Consumer confidence teeters on brink of record low during coronavirus lockdown April 24, 2020 Consumer confidence plummeted at the beginning of April but held steady for the rest of the month as the UK adjusted to life under lockdown. The latest research showed that consumer confidence stayed at minus 34 points throughout the month, just five points above the record low reported in July 2008. The measure for the [...]
Commercial landlords banned from using ‘aggressive’ rent collection tactics April 23, 2020 UK shops, restaurants and pubs will be protected against aggressive rent recovery action during the coronavirus crisis after the government issued new rules for commercial landlords. The government has temporarily banned the use of statutory demands and winding up orders until at least June following pressure from the retail and hospitality sectors. Many retail, hospitality [...]
Coronavirus: Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Ask Italian owner Azzurri appoint advisers April 23, 2020 Casual dining chains Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) and Azzurri, the owner of Ask Italian and Zizzi, have both appointed advisers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants have been severely impacted by the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, which has resulted in an unprecedented drop in revenue. GBK has appointed Deloitte to advise on future options for [...]
More than 1m hospitality jobs at risk without extra government support, industry warns April 23, 2020 More than 1m hospitality jobs could be lost if coronavirus social distancing measures are extended without extra government support for the sector, the industry has warned. UK Hospitality has written to Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove to urge for more support for the country’s pubs, bars and restaurants amid concerns that social distancing measures could [...]
Apple prepares to sell Mac computers with its own chips from next year April 23, 2020 Tech giant Apple is reportedly preparing to sell Mac computers with its own processors by next year, based on designed used in its iPhones and iPads. The tech giant is working on producing Mac chips based on the design of its A14 processor in its next iPhone, Bloomberg reported. Apple has used processors made by [...]
Mass coronavirus testing study launched to determine immunity levels April 23, 2020 Around 20,000 households in England will take part in the first stage of a coronavirus testing study to determine the spread of Covid-19 and the level of immunity in the general population, the government has announced. The study, which will test up to 300,000 people overall over 12 months, will include antibody testing of around [...]
Ryanair will not resume flights if middle seat must be left empty, says Michael O’Leary April 22, 2020 Ryanair will not resume flights if it is forced to leave the middle seats empty in order to comply with social distancing rules, the budget airline’s chief executive Michael O’Leary said. O’Leary reportedly said he believed the company will about 40 per cent of its flights at a capacity of 50 to 60 per cent [...]
Hiscox faces legal action over coronavirus business interruption claims April 22, 2020 The Night Time Industries Association, which represents bars and clubs across the UK, has launched legal action against Hiscox, alleging the insurer has refused to pay out for claims during the coronavirus pandemic. The organisation is arranging class action against the insurer, which it said has denied liability under its business interruption policy. All night [...]
Gordon Brothers buys Laura Ashley brand and archives April 22, 2020 Gordon Brothers has bought the Laura Ashley brand out of administration, however the future of its 147 high street stores is still undecided. The clothing and home retailer’s archives and intellectual property were also included in the deal, the US advisory firm announced today. Gordon Brothers said it will partner with the existing management team [...]
Coronavirus: Moss Bros shares dive as bidder looks for exit April 22, 2020 Shares in Moss Bros plunged more than 20 per cent today after the menswear firm said Brigadier Acquisition Company was seeking to pull out of a £22m deal to take it private due to coronavirus. The suit retailer said this morning that it had been informed by Brigadier, which owns Crew Clothing, that it is [...]
