BoE brings forward rate decision ahead of Sunak’s statement on Covid support November 4, 2020 The Bank of England (BoE) has moved the announcement of its November interest rates decision forward to avoid it clashing with a statement on Covid-19 support from the chancellor. The Bank moved the announcement after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Rishi Sunak would make a statement on the government’s coronavirus support measures to Parliament at [...]
Fitness industry rolls orange tank into Parliament Square in lockdown protest November 4, 2020 Fitness firms sparked chaos this morning after driving an orange tank through Westminster to protest the sector’s closure during the upcoming lockdown. Among the protesters was former England rugby international James Haskell, who was filmed releasing orange smoke from the armoured vehicle in Parliament Square. The disruptive stunt, which was organised by fitness brand Grenade, [...]
How to write a lockdown novel – from a man who did just that November 4, 2020 Thierry Macquet, a Mauritian ex-at living in London, found himself stranded on the paradise island of his childhood when coronavirus rampaged across the globe. To stay sane, he decided to write a lockdown novel, Messages From an Adventurous Ancestor. Here’s how he did it, and some advice on how you can do the same as [...]
Carlyle Group buys UK retirement homes group Beechcroft November 4, 2020 Private equity firm The Carlyle Group has acquired UK retirement homes group from Alchemy Partners for an undisclosed sum. The US investment giant’s €540m Carlyle Europe Realty fund invested in Beechcroft, which owns a portfolio of homes in Greater London and South East England. Founded more than 35 years ago, Beechcroft covers the entire development value [...]
The decline and fall of crypto-libertarians: influencing the crypto licencing map November 4, 2020 At the birth of the modern internet in the 1990s, cyber-libertarians argued that it created a “free” World Wide Web beyond any restrictions that could be imposed by any national regulator or government. By the turn of the millennium it was already clear that not only would the internet be subject to the increasing jurisdiction [...]
Boris Johnson promises businesses new lockdown will end on 2 December November 4, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson reassured British businesses that the new lockdown in England will end on 2 December during a speech to the CBI today, but later said it would “depend on us all doing our bit”. Johnson announced a new month-long lockdown at the weekend. It will come into place tomorrow and will see [...]
John Lewis axes 1,500 head office jobs November 4, 2020 John Lewis has announced it will axe a further 1,500 jobs as part of its plan to return to profit. The retailer said this morning that it will cut the head office roles by April next year, in a move that will save £50m as it targets £300m in cost reductions by 2022. It will [...]
Mercato Metropolitano reopens as police reverse closure decision November 4, 2020 Food hall Mercato Metropolitano will open today after police reversed their decision to force it to close early ahead of the new lockdown. Earlier today the venue announced that it had been ordered to close until further notice by police after its last customers left at seven minutes past the 10pm curfew time on Monday. [...]
FCA outlines payment holiday proposals for struggling borrowers November 4, 2020 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has outlined its proposals to bolster support for consumer credit borrowers struggling with the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, the watchdog announced plans to extend payment holidays credit cards, car finance, personal loans and pawnbroking as England prepares to enter a fresh national lockdown tomorrow. Under [...]
Hong Kong private equity firm acquires majority stake in footwear retailer Clarks November 4, 2020 Hong Kong private equity firm Lionrock Capital has confirmed it will acquire a £100m majority stake in high street footwear retailer Clarks. The deal is dependent on Clarks securing shareholder approval for its restructuring plan, which will allow the retailer to close stores and move to a turnover-rent model. Lionrock Capital will acquire a majority [...]
