Ananova:

Business headlines at 19:03

Prezzo There For The Asking
The family behind the Ask pizza chain has raised £9.3m to fund its new venture - the expansion of the Prezzo Italian restaurants.

Energy Bills Set To Soar
Businesses are facing the prospect of massive increases on bills for electricity and gas.

Market Towns See Top House Price Rise
The price of properties in market towns is soaring as they are seen as increasingly desirable places to live, figures show.

Business People Honoured By Queen
Fred Goodwin, the chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, has been awarded a knighthood for services to banking.

Shell 'Could Quit Nigeria'
Royal Dutch/Shell could be forced to leave Nigeria by 2008 because of violence in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, a study funded by the group shows.

Oil Prices Surge Again
Oil prices have begun to surge again after the industry watchdog said global demand in 2004 would be higher than previously thought.

'All Classes Back Smoking Ban'
Four out of five people support a law banning smoking in all enclosed workplaces, according to a new survey.

FirstGroup To Operate Scottish Franchise
British bus and rail operator, FirstGroup has been chosen as preferred bidder for the Scottish Passenger Rail Franchise the Strategic Rail Authority has announced.

Young Face Pensions 'Nightmare'
Young people face poverty in their retirement because fewer are saving for pensions and are not aware of the "timebomb" that lies ahead, the TUC has warned.

Rate Rise Pushes Up Home Loans
Mortgages are on the way up after interest rates were raised for the second month running.