Drinkers and shoppers flock to high streets to toast last night before lockdown November 5, 2020 Drinkers and shoppers flocked to pubs and high streets yesterday ahead of the introduction of a new nationwide coronavirus lockdown in England. The latest footfall data showed that high street visitor numbers surged 23.5 per cent on Wednesday compared to the previous week as consumers squeezed in a final pint or shopping trip before restrictions [...]
Sweden U-turns on herd immunity with tighter lockdown restrictions November 16, 2020 Sweden has U-turned on its herd immunity approach to the pandemic by introducing tighter lockdown restrictions, after health chiefs warned the country has failed to prepare for a second wave. Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven today announced new limitations on public gatherings to eight people across the country, down from a previous upper limit of [...]
36 amazing restaurant delivery kits to cure your food ennui March 10, 2021 Almost a year since the first lockdown, the restaurant world has been forced to change in ways that would have seemed laughable in the pre-Covid times. Top chefs including Simon Rogan are now launching successful at-home delivery platforms that promise to change the face of fine dining for years to come. We have sampled some [...]
London Cocktail Week: “Every cocktail counts” in battle to save bars September 29, 2020 London Cocktail Week is back for 2020 – and this year, organisers have extended the jamboree to the entire month of October. Starting Thursday, 250 hand-picked cocktail venues across the capital will be serving specially created £6 cocktails to festival-goers. Bars including The Artesian at The Langham, 69 Colebrook Row, the award-winning Lyaness at Sea [...]
The City View: ‘The balance between medical risk and economic harm is not right’ — Mark Tanzer, CEO of ABTA June 18, 2020 In this episode Christian talks to Mark Tanzer, CEO of ABTA, the travel association, which represents the UK’s travel and tour operators. Mark gives a candid assessment of the challenges facing the sector and also of the government’s response to the crisis. He argues that the quarantine measures were badly conceived, badly implemented and badly [...]
Public debt: Who has lent a staggering £2.1 trillion to Rishi Sunak? April 23, 2021 Government debt has hit its highest point as a portion of gross domestic product since the early 1960s when the country was still paying off what it had borrowed to fund the fight against Nazi Germany, new figures showed this morning. Last year spending skyrocketed to pay for dozens of programmes to prop up the [...]
Councils pile pressure on firms over unpaid business rates during pandemic November 12, 2020 Local authorities have begun to turn up the heat on businesses that have been unable to pay rates bills during the pandemic, with some pursuing claims through the courts. According to property consultancy Colliers International, an increasing number of clients are receiving letters demanding payment or court summons. Office occupiers were not granted a business [...]
Foxtons revenue dips despite pent-up lockdown demand October 29, 2020 London estate agent chain Foxtons said business picked up “significantly” in the third quarter, but admitted that rents had fallen due to weakening demand. Group revenue for the three months to 30 September was £28.5m, down 10 per cent compared to last year. Foxtons’ share price fell more than four per cent this morning as [...]
Vaccine news leads to surge in London business confidence: Lloyds November 30, 2020 London business confidence increased following the news a Covid-19 vaccine may soon be a reality. According to the Lloyds Bank’s Business Barometer for 2020, overall confidence of firms in London rose five points in November to -19 per cent.Firms’ confidence with their own business prospects was -18 per cent, compared to -16 per cent in [...]
Boris Johnson must follow his own ‘data not dates’ advice and reopen the economy faster April 16, 2021 As few will need reminding, this week marks a crucial milestone for our hospitality sector and our social lives as beer gardens, high streets and outdoor areas open to customers once more. It is uplifting to see our city opening up again, as revellers this week in Soho, London Bridge and Clapham Common will testify. [...]