MORNING NEWS: Countrywide and city centres

In the news this morning, Countrywide’s profit warning gets the once over. Among other reports is one by The Times that says that the announcement of a potential rights issue at the estate agency could stand to benefit Oaktree Capital, the largest shareholder in the group. Elsewhere, town centres are on the agenda. Research by the Centre for Cities thinktank reveals the makings of a successful high street while a comment piece by MP Mark Prisk in EG suggests town centres need to reinvent themselves. NEWS ROUND-UP: What future for our town centres? One in four firms hurt by insolvencies in wake of Carillion collapse and retail woe Ailing cities advised to replace shops with offices and housing No evidence that housebuilders hoard land, says adviser Equity release falls amid uncertainty over economy Countrywide shares plunge as it plans to tap investors for £100m MPs back £14 billion Heathrow expansion