UK Pubs Score Extension on Takeaway Drink Licences
Good news for pub lovers! The UK government has extended Covid-era takeaway drink licences for pubs in England and Wales until March 2025. Originally introduced in 2020 to help pubs serve customers through hatches during lockdowns, these rules were set to expire on September 30. Now, pubs can keep flogging pints to go for another 18 months.
This latest extension marks the third time the rules have been prolonged as the hospitality sector fights ongoing financial struggles. While the government promises it is looking for a “permanent solution” to back local bars, pub owners are breathing a sigh of relief.
“The Prime Minister has listened to our concerns,” a source told The Sun, welcoming the move.
L’Occitane Shares Jump Amid Takeover Talk
French skincare giant L’Occitane International sent tongues wagging on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after its billionaire chairman, Reinold Geiger, floated plans to take the company private. Geiger already controls nearly 75% of the shares.
L’Occitane operates over 3,000 stores in 90 countries and employs more than 8,500 staff worldwide. Shares spiked so sharply that trading was briefly halted following Bloomberg’s report of advanced talks.
Although the company denied whispers of a $6.5 billion valuation, insiders suggest any buyout offer won’t dip below HK$26 per share. The move echoes a trend of London-listed firms eyeing shifts towards U.S. markets for better investment prospects.
YouGov Targets US Stock Market After Major Expansion
Polling powerhouse YouGov is weighing up a US stock listing after snapping up Germany’s GfK consumer panel business, boosting its size by 50%. The British company is considering either moving its main listing to the US or adding a secondary listing there.
YouGov’s non-executive chairman calls the US “a natural home” thanks to its savvy customer base and major investment in marketing data. This shift follows in the footsteps of London-listed firms like Ferguson and CRH, which are also making the jump to US markets to tap into better growth and investment opportunities.
