Guinness owner Diageo to raise $2.5bn through bond offering April 28, 2020 Guinness owner Diageo plans to raise $2.5bn through a bond offering, weeks after it was forced to scrap its share buyback scheme due to the coronavirus pandemic. The drinks giant, which also owns Smirnoff vodka and Johnnie Walker whisky, said the bond offering consisted of $750m 1.375 per cent fixed rate notes due 2025, $1bn [...]
Recovery plans must prioritise small businesses April 28, 2020 If the UK economy is to get back on its feet as soon as possible following the extreme lockdown, there needs to be a small business-first exit strategy. While it is right that decision is led by public health concerns, for the sake of our hugely important small business population, we need to understand the [...]
The City View podcast, from City A.M., with Miles Celic April 28, 2020 In this episode Christian is joined by Miles Celic, chief executive of The City UK – the membership group for financial and professional services, a sector accounting for 10 per cent of the UK’s economic output. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS The sector is also under intense [...]
Support for government’s coronavirus response falls for second straight week April 26, 2020 Public support for how the government is handling the coronavirus crisis has fallen for the second week in a row, according to a new poll. An Opinium poll out tonight showed that public approval for the government and its handling of the crisis was down to +21, after it was +31 two weeks ago. However, [...]
Commercial landlords banned from using ‘aggressive’ rent collection tactics April 23, 2020 UK shops, restaurants and pubs will be protected against aggressive rent recovery action during the coronavirus crisis after the government issued new rules for commercial landlords. The government has temporarily banned the use of statutory demands and winding up orders until at least June following pressure from the retail and hospitality sectors. Many retail, hospitality [...]
Coronavirus: Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Ask Italian owner Azzurri appoint advisers April 23, 2020 Casual dining chains Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) and Azzurri, the owner of Ask Italian and Zizzi, have both appointed advisers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Restaurants have been severely impacted by the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, which has resulted in an unprecedented drop in revenue. GBK has appointed Deloitte to advise on future options for [...]
More than 1m hospitality jobs at risk without extra government support, industry warns April 23, 2020 More than 1m hospitality jobs could be lost if coronavirus social distancing measures are extended without extra government support for the sector, the industry has warned. UK Hospitality has written to Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove to urge for more support for the country’s pubs, bars and restaurants amid concerns that social distancing measures could [...]
Hiscox faces legal action over coronavirus business interruption claims April 22, 2020 The Night Time Industries Association, which represents bars and clubs across the UK, has launched legal action against Hiscox, alleging the insurer has refused to pay out for claims during the coronavirus pandemic. The organisation is arranging class action against the insurer, which it said has denied liability under its business interruption policy. All night [...]
Chris Whitty: Social distancing measures likely in place until next year April 22, 2020 There is only an “incredibly small probability” of a coronavirus vaccine being available for public use or a full lifting of social distancing restrictions in the next calendar year, according to the UK’s chief medical officer. Professor Chris Whitty said at today’s Covid-19 press conference that Britons should be prepared for some form of social [...]
Fuel prices knock UK inflation rate down to 1.5 per cent in March April 22, 2020 The UK inflation rate fell 0.2 per cent in March to 1.5 per cent, as coronavirus restrictions hit fuel prices. A drop in the price of fuel and clothing resulted in the largest downward contribution to the change in the UK inflation rate between February and March. The rate marks eight consecutive months below the [...]