More street markets under plans to make outdoor hospitality rules permanent September 5, 2021 Street markets could open all year round under Government plans to make permanent some of the changes for outdoor hospitality introduced during the coronavirus pandemic. Pubs, cafes and restaurants would also be able to keep new structures such as marquees and additional seating on their grounds, following a consultation launched on Sunday. The hospitality sector [...]
Shortages and price hikes: Brexit bravado risks ripping up retailers’ Christmas stockings September 3, 2021 The festive season may be months away, but major retailers usually start stocking up for Christmas in September. This year, however, the government’s “Brexit hubris” means it is refusing to allow EU-based drivers to return and end Britain’s HGV driver shortage, according to David Jinks, head of consumer research at international delivery firm ParcelHero. He told [...]
Exclusive: Half of all UK businesses currently unable to run at full capacity September 2, 2021 Half of all UK businesses are still unable to run at full operational capacity, according to new research shared with City PM this afternoon. Global logistics firm One World Express commissioned a survey of more than 350 decision-makers within UK businesses. It found that 50 per cent had not seen improvements in business performance since lockdown restrictions began [...]
Summer holidays: Wizz Air passenger numbers jump more than 50 per cent September 2, 2021 Wizz Air’s passenger numbers surged more than 50 per cent in August to around 3.5m, as travellers flocked to the budget airline for their summer holiday. In the year to August, however, passenger numbers were down 44.6 per cent to some 14.7m, as restrictions across Europe in the 12 months prior severely curbed travel. Shares [...]
Stop blaming Brexit for beer supply issues, says Wetherspoon’s Tim Martin September 2, 2021 Brexit is not the cause of driver shortages as pub chain Wetherspoon’s was hit by beer supply issues earlier this week, the company’s founder Tim Martin said this afternoon. The group apologised to customers on Wednesday after it said supplies of Heineken, Carling and Coors beers ran dry in some pubs. Martin, an ardent supporter [...]
Shortage of cans leads to scarcity of Diet Coke and Coke Zero products September 2, 2021 A shortage of aluminium cans looms for Coca-Cola’s bottling business in the UK and Europe as its supply chain has come under pressure. It comes as social media users have highlighted a scarcity of Diet Coke and Coke Zero products in recent weeks. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) said today that it has faced “a number [...]
Marble Arch Mound to remain free following mound-ing controversy September 1, 2021 London’s Marble Arch Mound is to remain free, following controversy over its £4.50 to £8 entrance fee and its high-profile ‘flop’. What was supposed to be a £3.3m project swelled into a £6m final bill. “It has become clear that costs have risen more than anticipated and that is totally unacceptable,” Council leader Rachael Robathan [...]
Carrefour shares nosedive as billionaire Bernard Arnault sells entire stake September 1, 2021 Carrefour shares are tumbling today on news that billionaire Bernard Arnault is selling his entire stake. Watch the full report.
Next boss calls for UK immigration shakeup amid lorry driver shortage September 1, 2021 Lamenting the national lorry driver shortage, Next boss Lord Simon Wolfson has called on the Home Office to shape up its immigration rules to allow overseas hauliers into the UK. The trickling supply of HGV drivers has led to 94 per cent of hospitality businesses reporting problems with the delivery of products, according to trade [...]
Exclusive: Chapel Down eyes expansion and new winery after online sales boost September 1, 2021 England’s largest winemaker, Chapel Down, plans another vineyard and build a new winery to expand its production after seeing online sales boost during the pandemic period. In July, Chapel Down completed a £6.8m fundraising round via equity crowdfunding site Seedr to help continue its growth. In an interview with City PM, Chapel Down’s chief executive, [...]
