Sweet Mercy: Government drops all-out war on sugar but pushes ahead with its soft drinks levy August 17, 2016 The government has today scrapped the most draconian measures from its long-awaited childhood obesity strategy, but the Treasury will forge ahead with its levy on soft drinks dubbed the "sugar tax". The department of health has pledged to work towards a 20 per cent reduction of sugar in foods and drinks that are popular with [...]
Long Weekend: Chef Raymond Blanc’s favourite places to shop, dine and wine in Paris August 15, 2016 The weekend Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc has picked out his favourite foodie hotspots in one of the tastiest cities on earth. From bistros to profiteroles, there’s a lot to pack in, but if you’re up for the challenge, then here’s how to bloat yourself Blanc-style. How to get there The Eurostar e320 gets you there [...]
Appetite for expansion outside of London hammers profits at sushi and Asian-inspired food chain Itsu August 14, 2016 Profits at healthy eating chain Itsu dived 73 per cent last year as the company developed a taste for expansion outside of London. The sushi and Asian-inspired food group reported a 22 per cent increase in sales to £82.6m in the year ended 31 December 2015, according to accounts filed at Companies House. However, profits slid [...]
London’s night-time economy could be worth £43bn and an extra 115,000 jobs August 11, 2016 Unlocking London’s night-time economy will deliver a £3bn boost to the capital and help protect London from the economic shock of Brexit, a new report has argued. Research published today said the introduction of the Night Tube, along with a relaxation of licensing laws and other tweaks to help Londoners make the most of the capital [...]
Feeling awkward? Here are 19 icebreakers to make a success of any networking event August 11, 2016 If your go-to conversation topics revolve around work and weather, then you probably don't enjoy going to networking events. But talking to new people doesn't have to be such a drag. There are ways to get the conversation going without resorting to irritating clichés. Check out these 19 icebreakers that will help ease you into [...]
Wendy’s serves up expectation beating earnings though shares fall on same-restaurant sales miss August 10, 2016 US burger chain Wendy's has beaten bottom line earning expectations, though same-restaurant sales rose less than expected. Shares were down 4.7 per cent in pre-market shortly before the market open. Net income fell to $26.5m (£20.2m), or 10 cents per share, in the second quarter from $40.2m a year earlier. Revenue slid 22 per cent to $382.7 million, mostly [...]
Investors give Yelp a good rating as online review firm beats expectations August 9, 2016 Online review company Yelp’s share price leapt in after-hours trading on Tuesday after it beat analyst expectations in the second quarter of 2016. The figures The US company reported net revenue of $173.4m (£133m) in the three months to 30 June, up 30 per cent. Wall Street had expected a turnover of $169.8m. Some $151.9m of this came [...]
Panic at the disco? Nightclubs are struggling to compete with bars and pubs August 8, 2016 The party could be winding down in the UK's nightclub scene, as revenues in the top 100 nightclubs have fallen nine per cent in the last year. A lack of access to funding and increased competition has left clubs struggling to compete with late-night bars and pubs, according to commercial lender Ortus Secured Finance. Turnover [...]
Long Weekend: Newly opened hotel Innside New York NoMad offers to give guests the goss on Manhattan’s coolest hang outs August 5, 2016 The weekend: The epicentre of the world according to every Armageddon-themed movie ever made, New York’s also a welcoming, walkable city which begs to be visited when the days are long, the spirits high, and the air-con’s omnipresent. Its familiarity belies a forever changing chameleon of a personality, as the heaving bulk of an 8m-plus [...]
Deliveroo just raised $275m to fend off Uber August 5, 2016 Deliveroo, the London-based food delivery startup whose bikes are swarming the capital, has just raised another $275m (£209m) in an effort to ward off a growing threat from Uber. The company said the Series E investment round was led by Bridgepoint, existing investor DST Global and General Catalyst, with participation from Greenoaks Capital. The company said [...]