Plan B Omicron curbs derail pubs and restaurants’ vital Christmas trading period January 11, 2022 The re-emergence of curbs to tamp down on the spread of Covid-19 derailed the vital Christmas trading period for Britain’s hospitality sector, reveal new figures published today. Brits pulled back sharply on spending at pubs, bars and restaurants over the festive period, according to research undertaken by Barclaycard. Spending at restaurants sunk over 14 per [...]
Nightcap: Cocktail group’s revenue stirring but shaken by rail strikes November 23, 2023 Nightcap, the cocktail bar chain owned by Dragons Den star Sarah Willingham, has reported a 29 per cent leap in revenues during the year to £46.4m. However, the late bar operator, which owns the likes of London Cocktail Club and Barrio, said that like-for-like revenue declined by 12.5 per cent following “record breaking” figures last [...]
Aldi posts record December sales of £1.4bn after Christmas and World Cup surge January 3, 2023 Aldi today said it had achieved record December sales of more than £1.4bn following a surge in demand over the winter month, as the Christmas period coincided with the World Cup in Qatar. The budget supermarket said its sales increased 26 per cent during December, despite the UK’s cost-of-living crisis, due to surging demand for meats, cheeses [...]
Good news: white Christmas hopes are high for London, says weather forecast December 11, 2023 A white Christmas could be on the cards this year
Santas wanted: Christmas job vacancies jump 25 per cent October 23, 2023 Christmas hiring is in full swing, with demand for temporary roles including elves, Santas and even mince pie quality auditors having surged this year.
We’re all slacking anyway: The case for closing over Christmas December 24, 2023 With even the most industrious succumbing to the 'Christmas click-off', Will Cooling makes the case for all firms to close over the holidays
Mitchells and Butler: All Bar One owner lifts guidance as cost pressures ease January 17, 2024 All Bar One owner Mitchells and Butler (M&B) expects profits to be at the top end of forecasts as it cautiously cheered an end to tough cost pressures. The no-frills pub chain, which also owns Toby Carvery, said that like-for-like sales were up 7.7 per cent in the two months to January, over the Christmas [...]
Russell T Davies confirms Nicola Coughlan for Doctor Who role November 10, 2023 Russell T Davies has confirmed Nicola Coughlan from Derry Girls will appear in a forthcoming episode of Doctor Who
Morrisons sales fall in ‘unusually challenging’ Christmas period January 7, 2020 Supermarket giant Morrisons has announced a drop in sales for the Christmas period amid “unusually challenging” trading conditions and “sustained” customer uncertainty. Group like-for-like sales excluding fuel fell 1.7 per cent for the 22 weeks to 5 January. Including fuel, the drop was 2.8 per cent. Total sales excluding fuel were down 1.3 per cent, [...]
Battersea Power Station welcomes 11 million visitors in boost for retail January 14, 2024 Battersea Power Station welcomed over 11 million visitors last year, as shoppers flocked to the former derelict building.