M&S Oxford Street plan given government approval M&S Oxford Street plan given government approval Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has granted permission for Marks & Spencer to demolish and redevelop its flagship London store. Rayner approved plans to flatten and rebuild the retail giant’s Marble Arch store in Oxford Street.
Fog causes disruptions to UK flights for second day Fog causes disruptions to UK flights for second day Heavy fog has continued to cause delays and cancellations at some of the UK’s busiest airports for the second day in a row, with the majority of flights at Gatwick and Stansted
Hogmanay celebrations cancelled as UK-wide weather warnings take hold Hogmanay celebrations cancelled as UK-wide weather warnings take hold Edinburgh’s outdoor Hogmanay celebrations have been cancelled as wind, rain and snow are forecast across the UK in the coming days. Eight separate weather warnings have been issued across the UK in
Warnings of snow wind and rain across the UK for New Year Warnings of snow wind and rain across the UK for New Year Weather warnings for rain, snow and wind gusts of up to 70mph have been issued for parts of the UK on New Year’s Eve and New
Welsh landmark inspires Wallace and Gromit finale Welsh landmark inspires Wallace and Gromit finale A Welsh landmark was the inspiration for the “gripping” finale in the new Wallace and Gromit film. The final minutes of Vengeance Most Fowl shows a chase across an aqueduct bearing a striking resemblance to Pontcysyllte,
London’s disappeared department stores of days gone by London’s disappeared department stores of days gone by Once the bastion of middle-class ladies going up to town to shop, with deferential and attentive staff and a respectable place to lunch, department stores were a world away from today’s shopping habits of
‘Severe’ disruption to Christmas train services ‘Severe’ disruption to Christmas train services East of England train passengers are being warned journey times over the holidays will be “significantly longer than normal”, due to substantial engineering works. A section of the Midland Main line will close from the 21-29 December –
Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother jailed for life for her murder Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother jailed Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother are sentenced to life in prison for the 10-year-old’s murder Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother are sentenced to life in prison for the 10-year-old’s murder Urfan Sharif, 43,
New law to end ‘scourge’ of badly parked bikes New law to end ‘scourge’ of badly parked bikes Local transport authorities across England are set to be given new powers which includes regulating bike hire schemes, in plans published by ministers on Monday allowing for more devolution. In London, where
Tenants call for rent controls in demonstration Tenants call for rent controls in demonstration Hundreds of tenants have staged a protest in central London calling for action on the capital’s “spiralling” rents. The London Renters Union (LRU), which organised Saturday’s event that began in Cavendish Square, said there had been
Tower as tall as The Shard approved for Square Mile Tower as tall as The Shard approved for Square Mile A skyscraper the same height as The Shard has been approved by the City of London Corporation. One Undershaft will be the tallest in the City of London containing 74
Balcony gardens to ‘modernise’ vacant City Hall Balcony gardens to ‘modernise’ vacant City Hall London’s former City Hall, which has stood empty since the mayor and London Assembly left in 2021, is to be re-purposed into shops, restaurants and offices under plans from its landlord. Southwark Council’s planning committee has
Winter fuel payment replaced by some London councils Winter fuel payment replaced by some London councils An east London council is rolling out its replacement winter fuel payment after the government changed the criteria, meaning millions of pensioners no longer qualify. Tower Hamlets Council is offering a £175 cash payment
More tickets for London’s NYE fireworks go on sale More tickets for London’s NYE fireworks go on sale The final round of tickets for London’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display will go on sale at midday on Monday. They are priced between £20 and £50, depending on the viewing
Harry Kane ‘humbled’ by statue unveiled near first club Harry Kane ‘humbled’ by statue unveiled near first club England captain Harry Kane says he is “really impressed” with a life-size statue of himself that has been unveiled near his childhood football club in north London. The statue was paid for
Fruit and veg sellers marked the 50th anniversary of New Covent Garden Market by sending some of their produce to their regular customers – the animals at London Zoo. London Zoo animals feast for market’s anniversary Fruit and veg sellers marked the 50th anniversary of New Covent Garden Market by
Watchdog says cladding removal deadline may be missed Watchdog says cladding removal deadline may be missed The government could miss its own cladding removal completion date if progress is not made to speed up the process, the UK’s spending watchdog has said. In a new report, external, the National Audit
Olympic park planning powers go to four councils Olympic park planning powers go to four councils Four London councils will be handed control over the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park later this year. For 12 years, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) has been coordinating development in the east London park
Sir Keir Starmer vows to ‘take decisions’ on outdoor smoking ban to ease NHS ‘burden’ Free Sir Keir Starmer vows to ‘take decisions’ on outdoor smoking ban to ease NHS ‘burden’ Free NHS ‘heartened’ by possible beer garden smoking ban while pubs say it will ‘increase isolation’ Sir Keir Starmer
Pub bosses slam potential outdoor smoking ban as bonkers and nuts Pub bosses slam potential outdoor smoking ban as ‘bonkers’ and ‘nuts’ The indoor smoking ban could be extended to cover other locations including small parks, outdoor restaurants and hospitals, according to reports. Pub industry bosses and brewers have criticised
UK’s largest pubs and breweries demand immediate cut in beer duty UK’s largest pubs and breweries demand immediate cut in beer duty British beer drinkers cheering on England and Scotland pay 54p duty per pint compared with German or Spanish fans paying less than 5p, a letter says. The UK’s
Global stocks rise amid hopes of China economy boost Global stocks rise amid hopes of China economy boost The FTSE 100 moved 41.94 points higher, or 0.56%, to close at 7,527.67. The UK’s top share index was buoyed by gains for mining giants on Wednesday as global stock markets surged
Investors urge UK firms to increase efforts on tackling slavery in supply chains Investors urge UK firms to increase efforts on tackling slavery in supply chains A coalition of investors said they are concerned that only a small number of firms have shared findings of modern slavery in their supply
Buoyant bank shares support strong trading session for London markets Buoyant bank shares support strong trading session for London markets The FTSE 100 moved 1.83%, or 133.59 points, higher to finish at 7,416.11. Banking stocks helped lead the charge on Wednesday as London stocks had a strong trading session while
Firms hit back at Bank governor in prices row Firms hit back at Bank governor in prices row Business leaders have hit back after the Bank of England governor said they should think twice before raising prices to cope with inflation. Andrew Bailey said increased prices could drive up the
Wetherspoon to sell Beaconsfield M40 services pub Wetherspoon to sell Beaconsfield M40 services pub The first pub to open at a motorway service station is up for sale. Pub operator JD Wetherspoon said it was selling 32 of its sites “either individually, in small packages or as a portfolio”. Among
John Travolta poses for photos in Norfolk Morrisons and Wetherspoon John Travolta poses for photos in Norfolk Morrisons and Wetherspoon Hollywood actor John Travolta caused multiplying chills after he was spotted in a supermarket and pub in the UK. Hollywood actor John Travolta caused multiplying chills after he was spotted
Shot in the head in Angola left for dead now a Wetherspoons star Shot in the head in Angola left for dead now a Wetherspoons star After the bullet burst through his mouth and neck, Cesar Kimbirima lay in the long grass, thought of his family, and waited to die.
Wetherspoon 66 staff test positive across 50 pubs Wetherspoon 66 staff test positive across 50 pubs JD Wetherspoon has said that 66 of its workers have tested positive for the coronavirus but maintains that visiting pubs is safe. The company, which employs more than 41,000 people, said the vast majority
Coronavirus Wetherspoon pubs set out post-lockdown plans Coronavirus Wetherspoon pubs set out post-lockdown plans The JD Wetherspoon pub chain has outlined plans for reopening hundreds of pubs once lockdown restrictions are eased. The JD Wetherspoon pub chain has outlined plans for reopening hundreds of pubs once lockdown restrictions are eased.
Wetherspoons fake accounts to be exposed Wetherspoons fake accounts to be exposed The high court in London has ruled that Twitter must reveal the identity behind parody accounts set up to mimic the pub chain Wetherspoons. The high court in London has ruled that Twitter must reveal the identity behind
CO2 shortage: Britain’s biggest pub chain runs low on beer brands CO2 shortage: Britain’s biggest pub chain runs low on beer brands Britain’s biggest pub group says some outlets are running out of certain beer brands as CO2 gas shortages continue to hit the food and drink sectors. Ei Group,
Wetherspoons chairman criticises ‘dinner party’ Budget Wetherspoons chairman criticises ‘dinner party’ Budget The chairman of JD Wetherspoons has criticised the Chancellor for a “dinner party” Budget that failed to tackle tax inequalities between pubs and supermarkets. Tim Martin said pubs paid 20% VAT on food sales while supermarkets paid “almost
Wetherspoon Aberystwyth garden shuts amid bird issues Wetherspoon Aberystwyth garden shuts amid bird issues A Ceredigion pub has stopped serving food in its outdoor area due to concerns over birds. JD Wetherspoon put signs on its outdoor tables in the Aberystwyth branch alerting customers food would not be served due
Wetherspoon’s boss decries Brexit ‘doom-mongering’ Wetherspoon’s boss decries Brexit ‘doom-mongering’ JD Wetherspoon’s chairman has said pre-Brexit “doom-mongering” by George Osborne, the Bank of England and other economic institutions could cause a future economic slowdown. Tim Martin, who was a vocal supporter of Brexit, called into question their “honesty” and economic
Wiltshire chef scoops £4m and returns to Wetherspoon shift Wiltshire chef scoops £4m and returns to Wetherspoon shift A pub worker who landed £4m on a lottery scratchcard went straight back to finish his shift in the kitchen and kept quiet about it. Amadou Gillen, 46, bought two scratchcards during
One woman’s 21-year odyssey to visit every Wetherspoon’s One woman’s 21-year odyssey to visit every Wetherspoon’s Many Britons enjoy a visit to the pub, but Mags Thomson has been on an extraordinary mission to visit every pub in one massive chain. It’s 10.30am in Wetherspoon’s. A family of four squirt
Meal deals help Wetherspoon sales Meal deals help Wetherspoon sales Pub chain JD Wetherspoon says food and drink deals helped lure customers through its doors, despite the smoking ban introduced in England a year ago. The group, which owns 700 pubs in the UK, saw like-for-like sales rise 0.4% over
Smoking ban hits JD Wetherspoon Smoking ban hits JD Wetherspoon Pubs group JD Wetherspoon has warned again that the smoking ban in England is hitting sales of drinks. The company said like-for-like sales, which exclude new pub openings, fell 1% in the 13 weeks to 28 October, due to a
Wetherspoon warns on smoking ban Wetherspoon warns on smoking ban Pubs group JD Wetherspoon has unveiled a jump in profits, but warned the recent smoking ban in England could crimp profits in the current year. Like-for-like sales were just 1.1% higher in August, against a 5.3% rise in July, a
Smoke ban costs hit Wetherspoon’s Smoke ban costs hit Wetherspoon’s Pub group JD Wetherspoon has warned its annual profits may miss forecasts because of the costs of preparing its pubs for the smoking ban in England. Earlier bans in Wales and Scotland had a similar effect, the group said. Wetherspoon’s
Polish beers boosting Wetherspoon Polish beers boosting Wetherspoon JD Wetherspoon has said Polish lagers are serving up the fastest sales growth seen by bottled beers in its UK pubs. Sales of the drinks – including Tyskie and Zywiec – helped the firm raise pre-tax profits by 20% to £32.9m in
Non-smoking boost for Wetherspoon Non-smoking boost for Wetherspoon Pubs group JD Wetherspoon says non-smokers are returning to its bars after it introduced a ban in 61 of its premises outside of Scotland. The firm reported a 5.5% increase in like-for-like sales – which ignore sales at new outlets – in
Wetherspoon plans pub expansion Wetherspoon plans pub expansion Leisure group JD Wetherspoon has announced plans to open 30 new pubs in 2007, creating 1,200 jobs. The expansion plans come as the pub group prepares for the introduction of a smoking ban in England and Wales. Wetherspoon said it hoped the
Smoke-free pubs boost Wetherspoon Smoke-free pubs boost Wetherspoon JD Wetherspoon says its move to make its pubs smoke-free ahead of a ban on smoking in enclosed spaces in England next year has benefited its business. Its English and Welsh pubs which banned smoking last year have reported 2% higher sales
Wetherspoon enjoys caffeine hit Wetherspoon enjoys caffeine hit Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has said it is now selling as much coffee as Caffe Nero as it pushes non-alcoholic drink sales in its outlets. The firm said it had now cornered 6% of the UK’s “chain” coffee market, which features the
JD Wetherspoon delays smoking ban JD Wetherspoon delays smoking ban Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has decided to delay its plans to bring in a complete smoking ban at its pubs in England. The company, which planned to introduce the measure in May 2006, now will wait until the government’s smoking
Euro 2004 hits Wetherspoon sales Euro 2004 hits Wetherspoon sales UK pubs group JD Wetherspoon has issued a profit warning after it was hit by poor sales during Euro 2004. The firm said like-for-like sales for the 11 weeks to 11 July were flat, blaming tough competition from supermarkets and
