Shoppers shy away from West End on ‘critical’ weekend before Christmas as bosses call for urgent support December 20, 2021 Shoppers were deterred from visiting central London’s shopping district last weekend as Omicron infections continue to rise across the capital. Retailers have called on the government for more financial support as businesses have been hit by falling footfall in the crucial trading period before Christmas. It comes after health experts have advised Brits to prioritise [...]
Get jabbed: The London vaccine clinics offering walk-in boosters this week December 17, 2021 London’s first 24-hour vaccine clinic has opened today, in a bid to trim down queues that have prompted wait times of several hours. It comes after the prime minister amped up the national effort for people to receive a third dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, further widening the programme earlier this week to include people [...]
Met Police will ‘make contact’ with attendees over alleged Covid breaches after Tory Christmas party December 16, 2021 Police officers are to speak to two people who attended a gathering at the Conservative Party headquarters over “alleged breaches” of Covid laws. Images this week revealed that campaign staff held a Christmas party at Conservative offices in London last year, when the country was under tough restrictions banning indoor socialising. The Metropolitan Police said [...]
Boris Johnson ‘joined staff for pizza party’ during first Covid lockdown December 16, 2021 The Prime Minister joined Downing Street staff for a party at No 10 during the first Covid lockdown last May, it has been reported. The claims – reported jointly by The Independent and The Guardian – outline that Boris Johnson spent 15 minutes at a “pizza party” with staff on 15 May 2020. Around 20 [...]
Millions of homeowners will see mortgage rate rises as ‘softer’ house price growth forecast December 16, 2021 Major banks have hiked mortgage interest rates in response to the Bank of England hiking rates 0.15 percentage points to 0.25 per cent. Banks raised rates following the decision on Thursday, meaning millions of households will pay heftier monthly mortgage repayments. Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds Bank, NatWest, Nationwide and Santander will pass on the increase to [...]
Harrods brings forward Boxing Day sale as central London footfall drops December 16, 2021 Luxury department store Harrods has brought forward its usual Boxing Day sale as footfall in central London continues to drop amid rising Covid cases. The sale will start on Friday and run into next year, although further discounts will be introduced on Boxing Day. Shoppers have shied away from visiting central London shopping destinations over [...]
Retail welcomes move for tougher sentences on those who abuse shop staff December 16, 2021 Businesses have welcomed the progression of legislation that will see people who commit violent offences against retail staff face tougher sentences. The House of Lords passed the government’s amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill this week. The amendment will mean assaults on those serving the public or performing a public duty will [...]
Ryanair mocks absent Chancellor with ‘come back to help out’ tweet December 16, 2021 The Chancellor of the Exchequer faced criticism from Ryanair this afternoon, as the budget airline urged him to return to the UK and help out ailing businesses. Hospitality and tourism firms have been calling on Sunak to bring back pandemic support measures, as they face waves of cancellations amid a surge of Omicron cases before [...]
Mayor of London: Highest number of council homes started since 1970s December 16, 2021 The Mayor of London’s office has said it has “breathed new life into homebuilding” with some 4,689 new council homes started this financial year. Sadiq Khan said it was the highest number of new council homes since the 1970s, under the Mayor’s Building Council Homes for Londoners programme. The number of homes started annually had [...]
M&S declares war on Aldi over ‘obvious’ copy of Christmas gin December 16, 2021 Marks and Spencer has launched legal action against discount supermarket rival Aldi, over what it alleges is a copycat gin. Aldi’s ‘The Infusionist’ gold-flake gin liqueur range has been accused of copying M&S’ Light-Up Gin, in papers filed at the High Court earlier this month. M&S registered three varieties of its designs earlier this year, [...]
