Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Union Street revamp works now ‘likely to be delayed until autumn’ as ‘challenges hamper productivity’
Union Street revamp works are “likely” to spiral into the autumn as a new report warns of yet more delays.
The central section of the Granite Mile has been sealed off for more than two years, as work takes place to reimagine the space between Market Street and Bridge Street.
It had initially been hoped it would be complete by the end of 2025.
Read the full story in The P&J.
Election poll puts SNP falling short of Holyrood majority
The SNP is set to be denied a majority by unionist tactical voting in key seats in Thursday’s Holyrood election, a final projection by YouGov has found.
Last month, the Nationalists were on course to comfortably meet the 65-seat target John Swinney claims would deliver a new independence referendum, according to sophisticated modelling that takes into account demographics as well as voting intention for Scots.
However, findings published in the final days of the campaign suggest the first minister’s decision to put independence front and centre of his campaign may have backfired.
Read more in The Times.
UK long-term borrowing costs reach 28-year high
Long-term UK borrowing costs have reached their highest level since 1998 as the Iran war continues and concerns rise over political uncertainty in the lead-up to local and national elections.
Government bond markets for major economies have all fallen since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran began, meaning the effective cost of borrowing for governments has shot up.
There have been extra jitters in UK government debt markets ahead of Thursday's elections.
Nissan to close UK line and cut 900 European jobs
Car manufacturer Nissan has announced it will stop using one of its UK production lines and will be cutting 900 jobs in Europe.
The company confirmed it would be merging two of the lines producing the Leaf, Juke and Qashqai models at its Sunderland plant, but said no jobs would be lost through the change.
However, the Japanese-owned car maker said it was in talks to cut about 10% of its European workforce, which included plans to close part of its warehouse in Barcelona and import cars to Nordic countries.
Stonehaven traders claim they’ve been ‘scared into silence’ as Orange Order march approval given
Stonehaven traders who have concerns over the approval given to an Orange Order march through the town feel they have been “scared into silence”.
The P&J spoke to more than 15 businesses in the town centre to gauge their views on the upcoming parade.
It will be staged next month by the Dunnottar Martyrs Loyal Orange Lodge 1685, with residents assured they have “absolutely nothing to fear”.
Plans revealed to turn huge industrial building into new climbing centre near Union Square in Aberdeen
Plans have been unveiled to turn an empty warehouse a stone’s throw away from Aberdeen’s Union Square into a huge indoor climbing centre.
Bloc10 Bouldering want to breathe life back into units 1 and 2 at Raik Road Trade Park, which have been empty for more than a year.
Owned by Gavin and Adelle Christie, the couple opened their first centre in Dundee in 2023. After amassing more than 40,000 visits in its first year, they went onto to open a second location here in the Granite City in 2025.
Read the full story in The Press and Journal.
Apple to pay $250m to US iPhone buyers over AI features lawsuit
Apple has agreed to pay some iPhone buyers a collective $250m (£184m) to end a lawsuit accusing the company of misleading people about new artificial intelligence (AI) features and capabilities.
In a settlement filed Tuesday in California federal court, Apple did not admit any wrongdoing, but agreed to a deal that will resolve claims in a large consolidated class action lawsuit filed last year.
It accused Apple of false advertising around its AI features on the iPhone, which the company called Apple Intelligence, including an enhancement of its Siri voice assistant.
The full BBC article is available here.
Lidl's new loyalty scheme less generous, shoppers say
Upset Lidl shoppers have complained on social media the supermarket chain's updated loyalty scheme is less generous than before.
Under changes to the programme which came into force on Tuesday, customers collect points rather than reward coupons, with £1 spent equalling one point.
The update brings Lidl's system more in line with rival supermarket chains, though some have said it is a downgrade from rewards such as 10% off vouchers for spending £250 in a month.
Read more here.