Business Briefs - April 17

Between Tuesday and Friday last week, the ABI said its members handled a “surge” of 229,932 phone calls from customers interested in finding out more about what choices they have under the reforms.

This was a 214 per cent increase in average call volumes that would be expected during the period and equated to an average of 57,483 calls each day.

More than 10,000 written and email requests were also received each day by members, which the ABI said was more than double the normal average.

Maersk Oil UK has launched a consultation period following an announcement to staff regarding potential job losses in Aberdeen.

It’s understood between 30 and 35 onshore jobs could be affected by the move, which is in line with a number of companies who have previously announced redundancies, including Shell and BP.

The company said the changes would also see the number of contractors reduced by 19.

A Maersk Oil UK spokesman said: “This is a very difficult time for those colleagues affected, and they will be offered as much support as possible.

Aberdeen-based craft beer maker and crowfunding pioneer Brewdog has taken its global bar count to 27 after opening in Leicester.

The Leicester premises is the19th UK Brewdog and the second bar to be launched by the firm this year, after its Barcelona opening in February.

The Leicester venue features a curved bar and “cinema-style” draught-beer board, as well as vintage arcade games and pinball machines. It will be the first to serve breakfast at the weekends.

Livingston-based Energy Assets, the industrial gas metering specialist, has told investors that it continues to experience strong trading and growth.

The Livingston-based firm said trading for the 12 months to 31 March would be in line with the board’s expectations.

Budget airline Wizz Air is to introduce direct flights between Glasgow and the Lithuanian.

The flights will be to the capital, Vilnius, the first time the city has had an air link with Glasgow.

Wizz will operate a year-round, twice-weekly service. It is due to start on 16 September.

Vilnius is the second biggest city within the Baltic states.

Channel 4 is establishing a new games publishing arm based in Glasgow.

It will be led by Channel 4’s Games Commissioning Editor, Colin Macdonald, and will involve both Channel 4-funded mobile games and games from developers.

All 4 Games is planning to publish a wide range of games from third party developers each year.

The Scottish Tourism Alliance has unveiled a new sponsorship and support deal from Tennent Caledonian Brewery.

Brian Calder, the brewer’s chief executive, said: “Tennent Caledonian is pleased to announce that it is adding its support to the STA.” Financial details were not disclosed.