Asian stocks struggle to extend gains as coronavirus hurts US-China relations May 15, 2020 Asian stocks have struggled to extend gains despite the optimism over major economies reopening after coronavirus lockdowns, as relations between the US and China deteriorated. Chinese data indicated that its economy is beginning to recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis, with global investors watching closely to see how the easing of lockdowns could [...]
Ei Group reveals multi-million pound tenant support package amid mounting pressure May 14, 2020 Ei Group has granted a rent holiday for some of its bigger pubs amid mounting pressure for pub companies to announce more support for tenants. A cross-party group of 60 MPs wrote to Ei Group last week urging it to cancel rents for tenants during the coronavirus crisis. The letter said it was “unfair” for [...]
Tesco bosses receive bonus boost after Ocado removed from competitor list May 14, 2020 Tesco bosses received a bonus boost last year after the grocer removed online supermarket Ocado from a list of competitors. Tesco chief executive Dave Lewis would have missed out on around £1.6m in shares if the online rival had remained on the list used to compare Tesco’s performance against its competitors. Before Ocado was removed, [...]
Greene King launches pub grub delivery service May 14, 2020 Pub chain Greene King has launched a takeaway service from 29 London pubs to deliver meals across the capital during the coronavirus crisis. The company said 29 of its Metropolitan Pub Company sites, including the Cricketers in Richmond and the World’s End in Finsbury Park, will offer delivery through Deliveroo from 22 May. Additionally, 10 [...]
Domino’s slams Amazon’s £442m investment in Deliveroo May 14, 2020 Pizza takeaway chain Domino’s has slammed a watchdog’s decision to give the go-ahead to Amazon’s £442m investment in Deliveroo, saying the decision will harm competition and consumers. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) provisionally cleared the investment in April over concerns that Deliveroo could collapse without extra financial backing due restaurant closures during the coronavirus [...]
Government urged to help property market recover amid UK house price slump May 14, 2020 The government has been urged to provide measures to help the property market to recover, after the latest research warned that UK house prices are set to plunge this year. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) reiterated its call for a stamp duty holiday to encourage buyers , warning that UK house prices were [...]
Marston’s secures £70m liquidity as brewer prepares for sustained pub closures May 14, 2020 British brewer Marston’s today said it has secured an extra £70m of liquidity, which will enable it to survive until the end of the financial year even if its pubs remain closed until then. The pub chain said it could survive a sustained closure of its pubs due to a £70m increase to its financing [...]
Coronavirus: Housebuilder Countryside reports £29m profit hit May 14, 2020 Housebuilder Countryside Properties took a £29m hit to profit in March due to lost home and land sales as the coronavirus pandemic escalated in the UK. The developer said it estimated that around 184 completions, including 79 private completions, were lost in March. Five land sales were also cancelled by the buyer due to coronavirus. [...]
UK housebuilders race to return to work after government eases restrictions May 14, 2020 Some of the UK’s biggest housebuilders have revealed plans to return to work after the government removed lockdown restrictions on the property market. FTSE 100 housebuilder Persimmon said this morning that its sales offices in England will reopen from tomorrow with social distancing measures in place. It comes after the government removed restrictions to allow [...]
WH Smith revenue dives 85 per cent during coronavirus lockdown May 14, 2020 WH Smith reported an 85 per cent drop in revenue for last month after the coronavirus lockdown forced the retailer to close high street and transport hub stores. The newsagent chain said travel revenue plunged 91 per cent due to travel bans around the world, and high street revenue was down 74 per cent. WH [...]
