Nicola Sturgeon is no Mother Christmas December 3, 2020 If there is one political certainty I would bet my house on, it’s that when politicians are in serious trouble they will suddenly make a major announcement to push the damaging story off the news agenda. There is no better exponent of this trait than the media operation of Nicola Sturgeon and her Scottish government, [...]
Square Mile comes back to life as second lockdown ends December 2, 2020 As London emerges from the second lockdown there are tentative signs that life is returning to the City. London today entered Tier 2, representing a slight easing of lockdown restrictions, just as news of the Pfizer/Biontech vaccine approval landed in the Square Mile. City leaders breathe a sigh of relief Gyms, barbers and beauty salons [...]
England v France Autumn Nations Cup final tickets available by invite only and hospitality sold out December 1, 2020 Spectators are due to return to Twickenham this weekend when England host France in the Autumn Nations Cup final. The good news for England rugby fans is that 2,000 seats have been made available, including some hospitality places, for the game on Sunday. The bad news is that only a few tickets remain at the [...]
Wanted: Someone to take charge and save hospitality this Christmas December 1, 2020 The excitement is building, and it’s so close now: lockdown is about to be lifted, and at midnight tomorrow we will all slot into our allotted tiers. London will be in a freshly toughened Tier 2, with shops reopening and pubs and restaurants allowed to admit customers — but under complicated limitations. A few lucky [...]
Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia facing collapse within hours November 30, 2020 Sir Philip Green’s retail empire Arcadia, which owns high street brands Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, is reportedly on the brink of collapse this morning. The retail group could become the latest casualty of the coronavirus pandemic and appoint administrators as soon as this afternoon, City A.M. understands, which would put 13,000 jobs at risk. Mike [...]
How to stage a limited capacity match in the Covid era, from socially distanced seating to ordering drinks November 25, 2020 Sports clubs across England are preparing to host limited-capacity events when lockdown ends next week, but Harlequins are one step ahead. The Premiership rugby club had 2,800 at their home, The Stoop, for a match against Bath in early September, as part of a nationwide pilot scheme. Here, Adrian Wells, chief marketing officer at Harlequins, [...]
Piece of Cake: Lockdown treats boost revenue 30 per cent at Cake Box November 23, 2020 Specialist dessert retailer Cake Box saw shares spike almost four per cent this morning, as it announced group revenue jumped just under a third in the first half of 2020. The cream cake specialist said group revenue hiked 30 per cent to £8.6m in the 20 weeks to 30 September — up from £6.6m in [...]
Lockdown weekend #4: How to stay sane in the age of Covid November 21, 2020 The end of lockdown is – hopefully – in sight, if not quite within touching distance. As we enter the fourth (!) weekend of lockdown 2, here are some ways to keep yourself entertained. After all, you know what the devil does with idle hands… Eat like a Roman emperor Whether you’re in the mood [...]
The best home delivery food, from fine dining to ripe cheese November 21, 2020 As we approach the end of a dreary November, there are positive signs for the weeks and months to come, with the promise of vaccines and the prospect of lockdown restrictions easing enough to allow us to eat in restaurants again. On the other hand, lockdown may be extended and the cycle of cabin fever [...]
Relentless November 18, 2020 Surging Higher Bitcoin continued its relentless surge higher and after breaching the $18,000 level, the upside temporarily stalled at $18,500, but the dip buying interest was so strong that the dip into the low $17,000 was brought-up without any hesitation. The path towards an all time high is very much in sight. Similarly, Ethereum also [...]