Tony Matharu, Chairman of Central London Alliance CIC Comments on the Rumoured Introduction of a London Tourist Tax November 25, 2025 It is not the cheerful Christmas bells jingling and the tidings of comfort and joy London can look forward to having, but the inevitable rattle of shutters slamming shut for the last time from the closed hospitality businesses whose metaphorical backs have been broken by the burden of another unjustified, economically harmful tax on London’s [...]
Reeves opens door for mayors to impose ‘damaging’ tourist tax November 25, 2025 Mayors in England are set to be given new powers to levy a tourist tax on visitors to fund local projects under a new policy. Reeves will give mayors the ability to impose a “modest” charge on visitors staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and holiday lets through the English Devolution and Community [...]
Hotels and shops to be hit by fresh Reeves tax raid November 17, 2025 Hotels and supermarkets are set to be hit by extra taxes at the upcoming Budget as Chancellor Rachel Reeves hopes to raise more than £20bn in taxes. Reeves is planning to allow mayors to hit holidaymakers with an overnight levy on hotel and rental home stays at the Budget, opening up new cash streams for [...]
The Capitalist: City AM, sexing up the Budget since 2005 October 30, 2025 INSIDE OUR INAUGURAL SQUARE MILE AWARDSThe Square Mile gathered in force last week to celebrate… the Square Mile. It was our inaugural Toast the City Awards, and gongs were handed out to the City’s best restaurant, bar, green space, rooftop and much more. However, Piccolo Bar, the winners of the best sandwich accolade, weren’t to [...]
Autumn Budget: ‘Window is closing’ on Labour’s growth mission October 9, 2025 Ahead of the Autumn Budget, City Reporter Samuel Norman sits down with top industry names for a Budget Briefing. This week, chief executive of BusinessLDN shares what he thinks could be the capital’s 21st century moment. The “window is closing” on the government’s mission to achieve economic growth, the boss of London’s business advocacy group [...]
End backward, outdated Sunday trading laws! October 3, 2025 Restrictions on large stores trading hours on Sundays are a relic of a bygone era which strangle high streets and hold back growth, says Mark Allatt In an era where the rhythm of daily life has accelerated beyond recognition, the UK’s archaic Sunday trading laws stand as a stubborn relic, stifling economic vitality and curtailing [...]
Eden Project: Losses more than double amid job cuts September 25, 2025 Losses at the Eden Project in Cornwall more than doubled as a “major restructuring” led to a large number of jobs being cut. New accounts filed with Companies House show that its pre-tax loss went from £1.5m to £3.5m. The latest figure comes after the Eden Project also posted a pre-tax loss of £868,000 in [...]
The remote Maldives island blending local culture with luxury September 18, 2025 We all do the same thing when we arrive in paradise. Snap-happy eager beavers, scrambling to photograph the first swinging hammock, the first lopsided shell, the welcome coconut drink raised towards the sea, held out like a newborn Simba over Pride Rock. Arriving at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives, you will undoubtedly do this. [...]
Titanic Quarter sinks further into the red as losses mount September 17, 2025 Losses at a string of companies related to the landmark Titanic Quarter development in Belfast have widened during their latest financial years, new documents show. The companies, which are controlled by businessmen Dermot Desmond and Pat Doherty, are all involved in the development of the 161.5-acre site. Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is home to more than 100 companies with [...]
Tube strikes driving you to drink? Good luck finding a pub that’s still open September 10, 2025 It’s not just frazzled commuters who’re suffering during the tube strike. London’s pubs – already under intolerable pressure from crushing business rates and burdensome and costly regulations – are taking another hit, says Emma McClarkin Listening to the radio this morning pushed home the far-reaching impact of the tube strike. We heard about a mother’s [...]