London hotel occupancy slides as Iran war wreaks travel havoc May 4, 2026 International travel chaos caused by the Iran war is beginning to hit London’s hotels, fresh data has found. The occupancy of London’s hotels fell year on year in March, according to audit firm RSM.Hotel experts attribute the decline to a fall in tourism. Luxury London hotels enjoy a huge amount of custom from Middle Eastern [...]
Track Radio bets on sport, music and BBC veterans to prove winning formula May 4, 2026 Track Radio launches today, on a mission to reach a neglected audience with a blend of sport and music, and a strong presenter line-up, founder Iain Macintosh explains. Sport and music have always been happy bedfellows – Mick Jagger and cricket, Elton John and football, Snoop Dogg and, well, just about anything – so it’s [...]
Gloucester Rugby secure £300k fan investment at £36.5m valuation May 4, 2026 Gloucester Rugby have raised £300k from a fan investment cycle at a valuation of £36.5m as investment in the Prem continues. With 23 days left on their public raise, the Prem Rugby strugglers have achieved a fresh goal of having £300,000 in commitments. The 122 investors have pledged an average of over £2,500 apiece but [...]
Food prices set to soar 50 per cent since cost-of-living crisis began May 4, 2026 UK food prices are on track to be 50 per cent higher by November compared to levels at the start of the cost-of-living crisis, piling fresh pressure on households already struggling with rising bills. New analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) warns the surge would mark a “grim milestone”, with price growth [...]
‘Politically toxic’ holiday tax could turn voters against Labour, hospitality leaders warn May 4, 2026 The “politically toxic” holiday tax could turn hordes of voters against Labour if it is pushed through, hospitality leaders have warned the government. The proposed tax could threaten the fragile majorities of a host of Labour big beasts including health secretary Wes Streeting and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, trade body UK Hospitality (UKH) has claimed. [...]
Greene King selling 150 pubs over ‘unprecedented costs’, boss says May 4, 2026 Greene King’s decision to put 150 pubs up for sale was a reaction to the “unprecedented” costs facing hospitality, its boss has said. The pub chain, one of the UK’s largest, revealed plans to put as many as 150 pubs on the chopping block in March and chief executive Nick Mackenzie told City PM this [...]
Roland Garros targeted by WTA and ATP tennis players as pay row reignited May 4, 2026 The row between the world’s top tennis players and the four grand slams continues to rage on after WTA and ATP stars hit out at Roland Garros over prize money. This year’s French Open increased prize money across the board ahead of the 125th edition of the Parisian tournament – up nearly 10 per cent [...]
UK to join EU Ukraine loan talks in defence push May 3, 2026 The UK is set to begin negotiations to join the European Union’s €90bn (£78bn) loan scheme for Ukraine, as Keir Starmer steps up efforts to deepen defence cooperation with European allies. Speaking ahead of a summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Yerevan, Armenia, the prime minister is expected to signal Britain’s intention to [...]
Tories target £1bn benefits loophole in welfare crackdown May 3, 2026 The Conservatives have pledged to close what they claim is a £1bn loophole in the welfare system, in a move aimed at tightening benefit rules and boosting incentives to work. Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately said the party would overhaul the benefit cap so households cannot receive unlimited payments unless all adults who [...]
Wizz air urges Brits to ‘book with confidence’ despite rising fuel fears May 3, 2026 Wizz Air has moved to reassure passengers its summer schedule will run as planned, as concerns mount over potential flight disruption linked to the Middle East conflict. The budget carrier said its operations remain “fully stable and unaffected”, despite warnings from ministers that jet fuel shortages could impact travel during the peak holiday season. A [...]
