JD Wetherspoon ‘more cautious’ on outlook due to Budget uncertainty November 5, 2025 JD Wetherspoon has said it has become “more cautious in its outlook” as Britain’s best-known pub chain braces for the prospect of further tax hikes at the Budget later this month. The firm, which operates around 800 pubs across the UK, reported a 3.7 per cent rise in like-for-like turnover for the 14 weeks to [...]
Labour has ‘unbelievably harsh stance’ on big businesses November 4, 2025 It is “unbelievable” that the Labour government has “taken such a harsh stance” on big businesses, the chief executive of restaurant chain Pizza Express has said. Speaking on an up-coming episode of City AM’s Boardroom Uncovered podcast, Paula MacKenzie said the industry had been “somewhat decimated” by the Covid-19 pandemic and has then been hit [...]
Brits plump for premium hotels as budget stays suffer November 3, 2025 The gap between hotel prices has continued to expand as Brits plump for premium travel over budget options, according to new figures. Average room rates of UK luxury hotels rose from £380.30 to £405.18 in August year on year, and from £136.33 to £141.57 for mid market hotels, data from RSM shows. Room rates in [...]
Pizza Hut: Restaurants arm owed £30m as 1,100 jobs lost November 3, 2025 The company behind Pizza Hut’s restaurants in the UK owed almost £30m as it collapsed with the loss of more than 1,100 jobs, it has been revealed. DC London Pie entered administration towards the end of last month with FTI Consulting appointed to oversee the process. Now, a new document has revealed the full story [...]
Reeves’ Budget tax hikes force nearly 5,000 pubs to the brink November 3, 2025 The tax hikes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last year’s Budget have contributed to almost 5,000 pubs now being rated at maximum risk and becoming technically insolvent, according to new research. Figures from Price Bailey have revealed that just over 4,7000 pubs are now in that position, a 14 per cent rise on this [...]
Toast the City: What is the Square Mile’s Best Overnight Stay? October 22, 2025 The Toast the City Awards are here to celebrate the very best in hospitality of placemaking in the Square Mile. On the eve of the big night, we are highlighting each of the 138 finalists who have beaten off competition from more than 2,000 entrants. Luxury hotels have cropped up all over the City over [...]
Macdonald Hotels counts cost of huge legal bill after High Court loss October 20, 2025 Luxury chain Macdonald Hotels slumped into the red before being order to pay a huge legal bill after losing a case to the Bank of Scotland. Macdonald Hotels sued the Scottish subsidiary of Lloyds Bank claiming it was “seriously wronged’ by the lender which resulted in it losing out on millions of pounds. Chairman and [...]
Premier Inn owner warns of ‘mounting pressure’ of tax rises before Budget October 16, 2025 Whitbred, the owner of Premier Inn, has warned that tax rises are becoming more likely and could pose a serious risk to the UK’s hospitality industry. Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a £40bn gap in the nation’s finances, which is ever-more likely to be filled by a tax-raising Autumn Budget. The target of those tax rises [...]
Gordon Ramsay to launch 24-hour restaurant in City’s tallest tower October 14, 2025 Gordon Ramsay is set to launch a new Bread Street Kitchen restaurant at 22 Bishopsgate, currently the City of London’s tallest skyscraper. The restaurant, which follows the opening of Lucky Cat in the same location earlier this year, is expected in 2026 and will come equipped with a 24-hour liquor license to cater to international [...]
Why don’t London’s luxury hotels make any money? October 13, 2025 London is home to some of the most iconic and well-known luxury hotels in the world. The Savoy, the Ritz, The Dorchester and Claridge’s, to name just a few, are renowned the world over and have played host to the ultra wealth, celebrities and royalty. Also appearing in a string of popular films, London’s luxury [...]