Pubbers in need of an everyday treat boost Greene King June 28, 2012 GREENE King’s full year results suggest that the pub industry, if anything, is recession resilient. The pub operator and brewer posted record pre-tax profits of £152m, up 8.6 per cent on the year before, as revenues jumped 9.4 per cent to £1.14bn. Chief executive Rooney Anand told City A.M., “After reaching the £1bn turnover landmark [...]
FOCUS ON: GUILDFORD June 28, 2012 ALBURY HEIGHTS Price: £4.95m Albury Heights is a substantial family home recently built in the Georgian style. It includes six bedrooms and six en suite bath/shower rooms, reception hall, drawing room, dining room, family room and office. Contact Savills on 01483 796 820 or go to savills.com. ENNISMORE AVENUE Price: £1.85m A five bedroom double-fronted [...]
As London firms report low visitor numbers, is hope for an Olympic business boost dead? July 31, 2012 YES Nica Burns So London has a big hit – the Olympics. A brilliant show, with a cast of outstanding performers – drama, fulfilled and shattered dreams, laughter and tears. It’s a once in a lifetime and we’re riveted. We’re either going to see the events, or we’re watching them on a screen. We’ve listened [...]
Focus on: Wimbledon August 30, 2012 Wimbledon has become one the most popular places to live in London, with Wimbledon Village being near the top of the tree. Easy transport links make it ideal for those who want quick access to the city, whilst reaping the benefits of a quieter suburban life. On the fast train, you can expect to be [...]
Recipe for success is a special blend June 17, 2012 Q Three years in the City – how has it been? A Considering we opened High Timber just as the recession kicked in, overall it has been fabulous. There are so many big characters in the City; the restaurant always seems to have a buzzing and fun atmosphere. Q What’s been great and what’s been [...]
Hip, hip, odrome! July 12, 2012 LEICESTER Square, 1900. Inside the newly opened Hippodrome, polar bears and elephants parade about and a troop of acrobatic dwarves dive from the Gods into a tank – across the room, Harry Houdini is performing some of his most spectacular acts. At its peak, the Hippodrome, built by Victorian theatre architect extraordinaire Frank Matcham, was [...]
Majestic Wine finds reason to celebrate with record profits June 18, 2012 THE BOSS of Majestic Wine said the UK public was as much in love with food and wine as ever, after consumers spending on special occasions helped to drive record full-year profits. The wine retailer posted pre-tax profits of £23.2m, up 14.5 per cent in the year to 2 April, helped in part by growing [...]
PROPERTY GROUP OF THE YEAR July 31, 2012 IT HAS been another testing year for most industries, not least for the property sector. The main theme has been the continued lack of available debt, which has dried up development projects, while ongoing uncertainty in the global economy has shaken confidence and in turn stifled demand for space. But it has not all been [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING May 20, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Funds’ €60bn to buy European bank debt Hedge funds and private equity firms have amassed almost €60bn to buy loans from stricken European banks in coming years as many of the continent’s lenders seek to shrink their way to health, according to a PwC survey. PwC estimates European banks have almost €2.5tn of [...]
Touch-down in Shanghai: getting ready for business June 24, 2012 MAKING my way across Shanghai following a 12 hour flight from London and a six hour flight from Boston left me urgently desirous of a tranquil bedroom, soft bed and a deep bath. As I was heading to the Four Seasons, I figured the only obstacle to achieving these would be traffic – an elegantly [...]