FTSE 100 higher as lockdown optimism rises

Headlines from the Proactive UK newsroom.

FTSE 100 opened strongly with consumer businesses to the fore on the expectation of a further relaxation of lockdown restrictions in July. The FTSE was up 56 at 6,300.

Cinemas, museums and galleries in England are to be allowed to re-open from 4 July, Boris Johnson is set to announce today. The two-metre social distancing role will be tweaked along with one-way systems, wide queueing, better ventilation and pre-booked tickets.

Shopping centre owner Intu has reportedly appointed administrators in case talks falter with its lenders over a rescue. The debt-laden group owns the Trafford Centre and Lakeside but has been hit hard by a slump in shoppers.

Britain’s car industry could see one in six jobs go unless there is government help says the sector trade body. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders want business rate holidays and VAT cuts to help stem a steady stream of job cuts.

Clear-Leisure () has reached an agreement with the receiver regarding the transfer of Mediapolis auction funds to its subsidiary, Clear Leisure 2017. The AIM-listed firm will receive €1.66mln, which is a 14% discount to the auction proceeds of the Mediapolis real estate sale.

SIMEC-Atlantis-Energy () said combustion tests have confirmed that waste converted to pellets can be burnt successfully to fuel the Uskmouth power project in Wales. “The testing couldn’t have gone better”, said its Japanese partner.

Silence Therapeutics said an investigational new drug application would be made for a experimental cardiovascular drug later this year. The drug developer has also registered documents for a listing on Nasdaq.