Central London only slightly busier amid Black Friday sales November 29, 2021 Central London was only ever so slightly busier thanks to Black Friday deals last week as retail chiefs noted fewer shoppers than pre-pandemic levels. Central London saw a 2.3 per cent boost to footfall week on week for the week beginning 21 November. Footfall in the area was down 22.3 per cent on 2019 levels, [...]
Asda sales dip as supermarket charters cargo ship to ensure Christmas stock availability November 29, 2021 Asda has reported a fall in underlying quarterly sales as it said it chartered its own cargo ship to ensure Christmas decorations and toys make it to UK shelves. The supermarket, owned by the billionaire Issa brothers and private equity firm TDR Capital, said like-for-like sales, excluding fuel, fell 0.7 per cent year-on-year in the [...]
Two new cases of Omicron coronavirus variant confirmed in London November 29, 2021 Two more cases of the Omicron variant have been discovered in the capital, as England prepares to tighten Covid rules tomorrow. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the two cases have links to travel in southern Africa. The pair are not connected to each other and are not linked to the previously confirmed cases, [...]
Travelodge revenue boosted by staycations despite drop in ‘white collar demand’ November 29, 2021 Travelodge has reported buoyant third quarter results thanks to staycations helping to offset subdued corporate demand. Total revenue for the quarter ended 30 September was up 9.9 per cent compared to 2019, hitting £229.5m. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose 11.8 per cent to £53.54, compared to £47.89 in 2019. The budget hotel chain saw [...]
Ex British Airways boss slams tougher Omicron travel rules as ‘knee-jerk decision’ as UK firms worry about Christmas November 29, 2021 Former British Airways boss Willie Walsh has dubbed countries’ tighter quarantine and testing rules as a “knee-jerk decision”, after concerns over the new Omicron Covid variant. Walsh, who used to head the airline group International Airlines Group, said the new rules imposed “a massive financial damage to the tourism and airline industry.” “It’s clear that [...]
JD Wetherspoon and Budweiser ink 20-year partnership as brewer chain’s largest beer supplier November 29, 2021 Pub operator JD Wetherspoon has announced a 20-year deal with brewer Budweiser, which will become the chain’s largest beer supplier. JD Wetherspoon (JDW) will be ditching its 41-year association with brewer Heineken in favour of products from Budweiser Brewing Group. Beers including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Corona and Bud Light will be on offer at JDW [...]
Mortgage approvals drop dramatically as market hits ‘tipping point’ after stamp duty holiday November 29, 2021 Mortgage approvals for house purchase dropped sharply after the end of the stamp duty holiday, the Bank of England said. Mortgage approvals for house purchase dropped down to 67,200 in October from 71,900 in September, close to the 12-month average up to February 2020 of 66,700. However, approvals in October remained above the pre-Covid averages [...]
Busiest housing market since 2007 anticipated with households to make moving decisions over Christmas November 29, 2021 The UK is readying itself to record the busiest housing market since 2007 as the pandemic has made homeowners reconsider their living situations. Keen interest from buyers has sent house prices soaring, with the average value of a home now £240k, according to Zoopla’s House Price Index. The pandemic has compelled many to reconsider where [...]
Staffing challenges biggest issue for hoteliers as firms introduce ‘golden hellos’ to entice new workers November 29, 2021 Hoteliers believe increasing labour costs and a shortage of staff are the most weighty challenges to be faced by the sector over the next five years. Soaring staff costs were pegged as the biggest issue for 59 per cent of hotel bosses while a shortage of skilled labour troubles 54 per cent of those surveyed [...]
Swiss back government’s Covid passport laws in referendum despite protests November 28, 2021 Voters in Switzerland backed the government’s pandemic strategy by a larger than anticipated majority in a referendum today. Just under two thirds (62 per cent) voted in support of a law passed earlier this year over certificates showing proof of Covid vaccination, recent immunity or a negative test. Proof of Covid immunity is currently needed [...]
