By: Jennifer Sieg

SME Correspondent Jennifer Sieg is an SME correspondent and editor of Ambition A.M., City A.M.'s weekly newsletter for all things entrepreneurship. She is also the host of Founder Favourites podcast, interviewing some of the UK's most interesting and up-and-coming founders. Email: jennifer.sieg@cityam.com

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UK nightclubs are ‘more concerned now than during the pandemic’

Business

The UK’s nightclub sector has been hit with an alarming decline in activity as it continues to battle “unsustainable” cost pressures following the Autumn Budget’s tax hikes. Fresh figures from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) have today revealed there has been a 32.7 per cent decline in activity since 2020 amid what is seen [...]
Start-up boom or doom? How this year could spark the UK’s business appetite

For many, the new year is a time to celebrate leaving the stress of our past behind – kickstarting a number of resolutions designed to spark a sense of optimism in the months ahead. But that sense of hopefulness can only last for so long when the dreaded sense of reality soon finds its way [...]
Greggs: Sausage roll-maker passes two milestones despite ‘subdued’ footfall

Retail

Greggs reported a record-breaking year in 2024 as the sausage-roll maker surpassed two key milestones, but warned on headwinds in 2025 after “subdued” footfall. In an update to markets today, the high street bakery reported an 11.2 per cent uptick in total sales, which sprung the company upwards of its sales milestone of £2bn. However, [...]

The femtech revolution is just getting started – but who are the real winners?

January 9, 2025

What is so revolutionary about femtech? A once-niche term that, since coined by entrepreneur Ida Tin in 2016, has become synonymous with the future of healthcare and technology. The concept quickly struck a chord with the broader healthtech landscape, tapping into an underserved market for women’s health. The industry has witnessed exponential growth over the [...]
B&M: Festive season of bargain shopping helps ‘undistracted’ value retailer

January 9, 2025

Value retailer B&M Bargains reported strong revenue growth throughout the golden quarter as consumers sought out low-discount options to meet their festive shopping needs. However, the caution imposed by a challenging environment ahead for the retail sector due to tax hikes and employment costs caused B&M shares to fall by 8.5 per cent today. In [...]
Mamas & Papas: Nursery brand reveals latest expansion amid record sales

January 8, 2025

The festive season provided yet another boost in sales for high street nursery brand Mamas & Papas following a bumper year of trade thanks to the success of its deals with M&S and Next. The Huddersfield-headquartered firm today reported record sales during this year’s Golden Quarter, especially within its UK and overseas markets. It said [...]
Hornby: Mike Ashley-advised toy train giant steams ahead after festive boost

January 8, 2025

Hornby, the international toy company advised by billionaire Frasers Group founder Mike Ashley, reported a boost in sales thanks to a bumper festive season and first-time customer attraction. The international models and collectables group told markets today it witnessed a seven per cent surge in group sales for the third quarter ended 31 December. Group sales for [...]
Lucky Saint founder: Don’t let ‘Dry January’ dull Britain’s pub culture

January 6, 2025

It is no secret that pub culture has long-been deeply ingrained into the social structure of Britain. That said, you’d be forgiven for assuming your latest Dry January drinking hiatus might result in a hiatus from socialising at your favourite local pub. Alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint, however, has launched a new nationwide campaign to [...]
Small firms slash jobs on fears of employment rights bill

January 6, 2025

An alarming number of businesses have become increasingly concerned about the future of the UK’s workforce under the new Labour government’s employment reforms. A fresh survey of 1,270 small employers by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has revealed over 90 per cent are worried about the implications of the Employment Rights Bill. A majority [...]
Why Dry January is just another month for this alcohol-free beer brand

January 3, 2025

Highlighting a year of growth, we take a look at some of the biggest and most recent achievements of the rapidly-growing alcohol-free beer brand, Days Brewing. Two friends, one pandemic and a few cold (alcohol-free) beers later – a long-lasting business was created. In 2020, former AB InBev man Mike Gammell and ex-Propercorn marketing chief [...]

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Premiership run-in: Saints and Bath will impact top four

Here We Are, National Theatre, review: Stephen Sondheim musical is more Severance than sing-a-long

By: Jennifer Sieg

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