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 [...]
Two headquarters are better than one: Amazon confirms New York and Virginia will be home to new HQs November 13, 2018 Web giant Amazon has confirmed it will build its new headquarters in New York City and Northern Virginia, after reports earlier this morning. The online retailer has whittled down over 230 proposals, and decided to split its second North American headquarters over two sites. The projects, which were announced today, will create up to 50,000 [...]
Property of the Week: Order steak and cigars up to these two ‘bois’ pads above Scottish restaurant Boisdale Belgravia November 12, 2018 When most of us are too tired to cook we simply order a takeaway, but these apartments in Mayfair have a more upmarket solution. Both are situated on top of Boisdale on North Row, part of the legendary chain of restaurants founded by Ranald Macdonald in 1986 to celebrate his true loves; Scotland, whisky, cigars [...]
Thai chain Giggling Squid has a lot to laugh about as earnings grow November 12, 2018 Thai restaurant chain Giggling Squid has reported increased earnings as it continues to expand across the south of England, bucking the UK restaurant industry’s downward trend. The company reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of £3.28m for the year to the end of March, up 54 per cent from last year, while [...]
Check it out: There’s a new Fortnum & Mason restaurant in the heart of the City November 12, 2018 Fortnum & Mason today opened a new restaurant and shop in the Royal Exchange in a move it said marks its commitment to London as a global financial capital. The restaurant will be the luxury department store’s first outlet in the City. In addition to its flagship Piccadilly location, which opened in 1707, the company [...]