Wilko brand set to be bought by The Range as carve up continues September 13, 2023 The Range is poised to buy the brand and intellectual property of Wilko, as the collapsed high street store continues to be carved up by competitors.
Landlords in wealthy London boroughs feel the pinch as Chinese students ditch UK September 13, 2023 Landlords in wealthy London boroughs are feeling the pinch from international students choosing to study outside the UK, as rents in premium postcodes showed signs of slowing. The average rental value growth in prime central London (PCL) – which includes the likes of Chelsea and Kensington – fell to 12.4 per in the year to [...]
1 Lombard Street and Coq d’Argent turn 25: How two restaurants changed the City September 13, 2023 A quarter of a century ago, the City was a very different place. Back then men in suits – and they were still mostly men – would commute in early, spend a few hours at their desk before taking a long, usually boozy lunch. After work, they would either decant to the West End or [...]
Poundland owner Pepco snaps up 71 Wilko sites after its collapse September 12, 2023 Poundland owners, Pepco, will acquire 71 Wilko sites to be transformed into Poundland chains. Yesterday, it was confirmed that all Wilko stores would vanish after a deal with HMV owner Doug Putman fell through due to over concerns about the costs of the retailer’s infrastructure. Rival discounter store chain B&M also bought 51 Wilko stores [...]
London rent crisis spirals as almost half of UK landlords tried to sell up in last year September 12, 2023 Almost half of UK landlords have tried to sell their property in the last 12 months, as owners look to rid themselves of mortgage pressures in a worrying blow for renters. In a survey which quizzed both landlords and estate agents – conducted by lettings platform Goodlord – some 77.5 per cent of respondents in [...]
FTSE 100 close: London up as markets digest unemployment, wages and pensions data September 12, 2023 London's FTSE 100 started Tuesday morning up, as markets digest fresh figures on unemployment and wage growth, pensions and grocery inflation
China: Economists slash growth forecasts as fears grow for global economy September 12, 2023 China’s economy will grow less than previously thought this year and next as a struggling property market dogs what was once the world’s growth engine, according to a Reuters poll of economists who said the risks were skewed to further downgrades. The world’s second-largest economy has been struggling after a brief post-COVID recovery, dragged by [...]
RIP Wilko: How another high street chain went to the wall September 11, 2023 After more than 90 years on the high street, Wilko and all its 400 stores will vanish by early October. Its 12,500 staff were hoping that HMV owner Doug Putman would be able to close a rescue deal that would see several hundred stores saved. But the Canadian entrepreneur abandoned talks with the high street [...]
Vistry’s share price jumps 15 per cent as it sets out new affordable homes focus September 11, 2023 Shares in Vistry jumped 15 per cent this morning after the housebuilder said it will now solely focus on building affordable homes.
The Notebook: Charles Tyrwhitt boss on how the ‘tourist tax’ is hurting London September 11, 2023 Where the City’s movers and shakers get a few things off their chest. Today, it’s Nicholas Wheeler, founder of tailored shirts specialist Charles Tyrwhitt.