Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher unexpectedly spike after sales boost September 23, 2025 Kingfisher, the parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, saw its share price rise more than 17 per cent on Tuesday morning after posting a better-than-expected sales update. The FTSE 100 firm told markets that sales improved 0.9 per cent in the six months ended 31 July, 2025, to £6.8bn, driven by a 4.4 per cent [...]
How do you regulate the Independent Football Regulator? September 14, 2025 Former director and chairman of AFC Bournemouth, and current global head of sport at Pinsent Masons, Trevor Watkins discusses how to regulate the Independent Football Regulator This year more than any other promises major change for English football off the field rather than on it: the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is now in the game. [...]
She championed consumers, but can Lucy Rigby MP steer the City? September 11, 2025 Lawyers, journalists, and Westminster insiders have long dominated the British political system, and this Labour government is no exception, with a former barrister at the helm. Now, the minister responsible for the City has joined the list. But who is Lucy Rigby MP? That was the question on everyone’s lips in the Square Mile. She [...]
Have rumours of the death of literacy been exaggerated? September 3, 2025 We’re told no one reads for pleasure any more, but the popularity of Middlemarch in Silicon Valley and the rise of “booktok” give a glimpse of hope, says Phoebe Arslanagić-Little A new study has found that the percentage of Americans who report reading for pleasure over the course of an average day has declined from [...]
Eat, Drink, Sleep, Repeat: The best London and New York restaurants August 20, 2025 Our Toast the City judge Martin Williams gives his bi-weekly opinion on all things dining. This week he splits his time between London and New York. There has been a good amount of excitement in the hospitality sector as of late, with JKS and Dishoom both heading to America on expansion trails. Last weekend I, [...]
After the shake-up, is the CMA still a watchdog with teeth? August 14, 2025 Those of us who have regulators' email alerts switched on were familiar with the CMA as an active regulator, but that didn't align with the Labour government's agenda.
UK class actions worth £135bn but landmark losses raises questions over regime August 11, 2025 The popularity of class actions continues to rise as the UK remains one of Europe's most active jurisdiction with the total value of cases in the UK surpassing £135bn in 2024.
Osteria Angelina: Whisper it – could fusion food be back? August 5, 2025 Osteria Angelina | Nicholls Clarke Yard, E1 6SH | ★★★★★ In the 15 years I’ve been writing about restaurants, few people have dared to drop the f-bomb. I’m not talking about sweary chefs mouthing off about a bad review (that’s happened a few times). No, I’m referring to a concept that is – should you [...]
Jimmy Carr handed whopping tax bill after tour brings in £3m August 4, 2025 Jimmy Carr has been handed a huge tax bill after his wealth surged by more than £3m thanks to launching his International stand-up tour and the success of his Netflix special. The comedian took his Laughs Funny show across the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America and also released his fourth Netflix [...]
Bad habits: Ed Sheeran’s music school in the red before rescue amid huge debts August 1, 2025 The Surrey music school, whose former students include Ed Sheeran and the 1975’s Matty Healy, fell into the red before being taken over, its latest corporate filings show. The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford has posted a pre-tax loss of £797,474 for its latest financial year – the 12 months to 31 August, [...]