The Notebook: Deutsche’s Numis deal, the price of commuting and London’s culinary advantage May 2, 2023 IF the City has a collective mood, it is safe to say it has not been an overly cheery one in recent times. At a recent private dinner of CEOs, to which I was kindly invited to join, the overarching theme was a nervousness that London is wobbling a little, at least when it comes [...]
TRG: Analysts bump up share price target after strong growth May 2, 2023 Shares in Wagamama owner, The Restaurant Group (TRG), soared over 13 per cent this morning as it reported strong growth for the year so far, defying previous concerns from investors. TRG told the market that Wagamama sales were up nine per cent in the first leg of the year and performance in its pubs and [...]
Greene King revenues top £2bn as pub chain hopes inflation fears will be drowned out by a boozy Coronation May 2, 2023 Greene King said revenues continued to soar however the chief executive of the group warned that inflation and the cost of living crisis would prove a “tough backdrop” for the hospitality sector. The pub operator, which has over 2,000 sites across the UK, reported a revenue hike of 62.2 per cent for the 52 weeks [...]
Coronation: Sixty-two million pints to be poured at UK pubs, but City might miss out May 2, 2023 Pubs across the UK are bracing for an influx of visitors to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III this week, with some trade groups suggesting the sector could see a multi-million pound boost from increased sales. UK pubs will see a £120 million boost as people flock to pubs during the bank holiday weekend, [...]
Coronation: How much will it be worth to the West End? April 30, 2023 Retail and hospitality businesses across London’s West-End are gearing up for a £50m boost during the Coronation weekend, as a flock of tourists will help temporarily relieve inflationary and cost of living woes. According to figures from New West End Company, which represents 600 retail, restaurant, hotel and property owners spanning from Bond Street to [...]
King’s Coronation: Where to watch in London, from pubs to parks April 26, 2023 Break out the bunting – it’s time to decide how you’ll be celebrating the King’s Coronation. Here are some tips, from long lunches to the pub The Coronation is almost within touching distance, with just over a week until the biggest royal celebration since the Platinum Jubilee. If you haven’t nailed down your plans yet, [...]
Heathrow narrows losses, but claims hit from strikes and CAA price-cap April 26, 2023 Heathrow Airport narrowed its losses this quarter, but said results were impacted by the CAA’s price cap, as well as ongoing strike action. The airport posted adjusted pre-tax losses of £139m, down from £223m the previous year, writing that this was due to the “the revenue allowance in the CAA’s H7 settlement being set too [...]
How McDonald’s have wangled super-sized first quarter results April 25, 2023 McDonald’s is hoping improvements to its menu will continue to drive restaurant traffic this year. The company announced this month that US eateries will switch to softer buns and meltier cheese and change their grill settings to make their burgers juicier. The changes have already been rolled out in 15 other markets, including Australia and [...]
Whitbread pockets £2.6bn revenue: Premier Inn owner’s shares soar five per cent despite ‘most challenging’ period April 25, 2023 Whitbread said its earnings returned to pre-pandemic levels with the Premier Inn owner’s bottom line boosted by Brits embracing more leisure and travel. Whitbread, which also owns restaurants Beefeater and Bar+Block, reported revenues of £2.6bn for the year to March 2023, up 54 per cent from £1.7bn the previous year. Whitbread (WTB) shares soared nearly [...]
Ex-Asda boss secures rescue deal of upmarket online butcher April 24, 2023 The former boss of supermarket Asda has led a rescue of an upmarket online butcher that counts the likes of Harrods and Fortnum & Mason among its customers. Andy Clarke – who was chief executive of Asda from 2010 until 2016 – headed up a group of investors to buy Farmison & Co, which collapsed [...]