Retailer sell off drags down London indexes April 6, 2022 A retailer sell off caused by concerns over a pull back in spending amid a tight cost of living squeeze led London’s top indexes lower today. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index dropped 0.34 per cent to 7,587.70 points, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK [...]
Bank of England to launch 1980s style rate hike cycle as it scrambles to douse down rampant inflation April 6, 2022 The Bank of England will hike interest rates at the quickest pace since 1988 this year as it scrambles to douse down rampant inflation. 0Threadneedle Street will lift borrowing costs four more times this year, taking the calendar year total number of hikes to six, according to forecasts by investment banking giant JP Morgan. The [...]
Britain’s love of Channel 4 is blinded by nostalgia, it’s time to finally sell up April 6, 2022 From a quasi-outsider’s perspective – I lived in Australia for the first 26 years of my life – Channel 4’s current makeup seems bizarre. It is state-owned, but commercially funded. Editorially independent, but bound by a legislative public service remit. The notion of having a public broadcaster that provides news coverage free from all commercial [...]
Inflation heats up as UK firms launch record price rises April 5, 2022 The cost of living squeeze that is already threatening to cool growth is tightening, driven by UK businesses lifting prices at the fastest pace on record to cope with a cost storm, a closely watched survey released today reveals. A combination of soaring staff costs, swelling energy bills and higher raw material prices has coaxed [...]
Double-digit footfall boost for London and South East as shops fear cost of living crunch will deter customers April 5, 2022 Retail footfall saw a double-digit boost last month in London and the South East, thanks to a bout of sunshine. London and the south East saw a 11.3 per cent rise in footfall to retail destinations in March. This represented footfall down 22 per cent on pre-pandemic levels. Across the UK, footfall was up 9.9 [...]
Gold holds up amid looming fears of recession April 4, 2022 Gold prices have stabilised as fears of a recession mount, with continued geopolitical tensions and the growing expectations of an interest rate hike.
Protestors block London Esso oil facility ahead of new UN climate report April 4, 2022 Protestors have blocked an Esso oil facility near Heathrow Airport with two bamboo structures in a bid to stop new fossil fuel developments. In a fourth day of protests, demonstrators from Extinction Rebellion and the Just Stop Oil Coalition have been blocking the exits to several oil facilities across the country, beginning with seven on [...]
Businesses hit with 250 per cent increase in gas bills April 1, 2022 Businesses are facing a five-fold increase in gas bills, warns Cornwall Insight, amid wholesale market volatility and supply shortage fears.
UK economy flirting with recession amid escalating inflation April 1, 2022 Escalating inflation is threatening to throw the UK economy into dangerously close recession territory, reveals two closely watched surveys. Businesses are struggling under the weight of swelling costs triggered by soaring energy bills, prompting them to launch the quickest price hike cycle on record, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Around two in [...]
Oxford St still feeling side effects of Covid as footfall recovery lags behind March 30, 2022 Oxford St has struggled to return to its pre-pandemic glory with football down 46 per cent on pre-Covid levels. Overall, high street footfall levels were down 23 per cent in February, according to an RSM analysis of data from Datscha. International travel restrictions have dampened the numbers of shoppers in central London hubs. Northern shopping [...]