London theatres call for ticket discount scheme to revive West End September 2, 2020 London’s theatres have backed calls for the government to fund a discount scheme similar to the Eat Out to Help Out offer to encourage audiences to return to the West End. The Centre for London, a think tank focused on the capital, has urged the government to introduce culture vouchers to bring visitors back to [...]
Eat Out to Help Out: Diner numbers soar on bumper Bank Holiday Monday September 2, 2020 The number of consumers dining out soared on Bank Holiday Monday as Brits rushed to make the most of the last day of the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme. Figures showed that the number of seated diners in the UK was up 216.3 per cent on 31 August compared to the same day [...]
Coach industry warns 27,000 jobs on the line without government support September 2, 2020 Up to 27,000 jobs could be lost in the UK coach industry by April 2021 unless ministers provide extra support, an sector body has warned. In a letter to tourism minister Nigel Huddleston, the Confederation of Passenger Transport has warned that with bookings not expected to pick up until next summer, the UK’s coach firms [...]
Retail footfall jumps as consumers get their fill of Eat Out to Help Out scheme September 1, 2020 Footfall across the UK’s retail destinations rose six per cent last week as consumers rushed to take advantage of the last full week of the Eat Out to Help Out initiative. According to retail analysts Springboard, footfall increased across all three types of shopping destination, giving the sector its best week since the end of [...]
Back to business: Top Cuvée’s Brodie Meah on how corona has made people value local restaurants August 29, 2020 We talk to London’s top chefs about how they are dealing with the strange ‘new normal’. This week Top Cuvée’s Brodie Meah talks about missing the buzz of service and taking solace in a spot of wine-tasting. Who are you and what do you do? I’m Brodie Meah and, along with Max Venning, I operate Stoke [...]
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 [...]