Covid-19 restrictions being eased ‘once and for all’, PM says on anniversary of first lockdown March 23, 2021 The Prime Minister said Covid-19 restrictions are being lifted “once and for all”, as he paid tribute to the Britons that have died on the anniversary of the first coronavirus lockdown. Johnson offered his “sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones” and praised the “great spirit” displayed ahead of the nation pausing for [...]
Crest Nicholson hikes profit expectations as UK housing market remains ‘resilient’ March 23, 2021 Crest Nicholson has hiked its profit expectations for the year, saying the UK housing market has remained “resilient” to the impact of Covid-19. The UK housebuilder said profit before tax for the year ended 31 October 2021 is expected to be around £85m, up from previous expectations of £74.3m. Crest Nicholson’s share price jumped 4.1 [...]
Coronavirus: How has a year of lockdowns changed the way we shop? March 23, 2021 One year ago today Boris Johnson announced the UK would enter its first coronavirus lockdown, forcing non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants to close in an unprecedented move to slow the spread of Covid-19. The way we shop had changed before the Prime Minister addressed the nation on the evening of 23 March 2020. Images of [...]
McColl’s fails to return to to profit despite bumper convenience store sales during pandemic March 23, 2021 McColl’s reported a jump in revenue last year as the convenience store chain benefitted from a surge in demand for local stores during the pandemic, but failed to return to profit. Total revenue for the year was up 3.2 per cent to £1.26bn, with its store closure programme partly offsetting the surge in sales. Like-for-like [...]
Good cluck: US fried chicken chain Popeyes to open first UK store March 23, 2021 US fried chicken chain Popeyes has today announced it will launch its first UK store this year, with plans to open hundreds of branches across the country. The fast food firm will open the store by the end of 2021, it said this morning, and is targeting 350 sites across the UK within the next [...]
City living: Most popular London postcodes for house hunters revealed March 22, 2021 While many Londoners have left the city during the pandemic, seeking better value for money and more outdoor space, the capital’s property market has remained active with buyers still targeting central locations. South London boroughs have been the most popular with buyers since the beginning of the first lockdown, according to the latest research, with [...]
Sir Philip Green’s office furniture up for sale as administrators flog Arcadia assets after collapse March 22, 2021 Administrators have begun flogging Arcadia’s assets, including sewing machines and Sir Philip Green’s office furniture, following the collapse of his retail empire. Deloitte has appointed Hilco Global to sell the former Topshop owner’s London headquarters in a dramatic fall from high street royalty to the auction house. Arcadia collapsed into administration last year, putting 13,000 [...]
Boris Johnson to call EU leaders in bid to sop vaccine export ban March 22, 2021 Boris Johnson is preparing to speak to EU leaders this week as a row over coronavirus vaccine supplies rumbles on. The Prime Minister is expected to hold a meeting with his European counterparts to try and de-escalate tensions in the lead up to an EU’s leaders summit on Thursday. He will also speak to leaders [...]
Cadbury-owner Mondelez to buy UK protein bar brand Grenade for £200m March 22, 2021 Mondelez, the US owner of Cadbury, is preparing to announce a £200m deal to buy British protein bar brand Grenade. It has secured a deal with Grenade’s majority shareholder to buy the sports nutrition firm, Sky News reported. The deal – which would be Mondelez’s most significant UK takeover since it acquired Cadbury in 2009 [...]
B&Q owner Kingfisher toasts click & collect success as sales surge March 22, 2021 Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q and Screwfix, this morning announced that sales and profit surged last year, boosted by its click and collect offer, as consumers began DIY projects during lockdown. Sales were up 7.2 per cent to £12.3bn and profit after tax was £592m, up from £8m in the previous year. Adjusted post-tax profit [...]
