All Economics articles – Page 4
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OpinionHeaven and the fault lines of the licensing system
An iconcic LGBTQ+ nightclub was nearly shut down due to a concocted campaign of AI-generated complaints, a case which demonstrates the vulnerable position of night-time businesses, and how shaky evidence can trigger a licensing review
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Analysis & InsightWar on Iran: ‘Energy crisis is another storm the sector will have to weather’
The latest conflict in the Middle East might be unpredictable and fast-moving, but something all commentators are agreed on is that it will have a serious impact on fuel prices. Hospitality businesses face particular challenges when it comes to rising fuel costs
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NewsWar in Iran could lead to food shortages in Britain this summer
There are fears the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will lead to carbon dioxide shortages, impacting food and drink supply chains in the UK that could hit hospitality hard
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NewsPuttshack warns of ‘material uncertainty’ over parent company covenant breaches
The competitive socialising group says its parent company is actively discussing refinancing options amid forecasts it will breach it covenants at various testing dates over the next year
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NewsJohn Vincent: ‘We need more entrepreneurs in parliament’
The Leon boss said for each restaurant with £1.3m sales, the business is paying an extra £70,000 per year in business rates and national insurance under Labour tax regime
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Weekend PressLabour risks pricing families out of a holiday, warns Butlin’s
Chief executive Jon Hendry Pickup tells The Sunday Telegraph the government’s planned tourist tax ‘could be disastrous’ for the seaside resort chain
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InterviewsBrakspear: ‘Profitability is becoming more and more difficult to achieve’
Chief executive Tom Davies tells MCA that despite turnover remaining strong, spiralling employment costs continue to challenge the pub operator’s P&L
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Analysis & InsightTrade bodies warn operators are finding it ‘more and more difficult to make ends meet’
Data from CGA by NIQ shows that a third of hospitality businesses are now either breaking even or making a loss
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NewsMEATliquor shutters bulk of estate
The restaurant group has closed all but two sites under its core brand with founder Scott Collins also retaining control of Covent Garden sports bar BLOODsports
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NewsStrong trading drives turnover and profit at Everards
The Leicestershire-based pub operator and brewer says it is well positioned to navigate market challenges after reporting a 90%+ rise in operating profit in its latest results
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InterviewsThe Coffee House: ‘We’re pretty optimistic about where the year’s going to head’
Co-founder Chris Shelmerdine tells MCA the Northwest-based group has a full pipeline of openings for 2026 that will see it stretch further into the Midlands, as well as Yorkshire
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Analysis & InsightCoffee buyers nervously watch prices rise as war drags on
Concerns about the war in the Middle East are edging coffee prices upwards, putting added pressure on coffee shop operators with modest average spend and slim margins
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Weekend PressBritain’s high streets ‘dragged down by vape shops’
Communities secretary Steve Reed has vowed the government will restore pride in run-down towns, the Sunday Telegraph reports
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NewsHigher costs hit profits at Wetherspoons
While the managed pub operator continues to outperform the market, Sir Tim Martin has warned ongoing cost pressures may result in profits falling slightly below current expectations
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NewsMarch Tube strikes called off amid negotiations
Strikes planned for next week have been called off following progress in talks between the RMT and London Underground management
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NewsRSM: ‘With more headwinds to come, operators must act now’
As flat sales tip more operators into insolvency, RSM has warned operators must act to stave off the challenges of the current trading environment
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NewsGroup like-for-likes slip 0.2% in February
Dismal weather and cautious spending stunted managed hospitality groups’ growth last month, the NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reports
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NewsAlcohol-free beer added to UK inflation basket
A surge in demand for low or no-alcohol beer sees it included in the virtual basket of goods and services used by the ONS to chart the cost of living
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NewsGovernment to launch new foundation apprenticeships in hospitality
Chef Tom Kerridge and trade body UKHospitality are among those to voice their support for the expansion of foundation apprenticeships into hospitality and retail from April 2026
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Weekend PressPrice of alcohol-free beer is rising much more than the real thing
Brewers do not pay alcohol duty on the products, which have taken Britain by storm, but, as reported by The Times, they say they are more complex and expensive to make