Pub and restaurant sales bounce back in April ahead of full reopening May 14, 2021 Pub and restaurant sales bounced back in April, reaching almost 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in a confidence boost for the sector ahead of its full reopening on Monday. Managed pub and restaurant groups recorded a 26 per cent drop in like-for-like sales last month compared to April 2019. The period covers three full [...]
Vaccinations drive Airbnb bookings up 52 per cent May 13, 2021 Airbnb beat Wall Street’s expectations for first-quarter gross bookings and revenue on Thursday, as speedy Covid-19 vaccinations and easing restrictions encouraged more people to check into its vacation rentals. Gross bookings jumped 52 per cent to $10.29bn in the quarter, easily beating analysts’ estimates of $6.93bn. “For guests aged 60 and above in the U.S., who [...]
Some post-Brexit EU jobseekers end up in detention upon arrival May 13, 2021 A small number of jobseekers arriving into the UK have been sent to immigration removal centres, held in airport detention rooms or expelled. Among them are EU citizens with job interviews in the UK, The Guardian reports. When it comes to EU citizens looking for work in the UK, some rules since Brexit are straightforward [...]
Indian variant cases more than double in the UK in less than a week May 13, 2021 The number of confirmed UK cases of the coronavirus variant first detected in India have more than doubled this week, from 520 to 1313 cases. There are growing concerns over the variant, which appears to be spreading more quickly than others. Public Health England said it is actively monitoring the impact of the variant and [...]
West End company signs 70-year lease on new Olympia Theatre May 13, 2021 Trafalgar Entertainment has signed a 70-year lease at the new Olympia Theatre in West London, which is scheduled to open in 2025. The agreement, which will run for 35 years with the option to extend for a further 35, is part of a broader ambition by the live entertainment business to create a venue of [...]
Too late for UK-EU ‘fish for finance deal, say City of London Corporation May 13, 2021 It is too late for the UK to strike a “fish for finance deal” with Brussels to ensure the City gets renewed access to the EU, according to a top City of London Corporation official. Nick Collier, managing director of the City of London Corporation in Brussels, said at a Best for Britain event today [...]
London buses to double passenger capacity from Monday May 13, 2021 Londoners will soon face fewer capacity-related bus frustrations, as from Monday social distancing measures on buses across England will be eased. In London capacity on double decker buses will be doubled to around 60 passengers from Monday. For single decker buses capacity will be increased to 28, up from between 11 and 14 currently, depending [...]
David Cameron denies speaking to Lex Greensill about future job while Prime Minister May 13, 2021 David Cameron has denied he spoke with Lex Greensill about one day working for his supply chain finance firm while he was Prime Minister. Greensill, an Australian former investment banker, worked as an adviser in the Cabinet Office from 2011 while Cameron was Prime Minister. Cameron went on to work for now failed Greensill Capital [...]
Dowden: Visa-free touring possible in 17 countries post-Brexit May 13, 2021 Artists will be able to tour in at least 17 of the 27 EU member states without needing visas or work permits, the culture secretary has said. When the Brexit transition period ended, new travel rules came into place that do not guarantee visa-free travel for musicians in the EU. There have been calls from [...]
BoE’s Bailey: Inflation pressure will not last May 13, 2021 Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey reckons factors pushing up inflation in the coming months will not persist, but nevertheless the Bank will keep a watchful eye on the situation. “So the really big question is: ‘Is [higher inflation] going to persist or not?’ Bailey said at an event with members of the public organised [...]
