Coronavirus: Closed pubs and restaurants face multi-million pound rent bill March 23, 2020 The hospitality industry has urged the government to ban commercial landlord sanctions, as pubs and restaurants are facing a multi-million pound rent bill due this week. Pubs, bars and restaurants, which suffered a dramatic drop in footfall before they were forced to close on Friday night to slow the spread of coronavirus, are preparing to [...]
Coronavirus: All non-essential stores reportedly set to close March 23, 2020 The government is reportedly set to order the closure of all non-essential shops in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus. The decision to close all stores except for supermarkets and pharmacies is being discussed at an emergency Cobra meeting today and is expected to be announced at this evening’s government press conference, the [...]
Time Out rebrands to Time In as it closes print edition and markets due to coronavirus March 23, 2020 Time Out has temporarily rebranded to Time In after the coronavirus outbreak forced the media group to close its print edition and food markets. The publisher and events group has closed all six of its food markets, while it is also battling a slowdown in advertising revenue. The firm said it will now launch an [...]
Ted Baker completes London HQ sale to British Airways pension fund March 23, 2020 Ted Baker has agreed terms for the sale of its London headquarters, the Ugly Brown Building, with a British Airways Pension Trustees unit. Following the announcement of a strategic asset review in December, Ted Baker has today exchanged contracts with British Airways’ pension fund and the deal, worth £78.8m, is expected to be completed in [...]
McDonalds, Topshop and New Look close stores due to coronavirus March 23, 2020 High street retailers have begun to shut stores in response to the coronavirus pandemic in the UK. Topshop, New Look and H&M are among the major UK retail chains to temporarily shut all branches over the weekend. The government ordered all pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants to close on Friday as the public were encouraged [...]
Coronavirus: Primark to close all UK stores as pandemic hits high street March 22, 2020 Primark is set to shutter all 189 of its UK stores from tonight as the coronavirus outbreak threatens to bring the UK high street to its knees. The budget fashion retailer has already closed stores accounting for 20 per cent of its selling space globally, and is now preparing to close its entire store estate. [...]
British takeaways call for rent holidays as coronavirus puts businesses ‘on the brink’ March 22, 2020 British restaurants and takeaways have urged retail landlords to grant rent holidays as they battle to survive during the coronavirus outbreak. The British Takeaway Campaign (BTC), which represents restaurants, takeaways and small businesses in the supply chain, called for an immediate three-month freeze on rent ahead of quarterly payments due next week. The group warned [...]
‘We should all be ashamed’: NHS England boss calls for end to panic-buying March 21, 2020 The medical director of NHS England has said everyone should “be ashamed” that vital healthcare staff were being deprived of supplies due to panic-buying. Stephen Powis called on the public to think of those working long days to look after our loved ones when shopping. The appeal came at the government’s daily coronavirus briefing today, [...]
Coronavirus: Marks & Spencer warns on profit as it considers store closures March 20, 2020 Marks & Spencer issued a coronavirus-related profit warning today and alerted investors it may close stores temporarily amid the UK’s Covid-19 outbreak. Its clothing and home divisions have suffered a big hit already from the UK coronavirus crisis, Marks & Spencer warned. As a result profit could fall below expectations of £440m to £460m. “The [...]
Travis Perkins suspends dividend and delays Wickes de-merger March 20, 2020 Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins has suspended its dividend due to coronavirus uncertainty. The company also announced its intention to delay its long planned de-merger of DIY retailer Wickes. However, the group announced in its trading update a strong balance sheet with cash deposits of £185m. Boss Nick Roberts said: “Our highest priority is the health [...]