06/08/2024 10:53:00
The BofE has cut interest rates for the first time in more than four years in a knife-edge vote that marks a boost to the Labour government's promise to kick-start economic growth, reports the FT. The Monetary Policy Committee voted five to four to reduce the bank's key rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 5 per cent, the BoE said on Thursday. The decision comes after inflation returned to the bank's 2 per cent target in May and stayed there in June, despite stubbornly high services inflation.
Punch Pubs has reported "very strong" trading, boosted by the Euros 2024 tournament, during the 40 weeks to 19 May 2024 says the Morning Advertiser. In its interim trading update, the Staffordshire-based firm, which operates around 1,250 pubs across the UK, reported a total revenue had risen to £241.5m during the 40 weeks, up from £233.9m the previous year. All three divisions (Leased and Tenanted, Management Partnership and Laine) delivered like-for-like sales growth for the reported period. Underlying EBITDA for the pub estate before central costs was up by 9%, increasing by £7.4m to £86.3m.
London-based antipodean restaurant group Daisy Green is to further add to its estate this month with the opening of Glamarama Green in South Kensington, reports the Restaurant. Launching on 7 August at 10-12 Exhibition Road, the 1,600sp ft restaurant will mix inspiration from Australia's Tamarama beach in Sydney with fashion and design from London's Victoria & Albert Museum.
Total combined revenues for the Group's London hotels set a new record at £120.4 million, a 3.4% increase on the prior year, says Boutique Hotelier. Firmdale, the boutique hotel group which operates multiple sites in London and New York, has posted record revenues for the 2023/24 financial year, buoyed by rising international visitor numbers and strong occupancy rates. According to accounts filed on July 31, total combined 2023/24 revenues for the eight London hotels owned or managed by the company set a new record at £120.4 million. The group's average room rate in London was down 1% year on year at £562, with Firmdale saying occupancy instead had become its "key focus for growth".
Tonkotsu has reported an 11% like-for-like sales increase in the year to 31 December 2023. The ramen bar concept reported turnover of £13.8m in 2023, up from £11.9m in 2022, for its nearly 18 sites as it continues to launch in new cities, reports MCA Insight. It made a loss before tax of £212,786, narrowing from a loss of £712,271 the prior year.
Chicken chain's master franchisee Lemon Pepper Holdings has reportedly called in Goldman Sachs to find new owners, reports The Caterer. Lemon Pepper Holdings, the master franchisee of Wingstop UK, has hired asset manager Goldman Sachs to arrange the business's sale, according to Sky News. The report cited City sources as detailing the sale was initiated "in response to unsolicited expressions of interest from potential buyers". It further outlined that Goldman Sachs is understood to have begun issuing information about Wingstop UK to third parties in the last couple of weeks.
The duo behind Docklands nightclub The Cause, will open a restaurant and cocktail bar on Dalston's Stoke Newington Road later this month, reports the Restaurant. Named after influential album from the 1970s alternative rock band Television, The Marquee Moon will occupy the former site of the Marquis of Lansdowne.