Enter The Dragon: Why China is snapping up British assets January 30, 2017 What do Heathrow, Thames Water, black cabs, Harvey Nichols and Rio Tinto have in common? They’re all part-owned by Chinese companies. “Britain holds a number of attractions for Chinese investors,” says Simon Bevan, head of the China Britain services group at Grant Thornton UK. “As a country, our language, business culture, rule of law and [...]
Meet the 33 tech startups set for stardom January 26, 2017 More than 30 companies have been identified as the most promising tech startups in the country and will be mentored by top entrepreneurs to help create the next wave of top British tech stars. Challenger bank Monzo, online shopping site Trouva and digital mortgage adviser Trussle are among the startups who will be mentored by Lastminute.com [...]
St Helena aims for tourism boost despite airport woes January 25, 2017 It became famous in the 1800s as the home of the exiled French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, but in recent times St Helena has attracted more attention for the cost of its new airport. Last year it was revealed that the Department for International Development had spent £285 million on an airport at a site that [...]
No haggis for Trump as 45-year import ban remains in force January 25, 2017 Not even half-Scottish US President Donald Trump will be able to tuck into an authentic haggis this year as the 45-year ban on haggis imports continues. Trump will be amongst the roughly 10 million Americans that claim Scottish heritage deprived of their national dish on the 258th birthday of Robert Burns. The US Department for [...]
Top dogs: 37 of the hottest startups to watch right now January 25, 2017 Nearly 40 UK tech startups have been branded "ones to watch" and will be mentored by top entrepreneurs, founders and investors to get them scaling up to become tech giants. A startup which lets wannabe pet owners borrow other people's dogs, BorrowMyDoggy, and an innovative mapping company which just landed backing from Daimler, What3Words, are [...]
The Restaurant Group to report dip in sales as it prepares for another tough quarter January 25, 2017 The Restaurant Group expects to report a dip in sales for the 53 weeks to 1 January, and said the company is gearing up to make significant changes. The figures Total turnover was up 3.7 per cent on the previous year, hitting £710.7m, but like-for-like sales dropped 3.9 per cent. In the fourth quarter, like-for-like sales [...]
Best Burns Night suppers in London: from the City to Mayfair, we find the best haggis, neeps and tatties January 25, 2017 Seven of the best Burns Night suppers: Don’t miss out on the most Scottish night of the year, with haggis and whisky aplenty at these top restaurants. 1 Lombard Street You can celebrate the life and times of Rabbie Burns right in the heart of the city with an extra special night at 1 Lombard [...]
Property of the Week: Restaurateur Peter Langan’s celeb haunt turned 4-bed penthouse in Mayfair January 24, 2017 This top-floor penthouse moments away from fashionable eateries Sketch and Pollen Street Social has links to a historic restaurant itself and once hosted some of Britain’s greatist contemporary artists. Built at the start of the 20th century by Ernest George, the same architect behind the grand, red brick Royal College of Music, this building on [...]
Hungry House is partnering with a startup to help takeaways deliver more January 24, 2017 Takeaway firm Hungry House is helping restaurants deliver more food to customers when they experience high demand at peak times. The firm, gobbled up by Just Eat in a £200m deal in December, has partnered with logistics startup Quiqup to offer additional delivery drivers to restaurants when they experience high demand. Read more: Just Eat snaps [...]
McDonald’s gives analysts something to chew on after reporting stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings January 23, 2017 The world's largest burger chain reported its fourth-quarter earnings were better than analysts expected as US restaurant sales beat forecasts. The figures Global sales rose 2.7 per cent in the three months to 31 December and 3.8 per cent for the full year, which was the company's strongest annual global comparable sales growth since 2011. Total revenue fell for the tenth straight [...]