Business Budget backlash builds as hospitality giants write to Chancellor November 11, 2024 The government is under increasing pressure to revisit its hikes to employer national insurance contributions and the minimum wage after a number of the UK’s largest employers voiced concerns about the impact of the changes on their costs and operations. Over 200 of the UK’s biggest hospitality businesses signed a letter to the Chancellor yesterday [...]
Debts revealed at Michelin-starred restaurant backed by Gary Neville November 7, 2024 The company behind a Michelin-starred restaurant backed by Gary Neville that closed last year owed almost £1m as it entered liquidation, it has been revealed. The restaurant, called The Man Behind The Curtain, was located in Leeds and run by chef Michael O’Hare. It was awarded a Michelin star in October 2015, three AA Rosettes in 2016, and attracted investment [...]
Square Mile and Me: Together’s Ryan Etchells on going from intern to CCO November 7, 2024 Each week we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, it's Together CCO Ryan Etchells, with a northerner's perspective on the Square Mile.
Center Parcs reveals plans open new £400m UK holiday village November 5, 2024 Center Parcs has revealed plans to open its first holiday village in Scotland in an investment worth up to £400m which would create around 1,200 jobs. The group has earmarked a site in the Scottish Borders, approximately three miles north of Hawick and 55 miles south of Edinburgh. Center Parcs said the plans are at [...]
The Grace La Margna hotel: St Moritz goes casual November 4, 2024 THE HOTEL Checking into the Grace La Margna in St Moritz, you’ll want to kick off your shoes and curl up in front of the living room fire. This is hardly the typical vibe in St Moritz, Switzerland’s most bougie ski town, but this hotel does things differently. About to embark on its second winter [...]
This amazing London restaurant is celebrating 60 years of history November 2, 2024 We review Grumbles, a London restaurant that’s more like an institution The capital is overrun with restaurants that look the same. They have emerald green and pink coloured furniture and there is probably a palm tree in the corner. Horrifically, some of these plants are plastic. Stats show that half of these restaurants close within [...]
Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered Labour’s first Budget in 14 years, announcing £40bn of tax rises, Central London Alliance comments November 1, 2024 Given the straitened public finances it is understandable to leave no stone unturned when looking to balance the books, and we welcome the much-needed investment in the public services. But business owners, the ones creating jobs, are paying this bill. The likely outcome; job losses. Business owners are the lifeblood of the economy, driving growth [...]
Sainsbury’s sells Argos credit cards for £720m in financial services retreat October 31, 2024 Sainsbury’s has struck a deal to sell its Argos credit card portfolio for roughly £720m as the supermarket withdraws further from financial services to focus on retail.
Rise in National Insurance and Minimum Wage delivers ‘ big blow’ to struggling firms October 30, 2024 Rachel Reeves’ increase to employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will be a “big blow” to sectors already suffering from higher costs, a number of businesses have warned. While delivering the Autumn Budget this afternoon, the Chancellor announced a number of “very difficult decisions” in order to fill the £22bn “black hole” inherited by the Conservatives. [...]
Hawksmoor: Sales and profits sizzle as steak chain hunts for a buyer October 29, 2024 Sales and profit both surged at Hawksmoor during its latest financial year ahead of a potential sale which could value the steakhouse chain at £100m. The London-headquartered business has reported a turnover of £89.7m for 2023, up from the £73.9m it achieved in 2022. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House have also revealed that the firm’s [...]