Covid travel restrictions see revenue at hotel giant Accor tumble April 21, 2021 Revenue at Accor fell in the first quarter of its 2021 financial year, as Covid-19 restrictions left the group still unable to operate at full capacity. First-quarter revenue totalled €361m, down 48 per cent when compared with Q1 in 2020. Revenue per available room fell by 64 per cent against Q1 2019, reflecting the current [...]
Hammerson completes retail park exit with £330m sale to Canadian private equity player April 21, 2021 Property giant Hammerson has confirmed that it has sold seven retail parks to private equity firm Brookfield in a £330m deal that completes the retail landlord’s exit from the struggling sector. The £330m price tag represents an eight per cent discount to the 31 December book value of £357m, and the deal concludes Hammerson’s disposal [...]
Pub chain Shepherd Neame toasts strong trading after beer gardens reopen April 21, 2021 UK pub chain Shepherd Neame this morning said trading has been “encouraging” since its beer gardens reopened last week. The firm, which is Britain’s oldest brewer, said more than 200 pubs reopened when restrictions on outdoor trading were lifted on 12 April. The rest of its 316 sites across south east England will reopen on [...]
Pure Gym suffers £200m loss due to Covid closures April 21, 2021 Pure Gym suffered losses of almost £200m last year after the budget fitness chain was forced to close all of its sites for several months during coronavirus lockdowns. The gym company reported a loss of £198.4m in 2020, compared to a loss of £39.6m in the previous year. Revenue dropped 39 per cent from £447m [...]
Post-Brexit law change: Cashback without purchase to be allowed across UK April 21, 2021 Corner shops, pubs and cafes will soon be able to offer cashback without people having to make a purchase first. The move comes after the government agreed changes in the House of Lords to the Financial Services Bill, which has almost completed its passage through Parliament. Hailing it as a “welcome step towards protecting access [...]
Heineken sales flat following increases in Africa and Asia April 21, 2021 The world’s second largest brewer Heineken reported stable beer sales in the first three months of the year after a strong performance in Africa and Asia. Net profit for the first three months of the year was €168m, up from €94m a year earlier. Beer volume in the first quarter was in line with last [...]
230 Argos jobs at risk as owner Sainsbury’s closes distribution site April 21, 2021 Argos has said it is set to close its Somerset distribution site, putting 230 jobs at risk at the retailer’s Bridgwater warehouse. The company said it is “committed to fight to save as many jobs as possible” after the site was earmarked for closure next year. Argos owner Sainsbury’s has confirmed that the depot is [...]
European Super League crumbling as top clubs Chelsea and Man City pull out after backlash April 20, 2021 European Super League crumbles as top clubs Chelsea and Man City pull out
Next CEO Lord Simon Wolfson’s pay jumps 28 per cent despite profit plunge, shut stores and furloughed staff April 20, 2021 Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson's pay jumps 28 per cent despite profit slump, closed stores and furloughed staff
Pubs and restaurants to reopen in Scotland next Monday April 20, 2021 Scotland will reopen its pubs and restaurants for the first time in months from Monday 26 April, in a move that broadly brings Scotland into line with England’s current Covid-19 restrictions. Cafes, restaurants and beer gardens can open, along with shops, gyms, libraries and museums as lockdown eases. Rules and restrictions around the precise nature [...]