Refusal to return to the office post-coronavirus ‘could be grounds for dismissal’ December 7, 2020 Employees who refuse to return to the office post-coronavirus despite being asked to do so could be in breach of contract and face dismissal. Employers had the right to apply to work flexibly before the pandemic, and will be able to do so post-pandemic, too. However, if an employer refuses that application, and the employee’s [...]
No-deal Brexit could force the army to airlift Covid-19 vaccine to UK December 7, 2020 A government minister has suggested that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Armed Forces may be required to airlift the Covid-19 vaccine from Belgium. Tory minister James Cleverly confirmed that the government is looking at the possibility of using ”non-commercial flights” to make sure the Pfizer vaccine can still be delivered to the [...]
The Week Ahead: Brexit, ECB rates, Rolls Royce, Ocado and Airbnb IPO December 7, 2020 City A.M. takes a look ahead at the main events shaping the markets this coming week, analysing what is to come with City insider Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK. Monday: Ted Baker When Ted Baker announced in June it was looking to raise over £100m at a discounted price of 75p [...]
Britain gets ready for rollout of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine this week December 6, 2020 By Estelle Shirbon and Alistair Smout LONDON (Reuters) – Britain is preparing to become the first country to roll out the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week, initially making the shot available at hospitals before distributing stocks to doctors’ clinics, the government said on Sunday. Footage posted by the National Health Service (NHS) showed boxes containing [...]
Drink up to help out: The gin raising funds for hospitality December 5, 2020 Even with the lifting of the second national lockdown enabling some bars and pubs to reopen this week, hospitality remains one of the sectors worst affected by Covid restrictions. Hospitality Gin is a not-for-profit gin brand created to support the industry during the pandemic, offering the drinking public the opportunity to order in to help [...]
Kol restaurant review: An endlessly inventive tour through modern Mexico December 5, 2020 Restaurants have finally reopened this week and what better way to celebrate than by indulging in a tasting menu at Kol, designed by one of the world’s most highly-rated young chefs. What is Kol? Reopening on Wednesday, Kol is a Mexican fine dining restaurant that, after two years of meticulous planning, was open for just [...]
Covid-19: R rate now between 0.8 and one across all of UK December 4, 2020 Breaking: Covid-19 R rate now between 0.8 and 1 across all of UK
Tit for tat: Ann Summers launches CVA following rent dispute during pandemic December 4, 2020 Ann Summers has launched a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) following a dispute over the lingerie brand’s rents during the pandemic. The CVA follows extensive discussions with the company’s landlords over plans to switch to turnover-based rents due to changing consumer behaviour during the coronavirus crisis. Ann Summers said it wants to ensure “the company’s property [...]
Sadiq Khan launches £1m Resilience Fund for London’s post-pandemic recovery December 4, 2020 The Mayor of London announced the launch of a £1m Resilience Fund, partnering community groups and innovation experts to tackle London’s most pressing challenges. The Resilience Fund will be delivered in partnership with Nesta Challenges, an innovation foundation. Local authorities, public agencies, social enterprise will be asked to identify specific challenges they need solved. Sadiq [...]
Second national lockdown wipes £430m off Primark’s balance sheet December 4, 2020 England’s second national lockdown wiped an estimated £430m off Primark’s balance sheet, as the pandemic continues to decimate British high street retailers. Speaking ahead of Primark’s annual general meeting later today, chairman Michael McLintock said: “Our estimate for the loss of sales for the announced periods of closure this autumn is now some £430m.” The [...]