Arcadia and Debenhams eye drastic measures as coronavirus pummels retailers April 5, 2020 The UK’s retail sector is creaking under the weight of coronavirus, with a number of high-profile names such as Debenhams, Cath Kidston and Arcadia Group scrambling to stay viable. Topshop owner Arcadia could walk away from as many as 550 of its stores this week, serving notice to landlords weeks after it shut its physical [...]
Matt Hancock denies claims of Rishi Sunak feud April 5, 2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock has denied reports of a feud between himself and chancellor Rishi Sunak over the government’s coronavirus strategy. The Mail on Sunday reported today that the pair were engaged in a feud over when to lift the UK’s lockdown and get the economy back to normal. Sunak reportedly had made presentations to [...]
Coronavirus: Keir Starmer says ‘serious mistakes made’ by government April 5, 2020 Newly crowned Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said “serious mistakes” have been made in the UK’s response to Covid-19 and has set out four targets for the government going forward. Starmer, who won the Labour leadership race yesterday, said the Covid-19 pandemic was not a time for “scoring political points or opposing for the [...]
Coronavirus: Brockwell Park shut on Sunday April 5, 2020 Lambeth Council last night announced that Brockwell Park would be closed today, expected to be the hottest day of the year so far. “Despite clear advice, over 3000 people spent today (Saturday) in Brockwell Park, many of them sunbathing or in large groups,” the Council tweeted late on Saturday night. “This is unacceptable. Unfortunately, the [...]
Coronavirus: Queen to tell Brits to “take pride” in response to virus April 5, 2020 THE Queen will call on her subjects to show resolve in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic in a historic televised address this evening. She will say that in “very challenging” times, “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. “And those [...]
Growing European Coronavirus fears April 3, 2020 | City Talk Sterling and the Euro – a story of two halves. The pound had another resilient week, strengthening by an average of 1.9% against the other major currencies. This is despite the downgrade of Britain’s credit rating by Fitch. The pound’s strength can be attributed to the US Federal Reserve announcing billions of liquidity to stabilise [...]
Investors seek greater clarity from boards amid coronavirus outbreak April 3, 2020 Investors are calling for greater clarity from boards as the coronavirus crisis wreaks havoc on the markets and upends financial guidance and AGMs. Investors are expecting more communication, whether through public disclosures or direct contact with management, to weather the storm over the next few months. Some investors have highlighted the lack of communication coming [...]
Oil prices surge but global stocks drop over coronavirus fears April 3, 2020 Global stocks have slipped lower even as oil prices have rebounded, as investors focus on the economic fallout from coronavirus. Oil prices have jumped after US President Donald Trump yesterday announced Saudi Arabia and Russia would cut production. Brent crude rose 10.8 per cent to $33.18 per barrel. US crude rose 4.4 per cent to [...]
Ladbrokes and Coral withhold rent payments to landlords April 3, 2020 Ladbrokes and Coral have refused to pay rent on more than 3,000 shops, dealing a fresh blow to high street landlords who have been hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown. The two bookmakers, which are owned by GVC Holdings, withheld rent payments last week, according to Sky News. The firm insisted it would make up [...]
Coronavirus: US services sector slows but data hides real slump April 3, 2020 US service sector activity slowed to a three-and-a-half-year low in March, survey data has shown, although economists believe the real picture is much worse as coronavirus spreads rapidly through the country. The ISM non-manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 52.5 in March from 57.3 in February. A score above 50 indicates expansion. Analysts had [...]