The return of the West End: rebuilding a delicate ecosystem of workers and culture August 1, 2021 While London’s West End may be known for its flagship stores, Michelin star restaurants, world-class hotels and unrivalled theatres, it is also home to a thriving office sector. One in ten Londoners are employed in the West End across various industries, from retail and leisure through to finance and real estate. This ecosystem of industries [...]
Soggy pizza? Delivery shifts soar as drivers ‘boomerang’ back to old jobs July 30, 2021 The number of temporary delivery drivers ready to pick up shifts has tumbled by over a quarter, new data has found, with many leaving flexible working behind. Thousands have returned to their pre-pandemic professions in hospitality and retail, according to Indeed Flex, the job sites flexible working division. In London, the number of available drivers [...]
Two-tiered recovery? High Streets struggle as one-in-seven shops sit vacant July 30, 2021 A wave of administrations, closures and downsizing has decimated the UK high street, with new figures out this morning showing one in seven shops are sitting empty – and the problem is getting worse. In the second quarter of 2021, the overall vacancy rate increased to 14.5 per cent across the UK, from 14.1 per [...]
Screenshot: Will the digital advertising boom ever end? July 30, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: You are what you tweet **Will the digital advertising boom ever end? **Esports: Britain’s next big thing? Media Moment of the Week: You are what you tweet You know the scenario: someone says something you don’t like on Twitter and you have an overwhelming urge to rise to [...]
Exclusive: HMV’s new owner on where he wants to take his High Street stores July 29, 2021 Music and entertainment retailer HMV confirmed last week plans to open 10 new stores, including a flagship London site. Following its decline into administration two years ago its Oxford Street store – along with many others – were closed. However, new owner Doug Putman, a Canadian music retail executive, bought the struggling business and believes [...]
Boots, boost: Doc Martens profits up with stores reopening July 29, 2021 Dr. Martens saw a strong first quarter with a significant increase in revenue, even compared to pre-pandemic levels, due to the reopening of stores and continued digital growth. The British bootmaker a revenue of £147.3m for the three months to June 30, a 52 percent increase compared to the same period last year and 31 [...]
How to celebrate ‘Black Tot Day’ with a special rum July 29, 2021 You can either celebrate or mourn 31 July, see it as a day of thanksgiving or a day of grieving. This Saturday marks the 51st anniversary of what some have called “a barbaric act by government”: it is the anniversary of the last rum ration given to Royal Navy sailors serving on British ships. However [...]
Travel industry welcomes end of quarantine for double-jabbed EU & US citizens but concerns remain July 28, 2021 Airlines and travel firms today hailed the news that the UK will drop quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers from the EU and US next week but warned more changes were needed. Industry body Airlines UK said: “Exemptions for all fully vaccinated travellers is undoubtedly a positive move, offering a lifeline for thousands of businesses [...]
Editorial: Online retail has a duty to be human – for their workers and the industry July 28, 2021 Old-school retail has been plagued by many criticisms through its long performance on our high streets. It has been far from the patron saint of good behaviour. But if you walked into a store in the early 2000s, you could, fairly or unfairly, get a feel for a company from the staff you bumped into. [...]
CitySprint look to expand as employment drive for 600 new couriers begins July 28, 2021 CitySprint, the UK’s largest same day distribution company, has announced that it is looking for an extra 600 new couriers across the UK. The recruitment drive is in response to a significant uplift in logistics requirements, particularly around the London area. High demand for products bought online is thought to be one of the reasons [...]