Franco Manca owner says restaurants in office locations struggling to return to pre-Covid trade June 8, 2022 The owner of pizza chain Franco Manca has said its restaurants situated nearby office hubs “still have a way to go” with returning to pre-pandemic levels. However, Fulham Shore said that its small number of restaurants situated in worker hotspots were “showing continued improvement” as demand recovers after Covid lockdowns. Footfall was down 15 per [...]
Welcome (back) to Ibiza, as the Balearic prepares for its biggest summer yet June 7, 2022 The pandemic hit every tourism-focused economy hard, but few places felt the effects of Covid more starkly than Ibiza, an island that specialises in squeezing lots of hot and sweaty people into enclosed spaces. Two years of closures and uncertainty took their toll – almost half of the island’s GDP comes from tourism and visitor [...]
All sizzle and all stake: Salt Bae’s restaurant owner to sell stake to Qatar wealth fund May 31, 2022 Internet meme and meat seasoner Salt Bae’s steakhouse owner is in talks to sell a 20 per cent stake to Qatar’s $450 billion wealth fund. Dream Group, owner of restaurants including the Nusr-Et steakhouse – which was founded by Turkish butcher and salt sprinkler Nusret Gökçe, who later became an Instagram sensation – confirmed discussions [...]
Nose around a central London house for the weekend with Onefinestay May 31, 2022 The weekend: For a recent milestone birthday I decided I wanted to celebrate with an intimate group of friends – but I couldn’t face hosting a dinner party at home. A gathering in the private dining room of a restaurant was an alternative but they can lack atmosphere. So when I discovered that Onefinestay allows [...]
Exclusive: M&G snags two major tenants in 40 Leadenhall – before it’s even built May 30, 2022 Investment firm M&G Real Estate has snagged two major tenants in the new development at 40 Leadenhall, City A.M. can reveal today – despite it still being under construction. The firm invested £875m to buy and develop the site – nicknamed Gotham City – in 2019. “It is the largest single transaction we’ve ever [...]
Jubilee boom for small business amid inflation worries May 30, 2022 THE EXTENDED Bank Holiday to mark the Queen’s platinum jubilee will give Britain’s small firms a much needed revenue boost. The closely-watched Barclays SME Barometer suggests three in five small business owners are expecting to see revenues higher this year than last, helped by an anticipated spending spree over the coming week. But around three [...]
TGI Friday’s owner shares plunge after revenue sinks amid diners’ tightening purse strings May 26, 2022 TGI Friday’s owner Hostmore’s share price has plummeted almost 15 per cent after the restaurant operator posted subdued revenue versus pre pandemic levels. Hostmore, which also operates the cocktail bar brand 63rd+1st, said like-for-like revenue was six per cent lower than 2019 levels. In a trading update for the 20 weeks ended 22 May, the [...]
Exclusive: It’s all here – Crossrail will be a ‘game changer’ for Canary Wharf’s evolution, says property boss May 25, 2022 The Elizabeth line will be a “game changer” for the evolution of Canary Wharf from mere financial centre to a place where people can live, shop and enjoy themselves. According to Shobi Khan – chief executive of real estate giant Canary Wharf Group – since yesterday’s opening of the Elizabeth Line, passenger numbers at the [...]
British Land unveils £3.6bn green neighbourhood project for Canada Water May 25, 2022 British Land, one of the UK’s largest property developers, has today unveiled a £3.6bn plan to build a 53-acre town centre in Canada Water alongside Aussie pensions giant AustralianSuper. The regeneration project will include up to 3,000 new homes, as well as more office space – which expected to host 20,000 workers amid London’s post-pandemic [...]
Wagamama owner warns of ‘volatile market’ as food and drink inflation surpasses expectations May 24, 2022 The owner of Wagamama has warned food and drink inflation is anticipated to be as high as 10 per cent this year, higher than earlier estimations. In a trading update ahead of its AGM, The Restaurant Group (TRG) said its cost pressures had been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Food and drink inflation was [...]