<div id="readability-page-1"><div>The following are the top stories on the business pages of British newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. The Times - Oxford Biomedica is in talks with a Swedish private equity firm EQT over a takeover of the 900 million pounds ($1.21 billion) drugs company, in a deal that could see another life sciences business leave the London market. - Douglas Flint who has led the boards of HSBC and Aberdeen is to become the next chairman of Prudential and help to steer the British insurer's growth in Asia.The Guardian- Amazon is planning to close one of its UK fulfilment centres, offering workers the chance to transfer to another site. The company said 590 employees affected will be offered a transfer to its new site in Northampton, or to other centres. - Coca-Cola has reportedly abandoned plans to sell its Costa Coffee chain after bids from private equity firms failed to meet its expectations.The Telegraph - Shell has abandoned the 500 million pounds ($671.70 million) sale of almost a dozen gas fields in the North Sea to an oil trader accused of fraud.Sky News - 1st Central, a car and home insurer with more than 1.5 million active policies, is in talks with advisers about a potential about 1 billion pounds ($1.34 billion) London flotation. ($1 = 0.7444 pounds)</div></div>

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The latest British business news includes Oxford Biomedica in talks for a £900 million takeover by EQT, Douglas Flint appointed as Prudential's chairman, Amazon closing a UK fulfilment centre affecting 590 employees, Coca-Cola halting the sale of Costa Coffee, Shell abandoning a £500 million sale of North Sea gas fields, and 1st Central considering a £1 billion flotation in London.

British Business - January 15