Increasing capital: London economy pulls away from rest of UK in December January 13, 2020 London’s economic performance was “head and shoulders” above the rest of the country in December, survey data has shown, while the capital’s businesses were cheered by the emergence of some political certainty. London was the only British region where output grew in December, with firms hiring at the fastest rate since July, the data from [...]
London leads the UK in creation of startups January 13, 2020 London continued to dominate the startup landscape in 2019, as the UK hit a record level for a second year in a row. The number of startups in London increased 2.4 per cent to 221,373 companies, a substantial portion of the 681,704 businesses created in 2019. Data from the Centre for Entrepreneurs’ annual startup index released on Monday showed that [...]
BBC to move two-thirds of jobs outside London as it doubles down on regions January 12, 2020 The BBC plans to have two-thirds of its employees based outside London by 2027 as the embattled broadcaster hits back at accusations of metropolitan bias. Director general Tony Hall said the corporation had a responsibility to “serve everyone” and “reflect every part of the UK”. Read more: Samira Ahmed claims victory in BBC equal pay [...]
Fewer than half of City of London representatives sign diversity pledge January 12, 2020 Fewer than half of the City of London Corporation’s elected representatives have signed a pledge to increase diversity in the governing body. The Corporation’s voluntary Members’ Diversity Charter includes seven commitments to attract “a wider pool of talent” in order to “build a City built for the future”. Read more: City of London councillors call for associate guild to admit female members [...]
Crossrail boss: Elizabeth Line could open in central London by summer 2021 January 10, 2020 Crossrail’s London stretch could open in “summer 2021” if a more optimistic prediction from the company proves to be accurate. Crossrail Ltd is working to launch the Elizabeth Line “as soon as practically possible” in 2021, it said today as it confirmed it plans to open the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood in [...]
More than 5m passengers traveled through London City Airport in 2019 January 10, 2020 In 2019, London City Airport saw more than 5m passengers travel through for the first time in its history. A record total of 5,100,025 passengers meant growth for the year was up 6.3 per cent on 2018. Read more: London City Airport given carbon neutral accreditation The most popular route remains between London and Amsterdam, [...]
Selfridges’ Christmas sales boosted by vegan food and toys January 10, 2020 Selfridges enjoyed a five per cent growth in sales in the 24 days leading up to Christmas fueled by increasing demand for vegan food. The department store saw growth of 96 per cent in vegan confectionery sales, while a newly-launched vegan hamper sold out. Read more: Selfridges to open permanent cinema on Oxford Street The [...]
Harry and Meghan: Duchess of Sussex returns to Canada ‘to be with son’ as Royal Family try to find ‘workable solution’ January 10, 2020 The Duchess of Sussex has returned to Canada to be with eight-month old son Archie. It comes after Harry and Meghan announced they would be stepping back as senior royals. A spokeswoman said that Meghan had returned to Canada to be with her son, who is thought to have stayed in North America with a [...]
City of London Corporation planning chief retires January 9, 2020 A chief council planner involved in some of the Square Mile’s biggest projects over the past three decades is retiring from the City of London Corporation. Chief planning officer Annie Hampson OBE was intimately involved with projects, such as the Gherkin, Millennium Bridge, the refurbishment of the Bank of England and the redevelopment of St [...]
Man charged with murder for fatal Harrods stabbing January 9, 2020 A man has been charged with murder for allegedly stabbing someone to death outside of Harrods last month. Badir Rahim Alnazi, 23, has been charged, after it was alleged he fatally stabbed Mohammed Al-Araimi on 5 December outside the Knightsbridge department store. Read more: TfL: Crime rates on the Night Tube soar in 2019 Alnazi [...]