Westminster Council: West End to receive millions in recovery support fund February 1, 2022 Westminster Council is to inject millions of pounds into reviving the borough’s hospitality industry. Within a £190m investment to support the area, the council has announced a dedicated £1m to recruit waiters, baristas and bar staff, it said yesterday. Some £150m is to be used to redesign the Oxford Street district and make Strand Aldwych [...]
Irn-Bru owner AG Barr increases prices as company battles rising inflation February 1, 2022 The company behind Irn-Bru has revealed that prices for its drinks have gone up due to inflation. Bosses at AG Barr said they have seen rising costs for raw materials, including packaging and energy bills, leading to cost-cutting measures, adding that they have “adjusted our pricing with customers where appropriate”. The comments came as the [...]
Poke House looks for stock market boost as it eyes London listing January 31, 2022 Holly Williams, PA Restaurant chain Poke House has revealed plans for a stock market flotation in London and New York after sealing the latest deal to expand its global footprint. The Californian-inspired poke bowl chain, which last year bought Ahi Poke in London to launch its assault on the UK market, is eyeing an initial [...]
National Insurance rise to hit City of London small businesses the hardest in UK January 30, 2022 Small businesses in the City of London will be the worst hit in the UK by the coming rise in National Insurance, according to new research shared with City A.M. Figures from the House of Commons library, and collated by the Liberal Democrats, show small businesses in the Cities of London and Westminster constituency will [...]
Corbin & King ‘under siege’ from investor Minor International January 27, 2022 The founder of the restaurant chain behind the Wolseley has reassured customers the business is in “rude financial health” after it was plunged into administration this week. Administrators from FRP were appointed for Corbin & King earlier this week, although the chain’s restaurants have continued to trade. Founder Jeremy King has now hit back once [...]
BA owner IAG lures Nicholas Cadbury away from Whitbread for CFO job January 27, 2022 Nicholas Cadbury, finance director at hotel and restaurant giant Whitbread, will join British Airways’ owner IAG as chief financial officer on 21 March. The news, confirmed this morning, was first announced in October after the current chief financial officer Steve Gunning decided to step down. “It has been a wonderful experience to be involved in [...]
How Vivino democratised wine January 26, 2022 For wine drinkers Vivino has been a disruptive and democratising force. I have often seen supermarket shoppers whip out their phones to check the rating and flavour profile of a wine before making a purchase. Two heads are better than one so they say, so just think what a community of 54m can do. The [...]
Disney defends Snow White remake after Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage branded it ‘backward’ January 26, 2022 Disney has responded to criticism from Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage about its upcoming Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remake.
Wolseley owner Corbin & King goes into administration amid icy tensions with shareholder January 26, 2022 The firm behind high-end London restaurants including the Wolseley and the Delaunay has fallen victim to the pandemic and entered into administration. Administrators from FRP have been appointed for Corbin & King, it was reported last night. Daily operations will not be impacted and restaurants will continue trading. Hospitality venues in the capital have struggled [...]
Much-talked about £6m lawsuit by The Wolseley owner against insurance giant AXA starts in court January 26, 2022 A much-talked about lawsuit by the owner of The Wolseley and a range of other upmarket restaurants around London against insurance giant AXA has started in London’s High Court. Corbin & King is brining the £6m lawsuit to AXA Insurance over Covid-related losses, in a trial that could have wider ramifications for other UK businesses [...]