Sadiq Khan calls for compulsory face coverings in all stores June 5, 2020 Sadiq Khan has called for the government to make face coverings mandatory in all stores, after they were made compulsory on all English public transport networks yesterday. The mayor of London said he welcomed the “U-turn from the government” on making coverings compulsory on public transport, but said it should go further. Non-essential retail shops [...]
BBC appoints Tim Davie as new director general June 5, 2020 The BBC has named Tim Davie as its new director general, bringing to an end months of speculation over the successor to outgoing boss Tony Hall. Davie, who is currently chief executive of BBC Studios, will take up the role in September. Davie is one of the corporation’s longest-serving executives and stepped in as acting [...]
Coronavirus: Luxury car brand Bentley to cut up to 1,000 jobs June 5, 2020 Bentley today confirmed plans to cut up to 1,000 jobs in the UK as the coronavirus crisis takes its toll on the car industry. The luxury car manufacturer, which employs 4,200 people, blamed “significant effects on the short-term financial outlook” and warned it could not rule out further cuts in the future. The Volkswagen-owned company [...]
Put sharing at the heart of the post-Covid economy June 5, 2020 As we begin to emerge from lockdown, it’s not hard to see the damage that Covid-19 has done to small businesses on the high-street. What’s perhaps less obvious is the impact it has had on digital SMEs, particularly those that make up Britain’s vibrant sharing economy. At the beginning of 2020, an Ipsos Mori poll [...]
Revolution Bars taps investors for £15m to cut debt during coronavirus crisis June 5, 2020 Revolution Bars is preparing to tap investors for £15m to slash debt and help it weather the coronavirus crisis while its venues are closed. The chain, which was forced to close its 74 bars when the government imposed a coronavirus lockdown in March, said the proceeds will be used to “achieve an appropriate level of [...]
CBILS: Market Finance starts small business lending under Covid-19 scheme June 5, 2020 Market Finance today opened for loan applications from small businesses under the government’s coronavirus business interruption loan scheme (CBILS). The London fintech firm last month gained accreditation from the British Business Bank to offer loans under CBILS, which offers support to small firms impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. Market Finance will offer a term loan [...]
Acacia snaps up Woodford biotech stakes in £224m deal June 5, 2020 US-listed patent licensing firm Acacia Research today secured a deal to buy a portfolio of biotech stakes from Neil Woodford’s failed fund for up to £223.9m. The deal will see Acacia take control of shareholdings in 19 healthcare firms, including Oxford Nanopore and Immunocore. California-based Acacia, which specialises in intellectual property and patent licensing, agreed [...]
Coronavirus: How safe is it to order takeaway food in lockdown? June 5, 2020 Restaurants have started pivoting to takeaway services amid the pandemic to stay afloat as normal service will only be able to resume, in some capacity, in July. The government has not ruled out restaurants from offering takeaway services and last month issued guidance. We look at how safe it is to order takeaway food and [...]
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey reports surge in demand after sales centres reopen June 5, 2020 Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey reported a “very high” level of demand for appointments at its sale centres and show homes after reopening last month. The development company said the majority of its show homes and sales centres in England had reopened after the government lifted restrictions on the UK housing market. Since sales centres reopened there [...]
Hong Kong: Protests continue after thousands attend Tiananmen vigil June 5, 2020 Dozens of pro-democracy protesters marched through a Hong Kong shopping centre this morning after thousands had defied a police ban to attend a vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Protesters gathered in the heart of the financial hub for peaceful demonstrations against China’s new national security laws, which many fear will wipe out the [...]