Calls made to reinstate minister for pubs as sector faces closure fears Pubs Fresh calls have been made for the reinstatement of minister for pubs role in the UK, amid a challenging period for the sector as it continues to face inflationary headwinds and rising closures. It comes as part of a new report by think tank Localise – commissioned by the British Beer and Hospitality Association (BPPA) [...]
Pepco: British Poundland veteran parachuted in to save struggling European wing Retail A retail veteran, who was instrumental in driving UK growth for budget outlet Poundland, has been reshuffled by Pepco to head up its struggling European division. The move comes as the arm posted its second profit warning in three weeks. Barry Williams, who served as managing director of Poundland and Dealz, in the UK and [...]
Mitchells & Butlers: All Bar One owner toasts soaring sales as costs ease Pubs All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) said total group like-for-like sales were up 10.4 per cent on last year, as the bar and restaurant chain sees costs easing. M&B, which also owns Toby Carvery and O’Neill’s, said that food sales on a like-for-like basis grew 8.6 per cent wile drinks sales were up [...]
London tenants rattled by shock order to tear down Greenwich tower blocks September 28, 2023 A shock order from Greenwich Council to demolish two recently built residential towers because they did not have accurate planning permission has rattled the tenants currently living there. On Monday, borough officials announced that the Mast Quay Phase II development, constructed by Comer Homes last year, should be torn down as the finished building looked [...]
H&M: Sales to drop 10 per cent due to unusually hot September and Russia pull-out September 27, 2023 H&M has warned that its sales are expected to decrease by 10 per cent in September, as unusually hot weather and discontinued operations in Russia have dampened trade. The gloomy forecast puts a damper on the Swedish fashion giant’s latest third quarter update, revealing a six per cent rise in net sales to SEK 60,897m [...]
‘Higher for longer rates’ sparked shift to premium London office space September 27, 2023 Property developer Landsec reported strong demand for premium office space in central London, as firms react to the message of interest rates being “higher for longer.” The commercial real estate giant said office occupancy in Victoria, where half of its central London business sits, is now 100 per cent let and with £17m of lettings [...]
Shepherd Neame: Pub chain posts record revenues as inflation woes start to cool September 27, 2023 Britain's oldest brewer Shepherd Neame is toasting record high first-half revenue as inflationary challenges begin to ease.
London sees 24 per cent drop in first-time buyers as high mortgage rates bite September 27, 2023 London experienced a 24 per cent decline in the number of first-time buyers entering the market in the last year as high mortgage rates crush home-ownership dreams.
Greenwich: London council orders demolition of luxury blocks built ‘without planning permission’ September 26, 2023 Greenwich Council has ordered that two luxury riverside residential towers be torn down because they were erected without planning permission. Mast Quay Phase II, located in Woolwich, was completed in 2022 and residents have since moved into the posh towers which feature an onsite gym. But the council has argued that the finished building looks [...]
AG Barr: Profits fizz at Irn Bru maker as recent takeovers lift revenues September 26, 2023 AG Barr, the maker of Irn Bru, today reported a 12.6 per cent leap in profit to £27.8m during the first half of the year as the carbonated drinks maker was lifted by recent takeovers.
