Coronavirus recovery stalls as UK economy grows just 2.1 per cent in August October 9, 2020 The UK economy grew at just 2.1 per cent in August as the country’s economic recovery showed signs of stalling. Although the figure marked the fourth straight month of growth, it was considerably lower than had been expected. As a result, GDP remains 9.2 per cent lower than it was before the pandemic struck in [...]
FTSE 100 rises despite UK GDP missing expectations October 9, 2020 The FTSE 100 rose at the open despite the UK economy growing less than expected in August, as traders continued to mull the prospect of more US fiscal stimulus. London’s blue-chip index climbed 0.5 per cent to 6,009 points. The FTSE 250, made up of slightly smaller companies, rose 0.3 per cent. Asian markets were [...]
Just Eat Takeaway shareholders back Grubhub deal but reject US chief’s pay October 7, 2020 Shareholders of online food delivery giant Just Eat Takeaway have approved its proposed $7.3bn (£5.6bn) acquisition of US rival Grubhub, but rejected a pay package for the company’s US chief executive. The group agreed to buy Grubhub in June in an all-share deal that would make the combined group the biggest food delivery company outside [...]
See A Film Out To Help Out: Five ways to save the film industry October 7, 2020 In this uncertain and unnerving year, there seems to be little light at the end of the tunnel, particularly for people working in the UK’s film industry. This week, Cineworld confirmed its plans to place all of its own cinemas and those of its Picturehouse brand in an unprecedented winter hibernation — meaning the loss [...]
Deliveroo appoints Goldman Sachs to oversee London float October 5, 2020 Deliveroo has appointed Goldman Sachs to oversee its long-awaited London flotation, according to reports, in a move that would value the UK food delivery company at more than £2bn. The Amazon-backed startup is expected to debut on the London stock market next year following discussions with the investment banking firm, Sky News reported. Deliveroo declined [...]
O2 Arena to resume live events in December with Squeeze gig October 5, 2020 The O2 Arena has announced plans to resume live events for the first time in eight months in December with a gig headlined by 70s rock group Squeeze. The Cool for Cats rockers will play to socially distanced fans on Saturday 5 December in the first concert at the east London venue since it was [...]
G-A-Y launches legal challenge against 10pm curfew on hospitality venues October 5, 2020 The owner of London’s G-A-Y nightclub is set to launch a legal challenge against the government’s 10pm hospitality curfew over claims it treats the night-time economy as a “scapegoat” for the spread of coronavirus. Jeremy Joseph, owner of the London club and pub chain, today said he would pursue a potential judicial review on the [...]
Why the government must give more support to London’s hospitality sector October 1, 2020 Hospitality and tourism have felt the force of Covid-19 like no other sector. Green shoots started to emerge during the summer months, as Eat Out to Help Out, a staycation boom and the warm weather put much-needed cash in the registers of hotels and restaurants across the UK. While London remained quiet, there was some [...]
The government’s short-term ‘cures’ are doing far more damage than the virus itself September 29, 2020 For the best part of this year, our societies have been torn apart by this Covid-19 pandemic. It has thrown challenges to all businesses and all people in almost every country around the world. My home country, Italy, was the first in Europe to see how devastating this virus could be. We all remember those [...]
Exclusive: MPs slam ‘inconsistency and incompetence’ as SMEs struggle to get bounce back loans September 28, 2020 Banks have been told to ensure that no small businesses are “locked out” of government-backed coronavirus loans, after firms were left unable to access the loans despite being eligible for funding. MPs said lenders accredited under the scheme should re-open applications for bounce back loans (BBLs), designed to help small companies weather the pandemic. Barclays [...]