Cheers: Substantial meal rule to be scrapped when pubs reopen February 5, 2021 The rule that punters have to order a substantial meal with their pint is reportedly set to be scrapped when pubs reopen later this year. The prime minister will allow restrictions on pubs to be simplified after the full lockdown is lifted. Under the tier system that was in place before the latest national lockdown, [...]
Retailers ‘desperate’ for roadmap out of lockdown as sales continue to fall February 5, 2021 Retailers “desperately” need the government to provide details on a roadmap out of lockdown in order to plan for recovery after the pandemic, experts said as sales continued to fall. The Prime Minister has previously said the government will publish plans to lift lockdown restrictions in the week of 22 February, with easing not expected [...]
French Connection in talks with two potential buyers after challenging year February 5, 2021 French Connection is in discussion with two potential buyers, the company confirmed this morning. French Connection is in early stage talks with Spotlight, owned by Gordon Brothers International, and Go Global, owned by HMJ International Services. The two businesses are in separate talks, and are not acting together. The two businesses interested in French Connection [...]
Airport hotel chain still ‘in the dark’ over new UK quarantine plans February 4, 2021 Britain's biggest airport hotel chain has been "kept in the dark" over how the government's hotel quarantine policy for arrivals will work, a week on from its announcement.
Four in five UK nightclubs will collapse within a month, industry warns February 4, 2021 The UK clubbing scene is on the brink of “extinction” with the vast majority of venues unlikely to survive past the end of the month without government support, the industry has warned. A damning report released by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) today laid bare the devastating impact of the pandemic on British nightclubs, [...]
Compass Group apologises for free school meals fiasco as revenue plummets February 4, 2021 Compass Group this morning apologised for its free school meals provision – delivered by education arm Chartwells – and said it has improved the service. The firm faced backlash earlier this year after the meals provided to the children of low income families were criticised for being insufficient. Compass, which today announced revenue fell 33.7 [...]
Watches of Switzerland pushes ahead with expansion despite Covid uncertainty February 4, 2021 Watches of Switzerland will continue with its expansion plans despite the impact of lockdown restrictions, the firm said this morning as it announced trading had remained strong throughout store closures. The luxury watch retailer said group revenue in the third quarter jumped 5.7 per cent to £272.6m, with UK revenue up 1.5 per cent to [...]
Pandora heads for growth this year as online sales boom February 4, 2021 Jewellery maker Pandora anticipates its first sales growth in three years this year despite many high street shops enduring a harsh pandemic sales dip. 2021 looks to be a year of growth for Pandora, the company said this morning, with thanks to a boost in online sales pushing a strong final quarter in 2020. The [...]
JD Sports raises £464m to fund future expansion plans February 4, 2021 Sportswear brand JD Sports this morning announced it had raised £464.2m which it will use to fund its expansion plans as it eyes acquisition opportunities in new markets. The retailer said that it had placed 58.4m new shares at 795 pence a share, representing about 6.0 per cent of its share capital. The successful raise [...]
Retail park footfall boosted by lockdown fatigue and ‘leisure-based’ trips February 4, 2021 Shoppers flocked to retail parks last month in bigger numbers than were recorded during the first national lockdown, as fatigue with restrictions has set in, according to the latest research. Footfall at retail parks was down 42.1 per cent in January, compared to the 68.1 per cent drop reported in April, as consumers visited for [...]