More than 200 travel firms call on government to scrap quarantine plan June 1, 2020 More than 200 travel companies have backed a letter to the government calling on it to reconsider its plans to quarantine individuals entering the UK as a precaution against coronavirus. From 8 June, the government has said that all those entering the UK must quarantine for a period of 14 days in one location. The [...]
More than 70 travel bosses sign letter calling for end to quarantine May 28, 2020 More than 70 bosses of travel companies have signed a letter calling on the government to scrap a planned 14-day quarantine for arrivals from overseas. From 8 June travellers arriving from abroad will be asked to quarantine for 14 days or risk paying a £1,000 fine to help stop the spread of coronavirus.. Holiday and [...]
2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in bloom with exclusive preview gala celebration May 18, 2015 A select group of Londoners, including several wellknown City figures, got an exclusive sneak peek at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last night, ahead of its opening today. Attendees at the Charity Gala Preview enjoyed champagne, canapes and music, as well as the chance to rub shoulders with the Queen. The Queen attended yesterday's [...]
Pictures: City’s bigwigs flock to Chelsea Flower Show warm-up bash May 20, 2014 There was nearly more power than flower last night as City grandees and business heavies strolled up the lilac carpet of the Chelsea Flower Show for this year’s preview evening. Insurance heavies Tidjane Thiam of Prudential and Standard Life’s David Nish both rolled up, perhaps giving them a chance to talk risk over the rhododendrons. [...]
Rocco Forte sales rise by a quarter February 10, 2013 Sir Rocco Forte’s hotel empire saw sales rise last year but remained in the red for a fourth consecutive year. Rocco Forte Hotels, which owns 13 luxury resorts around the world, reported a 25 per cent rise in turnover to £185m in the year to 30 April 2012 after buying a 50 per cent interest [...]
Lots of luxury in Whitehall for Walpole bash November 19, 2012 BACK to Banqueting House in Whitehall again this year for the 11th Walpole Awards for Excellence. Anthony Head was master of ceremonies for the luxury body’s annual gathering. The actor, of Gold Blend coffee advertisements and Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, was perhaps a less “on brand” choice of host than last year’s compère – [...]
HBOS extends hotel loan January 24, 2010 A CASHFLOW crisis threatening luxury hotel group the Rocco Forte Collection has been averted by a £300m loan extension from HBOS, part of Lloyds Banking Group. The 18-month extension, which pre-empts a long-term solution, follows urgent talks between owner Sir Rocco Forte and the bank, the Times reported. It is understood the hotel group, whose [...]
Forte in talks over restructuring October 25, 2009 Hotels veteran Sir Rocco Forte is understood to be in talks with his business partner, the high street bank HBOS, about a restructuring to enable the company to ride out the economic downturn. Rocco Forte Collection, his joint venture with the state-backed unit of Lloyds Banking Group, runs luxury accommodation including Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel and [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING August 2, 2009 THE SUNDAYSThe Sunday TelegraphDSG CHAIR ABANDONS CRYSTAL BALLThe outgoing chairman of DSG International, the Currys owner, has described the reduction in the retailer’s market size as “painful” and admitted he failed to see the downturn coming. Sir John Collins said he told John Browett, the electrical retailer’s chief executive, not to worry about the prospect [...]
GLORY DAYS FOR ROYAL ASCOT CITY RACING SET June 16, 2009 IT WAS smiles all round for the property world’s keenest racegoers yesterday, as a group of City real estate heavyweights toasted a win (and a hefty £167,472 prize pot) for their horse Paco Boy in the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot. I hear Parkwood Property Investments partner Derek Lucie-Smith, one of the owners, was in [...]