London Stansted embarks on exciting new chapter October 22, 2024 As an economic powerhouse, London needs to keep investment rolling in, to create jobs, to support economic growth and to maintain the capital’s place on the world stage. Last week’s International Investment Summit hosted by Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, was an ideal opportunity for London Stansted to showcase its role in helping the government [...]
Boris Johnson Unleashed: Puns, prose but too little punch October 17, 2024 Let’s face it: if you aren’t a Boris fan or someone inclined to read every political biography, it’s unlikely you will pick up this book. When I told my brother I was reading it, his response was: “Why would you want to relive that mess?!?”. My mother was more pointed: “I’m not reading anything by [...]
This trip to Languedoc turned me into a wine snob October 17, 2024 I’m not a wine guy. The oenophile subjects alcohol to a level of scrutiny that, to me, feels antithetical to the loosening joys of boozing. I enjoy wine. I prefer wine that tastes nice. But to theorise about it, to intellectualise it, to hold it to the light and inspect its colour, to soliliquise about [...]
Deliveroo: UK consumers help group’s growth October 17, 2024 More Brits ordering takeout in the UK and Ireland helped Deliveroo post growth in its third quarter, as it maintained its full year guidance. The food delivery company booked gross transaction value (GTV) of £1.78bn, up six per cent year on year in constant currency, as orders jumped to 71.1m, up from 69.7m in the [...]
The Square Mile and Me: M Restaurants founder Martin Williams on backpack etiquette and mandatory two hour lunches October 17, 2024 Each week we ask a City figure to take a trip down memory lane. Today it’s Martin Williams, CEO of Groucho and founder of M Restaurants on the City staple’s 10th birthday What was your first job? I started working in hospitality when I was sixteen, as a dishwasher in a grotty hotel in North Yorkshire. I [...]
Concern for British high street as sector set for four-fold tax rise in April October 16, 2024 The double effect of inflation-linked tax bumps, as well as the end of business rate relief for consumer-facing firms, will lead to a four-fold tax increase for high street businesses next April, industry bodies have warned. Industry leaders across the board have been increasingly vocal about the need for reform to business rate taxes, and have [...]
Premier Inn owner Whitbread raises dividend despite slower growth October 16, 2024 Premier Inn and Beefeater owner Whitbread has raised its interim dividend and announced a share buyback despite flat revenue. The hotel and restaurant chain told markets this morning that revenue was unchanged year on year in the six months ended 29 August at £1.57bn. It has raised its interim dividend seven per cent to 36.4p [...]
Donald Trump’s golf course in Scotland makes 11th consecutive loss October 15, 2024 Donald Trump’s golf course in Aberdeenshire has maintained its positive outlook despite making a loss for an 11th consecutive year. Trump International Scotland has reported a pre-tax loss of £1.4m for 2023, having also lost £738,344 in the prior 12 months. The widening loss comes despite its turnover rising from £3.59m to £37.4m over the [...]
Loss widens at Papa Johns in UK ahead of major closure plans October 14, 2024 The UK arm of pizza chain Papa Johns lost almost £20m in the year before it decided to close more than 40 underperforming restaurants. The Milton Keynes-headquartered division has reported a pre-tax loss of £19.9m for 2023, having also lost £4.1m in 2022. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House also show its turnover nudged up from [...]
Giggling Squid laughs all the way to the bank as Thai restaurant chain returns to profit October 14, 2024 Thai restaurant chain Giggling Squid returned to profit during its latest financial year as it sales hit another record. The Guildford-headquartered company has reported a pre-tax profit of £1.5m for the 12 months to 31 March, 2024. The new total comes after the business fell to a pre-tax loss of £1.9m in the prior year. [...]