It’s the end of a cherished UK institution. Yes, Casper the commuting cat has, tragically, died.
Elsewhere, today’s big story is probably the Cadbury board finally bowing to the (almost) inevitable and recommending the improved Kraft bid.
In theory it’s not set in stone that the confectioner’s shareholders will accept the bid, but despite the war of words, despite the perceived culture clash and the howls of protest at yet another of our national champions slipping into foreign hands, these things only ever go one way.
The story has been progressing throughout the morning, but The Guardian had it pretty much spot-on with its Market Forces blog.
The Daily Telegraph concentrates on how Todd Stitzer and Irene Rosenfeld went from tough-talking enemies to bestest buddies. All it took was a couple of billion extra.
The Times has Gordon Brown issuing a stern to Kraft over the threat of job losses, and the Daily Mail finds the whole saga rather depressing.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times reckons Richard Pennycook is closing in on the top job at Morrisons, as the supermarket continues its hunt for the next Marc Bolland.
Pennycook is currently finance director at the Bradford-based chain and has been touted on this very website as a likely contender. The story is based largely on the odds available from bookmaker Paddy Power, plus a couple of notes from City analysts.
The FT quotes Evolution Securities, which observed that Pennycook “was instrumental in developing [recent] strategy and has the trust and respect of his colleagues”.
And in the latest measure to tackle this so-called ‘binge drinking’ malarkey, The Times reports that the government is set to ban ‘all you can drink for £10’ style promotions in clubs and pubs.
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