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 [...]
Lammy: West won’t be bullied by Putin over Ukraine missile talks September 15, 2024 The West will not be bullied by Vladimir Putin’s threat of all-out war with Nato if Ukraine is given permission to use Western weapons to strike inside Russia, David Lammy has said. The foreign secretary said talks were continuing with the US and allies about giving Kyiv permission to use UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to [...]
Why Am I So Single? review: Six the Musical creators return with the most fun new show in the West End September 13, 2024 Why Am I So Single? review and star rating: ★★★★ “People would say to us, Six is amazing, but when’s the next one coming?” Why Am I So Single? writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss say in a programme note. The new show from the writers of Six, which has one of the most streamed [...]
New rail line connecting Midlands and North West set to deliver £70bn economic boost September 13, 2024 “Doing nothing is not an option”—this was the message today as a consortium of business leaders and politicians unveiled ambitious plans for a new rail line connecting the Midlands to the North West. The proposed rail link, set to connect Lichfield in Staffordshire to High Legh in Cheshire, could add an estimated £70bn to local [...]
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 [...]
Arteta contract announcement set to boost Arsenal ahead of North London derby September 12, 2024 Arteta was due to be out of contract next summer and had been linked with jobs at Barcelona and Manchester City.
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.
Water: Tougher regulation will attract ‘global investment’, Steve Reed claims September 5, 2024 Steve Reed has claimed that toughening up water regulation will “attract global investment” to rebuild the UK’s sewage and pipeline infrastructure. The environment secretary today insisted his efforts to reform the under-fire industry—including the threat of prison time for rogue water bosses—would create “growth and opportunity.” It comes after Reed unveiled the Water (Special Measures) [...]
Easyhotel chief hails ‘era of the mega-event’ as driving force behind bookings surge September 2, 2024 The boss of budget chain Easyhotel said the company had the rising cost of ‘mega-event’ tickets to thank for its recent surge in revenue, which rose by almost half in 2023. Karim Malak, who became chief executive of the British business just over two years ago, said the company had experienced a boom in bookings [...]
Frenkel Topping warns of lower earnings in second half August 29, 2024 Frenkel Topping, the specialist professional services firm, has reported a rise in revenue in the first half of the year but warned that earnings are trading behind management’s expectations. In the six months ended 30 June 2024, Frenkel Topping posted £17.9m in revenue, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year’s £16m. Its gross profit also jumped five [...]