Inflation expected to inch back up due to travel rush January 19, 2026 Inflation is expected to edge back up as higher airfares and tobacco prices are squeezing British families’ budgets and adding to pressures on the cost of living. A Bloomberg poll of economists has predicted consumer price index (CPI) inflation to hit 3.3 per cent rate for the year to December, which would be higher than [...]
Donald Trump won’t annex Greenland – this is part of his standard playbook January 19, 2026 Trump has a standard political playbook, and his Greenland threats are right on script, writes ex-US Embassy specialist Michael Martins.
Wetherspoon to reveal Christmas trading amid challenging backdrop for pubs January 18, 2026 Pub giant JD Wetherspoon is set to shed light on how its customers fared over the key Christmas period amid a backdrop of rising costs for the sector. The value pub chain, which runs around 800 venues across the UK, will become the latest firm to reveal its latest trading performance when it updates shareholders [...]
UK inflation faces December bump from travel and food costs January 18, 2026 UK inflation may have edged higher at the end of last year, with Christmas travel and higher duties pushing up prices, economists have warned. Several forecasters expect the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to have ticked up in December after falling sharply in November. Economists at Pantheon Macroeconomics say they expect inflation to rise to 3.3 [...]
Urban Pubs & Bars launches acquisition spree after strong Christmas sales January 16, 2026 Urban Pubs & Bars has embarked on an aggressive acquisition spree as the London-based hospitality group toasted strong demand over the Christmas season. This week the company announced it had acquired The Birdcage in East London from Brewdog, marking its sixth acquisition of 2026. The deal follows the recent completion of five premium hospitality venues [...]
That’s why mums go to adland: Retailers’ big media drive January 15, 2026 With an abundance of information about their customers at their fingertips, some of the UK’s largest retailers are looking and behaving increasingly like media agencies, writes Ali Lyon Having a baby tends to be a highly personal journey. Conscious of the all-important three-month miscarriage cut-off, many wannabe parents will, quite understandably, think painstakingly about who [...]
Sheffield United cut ties with data firm over takeover bid for rivals Wednesday January 14, 2026 Sheffield United have terminated their consultancy contract with Short Circuit Science after the data company was named the preferred bidder of rivals Sheffield Wednesday last month. The business founded by former professional poker player James Bord had been advising Sheffield United on new signings and recommended the recruitment of Ruben Selles as manager last summer, [...]
Max Que to give Purton a perfect day at the Valley January 13, 2026 LOOK no further than MAX QUE to atone for an unlucky defeat at the hands of rival Silvery Breeze in the APM Monaco Cup Handicap (12.35pm) over a mile. The Mark Newnham-trained five-year-old is already a dual winner this season at Sha Tin and was undone by an awkward draw when he finished a fast-closing [...]
The Apprentice 2026: the cast, celebrity appearances and exotic locations January 13, 2026 The Apprentice 2026 returns at the end of the month, with show insiders predicting it’ll be broadcast on the final Thursday in January, as per previous years, although the exact launch date has yet to be confirmed. The 20th season of The Apprentice sees Lord Sugar return with co-hosts Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell [...]
Fortnum & Mason: Profit surges at King’s grocer January 13, 2026 Profit at Fortnum & Mason surged by more than 60 per cent as its sales also ticked up during its latest financial year, new figures have revealed. The iconic London store has posted a pre-tax profit of £15m for the 12 months to the end of July 2025, a rise from £9.3m. The firm’s turnover [...]