Adapt planning and licencing rules or risk losing the high street forever June 23, 2020 The nation’s high streets have been struggling for years. Rising vacancy rates and declining footfall over the past decade have seen town centres begin to undergo a fundamental transformation — but in many ways not for the better. Empty, boarded up shops have become a depressingly familiar sight in towns and cities across the UK. [...]
Amazon launches accelerator for UK startups and small businesses June 23, 2020 Amazon has today launched an accelerator programme for the UK’s small businesses and startups, aimed at providing them with digital tools to recover lost income during the coronavirus crisis. Launched in partnership with small business support network Enterprise Nation, the Amazon Small Business Accelerator will operate a free online training programme for 200,000 businesses. The [...]
Fears for jobs at Pret A Manger after ‘leaked video reveals sales downturn’ June 22, 2020 A leaked video revealing how Pret A Manger’s sales have plummeted throughout the coronavirus lockdown has prompted fears that job cuts could be on the cards at the sandwich chain. In the clip, Pret boss Pano Christou told staff in an online meeting that an announcement about the “job situation” would be made on 8 [...]
Camelot gets six month National Lottery extension June 22, 2020 Camelot, the games business, is to get a six-month extension to run the National Lottery, as regulators press pause on an auction to run the competition next. The decision to extend Camelot’s license by the Gambling Commission is likely to be formally announced in the coming weeks. It is the latest stall in the competition [...]
Footfall still 54 per cent down on 2019 levels after shops reopen for business June 22, 2020 The first week of trading since the coronavirus lockdown for many retailers saw footfall rise dramatically – but it remained 54 per cent down on the same week in 2019. Footfall to all retail destinations across the UK increased by 45 per cent compared to the previous week, as so-called non-essential shops were allowed to reopen [...]
JD Sports lines up administrators for Go Outdoors June 22, 2020 JD Sports has today confirmed to investors that it is weighing up administration for Go Outdoors, after speculation that an official appointment could come within days. JD Sports said this morning that it has “considered a number of strategic options for Go and that Go’s directors have lodged the notice [to appoint administrators] in court”. [...]
Guinness owner Diageo delays full-year results on pandemic impact June 22, 2020 Diageo is pushing back the publication of its full-year results by five days to allow more time for its auditors to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “[The delay] will allow Diageo and its auditors, PwC, sufficient time to complete the process of preparing and reviewing the results, given the practical challenges of remote [...]
Cineworld lands additional $250m lifeline as it prepares for re-opening June 22, 2020 Cineworld has today said it has secured an additional $250m in financing, as it gears up to reopen venues and face a costly legal battle with former deal partner Cineplex. The UK cinema chain told traders this morning it had agreed terms on a new $250m secured debt facility with a maturity of 2023, in [...]
‘Bleak outlook’ for pubs and restaurants’ pandemic recovery as trade body urges relaxation of two-metre rule June 22, 2020 Pubs and restaurants across the UK will only be trading at just over half of last year’s levels by the end of 2020, according to predictions from a survey of hospitality businesses. The research, undertaken by trade body UK Hospitality, painted a gloomy picture for the industry’s prospects of a recovery, with levels of trade [...]
JD Sports-owned Go Outdoors on brink of administration, with 2,400 jobs on the line June 21, 2020 Go Outdoors is said to be teetering on the brink of collapse, after the JD Sports-owned retailer was reported to be calling in administrators. JD Sports has lined up Deloitte as administrator to the company, which employs about 2,400 people across 67 stores, according to reports. Go Outdoors, which sells bikes, tents and waterproof clothes, [...]