Wetherspoons slams government for ‘behaving like Monty Python’s Dennis Moore’ over VAT rates July 7, 2021 Wetherspoons has hit out at the government for what is believes are unfair VAT rates on hospitality businesses, which could make the sector less competitive post-Covid. The pub chain has accused the government of “unfairness” and of ‘robbing the poor to help the rich’ by levying a higher VAT rate on food bought in pub [...]
Indeed: Global interest in UK jobs post-Brexit lifts to pre-pandemic levels June 17, 2021 Searches from across the world for UK-based jobs have returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to jobs site Indeed, as international workers eye easing travel restrictions. The UK’s new points-based immigration system has seemingly drawn in interest for its higher-paid jobs post-Brexit after Indeed’s new job rates slumped in the height of pandemic uncertainty. As the government [...]
Mayfair restaurant Le Gavroche shuts for lunch indefinitely, citing Brexit-driven staffing shortage June 2, 2021 Mayfair restaurant Le Gavroche will only open for dinner service until further notice, with the restaurant highlighting a “major” lack of well-trained hospitality staff due to a combination of Brexit and the pandemic. From 14 June, the two Michelin-starred restaurant owned by French celebrity chef Michel Roux will only open from 5pm onwards, meaning punters [...]
Arch-Brexiter Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin pushes for work visa for EU pint pullers June 2, 2021 Brexit-backing Wetherspoon pubs boss Tim Martin has added his name to the list of those wanting to relax work visa rules for EU migrants. Martin, who toured the country’s Wetherspoons pubs espousing the benefits of a hard Brexit, says that the UK should make it easier for lower-skilled EU workers to relocate here. His comments [...]
Publisher Bloomsbury enjoys record year as books offer lockdown escapism June 2, 2021 Publishing house Bloomsbury has posted record results for the year as Brits reached for the escapism of reading during a series of lockdowns. “The popularity of reading has been a ray of sunshine in an otherwise very dark year. In an outstanding year for Bloomsbury, we delivered record results,” chief executive, Nigel Newton, said in a [...]
Exclusive: Kimberly-Clark’s EMEA president on Kleenex demand exploding overnight June 2, 2021 Since Covid took over our lives, the demand for personal care and hygiene products has gone through the roof, changing consumer behaviour and buying patterns forever. To discuss how this has impacted one of the biggest players in the industry, City A.M. sits down with the EMEA president of Kimberly-Clark, the owner of brands like [...]
British Council appoints Oliver Wyman boss as new chief executive June 2, 2021 The British Council has today announced the appointment of Oliver Wyman boss Scott McDonald as its new chief executive. McDonald, who will take charge on 1 September, succeeds interim CEO Kate-Ewart Biggs who will move into the role of deputy chief executive. “It is a huge privilege to be joining the British Council at this [...]
City investors dump hospitality stocks despite pubs welcoming customers back indoors May 17, 2021 England’s pubs welcomed customers back inside for the first time in months today, but investors in the City of London were less taken by the sector’s future. Worries about a possible spread of the Indian variant of Covid-19 made shareholders sell their pub stocks. Wetherspoon, Marston’s, City Pub Group and Fuller, Smith & Turner were [...]
‘Freedom day’: Pub bosses wipe down the bar for a 21 June return May 5, 2021 The UK’s pub bosses are wiping the bar down for a June return, coined “freedom day”, urging prime minister Boris Johnson to stick to his roadmap for the easing of restrictions. JD Wetherspoon, Greene King, Slug & Lettuce owner Stonegate and Young’s have all expressed their intentions for a 21 June return of bar service, [...]
Hospitality firms urge Boris Johnson to stick to reopening roadmap April 18, 2021 Some of the UK’s biggest hospitality companies have urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to “stick” to the current plan for easing lockdown restrictions. In an open letter the pub and restaurant bosses said two-thirds of venues were unable to open outdoors from 12 April and “none is breaking even”. They called on the prime minister [...]