UK retail sales rise slightly in November amid concern over golden quarter December 20, 2024 The latest ONS data showed retail sales jumped 0.2 per cent last month, following a 0.7 per cent fall in October.
Digital skills are key to staying connected at Christmas December 20, 2024 The generation that invented the web should not be isolated from its possibilities, says Victoria Johnson A 65 year-old today was 30 when the world wide web launched. It is this generation who have contributed most to the development of the technology that underpins life as we know it today. And while ONS data shows they are [...]
Why you shouldn’t give to charity this Christmas December 20, 2024 You wouldn’t make all of your investment decisions in the last few days of the year, but that’s when most people make their charitable donations. It’s not effective philanthropy and it doesn’t help the charities themselves either, says Gilad Tanay It’s Christmas season. In London, that generally means a few things: last-minute present shopping, filling [...]
Dame Joan Collins switches on lights for London’s tallest Christmas Tree December 11, 2024 Acting Legend Dame Joan Collins lit up the Eastern City – literally – by switching on London’s tallest Christmas tree this month. The massive 67 foot sustainable Christmas tree is the latest edition to the iconic City skyline and is part of the Eastern City Business Improvement District’s Festival of Light Campaign to ensure this [...]
Eastern City cycle Medics keeping people safe and secure at Christmas December 11, 2024 Following the success of last year’s initiative, the Eastern City Business Improvement District (BID),along with the City River Partnership, has sponsored and paid for two cycle response medics whowill be deployed in the area to assist any member of the public in difficulty or distress. Over the 2023 festive period the medics treated 116 people [...]
Let the Festivities begin with the Eastern City Festival of light December 11, 2024 An incredible light and sound interactive see-saw installation has been unveiled this week by theEastern City BID – a first for the City of London. Partnering again with FESTIVAL.ORG, which brought the iconic Arcs in 2023 and Bubbles in 2024, the Eastern City was delighted to sponsor IMPULSE – six see-saws installed in St Helen’s [...]
Should investors ho-ho-hope for a FTSE 100 Santa rally? December 10, 2024 Investors in the FTSE 100 are holding out hope for a Santa rally in the second half of December as markets gear up for some Christmas cheer. “December often delivers investors a festive treat in the form of a Santa rally,” explained Danni Hewson, AJ Bell head of financial analysis. While the famed “Santa rally” doesn’t [...]
Post Office predicts record-high £1bn in cash withdrawals ahead of Christmas December 10, 2024 The Post Office is predicting a record-high number of personal cash withdrawals this month, reaching upwards of £1bn. The prediction exceeds last year’s record-breaking numbers during the festive shopping season, with December 2023 seeing a total of £930m in cash withdrawals. A total of £916m in personal cash was withdrawn in November, the latest figures [...]
Pubs pin hopes on Christmas trading period amid post-Budget woes December 9, 2024 The UK’s hospitality industry is gearing up for a bumper festive season, the first in four years not to be affected by pandemic restrictions or transport strikes. The preparations come ahead of what is seen as one of the busiest times of year for pub operators across the country, a number of whom hope to [...]
Small Business Saturday hopes to bring back confidence ahead of new year December 6, 2024 Small Business Saturday could boost business confidence this year if Brits once again flock to the streets and show their support, a leading campaign group has said. The hope comes ahead of this year’s Small Business Saturday UK on 7 December, an annual campaign created to encourage consumer engagement with the local high street ahead [...]