Eight charts that sum up 2014 December 22, 2014 This year will be remembered for the fragmentation of mainstream politics, Scotland's near exit from the 307-year old union and an economy which the Bank's chief economist Andy Haldane described as "writhing in both agony and ecstasy." What does all that look like? Here are eight charts that sum up the year. (Source: Getty) 1. [...]
General Election 2015: Tory election victory triggers London luxury property market surge as mansion tax fears dissolve May 10, 2015 In the hours after it became clear that the Tories had won a majority government at the general election, London estate agents reported a surge in luxury property sales as buyers' fears over Labour's proposed mansion tax were allayed. Over £100m worth of top-end central London property was sold on a frenzied Friday as estate [...]
How London’s streets became a death trap for cyclists: Every bicycle accident mapped July 31, 2015 To scroll past this visualisation on mobile, swipe down on the right-hand side of the map. The Elephant & Castle roundabout is infamous among the capital's cyclists. In 2013, the last year for which we have complete data, there were 15 incidents involving cyclists on or next to the junction. In May last year, [...]
Sales down but market share up as New Look turnaround continues February 10, 2015 New Look has suffered declines in the “unseasonably warm” three months to December 27- but the fast fashion chain is still buoyant after growing market share. The figures New Look's revenues dropped 1.6 per cent in the third quarter, from £406.6m to £399.9m. Adjusted EBITDA was £76.8m, down 2.7 per cent from £78.9m last [...]
Network Rail issues pre-emptive apology for Easter train travel delays at stations across London and south east March 26, 2015 Network Rail has issued a pre-emptive strike against commuter complaints, apologising in advance for any disruption its ongoing work could have on those travelling during the four-day weekend. The transport group said it had “good contingency plans” in place but acknowledged there would be travel woes for some, urging passengers to check before they start [...]
Premier League: Silva hospitalised by elbow but managers both absolve Kouyate April 19, 2015 MANCHESTER CITY 2 WEST HAM UNITED 0 WEST Ham manager Sam Allardyce leapt to the defence of midfielder Cheikou Kouyate after his flailing elbow left Manchester City’s David Silva needing oxygen treatment on the pitch. Silva needed almost 10 minutes of attention for a suspected broken cheekbone and neck injuries following the second-half incident before [...]
Alastair Campbell on winners: Are there any left in the Labour party? March 5, 2015 When the political satire In The Loop came out in 2009, the Culture Show did a segment in which the critic Mark Kermode watched the film with Alastair Campbell. Afterwards, a sourfaced Campbell delivered his verdict: “I didn’t find it terribly funny.” Kermode said he had sympathy with any representation of politics as venal and [...]
Online retailers post sluggish February sales March 16, 2015 ONLINE retailers posted sluggish growth in February as the Christmas shopping spree continued to weigh on consumers, according to the latest monthly figures from industry analysts IMRG and Capgemini. Sales slumped by 12 per cent in February compared with the previous month, which in turn was down seven per cent on December, the IMRG Capgemini [...]
The end of cheap oil? Brent crude just hit its highest price in two months February 16, 2015 Brent crude oil rose sharply to more than $62.17 per barrel today, its highest price since December. The black stuff built on strong gains over the past two days. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose to $53.14 per barrel. Last week Brent crude climbed above $60 per barrel for the first time since just before [...]
Fat Face shuns promotions for festive boost January 12, 2015 FAT FACE chief executive Anthony Thompson said the firm owes its success over Christmas to holding its ground on promotions until Boxing Day, as festive sales jumped. The casual clothing retailer, which pulled plans for a £300m float last year, reported a 13 per cent rise in sales in the five weeks to 3 January, [...]