UK property firms refresh boardrooms to survive coronavirus crisis October 7, 2020 UK property firms have overhauled their leadership teams during the last six months as the sector grapples with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest reserach. Boardroom changes at listed real estate firms have accelerated 46 per cent to 19 in the last six months, up from 13 executive changes during the [...]
Greene King to close pubs as 10pm curfew cripples sales October 7, 2020 Pub chain Greene King is preparing to permanently close 26 sites, putting hundreds of jobs at risk of redundancy, due to a sharp drop in sales exacerbated by the 10pm curfew on hospitality venues. It has launched a consultation process with 800 employees over the potential job cuts, Sky News reported. The company is seeking [...]
Frasers Group launches charm offensive to boost reputation over treatment of staff October 7, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group today launched a charm offensive against shareholders and the City over the firm’s treatment of workers, which has previously been the subject of intense scrutiny. Speaking at this morning’s annual general meeting, non-executive chairman David Daly said the firm’s elevation strategy, which has seen it target a high-end retail reputation, also [...]
Banking sector warns against irresponsible lending after PM’s low deposit mortgage pledge October 7, 2020 The banking sector has cautioned against irresponsible lending after the Prime Minister announced plans to help millions of potential buyers onto the housing ladder by allowing low deposit mortgages. Boris Johnson yesterday said he wants to turn “generation rent” into “generation buy” by allowing people to purchase homes with a five per cent deposit. The [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group urges investors to back employee bonus scheme October 7, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has urged shareholders to back an employee bonus scheme, which would require the retailer’s share price to triple before workers receive a payout. Ahead of this morning’s annual general meeting, the firm, which has come under fire recently over reports that staff were asked to work while on furlough, called on [...]
Investors target UK regional hotels amid staycation surge October 6, 2020 Investors are targeting hotel properties in staycation destinations such as Brighton as the coronavirus pandemic has led to more Britons going on holiday within the UK rather than risking international travel. Interest in coastal and country hotels has spiked due to the increase in holidaymakers deciding to book domestic trips this year, with some locations [...]
Consumers expect free delivery amid online shopping boom October 6, 2020 Consumers expect free delivery when buying items online, new research has shown, amid a surge in internet shopping due to the coronavirus pandemic. A survey of 2,000 UK adults found that delivery services have risen up shoppers’ agenda since the outbreak of the pandemic, with Amazon Prime the standard to which other retailers are held. [...]
Mike Ashley faces shareholder showdown over re-election as Frasers boss October 6, 2020 Mike Ashley is facing a shareholders revolt at the Frasers Group annual general meeting tomorrow, following claims that employees were forced to work while furloughed during the coronavirus lockdown. Shareholder advisory service Pirc has recommended that investors oppose Ashley’s re-election as chief executive of the retail group, which was formerly known as Sports Direct. The [...]
Hospitality circuit breaker lockdown could wipe £1bn off UK GDP, research shows October 6, 2020 A two-week circuit breaker lockdown to reduce the spread of coronavirus could cost the UK economy around £1bn and result in more hospitality job losses, the latest research showed. Ministers have reportedly mulled closing pubs and restaurants and ordering Britons to reduce social contacts for at least two weeks in a bid to halt a [...]
Boris Johnson reveals plans to cut deposits in bid to boost home ownership October 6, 2020 The Prime Minister has announced plans to help millions of Britons onto the housing ladder by allowing home-hunters to buy a property with a smaller deposit. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference today Boris Johnson said he wants to turn “generation rent” into “generation buy” by reforming the UK’s planning system. The government is planning [...]
