City of London Corporation calls for workers to return to Square Mile July 22, 2021 The City of London’s local authority has called for a mass return of office workers to the Square Mile now Covid restrictions have almost entirely been lifted, saying that “the economic bounce back has to start now”. Chris Hayward, the City of London Corporation’s deputy policy and resources chair, said the Square Mile had to [...]
Opening match of The Hundred sets UK TV record for women’s cricket July 22, 2021 The opening match of The Hundred, English cricket’s new competition, attracted a record UK television audience for a women’s match. A peak audience of 1.95m watched as the Oval Invincibles beat the Manchester Originals in a closely-fought curtain-raiser to the tournament. The figures marked an encouraging start for a competition that has divided opinion since [...]
Robinsons owner Britvic sees revenues rocket as UK restrictions ease July 22, 2021 Britvic, which owns Robinsons and Tango, has seen its revenues surge since restrictions eased as the soft drinks retailer was hit hard by hospitality closures. Revenue at the company shot up 22.8 per cent to £384.8m in its third-quarter trading, as it said revenue has grown across all its units. In total, however, the company’s [...]
Unilever hit by rising commodity prices despite positive sales growth July 22, 2021 Consumer goods giant Unilever has drawn back its full-year operating margin forecast as commodity costs have surged in the past six months. The group, which owns Dove and Hellmann’s, turned over €25.8bn in its half-year results – just 0.3 per cent more than last year. However, the group has already raked in a further €13.5bn [...]
Not too Priti: Home Office crackdown could see journalists muzzled July 22, 2021 Journalists and whistleblowers could face lengthy prison sentences for exposing information in the public interest under new proposals put forward by the government, industry leaders have warned. Under Priti Patel the Home Office has opened a consultation on planned changes to the Official Secrets Act that could see reporters treated like spies or those who [...]
In the wake of Greensill: alternative finance has been tainted by the scandal and needs to claw back legitimacy July 22, 2021 The dust may be slowly settling on the Greensill scandal itself, but its ramifications are rumbling on for the alternative finance sector. Post launch, Greensill was feted in the community, receiving large investments as it grew and racking up numerous plaudits for transforming how business financing can evolve to better suit the payments exchange between [...]
Centrica profits lift as British Gas strike turns down the heat July 22, 2021 Centrica has taken home some £1bn in operating profits in the past six months, as industrial actions at subsidiary British Gas tones down. The group swung from a £338m statutory profit loss last year, it said in its result for the six months to 30 June. Shares sank 2.1 per cent in its afternoon trading, [...]
Croydon tram crash: Accidental death verdict a ‘total farce’ July 22, 2021 The victims of the Croydon tram crash died as a result of an accident, and were not unlawfully killed, the jury at the inquest into their deaths has concluded. Seven passengers died and a further 62 were injured when a tram derailed in south London on November 9 2016. Dane Chinnery, 19, Philip Seary, 57, [...]
Restore shares soar after shooting down Marlowe’s ‘unsolicited’ £743m bid July 22, 2021 Data management services firm Restore had its shares sent flying today after it rejected a £743m ‘unsolicited’ bid from business services and software company Marlowe. Restore rejected the offer almost immediately, adding that it is the second “unsolicited, highly conditional, non-binding” offer in just a few weeks. Shares in the data management firm rocketed 14.2 [...]
Arsenal and Man City scrap overseas trips as Covid-19 hits Premier League pre-season preparations July 22, 2021 Premier League clubs Arsenal and Manchester City have had their preparations for the new season disrupted by issues relating to Covid-19. Arsenal were forced to cancel a pre-season trip to the US to compete in the Florida Cup alongside Everton, Inter Milan and Colombian side Millonarios. The North London outfit returned a number of positive [...]