London landlord Great Portland Estates pulls rental value guidance due to coronavirus May 20, 2020 London landlord Great Portland Estates pulled its guidance on rental values for the year, but warned that the coronavirus crisis would continue to have a negative impact on property in the capital. The property firm’s portfolio value dropped 0.3 per cent in the year ended 31 March as retail property values fell 3.5 per cent. [...]
Facebook launches new shopping feature to help small firms move online May 19, 2020 Small businesses will be able to open a single online store selling products through Facebook and Instagram thanks to a new feature launched by the tech giant today. Facebook Shops, which will be rolled out over the coming months, allows customers to buy products through a firm’s business Facebook page or Instagram profile, or through [...]
UK government scientists looking at how to ease coronavirus lockdown faster for remote areas May 19, 2020 The government’s top scientists are looking at ways of lifting the lockdown at a faster rate in remote parts of the UK that have very few or no coronavirus cases. The chief scientific adviser to the Ministry of Defence Dame Angela Maclean today said location “was a huge focus” for government scientists when looking at [...]
UK lockdown: Pedestrian activity soars 25 per cent as Londoners get back to work May 19, 2020 Pedestrian activity in the capital soared 25 per cent yesterday as more Londoners got back to work following the government’s updated UK lockdown rules. Yesterday’s surge was the first big jump in weekday numbers since the government changed its message from “stay at home” to “stay alert” earlier this month. The lag in pedestrian activity [...]
The City View: From higher taxes to getting tough with China, how the pandemic will change politics, with Juliet Samuel May 19, 2020 In this episode Christian is joined by Daily Telegraph columnist Juliet Samuel, who believes that the current crisis will lead to big changes in politics and economics. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Juliet says the case for higher taxes on the rich will be made with growing force over the coming years and warns [...]
FTSE 100 breaks 6,000 barrier as vaccine hopes and Fed pledge boost markets May 18, 2020 The FTSE 100 broke through the 6,000-point milestone in a positive start to the week’s trading today, buoyed by hopes of a vaccine and more Federal Reserve stimulus. Easing lockdowns and lower infection rates in Europe infection hotspots Italy, the UK and Spain also boosted London’s blue-chip index. The FTSE 100 closed 4.5 per cent [...]
Embattled retailer Ted Baker appoints new finance chief May 18, 2020 Fashion retailer Ted Baker has appointed former HMV finance boss David Wolffe as its chief financial officer. Wolffe, who previously held senior roles at ITV Studios, AOL Europe and BBC Magazines, was hired as Ted Baker’s interim finance chief in January. The retailer has struggled over the past year, with a string of profit warnings [...]
The City View: Darwinism and disruption in the tech sector, with Russ Shaw of Tech London Advocates May 18, 2020 In this episode Christian is joined by Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates and one of the most well-connected and influential people in the UK’s tech sector. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Russ offers a candid analysis of the state of the sector and explains why not all start-ups will survive the pandemic, and why not [...]
Shoppers begin ‘cautious’ return to stores as lockdown measures eased May 18, 2020 Footfall at the UK’s retail destinations increased by a modest 3.3 per cent in the first week since lockdown measures were lifted, as Brits began taking tentative steps out of their homes. According to retail intelligence analysts Springboard, last week’s increase was the fourth in six weeks, although it was considerably smaller than that recorded [...]
The City View podcast: Why coronavirus is making the case for e-scooters May 15, 2020 London’s Olympic site now hosts a vast innovation campus, Here East, home to over 4,000 people working in technology, advanced manufacturing, transport and the creative industries. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS It was a thriving, buzzing village but the lockdown has emptied its streets. CEO Gavin Poole talks about how they’re helping tenants and [...]