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, May 14

Update #8686 - 14.14 Currys take away familiar names in rebranding

Dixons, Carphone Warehouse and PC World brands are to disappear after a rebranding which will bring them under the Currys name.

More than 300 stores, which also included the Team Knowhow brand, will be named Currys with a new website and parent company Dixons Carphone changing its name to Currys plc from September.

The move follows reports from Sky News that Sir Charles Dunstone, who co-founded Carphone Warehouse in 1989, had sold his remaining stake in the company.

Update #8685 - 12.38 Amazon announces 10,000 new permanent jobs in the UK

Ecommerce giant Amazon has announced that it will create more than 10,000 new permanent jobs in 2021, taking its total UK workforce to more than 55,000 people by the end of year.

The 10,000 new permanent jobs Amazon will create in the UK this year will include roles at its corporate offices, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and operations network.

Amazon said corporate roles will be available in offices in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cambridge across a wide range of fields including fashion, digital marketing, engineering, video production, software development, cloud computing, AI and machine learning, and more.

Business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: "Amazon's announcement today is fantastic news and a huge vote of confidence in the British economy, helping us deliver on our commitment to level up across the UK with a whopping 10,000 new permanent jobs. As we build back better from the pandemic, this is a prime investment in our retail sector."

Update #8684 - 11.54 Gloucester Tesco stores to hold extra summer Food Collection

Supermarket chain Tesco is holding an extra Food Collection in its Gloucester stores to support children and families this summer.

The collection will take place in Gloucester's large Tesco stores from July 15 to 17 and in Express stores from July 12 to August 28, with customers urged to donate long-life food to the Trussell Trust and FareShare to help them in their vital work to support families in need.

Tesco said that it will also be topping up all customer donations with a 20 per cent cash donation to the two charities. 

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Update #8683 - 11.18 Airbnb expects travel rebound

Online travel booking platform Airbnb has said it is expecting a rebound in travel and holidays, after seeing a large jump in bookings.

The business said demand for breaks had risen "unlike anything we have seen before", as countries are released from lockdown.

Booking values jumped 52 per cent to $10.3bn (£7.3bn) for the first three months of the year, with revenues rising to $886.9m. However, it did report a net loss of $59m due to covid-related costs.

Airbnb co-founder and chief executive Brian Chesky said: "While conditions aren't yet normal, they are improving, and we expect a travel rebound unlike anything we have seen before." 

Update #8682 - 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 127,651 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 11 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 2,657 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,444,631 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 35,906,671 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of May 12 and 18,890,969 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 22,615, as of Thursday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 952.

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

Gloucester - 6,409 cases (increase of two)

Cheltenham - 3,779 cases (no change)

Stroud - 3,803 cases (increase of eight)

Tewkesbury - 2,937 cases (no change)

Forest of Dean - 3,104 cases (increase of one)

Cotswold - 2,583 cases (increase of one)

Thursday, May 13

Update #8681 - 12.40 Edinburgh Woollen Mill to buy cancelled stock from suppliers

The new owners of Edinburgh Woollen Mill have reportedly told suppliers that it will purchase cancelled orders that are ready to be shipped.

EWM Group, which owns Edinburgh Woollen Mill as well as Peacocks, Jaeger, Bonmarché, collapsed into administration last year.

It's retailers were eventually bought back by an investment group, headed up by EWM's former chief operating officer Steve Simpson.

The Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh is said to have written to the group earlier this week to ask for money owed for clothing goods cancelled in March 2020.

And the new owner's responded to the request, stating that they will "take the stock that sits in Bangladesh factories that is finished and ready to ship. We are also of the understanding that they have credit facilities in place, ready to transact." 

Update #8680 - 11.19 BT expand full-fibre rollout programme

BT said plans to supply full-fibre broadband to five million more homes will create up to 7,000 jobs.

And it said a £15billion investment would bring forward the deadline to complete the rollout to 25 million homes by 2026.

The broadband and mobile provider reported a 23 per cent fall in pre-tax profit for the past year to £1.8billion with revenue dropping seven per cent to £21.3billion.

Update #8679 - 11.17 Premier League TV deals renewed

The Premier League has renewed its deal with broadcasters for the next three years without going through an extended tender progress.

The deal for live and non-live football has been renewed with Sky, BT, Amazon and the BBC until the end of the 2024/25 season.

It is believed to be in the region of £5.1billion with the Premier League clearing the lack of an extended progress with the Government due to the impact of the pandemic.

Update #8678 - 11.09 Carluccio's to appear in some Sainsbury's stores

Carluccio's and Sainsbury's are teaming up to test out three new in-store concepts for the first time.

It's first format will be a coffee shop in Sainsbury's St Albans superstore, offering customers eat-in as well as takeaway options.

The 900 square foot coffee shop will have space for up to 45 customers to sit and enjoy the brand's drinks, all-day breakfast foods and light-bites, including ciabatta sandwiches, toasties, filled croissants and pastries.

A Carluccio's Counter will also launch in June in the Sainsbury's Leamington Spa superstore, offering deli products and pizza. The third concept being trialled is the Restaurant Hub, which will open in July at the Sainsbury's Selly Oak superstore.

Rhian Bartlett, food commercial director at Sainsbury's, said: "We're testing these new offers as part of our plan to put food back at the heart of Sainsbury's - bringing even more innovative and delicious food and drink to our stores." 

Update #8677 - 08.35 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 127,640 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 11 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 2,284 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,441,975 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 35,722,461 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of May 11 and 18,438,532 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 22,603, as of Wednesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 952.

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

Gloucester - 6,407 cases (no change)

Cheltenham - 3,779 cases (increase of four)

Stroud - 3,795 cases (increase of three)

Tewkesbury - 2,937 cases (no change)

Forest of Dean - 3,103 cases (increase of three)

Cotswold - 2,582 cases (no change)

Wednesday, May 12

Update #8676 - 12.04 Selfridges granted weddings licence

Have you ever imagined hosting your big day inside a department store? Well now you can.

Selfridges Oxford Street store in London has created a wedding suite in its fourth floor, and now they have been granted a licence to host ceremonies.

It is hoped alternative venues like these will help to clear the backlog of weddings caused as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Selfridges director of events and customer experiences Rebecca Warburton, said: "Bringing together some of our amazing experiences, we can't wait to create custom packages in celebration of people's love for each other." 

Update #8675 - 10.53 UK economy falls amid signs of life

The UK economy is showing signs of recovery despite shrinking by 1.5 per cent in the first three months of 2021.

Official figures from the Office for National Statistics show GDP has contracted by 8.7 per cent on pre-pandemic levels.

But after a 2.5 per cent fall in January, it rose by 0.7 per cent in February and 2.1 per cent in March - the highest monthly growth since August.

Earlier this month, the Bank of England predicted the fastest growth in the economy for more than 70 years as restrictions are removed.

Read more

Update #8674 - 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 127,629 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 20 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 2,474 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,439,691 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 35,587,348 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of May 10 and 18,088,385 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 22,593, as of Tuesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 952.

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

Gloucester - 6,407 cases (increase of two)

Cheltenham - 3,775 cases (increase of one)

Stroud - 3,792 cases (increase of five)

Tewkesbury - 2,937 cases (increase of one)

Forest of Dean - 3,100 cases (no change)

Cotswold - 2,582 cases (increase of two) 

Tuesday, May 11 

Update #8673 - 10.38 Royal Mail launches drones to carry Covid essentials

Royal Mail has launched a landmark government-funded drone delivery trial, delivering PPE and Covid testing kits to the Isles of Scilly, more than 70 miles out to sea.

It is the first UK parcel delivery carrier to deliver mail via unmanned drone, as reported by Charged Retail.

If successful, Royal Mail will consider expanding the technology to deliver parcels to remote and hard to access areas across the UK.

The twin-engine unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is capable of crossing from Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly in adverse weather conditions. The Royal Mail will also test a smaller vertical take-off drone to fly parcels between the islands.

Update #8672 - 10.33 Government sells share in Natwest

Natwest has moved a step closer to reprivatisation, with the government set to sell another five per cent of the bank.

UK Government Investments, which manages the Treasury's stake in the bank, said it would sell around 580m shares to investors this week, as reported by Mail Online.

The government took an 84.4 per cent share in the bank with a £45.5 billion bailout during the financial crisis of 2007-2009. 

The Treasury began reducing its stake in 2015.The public purse has taken a hammering during the pandemic and this latest sale top it up by around £1.1billion, reducing the Treasury's stake in the bank from 59.8 per cent to 54.8 per cent.

Update #8671 - 10.29  Fifty million pieces of plastic scrapped from beers and ciders at Tesco

Tesco has been revealed as the first major retailer to scrap soft plastic rings and shrink wrap packaging from all beers and ciders in its UK stores.

The business said the move, in partnership with the drink makers, will lead to 50 million fewer pieces of unrecycled plastic being produced each year.

The plastic rings are reviled by environmental groups and those with a green conscience as they can contribute to our oceans being choked up and also endanger wildlife such as birds and turtles.

Tesco will stop receiving beer and ciders that are held together by soft plastic rings and shrink wraps in early May and expects to sell through the last remaining stock in the coming weeks.

Tesco quality director Sarah Bradbury said: "We are working hand in hand with some of the world's biggest brands to tackle the problem of unnecessary plastic. Our mission is to remove, reduce, reuse and recycle so we use as little material as possible and ensure that all the packaging in our stores can be easily recycled."

Update #8670 - 09.55 Pret to launch in Tesco

Pret a Manger is set to open stores in Tesco supermarkets to broaden its appeal and help rebuild following the pandemic.

The trial partnership will launch next month at Tesco in Kensington, West London, with another four planned for later in the summer, as reported by Retail Gazette.

The sites will be run by Pret itself rather than Tesco and serve food freshly prepared on-site, as well as coffee prepared by baristas.

Pret was hit particularly hard by Covid-19, as it relies heavily on trade from commuters into London.

Update #8669 - 08.40 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 127,609 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

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

Across the UK, 2,357 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,437,217 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 35,472,295 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of May 3 and 17,856,550 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 22,582, as of Monday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 952.

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

Gloucester - 6,405 cases (increase of one)

Cheltenham - 3,774 cases (increase of one)

Stroud - 3,787 cases (increase of three)

Tewkesbury - 2,936 cases (increase of one)

Forest of Dean - 3,100 cases (no change)

Cotswold - 2,580 cases (increase of one)

Monday, May 10 

Update #8668 - 12.44 Wendy's plans return to the UK

American burger chain Wendy's has announced its proposed return to the UK after more than 20 years.

Setting its sights on stealing a market share from rivals McDonald's and Burger King, Wendy's plans to open 400 outlets nationwide creating more than 12,000 jobs.

A statement said: "The UK launch will spearhead a European-wide expansion as Wendy's looks to build on strong growth on the other side of the Atlantic, where the brand last year dethroned Burger King to become the No 2 player in the US hamburger market."

The first Wendy's will open next month in Reading, followed by Stratford and Oxford.

Update #8667 - 11.16 Greggs in line to return to pre-pandemic sales

Bakery chain Greggs is on course to return to normal profits this year.

Greggs revealed like-for-like sales in the eight weeks to May 8 were just 3.9 per cent lower than in the same period in 2019.

The sausage roll maker said profits could soon return to pre-pandemic levels as sales have risen strongly since the reopening of essential retailers last month.

READ MORE 

Update #8666 - 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 127,605 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

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

Across the UK, 1,770 people have tested positive for the virus over the last 24 hours and 4,434,860 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 35,371,669 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of May 8 and 17,669,379 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 22,575 as of Sunday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test sits at 952.

Cases are split across the following regions:

Gloucester - 6,404 cases

Cheltenham - 3,773 cases

Stroud - 3,784 cases

Tewkesbury - 2,935 cases

Forest of Dean - 3,100 cases

Cotswold - 2,579 cases