Coronavirus: Queen to tell Brits to “take pride” in response to virus April 5, 2020 THE Queen will call on her subjects to show resolve in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic in a historic televised address this evening. She will say that in “very challenging” times, “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge. “And those [...]
Brits spent an extra £1.9bn in stockpiling spree before coronavirus lockdown March 31, 2020 Brits made over 79 million extra trips to supermarkets in the four weeks leading up to the coronavirus lockdown, as people rushed to stock up on groceries ahead of restrictions being introduced, according to industry data. The stockpiling drove a 20.5 per cent jump in supermarket sales up to 21 March, with customers spending an [...]
London retail footfall plunges as shops close amid coronavirus pandemic March 23, 2020 Retail footfall in central London plummeted last week as employees started working from home and shops start to close amid the coronavirus pandemic. Footfall in the capital plunged 63.3 per cent last week, as office workers were advised to stay home. In shopping areas on the outskirts of London footfall was down 21.9 per cent. [...]
‘We should all be ashamed’: NHS England boss calls for end to panic-buying March 21, 2020 The medical director of NHS England has said everyone should “be ashamed” that vital healthcare staff were being deprived of supplies due to panic-buying. Stephen Powis called on the public to think of those working long days to look after our loved ones when shopping. The appeal came at the government’s daily coronavirus briefing today, [...]
Coronavirus: Broadcaster viewing figures surge as Brits flock to TV news March 19, 2020 The UK’s public service broadcasters have reported a huge surge in viewer numbers as Brits flock to TV news to find out the latest information on the coronavirus outbreak. Almost 8.7m people tuned into the BBC Six O’Clock News last night — the highest figure recorded since Christmas Day 2008 and more than twice the [...]
Supermarket sweep: Spending data reveals shopper stockpiling and collapse in holiday bookings March 19, 2020 Brits are stocking up on essentials and holding off on booking holidays as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps the country, but they aren’t yet splashing the cash on takeaways, according to data from Starling Bank. The digital bank said customer spending at supermarkets was soaring to levels typically seen at Christmas, with warehouse outlet Costco entering [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Wong can Thunder his way to another comeback victory March 17, 2020 UNDOUBTEDLY one of the feel-good stories in Hong Kong over the past month has been the return to the jockey ranks of young claimer Victor Wong. Wong suffered a freak track-work accident in May of last year and it was touch-and-go whether he would return to normal life, never mind riding racehorses again. It took [...]
Halfords closes its cycling businesses as it pivots to online March 16, 2020 Halfords has announced the closure of two of its cycling businesses as it focuses its attention on its online operations. The retailer is closing the operations of Cycle Republic and the Boardman Performance Centre following a strategic review of the group’s cycling businesses. Halfords said it was closing the low-returning and stock intensive business next [...]
Government launches consulation on new transport solutions March 16, 2020 The government has today launched a consultation on the UK’s transport laws in an attempt to make the country’s journeys “greener, easier and smarter” through new technology. The review will be accompanied by £90m in funding for three new “Future Transport Zones” where new modes of transport will be trialled. The three zones will be [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Santini all set to grab Gold Cup for Henderson March 12, 2020 THERE may only be 12 runners in this afternoon’s Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it’s very hard to rule any of the dozen out of contention. The obvious starting point is last season’s winner Al Boum Photo who has had an identical preparation to 12 months ago with the one prep race at Tramore. He [...]