FTSE 100 and Wall Street strike an upbeat tone to start the week April 26, 2021 Soaring copper prices and hopes of a summer holiday pushed the FTSE 100 to close higher on Monday while Wall Street rose ahead of a busy week for big tech earnings. London’s blue-chip index came under pressure this morning due to a stronger pound and weaker oil prices. However comments made by Ursula von der [...]
Pimlico Plumbers boss eyes high street ‘renaissance’ after record year April 26, 2021 Pimlico Plumbers boss Charlie Mullins has predicted a “renaissance” for the British high street after bumper lockdown trading put his company on track for a record year. The outspoken chief executive said that while the pandemic had sparked major challenges for businesses, the “death” of the traditional UK economy was being “greatly exaggerated”. “A year [...]
Poundland owner Pepco shuns London to float in Warsaw April 26, 2021 Poundland owner Pepco this morning announced its intention to go public in Poland, in a blow for London’s financial market. Pepco said it intends to apply for listing and admission to the Warsaw Stock Exchange, and said it had chosen Poland as it is the firm’s largest operating area. The discount retailer, which has more [...]
London Mayoral election: The leader of the capital needs the constitutional power to get the job done April 26, 2021 The Mayoral election is just over one week away. You will be easily forgiven if it’s not at the forefront of your mind – over the last year London has been hammered by the pandemic. The capital has lost more jobs than any other region, with a disproportionate effect on younger people, those in lower [...]
Sunday Sitdown: ‘Skittish’ banks need to up their game, says CEO of Ezbob April 25, 2021 Following a nightmare year that was hugely disrupted by the pandemic and three subsequent lockdowns, the City is slowly switching into recovery mode as the economy starts to re-open and many sectors are coming back to life. To discuss the way back up, City A.M. sits down with Tomer Guriel, chief executive of Marble Arch-based [...]
End of lockdown: Half of Brits plan a UK getaway with Wales and Lake District topping the list April 24, 2021 More than half of all Brits are planning to book a UK getaway this year, with Wales and the Lake District being the most popular destinations, followed by Cornwall and the Scottish Highlands. On average, people that have already booked spent £353 per person on staycation bookings, according a new survey by American Express. Post-lockdown [...]
London stocks end the week lower despite strong economic data April 23, 2021 London’s blue-chip stocks were little changed on Friday but finished the week lower as growing concerns over a surge in global coronavirus cases eclipsed optimism from recent data pointing to a rapid UK economic rebound. The exporter-heavy index ended the session flat, with a fall in heavyweight energy shares and large dollar earning companies including [...]
Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore says reopening sales beat pre-Covid levels April 23, 2021 Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore said sales had boomed since outside trading at its restaurants reopened, beating pre-Covid levels. Group sales in the week ended 18 April were ahead of the same wee in April 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK. Following the “very encouraging” first week of outdoor trading, Fulham Shore said [...]
Screenshot: Is the Super League the biggest PR disaster of all time? April 23, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: Radio loses a legend **Is the Super League the biggest PR disaster of all time? **Is Netflix’s pandemic party finally over? Media Moment of the Week: Radio loses a legend For many Brits, radio has been a much-needed source of entertainment (and company) during the pandemic. But long [...]
Freedom Friday: How lockdown is being eased across the UK from today April 23, 2021 People can finally get a hair cut in Northern Ireland from today, while those in Wales are looking forward to more freedom this weekend as coronavirus restrictions are eased. Travel between Scotland, England and Wales will be be permitted from Monday and tourist accommodation can welcome back visitors. Here is an overview of the state [...]