Giggling Squid founder used ‘Range Rover count’ to choose locations for Thai restaurants November 25, 2018 The founder of Thai restaurant chain Giggling Squid counted the number of Range Rovers in suburban towns to decide whether they would be suitable locations for his restaurant. Andy Laurillard told City A.M. he counted how many Range Rovers passed a potential restaurant site during morning rush hour as part of his research into a town’s [...]
Schroders plans to support the Restaurant Group’s proposed £600m Wagamama deal November 23, 2018 Schroders, a top 10 shareholder in the Restaurant Group, has come out in support of the Frankie and Bennies owner’s acquisition of Wagamama. It comes as several major investors announced they would oppose the deal at a meeting next week, saying the £600m price tag is too steep. Schroders fund manager Andy Brough said: “The [...]
London Mayor Sadiq Khan announces junk food advertising ban on entire Transport for London network from early 2019 November 23, 2018 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has today confirmed that junk food advertising will be banned across the entire Transport for London network from 25 February 2019. The groundbreaking ban will be implemented on all transport controlled by TfL, including the underground, overground, London buses, trams and river services, and will stop companies from advertising foods that are [...]
Shareholders yearn for retail chiefs like Swann November 22, 2018 It has been an annus horribilis for the high street. Closures, job cuts and profit warnings in the last 12 months have all thrown scrutiny on the industry – and its bosses – like never before. Which is why yesterday’s announced departure of SSP chief executive Kate Swann is all the more significant. Swann is [...]
Second major shareholder plans to vote down the Restaurant Group’s Wagamama deal November 22, 2018 A second major investor will oppose the Restaurant Group’s (TRG) £600m acquisition of Wagamama on the grounds of price. The investor – which declined to be named – told City A.M. that the multi-million pound price tag is too expensive. It comes after top 10 shareholder Columbia Threadneedle, which owns 7.7 per cent of TRG, [...]
The Last Supper: No Angels actor Derek Riddell on his love of The Ivy and why there will be no fondue for his final meal November 22, 2018 I’m full of the cold so if this really were my last supper I don’t think I’d be able to taste anything. I enjoy cooking but as soon as I became a parent that kind of went out of the window. I have nine-year-old twins, so dinner tends to be me thinking ‘Oh god, what [...]
Pub chain Marston’s raises a toast to solid profits and record revenues after a bumper World Cup summer November 21, 2018 Pub owner Marston’s annual results were boosted by England's long run in the summer's World Cup, it said today, but it will open fewer pubs next year in the face of economic uncertainty. The figures Marston's reported a four per cent year-on-year rise in profit before tax to £104m for the year ending 29 September, meeting its [...]
Focus On Woolwich: This soon-to-be Crossrail hub will see its population increase by 58 per cent by 2026 November 20, 2018 Last month, the Woolwich Ferry made its final voyage across the Thames. For many, it was an emotional farewell as locals had watched it transport cars and people from one side of the river to the other for the last 55 years. Though the Ferry is no more, the service resumes in December with two [...]
Restaurant Group shareholders voice anger over £600m Wagamama price tag November 20, 2018 Nervous investors have raised concerns over the price of the Restaurant Group’s (TRG) proposed £600m acquisition of Wagamama as a major shareholder announced its intention to vote against the deal. Columbia Threadneedle, which owns 7.7 per cent of TRG, will oppose the proposal at a shareholder vote next week, it announced today. Frankie and Benny’s owner [...]
The Weekly Grill: Mark Lloyd of Notting Hill restaurant Pomona’s on his best ever meal and his gran’s jam collection November 14, 2018 Who are you and what do you do? I am a cook who loves to travel, write, learn the ‘old ways’, forage for wild food and spend as much time outdoors as possible. I’m also the new executive chef at Pomona’s, a neighbourhood restaurant in Notting Hill. Tell us about your new menu It’s all [...]