London's FTSE 100 started the day on the front foot, ticking up 15 points to 8,290.
Dr Martens soared early on as investors appeared confident in the shoemaker’s pledges to turn around fortunes despite news it had swung to a loss over the first half.
THG also gained as trading got underway after detailing plans for the demerger of its Ingenuity business, which it said would slash debt for the remaining company.
Ocado moved lower in the meantime following plans to boost capacity for its grocery venture by axing distribution to partner Morrisons from its Erith site.
And finally, takeover bids were in focus, with Direct Line soaring after rejecting an advance from Aviva and Loungers jumping on an accepted bid from US-based Fortress Investment.