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Gloucestershire Business News

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: The latest news from across Gloucestershire on Friday, June 25

The ongoing coronavirus situation is changing by the hour with announcements being made about businesses and services that are being forced to adapt and change.

Punchline is committed to trying to keep you up to date with all the news that matters to you and your business.

Our team will update this story throughout the day, to ensure the latest important developments can be found in one - clickbait free - place.

If you or your business has any news, views or advice to share with the Gloucestershire business community, get in touch with Punchline team at news@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk.

Friday, June 25

Update #8775 - 10.33 Poundland sales rise despite pandemic

Poundland and its European sister firm Dealz saw like-for-like sales increase by 1.4 per cent in the six months to 31st March.

While most Poundland stores stayed open during lockdown, the company said that some shoppers were nervous of going to high streets and shopping centres where they felt the risk of infection was higher.

Owner Pepco said it is confident for the future of the retailer, which has stores in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester, Stroud and Tewkesbury, saying that discounting always thrives following an economic crisis.

Read more. 

Update #8774 - 08.27 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 128,048 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 21 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 16,703 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,684,572 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 43,656,327 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 23 and 31,908,103 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic sits at 24,624, as of Thursday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 922.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 7,002 cases (increase of 51)

Cheltenham - 4,279 cases (increase of 54)

Stroud - 4,020 cases (increase of 20)

Tewkesbury - 3,279 cases (increase of 53)

Forest of Dean - 3,239 cases (increase of six)

Cotswold - 2,752 cases (increase of 13)

Thursday, June 24

Update #8773 - 12.30 Jojo Maman Bébé "severely damaged by the pandemic lockdowns"

Maternity wear and baby clothing retailer Jojo Maman Bébé has revealed a loss in its latest financial results, blamed on the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Founded in 1993, the business has 90 stores across the UK including one at Stroud's Five Valleys Shopping Centre and one on Regent Street in Cheltenham.

Despite online sales increasing 29 per cent in the year to 30th June 2020, total sales at JoJo Maman Bébé dropped 6.9 per cent to £62.3 million.

READ MORE 

Update #8772 - 08.29 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 128,027 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 19 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 16,135 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,667,870 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 43,448,680 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 22 and 31,740,115 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic sits at 24,427, as of Wednesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 922.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,951 cases (increase of 54)

Cheltenham - 4,225 cases (increase of 45)

Stroud - 4,000 cases (increase of 14)

Tewkesbury - 3,279 cases (increase of 35)

Forest of Dean - 3,233 cases (increase of eight)

Cotswold - 2,739 cases (increase of 12)

Wednesday, June 23

Update #8771 - 12.45 Travel industry puts pressure on Government

Travel agents, pilots, tour operators and cabin crew are among the thousands of people joining a 'speak up for travel' campaign, as part of the Travel Day of Action, to put pressure on the Government to reopen travel for the summer season.

Data from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) estimates that as many as 195,000 jobs have been lost or are at risk within the travel industry.

The industry says the Government has failed to deliver a restart to international travel as promised. In contrast, other countries are forging ahead with pragmatic, risk-based schemes that allow safe travel.

The action comes as travel giants TUI joined British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Ryan Air in suing the government over its Covid traffic light travel system.

Update #8770 - 12.40 Government's 'cautious' approach to money owed

The Government will take a "cautious approach" towards firms that owe it money following the Covid pandemic.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, writing to the Institute of Directors, said enforcing insolvency would remain a last resort, the BBC reports.

The business secretary wrote that he recognised the path back to full trading and coming off government support "will be difficult for many companies".

Mr Kwarteng said HMRC would take a "cautious approach to enforcement of debt owed to government" which has been accrued during the pandemic, "including from the number of loans and support schemes given".

Update #8769 - 12.35 Supermarket sales fall from peak

Supermarket sales have fallen from the peak of a year ago, but online grocery deliveries are holding up, new data shows.

And shoppers are returning to some of their old habits, like making more trips to the supermarket and buying less, according to analysts Kantar.

Grocery sales to instore shoppers fell 1.6 per cent in the 12 weeks to 13th June compared to the same period last year in the early stages of the Covid pandemic.

But they remain £3.3billion higher than the same period in 2019. Online sales, which rocketed last year, continued to rise but only by 0.2 per cent.

Update #8768 - 08.30 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 128,008 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 27 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 11,625 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,651,988 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 43,148,843 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 21 and 31,489,240 have received their second dose*.

*No update to England vaccinations. Following an IT issue reported to the NHS on June 21, it has not been possible to update vaccination figures for England. UK totals only include updates from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic sits at 24,259, as of Tuesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 922.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,897 cases (increase of 25)

Cheltenham - 4,180 cases (increase of 41)

Stroud - 3,986 cases (increase of nine)

Tewkesbury - 3,244 cases (increase of 26)

Forest of Dean - 3,225 cases (increase of eight)

Cotswold - 2,727 cases (increase of seven)

Tuesday, June 22

Update #8767 - 12.00 Scramble for Wimbledon tickets causes dismay

Dozens of angry tennis fans say they've been cheated after tickets for Wimbledon, bought online, were cancelled, the BBC reports.

Angry customers took to Twitter to complain after Ticketmaster cancelled the purchases because they were made using the same credit card.

Fans say neither the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) which runs the Wimbledon tournament, nor Ticketmaster, the platform which operates the ticket sales, made it clear that they would crosscheck use of the same credit card.

The AELTC said the rule was stated in 'multiple locations'.

There is always strong demand for Wimbledon tickets, but competition is higher than ever this year as Covid restrictions mean reduced crowds.

Update #8766 - 10.34 Government borrowing drops in May

Data shows that government borrowing fell in May, when compared to the same period last year.

Official figures show the difference between spending and tax income was £24.3bn for the month, which is £19.4bn lower than in May 2020.

This is said to be the second highest May figure since records began.

The Office for National Statistics said it estimates that the government borrowed £299.2bn in the financial year to March, and that the cost of measures to support individuals and businesses during the pandemic rose by £204.2bn to £942.6bn last year.

Update #8765 - 08.25 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 127,981 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of five on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 10,633 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,640,507 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 43,127,763 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 20 and 31,449,915 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic sits at 24,143, as of Monday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test are 922*.

*Gov.uk - Some deaths previously reported in England have been reallocated to different resident local authorities. Total deaths for England are unaffected, but some local authorities and regions will show inaccurate daily reported numbers because of this change.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,872 cases (increase of 24)

Cheltenham - 4,139 cases (increase of 29)

Stroud - 3,977 cases (increase of 13)

Tewkesbury - 3,218 cases (increase of 36)

Forest of Dean - 3,217 cases (increase of four)

Cotswold - 2,720 cases (increase of 17)

Monday, June 21

Update #8764 - 12.45 Ecomony accelarates as recovery takes hold

The UK economy surged ahead last month as tourism and recreation led the way.

Eleven of the 14 sectors in the latest Lloyds Bank UK Recovery Tracker reported faster output growth during May, as the UK moved further out of lockdown.Transport also reported a sharp rise in output growth month-on-month.

Both sectors benefited from a release of pent-up consumer demand and domestic travel resuming during May.

Jeavon Lolay, the head of economics and market insight for commercial banking at Lloyds Bank, said: "Whether the four-week delay to further easing of restrictions will impact this trend is unclear. But while the delay is understandably disappointing for many businesses, there's no denying that the economy is now on a much sounder footing."

Update #8763 - 12.35 Hiring crisis continues for hospitality

Staff shortages in hospitality have been 'exacerbated' by Boris Johnson's end-of-lockdown 'betrayal', The Mail writes today, quoting industry leaders.

As previously reported by Punchline Gloucester, restaurants, bars and hotels are facing a hiring crisis, just as the High Street comes back to life and diners start eating out.

According to The Mail report, some eating places are shutting at lunchtime to give workers a break, while others are offering £1,000 sign-on bonuses to new recruits.

As many as 600,000 hospitality positions disappeared during the pandemic, and the rapid recovery has led to a hiring spree.

Industry groups say there is a shortfall of about 188,000 workers, with the shortage of front-of-house staff and chefs being 'particularly acute'.

Update #8762  - 12.30 New rail tickets for homeworking trend

New flexible rail tickets have been introduced from today, aimed at homeworkers who travel less frequently.

The new tickets can be used on eight days in any month-long period.

New flexible season tickets will be introduced separately and can be used from 28th June.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the new tickets would offer "greater freedom" and a "fairer fare".

But Tony Miles, of Modern Railways magazine, told BBC's Today programme these were essentially bulk buy tickets as opposed to a season ticket which gives unlimited travel.

Update #8761 - 08.30 Latest coronavirus figures for the UK and Gloucestershire

The latest data for coronavirus cases and deaths of patients with COVID-19 were released yesterday by the Government's department of health and social care and NHS England.

Updated UK figures show the total number of deaths within 28 days of positive test rose to 127,976 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of six on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 9,284 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,630,040 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 42,964,013 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 19 and 31,340,507 have received their second dose.

Latest Public Health England figures show that the total number of cases within the county since the start of the pandemic sits at 24,020, as of Sunday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test are 922*.

*Gov.uk - Some deaths previously reported in England have been reallocated to different resident local authorities. Total deaths for England are unaffected, but some local authorities and regions will show inaccurate daily reported numbers because of this change.

Cases for the latest 24 hour period are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,848 cases

Cheltenham - 4,110 cases

Stroud - 3,964 cases

Tewkesbury - 3,182 cases

Forest of Dean - 3,213 cases

Cotswold - 2,703 cases 

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