Housing department urged to draw up clear strategy on tackling rogue landlords December 10, 2021 The way private renting is regulated is not up to scratch as tenants struggle to push back against landlords when their homes are unsafe. The current system relies on tenants being able to enforce their own rights but there are various financial barriers making this hard, according to a new report. The National Audit Office [...]
Urgent calls for a ‘lessons learned’ review into impact of pandemic handling on high streets December 10, 2021 The government is facing calls to conduct an “immediate lessons learned” review into how high streets were affected by the handling of the pandemic. An online sales tax should also be introduced and go towards a reduction in business rates for the retailer, the cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee agreed. In a [...]
Liberal Democrats call for hospitality support amid ‘unprecedented rates’ of Christmas cancellations December 9, 2021 The Liberal Democrats have written to the government requesting urgent support for hospitality firms impacted by plan B measures. Pubs and restaurants in city centres have been concerned about a drop off in trade during what is usually their busiest time of year, following fresh work-from-home guidance. In a letter to the minister for small [...]
Plan B: Central London footfall to plummet with businesses in the lurch December 9, 2021 Central London footfall is anticipated to shrink to 50 per cent below 2019 levels following the government’s move to plan B Covid restrictions this winter. Areas like the West End are currently 20 per cent less busy than pre-pandemic levels, with retail experts at Springboard predicting the gap to widen further. Office workers were told [...]
Plan B ‘huge blow’ for city centre pubs as night clubs question timing of Covid passports December 8, 2021 Pubs and bars have called the introduction of Plan B Covid restrictions a “huge blow” for the sector, which was hoping to recoup its losses this Christmas. “Make no mistake, this is a huge blow for our sector as it further undermines consumer confidence and is devastating for pubs based near offices and in town [...]
Fashion firm Quiz reports rebounding sales as shoppers buy party clothes again December 8, 2021 Fast fashion retailer Quiz posted a first half sales rebound after it was battered by pandemic store closures last year. Sales more than doubled year-on-year in the two months to November, following the lifting of restrictions on social gatherings. Shoppers flocked back to stores to buy occasion and dressy products. A higher level of full [...]
Square Mile braces for Plan B as businesses say work from home guidance will ‘destroy’ trade December 8, 2021 Businesses in the City of London have said they are preparing for the worst ahead of a reported announcement on a work-from-home message. Multiple media outlets have reported that the Prime Minister is to usher in vaccine passports for large venues and instruct office employees to work from home once more. There will be a press [...]
1 in 15 customer service staff have faced death threats as businesses call for better treatment December 8, 2021 Retail staff have said customer abuse has become more aggressive after the shops were hit by stock and labour shortages this year. The Institute of Customer Service, alongside bosses from household names including Marks and Spencers, Sainsbury’s and Wickes, has signed an open letter calling for better treatment of customer service staff. Workers fear abuse [...]
Nightclubs ‘must not be thrown under bus’ as a distraction from Christmas party fury December 8, 2021 Nightclubs are readying themselves for a “devastating” Christmas as rumours swirl over the imminent introduction of fresh Covid restrictions. Multiple newspapers have reported that so-called Plan B restrictions could be announced as early as tonight in a press conference. The restrictions would mean vaccine passports and an instruction to work-from-home once more. Late-night venues had [...]
Department store Fortnum & Mason appoints new chief operating and innovation officer December 8, 2021 Luxury department store Fortnum & Mason has appointed Iain Roberston to a new role of chief operating and innovation officer. Robertson will join the retailer after a 17-year stint at Burberry, where he was senior vice president of global planning and inventory. He will join the department store in February 2022 and oversee the supply [...]
