing” dialogue with staff members.

Mr Douglas reiterated the union’s view that Arnotts’ difficulties are a direct result of management deciding to enter the property industry.

“In this context, any plans to stabilise the business have to take account of the fact that staff have been a vital component in the success of the retail business and are in no way at fault for the situation in which Arnotts now finds itself,” said Mr Douglas.

Changes on cards for expensive 'lo-calls'

Changes may be on the way to so-called "lo-call" telephone numbers, which often prove to be expensive for mobile phone users, following the launch of a consultation process by the Commission for Communications (ComReg).

The process, which will run until September 17th, will address issues such as the use of 1850 and 1890 numbers, and will look at revising rules to provide enhanced protection for telephone users in general, and especially for mobile phone users.

New operations manager at Paddy Power

Paddy Power said yesterday that Breon Corcoran has been appointed chief operating officer with immediate effect. Mr Corcoran was previously managing director of non-retail and development.

In his new role, he will maintain responsibility for the bookmaker's online businesses with responsibility for its Australian operations, certain development opportunities and its technology and human resources functions.

Meanwhile, fashion retailer Next reported a marked slowdown in consumer spending and said strong online sales would help it to meet profit expectations in a tougher second half. Next, which runs more than 500 stores in Britain and Ireland, said first-half sales at shops open at least a year fell 1.5 per cent, down from a 0.8 per cent decline reported after the first quarter. – (Reuters)