Universal Music buys rights to more than 600 Bob Dylan songs December 7, 2020 Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has snapped up Bob Dylan's entire catalog of songs
Sadiq Khan calls for Sunak to U-turn on scrapping VAT exemption for tourists December 7, 2020 Sadiq Khan has added his voice to the chorus of figures calling for Rishi Sunak to U-turn on his decision to scrap the UK’s VAT exemption for tourists. Khan today said the move would be “hugely counter-productive” as the UK economy recovers from the Covid crisis next year and that revenue lost from the change [...]
Londoners rush back to the shops as lockdown ends December 7, 2020 Londoners rushed back to the capital’s shopping destinations this weekend as people across the country welcomed the end of lockdown with some much needed retail therapy. Data from market research firm Springboard showed that across all UK retail destinations footfall increased 93.5 per cent on Saturday. There was an especially large surge in shoppers in [...]
Kingfisher joins supermarkets in returning business rates relief December 7, 2020 DIY retailer Kingfisher has joined a list of retailers announcing plans to repay millions in business rates relief it received at the start of the pandemic. The FTSE 100 firm has announced it will pay back £130m in tax relief, pointing to strong sales since it reopened its UK stores in April amid high demand [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group confirms Debenhams rescue talks December 7, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group confirmed it is in negotiations with Debenhams for a potential rescue deal, a week after the department store fell into administration. In a statement this morning, Frasers Group confirmed it is in talks with Debenhams’ administrators “regarding a potential rescue transaction”. It came with the caveat that there was little time [...]
Ted Baker’s losses deepen as coronavirus hits retailer December 7, 2020 Fashion retailer Ted Baker’s losses deepened in the first half of the year as coronavirus took a heavy toll on the UK firm’s business. Ted Baker’s reported operating loss before tax was £86.4m in the six months ended 8 August, down from a loss of £23m in the same period a year earlier. Underlying losses [...]
Sazka backs move to increase age to play UK lottery, in battle with Camelot to run gambling December 7, 2020 Sazka backs move to increase age to play UK lottery, in battle with Camelot to run gambling
Are supermarkets right to return their business rates relief to the Treasury? December 7, 2020 Are the big supermarkets right to return their business rates relief to the Treasury? Josh Williams, speechwriter and managing director at The Draft, says YES. Doing well in a crisis is a risky business. There is a thin line between those who turn a profit and those who profiteer. The supermarkets have had a good [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group eyes last minute rescue of Debenhams December 6, 2020 Billionaire retail tycoon Mike Ashley is reportedly trying to rescue Debenhams in a bid that could save 12,000 jobs. Ashley, who founded retail giant Frasers Group and was previously a major Debenhams shareholder, is reportedly trying to thrash out a deal that would see the retailer valued at more than £200m. The retailer went into [...]
Drink up to help out: The gin raising funds for hospitality December 5, 2020 Even with the lifting of the second national lockdown enabling some bars and pubs to reopen this week, hospitality remains one of the sectors worst affected by Covid restrictions. Hospitality Gin is a not-for-profit gin brand created to support the industry during the pandemic, offering the drinking public the opportunity to order in to help [...]