A new Era for London transport? December 7, 2024 Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was emblematic of the rise of ‘mega-events’ in the capital that are acting as a catalyst for London’s transport infrastructure to upgrade how it manages surges of visitors and passengers on its network, says Jim Webber When Taylor Swift played her record-breaking run of shows in the UK earlier this year, [...]
Ministerial freebies rules tightened – but Starmer stops short of banning gifts November 6, 2024 Keir Starmer has tightened up the rules on ministers accepting freebies, according to new guidelines, but stopped short of banning gifts and hospitality. An update to the government’s ministerial code published today included new advice for ministers who accept freebies and hospitality, which took a tougher stance than the previous document. The new code states: [...]
Tories must take the Sabrina Carpenter approach to get back on top October 8, 2024 Sabrina Carpenter worked for a decade to become an overnight success. Likewise, if the Tories want to turn their fortunes around, the hard work on policy starts now, says Emma Revell It wasn’t quite a Taylor Swift moment. Keir Starmer wasn’t scrounging for hospitality tickets, for one thing. But it certainly felt like I was [...]
Letter: As a freeman of the City, I would welcome Taylor Swift! September 3, 2024 I've been reading City A.M. for 15 years or so now & really enjoy it. I've just read Anna's article on Hampstead Heath (& the previous one on Taylor Swift).
Easyhotel chief hails ‘era of the mega-event’ as driving force behind bookings surge September 2, 2024 The boss of budget chain Easyhotel said the company had the rising cost of ‘mega-event’ tickets to thank for its recent surge in revenue, which rose by almost half in 2023. Karim Malak, who became chief executive of the British business just over two years ago, said the company had experienced a boom in bookings [...]
London hotel occupancy rates return to pre-Covid levels but services inflation fears fueled August 29, 2024 London hotels enjoyed another strong month in July as occupancy rates finally ticked back up to peak occupancy levels seen in summer 2019, but it’s not all rosy for the industry. London occupancy reached 89.3 per cent, up on 84.6 per cent last year and back to peak occupancy levels seen in July 2019. Despite [...]
Oasis world tour: Ticketing companies set for Champagne Supernova August 28, 2024 Ticketing companies are set for a Champagne Supernova of demand as legendary English rock band Oasis has officially reunited after a 15-year hiatus. The iconic Mancunian brothers, Noel and Liam Gallagher, who famously parted ways after a heated backstage bust-up in Paris back in 2009, have set aside their long-running feud to make an on-stage [...]
Kurt Geiger: London luxury brand enjoys Taylor Swift Eras Tour boost amid record handbag sales August 28, 2024 A surge in demand for denim handbags and footwear linked to Taylor Swift‘s global Eras Tour have helped sales at luxury brand Kurt Geiger jump by 35 per cent since the start of its latest financial year. The London-headquartered business said that Western and Americana-themed products have helped boost its turnover further between February and [...]
London risks Swiftly squandering Eras Tour boost to the economy August 28, 2024 Taylor Swift’s Wembley gigs showed just how good London’s nightlife can be, but it’s all under threat from Nimbyism and over-regulation, says Emma Revell I am a strong believer that one of the best ways to get to know someone is to see what niche topic they can speak about positively and passionately, uninterrupted, for [...]
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour boosts London amid calls for the icon to get Freedom of the City August 23, 2024 On Tuesday night, Taylor Swift played the final show of the European leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium. The results are in: London saw a boost in consumer spending, city footfall and tube journeys during her stay in the capital, with one MP describing her tour as a “lifeline” to the UK [...]