Labour promises to grant first-time buyers exclusive rights to new-builds September 24, 2021 Labour has promised to give first-time buyers “first dibs” on new-builds for six months. The party said it would prevent properties being sold off-plan to developers before locals can buy them, under plans to be set out at its annual conference. It will also state a government led by Keir Starmer would cap the amount [...]
Mexican food brand Tortilla announces AIM float intention September 24, 2021 Mexican fast food chain Tortilla has announced its intention to seek admission of its shares to trading on London’s AIM market. The restaurant brand Tortilla boasts 62 sites across the country including 50 venues operated by the group and two franchise sites in the UK. The group also operates 10 franchised sites in the Middle [...]
Restaurants banned from taking staff tips under new legislation September 24, 2021 Pub and restaurant workers will be entitled to all of their tips under fresh government plans, impacting 2m employees. The government set out new legislation that would overhaul tipping practices on Friday, in a show of support for workers after their sector was hit hard by the pandemic. Employers will be banned from withholding tips [...]
Peel Hunt raises £112m in AIM IPO September 24, 2021 Investment bank Peel Hunt has announced it has successfully raised £112m in its AIM IPO. This fund included £40m of new capital which will go towards supporting the next phase of the company’s growth, the mid and small-cap specialist investment bank said on Friday. The placing was described as comfortably over-subscribed after attracting strong support [...]
City braces itself for more rules as Rishi Sunak orders financial regulation reviews September 24, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has ordered two immediate reviews of UK financial regulation following a report by the Treasury select committee on the collapse of Greensill Capital. In a letter published on Friday, Sunak insisted the Treasury acted “entirely appropriately” in its handling of David Cameron’s Greensill lobbying efforts. Sunak hit back at the report which [...]
Bonus backlash: John Lewis workers angered by awards for senior staff September 23, 2021 Retail group John Lewis Partnership has angered employees after senior managers received awards while a wider partnership bonus was denied for the first time. Almost 4,000 special contribution awards were made last year, it was first reported by The Financial Times, including to 16 managers, out of an 79,000-strong workforce. A wider percentage award was [...]
Shell forecourt stores join Uber Eats as popularity grows for speedy groceries September 23, 2021 Shell petrol station shops have partnered with Uber Eats, meaning consumers will have 24 hour access to grocery products. Some 340 forecourt stores are joining the delivery platform after the company left a partnership with Deliveroo. More than 250 of the stores are available for orders 24 hours a day. More than 750 products will [...]
House sellers in London less willing to drop asking prices September 23, 2021 House sellers in the capital are feeling increasingly confident as the number of sellers willing to drop their asking prices fell last month. There was a 51 per cent decrease in the number of home-sellers being prepared to drop their asking prices in August, compared to July. Estate agency Chestertons said a return of seller [...]
Suburban and food-led brands drive recovery for Mitchells and Butlers September 23, 2021 Harvester operator Mitchells and Butlers has said it has seen a stronger recovery in suburban and food-led brands. The pub group described sales as “volatile” since pubs were permitted to reopen for indoor trading in May, but said they had generally strengthened overall. Food-led and suburban brands had fared better than city boozers as customers [...]
City centre pubs enjoy boost from returning office workers September 23, 2021 City Pub Group has reported robust half-year sales at above 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with returning workers driving sales at city sites this month. The group – which operates some 50 pubs in London and market towns – managed to break even by June, despite the period not covering sporting tournaments including Wimbledon [...]
