UK coronavirus: Death toll jumps to 281 March 22, 2020 The coronavirus death toll in the UK has risen to 281 as the number of confirmed cases also jumped. The latest figures from the government showed that a further 47 people had died from the virus. As of 9am this morning, 78,340 people had been tested in the UK, and 5,683 had been confirmed positive. [...]
Estate agents urge government to extend coronavirus support March 22, 2020 Estate agents have urged the government to protect the industry as house viewings drop and sales activity slows due to coronavirus. The sector has called for the government to extend the business rates holiday, which applies to retail and hospitality firms, to estate agent companies. The UK’s housing market looked set to bounce back this [...]
Police on standby to help supermarkets in London lockdown March 19, 2020 Police could be called in to support UK supermarkets to deter aggressive behaviour in the event of a London lockdown as part of measures to delay the spread of coronavirus. Politicians and supermarkets have both urged the public to stop panic buying. However, demand for groceries has continued to spike. Shelves have been stripped and [...]
The Gym Group puts expansion on hold due to coronavirus March 19, 2020 The Gym Group has paused its rapid expansion plans in order to retain cash as users and new members drop off amid the coronavirus crisis. The budget gym chain said this morning that daily usage has started to decrease over the past two weeks, new joiner members are lower than expected and cancellation numbers are [...]
Coronavirus: Young’s offers rent holiday to tenants March 19, 2020 London pub chain Young’s this morning announced a three month rent holiday for its tenants to help them cope with the impact on trading from coronavirus. Young’s said it is expecting to close all of its sites at some point, although the government has so far only advised the public to avoid pubs. The company’s [...]
Ocado sales double as demand soars amid coronavirus panic March 19, 2020 Online supermarket Ocado has reported a jump in sales as demand for home delivery soars amid the coronavirus crisis. Ocado said sales had doubled in the second quarter compared to the previous period as shoppers made bigger and more frequent orders as they stockpiled goods. The grocer was forced to close its website and app [...]
Coronavirus: Joules scraps dividend as sales fall March 19, 2020 High street retailer Joules has cancelled its dividend payment in a bid to save cash as sales plunge due to coronavirus. Joules said the decision to scrap its proposed interim dividend will save the firm £700,000 as it attempts to “manage the near term challenges” caused by the outbreak. The brand has suffered a decline [...]
Burberry sales down 50 per cent as coronavirus spreads globally March 19, 2020 Luxury British brand Burberry this morning warned that sales have halved as coronavirus has decimated consumer demand. Sales have dropped between 40 per cent to 50 per cent since 24 January, as the outbreak has spread across the world, forcing Burberry to close around 40 per cent of its stores globally. In Europe, the Middle [...]
Coronavirus: Ocado closes website down as demand soars March 18, 2020 Online supermarket Ocado has closed its website for several days as it grapples with a surge in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic. The delivery company said it is temporarily shut until 21 March in order to “complete essential work” to make product and delivery slot distribution as “fair and accessible” as possible. In a [...]
Pizza Express agrees £70m loan facility March 18, 2020 Pizza Express has agreed a £70m loan with HPS Investment Partners amid a difficult time for casual dining chains as customers were advised to avoid eating out to stop the spread of coronavirus. The new super senior facility agreement will be used to repay in full and cancel its £20m existing revolving credit facility and [...]
