TGI Fridays UK collapses into administration as all restaurants put up for sale September 18, 2024 The company behind TGI Fridays restaurants in the UK has collapsed into administration as it attempts to see all its 87 sites across the country. London-listed Hostmore has appointed administrators from Teneo to oversee the process after plans to buy the US restaurant chain collapsed earlier this month. The business said it hopes to sell [...]
Is this Peckham pub serving Britain’s best burger? September 18, 2024 My local pub serves Britain’s best burger – I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I support The Montpelier on Choumert Road in all its endeavours, just as it has supported me through celebrations, hangovers, breast-feeding emergencies and excruciating family lunches. But I’m not sure I want it to become famous for [...]
The tourist tax is so last week. Scrap it to boost the UK fashion industry September 18, 2024 Visitor numbers to London are rising, yet the tourist tax continues to quash the benefits, writes New West End chief executive Dee Corsi.
Oxford Street: Former MP for the City and Westminster brands pedestrianisation ‘bullying’ September 17, 2024 A row has erupted over Sadiq Khan’s plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street as the area’s former MPs branded the move “bullying”. The mayor of London today unveiled proposals to ban traffic from the iconic central London retail destination, in what he hopes will reinvigorate the nation’s “most famous high street”. But Nickie Aiken, the former [...]
West End: Tourist tax ‘disadvantage’ costs retailers hundreds of millions September 16, 2024 Retail business in London missed out on a projected £220m in the first half of 2024 due to the ongoing effect of the so-called tourist tax, despite continued growth in international visitor numbers. The number of international visitors to London was three per cent above pre-pandemic levels, but spending in the West End fell nearly [...]
Mcdonald’s empire hopes new Mcflurry flavours will keep customers happy after ‘bold’ price rises September 16, 2024 “Bold” price rises at a McDonald’s franchise empire helped sales jump by more than £15m during its latest financial year. Run by Andrew Gibson, AG Restaurants runs 27 sites in Glasgow, employs more than 3,000 people and is one of the largest in the UK. The business has reported a turnover of £135.2m for 2023, [...]
Itsu: Return to the office helps boost sales September 13, 2024 The move by companies to encourage their workforce to return to the office helped sales jump at East Asian-inspired eatery chain Itsu during its latest financial year. The London-headquartered company has posted a turnover of £160.7m for 2023, up from the £137.7m it achieved in 2022. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House also show the brand’s [...]
The best things to do in autumn 2024, from amazing new films to London theatre September 12, 2024 Autumn can be about taking stock; enjoying long walks on the Heath and cosying up on the sofa. But it’s also the season when some of the most exciting new cultural events launch, from theatre to exhibitions and festivals. With A-Listers hitting the West End, major art shows and a creepy festival of death, this [...]
The City’s salad cult: What’s up with Farmer J? September 12, 2024 People in the City are addicted to Farmer J's large, expensive salad bowls. Why so?
The Notebook: Is Wapping the best place in London? September 11, 2024 With its cobbled streets, unspoiled apartment blocks and tall warehouse conversions with painted shutters, Wapping is a vision of a Victorian past.