Could AI help Rishi Sunak revive the UK economy? August 29, 2020 This was once meant to be the year the government balanced the books, a literal pay off for years of tight purse strings under George Osborne’s austerity programme. Instead, 2020 has seen government debt balloon to over £2 trillion. The coronavirus pandemic has meant UK spending has rocketed far beyond any previous peacetime records, leaving [...]
Piccadilly palance: Notting Hill carnival dancers appear in West End before virtual celebration August 28, 2020 A troupe of soca dancers appeared in Piccadilly Circus today ahead of a virtual celebration of the Notting Hill carnival this weekend. The Caribbean party normally takes place on the streets of Notting Hill over August bank holiday weekend. This year performances will be streamed online due to the coronavirus pandemic which has put an [...]
Pret a Manger to axe 2,800 jobs as sales fall to lowest level in a decade August 27, 2020 High street stalwart Pret a Manger said today that it would cut 2,800 jobs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen sales drop to levels last seen a decade ago. The announcement comes after Pret earlier this year revealed that it would not reopen 30 of its restaurants after the lockdown ended. [...]
Exclusive: Bust burrito chain Chilango sold out of administration August 27, 2020 Burrito chain Chilango has today been sold out of administration after the Covid-19 pandemic finished off the already struggling business, City A.M. can reveal. The Mexican-themed fast-food chain told investors today that administrators RSM had secured a buyer for the business. RSM confirmed this afternoon the the chain had been sold to Investment group RD [...]
Deliveroo launches Eat In to Help Out discount for September August 27, 2020 Deliveroo has launched an Eat In to Help Out offer for September as the government’s dine-in discount scheme comes to an end this month. The food delivery firm will offer customers £5 off orders on Monday to Wednesday next month in a bid to support local restaurants. Deliveroo will fund the discount for the more [...]
London landlord Grosvenor pays for tenants to extend Eat Out to Help Out August 26, 2020 West End landlord Grosvenor will pay for its Mayfair and Belgravia tenants to continue to offer half price meals throughout September to boost visitor numbers in central London. The property company said it will fund the £10 discount offer after the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme comes to an end on 31 August. [...]
Eat Out to Help Out: What happens when the restaurant discount scheme ends? August 26, 2020 Queues formed outside restaurants and reservations were booked up weeks in advance as Brits ventured out of lockdown to make the most of discounted meals this month. More than 64m meals have been claimed using the government’s offer to cover half the bill during August, with restaurants toasting a much needed pick-up in sales after [...]
More than 64m meals claimed under Eat Out to Help Out scheme August 25, 2020 More than 64m discounted meals have been claimed under the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme to encourage diners to visit cafes, pubs and restaurants following the coronavirus lockdown. The jump continues the upward trend, which saw 10.5m meals claimed in the first week that the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme was launched, [...]
Back to Business: Merlin Labron-Johnson on how Covid could change hospitality for the better August 22, 2020 We talk to London’s top chefs about how they are dealing with the strange ‘new normal’. This week Merlin Labron-Johnson, chef-founder of Osip, speaks about the silver linings he found during lockdown. Who are you and what do you do? I’m Merlin Labron-Johnson and I’m the chef-owner of a little restaurant called Osip in Bruton, [...]
Where to eat in London: Old favourites reopening and new places to check out August 22, 2020 Coronavirus may have shuttered the food industry for months, but the business is bouncing back, with more of our favourite places to eat and drink reopening every day, and some new ones joining them too. In this regular column, we’ll bring you the latest news from the front-line of the food business, complete with the [...]