6:35 am, December 23, 2025
Restaurant chain TGI Fridays UK files to appoint administrators
The company behind TGI Fridays has filed to appoint administrators for the second time this month.
Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, which runs TGI Fridays’ UK operations, filed a notice of its intent to appoint administrators on December 19. It comes two weeks after the business had filed a previous administration notice.
The move comes as the family dining brand, which has 49 sites across the UK, seeks to give itself more time to secure a rescue deal and assess potential options to preserve its long-term future.
UK economic slowdown in third quarter confirmed – ONS
The UK economy grew by an unrevised 0.1% between July and September while expansion was weaker than first thought in the second quarter, according to official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed growth slowed in the third quarter after the cyber attack at Jaguar Land Rover knocked activity in the manufacturing sector.
But output was also worse than first thought in the previous three months, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 0.2% in the three months to June, revised down from the previous estimate of 0.3% growth.
Renault sets world record for EV efficiency with Filante electric concept car
Renault has just broken a world record for EV efficiency with the Filante electric concept car.
The Filante is all about energy efficiency. Weighing just 1,000kg, it features 3D-printed components and utilises the same 87kWh battery pack found in the Scenic E-Tech electric SUV.
The French firm achieved the world record by driving the Filante a distance of 626 miles in 10 hours around the UTAC test track in Morocco. It achieved an average speed of more than 68mph and managed an electricity consumption of 7.9 miles per kilowatt, which works out at a real-world range of more than 687 miles.
The markets
The FTSE 100 closed lower on Monday in lacklustre trading, amid a downbeat view of the UK’s economic prospects for 2026.
The index closed down 31.45 points, 0.3%, at 9,865.97. The FTSE 250 ended up 30.01 points, 0.1%, at 22,342.21, and the AIM All-Share closed up 3.09 points, 0.4%, at 760.48.
The pound was quoted at 1.3452 US dollars at the time of the London equities close on Monday, higher compared to 1.3373 on Friday. The euro stood at 1.1759 dollars, higher against 1.1715 dollars. Against the yen, the dollar was trading lower at 156.95 yen, compared to 157.46.
Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea hailed as ‘legend’ by Bob Mortimer
Comedian Bob Mortimer has paid tribute to singer Chris Rea following his death at the age of 74, describing his friend as a Middlesbrough-born ‘legend’.
The musician, whose hits include the festive song Driving Home For Christmas, had dealt with ill health for years and suffered a stroke in 2016.
He died in hospital on Monday, three days before Christmas, following a short illness, a spokesperson for his family said.
UK on track for warmest year on record, Met Office says
The UK could be set to have had its warmest year on record, forecasters say.
The Met Office said that 2025 is on track to become one of the UK’s warmest years, possibly surpassing 2022 to take the top spot. So far, the average annual temperature is tracking at 10.05C, ahead of the previous record of 10.03C set in 2022.
A forecasted cold spell over Christmas means the final figure is not yet confirmed.
Monday on Car Dealer
I sold a special Saab at auction – but all did not go to plan…
Auction winner tried it on after winning our 9-3 in a Car & Classic sale.
EVs remain the fast-selling used cars, with this top-seller flying off forecourts in just 15 days
Electric cars maintained their position as fastest-selling used cars for the third consecutive month, as ‘middle-aged’ models dominated the market.
Car Dealer publication dates – we’re off for a break and will return on January 5, 2026
After Christmas Eve, we’ll be back with our daily news coverage on January 5, 2026.
Weather
A mostly cloudy day with occasional light rain, though brief brighter spells are possible in the west, reports BBC Weather. Patchy rain reaches the far north later, while it stays breezy in the south and east.
Tonight, rain in the far north clears east, leaving dry, thick cloud, some clear breaks north-west, and windy drizzle in the south.
