Corona Impact Series: A vegan stop off Oxford Street October 29, 2020 In this series, City A.M. looks at the financial and economic impact of the ongoing pandemic on a range of small and medium-sized businesses across London. Today: how evaporated demand and high rent obligations ultimately proved fatal for Ethos. Meat-free and plant-based Ethos opened six years ago, catering for vegans by offering ‘deliciously different’ meat-free and [...]
Could Germany have its quarantine free travel corridor revoked today? October 29, 2020 Germany looks likely to be taken off the UK’s quarantine-free travel corridor list this afternoon after its rate of coronavirus infection doubled in the last week. The surge in cases meant that Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday announced that Europe’s biggest economy would enter a four-week lockdown from 2 November. As a result, bars, restaurants, and [...]
Business leaders, scientists and medics warn against second lockdown October 29, 2020 Business leaders, scientists and doctors have called on the government to take a more balanced approach in its coronavirus response, saying lockdowns and restrictions have far-reaching implications on mental health and the economy. The Recovery campaign has been backed by several prominent figures including hotelier Rocco Forte, entrepreneur Luke Junson and leading performing arts promoter [...]
Pizza Express to axe 1,300 jobs in the UK October 29, 2020 Pizza Express has announced it will cut around 1,300 jobs across the UK, on top of the 1,100 announced this summer. The pizza chain said trade has worsened as tighter restrictions came into force across the UK under the new three-tier system. The company said roles will be cut from its 370 UK restaurants through [...]
Pret distances itself from founder Julian Metcalfe’s lockdown comments October 29, 2020 Pret a Manger has distanced itself from its founder Julian Metcalfe and criticised his opposition to a second coronavirus lockdown. Metcalfe, who also founded sushi chain Itsu, said young people would pay the economic price of the lockdown, saying it would only save the lives of a “a few thousand” old or vulnerable people. Pret [...]
United Airlines opens door to London-New York travel with free Covid testing October 29, 2020 US carrier United Airlines has today announced the world’s first free transatlantic coronavirus testing trial in a glimmer of hope for the travel industry. Under the scheme, the airline will offer every passenger over the age of two on flights between Newark and London Heathrow a test for the disease. The trial will run between [...]
Coronavirus: London R rate catapults to highest in the country October 29, 2020 Covid-19 is now spreading fastest in the capital, according to the latest official estimates, raising fears of a Tier 3 London lockdown. The ‘R rate’ — the rate of spread of infection — has catapulted to a best estimate of 2.9 in London, the highest rate in the country. Figures released today by the Department [...]
Second lockdown ‘not inevitable’, says Robert Jenrick October 29, 2020 Ministers are doing “everything we can to avoid a full national lockdown”, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said this morning. Speaking to Sky News after France and Germany both ordered new coronavirus lockdowns last night, Jenrick said that a second set of full restrictions was not “inevitable”. He added that the government believes it can control [...]
UK economy: Experts cut forecast as coronavirus cases surge October 29, 2020 Analysts have become significantly more pessimistic about the UK economy, saying the surge in coronavirus cases and new restrictions will weigh on the recovery as the year runs into 2021. Economists say chancellor Rishi Sunak’s more generous employment support scheme will help limit some damage in the jobs market. But they warn that new lockdowns [...]
Germany to enter four-week lockdown from November October 28, 2020 Germany will enter a four-week lockdown from 2 November, Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed today. Pubs, bars and restaurants across the country will shut for one month, while all inter-household mixing will be banned. Gyms, cinemas and theatres will also shutter for four weeks, as Merkel scrambles to contain a second wave sweeping across the nation. [...]