Retailers warned to ramp up contingency plans as sales growth slumps September 3, 2019 Retailers were warned to prepare for further political and economic turbulence as like-for-like retail sales growth dipped last month in the latest blow for the UK high street. Bricks and mortar sales, not including food products, decreased by 0.5 per cent on a like-for-like basis from August last year. Read more: Retail sales get surprise [...]
Wetherspoon’s will slash the price of food and drink for a day to protest tax burden on pubs | City A.M. July 31, 2018 Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has announced that it will hold another “Tax Equality Day”, reducing the price of all food and drink to protest VAT. Spearheaded by founder Tim Martin, the protest calls on the government to lower the tax burden on the hospitality industry. Food in pubs is subject to 20 per cent VAT, [...]
How and when will the UK coronavirus lockdown end? April 24, 2020 This week health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the coronavirus outbreak has passed its peak, sparking speculation about an exit strategy from the UK lockdown. However, officials have poured cold water on the idea that Britain could return to normal soon. Last week the government said the UK coronavirus lockdown would continue for at least another [...]
Magners owner C&C toasts premium drinks sales October 24, 2019 C&C Group, the owner of Magners and Bulmers cider, toasted a surge in sales in the first half, boosted by customer demand for premium drinks. Revenue increased 13.5 per cent to €874.8m in the six months to the end of August, and operating profit was up 9.2 per cent to €63.8m. Read more: Magners owner [...]
International Women’s Day March 6, 2020 This month in The City Culture Corner, we are celebrating International Women’s Day with eight women working in the culture sector. From dancers to composers, and singers to actresses, The City Culture Corner curator, Tessa Marchington has sought out these industry leaders, and asked them how they embrace risk taking in their work. See below [...]
Staycation nation: Johnson urges public to take a UK holiday June 23, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today gave the green light for hotels, B&Bs and campsites in the UK to reopen from 4 July, and urged the public to revitalise the hospitality industry by taking a “staycation” within the UK. In a major easing of social distancing rules, the PM today provided a lifeline for the hospitality [...]
FTSE 100 finishes in the red amid second wave concerns June 22, 2020 The FTSE 100 has started the week on the back foot amid growing concern over a second wave of coronavirus infections. As markets opened, the index fell 0.94 per cent to begin the day in the red at 6,233.28 points. However, the FTSE 100 trimmed some of its losses to finish 0.76 per cent down [...]
Tory border policy will need some revisiting December 6, 2019 There has been much discussion of the Tories’ planned Aussie-style points-based immigration system in this election. The Conservatives present the issue as a welcome chance to reboot the UK’s border policy once we leave the European Union, and there is much credit to that objective. Theresa May’s ludicrous “tens of thousands” pledge came with her [...]
Competitive sectors face the hardest hit from coronavirus March 31, 2020 The package of economic support offered by the Treasury — from a standing start — is one of the most impressive among any western country. But the cascading consequences of the coronavirus crisis mean that there are all kinds of areas where the pleas for help continue to come. Small businesses, for example, are the [...]
The top wines to drink this Christmas, from cooking to pudding December 9, 2020 Bars and restaurants across the country have finally been allowed to open their doors to the great British public, allowing us to enjoy Christmas alongside what I imagine will be a record number of Scotch eggs. It’s essential we all do our bit and support the beleaguered hospitality industry so I implore you to push [...]