City of London Corporation chief calls for return of office workers to Square Mile later this year April 15, 2021 The City of London’s local authority has today called for office workers and visitors to return to the Square Mile to help boost economic activity. Catherine McGuinness, the City of London Corporation’s policy chair, also said it was up to the powerful local authority to provide “reassurance about the steps taken to protect public health [...]
Halifax: UK house prices near ‘pre-financial crash levels’ April 14, 2021 UK house prices have hit a record high despite rising at a slower rate than a year ago, according to the Halifax house price index this morning. The lender said that the affordability of houses was “close to pre-financial crisis levels”, as house prices remained historically high at an average of £252,765. The difference between [...]
City Moves: Who is switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? April 14, 2021 Snakes and Ladders provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. John Lewis hires ex-Experian lead John Lewis has appointed a new director of financial services in London this week, who will step into the new role on 14 June. Amir Goshtai, who joins [...]
EU property giants make €1.6bn move for London’s Globalworth April 14, 2021 Czech CPI Property Group and German real estate company Aroundtown SA have confirmed a €1.57bn cash offer for London-listed Globalworth Real Estate Investments this morning. The offer will go through CPI-owned Zakiono, giving the Cyprus-incorporated company 2.8m shares – which represents around 1.28 per cent of the company. CPI and Aroundtown currently hold 113.8m Globalworth [...]
Tracking tech firm Buddi homes in on £500m London float April 13, 2021 A British tech firm that makes trackable wristbands is gearing up for a £500m stock market float in London. Buddi, which was founded by serial entrepreneur Sara Murray, has appointed Zeus Capital to oversee a listing later this year. The company produces wristbands that can be worn by vulnerable people. The bands can be connected [...]
Revolution Bars sees profits hammered by lockdown restrictions April 13, 2021 Cocktail bar group Revolution Bars has reported losses across the board this morning, as its profits were hammered by lockdown restrictions. In the first half of 2020, enjoying just a few months before the pandemic forced lockdown restrictions, the group raked in £81.2m in total sales. With lockdown restrictions only easing yesterday, the group has [...]
‘It’s the best city in the world’: Punters flock back to the Square Mile as lockdown eases April 12, 2021 Shoppers, pub-goers and those desperately in need of a haircut descended on the City of London today as lockdown restrictions eased. Today marks the first major change in the lockdown restrictions England has been living with since early January. Pubs gardens are now open, as well as restaurants with outdoor space and non-essential retail, although [...]
YO! food chain to partner with WH Smith as high streets reopen April 12, 2021 Asian food chain YO! is set to trial a partnership with WH Smith this month, bringing to-go food to stores as high streets begin to reopen today. The move signals the food group’s expansion into on-the-go food and away from sit-in dining, as it also has similar partnerships with Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Tesco’s and David Lloyd Leisure [...]
City of London starts to reopen as Government eases lockdown restrictions April 12, 2021 | City Talk The City of London Corporation has today (12 April) announced a string of events across the Square Mile, which will mark the reopening of some of its most iconic institutions and businesses, including non-essential retail, outdoor hospitality and leisure. As the Government’s roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions in England reaches its second step, Lord Mayor [...]
South West London homes grow in demand as end of lockdown nears April 12, 2021 High-end homes in South West London have grown in demand in the first quarter of this year, according to estate agent Benham and Reeves. As the end of lockdown nears, the leafy suburbs of the capital have seen a one per cent increase in interest by high-end homebuyers in the £2m and over range. “We’re [...]