Coronavirus around us: After Netherlands and Scotland, new Covid restrictions announced in Ireland November 17, 2021 Micheal Martin, Ireland’s Taoiseach, last night announced a range of fresh measures to address a worrying rise in Covid-19 cases, which has left Ireland’s health system under severe pressure heading into the winter. Yet he also said that he could not be sure the measures will be enough to curb the spread of the virus. [...]
Government extends ban on commercial property evictions to dismay of landlords March 10, 2021 The government has extended its ban on commercial property evictions for a further three months, to the dismay of landlords who say some tenants “can pay, but won’t pay” their rents. Robert Jenrick MP, the housing minister, this afternoon confirmed that the block on evictions will continue until 30 June, compared to the previous cut [...]
Gordon’s wine bar: ‘Insane paperwork’ putting pressure on supplies September 8, 2021 London wine venues are experiencing shortages of some wines thanks to red tape and driver shortages. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association has warned some of the country’s favourite wines could be unavailable in the run up to Christmas. Bars and restaurants have struggled to keep menu items available because of shortages of packaging products [...]
What it’s like to launch a restaurant in a pandemic December 9, 2020 New Indian restaurant Pali Hill’s Avinash Shashidhara tells us what it was like opening a restaurant just as the government announced a national lockdown – not once but twice. I left the River café in 2018 after 10 amazing years and I felt like I was leaving home all over again. I wanted my own [...]
Save the quintessential British pub by lowering beer duty, MPs urge June 2, 2021 A cross-parliamentary group of MPs has urged the government to reduce tax burdens on pubs and brewers, to help them get back on their feet after a particularly difficult year for hospitality. The All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG), which is made up 16 MPs from various parties, has urged the government to consider lowering duty, [...]
Koko founder on £70m relaunch: ‘Camden’s always gonna have edge’ April 28, 2022 Camden’s iconic Koko venue – closed for three years and the victim of a devastating fire in 2020 – finally reopens tomorrow following a £70m renovation. To put that into context, that’s one fifth of the cost the original contractor quoted for building The Shard. It’s a staggering renovation for the historical venue, which has [...]
Eataly boss wants craftsmanship to shine through City’s newest destination May 21, 2021 Travelling remains something of a trial at the minute, as we all know – with PCR tests, border queues, and an ever-changing list of rules and regulations taking much of the fun out of it. A glass of Cortese di Gavi in the sun will have to wait a little while too, judging from the [...]
Sunak should slash taxes at budget to protect recovery, urges taxpayers’ lobby group September 30, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak should slash taxes at the budget to prevent the UK’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis running out of steam. That’s according to the chief of the top lobby group for taxpayers, who warned looming tax hikes will hit hardworking families and businesses and cause the recovery to “fall flat”. John O’Connell, [...]
Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore spots expansion opportunities in coronavirus chaos October 15, 2020 Fulham Shore, the owner of restaurant chains Franco Manca and The Real Greek, is eyeing expansion due to the low rents and empty venues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The firm said this morning that “the future looks promising” as more sites become available and with rents “likely to be falling for the next few [...]
Saudi prince to sell £195m stake in London skyscraper February 23, 2021 A Saudi prince is close to selling his stake in a City skyscraper to an American investor for around £195m. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd owns 25 per cent of Salesforce Tower in Bishopsgate. The tower has attracted interest from New York-based investment firm Madison International Realty. The 46-storey tower took four years to complete [...]