Grocery inflation dips for first time in almost two years but ‘long way down’ for price increases December 6, 2022 Grocery price inflation has dipped for the first time in almost two years while the price of a family Christmas dinner sits at an eye-watering £31. The rampant pace of price increases let up slightly this month, dropping 0.1 percentage points – the first dip in 21 months. Four-week inflation now sits at 14.6 per [...]
Marston’s swings back to profit as pub chain anticipates Christmas without Covid limits December 6, 2022 Marston’s has welcomed being in the black, after trade at its pub estate recovered from the side effects of Covid-19 lockdowns this year. In results for the year to 1 October, the community pub operator posted a total profit before tax of £163.4 m, versus a loss of £171.1m the year prior. The operator of around [...]
London venues warn they will haemorrhage sales if rail strikes go ahead this Christmas December 5, 2022 London restaurants have warned they will haemorrhage sales should planned railway strikes go ahead this month, as union bosses rejected a new pay offer over the week. Searcys champagne bar and restaurant chain, which has venues at the Gherkin and St Pancras International station, said it was worried it would take a 30 per cent [...]
Hospitality body calls for compromise over energy bills as firms face winding-up orders December 5, 2022 Energy firms should offer compromise solutions if business customers are struggling, argued the hospitality trade body’s chief.
Searcys boss: London venues set for ‘real reality check’ in the new year with spending slowdown warnings December 5, 2022 London restaurants face a “real reality check” come January and February, as consumers will pull back from dining out after Christmas, the boss of champagne bar chain Searcys has warned. Diners will “want to batten down the hatches” next year after enjoying their first Christmas free of Covid measures in three years, with the cost [...]
Christmas shopping: Sainsbury’s invests extra £50m into battling price inflation December 5, 2022 Sainsbury’s has announced it will pump an additional £50m into its cost of living value plan by March 2023. The supermarket said it has invested in a Christmas roast dinner at less than £4 a head, as part of a £15m investment plan to keep prices affordable on festive staples. Low prices and new special [...]
Tech recruitment firm Levin to set up London HQ at new space in 155 Bishopsgate December 5, 2022 British Land has signed an agreement with tech recruitment giant Levin to let its entire Storey space at 155 Bishopsgate for its new London HQ. Levin, which has had a footprint at the development since 2020, is to take up 23,000 sq ft of space, after previously leasing space on the same campus at 1 [...]
Sold! Irn-Bru owner snaps up Boost Drinks December 5, 2022 Beverage giant A.G. Barr has acquired energy drink maker Boost Drinks for an initial consideration of £20m. The Irn-Bru and Rubicon owner said it was acquiring Boost from its founder Simon Gray and his wife Alison, who will continue to lead the business. The London-listed drink firm said there was “significant potential” for additional growth [...]
Strike chaos: TSSA announces more railway staff will walk out ahead of Christmas December 3, 2022 Thousands more railway station staff are set to walk out this month, as union bosses and ministers held talks at Parliament yesterday. The TSSA union served notice for strike action in a further six train operating companies and Network Rail yesterday, meaning thousands more workers will walk out on 17 December. This takes the number [...]
Joules bought out of insolvency by Next with 19 stores to close December 1, 2022 Next has bought fashion retailer Joules out of insolvency, beating other high street names in a bidding war. The high street chain called in administrators a few weeks ago, with 1,600 jobs hanging in the balance. Now, stalwart Next has confirmed it has emerged victorious in a battle for the brand, forking out £34m for [...]
