Shaftsbury integration ‘progressing well’ in vote of confidence for booming London west end June 14, 2023 Shaftesbury delivered a confident update to the markets, as a return to international tourism and its £4.9bn merger with Capco helped boost activity London’s West-end. In March last year, the two West-end landlords merged, meaning that Shaftesbury who owns land around Soho and Capco who owns land around Covent Garden now operate under one ownership. [...]
Entain: Ladbrokes owner will raise £600m to fund takeover of Poland’s largest bookie June 14, 2023 Ladbrokes owner Entain told markets this morning that it will raise £600m via the placing of shares which will help fund its latest acquisition of a Polish betmaker and other near term deals. The betting giant said yesterday that it would takeover STS Holding S.A – Poland’s largest bookies – in a deal worth £750m. [...]
Apple remains world’s most valuable brand June 14, 2023 Apple has once again been crowned the world’s most valuable brand, as the tech giant continues to entice customers despite the cost of living crisis. The American phone and tech maker is valued at $880bn (£698bn), figures from Kantar show, down from £947.1bn (£751.6bn) last year which is reflective of inflation and a tough market. [...]
400 jobs saved in Dirty Martini deal June 13, 2023 Some 400 hospitality jobs have been saved thanks to Night Cap bar group’s acquisition of Dirty Martini and Tuttons Brasserie following a pre-pack administration sale for close to £5m. The deal includes five Dirty Martini bars in London and five across Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Cardiff. Tuttons Brasserie, a restaurant in Covent Garden, which [...]
UKHospitality: Hilton boss to chair pub and restaurant body as part of leadership shakeup June 13, 2023 The body which represents pub and hospitality businesses across the UK, has named the managing director of Hilton UK & Ireland, as its new chair, as part of a scheduled shake up of its leadership board. UKHospitality said Steve Cassidy, who oversees operations for the luxury hotel group will take over as chair this week [...]
Mortgage commitments plummet to pandemic levels as rate hike jitters spook housing market June 13, 2023 The number of new mortgage commitments has fallen to the lowest levels since the Covid pandemic as speculation the Bank of England’s will keep on hiking interest rates rattles the market. As the central bank raised interest rates for the 12th consecutive time during the quarter, in a bid to cool inflation, the number of [...]
CMA hits out at Asda and Sainsbury’s for restricting competition June 13, 2023 Asda and Sainsbury’s broke anti-competition rules a combined total of 32 times between 2011 and 2019, the competition watchdog said this morning. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the ‘Big Four’ supermarkets broke the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which was brought in to stop supermarkets imposing new restrictions that stop rivals [...]
Brasserie Blanc eyes major pub expansion plan for 60 sites while creating 1,500 jobs June 13, 2023 Brasserie Blanc restaurant chain has revealed a major revamp which will see the hospitality group expand into the pubs with rooms market. Last year, Brasserie Bar Co was snapped up by private equity group Alchemy Partners for an undisclosed sum, and will now be renamed as Heartwood Collection, as part of its new makeover. The [...]
Ex BAT chief handed £1.5m lump pension payout after exit from Lucky Strike maker June 12, 2023 The former head of British American Tobacco (BAT) will be handed a £1.5m lump pension payout following his surprise exit from the cigarette company last month. Jack Bowles departed the Luck Strike maker last month following four years at the helm – he was replaced by former finance director of the group Tadeu Marroco. At [...]
Knight Frank revenues soar as it shrugs off ‘considerable market disruption’ June 12, 2023 Estate agency Knight Frank has posted a surge in revenues for the year despite having tackled “considerable market disruption” over the last 12 months due to the impact of the Truss-Kwarteng mini-budget. Revenues for the year ending 31 March 2023 reached £670m up from £665m in the same period last year as the opening of the [...]
