Union bosses warn of cash shortages at supermarkets as G4S workers vote to strike November 22, 2022 Some 1,200 cash and coin delivery workers employed by G4S are set to walk out, with union bosses warning of shortages at Tesco shops and JD Wetherspoon pubs. Union GMB said this would mark the first ever industrial action for G4S workers, with a strike set to begin at 3am on Monday 4 December. Some [...]
£4bn takeover of HomeServe set for early 2023 as profit rises for repairs firm November 22, 2022 A £4.1bn takeover of repairs firm HomeServe by a Canadian suitor is on track to be completed by early 2023 at the latest. The pipe-fixing company has been snapped up by Bidco, a subsidiary of Canadian company Brookfield Infrastructure funds. HomeServe said all necessary regulatory and competition approvals have now been obtained in the UK [...]
Next steps: Gap builds on UK return with re-introduction of Banana Republic and Athleta brands November 21, 2022 Gap has added a pair of apparel brands to its joint venture with Next, after the fashion firm left the high street amid the pandemic. The e-commerce retailer said it will re-introduce Banana Republic and Athleta products to the UK via Next’s Total platform. The US retailer shut its 81 stores in the UK and [...]
C’mon England: Pub bosses set to be the Three Lions’ biggest fans November 21, 2022 Pubs are hoping for a wintry windfall thanks to the World Cup kicking off this week. The country’s boozers are hoping that England’s first match versus Iran this afternoon will draw in crowds on a traditionally quiet trading day. The football tournament typically draws in £155m for pubs when held in the summer months. Pubs [...]
Catering giant Compass sees profits nearly triple after recovery surpasses expectations November 21, 2022 Catering giant Compass has revealed that profits almost tripled over the past year after its recovery surpassed expectations. The world’s largest food services provider said it reported record new business growth as demand for business and sports catering rebounded following the impact of the pandemic. Revenues surged by 42.5 per cent to £25.5 billion for [...]
Issa brothers’ LEON to more than double number of Asda coffee kiosks November 21, 2022 LEON is to more than double its self-serve coffee kiosks in the UK over the next couple of months, as the Issa brothers’ on-the-go food operator expands. The chain, which sells healthier alternatives of fast-food and is owned by the billionaire brothers behind supermarket Asda and petrol forecourt operator EG group, is to expand its [...]
Harrods sees £15m drop in business rates assessment as retail undergoes dramatic revaluation November 21, 2022 More than half a million retail properties across England and Wales have now been revalued with new rateable values, which will be used to calculate business rates liabilities from 1 April 20023 to 31 March 2026, having been published showing a fall of 10 per ccent overall for the sector. The Valuation Office Agency, an [...]
Restaurants go to the wall at faster pace than during the pandemic November 21, 2022 Restaurant insolvencies have rocketed over the past year, occurring at a faster rate than amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of restaurants going to the wall has increased 59 per cent over the past year, amid dire warnings from industry voices about the months to come. Insolvencies jumped to 1,567 in the year to 30 [...]
Wilko reviewing management of financing ahead of vital Christmas season November 20, 2022 Discounter Wilko has said it has a strong relationship with lenders, amid newspaper reports that it is urgently attempting to secure a £30m cash injection. The high street chain was reported to be in emergency talks with alternative lenders over rescue cash, off the back of a dramatic leap in interest rates, according to The [...]
Qatar World Cup: In dramatic U-turn alcohol banned in stadiums, Budweiser outraged November 18, 2022 Qatar World Cup officials have launched a stunning and abrupt U-turn, banning alcohol in its stadiums. The tiny Gulf kingdom is set to outlaw the consumption of beer in grounds, owing to its strict Muslim laws which prohibit alcohol. It had been promised before the tournament there would be areas where fans could drink, with [...]