IT'S been a hectic week for business news. Here are the top five stories you should be aware of.

Bournemouth Echo:

1. Beales is on the point of disappearing from Bournemouth, where it was founded in 1881. The news has been described as a "tragedy" for the town.

Bournemouth Echo:

2. The chief executive of the Brewhouse & Kitchen pub group is poised to sue BCP Council. Not only did the 14-month Hunger Hill roadworks drive away trade, but on two nights the power was cut off and customers had to be sent away.

Bournemouth Echo:

3. Haskins Garden Centre is getting into the tourism business. It has acquired Birdworld, which draws 100,000 visitors year, in a deal which involves two sites adjoining the Surrey attraction.

Bournemouth Echo:

4. There were fewer new companies registered in Dorset last year than in 2018. The county slipped down the national league table while the UK as a whole saw company formations grow.

Bournemouth Echo:

5. For the first time, representatives of the 'Central South' stretching from Dorset to west Surrey will be promoting the region on a world stage at a major property exhibition in Cannes.