Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury benefits as Brits turn to books as affordable treat in cost of living crunch March 15, 2023 People turning increasingly to books as an affordable hobby in the cost-of-living crisis has helped Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury hike its full-year profit outlook. The group – which is also the publisher behind Bake Off star Paul Hollywood’s latest cookbook Bake – said it was seeing surging demand for titles in print, ebook and audio, [...]
Brokers warn government against guaranteeing one per cent deposit mortgages January 21, 2024 Brokers have warned that the government could push up house prices even further if it guarantees mortgages for first-time buyers with deposits of just one per cent.
Predictions of death of the high street ‘overstated’, says John Lewis October 2, 2023 Predictions of the death of the high street have been “overstated”, John Lewis has said, as it announced its proportion of sales being made online has fallen and store visits are up.
Explainer: The cost of transport in London is higher than any other major city March 24, 2023 If you live in London, you will have noticed public transport costs have gone up. And by quite a big chunk – from the 5th of March TfL fares went up by an average of 5.9 per cent. This makes the UK the country with the most expensive public transport in the world, according to [...]
Bank of England holds interest rates – what does it mean for mortgages? December 14, 2023 The Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25 per cent for the third time in a row, offering a glimmer of hope for the mortgage and property market. Steve Seal, chief of Bluestone Mortgages, said that today’s decision to leave rates untouched will be welcomed by “would-be and existing borrowers, who have felt [...]
H&T shares up: Pawnbroker lending rockets as cash-strapped Brits sell valuables July 11, 2023 Britain’s biggest pawnbroker H&T saw its share price soar this morning, following news that lending grew 22 per cent as punters have been forced to flog off goods to secure extra funds during the cost of living crisis. Ahead of its interim results, which are due to be published in early August, H&T said that [...]
ULEZ expansion will push building businesses over the brink, warns industry boss July 4, 2023 The boss of the British Merchants Federation (BMF) has warned that outer London building businesses hit by ULEZ charges could face closure or move if the 29 August expansion goes ahead as planned. John Newcomb, chief executive of the trade association BMF, told City A.M.: “My biggest concern is that you would see closure of [...]
Stagecoach revenue grows by £100m in 12 months but fuel costs eat into profits December 7, 2022 Stagecoach’s revenue has jumped by nearly £100m in the past 12-months, but profits have taken a hit as fuel costs spike. The bus operator pocketed nearly £670m in the six months to the end of October, up from around £580m in the same period a year ago. However, operating and pre-tax profits have taken a [...]
Uxbridge by-election: Tories hold Boris Johnson’s old seat as Labour blame Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion July 21, 2023 The Conservatives have held onto Boris Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip as Labour blame Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ expansion policy for the loss. Tory councillor and former postman Steve Tuckwell won the west London constituency with 13,965 votes – beating Labour’s Danny Beales, on 13,470. Sir Keir Starmer’s party had hoped to overturn [...]
Illegal London candy stores turned into rent free shops in Oxford Street clean-up July 19, 2023 Oxford Street is set for a major revamp as Westminster City Council launches a new £10m scheme to transform London’s iconic high street. The council will make shops vacated by illicit candy stores, which have blighted the leading retail destination, available to small business owners rent free and lower their business rates by 70 per [...]