London will find ways to adapt and thrive — as it always has October 26, 2020 Now that London has moved into even tighter local lockdown restrictions, it would be easy to be pessimistic about the future. Some have argued recently that the capital’s days as a world leading business centre are numbered due to the pandemic, our exit from the European Union, and a rising tide of protectionism across the [...]
Anti-lockdown protest: Thousands march in central London October 24, 2020 Thousands of protesters are marching in central London this afternoon over coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The anti-lockdown protest will be the fourth to take place in the capital since the start of the pandemic. London has recently moved into Tier 2 restrictions, which bans people from socialising indoors with people they do not live with. Photos [...]
Westminster City Council scraps plans to charge for pavement space October 23, 2020 Westminster City Council has scrapped plans to charge hospitality firms thousands of pounds to keep trading outside through the coming months. Earlier today City A.M. revealed that the Council was set to charge businesses £7 per square metre of outside space, per day, once the existing ‘al fresco’ scheme comes to an end on October [...]
Investors back London’s recovery with £1bn Kensington hotel redevelopment October 23, 2020 The £1bn redevelopment of the Kensington Forum hotel has been given the green light by planning authorities, with the investment signalling a vote of confidence in London’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis. Queensgate Investments and Rockwell were given the go-ahead for the project, which will boost the number of hotel rooms available and create 62 [...]
LSE expects Refinitiv deal to close early 2021 October 23, 2020 The London Stock Exchange expects to complete its $27bn acquisition of data analystics firm Refinitiv in the first quarter of next year, LSE said this morning. Earlier this month LSE agreed the sale of Borsa Italiana as part of remedies to appease the European competition watchdog. LSE also said it is well positioned for Brexit [...]
KFC to hire 5,400 new workers despite ‘extremely difficult year’ for hospitality October 23, 2020 Fast food chain KFC has announced plans to hire 5,400 new workers in the UK and Ireland by the end of the year, signalling confidence in the hospitality industry despite an “extremely difficult year” for the sector. KFC, which has already employed more than 4,300 new team members since the start of lockdown, said the [...]
The future of buildings in the age of Covid-19 October 23, 2020 Pandemics shape cities. Cholera, for example, led to the creation of London’s sewage systems in the 1830s. Of course, it is a brave person who is prepared to make predictions at a time like this. In fact, it has become almost a truism to say that we live in “uncertain times”. None of us, after [...]
When will the government stop hanging bars out to dry? October 23, 2020 “Dreadful evening, so many bookings cancelled, sent half the staff home” “So many cancellations after new announcements — no way we could police it.” “Much, much lower takings, any good momentum we had is gone.” This is the real, unfiltered voice of the hospitality industry. These direct quotes from our bars’ manager reports last Saturday [...]
Deal or no deal, reports of London’s death are greatly exaggerated October 23, 2020 London has for many years enjoyed the reputation as the world’s leading financial centre. Only New York has ever come close to challenging the capital’s crown — and since 2015 London has generally topped all the rankings. In that time, though, every paean to London’s preeminence has carried the gloomy caveat: “until Brexit”. The received [...]
Business bodies slam government’s TfL bailout conditions as a ‘mockery’ October 21, 2020 London business bodies have slammed the government’s demands for a potential bailout for Transport for London (TfL) as a “mockery”, accusing ministers of “railroading” policy through while the transport network is on its knees during the pandemic. Ministers last night threatened to take direct control of TfL unless London mayor Sadiq Khan accepts a raft [...]