Mulberry profits hit by weak sterling December 8, 2016 Revenues were up in the first half of the year for luxury handbag brand Mulberry – but profits were dented by the weak pound, it said today. The Somerset-based manufacturer said revenues rose 10 per cent to £74.5m in the 26 weeks to the end of September, up from £67.8m the year before – but it [...]
Lanzarote is far more fun – and far classier – than you probably think November 26, 2016 THE WEEKEND: With year-round sun and a large ex-pat community, this Canary Island has unfairly gained a reputation for being overrun with stereotypical ‘Brits Abroad’. However, breathtaking beaches, a diverse landscape and a new line of luxury resorts have made it an affordable and desirable destination for those yearning for a relaxing getaway. Former PM [...]
Thomas Cook takes £10m profit hit after rocky year of trading due to terror attacks and political instability November 23, 2016 Thomas Cook's revenue and profit in the 12 months to 30 September was dented by a difficult year's trading which included a number of terror attacks in popular tourist destinations, and post-Brexit vote currency volatility. The figures The travel group's revenue dropped to £7.81bn from £7.83bn. Profit from operations was down to £205m from £211m, and [...]
Leicester City’s Premier League title win delivered £140m to the local economy – and this year it will be even more November 21, 2016 Leicester’s Premier League title triumph contributed £140m to the local economy during 2015-16, according to a new study, and that figure is expected to rise again this season. The Foxes’ historic 5000-1 success delivered a total economic output of £193m, generated taxes of £78m and supported 2,500 jobs, the report by EY for the club [...]
Iran is open for business with a post-Brexit UK November 14, 2016 Iran is officially open for business after four years in the global wilderness. Following the imposition of financial sanctions in 2012 by the US for its burgeoning nuclear weapons programme, it was almost impossible for the west to do any business with Iran. Those sanctions were lifted earlier this year after France, Germany, UK, Russia and [...]
Weak pound draws tourists to London’s Westfield centres September 28, 2016 Westfield shopping centres have been inundated with Chinese customers bulk buying Burberry handbags on the back of the weak pound. In July, Chinese spend in Westfield Stratford jumped 116 per cent year on year. Chinese spend in Westfield London, White City, increased by 16 per cent. Read more: Westfield Stratford set for more visitors in [...]
West End gets Brexit boost from overseas shoppers as sales to tip over £9bn for the first time September 21, 2016 Overseas shoppers are flocking to the West End to spend their cash since the fall in the value of the pound – and the Brexit boost is set to tip sales for the district over £9bn this year. Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of the West End lobby group New West End Company, says London's premiere shopping district [...]
Ugo Monye: I know how exhausting the 10 match Lions tour of New Zealand will be for players — but none will turn down the chance to go September 20, 2016 Former British and Irish Lions tourist Ugo Monye insists the pride will overwhelm the pain for players selected in Warren Gatland’s squad for next summer’s gruelling tour of New Zealand. Leading figures of the club game have warned that the month-long trip will take its toll on players’ bodies and lead to injuries in the [...]
Whisky galore: Scotch exports rise for first time since 2013, but Brexit concerns weigh heavy on industry September 16, 2016 Scotch was used to prop up bars a little more worldwide last year as global export volumes grew for the first time since 2013 – though the industry is still hesitant on the challenges of Brexit. Volumes of Scotch, which already adds £5bn to the UK's economy, shipped overseas grew by 3.1 per cent over the first [...]
If you enjoy eating lunch in very pointy buildings, floating high above ant-sized Londoners, well you really can’t go far wrong with Oblix August 23, 2016 A dazzle-swank brasserie and rotisserie on the 32nd floor of a very tall building, Oblix is a high-altitude restaurant serving grilled Western comforts, steaks and fine seafood with impressive panoramic views of London all around. Sit by a window and you’ll feel like an omniscient god in some top-down strategy video game. WHERE? Easily the [...]