One clear trend from London Fashion Week? The tourist tax is failing retail February 21, 2024 London's fashion scene is envied globally, but getting rid of tax-free shopping is an own goal for our retail sector, writes Dee Corsi.
Drinks focus: Makar Original Dry Gin is the best of Glasgow April 21, 2022 Makar Original Dry Gin is the first commercial gin to ever be made in Glasgow. Located within spitting distance of the Braehead Shopping Centre and a stone’s throw from Ibrox Stadium, the Glasgow Distillery makes a range of single malts, a blended malt whisky, a spiced rum, and botanical vodkas. But its largest range is [...]
Changes sweep the boardrooms and C-suites of biggest businesses in the UK August 24, 2022 The boardrooms and C-suites of some of largest companies in the UK have undergone sweeping overhauls this week alone. The winds of change have blown as the country heads into autumn and buckles down for a worsening economic crisis, some two years on from the start of the pandemic. While Covid-19 measures in the country [...]
The Notebook: Hunt must scrap the tourist tax if the UK wants to stay competitive January 29, 2024 Where the City’s movers and shakers have their say. Today, James Chapman, Director of Soho Communications, takes the Notebook pen. The tourist tax is causing the UK to fall behind European rivals Ahead of his Spring Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is casting around for measures to promote that most elusive of things, economic growth. It’s [...]
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct bags stake in designer brand Mulberry February 3, 2020 Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has snapped up a stake in British luxury handbag company Mulberry, as the billionaire businessman seeks to rebrand his company as a premium retailer. Sports Direct, which has recently been rebranded as Frasers Group, has taken a 12.5 per cent stake in the designer brand. The deal signals a further [...]
VAT free shopping U-turn ‘major blow’ for West End as tourists shun London for Paris and Milan October 17, 2022 Scrapping VAT free shopping for tourists is a “major blow” for London and the country’s economy, a group representing luxury stores in the West End and other retail hotspots has said. Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of International Retail (AIR) – whose members range from Bicester Village to Heathrow Airport – told CityA.M. the [...]
The Notebook: Sir Rocco Forte on the hated tourist tax, counteracting climate hysteria and Boris Johnson’s legacy June 26, 2023 The Notebook is a column where interesting people say interesting things. Today, it’s hotel industry giant Sir Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels My hotels in Italy, Germany and Belgium are booming. But occupancy in London is not what it was last year nor what we saw pre-pandemic. Official statistics bear this out, showing [...]
The government’s levelling up cash for Canary Wharf is a step in the right direction for London March 9, 2024 A taxpayer loan of over £118m being handed to Canary Wharf to help elevate its life science offering and build news homes has inevitably raised some eyebrows across London.
Battersea Power Station opens doors to the public after decades since landmark closed October 14, 2022 After four decades out of action, London’s iconic Battersea Power Station is opening to the public today, as owners of the Grade II listed landmark hope to cement it as one of the capital’s top retail and leisure destinations. More than 60 shops and bars are opening today at the Art Deco development, including a [...]
UK bans export of luxury goods to Russia and introduces hiked import tariffs March 15, 2022 The UK has banned the export of luxury goods to Russia, including designer handbags and works of art. The Chancellor also outlined new import tariffs that will represent a 35 percentage point increase on current rates. The fresh tariffs will hit products like Russian vodka, fertiliser and steel. Products no longer allowed to be exported [...]