Analysts eye more M&A for Britain’s hospitality sector

Analysts eye more M&A for Britain’s hospitality sector

The landscape of the British hospitality sector is rapidly changing, just as the country’s overstretched pubs, restaurants and hotels face their busiest period of the year.  Two well-known hospitality businesses have accepted takeover bids in the past seven weeks alone and analysts think this may be the start of a period of significant consolidation for … Read more

Cash-strapped South East Water sinks deeper in the red as interest payments on its debts soar

Cash-strapped South East Water sinks deeper in the red as interest payments on its debts soar

By Jessica Clark Updated: 22:00 GMT, 7 December 2023 Losses at South East Water have ballooned as interest payments on its debts soar. In the latest setback for the embattled industry, its loss before tax widened to £18.1million from £12.7million in the six months to the end of September. Higher interest payments on loans, some … Read more

Evri named most hated parcel firm in Britain with the highest proportion of dissatisfied customers

Evri named most hated parcel firm in Britain with the highest proportion of dissatisfied customers

By Lucy Evans Updated: 11:23 GMT, 8 December 2023 Delivery service Evri has been crowned the most disliked parcel firm in Britain, with the highest proportion of dissatisfied customers, according to regulator Ofcom. Nearly half of those who contacted Evri with an issue said they were unhappy with the complaints process, in a major survey … Read more

Not just any Xmas dinner – cook this M&S one in an hour!

Not just any Xmas dinner – cook this M&S one in an hour!

By Calum Muirhead Updated: 21:51 GMT, 18 November 2023 Festive: Hannah Waddingham in M&S’s latest Christmas advert Preparing Christmas dinner is usually an all-day affair. But Marks & Spencer has created a turkey roast for four with all the trimmings in gravy that can be cooked in just one hour. The Christmas meal, which is … Read more

Inside the Boots nerve centre that’s waging a £1bn war against shoplifters

Inside the Boots nerve centre that’s waging a £1bn war against shoplifters

Suddenly a store assistant sounds the alarm about a potential shoplifter. Within seconds an operator watching live from behind a bank of screens at a control centre a hundred miles away issues a stern warning over a loudspeaker. ‘This is Boots CCTV,’ he booms in a strong Northern accent. This store is being monitored and … Read more

Chancellor MUST act to rescue leisure industry from brink of oblivion, urges boss of UKHospitality

Chancellor MUST act to rescue leisure industry from brink of oblivion, urges boss of UKHospitality

Appeal: Kate Nicholls wants Jeremy Hunt to freeze business rates in Autumn Statement With his Autumn Statement just days away, Kate Nicholls has a message for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. As the voice of the hospitality industry, which employs 3.5 million people and pays £54 billion a year in tax, she is demanding urgent action on … Read more