Outernet: Is London’s new media complex the future of urban entertainment? February 3, 2020 Trying to find a definition for Outernet can sometimes feel like explaining Tiktok to a grandparent. Once completed, the 34,000 square feet (sq ft) site — sat squarely on the corner of Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road — will boast the world’s largest deployment of LED screens, as well as shops, restaurants, offices, a [...]
Spilling the beans: How coffee chain Grind has carved out its own London niche January 20, 2020 Given how busy life in the capital can get, and how hard the people here work, most Londoners must live on coffee. It’s the only plausible explanation for the explosion in coffee shops in recent years. Independent coffee houses are thriving alongside the big brands like Costa and Pret a Manger. According to research by [...]
Burger King launches plant-based Whopper – but it isn’t vegan or vegetarian January 6, 2020 Burger King is launching a plant-based version of its Whopper in the UK, but vegans and vegetarians won’t be able to enjoy the new burger. The Rebel Whopper, which is made from soy, is not suitable for those avoiding meat because it is cooked on the same grill as the fast food chain’s beef burgers. [...]
Rory walks on with a campaign to spice up the race for London mayor October 11, 2019 Watch out London, your favourite selfie-taking, tie-rejecting, accidental-opium-smoking, politician/rambler is coming to a Tube station near you. Yes, it’s Rory Stewart time once again. For those of us who were mesmerised by the former international development secretary’s short-lived sensation of a campaign to be Tory leader, now we get to enjoy the sequel, after Rory [...]
Business rates and Brexit eat up Pret a Manger profits October 10, 2019 Sandwich chain Pret a Manger suffered a slump in profit last year due to business rate increases and the threat of a no-deal Brexit. Turnover increased from £636.9m to £710m, but operating profit dropped from £57.9m to £19.6m in 2018. Earnings slumped to £91.38m from £97.79m. Read more: Parliament sees law to prevent allergy deaths [...]
Sushi stalwart Itsu posts loss as it eyes expansion in the US September 29, 2019 Sushi chain Itsu fell to a pre-tax loss of £6m last year as stronger sales were offset by expansion in the US. The British food chain, which was founded by Pret a Manger tycoon Julian Metcalfe, pulled in revenue of £116m, up nine per cent on the previous year. Read more: Restaurant insolvencies jump by [...]
Natasha’s law to prevent allergy deaths comes into force after Pret teenager died on plane September 5, 2019 A law in memory of tragic Pret a Manger allergy teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse has been laid in front of parliament today, making sure that allergens are properly listed in cafes across the country. Natasha’s Law will close a loophole which allowed food that was prepared on the premises to be sold without an allergy warning. [...]
Londoners rejoice; Deliveroo will serve your Pret a Manger meal to your desk July 12, 2019 It’s not exactly hard to find a Pret a Manger in London; there are more than a dozen in the City of London alone. Read more: Pret vows to go veggie when it takes over Eat stores But it is hard to get away from your desk sometimes, so thousands of workers will be delighted [...]
Pret a Manger boss to retire as firm prepares for Eat merger July 1, 2019 Pret a Manger’s boss is to step down later this year, making way for the firm’s chief operating officer to lead the group as it prepares for a major tie-up with rival Eat. The sandwich chain’s boss Clive Schlee will retire in September after more than 15 years at the firm. Read more: Pret a [...]
Pret a Manger has swallowed up Eat – but how will it taste? May 29, 2019 High street lunchtime staple Pret a Manger recently announced it will be purchasing Eat, one of its main competitors. Pret also announced plans to convert many of Eat’s existing shops into Pret’s vegetarian spin off, Veggie Pret, in response to growing consumer demand for vegetarian and vegan options. Three per cent of the population currently [...]