Nando’s reopens 94 UK restaurants for takeaway and delivery May 26, 2020 Nando’s has reopened 54 restaurants across the country, with a further 40 sites ready to reopen for delivery and click and collect tomorrow. The Peri-Peri chicken chain said it had successfully completed trials at a number of restaurants and was ready to expand its takeaway service across the UK. Nando’s will offer a reduced menu [...]
Retail footfall soars over bank holiday weekend May 26, 2020 Retail footfall soared over the weekend compared to the Easter bank holiday as shoppers made the most of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions in England. High street footfall surged 49 per cent yesterday compared to Easter Monday, while coastal towns saw visitor numbers jump 62 per cent. Footfall at retail parks was up 42 per [...]
Boris Johnson sets out plans for shops and markets to reopen May 25, 2020 The Prime Minister has set out plans for the second phase of easing lockdown restrictions from next week, which includes opening non-essential shops from 15 June. Boris Johnson said there will be a formal assessment of easing the coronavirus lockdown restrictions on Thursday as part of the legal review. However, he has revealed plans to [...]
Coronavirus: Pizza Express could permanently close some restaurants May 24, 2020 Pizza Express could be forced to permanently close some of its 470 UK restaurants after the coronavirus crisis heaped pressure on the debt-laden firm. The casual dining chain, which is owned by Chinese private equity firm Hony Capital, is reportedly mulling a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which would allow it to shutter some or all [...]
Appointment times and NHS discounts: How retailers plan to lure shoppers back after lockdown May 23, 2020 After more than two months of enforced closure during the UK coronavirus lockdown, retailers across England are preparing to potentially reopen to shoppers from 1 June. The high street will look different when retailers are allowed to open their doors. Social distancing signage will be in place, shop assistants will wear masks and a number [...]
Marston’s and Carlsberg to unite brewing operations in £780m joint venture May 22, 2020 UK pub chain Marston’s share price skyrocketed today as it announced a plan to merge its brewing business with Carlsberg’s UK division in a £780m deal. The joint venture will value Marton’s Brewing Business at up to £580m and Carlsberg’s at £200m. But despite Marston’s superior valuation, the pub chain will only own 40 per [...]
Which south London pubs are serving pints this weekend? A non-exhaustive list May 22, 2020 The pint. The perfect measure; not too big, not too small. And now available in takeaway milk cartons in a host of pubs across south London. Here’s City A.M.’s very much non-exhaustive list of pubs south of the river that will allow you to have something cold, fizzy and poured by somebody else over this [...]
Wetherspoon to rely on app more than ever under plan to reopen all 875 pubs May 22, 2020 JD Wetherspoon has outlined plans to invest £11m in reopening its pubs, including installing screens and providing hand sanitiser and protective clothing for staff. The pub chain said it will reopen all of its 875 pubs in the UK and Ireland when it gets the go-ahead from governments, and all pubs will operate their usual [...]
Burberry cuts dividend as sales dive during coronavirus pandemic May 22, 2020 British fashion brand Burberry said this morning that it will not pay a full-year dividend as it revealed that fourth quarter sales plunged due to coronavirus lockdowns around the world. The luxury retailer said sales in the fourth quarter were down 27 per cent and 60 per cent of its stores were closed at the [...]
UK retail sales crash a record 18.1 per cent in April lockdown May 22, 2020 UK retail sales plunged by a record 18.1 per cent during April’s lockdown, data showed today, with clothing sales halving compared to March. Sales of clothes crashed 50.2 per cent compared to March, while retail sales fell almost four times as badly as March’s 5.2 per cent fall, Office for National Statistics (ONS) data found. [...]