By: Felix Armstrong

Retail Reporter Felix Armstrong is City AM's retail reporter, covering retail, hospitality and property news. He has previously written for The Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph and The i Paper. Email Felix at Felix.Armstrong@cityam.com

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‘Last days of the honeymoon’: Anxious bosses prepare charm offensive at Labour conference

September 25, 2026

Ahead of the Labour Party Conference on Sunday, and one month away from the Budget, businesses are feeling nervous, write Mauricio Alencar and Felix Armstrong Stepping onto an early-morning Avanti West Coast train from London Euston is now a familiar feeling for the Prime Minister. Andy Burnham is set to make the journey more regularly [...]
Premier Inn’s German expansion not a mistake, Whitbread tells activist investor

September 25, 2026

Premier Inn owner Whitbread has been forced to defend its expansion into Germany after the activist investor seeking to gain a board seat cast significant doubt over the move. The FTSE 100 hospitality giant, which also owned Beefeater and Brewers Fayre, first expanded into Germany in 2014 and now operates 75 Premier Inn hotels in [...]
World Cup brand deals score David Beckham £39m payout

September 25, 2026

David Beckham has taken a £38.9m payout from his personal business empire after World Cup brand deals drove record income for the former English football captain. DRJB Holdings, the company which represents Beckham’s business activities, posted a 20 per cent uplift in revenue to $110.5m (£84m) in 2025, as profit nearly doubled to $66m (£50m). [...]
Poundland suitors tussle to buy £30m discount retailer

September 25, 2026

Several bidders will table offers for Poundland on Friday, as the owners of the discount retailer seek £30m for the company they bought for just £1. Multiple suitors are expected to hand their bids to Gordon Brothers, which owns Poundland, as early as Friday, as the US investment firm rushes to complete a deal before [...]
Police shut exclusive Mayfair members’ club over possible gun offence

September 25, 2026

Police have temporarily closed a Mayfair private members’ club, which has been visited by Sarah Ferguson, Kim Kardashian and Noel Gallagher, over a possible gun-related incident. The Metropolitan Police applied to Westminster City Council to suspend the license of Maison Estelle, which subsequently shut its doors on Tuesday. Police said reports of “serious crime, or [...]
Consumer confidence hits two-year high but ‘could soon falter’

September 25, 2026

Consumer confidence has surged to a two-year high in a surprise rise which will hand a much-needed boost to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget – but experts have warned that momentum could soon run out. GfK’s closely-watched consumer confidence barometer rose to -13 in September, a rise of about one point since last month [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 rebounds as oil drops back on hopes of Hormuz deal

September 25, 2026

Welcome back to City AM’s FTSE 100 live blog. Stick with us throughout the day for the latest London Stock Exchange and wider business and economic news, as soon as we get it. Here’s a look at some of our top headlines on Friday morning: The liveblog has ended.No liveblog updates yet. Load more
Ministers back City skyscraper plans after Tower of London row

September 24, 2026

Ministers have given the greenlight to plans that will allow skyscrapers to be built in the area surrounding the Tower of London, ruling that proposals set out by the City of London corporation will do enough to protect the site’s Unesco status. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said on Thursday he will withdraw his objections to [...]
Poundland owner could carve out Irish business in rush sale

September 24, 2026

Poundland’s owners are considering selling off the discount retailer and its Irish branch, Dealz, in two separate transactions, City AM has learned. Gordon Brothers, which bought Poundland and Dealz only a year ago, is sounding out interest in the two retailers in hopes of completing a deal before the busy Christmas trading period. This process [...]
Lord’s Cricket Ground, West Ham, EY among creditors owed £190m by Brewdog

September 24, 2026

Lord’s Cricket Club, West Ham United and Big Four accounting firm EY are among the big-name firms which are owed £190m by Brewdog. The craft beer firm collapsed earlier this year and its administrators have said that its unsecured creditors, who are owed £189.9m, will not be paid back. AlixPartners, Brewdog’s administrators, said there are [...]

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By: Felix Armstrong

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