Wage growth falling for low-paid workers despite minimum wage hike April 2, 2025 Wage increases among low-paid workers are at their lowest level in three years, according to the jobs website Indeed, as economists fear high inflation will erode incomes. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said on Tuesday that an increase to the national minimum wage would mean that low-paid workers could help drive growth across the UK. But [...]
Spring could prove to be an economic washout February 26, 2025 A modest burst of warm weather towards the end of last week may have coaxed the snowdrops and bluebells into life but don’t go dusting off the BBQ, as the cold isn’t done with us yet. Meteorologically speaking, Spring kicks in on 1 March but forecasters say the first month of the new season is [...]
Business confidence dips but the UK ‘has what it takes to deliver growth’ January 31, 2025 Overall business confidence slipped in January, although it was driven down by poorer sentiment about the wider economy rather than about individual businesses. Overall business confidence dipped two points to 37 per cent, with just over half of businesses positive about their own trading prospects and just under a quarter positive about the wider economy. [...]
Longer licensing hours? We can all drink to that January 16, 2025 Sam Bidwell says three cheers for new laws to make it easier to extend licensing hours so pubs and hospitality venues can stay open for longer Slowly but surely, Westminster seems to be waking up to the idea that we can’t avoid the big questions forever. After years of collective head-burying, there is now a [...]
Retail insolvencies set to surge as Budget bites, experts warn December 30, 2024 A wave of insolvencies could be coming to the retail and hospitality sectors next year as businesses crumble under the tax bill brought on by Labour’s Budget, bosses have warned. Insolvencies and restructuring could rise further over the start of 2025 as firms face increased cost pressures, industry experts have said, with the retail, hospitality [...]
Cosy Club owner Loungers reports strong growth amid new openings October 8, 2024 Cafe and bar operator Loungers has said it delivered “like for like sales growth” of 4.7 per cent, amid a string of new hospitality openings boosting its portfolio. The Cosy Club, Loungers and Brightside chains owner recorded revenue of £178.3m in the half year to 6 October, up by 19.2 per cent on the previous [...]
Shepherd Neame: Britain’s oldest brewer ups dividend on ‘positive and encouraging’ results October 2, 2024 Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame have reported record revenue for the full financial year despite ongoing cost headwinds. The Faversham-based brand, which owns and operates 291 pubs across the southeast, told markets this morning that revenue for the 53 weeks to 29 June grew by 3.6 per cent to a record £172.3m, from £166.3m in [...]
Bistrot Pierre cuts jobs and closes restaurants as it tumbles further into the red July 2, 2024 French restaurant chain Bistrot Pierre has more than 100 staff and closed multiple sites as its goal as it battled to return to profitability.
‘Nothing equates to a British pub’: TV hardman and ex-Eastenders star Ross Kemp on the perfect pint June 12, 2024 TV’s favourite hardman Ross Kemp has been everywhere from Albert Square to Afghanistan but admitted “nothing equates to a British pub” as he hints at possibly opening his own boozer one day.
Urban Pubs and Bars aims to double estate as expansion continues June 10, 2024 Bosses at Urban Pubs and Bars have said they hope to double the size of the London pub group amid continued strong demand from punters.