Author: Commuter Club
As children head back to school and busy schedules resume, Wren Kitchens is urging families to reconsider their mealtime habits. New insights from psychologists reveal the significant benefits of eating meals at the dinner table, rather than on the sofa, a practice that 78% of Brits admit to often indulging in. While 19% of people confess they always eat their dinner on the sofa, experts suggest that this common habit might be detrimental to both family dynamics and individual well-being. To shed light on the advantages of dining at the table, Wren Kitchens has consulted with Registered Clinical Counsellor Nilou…
Global Brands Magazine (GBM), a leading publication and research company headquartered in London, has announced the opening of submissions for the Global Brand Awards 2024. These prestigious awards recognise outstanding achievements across various sectors, including real estate, banking, education, hospitality, automotive, lifestyle, and technology. How to Get Involved Organisations from around the world are invited to submit their nominations across a wide range of categories. The awards process is designed to ensure a thorough and impartial evaluation of all entries. Nominations will be assessed initially at the national level by an independent external research agency, which ensures fairness and objectivity.…
Households across Britain are bracing for higher energy bills this winter, as experts forecast the energy price cap will rise following two previous reductions this year. According to industry analysts Cornwall Insight, the average household could see energy costs climb by 9% when Ofgem, the energy regulator, announces the latest price cap adjustment. The price cap, which determines the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity, is expected to push the typical household’s energy bill to £1,714 annually from 1st October. This marks a significant increase from the current £1,568. The price cap is…
The upswing in UK business activity gathered momentum this August, with stronger economic growth, improved job creation, and a notable easing of inflationary pressures. According to the latest “flash” survey by S&P Global, the UK economy is showing steady growth as it heads into the second half of 2024. The UK S&P Global Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 53.4 in August, an increase from 52.8 in July, marking the highest level since April. This figure exceeded the expectations of economists, who had predicted a reading of 52.9. Any reading above 50 indicates growth, and these results suggest that…
Plans by the UK government to raise the windfall tax on oil and gas profits from 75% to 78% have caused significant concern within the energy sector. This proposed increase, alongside the removal of tax incentives for investment, has raised alarms for companies across the UK’s oil and gas supply chain, threatening jobs and future energy investment. In an open letter to HM Treasury, 42 companies warned that the government’s move could jeopardise £200bn worth of investments in domestic energy, including renewable energy sources. These companies, representing manufacturing, engineering, and technology sectors, cautioned that the tax changes could have far-reaching…
Black Ballad celebrates 10 years in business this August by hosting its inaugural event, the Black Ballad Weekender. The two-day lifestyle festival will take place on the 23rd and 24th of August at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, bringing together over 1,000 Black women and non-binary attendees. The event will feature more than 40 panels and workshops centred around key topics including beauty, health, family, and careers. Founded in 2014 by Tobi Oredein, Black Ballad is a media and membership platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of Black British women. Reflecting on the journey, Oredein expressed…
Mike Lynch, a leading figure in the UK tech industry, tragically passed away after the sinking of his yacht off the coast of Sicily. His death has left a significant impact on his family, friends, and the business world. Neighbour Ruth Leigh, who lived next to Lynch for 15 years, described him as a “fantastic neighbour” and a man of great humility and kindness. Lynch, 59, was aboard the Bayesian yacht with his wife Angela and their daughter Hannah when a freak storm hit, sinking the vessel. While his wife survived, their 18-year-old daughter remains missing. Six others, including prominent…
UK business activity in the private sector expanded more than anticipated in August, lifting the pound to a 13-month high against the US dollar. The surge points to solid economic growth throughout the summer, reflecting a continuation of the country’s recovery from last year’s recession. The S&P Global Flash UK PMI composite output index, which tracks the health of both the manufacturing and services sectors, increased to 53.4 in August, up from 52.8 in July. This rise exceeded economists’ forecasts of 52.9 and marked the highest reading since April. A figure above 50 signals an expansion, indicating a majority of…
McDonald’s expansion – McDonald’s has announced a significant growth drive, planning to open over 200 new restaurants across the UK and Ireland in the next four years. This ambitious £1bn expansion aims to increase the fast-food giant’s footprint by more than 10%, bringing the total number of sites to 1,700 across both countries. The expansion will include testing new formats, such as “Drive to” restaurants, which will feature a car park, a small seating area, but no drive-through service. Other smaller restaurant formats will also be trialled as part of this strategy, which McDonald’s hopes will support their goal of…
Cineworld is set to receive a £35m investment to refurbish its UK cinema estate if its restructuring plan, which aims to close sites and reduce rent, gains approval next month. This injection of funds will be crucial in modernising Cineworld’s British locations as it competes with better-performing rivals in the cinema industry. The investment, outlined in a document circulated to creditors, is part of a broader effort to overhaul Cineworld’s financial situation after the company was severely affected by the pandemic, which saw a significant drop in film releases. The company’s restructuring plan has sparked concern among landlords, some of…