Treasury appoints Unilever veteran to chair UK Government Investments August 2, 2021 The Treasury has appointed a Unilever veteran as its new chair of UK Government Investments, who will join the board in September. Vindi Banga is set to join UK Government Investments (UKGI), an arm of the Treasury, alongside his current role of chair at charity Marie Curie. The incoming chair is also a senior non-executive [...]
London’s One Palace Green mansion to be turned into luxury flats worth £100m August 2, 2021 London and Monaco residential property company REDD has bought One Palace Green on Kensington Palace Gardens, which it plans to turn into into a luxury residential scheme. Once complete, the Grade II listed mansion originally the London residence of the Howard family of Castle Howard fame, is expected to be worth more than £100 million. The property company [...]
Westminster becomes newest borough to join London’s e-scooter trials August 2, 2021 E-scooters will be rolling out across the West End after Westminster Council and TfL agreed to extend a trial of the new transport tech into the hear of the capital. Westminster has now joined Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Richmond, Kensington & Chelsea, Canary Wharf and Southwark in the trial. The use of privately owned e-scooters [...]
Pandemic fuels fresh business creation as entrepreneurs spy ‘unique’ opening August 2, 2021 The pandemic has been the core reason for some 26 per cent of new businesses opening this year, with most owners confident in turning a profit their first 12 months. The Covid-19 crisis has provided a ‘unique’ opportunity for entrepreneurs, according to new research from fintech firm Tide. With 65 per cent of fresh business [...]
Soggy pizza? Delivery shifts soar as drivers ‘boomerang’ back to old jobs July 30, 2021 The number of temporary delivery drivers ready to pick up shifts has tumbled by over a quarter, new data has found, with many leaving flexible working behind. Thousands have returned to their pre-pandemic professions in hospitality and retail, according to Indeed Flex, the job sites flexible working division. In London, the number of available drivers [...]
London Shepherd Neame pubs pull 60 per cent of revenue on pre-pandemic levels July 30, 2021 Shepherd Neame pubs in London have pulled 60 per cent of their revenue and total sales from 2019 levels before pandemic restrictions eased fully in July. The British brewery, which operates some 310 pubs across the Southeast, found that pubs outside London fared slightly better – raking in 84 per cent of revenue and total [...]
Budget delay hinted at as Rishi Sunak fails to name day July 30, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has sparked speculation of delays to the budget, after failing to announce a date when publishing new forecasts, as is normally expected. Sunak said he had instructed the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to prepare to present an economic and fiscal forecast to parliament on October 27, according to reports. The forecast [...]
Westminster Holocaust memorial approved by government July 29, 2021 The government has approved the Westminster Holocaust memorial after years of wrangling and disagreements over its design and placement. Housing minister Christopher Pincher announced today that the plans had been approved by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) after approval powers were taken away from Westminster Council last year. The memorial will [...]
Pret A Manger mulls expanding into coffee vending machines in move to diversify July 29, 2021 Pret A Manger is set to expand into coffee vending machines. The sandwich chain is joining the trend, according to the Financial Times, to widen its product offering through automated dispensers as the sector suffers from the drop in commuters and staff shortages. Earlier this month, the company’s application to trademark the name “Pret Express” [...]
Exclusive: HMV’s new owner on where he wants to take his High Street stores July 29, 2021 Music and entertainment retailer HMV confirmed last week plans to open 10 new stores, including a flagship London site. Following its decline into administration two years ago its Oxford Street store – along with many others – were closed. However, new owner Doug Putman, a Canadian music retail executive, bought the struggling business and believes [...]