Government extends anti-eviction measures for businesses June 19, 2020 Commercial landlords will be unable to evict struggling companies until the end of September, after the government extended anti-eviction measures. The move comes as part of the government’s support package for companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension of the forfeiture of evictions will come as a relief in particular to pubs, cafes and [...]
Restaurant bosses call for VAT cut as dining out sector braces for difficult return to business June 16, 2020 Restaurant industry bosses have today urged Boris Johnson to take drastic action, including slashing VAT on the food they serve, to help the struggling sector survive the effects of coronavirus. In a letter signed by the bosses of 90 major chains, Deliveroo founder Will Shu said that the government should also extend its job retention [...]
Which cafes and restaurants are reopening as the coronavirus lockdown lifts? June 10, 2020 After two months of coronavirus lockdown, Britain’s high streets are waking up again. From Pret to Pizza Express, cafes and restaurants across the country are working out how to restart their businesses. So what chains can customers expect to open up again on Monday, when so-called non-essential businesses are allowed to make their long-awaited return? [...]
The City View: Put it in your diary, City A.M. is returning to print June 1, 2020 In this episode, after a bit of diary confusion deprived the show of a guest, Christian chats briefly about the plan to return City A.M. to print on Monday 7 September after the pandemic triggered a temporary suspension of the print operation. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Christian also looks at the latest proposals [...]
Pret a Manger set for crucial rent talks with landlords May 31, 2020 Fast food chain Pret a Manger is preparing for rent talks with its landlords in a bid to stave off closing some stores due to the coronavirus crisis. The chain, a favourite of office workers around the UK, is preparing for a shift in footfall in city centres as working patterns shift due to the [...]
Nearly half of closed UK businesses are unsure when they will reopen May 28, 2020 Almost half of businesses that shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic are unsure when they will reopen, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The UK is attempting to reopen its economy with shops allowed to reopen on 15 June having been closed in March when the pandemic was raging. About one [...]
Coronavirus: Greggs to start reopening branches for takeaway and delivery April 27, 2020 High street bakery chain Greggs is preparing to reopen to provide a takeaway service during the coronavirus lockdown. All of the cafe chain’s stores are currently closed due to the UK’s coronavirus lockdown. However, the government restrictions allow cafes and restaurants to remain open for takeaway and delivery services. The company said it will trial [...]
Coronavirus: Pret will see the benefits of doing the right thing April 22, 2020 The coronavirus crisis has required businesses to alter their COVID-19 strategy frequently in line with changing government advice. Some businesses have had more success than others with striking a good balance and doing the right thing in the eyes of the public, particularly at the start of the crisis in March. One brand which has [...]
Do right by Londoners, I’ll do right by you April 8, 2020 Crisis reveals character, something I witnessed many times during my years as a youth worker on the rough streets around Ladbroke Grove. When times are tough we find out who we truly are, both as people and as communities. Right now, times are tough. The toughest they’ve been since the Second World War. The coronavirus [...]
Coronavirus: Primark to close all UK stores as pandemic hits high street March 22, 2020 Primark is set to shutter all 189 of its UK stores from tonight as the coronavirus outbreak threatens to bring the UK high street to its knees. The budget fashion retailer has already closed stores accounting for 20 per cent of its selling space globally, and is now preparing to close its entire store estate. [...]