Business figures urge government to take swift action to mitigate coronavirus impact March 17, 2020 Some of the country’s top business figures have urged the government to take swift action to help mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on business in the UK. Speaking to the BEIS committee today, the CBI’s chief economist Rain Newton-Smith said: “We need swift action now to try and protect as many jobs as possible,” [...]
Sadiq Khan says schools could face coronavirus closure within two weeks March 17, 2020 Sadiq Khan has advised that schools could be closed within the next two weeks as a part of increasing isolation measures to combat the coronavirus. Boris Johnson announced a swathe of new recommendations yesterday, including for people to avoid “unnecessary travel” and to stop going to pubs, restaurants and theatres. Large public gatherings have also [...]
TfL to run reduced service during coronavirus outbreak March 17, 2020 Transport for London (TfL) will run a reduced service on its network during the coronavirus outbreak, mayor Sadiq Khan has said. Weekday public transport in the capital will be cut back to a “Saturday-type service” over the next few days, Khan told Sky News today. This means weekday Tube and bus services will run at [...]
‘Catastrophic’: Hospitality and leisure industries sound alarm over Johnson measures March 17, 2020 The UK’s hospitality industry issued a doom-laden warning last night after Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday told Brits to steer clear of pubs, eateries and theatres as the government escalated its coronavirus “fightback”. In a statement which Johnson acknowledged was unprecedented in peacetime, he urged Londoners in particular to “avoid all non-essential contact” with others [...]
Baraza Resort review: This elegant hotel in Zanzibar is a feast for the senses March 16, 2020 Visiting tropical islands usually involves sacrificing the richness and depth of continental culture for the simplicity of ravishing sun, sea and sand. Zanzibar, however, is almost unique in letting you combine the three ‘S’ with classic architecture and history – all in a space of less than 2,500 sq km. This island off the coast [...]
Coronavirus: UK death toll rises to 55 after Johnson implements new measures March 16, 2020 The total number of people to die of coronavirus in the UK has now risen to 55, health secretary Matt Hancock announced this afternoon. That means the death toll has risen by 21 in the past 24 hours, the largest rise yet recorded in a single day. Earlier today the Department of Health said that [...]
Business on the brink: Airlines, hospitality and train operators in line for state support March 16, 2020 The existential threat to business posed by the Covid-19 pandemic became crystal clear this weekend as a host of industries warned of a potentially fatal cash crunch in the coming weeks. The aviation industry led calls for targeted government support, with train operators struggling with lower passenger numbers and the hospitality industry not far behind. [...]
Coronavirus: Hospitality firms on the brink of collapse as footfall dives March 15, 2020 Struggling hospitality firms could be nearing the brink of collapse due to a dive in footfall across London’s pubs and restaurants this weekend as punters stayed home to avoid the coronavirus outbreak. Hospitality companies are preparing to make redundancies as soon as this week, as visitors to London’s restaurants and bars fell 39 per cent [...]
Property focus on Tunbridge Wells: Find pretty period homes and a rejuvenated restaurant scene in Queen Victoria’s favourite town March 13, 2020 Only three towns in England can call themselves ‘Royal’ – and Royal Tunbridge Wells, a town of 56,000 people which lies 30 miles south-east of London in Kent, is one of them. King Edward VII bestowed the title on it in 1909, partly to commemorate the fact that his mother, Queen Victoria, loved the town [...]
New builds: Homes on the market in London this week, from flats for West Ham fans to a Bromley mansion March 13, 2020 Hanworth Apartments, Hounslow From £339,000 for a one-bed Jet setters will want to take a look at Hanworth Apartments, the new phase of homes at Barratt London’s High Street Quarter in Hounslow. Its 38 one, two and three-bed apartments are just ten minutes from Heathrow Airport, with prices starting at £339,000 for a one-bed. A [...]