Autumn Budget 2017: Chancellor Philip Hammond’s speech in full November 22, 2017 You can read the chancellor's Budget speech in full here: Mr Deputy Speaker I report today on an economy that continues to grow, continues to create more jobs than ever before and continues to confound those who seek to talk it down. An economy set on a path to a new relationship with our European [...]
Focus On Shadwell: Good transport and pubs mean promising times ahead in East London February 23, 2016 St Chad – after whom east London’s Chadwelle, now known as Shadwell, is named – is jokingly referred to as the patron saint of botched elections. This modern nickname was applied after the 2000 US election, when irregular “chads” (punched holes) may have defaced enough ballots cost Al Gore the 2000 US election. Chad is [...]
Fuller’s facing unappetising cocktail of Brexit, living wage and business rate increases despite outperforming the market in first half November 18, 2016 Fuller's insisted it has "outperformed the market" in the first half of the financial year but cautioned that it faces an unappetising brew of Brexit, the onset of the National Living Wage and business rate changes. Overall revenue at the pub operator and brewer grew 11 per cent to £197.6m in the six months to 24 September, up [...]
Will the Football League’s iFollow platform usher in a streaming revolution that reaches the Premier League? May 8, 2017 We can now watch Hollywood films without ever having to buy a DVD or go to a cinema, listen to music without owning a single CD, and keep up to date with the news without ever stepping into a newsagent. The advent of smartphones and streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify have revolutionised consumer [...]
The White Horse review: A welcome return to the City for this well-loved gastro-boozer October 18, 2016 A traditional and rural looking pub that’s seemingly been airlifted from somewhere deep in the Sussex countryside and then dropped into a leafy square near Liverpool Street, the White Horse reopened earlier in the year after a full refurbishment. The new look sheds some of its rustic-chic charm in favour of clean, modern lines and [...]
Business groups have joined forces to fight the government’s business rates plans February 16, 2017 Thirteen business groups and industry associations including the Confederation of British Industry, British Chambers of Commerce and British Retail Consortium have formed a united front to fight the government's proposed changes to business rates. Commercial property taxes have been re-evaluated for the first time in seven years and are set to soar for many firms [...]
City Pub Company gears up for float on AIM next year after £10m fundraising March 2, 2016 The owners of The City Pub Company have announced plans to float the pub chain on London's junior market next year after raising £10m to fund its expansion. The group, which operates two separate divisions – City Pub Company East and City Pub Company West – was founded five years ago by former Fuller's boss John Roberts and entrepreneurs Clive Watson [...]
Kirin bows out of Brazilian market in style with £570m sale to Heineken February 13, 2017 The world’s second largest brewer, Heineken, has agreed to buy Japanese rival Kirin's Brazilian operations for 2.2bn Brazillian reals (£567m). Heineken said the acquisition will take place in the first half of this year, and will make the Dutch drinks maker second-largest beer producer in Brazil. Previously trading under the Schincariol brand, Brasil Kirin had been [...]
BT must innovate to win over more football fans and justify its lavish £1.2bn outlay on Champions League rights March 7, 2017 The business of football TV rights used to be relatively simple. There were rights to show live games, and rights to show highlights. For years, Sky dominated the live market, crushing a series of challengers with its financial fire-power and superior coverage. Highlights were often reserved for traditional free-to-air TV channels such as ITV and [...]
City Moves for 13 February 2017 – who’s switching jobs? February 13, 2017 Today's City Moves cover legal eagles, hotels and a precious metal explorer. Take a look at these movers and shakers: Ashfords LLP National legal and professional services provider Ashfords LLP has appointed Jim Morris as a partner and head of the firm’s expert aviation team. Having previously worked for six years as the aviation partner [...]