Rise in National Insurance and Minimum Wage delivers ‘ big blow’ to struggling firms October 30, 2024 Rachel Reeves’ increase to employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NIC) will be a “big blow” to sectors already suffering from higher costs, a number of businesses have warned. While delivering the Autumn Budget this afternoon, the Chancellor announced a number of “very difficult decisions” in order to fill the £22bn “black hole” inherited by the Conservatives. [...]
Hawksmoor: Sales and profits sizzle as steak chain hunts for a buyer October 29, 2024 Sales and profit both surged at Hawksmoor during its latest financial year ahead of a potential sale which could value the steakhouse chain at £100m. The London-headquartered business has reported a turnover of £89.7m for 2023, up from the £73.9m it achieved in 2022. Newly-filed accounts with Companies House have also revealed that the firm’s [...]
A ski holiday on the Swiss Riviera, with deserted slopes and a long snow season October 28, 2024 Enjoy the precision and serenity of German-speaking Switzerland for a unique Swiss Riviera ski holiday adventure by train, boat and bus. By Rob Rees The Luzern area of Central Switzerland provides a perfect gateway to top notch ski areas, easily accessible from Zürich or via train from Paris. Zürich airport, with its efficient train station [...]
Mcdonald’s UK profit slashed by over £100m October 28, 2024 Profit at Mcdonald’s UK restaurants was slashed by more than £100m in 2023 despite its turnover taking a big stride towards the £2bn mark. The US fast food giant has reported a pre-tax profit of £66.3m for its UK operations, down from the £170.8m it achieved in 2022. Mcdonald’s operating profit was cut from £165.4m [...]
Canary Wharf and Me: Fairgame CEO Richard Hilton on his fun-filled career October 24, 2024 Each week we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Fairgame CEO Richard Hilton takes us through his fun-filled career.
How American Express UK is looking to crack Gen Z October 24, 2024 American Express’s UK boss, Hannah Lewis, sits down with City AM to talk breaking into a younger markets and shaking up its image. “Do you take Amex?” It’s a question that has slipped so far into the cultural lexicon there are even memes about it. Scroll through a dedicated Reddit page on American Express and [...]
Wine Cocktails are Winning Gen-Z October 23, 2024 Wine is wonderful, but a certain demographic (I’m looking at you Gen Z) seem to increasingly prefer cocktails. “Customisation is key, which is why cocktails are the perfect drink of choice for Gen Z,” says Carmen O’Neal, Saturday Kitchen’s spirits expert and founder of 58 and Co distillery. “Cocktails can be tailored to their tastes [...]
Updated plans for City of London’s tallest skyscraper: 1 Undershaft October 22, 2024 Aroland Holdings has submitted updated plans for the City of London’s tallest skyscraper, 1 Undershaft. The new proposals, which will be validated later today, will deliver a comprehensive ground-floor redesign. The scheme, delivered by development manager Stanhope, aims to enhance St Helen’s Square with a more accessible and active public realm, such as a re-imagined [...]
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 [...]