Hospitality firms plead for energy bill support to survive ‘dire’ situation worse than pandemic August 16, 2022 A host of hospitality and small business bodies yesterday warned that many pubs, restaurants and hotels will not survive the “onslaught” of higher energy costs in the coming months. Representative bodies including UK Hospitality warned politicians that unlike domestic customers, rates are not capped for small businesses. Last week analysts at forecaster Cornwall Insight suggested [...]
More than 250 hospitality bosses call for VAT freeze as diners hit by rising costs February 7, 2022 Restaurant bosses from big names including JD Wetherspoon and Greene King have signed a letter to the Chancellor calling for a VAT freeze at 12.5 per cent. In an open letter to Rishi Sunak, more than 250 hospitality businesses have called for a re-think of plans to hike the VAT rate back to 20 per [...]
Five common sense things for the ‘common sense’ minister November 14, 2023 As Esther McVey assumes the role of 'minister for common sense', we look at five pressing issues for her in-tray.
Metro Bank’s largest City shareholder sells stake after private equity buyer walks November 22, 2021 A leading institutional investor has cashed in its shares at Metro Bank after a US private equity buyer walked out on takeover talks.
Staff shortages could force business closures in the New Year January 3, 2022 Businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors are being hit hard by staff absences as Omicron surges according to industry chiefs.
Pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner raises £54m through share placing March 31, 2021 Pub operator Fuller, Smith & Turner raised nearly £54m today after completing a share placing in a bid to bolster its books. The pub and hotels company said a total of 6,455,447 placing shares had been placed by its bookrunner Numis at 830 pence per share. It represents approximately a fifth of the company’s shares [...]
UK government launches £1bn Omicron rescue package for pubs, bars and restaurants December 21, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has launched a fresh £1bn rescue package to help sectors worst hit by the Omicron-induced economic storm survive. Pubs, bars and restaurants across England can now receive a one-off no strings attached payment of £6,000 per venue, the UK government announced today. Sunak said: “We recognise that the spread of the Omicron [...]
Danny Care interview: Harlequins star on playing abroad and the importance of fans December 22, 2021 At the age of 34, you’re usually classed as tethering on the edge of retirement in rugby. But Harlequins star Danny Care’s new lease of life, post-England career, has seen him return to being one of the in-form scrum-halves in Europe. Playing in a side littered with quality, Care is a senior member of a [...]
‘Freedom day’: Pub bosses wipe down the bar for a 21 June return May 5, 2021 The UK’s pub bosses are wiping the bar down for a June return, coined “freedom day”, urging prime minister Boris Johnson to stick to his roadmap for the easing of restrictions. JD Wetherspoon, Greene King, Slug & Lettuce owner Stonegate and Young’s have all expressed their intentions for a 21 June return of bar service, [...]
The best terraces in London to catch some bank holiday rays August 26, 2021 If we’re honest, the summer has not been great. The weather in London has flattered to deceive, and ongoing uncertainty over Covid-19 has affected many people’s holiday plans (which is why I’m not writing this from Cape Cod). But this weekend is the last breath of summer proper, the late August bank holiday (except for [...]