This is what it’s like to party on the new Virgin cruise ship Scarlet Lady September 25, 2021 At the London launch of Richard Branson’s new cruise line, Virgin Voyages, the British DJ and producer Mark Ronson played a raucous set. It was all very cool and glamorous, and promised a new hip addition to this most buoyant travel sector, with more than 100 cruise ships on the order books. So when the [...]
Exclusive: City’s venture capital guru on Brexit, ESG fundraising and impact investing August 31, 2021 With Brexit just behind us, and the pandemic gradually being brought under control, it seemed like a good time to measure the temperature of London’s venture capital investment space. City A.M. sat down with David Hall, for his first major interview as chairman of the Venture Capital Trust Association, since succeeding Stuart Veale in January [...]
“E-commerce winner” Virgin Wines confident in post-pandemic sales July 20, 2021 Wine subscription service Virgin Wines raised its annual financial forecasts as a result of strong customer demand, it told markets this morning. Their customer base grew by 24 per cent in the previous 12 months. The pandemic saw people at home stock their bars and fridges causing increased demand in alcoholic products over lockdowns, as [...]
Victorian Plumbing shares surge in biggest ever float on London’s junior market June 22, 2021 Online bathroom retailer Victorian Plumbing has seen shares surge higher as it began life as a listed company in the biggest ever float on London’s junior market. The group launched on to the Alternative Investment Market (Aim) with shares priced at 262p, giving it an initial valuation of around £850m, before the stock quickly jumped [...]
Terrific Thursday for London IPO market as Wise, Victorian Plumbing, Seraphine, Poolbeg and Voyager Life confirm plans to float June 17, 2021 Fintech firm Wise, bathroom retailer Victorian Plumbing; high end maternity retailer Seraphine, favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge; Dublin-based drug maker Poolbeg and cannabidiol products supplier Voyager Life all revealed plans to float today. Money transfer firm Wise said this morning to join the London Stock Exchange in what could be the biggest UK listing [...]
What does your postcode say about your taste in wine? May 7, 2021 The most popular wine in north and east London this year was the Picpoul De Pinet, Réserve De La Roquemolière. In south and west London, it was Comte De Provence Rosé, La Vidaubanaise. According to on-demand delivery service Wineapp, East Londoners order 15 per cent more red than white wine. West Londoners order 30 per [...]
Booze brand Pernod Ricard set to toast full-year profit growth April 22, 2021 Pernod Ricard today said it forecast strong profit growth for the full year after cashing in on boosted demand for its drinks in the third quarter. The French booze group, which owns brands including Absolut vodka and Beefeater gin, posted sales of €1.9bn (£1.6bn) in the three months to the end of March, up 19 [...]
TOAD whisky is a disruptive, Oxford-made spirit April 21, 2021 Can you have a disruptive whisky? Is there such a thing as a daredevil distiller? One that breaks boundaries despite taking years to mature, somehow predicting the status quo and refusing to follow it? I present to you TOAD whisky and its Portuguese Master Distiller, Oxford-based Chico Rosa. “Our whisky perfectly showcases our terroir,” he boasts. [...]
Hot cross bun gin and other Easter-themed boozy beverages March 31, 2021 Spotting a gap in the market and a niche in the religious calendar, the Manchester Drinks Company has launched an Easter-themed liqueur that blends sweet fruits and spices to create an alcoholic hot cross bun in a bottle. Richard Benjamin, director at Manchester Drinks Co, says: “Easter isn’t just about indulging in easter eggs, it’s [...]
Exclusive: City’s venture capital guru on Brexit, fundraising and impact investing March 17, 2021 With Brexit just behind us, and the pandemic gradually being brought under control, it seemed like a good time to measure the temperature of London’s venture capital investment space. City A.M. sat down with David Hall, for his first major interview as chairman of the Venture Capital Trust Association, since succeeding Stuart Veale in January [...]