‘King of Mayfair’ on cusp of selling The Ivy restaurant group to little-known London firm September 6, 2024 Billionaire restaurateur Richard Caring is on the cusp of securing a deal to sell his majority stake in The Ivy restaurant chain after more than two decades at the helm. The reported buyer, the little-known investment firm SI Advisers, is likely to pay in the region of £1bn for the group, which also includes The [...]
Chapel Down: Half-year profit almost wiped out as wine maker blames ‘one-off factors’ September 4, 2024 English wine producer Chapel Down has blamed ‘one-off factors’ for its pre-tax profit almost being wiped out during the first half of its financial year. The Kent-headquartered company, which is listed on AIM, said the fall from £2.4m to £40,000 in the in the six months ended 30 June was due to a ‘difficult macroeconomic environment’, [...]
Revolution Bars returns to AIM after major restructuring plan completed September 3, 2024 Revolution Bars has resumed trading on AIM following the completion of a comprehensive restructuring plan designed to steer the business back to profitability. After months of financial turbulence, the bar and pub chain, which includes brands such as Revolution, Revolución de Cuba, and Peach Pubs, has reissued over 1.26bn new ordinary shares. The restructuring plan, [...]
‘Chicken King’ Ranjit Singh Boparan to sell poultry arm to himself September 2, 2024 The poultry arm of 2 Sisters Food Group, which is owned by the so-called ‘Chicken King’ Ranjit Singh Boparan, is to be sold to his private office for more than €200m (£168m). Boparan, who also owns high street restaurant brands like Carluccio’s and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, is to sell the European poultry operation to his [...]
The authentic part of the Bahamas, with secret beaches and amazing food September 2, 2024 Arriving into a tiny airport after a twenty minute hop from Nassau International, we’re driving down the dusty palms highway to Freeport. The trees are ragged, stripped of their leaves and dead. Fields of new ones have been planted, but like anything beautiful in nature, patience is the virtue. It’s something the Grand Bahamians have [...]
Kurt Geiger boss joins list of retailers slamming the end of tax-free shopping September 2, 2024 Kurt Geiger’s boss has said the UK is shooting itself in the foot by not bringing back tax-free shopping for international visitors. Kurt Geiger’s chief executive, Neil Clifford, told The Times that the end of VAT-free shopping has had a “massively negative effect” on Britain”. “International tourists, whether it be Middle Eastern or American travellers, [...]
The Savoy Hotel feels the pinch as London’s luxury market gets even more competitive August 28, 2024 The Savoy Hotel is feeling the impact of an increase in competition in London’s luxury hotel market after its pre-tax loss widened during 2023, it has been revealed. The hotel has reported a loss of £17.9m for its latest financial year, having also made a pre-tax loss of £12m in 2022, according to newly-filed documents [...]
Venice Film Festival: An insider’s guide to all the gossip, parties and deals August 27, 2024 The 81st Venice Film Festival kicks off tomorrow and it’s set to continue its legacy as a hotbed of dealmakers, party goers and luxury brand sponsorship. Our man on the inside gives the lowdown on what to expect this time around. “The Ghost with the Most is Back” proclaim the Venetian billboards for Tim Burton’s [...]
9 of the best September holidays to book now in Spain, Greece and more to keep summer alive August 27, 2024 Don’t believe those who would tell you summer is almost over: book one of these September holidays to keep the summer spirit alive Ignore chat about summer being over – it’s wrong. The summer season officially lasts until 20 September, and plenty of the season’s biggest events are yet to happen. Travel network Virtuoso data [...]
Jamie Oliver serves up sales success after flagship London restaurant opens August 22, 2024 Jamie Oliver’s new flagship London restaurant and the continuing popularity of his recipe books helped boost the turnover of the celebrity chef’s group during its latest financial year. The group has reported a turnover of £27m for 2023 after posting a total of £23.6m for 2022, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. Its sales [...]