Energy firms refusing to supply pubs during pandemic, trade body says March 24, 2021 The pub industry’s trade body has accused energy companies of refusing to supply venues with power – even where they are used as residential buildings. The British Beer & Pub Association today said a number of pubs across the UK had “experienced poor commercial behaviour” from utility firms that have refused to renew contracts or [...]
DIY retailer Wickes forecasts strong sales growth ahead of Travis Perkins demerger March 24, 2021 DIY chain Wickes, which is being demerged from building trade retailer Travis Perkins, today forecast strong full-year sales growth ahead of launching its public listing as a standalone firm. The home improvement sector has performed well during the pandemic as Britons have spent more time at home, have had fewer leisure options and have travelled [...]
John Lewis to permanently close eight stores, putting 1,465 jobs at risk March 24, 2021 John Lewis has announced it will not reopen eight stores after lockdown restrictions are eased, putting almost 1,500 jobs at risk. The retailer said the four department stores and four “At Home” branches are in locations that “can’t sustain a large store”, and will be permanently closed. It will enter into consultation with the 1,465 [...]
Breaking: TUI to shut 48 more high street stores across Britain March 23, 2021 Travel giant TUI confirmed this evening that it is planning to close 48 more of its retail stores across the UK. Britain’s biggest tour operator said the travel industry and the high street “are both facing unprecedented pressure” due to the coronavirus pandemic. All 273 employees affected by the decision will be offered new roles [...]
Pawnbroker H&T suffers profit slump as consumers wary of taking on debt in pandemic March 23, 2021 H&T Group, the high street pawnbroker and loan provider, suffered a drop in profit last year as fewer customers borrowed money during the pandemic. The company announced this morning that profit before tax fell 22.4 per cent to £15.6m in 2020 as its pledge book fell 33.1 per cent to £48.3m. H&T’s share price fell [...]
Time Out ditches plans for London Waterloo market due to pandemic March 23, 2021 Time Out today said it has abandoned its plans to build a food market at London Waterloo due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The media and hospitality group had been planning to open a new market under the former Eurostar platforms at the central London train station. The project was originally scheduled to [...]
Cineworld confirms May reopening plans as it lines up film deal March 23, 2021 Cineworld today confirmed plans to reopen its 127 venues in the UK in May in line with the government’s roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions. Under current guidelines, indoor socialising and hospitality will resume from 17 May, while the government aims to lift all limits on social contact in June. Cineworld today also said it will [...]
Coronavirus: How has a year of lockdowns changed the way we shop? March 23, 2021 One year ago today Boris Johnson announced the UK would enter its first coronavirus lockdown, forcing non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants to close in an unprecedented move to slow the spread of Covid-19. The way we shop had changed before the Prime Minister addressed the nation on the evening of 23 March 2020. Images of [...]
McColl’s fails to return to to profit despite bumper convenience store sales during pandemic March 23, 2021 McColl’s reported a jump in revenue last year as the convenience store chain benefitted from a surge in demand for local stores during the pandemic, but failed to return to profit. Total revenue for the year was up 3.2 per cent to £1.26bn, with its store closure programme partly offsetting the surge in sales. Like-for-like [...]
Good cluck: US fried chicken chain Popeyes to open first UK store March 23, 2021 US fried chicken chain Popeyes has today announced it will launch its first UK store this year, with plans to open hundreds of branches across the country. The fast food firm will open the store by the end of 2021, it said this morning, and is targeting 350 sites across the UK within the next [...]