Here are the top business stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers.
New life for vacant units in Aberdeen
Art students are breathing new life into some of the many vacant units across Aberdeen city centre.
The project comes in the wake of a summit held to address the decline of Union Street. The meeting was called by Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce to address the need for immediate action.
During the discussion, it emerged that 25% of city centre retail units remain empty - giving the heart of Aberdeen the appearance of a "ghost town".
Now, the Press and Journal says Gray's School of Art has come up with a creative solution for some of the empty units - which could lead to local artists securing their own spaces full-time.
Gray's creative unit, Look Again, is bringing in various creatives and experimental start-up businesses to stage pop-up ventures in unused units - and have already filled several.
As well as shops, they will serve as exhibition spaces while under short-term lease.
Better news on mortgage rates
The squeeze on people renewing or trying to get new mortgages has eased slightly, according to new data.
The average five-year fixed mortgage rate fell below 6% for the first time in seven weeks on Tuesday, and remained there on Wednesday, according to financial website Moneyfacts.
The BBC reports that mortgage rates spiked after the government's mini-Budget in September, driving up costs for borrowers.
Rates have stabilised since the Budget last week, experts say.
Average five-year mortgage rates hit 5.95% on Tuesday, and remained at the same rate on Wednesday, Moneyfacts said. This is down from a high of 6.51% on October 20.
The rates on two-year mortgages have also been falling gradually, from 6.65% on October 20 to 6.14% now.
Record profits at Parkmead
Parkmead Group is toasting a set of "excellent" full year results, with bumper oil and gas prices driving the firm to record takings.
Energy Voice says that, in its results for the year ended June 30, the Aberdeen company posted profits before tax of £4million - a new personal best.
More offshore strikes predicted
A leading north-east union figure is forecasting a glut of offshore strikes across the whole oil and gas sector.
Energy Voice says Jake Molloy of the RMT has reported "frustration and anger" being felt by North Sea workers.
Among them are the "hated" three-off, three-on shift pattern, as well as a failure for wages to return to pre-downturn levels, despite companies posting bumper profits.
As a result, Mr Molloy has said it is "ever more likely" that the sector will be hit by a national strike, with the number of industrial ballots growing "virtually every day".
Competition authority concerns over Altus takeover
Baker Hughes' takeover of Altus Intervention could lead to "higher prices, reduced choice and lower-quality services" in the UK oil and gas sector, competition authorities have warned.
Energy Voice says the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a probe into the deal in August to examine whether it would negatively impact the UK wells services market.
It has now found that, should the deal go ahead, Baker Hughes would only face competition from one other major supplier - Halliburton.
Baker Hughes has five working days to address the CMA's concerns.
A Baker Hughes spokesperson said: "We are currently reviewing the CMA's detailed findings and will continue to work constructively with the CMA.
"The CMA does not question the core rationale of the deal, which is to combine our complementary capabilities, but the CMA highlights overlapping businesses in the areas of coil tubing and pumping services in the UK."
Cryptocurrency crackdown by Nationwide
Nationwide is to launch a fresh crackdown on cryptocurrency, as high street lenders tighten controls in the wake of the collapse of FTX.
A spokesman told the Telegraph: "To help protect our members from cryptocurrency scams, the society is planning to introduce a daily limit on payments to crypto assets in the near future. We will update members when the changes are brought in."
The planned policy change from Nationwide follows similar recent restrictions introduced at Starling Bank, Santander and Virgin Money.
Pound on the rise
The pound has reached its highest level against the US dollar since former Prime Minister Liz Truss entered office at the end of August.
The BBC says the move is partly due to fears for the US economy, prompting a fall in the dollar against most major currencies.
The pound was worth $1.21 this morning, while the pound-euro exchange rate was 1.16.
Airport security restrictions could be eased
Security restrictions on liquids and laptops in airport hand luggage could be axed in the UK within two years thanks to high-tech 3D scanners.
The government is considering rolling out the more advanced scanners by mid-2024, a source told the BBC, although a final decision has yet to be made.
The equipment, similar to CT scanners used in hospitals, provides a clearer picture of a bag's contents.
A previous installation deadline slipped due to the pandemic.
Soviet-era car brand being revived
Manufacturing has resumed at the former Renault factory in Russia, which shut after the invasion of Ukraine and was later taken over by the government.
Truck-maker Kamaz said the first cars would go on sale next month.
It is reviving the Soviet-era Moskvich brand although the car's design has been updated.
The BBC says Renault's departure from Russia was part of a broader exodus of Western companies.