Buzzbike CEO: Urban bike ownership will be dead in a decade April 21, 2021 It’s been a long-held belief that to make cities greener, more people need to own a bike. That’s not true; I’m of the firm belief that in fact, we’re witnessing the end of bike ownership in urban areas. At the peak of COVID last spring, Boris Johnson stood in his daily briefing and declared we [...]
Pub chain Shepherd Neame toasts strong trading after beer gardens reopen April 21, 2021 UK pub chain Shepherd Neame this morning said trading has been “encouraging” since its beer gardens reopened last week. The firm, which is Britain’s oldest brewer, said more than 200 pubs reopened when restrictions on outdoor trading were lifted on 12 April. The rest of its 316 sites across south east England will reopen on [...]
Drinking around the world: Romanian wines to die for April 20, 2021 My introduction to Romanian wine was inauspicious. It came in one of Count Dracula’s tourist castle hotels in Transylvania. We sat around a coffin-shaped table as a black-suited waiter approached and smiled, revealing not particularly threatening canines. As he brandished the wine list he said, “May I have the pleasure of providing sir with a [...]
Make it to-go: Wagamama boss Emma Woods heads for the exit April 19, 2021 Make it to-go: Wagamama boss heads for the exit
Fintech innovation will be at the heart of London’s recovery April 19, 2021 Over the last week I’ve been out in the City actively showing my support for businesses reopening after lockdown, including getting a long overdue haircut. Local shops, barbers, pubs and restaurants are of course the backbone of places like the Square Mile. But as we look to kickstart a strong, sustainable recovery post-pandemic, what’s also [...]
Billionaire Issa brothers snap up fast food chain Leon April 18, 2021 The billionaire brothers behind Asda have snapped up British fast food chain Leon in a deal worth a reported £100m. Mohsin and Zuber Issa, who have agreed a £6.8bn deal to buy Asda, are now swooping on the London-based food chain through their petrol station empire EG Group. The transaction, which includes 42 company-owned restaurants [...]
Rodrigues: The Indian Ocean’s hidden paradise April 17, 2021 As international travel appears to be close to resuming, we’re giving you inspiration for your dream post-Covid trip by republishing articles from our archives. Today we revisit out Life&Style editor Steve Dinneen’s trip to the magical island of Rodrigues. ••• Walking into Rodrigues’ Reserve François Leguat is one of those wild moments that will stay [...]
London businesses demand return of the Night Tube amid delay until 2022 April 15, 2021 London businesses have demanded the resumption of the Night Tube after Transport for London (TfL) said earlier this week the service will not return until at least 2022. Andy Byford, the transport commissioner for London, said the capital’s struggling transport body lacked the resources to reinstate all-night Friday and Saturday services on the Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern, [...]
Stimulus cheques from Washington boost US retail spending, but 576,000 file jobless claims April 15, 2021 Stimulus cheques from Washington boost US retail spending, but 576,000 file jobless claims
Deliveroo expects growth to wane in a post-pandemic world April 15, 2021 Deliveroo expects its growth to slow down in a post-pandemic world, when customers will once again be able to visit restaurants in-person. The takeaway delivery app expects that in a post-pandemic world, its gross transaction value (GTV) is likely to grow between 30 and 40 per cent for the year, down considerably from GTV growth [...]