It’s a strike for Hollywood Bowl as record revenue drives continued expansion plans October 14, 2025 Hollywood Bowl is rolling into its new financial year on a high after reporting record revenues and pre-tax earnings. The Hemel Hempstead-based bowling and entertainment business saw its shares lift after it reported a 6.4 per cent rise in revenue to £212.4m for the year to end September. The firm said its earnings before interest, [...]
Goldman Sachs chief warns Rachel Reeves against bank tax October 14, 2025 The boss of Goldman Sachs has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that an increase to the financial burden slapped on the banking sector would dent economic growth ambitions. In a private meeting with the Chancellor, David Solomon said hitting the industry with higher taxes would dampen wider prospects for the country’s growth. The remarks come ahead [...]
Legal & General’s City of London office hit with suspected vandalism October 14, 2025 The Legal & General headquarters in the City of London has been hit with an apparent act of vandalism this morning. Workers heading to the office of the financial services giant, which sits in the heart of the City, witnessed security guards cornering off the building and red paint splattered across windows. Superintendent Jesse Wynne, [...]
Unemployment rises as concerns grow for UK jobs market October 14, 2025 The unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.8 per cent in September, while the inactivity rate was 21 per cent, “largely unchanged” on the previous quarter but below levels seen a year ago. The estimated number of vacancies in the UK also fell by 9,000, marking the 39th consecutive period of job posting declines. The ONS [...]
Close Brothers takes swing at FCA after near-doubling motor finance provisions October 14, 2025 Close Brothers’ frustration at the City watchdog has stepped up a gear after the firm was forced to almost double its provisions for the motor finance scandal. The FTSE 250 lender, which had previously set aside £165m, hiked its provisions by a further £135m following the Financial Conduct Authority outlining details of its industry-wide redress [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Retail sales slow; Unemployment figures tick up October 14, 2025 Good morning from the City AM liveblog team. After a dismal first three quarters of the year, London’s IPO market is finally roaring back, returning the capital to a level playing field with its rival listing venues after a string of fresh flotation announcements. That’s the view of bosses at top City broker Peel Hunt, [...]
Goodbye Nutmeg, hello Clove: New investing service lands £10m funding October 14, 2025 As the London fintech world bids goodbye to investing app Nutmeg, a new spice-themed alternative is about to rise up from the ashes. Investing startup Clove, a new venture from serial entrepreneur Christian Owens, has emerged from stealth after landing a bumper £10m funding round. The pre-seed round featured a host of prominent investors including [...]
Nigel Farage vows to make savings before tax cuts October 13, 2025 Reform UK’s Nigel Farage has vowed to make sweeping spending cuts before cutting taxes for Brits while hitting out at “cretins” for imposing too much regulation in the City in comments that reflect his moves to take on economic policy head-on. Farage said the party’s next manifesto would be “fully-costed”, a statement that reflects the [...]
Surge in cyber attacks expected to generate windfall for consultants October 13, 2025 The recent surge in cyber attacks targeting major businesses and government entities is expected to drive an increase in spending on cybersecurity services from consulting firms. Cyber attacks have dominated the headlines this year, with recent incidents, such as the attacks on the Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover, resulting in substantial financial hits for the businesses. The [...]
Andrew Bailey: Stock markets could crash if debt levels spiral October 13, 2025 Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has warned that stock markets could suffer a “disorderly adjustment” due to spiralling debt levels and other vulnerabilities. Ahead of a seminal week in Washington DC where global financial leaders are set to discuss the future of multilateralism, Bailey said bullish markets and spiralling sovereign debt levels had left [...]