Dowden defends Channel 4 privatisation push as ‘needed’ to fend off streaming giants September 15, 2021 UK culture secretary Oliver Dowden has restated his view that changing Channel 4’s ownership is the best path for the channel, in the latest sign that the government intends to push forward with plans to privatise the state-owned broadcaster. Speaking publicly for the first time since the government launched a consultation on the future of [...]
Tudor-inspired gin Six Wives is gin fit for a king September 15, 2021 Six Wives is a small-batch, hand-crafted gin inspired by traditional botanicals. It is the brainchild of Simon Marjoram, a marketing director, who had the idea while walking his two Schnauzers down the towpath towards Hampton Court. Its bottle is a nod to the fate of Henry’s spouses – divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. And [...]
OpenSea confirms an executive is guilty of insider trading – CityAM : CityAM September 15, 2021 OpenSea marketplace has confirmed a company executive is guilty of insider trading, using confidential information to profit big on NFTs. Yesterday, a Twitter storm broke out when the company’s Head of Product, Nate Chastain, was publicly accused of purchasing NFTs destined for the website’s front page before their public listing. The digital artworks would then [...]
UK manufacturers’ costs rise at fastest pace in a decade September 15, 2021 UK manufacturers’ costs rose at their fastest pace in a decade last month, adding to concerns price rises in the British economy may be much stickier than expected after separate data published today shows consumer price inflation jumped at its fastest rate on record. Input prices – typically materials used in the day-to-day running of [...]
No sign of slowing down for Cazoo as buying spree continues September 15, 2021 Cazoo has continued its recent acquisition spree by snapping up car preparation and storage firm SMH Fleet Solutions (SMH) for £70m. The firm, which operates six sites across the UK, carries out 70,000 vehicle refurbishments a year. Its 500 staff will join Cazoo as the used car marketplace seeks to continue the rapid growth it [...]
Primark debuts targets to slash environmental impact September 15, 2021 Fast fashion chain Primark has pledged to improve its environmental impact with changes to its products and boosting workers’ wages. The retailer said it would use more recyclable materials, make sure clothing lasted longer, and raise wages for workers, all while keeping prices the same for the consumer. This is the first time Primark has [...]
Kremlin: Launch Nord Stream 2 to balance gas prices September 15, 2021 The Kremlin today said that a rapid start-up of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline would help to correct sky-high gas prices across Europe amid a squeeze in supply. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Undoubtedly, the quickest launch of Nord Stream 2 would significantly balance out the pricing parameters of natural gas in Europe, including on the spot [...]
PwC: 80 per cent of Big Four’s staff hail from higher socio-economic class September 15, 2021 Less than 15 per cent of the Big Four’s workforce come from a lower socio-economic background, according to data published by the accountant for the first time today. Staff from a higher socio-economic background, on the other hand, make up over four-fifths of the workforce at PwC UK, which was named the top employer for [...]
JD Wetherspoon to hike meal prices 50p ahead of VAT increase September 15, 2021 Pub giant JD Wetherspoon has said it will have to increase prices of meals by 50p later this month because of a VAT increase. Prices of meals at the pub group will go up on Wednesday September 29, ahead of VAT rising to 12.5 per cent on Friday October 1. The group will slash the [...]
Covent Garden al fresco to stay as Council considers long-term future for Soho September 15, 2021 Covent Garden’s al fresco revival is set to continue after Westminster City Council approved a continuation of the outdoor dining scheme that has proven a lifeline for hospitality businesses in the area. And whilst the road closures that allowed Soho to become an outdoor festival over recent months will come to an end on September [...]