Badenoch refuses Reform merger as she says UK ‘getting poorer’ January 16, 2025 Kemi Badenoch has said Britain is “getting poorer” and “living off the inheritance” of past generations, as she refused any suggestion of a merger between the Tories and Reform UK. The Conservative leader made her first speech of 2025 in central London on Thursday. She focused on the past mistakes of her party in what [...]
Sadiq Khan to hike his share of London council tax bills January 16, 2025 Sir Sadiq Khan is set to hike Londoners’ average council tax bills by almost £19 a year – with City Hall’s share of the yearly total reaching almost £500. The London mayor is planning to increase his average ‘precept’ – or the amount he adds onto residents’ bills from their local councils – by four [...]
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: The best places to avoid Dry January January 16, 2025 Every January, I hang my head in shame. As a business leader who has spent almost three decades championing the finest beverages and hospitality, I must admit I am in no small part responsible for the abomination which is Seedlip, the crown jewel of the no alcohol movement, forced down your throat each “Dry January”. [...]
Savills: End of work from home drives recovery in office property market January 16, 2025 International property services company Savills has predicted a strong commercial property market this year driven by cheaper financing, the sustainability agenda and workers’ return to the office. The FTSE 250-listed firm told the market this morning that while it expected challenging conditions to continue, “most markets are in recovery”. However, the firm added that geopolitical uncertainty, [...]
Former Lord Mayor named president of London business group January 15, 2025 The former Lord Mayor of the City of London Michael Mainelli has been appointed as president of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Mainelli, who served as Lord Mayor from 2023 to 2024, is currently chair of think tank Z/Yen, which he founded in 1994. The former Lord Mayor has also held senior [...]
‘We hope this is not goodbye’: Partridges to close iconic London store after 53 years January 14, 2025 Independent family-run food store Partridges is to close its iconic London location after 53 years. The company is to shutter its fine food store in Duke of York Square, Chelsea, on 2 February. Partridges confirmed that its location in Gloucester Road, Kensington, will continue to trade as usual and that a new store will open [...]
Quinn Emanuel: US law firm’s City of London office revenue soars January 13, 2025 US law firm Quinn Emanuel’s revenue over 2024 in London was up double-digits as litigation continues to boom
Chauffeur firm Blacklane looks to ‘double down’ on London after Saudi cash injection January 13, 2025 Luxury chauffeur service Blacklane is looking to “double down” on London after announcing its largest-ever funding round late last year. The Berlin-based firm, which counts Mercedes-Benz and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)’s Tasaru Mobility among its investors, raised £53.5m in October amid long-running reports of a possible Initial Public Offering (IPO). Blacklane’s airport transfer [...]
Lawyer hourly fees at US firms boom January 10, 2025 The hourly fees charged by lawyers in the US have jumped nearly seven per cent in the last year, the fastest rate since the global financial crisis
UK nightclubs are ‘more concerned now than during the pandemic’ January 9, 2025 The UK’s nightclub sector has been hit with an alarming decline in activity as it continues to battle “unsustainable” cost pressures following the Autumn Budget’s tax hikes. Fresh figures from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) have today revealed there has been a 32.7 per cent decline in activity since 2020 amid what is seen [...]