UK lockdown: Zoos and drive-in cinemas could reopen from 15 June June 10, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is today expected to outline which sectors of the UK economy will reopen after lockdown on 15 June, such as zoos and drive-in cinemas. The UK is slowly reopening its economy after it entered lockdown on 23 March, leading to the widespread closure of restaurants, pubs, gyms, cafes and most shops [...]
End the war on pubs — hospitality isn’t to blame for the Covid crisis October 21, 2020 2020 should have been a year of cheering on our teams in the European football finals and Olympics from pubs and bars across the land, bolstered by meals out in beer gardens throughout a typically blistering British summer. Instead, thanks to Covid-19, this year will be remembered for social distancing, job losses, and uncertainty. After [...]
Zoom and Instagram brand values jump as tech firms get Covid-19 boost October 20, 2020 Zoom, Instagram and Youtube have all swept into the rankings of the world’s 100 most valuable brands for the first time this year as the pandemic sparked a major boost for tech companies. Social media and streaming companies have enjoyed booming demand as millions of people have been forced to stay at home during the [...]
Wetherspoon to rely on app more than ever under plan to reopen all 875 pubs May 22, 2020 JD Wetherspoon has outlined plans to invest £11m in reopening its pubs, including installing screens and providing hand sanitiser and protective clothing for staff. The pub chain said it will reopen all of its 875 pubs in the UK and Ireland when it gets the go-ahead from governments, and all pubs will operate their usual [...]
Domino’s Pizza switches to ‘contact-free delivery’ but suspends dividend payments March 27, 2020 Domino’s Pizza Group has announced it will continue to trade by providing “contact-free delivery” but has stopped its collection service due to the coronavirus pandemic. Britain’s biggest pizza delivery firm said it had seen increased demand and would now only be making contactless deliveries amid the coronavirus crisis. In a trading update released this morning, [...]
O2 reopening after lockdown with virtual queueing technology June 1, 2020 O2 will reopen its stores across England this month, with new layouts and a virtual queuing system as part of its safety measures during the pandemic. At the so-called future stores, which will open from 15 June, customers will skip queues and instead join a virtual system. They will receive a text when an advisor [...]
Deliveroo founder urges PM to back takeaway sector during coronavirus crisis March 23, 2020 The founder of the food delivery app Deliveroo has urged the government to relieve the pressure on supermarkets during the coronavirus crisis by funding a public information campaign explaining the safety of takeaway outlets. Will Shu has written a letter to the prime minister to say that the package of economic support announced by the [...]
Losses at UK’s top restaurants jump to £151m June 1, 2020 Losses at the UK’s top 100 restaurants increased to £151m last year, a figure that will only worsen as the industry grapples with the impact of the coronavirus. Figures from accountancy group UHY Hacker Young show a 94 per cent increase in losses, from £78m the year before. The government has tentatively set out plans [...]
City Moves: Who is switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? March 10, 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. New strategy director joins Wates Construction Wates Construction Group has appointed a new strategy and integration director for its recently formed group of businesses Wates Integrated Construction Services (WICS). Joining the London office, [...]
Why it’s easier to spend bitcoin than £50 notes January 15, 2021 Recently a friend of mine came into possession of a number of £50 notes. If I told you too much I would have to kill you, but it apparently involved a number of Covid-19 tests, a trip to Pakistan, some Kashmiri carpets and a large man from Barbados. I know some interesting people. I thought [...]