cityam--2020-08-07--Foreign Office cat Palmerston heads into retirement

Palmerston , the cat who has lived at the Foreign Office for four and a half years , is to step down from his mouse-catching duties for diplomats .
He will instead retire to the countryside , where he plans to live out the remainder of his years relaxing in the rolling grass .
Handing in his resignation to the Foreign Office ’ s most senior civil servant Simon McDonald , the black and white cat said : “ I have enjoyed climbing trees and patrolling the fields around my new home in the countryside.
” “ I will miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprinting to my hideout to see who it is.
” There is not expected to be a wider reshuffle , as Larry the cat remains on Downing Street while Gladstone retains his post at the Treasury .
Palmerston came to the Foreign Office from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home , gaining more than 100,000 followers on Twitter as Brits were bewitched by his mouse-catching antics .
Read more : Spitting Image unveils puppets of PM and Cummings ahead of relaunch McDonald said Palmerston had enjoyed his time away in the countryside during lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay for good .
“ Everyone at the Foreign Office will miss him , ” he said .
Larry the cat later echoed the same sentiment .
“ Although I am ending my formal role here , I will always be an ambassador for the UK and the new Foreign , Commonwealth and Development Office , ” Palmerston concluded , signing off with two paw prints .

Foreign Office cat Palmerston heads into retirement
Palmerston was present when former PM Theresa May announced her resignation as the UK’s leader last year
Palmerston, the cat who has lived at the Foreign Office for four and a half years, is to step down from his mouse-catching duties for diplomats.
He will instead retire to the countryside, where he plans to live out the remainder of his years relaxing in the rolling grass.
Handing in his resignation to the Foreign Office’s most senior civil servant Simon McDonald, the black and white cat said: “I have enjoyed climbing trees and patrolling the fields around my new home in the countryside.”
“I will miss hearing the footsteps of an Ambassador and sprinting to my hideout to see who it is.”
There is not expected to be a wider reshuffle, as Larry the cat remains on Downing Street while Gladstone retains his post at the Treasury.
Palmerston came to the Foreign Office from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, gaining more than 100,000 followers on Twitter as Brits were bewitched by his mouse-catching antics.
McDonald said Palmerston had enjoyed his time away in the countryside during lockdown so much that he had decided to stay for good.
In 2016 Palmerston arrived from @Battersea_ , mouser & social media phenomenon, with 105K @Twitter followers. After 4½ happy years @DiploMog retires at end of August: he’s enjoyed lockdown life in countryside so much, he’s decided to stay. Everyone @foreignoffice will miss him ❤ pic.twitter.com/wUCl7cWSGp — Simon McDonald (@SimonMcDonaldUK) August 7, 2020
“Everyone at the Foreign Office will miss him,” he said.
Larry the cat later echoed the same sentiment.
“Although I am ending my formal role here, I will always be an ambassador for the UK and the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,” Palmerston concluded, signing off with two paw prints.


cityam--2020-08-07--Coronavirus: R number rises in London but remains below 1 for England

The R rate may have risen above 1 for the first time in London , according to new government data published today .
The estimate of the rate of coronavirus infection over the past week has seen increases in several regions including the capital .
Read more : England coronavirus cases level off in past week The latest government update indicated that the R number in London is between 0.8 and 1.1 .
It is now the same as the North West and South West , which have retained the same R number as last week .
The R rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , at 0.8 to 1.0 , while the UK as a whole has risen from 0.8 to 0.9 to move in line with England , following an increase in Covid-19 infections in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
Other regions to see slight increases in the R rate are the Midlands and the North East and Yorkshire , while the east of England was the only area to see a drop , falling to 0.7 to 0.9 .
The slight overall increase in the R number for the UK comes despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ONS ) , which found that the number of Covid-19 infections had levelled off in the past week .
The ONS estimate that 28,300 people had coronavirus in the community in the week ending August 2 , equating to 0.05 per cent of the population .
It was down by around 7,400 people from the week before , although still more than the UK ’ s lowest levels seen at the end of June .
Read more : England ’ s coronavirus spread slowed as lockdown eased , according to study Around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the most recent week across private households in England .
It is a decrease of around 500 per day from the week before , although this figure does not include those recorded in care homes or hospitals .

Coronavirus: R number rises in London but remains below 1 for England
R number rises to 0.8 to 1.1 in London according to latest government data (via Getty Images)
The R rate may have risen above 1 for the first time in London, according to new government data published today.
The estimate of the rate of coronavirus infection over the past week has seen increases in several regions including the capital.
The latest government update indicated that the R number in London is between 0.8 and 1.1.
It is now the same as the North West and South West, which have retained the same R number as last week.
The R rate for England has stayed the same, however, at 0.8 to 1.0, while the UK as a whole has risen from 0.8 to 0.9 to move in line with England, following an increase in Covid-19 infections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Other regions to see slight increases in the R rate are the Midlands and the North East and Yorkshire, while the east of England was the only area to see a drop, falling to 0.7 to 0.9.
The slight overall increase in the R number for the UK comes despite data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which found that the number of Covid-19 infections had levelled off in the past week.
The ONS estimate that 28,300 people had coronavirus in the community in the week ending August 2, equating to 0.05 per cent of the population.
It was down by around 7,400 people from the week before, although still more than the UK’s lowest levels seen at the end of June.
Around 3,700 new cases were recorded each day in the most recent week across private households in England.
It is a decrease of around 500 per day from the week before, although this figure does not include those recorded in care homes or hospitals.


cityam--2020-08-07--So Beloved looks like Tomorrow's Dream bet

LOOKING at the rest of this weekend ’ s action , the best betting opportunities could come at Haydock .
Global Giant looks a worthy favourite for the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes ( 2.40pm ) .
He continues to take giant strides forward since leaving Ed Dunlop ’ s care and will likely take plenty of beating here .
However , that hasn ’ t been lost on the bookmakers and at a best price of 11/10 , I ’ m prepared to leave him alone .
The other feature race on the card is the Dick Hern Stakes ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return of Veracious .
Sir Michael Stoute ’ s Group One winning mare hasn ’ t been seen in action since finishing fourth in last season ’ s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes .
She returns in much calmer waters having had a wind operation and has no concerns with the ground .
There isn ’ t much not to like about her chances and she is likely to take plenty of beating if ridden positively from the front .
She is already as short as 8/11 though and this could be the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Final Song look the two most obvious threats on paper , but there could be a bit of value in taking a chance on one of the outsiders .
William Haggas has his team in tremendous nick and saddles last week ’ s Goodwood winner TOMORROW ’ S DREAM .
That was only a handicap she won last week but she looks a filly on the upgrade and is worth taking an each-way chance on at around 16/1 .
No Jockey rides Haydock better than Richard Kingscote and she could easily out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this column will know that I have a soft spot for David O ’ Meara ’ s old boy SO BELOVED , who is back in action in the race before ( 1.30pm ) .
There is no getting away from the fact that he is no longer the force of old , but at the grand old age of 10 that is no surprise .
He has now dropped to a mark of 88 which is nearly two stone below his peak .
In fact , he hasn ’ t run off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the time of writing , only one firm has priced the race up and I certainly wouldn ’ t put anyone off taking the 8/1 available .
He could easily end up being an even bigger price on the day and look out for his price with the Tote.co.uk .
After her sparkling debut at Newbury recently , Fly Miss Helen is a best-priced 7/4 to land the Sweet Solera Stakes ( 3.20pm ) at Newmarket .
She was really well backed on the day suggesting she had been showing plenty at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team resisted the temptation to run at Glorious Goodwood and held her back for this , is a tip in itself .
They have saddled two of the last four winners of this race and often aim the best of their juvenile fillies at this Group Three prize .
Danilova and Dubai Fountain are likely to make things tough for her , but she is hard to oppose .

So Beloved looks like Tomorrow’s Dream bet
Tomorrow’s Dream (L) at Chepstow in June
LOOKING at the rest of this weekend’s action, the best betting opportunities could come at Haydock.
Global Giant looks a worthy favourite for the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (2.40pm).
He continues to take giant strides forward since leaving Ed Dunlop’s care and will likely take plenty of beating here.
However, that hasn’t been lost on the bookmakers and at a best price of 11/10, I’m prepared to leave him alone.
The other feature race on the card is the Dick Hern Stakes (2.05pm) which sees the eagerly anticipated return of Veracious.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Group One winning mare hasn’t been seen in action since finishing fourth in last season’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
She returns in much calmer waters having had a wind operation and has no concerns with the ground.
There isn’t much not to like about her chances and she is likely to take plenty of beating if ridden positively from the front.
She is already as short as 8/11 though and this could be the time to take her on.
Festive Star and Final Song look the two most obvious threats on paper, but there could be a bit of value in taking a chance on one of the outsiders.
William Haggas has his team in tremendous nick and saddles last week’s Goodwood winner TOMORROW’S DREAM.
That was only a handicap she won last week but she looks a filly on the upgrade and is worth taking an each-way chance on at around 16/1.
No Jockey rides Haydock better than Richard Kingscote and she could easily out run her odds.
Regular followers of this column will know that I have a soft spot for David O’Meara’s old boy SO BELOVED, who is back in action in the race before (1.30pm).
There is no getting away from the fact that he is no longer the force of old, but at the grand old age of 10 that is no surprise.
He has now dropped to a mark of 88 which is nearly two stone below his peak.
In fact, he hasn’t run off a mark this low since 2013.
At the time of writing, only one firm has priced the race up and I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off taking the 8/1 available.
He could easily end up being an even bigger price on the day and look out for his price with the Tote.co.uk.
After her sparkling debut at Newbury recently, Fly Miss Helen is a best-priced 7/4 to land the Sweet Solera Stakes (3.20pm) at Newmarket.
She was really well backed on the day suggesting she had been showing plenty at home.
The fact that the Hannon team resisted the temptation to run at Glorious Goodwood and held her back for this, is a tip in itself.
They have saddled two of the last four winners of this race and often aim the best of their juvenile fillies at this Group Three prize.
Danilova and Dubai Fountain are likely to make things tough for her, but she is hard to oppose.
POINTERS
So Beloved 8/1 e/w 1.30pm Haydock
Tomorrow’s Dream 16/1 e/w 2.15pm Haydock


cityam--2020-08-07--US economy adds 1.8m jobs but expansion slows sharply

The US economy added 1.8m jobs in July but the rate of job creation slowed amid rising coronavirus cases and 16.3m Americans remained without work .
The rise in Americans entering work took the unemployment rate to 10.2 per cent , down from 14.7 per cent in April , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) .
Read more : US economy shrinks by record 33 per cent amid coronavirus pandemic Although it was slightly above expectations , the rate of new job creation has slowed sharply since June when a record 4.8m jobs were added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than anything since the Great Depression outside of the last few months .
It comes with Congress and the White House at an impasse over the next round of stimulus .
Republicans and Democrats disagree over the level of additional unemployment benefits among other key issues .
The BLS said July ’ s employment growth “ reflected the continued resumption of economic activity ” .
It said there were “ notable job gains ” in leisure , hospitality , the government sector , and retail .
New jobs were also created in professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the unemployment rate is up 6.7 percentage points since February , with 10.6m more people out of work .
A central reason for the slowdown was the surge in coronavirus cases that occurred in July .
The US was regularly adding more than 60,000 cases a day .
This prompted many states to reimpose some lockdown rules , limiting economic activity .
The unemployment rate among white people in the US fell to 9.2 per cent last month .
But the rate for black people was 14.6 per cent and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more : US economy : Demand hit by new coronavirus lockdowns Josh Lipsky , a director at the Atlantic Council think tank , said : “ Today ’ s report sends one clear message : Without more stimulus the bottom could fall out from the American economy.
” “ Millions of unemployed citizens , renters across the country , small business owners , and every state government are asking for help in a time of crisis .
We can worry about the price tag later .
”

US economy adds 1.8m jobs but expansion slows sharply
Congress and the White House are currently deadlocked over the next stimulus package
The US economy added 1.8m jobs in July but the rate of job creation slowed amid rising coronavirus cases and 16.3m Americans remained without work.
The rise in Americans entering work took the unemployment rate to 10.2 per cent, down from 14.7 per cent in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Although it was slightly above expectations, the rate of new job creation has slowed sharply since June when a record 4.8m jobs were added. And the unemployment rate was still worse than anything since the Great Depression outside of the last few months.
It comes with Congress and the White House at an impasse over the next round of stimulus. Republicans and Democrats disagree over the level of additional unemployment benefits among other key issues.
The BLS said July’s employment growth “reflected the continued resumption of economic activity”.
It said there were “notable job gains” in leisure, hospitality, the government sector, and retail. New jobs were also created in professional and business services and health care.
Rising coronavirus cases dent US economy
However, the unemployment rate is up 6.7 percentage points since February, with 10.6m more people out of work.
A central reason for the slowdown was the surge in coronavirus cases that occurred in July. The US was regularly adding more than 60,000 cases a day. This prompted many states to reimpose some lockdown rules, limiting economic activity.
Racial disparities remained noticeably wide in a country recently rocked by anti-racist protests.
The unemployment rate among white people in the US fell to 9.2 per cent last month. But the rate for black people was 14.6 per cent and had hardly changed from June to July.
Josh Lipsky, a director at the Atlantic Council think tank, said: “Today’s report sends one clear message: Without more stimulus the bottom could fall out from the American economy.”
“Millions of unemployed citizens, renters across the country, small business owners, and every state government are asking for help in a time of crisis. We can worry about the price tag later.”


cityam--2020-08-07--Beirut explosion: Blast probe will consider possible 'rocket or bomb', says Lebanon president

Lebanon ’ s president has said it is possible the Beirut explosion was caused by “ a rocket or bomb ” .
Michel Aoun was speaking to the media on Friday after the number of casualties had risen to 154 .
A further 5,000 people have been injured .
Read more : UK to send emergency relief to Lebanon following Beirut explosion Aoun said an investigation would consider the possibility the explosion was caused by “ external interference ” .
“ The cause has not been determined yet , ” he said .
“ There is a possibility of external @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other act ” .
Rescue teams from France and Russia are still searching the rubble left behind at Beirut ’ s port , three days after the explosion took place .
Dozens of people are still missing .
Around 300,000 people are unable to return to their homes after the explosion wreaked havoc across the city causing widespread destruction .
Windows were shattered and doors blown out , leaving houses inhabitable .
The estimated losses are forecast to be as high as £11bn .
The cause of the explosion is reported to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ammonium nitrate that had been stored in the port since being confiscated from a cargo ship in 2013 .

Beirut explosion: Blast probe will consider possible ‘rocket or bomb’, says Lebanon president
Lebanon president says “external interference” is a possibility
Lebanon’s president has said it is possible the Beirut explosion was caused by “a rocket or bomb”.
Michel Aoun was speaking to the media on Friday after the number of casualties had risen to 154. A further 5,000 people have been injured.
Aoun said an investigation would consider the possibility the explosion was caused by “external interference”.
“The cause has not been determined yet,” he said.
“There is a possibility of external interference through a rocket or bomb or other act”.
Rescue teams from France and Russia are still searching the rubble left behind at Beirut’s port, three days after the explosion took place. Dozens of people are still missing.
Around 300,000 people are unable to return to their homes after the explosion wreaked havoc across the city causing widespread destruction.
Windows were shattered and doors blown out, leaving houses inhabitable.
The estimated losses are forecast to be as high as £11bn.
The cause of the explosion is reported to have been the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in the port since being confiscated from a cargo ship in 2013.


cityam--2020-08-07--England coronavirus cases level off in past week

The number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the community has levelled off in England in the past week , according to new figures .
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) show an estimated 28,300 people in England had the virus between 27 July to 2 August .
Read more : England ’ s coronavirus spread slowed as lockdown eased , according to study It equates to approximately 0.05 per cent of the population , but does not include the number of cases in hospitals or care homes .
The new figures represent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lowest recorded number of cases , but the ONS said there is evidence to suggest the trend had levelled off .
It comes after an Imperial College study found the spread of coronavirus in England slowed as the the government eased the initial lockdown phase .
But the government is still taking precautions and last night added three more countries to its quarantine list to stem the spread of infection .
People arriving in England from Andorra , Belgium and the Bahamas from 4am on Saturday 8 August will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a consistent rise in coronavirus infections in recent weeks , with 27.8 new cases per 100,000 people , compared to the UK ’ s current 8.4 .
Read more : Lockdown reimposed in Aberdeen after coronavirus outbreak Last week the Prime Minister postponed the easing of further restrictions in England following a spike in cases .
Boris Johnson hit the brakes on opening up “ at risk ” settings , which include sports venues , casinos , leisure centres and weddings .
The government also recently reimposed lockdown restrictions in Greater Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yorkshire following a rise in infections .
Measures included banning different households meeting as scientists warned the country was at the limit of opening up .
Get the news as it happens by following City A.M. on Twitter .

England coronavirus cases level off in past week
The number of people testing positive for coronavirus in the community has levelled off in England in the past week, according to new figures.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show an estimated 28,300 people in England had the virus between 27 July to 2 August.
It equates to approximately 0.05 per cent of the population, but does not include the number of cases in hospitals or care homes.
The new figures represent an increase since the end of June, the lowest recorded number of cases, but the ONS said there is evidence to suggest the trend had levelled off.
It comes after an Imperial College study found the spread of coronavirus in England slowed as the the government eased the initial lockdown phase.
But the government is still taking precautions and last night added three more countries to its quarantine list to stem the spread of infection.
People arriving in England from Andorra, Belgium and the Bahamas from 4am on Saturday 8 August will have to self-isolate for two weeks.
Belgium has had a consistent rise in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, with 27.8 new cases per 100,000 people, compared to the UK’s current 8.4.
Last week the Prime Minister postponed the easing of further restrictions in England following a spike in cases. Boris Johnson hit the brakes on opening up “at risk” settings, which include sports venues, casinos, leisure centres and weddings.
The government also recently reimposed lockdown restrictions in Greater Manchester, east Lancashire and parts of West Yorkshire following a rise in infections. Measures included banning different households meeting as scientists warned the country was at the limit of opening up.
Get the news as it happens by following City A.M. on Twitter.


cityam--2020-08-07--Tiktok threatens legal action over Trump executive order

Tiktok has said it is considering legal action after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the app in 45 days ’ time .
The short-form video app said it was “ shocked ” by the order .
It added that it would it would “ pursue all remedies available ” to “ ensure the rule of law is not discarded ” .
Read more : Trump issues executive order against Tiktok and Wechat over China links The two sides were engaged in nearly a year of talks to find a solution to Trump ’ s concerns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no attention to facts , dictated terms of an agreement without going through standard legal processes , and tried to insert itself into negotiations between private businesses ” .
Trump also signed a similar order against messaging app Wechat .
Its owner Tencent said : “ We are reviewing the executive order to get a full understanding.
” Trump had previously given his blessing to talks between Tiktok and Microsoft about a sale of the app ’ s US operations , but said a deal must be done by 15 September to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demands US Treasury cut of Tiktok sale He also said the US Treasury should get a “ significant ” cut of the proceeds , despite there being no precedent for such an arrangement .
“ This Executive Order risks undermining global businesses ’ trust in the United States ’ commitment to the rule of law , ” the app said in a statement .
“ And it sets a dangerous precedent for the concept of free expression and open markets.
” Washington has also announced separate recommendations that Chinese firms listed on US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided regulators with access to their audited accounts .

Tiktok threatens legal action over Trump executive order
Tiktok has said it is considering legal action after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning the app in 45 days’ time.
The short-form video app said it was “shocked” by the order.
It added that it would it would “pursue all remedies available” to “ensure the rule of law is not discarded”.
The two sides were engaged in nearly a year of talks to find a solution to Trump’s concerns, but Tiktok said the administration “paid no attention to facts, dictated terms of an agreement without going through standard legal processes, and tried to insert itself into negotiations between private businesses”.
Trump also signed a similar order against messaging app Wechat. Its owner Tencent said: “We are reviewing the executive order to get a full understanding.”
Trump had previously given his blessing to talks between Tiktok and Microsoft about a sale of the app’s US operations, but said a deal must be done by 15 September to avoid a ban.
He also said the US Treasury should get a “significant” cut of the proceeds, despite there being no precedent for such an arrangement.
“This Executive Order risks undermining global businesses’ trust in the United States’ commitment to the rule of law,” the app said in a statement.
“And it sets a dangerous precedent for the concept of free expression and open markets.”
Washington has also announced separate recommendations that Chinese firms listed on US stock markets should be delisted unless they provided regulators with access to their audited accounts.


cityam--2020-08-08--Back to Business: Jack and Charlie Stein on coming together as a family amid the corona crisis

We talk to top chefs and restaurateurs about how they are dealing with the strange ‘ new normal ’ .
Rick Stein restaurants ’ Jack and Charlie Stein talk about the relief of seeing cutsomers again and why the industry needs to go back to basics .
Who are you and what do you do ?
Jack Stein : I ’ m chef director across the Rick Stein restaurants , and middle son of Rick .
Charlie Stein : I ’ m director of wine and drinks across the restaurants and youngest son of Rick .
How has coronavirus affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Jack : It was huge – we have had practically zero income .
Luckily furlough has helped immensely as our cash flow modelling was not looking at all good before .
We also had to close a couple of sites and restructure to secure further financing from the bank .
We are still waiting on our specialist insurance policy which is taking a long time .
When were you able to open back up and how did you celebrate ?
Charlie : The restaurants were opened on the 4 July as per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went into all the restaurants that evening and it was such a surreal experience seeing people enjoy themselves in a room together .
Seeing boarded-up restaurants with the lights off was so depressing and then suddenly having people there enjoying themselves was quite overwhelming .
Mum and I had a nice glass of wine and called our teams and thanked them for getting us open again .
Jack : Our first weekend was really strong , and bookings are looking good for summer so I was in the kitchens and had a beer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ongoing effects of the virus ?
Jack : We have a comprehensive operating manual which includes face masks for all chefs and waiters who can ’ t socially distance , larger spacing for tables , and one way systems .
We have asked guests to eat at staggered times and our rooms have incredibly detailed cleaning procedures .
How have you kept sane when the restaurant was closed ?
Jack : I ’ ve been cognitively busier than ever , working on bank loans , insurance and our online cook boxes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children in Cornwall with the fantastic weather has helped .
We also launched a virtual food festival , which was fantastic fun .
What did you miss most when the London dining scene was shut down ?
Charlie : The last meal I had just before the lockdown was at Noble Rot .
Everyone was talking about Coronavirus and anxiety was high , with people glued to BBC News .
But for those two hours me and a friend just talked and forgot about what was going on around us .
A good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can create a feeling of comfort through great service , food , wine , and atmosphere .
I missed that comfort and the buzz of a slightly boozy Friday lunch in London .
Where was the first place you went when lockdown was eased ?
Charlie : I live in London and came straight to Cornwall after the restrictions were lifted .
I ate in our Seafood restaurant to get a feel for what it was like for our guests .
I had Dover Sole and bottle of Chablis 1er Cru and just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown meals .
I was proud they had chosen us for that first experience .
I ’ m also a big pub-goer so I snuck into the London Inn afterwards and had my first pint in a pub – it was without a doubt the best pint I ’ ve ever had .
My ‘ Ice Cold in Alex ’ moment .
Do you think things will go back to ‘ normal ’ ?
Charlie : The restaurant industry is going to have fewer restaurants in it , which come as a surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that survive , I think there will be a ‘ back to basics ’ mentality , with people concentrating on doing things right .
Food , quality , service .
This whole affair has educated the public on the fragile economy of restaurants and I hope the conversations around no-shows and service charge will lead to positive changes .
Are there any silver linings to this awful few months ?
Charlie : Like many other restaurants , we turned to meal kits – ‘ Stein ’ s at home ’ – and online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real success for us .
We are looking to expand these .
We also developed an app in lockdown for ordering in our fish and chip shops and pub , and that has been hugely successful , limiting contact time with our staff .
But the biggest silver lining was how we worked as a family , we are much better together and have a clear idea of exactly how we want this business to be run .

Back to Business: Jack and Charlie Stein on coming together as a family amid the corona crisis
Jack Stein
We talk to top chefs and restaurateurs about how they are dealing with the strange ‘new normal’. Rick Stein restaurants’ Jack and Charlie Stein talk about the relief of seeing cutsomers again and why the industry needs to go back to basics.
Who are you and what do you do?
Jack Stein: I’m chef director across the Rick Stein restaurants, and middle son of Rick.
Charlie Stein: I’m director of wine and drinks across the restaurants and youngest son of Rick.
How has coronavirus affected your business over the last four months?
Jack: It was huge – we have had practically zero income. Luckily furlough has helped immensely as our cash flow modelling was not looking at all good before. We also had to close a couple of sites and restructure to secure further financing from the bank. We are still waiting on our specialist insurance policy which is taking a long time.
When were you able to open back up and how did you celebrate?
Charlie: The restaurants were opened on the 4 July as per the government’s guidelines. I went into all the restaurants that evening and it was such a surreal experience seeing people enjoy themselves in a room together. Seeing boarded-up restaurants with the lights off was so depressing and then suddenly having people there enjoying themselves was quite overwhelming. Mum and I had a nice glass of wine and called our teams and thanked them for getting us open again.
Jack: Our first weekend was really strong, and bookings are looking good for summer so I was in the kitchens and had a beer after service.
How are you managing the ongoing effects of the virus?
Jack: We have a comprehensive operating manual which includes face masks for all chefs and waiters who can’t socially distance, larger spacing for tables, and one way systems. We have asked guests to eat at staggered times and our rooms have incredibly detailed cleaning procedures.
How have you kept sane when the restaurant was closed?
Charlie Stein
Jack: I’ve been cognitively busier than ever, working on bank loans, insurance and our online cook boxes. Being at home with my two young children in Cornwall with the fantastic weather has helped. We also launched a virtual food festival, which was fantastic fun.
What did you miss most when the London dining scene was shut down?
Charlie: The last meal I had just before the lockdown was at Noble Rot. Everyone was talking about Coronavirus and anxiety was high, with people glued to BBC News. But for those two hours me and a friend just talked and forgot about what was going on around us. A good London restaurant can do that, it can create a feeling of comfort through great service, food, wine, and atmosphere. I missed that comfort and the buzz of a slightly boozy Friday lunch in London.
Where was the first place you went when lockdown was eased?
Charlie: I live in London and came straight to Cornwall after the restrictions were lifted. I ate in our Seafood restaurant to get a feel for what it was like for our guests. I had Dover Sole and bottle of Chablis 1er Cru and just watched fellow guests enjoying their first post lockdown meals. I was proud they had chosen us for that first experience. I’m also a big pub-goer so I snuck into the London Inn afterwards and had my first pint in a pub – it was without a doubt the best pint I’ve ever had. My ‘Ice Cold in Alex’ moment.
Do you think things will go back to ‘normal’?
Charlie: The restaurant industry is going to have fewer restaurants in it, which come as a surprise to no one. For the restaurants that survive, I think there will be a ‘back to basics’ mentality, with people concentrating on doing things right. Food, quality, service. This whole affair has educated the public on the fragile economy of restaurants and I hope the conversations around no-shows and service charge will lead to positive changes.
Are there any silver linings to this awful few months?
Charlie: Like many other restaurants, we turned to meal kits – ‘Stein’s at home’ – and online wine sales, which have been a real success for us. We are looking to expand these. We also developed an app in lockdown for ordering in our fish and chip shops and pub, and that has been hugely successful, limiting contact time with our staff. But the biggest silver lining was how we worked as a family, we are much better together and have a clear idea of exactly how we want this business to be run.


cityam--2020-08-08--Reopened restaurants in London: The latest news about your favourite places to eat

Coronavirus may have shuttered the food industry since lockdown was announced , but the restaurant business is bouncing back , with more of our favourite places to eat reopening every day .
In this regular column , we ’ ll bring you the latest news from the front-line of the food business , complete with all the details you need to book a table .
Jason Atherton ’ s flagship Mayfair restaurant is back in action , offering modern Michelin starred European cooking with seasonal British ingredients , elegantly and simply served .
With expertly made cocktails and an enviable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been sorely missed and is a mainstay of the neighbourhood .
Atherton ’ s Michelin starred casual bistro in the heart of London is the perfect place to enjoy his signature style of cooking in a more relaxed setting .
Cocktail lovers can enjoy his signature cocktails famed for their inventiveness and sense of fun following dishes such as roasted john dory or Herwick lamb rump .
Tom Brown ’ s British fish restaurant reopened its doors last week , with many of the old favourites including his famed crumpet , and new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the likes of Anglo Thai and Niall Keating from Whatley Manor .
For those who are extra concerned with air flow whilst eating out , La Terraza , the newly launched outdoor restaurant from Spanish group Iberica , is the perfect al Fresco dining spot .
Diners can sit outdoors on the terrace and enjoy Andalusian dishes such as baked cod with grilled aubergine and peppers or grilled octopus with ajada sauce and potatoes whilst sipping a Gin Mare cocktail or a chilled Alberino .
Bobo Social opens in the new Elephant Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Fitzrovia , offering seasonal , sustainable small plates paired with quality wine .
Bobo Social has also created its own app on which you can book a table , order dine-in or takeaway , and earn points to get rewards .
Wing Shack has reopened all its doors for both dine-in and takeaway , offering signature dishes including tangy buffalo wings and boneless chicken fillets covered in southern rub .
They also have Inferno Wings coated with house spicy sauce that pack more than a little punch .
Polo 24 is back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City , opposite Liverpool Street Station , Polo Bar offers cocktails and drinks around the clock – perfect for after-work drinks or a cheeky morning bloody mary .

Reopened restaurants in London: The latest news about your favourite places to eat
Coronavirus may have shuttered the food industry since lockdown was announced, but the restaurant business is bouncing back, with more of our favourite places to eat reopening every day.
In this regular column, we’ll bring you the latest news from the front-line of the food business, complete with all the details you need to book a table.
Bobo
Wing Shack
Polo24
Pollen Street Social
Spocial Eating House
Cornerstone
Pollen Street Social, Mayfair
Jason Atherton’s flagship Mayfair restaurant is back in action, offering modern Michelin starred European cooking with seasonal British ingredients, elegantly and simply served. With expertly made cocktails and an enviable wine list, this Mayfair favourite has been sorely missed and is a mainstay of the neighbourhood.
Pollenstreetsocial.com
Social Eating House, Soho
Atherton’s Michelin starred casual bistro in the heart of London is the perfect place to enjoy his signature style of cooking in a more relaxed setting. Cocktail lovers can enjoy his signature cocktails famed for their inventiveness and sense of fun following dishes such as roasted john dory or Herwick lamb rump.
Socialeatinghouse.com
Cornerstone, Hackney Wick
Tom Brown’s British fish restaurant reopened its doors last week, with many of the old favourites including his famed crumpet, and new dishes inspired by his lockdown collaborations with the likes of Anglo Thai and Niall Keating from Whatley Manor.
Cornerstonehackney.com
La Terraza, Iberica, Canary Wharf
For those who are extra concerned with air flow whilst eating out, La Terraza, the newly launched outdoor restaurant from Spanish group Iberica, is the perfect al Fresco dining spot. Diners can sit outdoors on the terrace and enjoy Andalusian dishes such as baked cod with grilled aubergine and peppers or grilled octopus with ajada sauce and potatoes whilst sipping a Gin Mare cocktail or a chilled Alberino.
Ibericarestaurants.com
Bobo Social, Elephant & Castle
Bobo Social opens in the new Elephant Park development following a successful stretch on Charlotte Street Fitzrovia, offering seasonal, sustainable small plates paired with quality wine. Bobo Social has also created its own app on which you can book a table, order dine-in or takeaway, and earn points to get rewards.
Bobosocial.com
Wing Shack, Clerkenwell
Wing Shack has reopened all its doors for both dine-in and takeaway, offering signature dishes including tangy buffalo wings and boneless chicken fillets covered in southern rub. They also have Inferno Wings coated with house spicy sauce that pack more than a little punch.
wingshackco.com
Polo 24 Hour Bar, Bishopsgate
Polo 24 is back! Right in the middle of The City, opposite Liverpool Street Station, Polo Bar offers cocktails and drinks around the clock – perfect for after-work drinks or a cheeky morning bloody mary.
polo24hourbar.co.uk


cityam--2020-08-08--Cider subscription service Pommelier Club injects a little fine wine luxe into the boozy apple marke

The subscription model was already booming before lockdown , with millennials and gen Z-ers getting everything from coffee beans to feline flea treatments delivered directly to their front doors .
A report published by Zoura estimates that subscription revenues have grown by 350 per cent in the last seven years , and continued to rise almost 10 per cent during the first weeks of lockdown while most of the economy began to tank .
In this sector , wine clubs are the equivalent of a village elder , having been around in some form or other for decades , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abel & Cole and the Wall Street Journal all getting involved .
It ’ s this market that new subscription service Pommelier Club from the Fine Cider Company hopes to take a bite .
As the name suggests , it ’ s a wine club… but for apples , with prices to match .
The company promises a cider “ renaissance ” , celebrating our “ native English wine ” .
With three 750ml bottles setting you back £42 , this is very much a luxury service , with the company promising not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every two months , but “ an insight like no other into the best makers , the best bottles , and the future of cider.
” I got some bottles sent to my ( home ) office to give the service a test run .
The first thing that hits you is the premium feel .
This isn ’ t a bunch of cans awkwardly squeezed into a cardboard box ( unlike my Beer52 subscription : yes , I too am a millennial ) – these bottles had the look and feel of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Fine Cider , a Herefordshire-based orchard that ages its cider in wine and whisky barrels .
The first was an “ Out of the Barrel Rooms Yarlington Mill ” cider aged in a Jim Beam bourbon barrel .
It was sweet , smokey and lively , perfect for picnics-in-the-park , and a good sale-pitch for those unconvinced that cider can be a grown-up drink to be spoken of in the same breath as wine or spirits .
If you turned up to a dinner party with a bottle of this under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited back .
Next up was another from the same orchard , this time a Red Pear Perry aged in an Ornellia red wine barrel .
This was an altogether more challenging drink with a strong , earthy flavour and a fizz so subtle as to be almost undetectable .
I hazard this may be the cider equivalent of orange wine , if I knew more about the machinations of fine cider .
More simply put , it ’ s a little funky , but has enough swagger to at least provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving on your doorstep six times a year is a nice way to inject a little diversity into your drinking habits , and while the price point is a little rich for my blood , these bottles will absolutely hit the sweet spot for aficionados of boozy apple juice .
• Find out more at pommelier.club

Cider subscription service Pommelier Club injects a little fine wine luxe into the boozy apple market
The subscription model was already booming before lockdown, with millennials and gen Z-ers getting everything from coffee beans to feline flea treatments delivered directly to their front doors.
A report published by Zoura estimates that subscription revenues have grown by 350 per cent in the last seven years, and continued to rise almost 10 per cent during the first weeks of lockdown while most of the economy began to tank.
In this sector, wine clubs are the equivalent of a village elder, having been around in some form or other for decades, with companies as diverse as Virgin Wines, Abel & Cole and the Wall Street Journal all getting involved.
It’s this market that new subscription service Pommelier Club from the Fine Cider Company hopes to take a bite. As the name suggests, it’s a wine club… but for apples, with prices to match.
The company promises a cider “renaissance”, celebrating our “native English wine”. With three 750ml bottles setting you back £42, this is very much a luxury service, with the company promising not just a few bottles in the post every two months, but “an insight like no other into the best makers, the best bottles, and the future of cider.”
I got some bottles sent to my (home) office to give the service a test run. The first thing that hits you is the premium feel. This isn’t a bunch of cans awkwardly squeezed into a cardboard box (unlike my Beer52 subscription: yes, I too am a millennial) – these bottles had the look and feel of high-end wine. Mine were from Oliver’s Fine Cider, a Herefordshire-based orchard that ages its cider in wine and whisky barrels.
The first was an “Out of the Barrel Rooms Yarlington Mill” cider aged in a Jim Beam bourbon barrel. It was sweet, smokey and lively, perfect for picnics-in-the-park, and a good sale-pitch for those unconvinced that cider can be a grown-up drink to be spoken of in the same breath as wine or spirits. If you turned up to a dinner party with a bottle of this under your arm, you might just be invited back.
Next up was another from the same orchard, this time a Red Pear Perry aged in an Ornellia red wine barrel. This was an altogether more challenging drink with a strong, earthy flavour and a fizz so subtle as to be almost undetectable. I hazard this may be the cider equivalent of orange wine, if I knew more about the machinations of fine cider. More simply put, it’s a little funky, but has enough swagger to at least provide a talking point.
Three bottles of this arriving on your doorstep six times a year is a nice way to inject a little diversity into your drinking habits, and while the price point is a little rich for my blood, these bottles will absolutely hit the sweet spot for aficionados of boozy apple juice.
• Find out more at pommelier.club


cityam--2020-08-08--Mark Hix on starting afresh with a fish van... And his new role at 1 Lombard Street

Just as the coronavirus shit hit the fan , I was told by my business partner that the company was going into administration .
All the restaurants would go , and the 130 staff were left high and dry with no furlough and no redundancy .
I was devastated .
It was a surreal moment , realising that all these people I ’ ve worked with would be unemployed , and these restaurants I ’ d poured so much into over the years would just disappear , another footnote in the history of the London food scene .
So as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wine and trying to stay positive , I turned to one of my guilty pleasures : eBay .
I browsed around a bit and hit upon an idea : a food truck .
Maybe amid all the carnage of the administrators I could find an opportunity here , too .
I ’ d been planning to break away and open up on the coast , maybe this was an act of cod , a chance to start up on my own with no business partners and no board meetings .
There were all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one that caught my eye was a big black Chevrolet that was , in a past life , an American ambulance .
It had been completely refitted with stainless steel units , fridges and a hob .
It was ready to go .
I bid half the asking price , which was miraculously accepted , and my brain started working overtime .
After much brainstorming I thought I ’ d start selling fresh fish direct from the Lyme Bay Reserve fishermen .
So I went from these huge restaurants filled with Damien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ van , and just started flogging fish .
It ’ s working a treat and I now have a permanent pitch outside Felicity ’ s farm shop in Morcombelake .
I smoke my own salmon in a shed in my garden and it ’ s practically flying out of the van .
I sold 16 sides last week .
Lobster sliders are on the menu now as a permanent fixture , too .
I also managed to get back the site of the old Hix Oyster and Fish House in Lyme Regis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name so I ’ ve had to drop that .
Everything Hix-related is now owned by the administrators , unfortunately ; what a strange world we live in .
My old friend Soren Jessen , who opened 1 Lombard street 21 years ago , also took the opportunity to get me on board as food and drinks director , which gives me a presence in London again .
I ’ m now a week into opening and things are a bit quiet in the City : after four months of furlough everyone ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basement we ’ re planning a secret project that ’ s sure to piss off my former Soho landlord , who decided to double my rent to £500,000 a year .
That nasty piece of business has bitten him on the arse as the site is now sitting empty .
Greedy landlords need to have a good rethink in the current environment and consider partnering with their tenants instead of trying to squeeze them dry – rent based on a percentage of turnover might work – otherwise there ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in central London .
For those of you who have been to Hix restaurants in the past , you will see a few familiar dishes and classic cocktails at 1 Lombard to revive you after a hard day in the office .
Some of my art collection is on the walls – the usual suspects , including Harry Jones who ’ s been refurbishing Lombard street for us .
Let ’ s hope the next six months will be better for the City than the previous six !

Mark Hix on starting afresh with a fish van… And his new role at 1 Lombard Street
Mark Hix takes stock of his new venture, 1 Lombard Street
Just as the coronavirus shit hit the fan, I was told by my business partner that the company was going into administration. All the restaurants would go, and the 130 staff were left high and dry with no furlough and no redundancy.
I was devastated. It was a surreal moment, realising that all these people I’ve worked with would be unemployed, and these restaurants I’d poured so much into over the years would just disappear, another footnote in the history of the London food scene.
So as I was cracking open a bottle of wine and trying to stay positive, I turned to one of my guilty pleasures: eBay. I browsed around a bit and hit upon an idea: a food truck. Maybe amid all the carnage of the administrators I could find an opportunity here, too. I’d been planning to break away and open up on the coast, maybe this was an act of cod, a chance to start up on my own with no business partners and no board meetings.
There were all sorts of trucks listed on eBay but the one that caught my eye was a big black Chevrolet that was, in a past life, an American ambulance. It had been completely refitted with stainless steel units, fridges and a hob. It was ready to go. I bid half the asking price, which was miraculously accepted, and my brain started working overtime. After much brainstorming I thought I’d start selling fresh fish direct from the Lyme Bay Reserve fishermen.
So I went from these huge restaurants filled with Damien Hirsts and Tracy Emins to this little van, and just started flogging fish. It’s working a treat and I now have a permanent pitch outside Felicity’s farm shop in Morcombelake. I smoke my own salmon in a shed in my garden and it’s practically flying out of the van. I sold 16 sides last week. Lobster sliders are on the menu now as a permanent fixture, too.
I also managed to get back the site of the old Hix Oyster and Fish House in Lyme Regis, although I no longer own my own name so I’ve had to drop that. Everything Hix-related is now owned by the administrators, unfortunately; what a strange world we live in.
My old friend Soren Jessen, who opened 1 Lombard street 21 years ago, also took the opportunity to get me on board as food and drinks director, which gives me a presence in London again.
I’m now a week into opening and things are a bit quiet in the City: after four months of furlough everyone’s now gone on holiday. In the basement we’re planning a secret project that’s sure to piss off my former Soho landlord, who decided to double my rent to £500,000 a year.
That nasty piece of business has bitten him on the arse as the site is now sitting empty. Greedy landlords need to have a good rethink in the current environment and consider partnering with their tenants instead of trying to squeeze them dry – rent based on a percentage of turnover might work – otherwise there’s going to be an awful lot of empty lots in central London.
For those of you who have been to Hix restaurants in the past, you will see a few familiar dishes and classic cocktails at 1 Lombard to revive you after a hard day in the office. Some of my art collection is on the walls – the usual suspects, including Harry Jones who’s been refurbishing Lombard street for us. Let’s hope the next six months will be better for the City than the previous six!


cityam--2020-08-08--The Huracan Evo RWD is Lamborghini’s cheapest supercar – and its best

Lamborghini is the definitive exclamation marque .
And Lamborghini reviews are much the same : excitable paeans to a supercar fantasy , as anchored in the real world as Kanye West .
Not this time .
Granted , I ’ ll wax lyrical in the paragraphs to come – hell , I may even dabble in some hyperbole .
But let ’ s begin with a sobering dose of consumer advice .
Want to save money on a Lamborghini ?
Of course you do… The cheapest proper Lamborghini ( I ’ m deliberately excluding the Urus SUV ) is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things are relative , this £164,400 newcomer costs a hefty £33,907 less than the existing Huracan Evo .
That leftover change buys a Volkswagen Golf R for shopping trips , or enough super unleaded for 126,392 miles .
OK , so ‘ buying a cheaper car saves you money ’ is hardly the kind of nugget that Martin Lewis would seize upon .
The point here is that the ‘ budget ’ Lamborghini is also the best .
For those not versed in automotive acronyms , ‘ RWD ’ stands for rear-wheel drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huracan ’ s horses ( 30 fewer than the regular Evo ) go to its rear Pirellis .
The downsides are less traction and slower acceleration : 0-62mph in 3.3sec , versus 2.9sec for the four-wheel-drive car .
The upside , according to Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali , is ‘ unfiltered feedback and an emotive and more engaging driving experience controlled by the pilot ’ .
In fact , the rear-driven Huracan is missing more than just front driveshafts .
It also does without rear-wheel steering , adaptive dampers , carbon-ceramic brakes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chassis control system .
The result is a 33kg lighter car ( at 1,389kg without fluids ) with improved weight distribution .
But true to Domenicali ’ s word , what the RWD loses in electronic sophistication , it makes up for in analogue driver appeal .
Right , time for some superlatives – this is a Lamborghini review , after all .
Even after six years on sale , the Huracan still looks sensational .
You can spot the RWD by its simpler front bumper , but the overall shape – shrink-wrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t altered .
The interior , a riot of hexagons and moulded carbon fibre , is just as dramatic .
Shame the touchscreen is mounted too low and makes adjusting the audio volume a two-stage process .
The absence of column stalks ( their place taken by huge , racing-style shift paddles ) makes some minor controls fiddly , too .
Not that you ’ ll care when the naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 erupts into life .
For my money – if I had the money – this is the best engine of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road ) mode , it sounds surprisingly civilised , but flick the red toggle on the steering wheel to Sport or Corsa ( Track ) and all hell is unleashed .
It feels like a salivating psychopath behind your left shoulder , goading you to the 8,500rpm redline with every razor-sharp upshift .
When I drove the Huracan Evo last year , I said : “ Everything seems to coalesce and flow .
Compared with pulse-spiking Lamborghinis of old , the car is easy to exploit and enjoy.
’ With only two driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospect .
You feel the car move around in corners , its steering more nuanced and throttle-dependent , its handling edgier and more exuberant .
It rewards commitment and demands respect , particularly on damp roads .
On a track , it would be an absolute hooligan .
Ultimately , you ’ ll be going slower , but the Huracan Evo RWD feels faster .
And despite everything , the feel of a Lamborghini is what matters most .
That extra £34k sure comes in handy , though .

The Huracan Evo RWD is Lamborghini’s cheapest supercar – and its best
Lamborghini is the definitive exclamation marque. And Lamborghini reviews are much the same: excitable paeans to a supercar fantasy, as anchored in the real world as Kanye West.
Not this time. Granted, I’ll wax lyrical in the paragraphs to come – hell, I may even dabble in some hyperbole. But let’s begin with a sobering dose of consumer advice. Want to save money on a Lamborghini? Of course you do…
The cheapest proper Lamborghini (I’m deliberately excluding the Urus SUV) is the Huracan Evo RWD. And while such things are relative, this £164,400 newcomer costs a hefty £33,907 less than the existing Huracan Evo.
That leftover change buys a Volkswagen Golf R for shopping trips, or enough super unleaded for 126,392 miles. OK, so ‘buying a cheaper car saves you money’ is hardly the kind of nugget that Martin Lewis would seize upon. The point here is that the ‘budget’ Lamborghini is also the best.
For those not versed in automotive acronyms, ‘RWD’ stands for rear-wheel drive. That means all 610 of the Huracan’s horses (30 fewer than the regular Evo) go to its rear Pirellis. The downsides are less traction and slower acceleration: 0-62mph in 3.3sec, versus 2.9sec for the four-wheel-drive car. The upside, according to Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali, is ‘unfiltered feedback and an emotive and more engaging driving experience controlled by the pilot’.
In fact, the rear-driven Huracan is missing more than just front driveshafts. It also does without rear-wheel steering, adaptive dampers, carbon-ceramic brakes and the ‘Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata’ chassis control system. The result is a 33kg lighter car (at 1,389kg without fluids) with improved weight distribution. But true to Domenicali’s word, what the RWD loses in electronic sophistication, it makes up for in analogue driver appeal.
Right, time for some superlatives – this is a Lamborghini review, after all. Even after six years on sale, the Huracan still looks sensational. You can spot the RWD by its simpler front bumper, but the overall shape – shrink-wrapped, angular and aggressive – hasn’t altered. The interior, a riot of hexagons and moulded carbon fibre, is just as dramatic. Shame the touchscreen is mounted too low and makes adjusting the audio volume a two-stage process. The absence of column stalks (their place taken by huge, racing-style shift paddles) makes some minor controls fiddly, too.
Not that you’ll care when the naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 erupts into life. For my money – if I had the money – this is the best engine of any new car. In Strada (Road) mode, it sounds surprisingly civilised, but flick the red toggle on the steering wheel to Sport or Corsa (Track) and all hell is unleashed. It feels like a salivating psychopath behind your left shoulder, goading you to the 8,500rpm redline with every razor-sharp upshift.
When I drove the Huracan Evo last year, I said: “Everything seems to coalesce and flow. Compared with pulse-spiking Lamborghinis of old, the car is easy to exploit and enjoy.’ With only two driven wheels, the RWD is a trickier prospect. You feel the car move around in corners, its steering more nuanced and throttle-dependent, its handling edgier and more exuberant. It rewards commitment and demands respect, particularly on damp roads. On a track, it would be an absolute hooligan.
Ultimately, you’ll be going slower, but the Huracan Evo RWD feels faster. And despite everything, the feel of a Lamborghini is what matters most. That extra £34k sure comes in handy, though.
Tim Pitt works for motoringresearch.com


cityam--2020-08-09--Natwest set to scrap top bankers in management cull

Natwest is said to be preparing to oust three of its senior management team , as it trims down on costs during the pandemic .
Three executives at the helm of its Natwest Markets division — which has 5,000 staff in total — are to stand down this week , the Sunday Times reported .
It comes as chief executive Alison Rose is slimming down the bank , which is focusing on its retail and commercial arms to save on cash .
Read more : Natwest looks at slashing costs by £3bn over the next five years Rose outlined plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s assets in half , retaining business clients while reducing its operations .
Natwest is said to be looking at plans to slash costs by £3bn over the next five years , though the bank denied it was preparing such a move .
Natwest Markets ’ income rose 44 per cent in the first half of 2020 , compared to the same period a year ago .
Meanwhile the retail bank ’ s income fell nine per cent , after it set aside £2.9bn to cover impairments .
Read more : Natwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aside £2.9bn for bad loans It set a cost-cutting target of £250m this year , with most of the cuts set to arrive in the second half of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic delayed action .
“ Even before impairment charges Natwest ’ s operating profits were down 60 per cent , ” said Hargreaves Lansdown equity analyst Nicholas Hyett last month .
“ We ’ re not sure Natwest has an answer to that , especially since its shrinking investment bank means interest income is getting ever more important for the business.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a request for comment on the management changes .

Natwest set to scrap top bankers in management cull
The Government still owns around 3.98m shares in the company, about 41.5 per cent of total shareholding.
Natwest is said to be preparing to oust three of its senior management team, as it trims down on costs during the pandemic.
Three executives at the helm of its Natwest Markets division — which has 5,000 staff in total — are to stand down this week, the Sunday Times reported.
It comes as chief executive Alison Rose is slimming down the bank, which is focusing on its retail and commercial arms to save on cash.
Rose outlined plans earlier this year to cut the bank’s assets in half, retaining business clients while reducing its operations.
Natwest is said to be looking at plans to slash costs by £3bn over the next five years, though the bank denied it was preparing such a move.
Natwest Markets’ income rose 44 per cent in the first half of 2020, compared to the same period a year ago. Meanwhile the retail bank’s income fell nine per cent, after it set aside £2.9bn to cover impairments.
It set a cost-cutting target of £250m this year, with most of the cuts set to arrive in the second half of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic delayed action.
“Even before impairment charges Natwest’s operating profits were down 60 per cent,” said Hargreaves Lansdown equity analyst Nicholas Hyett last month.
“We’re not sure Natwest has an answer to that, especially since its shrinking investment bank means interest income is getting ever more important for the business.”
A Natwest Markets spokesperson said: ““In line with the multi-year transformation announced in February, we continue to progress our plan to refocus Natwest Markets on activities which directly support Natwest Group’s core customers.
“NWM is a strategically important part of Natwest Group, helping customers manage their financial risks and connecting them with international capital markets. Our staff will always be the first to be informed in the event of any job cuts.”


cityam--2020-08-09--PM Boris Johnson says schools must open in September

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said reopening schools in September is imperative , insisting they will be able to teach children safely despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Writing in the Mail on Sunday , Johnson said restarting schools was a “ national priority ” for the government .
The move follows a study earlier this month which warned that the UK risks a second wave of coronavirus infections this winter — set to be twice as large as the initial outbreak — if schools reopen without major improvements to NHS Test and Trace .
Read more : UK coronavirus : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of first Schools in England closed in March except for the children of key workers , and reopened in June for a small number of pupils .
“ Keeping our schools closed a moment longer than absolutely necessary is socially intolerable , economically unsustainable and morally indefensible , ” Johnson wrote .
The economic costs for parents who can not work if schools are shut are rising , and the country will face larger problems in future if children miss out on proper education for too long , the Prime Minister warned .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut to keep schools open , hints Number 10 “ This pandemic isn ’ t over , and the last thing any of us can afford to do is become complacent .
But now that we know enough to reopen schools to all pupils safely , we have a moral duty to do so , ” he wrote .
Johnson is said to have ordered an advertising campaign to ensure schools open on time , the Sunday Times reported .
He told a meeting of ministers last week that restaurants , pubs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event of a second wave .

PM Boris Johnson says schools must open in September
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said reopening schools in September is imperative, insisting they will be able to teach children safely despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Johnson said restarting schools was a “national priority” for the government.
The move follows a study earlier this month which warned that the UK risks a second wave of coronavirus infections this winter — set to be twice as large as the initial outbreak — if schools reopen without major improvements to NHS Test and Trace.
Schools in England closed in March except for the children of key workers, and reopened in June for a small number of pupils.
“Keeping our schools closed a moment longer than absolutely necessary is socially intolerable, economically unsustainable and morally indefensible,” Johnson wrote.
The economic costs for parents who cannot work if schools are shut are rising, and the country will face larger problems in future if children miss out on proper education for too long, the Prime Minister warned.
“This pandemic isn’t over, and the last thing any of us can afford to do is become complacent. But now that we know enough to reopen schools to all pupils safely, we have a moral duty to do so,” he wrote.
Johnson is said to have ordered an advertising campaign to ensure schools open on time, the Sunday Times reported.
He told a meeting of ministers last week that restaurants, pubs and shops would close before schools in the event of a second wave.


cityam--2020-08-09--Twitter wades into bidding war for Tiktok's US operations

Twitter is said to have expressed interest in buying Tiktok ’ s US operations , as the short-form video app continues to hold talks with Microsoft about a sale .
However it is far from certain that Twitter would be able to outbid Microsoft , and complete a deal within the 45-day deadline set by US President Donald Trump , two people familiar with the matter told Reuters over the weekend .
Microsoft remains the frontrunner in the bidding process , which is being negotiated with Tiktok ’ s Chinese parent firm Bytedance .
The deal will involve selling off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Canada , Australia and New Zealand as it seeks to avoid a ban of the app on American shores .
Twitter has a market capitalisation of close to $ 30bn , almost as much as the valuation of Tiktok ’ s assets to be divested , and would need to raise additional capital to fund the deal , according to the sources .
Microsoft , on the other hand , had a market value of $ 1.61 trillion on Friday .
Trump on Friday issued executive orders against Tiktok and Chinese messaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with the two apps after 15 September over security fears .
Tiktok has threatened to launch a legal challenge against the order , saying it would “ pursue all remedies available ” to “ ensure the rule of law is not discarded ” .
Read more : Trump issues executive order against Tiktok and Wechat over China links One of Twitter ’ s shareholders , US private equity giant Silver Lake , is interested in helping fund a potential deal , one of the sources added .
Twitter has also privately made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less regulatory scrutiny than Microsoft ’ s , and will not face any pressure from China given that it is not active in that country , the sources said .
Trump has previously hinted that he would force Microsoft to divest from all of its Chinese operations should it take Tiktok on board .
He has also said he expects the US Treasury to receive a “ significant portion ” of the proceeds from a sale , despite there being no precedent for such an arrangement .
Tiktok , Bytedance and Twitter all @ @ @ @

Twitter wades into bidding war for Tiktok’s US operations
Security fears
Twitter is said to have expressed interest in buying Tiktok’s US operations, as the short-form video app continues to hold talks with Microsoft about a sale.
However it is far from certain that Twitter would be able to outbid Microsoft, and complete a deal within the 45-day deadline set by US President Donald Trump, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters over the weekend.
Microsoft remains the frontrunner in the bidding process, which is being negotiated with Tiktok’s Chinese parent firm Bytedance. The deal will involve selling off Tiktok’s operations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as it seeks to avoid a ban of the app on American shores.
Twitter has a market capitalisation of close to $30bn, almost as much as the valuation of Tiktok’s assets to be divested, and would need to raise additional capital to fund the deal, according to the sources.
Microsoft, on the other hand, had a market value of $1.61 trillion on Friday.
Trump on Friday issued executive orders against Tiktok and Chinese messaging app Wechat, banning US companies from working with the two apps after 15 September over security fears.
Tiktok has threatened to launch a legal challenge against the order, saying it would “pursue all remedies available” to “ensure the rule of law is not discarded”.
One of Twitter’s shareholders, US private equity giant Silver Lake, is interested in helping fund a potential deal, one of the sources added.
Twitter has also privately made a case that its bid would face less regulatory scrutiny than Microsoft’s, and will not face any pressure from China given that it is not active in that country, the sources said.
Trump has previously hinted that he would force Microsoft to divest from all of its Chinese operations should it take Tiktok on board. He has also said he expects the US Treasury to receive a “significant portion” of the proceeds from a sale, despite there being no precedent for such an arrangement.
Tiktok, Bytedance and Twitter all declined to comment.


cityam--2020-08-09--Saudi Aramco profit plunges 73.4 per cent as oil market stumbles

Saudi state oil group Aramco today reported a 73.4 per cent fall in second-quarter net profit , a steeper drop than analysts had forecast .
It also said it expected capital expenditure for 2020 to be at the lower end of a $ 25bn to $ 30bn range .
The world ’ s biggest oil exporter said the rapid spread of Covid-19 globally had significantly reduced demand for crude oil , natural gas and petroleum products .
“ We are seeing a partial recovery in the energy market as countries around the world take steps to ease restrictions and reboot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nasser said in a statement .
Net profit fell to 24.6bn riyals ( $ 6.57bn ) for the quarter to 30 June from 92.6bn riyals a year earlier .
Analysts had expected a net profit of 31.3bn riyals in the second quarter , according to the mean estimate from three analysts , provided by Refinitiv .
Aramco is currently the world ’ s second most valuable publicly traded company after Apple which overtook the oil group to take the number one slot in terms of market value earlier this month .
All major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second quarter as lockdowns to contain the coronavirus limited travel , which hurt oil demand and sent oil prices tumbling to levels not seen in nearly two decades .
Read more : BP ready to offload gas and oil assets even if crude prices bounce back Brent crude prices at the end of the second quarter were down 38 per cent from a year earlier , despite an agreement by Opec+ producers to cut oil supply by a record 9.7m barrel per day from May to help to shore up prices and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribute a dividend of $ 18.75bn for the second quarter of this year , in line with its plan to pay a base dividend of $ 75bn for 2020 .
BP earlier this month cut its dividend for the first time in a decade after a record $ 6.7bn second-quarter loss , while Royal Dutch Shell in April cut its dividend for the first time since the Second World War .

Saudi Aramco profit plunges 73.4 per cent as oil market stumbles
Saudi Aramco is the world’s second most valuable company
Saudi state oil group Aramco today reported a 73.4 per cent fall in second-quarter net profit, a steeper drop than analysts had forecast.
It also said it expected capital expenditure for 2020 to be at the lower end of a $25bn to $30bn range.
The world’s biggest oil exporter said the rapid spread of Covid-19 globally had significantly reduced demand for crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products.
“We are seeing a partial recovery in the energy market as countries around the world take steps to ease restrictions and reboot their economies,” chief executive Amin Nasser said in a statement.
Net profit fell to 24.6bn riyals ($6.57bn) for the quarter to 30 June from 92.6bn riyals a year earlier.
Analysts had expected a net profit of 31.3bn riyals in the second quarter, according to the mean estimate from three analysts, provided by Refinitiv.
Aramco is currently the world’s second most valuable publicly traded company after Apple which overtook the oil group to take the number one slot in terms of market value earlier this month.
All major oil companies have taken a hit in the second quarter as lockdowns to contain the coronavirus limited travel, which hurt oil demand and sent oil prices tumbling to levels not seen in nearly two decades.
Brent crude prices at the end of the second quarter were down 38 per cent from a year earlier, despite an agreement by Opec+ producers to cut oil supply by a record 9.7m barrel per day from May to help to shore up prices and curb oversupply.
Aramco said it would distribute a dividend of $18.75bn for the second quarter of this year, in line with its plan to pay a base dividend of $75bn for 2020.
BP earlier this month cut its dividend for the first time in a decade after a record $6.7bn second-quarter loss, while Royal Dutch Shell in April cut its dividend for the first time since the Second World War.


cityam--2020-08-09--Barclays probed by privacy watchdog over reports of spying on staff

Barclays is being investigated by the Information Commissioner ’ s Office ( ICO ) following accusations that it spied on its staff .
The UK ’ s data and privacy watchdog said a formal probe is ongoing , but could not say when it may conclude .
It follows a report by City A.M. earlier this year that Barclays was piloting a system which tracks how employees spend their working hours , monitoring time spent at the desk and toilet breaks .
“ People expect that they can keep their personal lives private and that they are also entitled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” an ICO spokesperson said today .
“ If organisations wish to monitor their employees , they should be clear about its purpose and that it brings real benefits .
Organisations also need to make employees aware of the nature , extent and reasons for any monitoring , ” he added .
The probe was first reported by the Sunday Telegraph .
Late in February , Barclays said it was changing how it used the Sapience software so it would now track only anonymised data , in response to staff feedback and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a breach of privacy .
Sapience gives companies “ insights into work patterns ” and tracks staff productivity by monitoring their computer usage .
Such systems are becoming increasingly common among banks and other financial firms , which use voice recognition and other behaviour-tracking tools to watch for unusual behaviour that could indicate misconduct .
It has also become popular as more of these firms work from home , as companies need new ways to make sure traders are sticking to regulations such as not using personal phones .
In 2017 , Barclays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a system known as Occupeye , which tracked how long people spent at their desks .

Barclays probed by privacy watchdog over reports of spying on staff
Barclays is being investigated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) following accusations that it spied on its staff.
The UK’s data and privacy watchdog said a formal probe is ongoing, but could not say when it may conclude.
It follows a report by City A.M. earlier this year that Barclays was piloting a system which tracks how employees spend their working hours, monitoring time spent at the desk and toilet breaks.
“People expect that they can keep their personal lives private and that they are also entitled to a degree of privacy in the workplace,” an ICO spokesperson said today.
“If organisations wish to monitor their employees, they should be clear about its purpose and that it brings real benefits. Organisations also need to make employees aware of the nature, extent and reasons for any monitoring,” he added.
The probe was first reported by the Sunday Telegraph.
Late in February, Barclays said it was changing how it used the Sapience software so it would now track only anonymised data, in response to staff feedback and media criticism which said the system was a breach of privacy.
Sapience gives companies “insights into work patterns” and tracks staff productivity by monitoring their computer usage.
Such systems are becoming increasingly common among banks and other financial firms, which use voice recognition and other behaviour-tracking tools to watch for unusual behaviour that could indicate misconduct.
It has also become popular as more of these firms work from home, as companies need new ways to make sure traders are sticking to regulations such as not using personal phones.
In 2017, Barclays faced widespread criticism when it rolled out a system known as Occupeye, which tracked how long people spent at their desks.


cityam--2020-08-09--The City View: Nigel Wilson on why it's essential to get people back into offices

In this episode Christian is joined by Nigel Wilson , chief executive of Legal and General , a City institution with more than £1 trillion of assets under management .
Nigel talks about L & G ’ s long-term view and how its investments could shape our recovery and future economic growth , but he also reflects on the immense change that the pandemic has brought to his company , the City and all urban centres .
He remains optimistic about London ’ s future , but says getting people back into offices will be key — even if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days a week .
He says “ our culture will erode ” without the collaboration and creativity that comes from having people work together , and our city centres will suffer without at least a modest return of the office .
Also in this episode , Christian talks about City A.M. ‘ s new ‘ back to the office ’ campaign , which seeks to contribute to a debate about the merits and wisdom of working from home at a time when our business districts are suffering from a catastrophic decline in footfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant that even as London ’ s outer zones return to economic vitality , central London remains eerily quiet as commuters shun public transport and employers struggle to bring people back into offices .
Without a doubt , the pandemic will change the way a lot of us work — almost entirely for the better .
More flexibility and greater personal autonomy will be welcome changes for a lot of people .
But the sudden and near total disappearance of people from our city centres is having a devastating effect on local economies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fabric .
City A.M. believes that employers must start to implement innovative , risk-assessed ways of bringing more people back into central London and Canary Wharf .
People can work one , two or three days at the office without overloading the transport system and without giving up their newly forged relationship with work .
Business groups , City leaders and the mayor of London have all backed our call to save central London , and this can only be achieved if the scenes now evident on the high streets of Clapham , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Zone One .
ETX Capital is one of the UK ’ s leading spread betting and CFD trading providers , offering services to retail , institutional , professional and high net worth customers via an award-winning trading platform .
With over 50 years of experience in the financial markets , customers and service are always put first at ETX , and the company prides itself in offering a tailor-made trading experience to every customer .
The multi-device TraderPro platform delivers a fully customisable , award-winning trading technology with customisable charts , instant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Disclaimer : Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage .
76 % of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting or trading CFDs with ETX .
You should consider whether you understand how spread bets or CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money .
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with Financial Services register number 124721 .
ETX Capital provides an execution-only service and therefore any market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information provided during this webinar is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a personal recommendation or construed as advice .
ETX Capital and the presenter are not financial or investment advisors and do not recommend any instrument of any kind .
Any instruments that are mentioned throughout are cited only for illustrative and educational purposes .

The City View: Nigel Wilson on why it’s essential to get people back into offices
Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS
In this episode Christian is joined by Nigel Wilson, chief executive of Legal and General, a City institution with more than £1 trillion of assets under management. Nigel talks about L&G’s long-term view and how its investments could shape our recovery and future economic growth, but he also reflects on the immense change that the pandemic has brought to his company, the City and all urban centres. He remains optimistic about London’s future, but says getting people back into offices will be key — even if it’s just for two or three days a week. He says “our culture will erode” without the collaboration and creativity that comes from having people work together, and our city centres will suffer without at least a modest return of the office.
Also in this episode, Christian talks about City A.M.‘s new ‘back to the office’ campaign, which seeks to contribute to a debate about the merits and wisdom of working from home at a time when our business districts are suffering from a catastrophic decline in footfall. The effects of the pandemic have meant that even as London’s outer zones return to economic vitality, central London remains eerily quiet as commuters shun public transport and employers struggle to bring people back into offices. Without a doubt, the pandemic will change the way a lot of us work — almost entirely for the better. More flexibility and greater personal autonomy will be welcome changes for a lot of people. But the sudden and near total disappearance of people from our city centres is having a devastating effect on local economies and, over time, our social fabric.
City A.M. believes that employers must start to implement innovative, risk-assessed ways of bringing more people back into central London and Canary Wharf. People can work one, two or three days at the office without overloading the transport system and without giving up their newly forged relationship with work. Business groups, City leaders and the mayor of London have all backed our call to save central London, and this can only be achieved if the scenes now evident on the high streets of Clapham, Hampstead, Chiswick and Greenwich are replicated in Zone One.
In association with ETX Capital
ETX Capital is one of the UK’s leading spread betting and CFD trading providers, offering services to retail, institutional, professional and high net worth customers via an award-winning trading platform. With over 50 years of experience in the financial markets, customers and service are always put first at ETX, and the company prides itself in offering a tailor-made trading experience to every customer. The multi-device TraderPro platform delivers a fully customisable, award-winning trading technology with customisable charts, instant execution and over 5,000 markets to trade.
Disclaimer: Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting or trading CFDs with ETX. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets or CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with Financial Services register number 124721. ETX Capital provides an execution-only service and therefore any market analysis, opinion, commentary or other information provided during this webinar is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a personal recommendation or construed as advice. ETX Capital and the presenter are not financial or investment advisors and do not recommend any instrument of any kind. Any instruments that are mentioned throughout are cited only for illustrative and educational purposes.