It’s closing time for the nation’s pubs and bars — perhaps for good November 27, 2020 I’ve never considered myself a great fan of pubs. As someone who doesn’t drink beer and who came of age exactly as the golden age of pubs was on the wane (so aficionados tell me, citing the smoking ban as the moment the moment things started going downhill), the appeal has always been limited. But, [...]
Amazon to give frontline staff $500m in bonuses amid safety concerns November 26, 2020 Amazon will give its frontline staff working over the holiday period combined bonuses worth $500m, the firm confirmed today. The bonus comes at the end of a year in which the e-commerce giant has come under intense scrutiny over working practices for employees amid the coronavirus pandemic. Sales at the tech firm have soared this [...]
Pubs in tier two and three still in lockdown ‘in all but name’ November 26, 2020 The chief executive of Greene King has slammed the government’s new Covid tier system as “lockdown in all but name”. Nick Mackenzie said that as a result of the changes to restrictions, 99 per cent of the country’s pubs will be placed in tiers two and three, putting hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk. [...]
Marks and Spencer to close on Boxing Day to give staff the day off November 26, 2020 Marks and Spencer has cancelled plans to open all of its stores on Boxing Day, choosing instead to allow staff to spend the day with friends and family. M&S had previously planned to open 200 stores on Boxing Day to take advantage of the Boxing Day sales, but in light of the recent relaxation on [...]
Beers in tiers: The new tier rules to stick to when pubs reopen next week November 26, 2020 Beers in tiers: The new rules to stick to when pubs reopen after the coronavirus lockdown
Restructuring firm loans Mothercare £20m to repay debts November 26, 2020 Gordon Brothers Brands has loaned Mothercare £19.5m to be used to repay outstanding debt. Mothercare lost £4.4m in the six months ending 10 October following a difficult year that saw company plans pushed back by the coronavirus pandemic. Net debt at the business is now £17.5 million, of which the loan from global advisory, restructuring [...]
Coronavirus bar and restaurant closures hit Britvic’s income for the year November 26, 2020 Britvic posted a near 22% slide in adjusted operating income for the year as coronavirus restrictions hurt demand at bars, restaurants, cinemas and other public places. The soft drink company’s adjusted earnings before interest and taxes fell to £165.8m for the 12 months ended September 30, down from £214.1m a year earlier. Britvic’s shares, which [...]
Boohoo hires retired judge Leveson to oversee supply chain revamp November 26, 2020 Boohoo has appointed retired judge Brian Leveson, who handled the Leveson inquiry, to independently check its drive to improve its supply chain and business practices. In September an independent review found several failings in the online fashion retailer’s supply chain in England, after allegations about working conditions and low pay. The review then set out [...]
All Bar One and Toby Carvery owner cuts 1,300 jobs as Covid-19 pushes it to annual loss November 26, 2020 Pub chain Mitchells & Butlers has cut 1,300 jobs this year having made a £123m loss in the last year. The group, which owns cocktail bar All Bar One and Toby Carvery, said it could no longer support the employees due to store closures and reduced levels of activity because of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier [...]
Fuller’s loses £22m in six months following coronavirus restrictions November 26, 2020 Brewery and pub chain Fuller’s made a £22m loss before tax in the six months to 26 September, following coronavirus restrictions that meant the business lost 66% of trading weeks. The business made £45.6m in revenue in the six months, down from £167.1m during the same period last year. From the end of July to [...]