Gove the gardener: Are plans for a Tulip tower in London set to bloom again? October 17, 2021 Tulip fever is heading to London, with housing secretary Michael Gove tipped to overule London mayor Sadiq Khan’s decision to squash plans for a flower-inspired skyscraper in the City. Gove is expected to give the plans for a 300m tower the OK, the Telegraph reported, which would overturn Khan’s 2019 decision against the Tulip. At [...]
West End bemoans business rates delays as reform heads for the long grass October 15, 2021 Central London bosses last night said another delay to business rates reform would be a “further blow” for beleaguered bars and restaurants. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has reportedly delayed a fundamental review of the levy, further rubbing salt in the wounds of West End businesses teetering on the brink after several lockdowns and fledgling return of [...]
Tax hikes to derail UK economy at the final hurdle October 14, 2021 Imposing punitive tax hikes on businesses will blow the UK economic recovery off course just as it is in touching distance of reaching pre-pandemic strength. That’s the warning to Chancellor Rishi Sunak from economists and industry leaders after data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed Britain is inches away from full repair. “Our [...]
Plans ‘in the pipeline’ for more Ivy restaurants October 11, 2021 Restauranter Richard Caring’s firm plans to open more Ivy venues, as financial accounts lay bare the impact of the pandemic. In full-year accounts filed to Companies House, Caprice Holdings reported a £28.4m turnover for the 53 weeks ended January 3. The company owns London private dining rooms including Sexy Fish, Daphne’s and 34 Mayfair. Turnover [...]
City favourite M restaurant branches out with third site in Canary Wharf October 11, 2021 Canary Wharf may still be a little quieter than usual but restaurateur Martin Williams is soon to give commuters another reason to head back to their desks. He is set to open the third M Restaurant across two floors of the Newfoundland building – the UK’s sixth tallest building – overlooking the Thames and the [...]
Asos expected to reveal sales boosted by post freedom day shopping October 10, 2021 Online fashion retailer Asos is expected to outline a slowdown in sales growth this week as its profit margins take a hammering from global freight shortages. The fashion giant saw sales jump during the pandemic as shoppers turned to online shops for comfortable clothes to lock down in. Analysts said they anticipated freight shortages, currency [...]
Burger King UK prepares for whopper £600m London listing October 10, 2021 Fast-food chain Burger King is preparing to float on the London Stock Exchange for around £600m, according to reports. Burger King UK is understood to be in advanced discussions with potential advisers, including Investec and Numis bankers, as the company readies itself to list next year, according to The Times, which first reported the news. [...]
Property of the Week: Lancer Square, a shiny new development on the edge of Kensington Gardens October 8, 2021 At the Kensington High Street end of Kensington Church Street, Lancer Square, which has been in development for many years, saw its first residents move in this week. The show apartment is a four-bedroom, five-bathroom enclave on the fourth floor overlooking the development’s sunken garden, and I think I can safely say that £15m doesn’t [...]
Sun, sea and a whole new me: A fitness retreat in St Lucia October 6, 2021 London life is made up of extremes. Pricey gym classes, sobriety attempts and intermittent fasting experiments alternate with booze binges, tasting menus and frenzied socialising in a cycle of two steps forward three steps back. Even my holidays leave me feeling like I need time off to recover. To tone up and tune in without [...]
Produce workers ‘nabbed from farms by hospitality recruiters’ October 5, 2021 Hospitality recruiters have attempted to recruit seasonal pickers from farms in a bid to stem labour shortages, a trade body has claimed. Jack Ward, chief executive of the British Growers Association, told CityA.M., that recruiters were attempting to recruit people to work in bars “wherever they could find them.” “Particularly in the summer, competition for [...]