EU prepares ban on US travellers over high coronavirus case count June 24, 2020 The EU is said to be ready to issue a travel ban on US citizens and travellers from other countries, due to their high coronavirus infection rates. Documents seen by the New York Times showed American, Russian and Brazilian visitors to the EU would be unwelcome as their governments’ fail to control the virus’ spread. [...]
Brits rejoice! The era of black market hairdressers is coming to an end June 24, 2020 What I am about to tell you will shock you to your very core: there are some people out there walking the streets who have had haircuts. No, not the ones delivered by unsuspecting partners or housemates with about as much proficiency as a bow-wielding chimp wearing mittens. No, dear reader, these people have had [...]
The City View: ‘The second digital revolution’ – with Irana Wasti of GoDaddy June 24, 2020 In this episode, Christian is joined by Irana Wasti, President in Europe and the Middle East of website giant GoDaddy. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Irana says the pandemic has already triggered a ‘second digital revolution’ with small businesses turning to online retail and digital business models to keep themselves afloat. What started as [...]
Business didn’t get us into this mess, but with the right reforms it can get us out of it June 24, 2020 Back in March, City A.M. announced that it was suspending its print edition — partly due to concern about the drop-off in advertising revenue, but mostly because it seemed futile to distribute newspapers around London when workers had been told to stay at home. Recently, this paper’s editor made the welcome announcement that its print [...]
The government should have been working on multiple tracing apps all along June 24, 2020 The NHS contract tracing app has been scrapped in favour of a system developed by Google and Apple. Although health secretary Matt Hancock has been heavily criticised for this failure, the UK is by no means alone. For example, Denmark, Germany and Italy each tried to build their own app, based on the same type [...]
Peer-to-peer lender Zopa launches digital bank after receiving full licence June 24, 2020 Zopa is launching a new digital bank after receiving its full banking licence, the British peer-to-peer lender announced today. The peer-to-peer loan sector has come under pressure from increased regulatory scrutiny and weakening demand from investors, placing pressure on firms to diversify their revenue streams. Zopa first announced plans to pursue a second revenue stream [...]
Staycation nation: Johnson urges public to take a UK holiday June 23, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today gave the green light for hotels, B&Bs and campsites in the UK to reopen from 4 July, and urged the public to revitalise the hospitality industry by taking a “staycation” within the UK. In a major easing of social distancing rules, the PM today provided a lifeline for the hospitality [...]
JD Sports buys back Go Outdoors from administrators in £56.5m pre-pack deal June 23, 2020 JD Sports has bought back its struggling outdoor clothing chain Go Outdoors from administrators for £56.5m. The move, which is designed to “preserve as many jobs as possible”, comes with a major restructuring plan aimed at retaining the “majority” of stores, JD Sports said. Big Four accountancy giant Deloitte had been appointed by JD Sports [...]
The City goes al fresco: Pavement space could be reallocated for cafes in Square Mile June 23, 2020 The Square Mile’s restaurants and cafes could be given a new lease of life with al fresco dining, under new plans being drawn up by the City of London Corporation. The CLC has announced that it will look into reallocating street space to restaurants as part of its plan to help them reopen safely after [...]
PM: All five coronavirus tests are being met June 23, 2020 Boris Johnson has announced that the UK has met all five coronavirus tests required to ease the lockdown, as the Prime Minister today set out his roadmap for England to ease social distancing restrictions and revitalise the economy. In April, the Prime Minister announced five tests that had to be met before lockdown restrictions could [...]