Short-term rentals firm Hostmaker heads for administration March 2, 2020 Hostmaker, a London-based lettings company, has entered administration. The company’s staff are now facing potential redundancy, while Houst — formerly known as Airsorted — is believed to have bought Hostmaker’s client base, according to industry website Shorttermrentalz. The news followed a week after the Sunday Times reported Hostmaker was facing a potential insolvency battle. Sign [...]
Lockdown 2.0: A creative destruction revolution, or the death knell of innovation? November 4, 2020 So Boris Johnson has failed to follow his own government’s guidelines on cost-benefit appraisal. Study after study by economists show that the costs of lockdown far exceed the benefits. The NHS — the “envy of the world” — has conspicuously failed to develop sufficient capacity to deal with a second wave, despite having had months [...]
The City View: CFA Institute’s Gary Baker on how markets have functioned during Covid-19 August 26, 2020 In this episode Christian talks to Gary Baker, EMEA MD of the CFA Institute, the global network of investment professionals, about how markets and investors have reacted to waves of market disruption and unprecedented central bank intervention. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Gary also talks about the role of human decision-making and judgement amid a rise [...]
Troubled burrito bond chain Chilango postpones AGM amid questions over future November 26, 2019 Chilango has postponed its annual general meeting (AGM) amid continued questions over the burrito chain’s future, City A.M. can reveal. The Mexican restaurant group is in talks with restructuring firm RSM to secure its long-term future, and is almost eight weeks late posting its accounts to Companies House. Read more: FCA to ban marketing of [...]
Chilango confirms plans to launch CVA and exit leases December 9, 2019 Embattled Mexican chain Chilango has confirmed plans to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in a bid to secure its future. City A.M. revealed yesterday that the chain was planning to launch a CVA – a controversial restructuring agreement that would allow it to re-open rent negotiations with landlords – as it battles cash-flow issues. [...]
City Moves: Who is switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? March 17, 2021 Snakes and Ladders provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. IoD appoints new chair The Institute of Directors (IoD) has appointed a new chair after a thorough search process, who will step into the role next Monday. Patrick Macdonald is set to take [...]
Not as easy as 1,2,3: Seven accounting errors that rocked FTSE firms January 22, 2020 Ted Baker today experienced the dubious honour of joining a list of FTSE firms that have been shaken by accounting errors in the past year. The fashion retailer revealed an accounting error was more than twice as bad as it previously thought, knocking shares down seven per cent. But it is by no means the [...]
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct bags stake in designer brand Mulberry February 3, 2020 Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has snapped up a stake in British luxury handbag company Mulberry, as the billionaire businessman seeks to rebrand his company as a premium retailer. Sports Direct, which has recently been rebranded as Frasers Group, has taken a 12.5 per cent stake in the designer brand. The deal signals a further [...]
Restaurants and pubs boost sales during Dry January February 13, 2020 Restaurants and pubs had a strong start to the year despite sluggish growth in London, as they catered for vegan diets and Dry January, according to the latest research. The UK’s managed pub, bar and restaurant sector reported sales growth of 1.9 per cent in January compared to the same month last year, as relatively [...]
Long awaited audit reforms could start this year, says audit watchdog boss March 5, 2020 The long-promised reform of the UK audit sector could start this year with voluntary changes by the Big Four accounting firms, the audit watchdog said today. The collapse of outsourcer Carillion in 2018 prompted three reviews of the sector and two years on there have been calls from MPs and industry figures to speed up [...]