First Group signs new deals for South Western Railways and Transpennine Express May 20, 2021 First Group has this morning agreed new contracts to continue running South Western Railway and the Transpennine Express. The new deals, the first contracts to be awarded under new plans to reform the UK rail network, will start at the end of May and last for two years. There will be the option to extend [...]
Culture shock May 20, 2021 Covid-19 has left the UK’s world-leading arts sector fighting for survival. As museums and theatres prepare to reopen, four expert CAs tell us how their work has been upended and what their recovery roadmaps look like. This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. All dramatists know the importance of a happy ending; the gratifying [...]
Covid-19: Surge testing and vaccines to be introduced in Hounslow May 19, 2021 Surge testing and additional vaccines will be rolled out in Hounslow amid concerns about the spread of Indian Covid-19 variant. Health secretary Matt Hancock today told MPs that cases of the new Covid variant now stood at almost 3,000 after increasing by almost a quarter since Monday. As a result, surge testing and extra vaccine [...]
West End landlord Great Portland Estates swings to loss as tourists and Londoners stay at home May 19, 2021 West End landlord Great Portland Estates slump as tourists and Londoners stay at home
Sadiq Khan calls for Londoners to ‘support British businesses’ as restrictions eased May 17, 2021 Sadiq Khan has called on Londoners to “support British businesses” and to come back into central London as Covid restrictions are eased further in England today. Khan said people outside the capital should not despair about the limited opportunities to currently travel overseas and that “everything you need is in London”. Tens of thousands of [...]
Government to unveil flexible rail tickets as part of a wider overhaul May 16, 2021 The government will reportedly bring in flexible rail tickets next week as a part of a wider shake-up of the UK’s rail system. Commuters will be offered “carnet” tickets that will allow office workers to come into the office once or twice a week as Covid restrictions are lifted. The tickets will allow passengers to [...]
Brexit transfers: Barclays, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley move senior City dealmakers to the EU May 14, 2021 Investment giants Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Barclays have started to move a range of senior bankers from their offices in Canary Wharf and the City to financial hubs across the EU. Ongoing uncertainty over the UK’s access to the EU’s financial services market, combined with pandemic damage and pressure from local regulators, has led [...]
West End company signs 70-year lease on new Olympia Theatre May 13, 2021 Trafalgar Entertainment has signed a 70-year lease at the new Olympia Theatre in West London, which is scheduled to open in 2025. The agreement, which will run for 35 years with the option to extend for a further 35, is part of a broader ambition by the live entertainment business to create a venue of [...]
Yet more places to eat and drink: 70 bars and restaurants open now May 13, 2021 It’s just days until we can once more sit in a restaurant and dine like civilized human beings, albeit socially distanced ones. But where to book? To help you make this most difficult of decisions, we’ve collected a bumper list of 70 places to meet up with friends and support the hospitality industry. With spots [...]
London rents fall to most affordable level in a decade May 12, 2021 London rents have fallen to their most affordable level in a decade due to a drop off in demand during the pandemic. While demand has ticked up since lockdown restrictions have lifted – by seven per cent in inner London – affordability is running at a ten-year high. Rental prices in London are down 9.4 [...]