Center Parcs owner hires bankers to review options with £4bn sale on the horizon April 22, 2022 The owner of Center Parcs has recruited bankers to probe options for the future of the holiday village chain. Sky News has reported that Brookfield Property Partners is planning to hire Barclays to advise on its investment in Center Parcs. This could lead to an auction sale of the chain for £4bn, the organisation reported. [...]
Boris Johnson: Britain will reopen embassy in Kyiv thanks to ‘extraordinary fortitude’ of Ukrainians April 22, 2022 The Prime Minister has announced the British embassy in Kyiv will be reopening next week. Speaking at a press conference in India, Boris Johnson said: “The extraordinary fortitude and success of Ukrainian people means I can announce we will next week reopen our embassy.” In late February, the foreign ministry announced it would be moving [...]
‘Lots of interest’: Boots chief quashes claims £7bn sale stalling April 22, 2022 The head of UK chemist Boots has pushed back against concerns that a desired £7bn sale is facing subdued demand. Walgreens Boots Alliance, the US firm behind Boots, has been eyeing a sale of the chemist, with hopes of a £7bn price tag. However, there have been reports that potential suitors placed a lower price [...]
Hundreds of crimes reported at royal palaces as ‘frightening’ figures revealed April 22, 2022 Hundreds of crimes have been reported at royal palaces in the past three years including offences involving weapons, drugs, violence and robbery. More than 450 crimes have been reported at royal palaces in London, including offences relating to drugs, violence and weapons. According to Sky News, some 470 crimes have been recorded in total between [...]
Budweiser owner AB InBev to exit Russian venture in $1.1bn hit April 22, 2022 Budweiser owner Anheuser-Busch InBev has said it will cut off supplies of its beer to Russia by selling its stake in a joint venture to a Turkish partner. The move will trigger a $1.1bn impairment charge in the world’s largest brewer’s first quarter results. The Belgian brewer revealed it was in “active discussions” about selling [...]
Poundland owner Pepco pledges to ‘protect prices’ as discounter names new CEO April 22, 2022 Poundland owner Pepco has vowed to “protect prices” as customers feel the pinch of rising bills. The Warsaw-listed retailer posted a 17.6 per cent rise in first-half revenue, sales were buoyed by new store openings. Customers would be protected from increases to prices by the retailer renegotiating terms with key suppliers and stock efficiency programmes, [...]
B&M boss Simon Arora to step down after 17 years leading retailer April 22, 2022 B&M has announced its chief executive Simon Arora is stepping down after more than 17 years at the helm of the variety goods retailer. Arora will retire from his role in a year as the retailer begins a recruitment drive for his replacement. Alongside his brother Bobby, Arora snapped up B&M when its estate boasted [...]
Zinc Media: London television division returns to profit for first time since 2017 April 22, 2022 Television production company Zinc Media has said its largest division, based in London and Manchester, made a profit for the first time since 2017. In results for the year to 31 December 2021, the company posted revenue of £17.5m, compared to a £30.6m sum for an 18 month period ended 31 December 2020. Mark Browning, [...]
Sky high inflation: Consumer confidence crashes as Brits worry about big purchases April 22, 2022 Consumer confidence has crashed this month, nearing a historic low in GrowthforKnowledge (GfK)’s index. The data company’s Consumer Confidence Index decreased seven points to -38 in April, as Brits worried about rising inflation. All measures, which look at how Brits feel about their personal situation and general economic situation, as well as major purchases, were [...]
Zapp: Rapid delivery app doubles down on London as key ‘convenience mega city’ market April 21, 2022 Rapid delivery start-up Zapp has said it is doubling down on London in its expansion plans. The app plans to differentiate from rivals by focusing on the capital, instead of smaller cities, Zapp’s vice president of strategy, Steve O’Hear told CityA.M. With a focus on a “need it, want it now,” market, the app’s approach [...]
