Pressure mounts on Sunak over planned six per cent rise in corporation tax February 20, 2023 Prime minister Rishi Sunak is facing down the prospect of a rebellion over next month’s budget as renewed pressure mounts over a planned increase in corporation tax increase. Seven top Tory backbenchers and business owners including Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin have urged Sunak and chancellor Jeremy Hunt to scrap the planned six per cent rise. [...]
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 [...]
Pubs and restaurants express relief as their lockdown ends June 23, 2020 Hospitality bosses have reacted with cautious optimism after Boris Johnson gave the green light for restaurants and pubs reopening on 4 July. Industry reaction has been largely relieved this afternoon, albeit with warnings that many businesses will still need financial support from the government as they start trading again. The Prime Minister announced this afternoon [...]
More than 200 travel firms call on government to scrap quarantine plan June 1, 2020 More than 200 travel companies have backed a letter to the government calling on it to reconsider its plans to quarantine individuals entering the UK as a precaution against coronavirus. From 8 June, the government has said that all those entering the UK must quarantine for a period of 14 days in one location. The [...]
More than 70 travel bosses sign letter calling for end to quarantine May 28, 2020 More than 70 bosses of travel companies have signed a letter calling on the government to scrap a planned 14-day quarantine for arrivals from overseas. From 8 June travellers arriving from abroad will be asked to quarantine for 14 days or risk paying a £1,000 fine to help stop the spread of coronavirus.. Holiday and [...]
2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in bloom with exclusive preview gala celebration May 18, 2015 A select group of Londoners, including several wellknown City figures, got an exclusive sneak peek at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last night, ahead of its opening today. Attendees at the Charity Gala Preview enjoyed champagne, canapes and music, as well as the chance to rub shoulders with the Queen. The Queen attended yesterday's [...]
Pictures: City’s bigwigs flock to Chelsea Flower Show warm-up bash May 20, 2014 There was nearly more power than flower last night as City grandees and business heavies strolled up the lilac carpet of the Chelsea Flower Show for this year’s preview evening. Insurance heavies Tidjane Thiam of Prudential and Standard Life’s David Nish both rolled up, perhaps giving them a chance to talk risk over the rhododendrons. [...]
Rocco Forte sales rise by a quarter February 10, 2013 Sir Rocco Forte’s hotel empire saw sales rise last year but remained in the red for a fourth consecutive year. Rocco Forte Hotels, which owns 13 luxury resorts around the world, reported a 25 per cent rise in turnover to £185m in the year to 30 April 2012 after buying a 50 per cent interest [...]
Lots of luxury in Whitehall for Walpole bash November 19, 2012 BACK to Banqueting House in Whitehall again this year for the 11th Walpole Awards for Excellence. Anthony Head was master of ceremonies for the luxury body’s annual gathering. The actor, of Gold Blend coffee advertisements and Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, was perhaps a less “on brand” choice of host than last year’s compère – [...]
HBOS extends hotel loan January 24, 2010 A CASHFLOW crisis threatening luxury hotel group the Rocco Forte Collection has been averted by a £300m loan extension from HBOS, part of Lloyds Banking Group. The 18-month extension, which pre-empts a long-term solution, follows urgent talks between owner Sir Rocco Forte and the bank, the Times reported. It is understood the hotel group, whose [...]