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 4

Update #8727 - 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 127,812 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 18 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 5,274 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,499,878 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 39,758,428 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 2 and 26,422,303 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 22,830, as of Thursday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 951.

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

Gloucester - 6,504 cases (increase of nine)

Cheltenham - 3,812 cases (increase of 15)

Stroud - 3,822 cases (increase of one)

Tewkesbury - 2,962 cases (increase of eight)

Forest of Dean - 3,122 cases (increase of two)

Cotswold - 2,608 cases (increase of four)

Thursday, June 3

Update #8726 - 11.59 Footfall still down despite indoor hospitality reopening

Latest figures from analytics at Springboard show that the reopening of indoor hospitality last month failed to boost footfall in town centres across the UK.

The gap between footfall in May 2021 and two years earlier in 2019 grew larger as the month went on, according to Springboard.

Figures were down 25.3 per cent for the first week of May and reached 26.8 per cent below 2019 footfall by the last week of the month.

Data shows that highstreets were worse hit, down 36.3 per cent, followed by shopping centres down 30.3 per cent and retail parks 5.7 per cent.

Springboard said: "The limitations on dining capacity in indoor venues inevitably means that the uplift in footfall generated has been limited; and thirdly most of the increase in footfall has occurred post 5pm when volumes of activity are far lower those than during retail trading hours." 

Update #8725 - 10.23 ITV returns to FTSE 100

Broadcaster ITV has been moved up to the FTSE 100 in the quarterly review of stock indexes.

FTSE Russell, the global index provider, confirmed the change on Wednesday and also added that Gloucestershire-based engineering giant Renishaw will move down to the FTSE 250 as a result.

ITV had originally left the FTSE 100 in September after its shares sell over advertising revenue concerns and the increasing popularity of streaming platforms during the pandemic.

The changes will be implemented at close of business on June 18.

Update #8724 - 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 127,794 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is an increase of 12 on the previous day's figures.

Across the UK, 4,330 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,494,699 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 39,585,665 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of June 1 and 26,073,284 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 22,789, as of Wednesday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 951.

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

Gloucester - 6,493 cases (increase of 10)

Cheltenham - 3,797 cases (increase of five)

Stroud - 3,821 cases (increase of two)

Tewkesbury - 2,954 cases (increase of four)

Forest of Dean - 3,120 cases (increase of six)

Cotswold - 2,604 cases (increase of four)

Wednesday, June 2

Update #8723 - 12.15 Shop prices fall again

Shop prices fell in May, but it was a slower decline than in April.

They were down by 0.6% year-on-year, compared with 1.3% in April, with price rises looming on the horizon.

The figures are from the monthly BRC-NielsenIQ shop price index.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive, British Retail Consortium said: "It was another good month for consumers looking for bargains as prices fell again, albeit at a slower pace than last month.

However, she warned, cost pressures are bearing down, and global food prices are currently at their highest in seven years, with shipping costs having risen threefold since 2019, and commodity prices are also climbing.

Shoppers are likely to feel the effects of these costs in the Autumn.

Update #8722 - 10.28 Sales boom continues at Wickes

DIY retailer Wickes has recorded a sales rise for the six months to May 22, as Brits continued with home renovation projects during the coronavirus lockdowns.

The business said like-for-like growth of 46 per cent when compared to the same period the year before.

It now forecasts its full year pre-tax profit to come in at the top of analysts predictions.

Chief executive David Wood said: "At Wickes, we are here to help the nation feel house proud, and I am delighted with how the entire business has responded to the continued strong demand for our products and services.

"Availability constraints and inflationary pressures across some raw materials have been well-flagged, but we have strong supplier relationships and are working closely with them to ensure we continue to provide customers with the products they need at the best possible value."

Update #8721 - 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 127,782 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

This is no increase on the previous day's figures, for the first time in 10 months.

Across the UK, 3,165 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,490,438 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 39,477,158 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of May 30 and 25,734,719 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 22,758, as of Tuesday afternoon.

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

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

Gloucester - 6,483 cases (increase of eight)

Cheltenham - 3,792 cases (increase of eight)

Stroud - 3,819 cases (increase of one)

Tewkesbury - 2,950 cases (increase of two)

Forest of Dean - 3,114 cases (increase of two)

Cotswold - 2,600 cases (no change)

Tuesday, June 1

Update #8220 - 10.20 Domino's Pizza recruits 5,000 staff

Domino's Pizza is recruiting for staff to replace those returning to their old jobs as Covid restrictions ease.

The fast-food company needs cooks and delivery drivers but the recruitment drive comes at a time when the hospitality sector is struggling to fill thousands of vacancies.

Domino's operations director Nicola Frampton said: "I'm proud we were able to play a part by offering people the opportunity to continue working and earning when times were tough.

"But as people start to reunite, customer demand is showing no signs of slowing and so we're now looking for 5,000 new recruits."

Update #8719 - 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 127,782 - which includes those in care homes, hospitals and in the community.

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

Across the UK, 3,383 people have tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hour period and 4,487,339 since the outbreak began.

But on a more positive note, 39,379,411 people have now received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of May 30 and 25,537,133 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 22,738, as of Monday afternoon.

The total number of deaths in Gloucestershire within 28 days of a positive test remains at 951.

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

Gloucester - 6,475 cases

Cheltenham - 3,784 cases

Stroud - 3,818 cases

Tewkesbury - 2,948 cases

Forest of Dean - 3,112 cases

Cotswold - 2,601 cases