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Thursday 30th September 2021
Scottish vaccine passport appeal fails, apprenticeship deadline looms
Appeal by Scottish nightclub owners to halt government’s covid vaccine scheme fails: A bid by nightclub bosses in Scotland to derail the government’s vaccine certificate roll-out has been rejected. A judge has turned down a request fo … view
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Thursday 30th September 2021
Judge dismisses challenge to Caffe Nero restructuring plans
Judge dismisses challenge to Caffe Nero restructuring plans: A High Court judge has dismissed a landlord-backed challenge to the restructuring of Caffe Nero after finding that there was no clear route for postponing an electronic vote on … view
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Thursday 30th September 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Distefano – this is one of the most difficult times operationally the business has faced: Marcello Distefano, managing director of San Carlo Restaurant Group, the north west-based operator, has told Propel that operationally this is one … view
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Wednesday 29th September 2021
Exclusive – RedCat buys seven sites from Dominion Hospitality, global promotion for KFC’s UK COO
Exclusive – RedCat Pub Company buys seven sites from Dominion Hospitality: RedCat Pub Company, the new investment vehicle from ex-Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand, has acquired seven sites from Dominion Hospitality, which owns a … view
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Wednesday 29th September 2021
Government launches ‘Avengers Assemble’ hospitality council
Government launches ‘Avengers Assemble’ hospitality council: The government has formed a new hospitality council to help guide the recovery of the sector after the heavy toll of the pandemic. Business minister Paul Scully has announce … view
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Wednesday 29th September 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Industry bosses renew call for Scottish covid passport scheme to be scrapped as two-week grace period announced: Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has faced renewed calls from industry bosses to scrap Scotland’s vaccine passport s … view
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Tuesday 28th September 2021
70 sector leaders tell government – we’re facing a staffing crisis
70 sector leaders tell government – we’re facing a staffing crisis: Nearly 70 leading hospitality sector figures, including serial sector investor Richard Caring, Soho House founder Nick Jones, and Jeremy King, co-founder of Corbin & … view
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Tuesday 28th September 2021
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Exclusive – St Austell ‘well on the way’ to recovering to pre-pandemic levels: Cornwall-based St Austell Brewery is “well on the way” to recovering to pre-pandemic levels, Propel has learned. The independent brewer and pub opera … view
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Monday 27th September 2021
EG Group becomes Western Europe's largest KFC franchisee as it acquires Amsric Group’s 52-strong UK portfolio
EG Group becomes Western Europe's largest KFC franchisee as it acquires Amsric Group’s 52-strong UK portfolio: Forecourt and roadside operator EG Group has acquired 52 KFC UK restaurants from Amsric Group. The acquired network, across … view
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Monday 27th September 2021
Grant Thornton fined £4m over Patisserie Valerie audit failures year after year
Grant Thornton fined £4m over Patisserie Valerie audit failures year after year: Accountancy firm Grant Thornton has been handed a £4m fine from the Financial Reporting Council, while sanctions have been imposed against audit engagement part … view
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Monday 27th September 2021
Tasty reduces losses and hails ‘supportive’ landlords
Tasty reduces losses and hails ‘supportive’ landlords: Wildwood operator Tasty has reported revenue £11.6m (2020: £8.7m) for the 26 weeks ended 27 June, an increase of 33%. Loss after tax for the period was £2.7m (28 June 2020: los … view
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Monday 27th September 2021
Propel Monday News Briefing
German fast-food to go brand Extrawurst to launch in UK, appoints Sam Shutt as UK CEO: Extrawurst, one of the leading German bratwurst fast-food to go brands, is to launch in the UK, Propel has learned. The brand, which has more than 30 s … view
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Sunday 26th September 2021
Weekend leisure stories and restaurant reviews
Pub chiefs have warned WHO plan for target to cut drinking by 20% will hit jobs: Pub bosses have slammed an ‘arbitrary’ World Health Organisation plan to slash alcohol consumption by a fifth – warning it would cost tens of thousands … view
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Friday 24th September 2021
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Hospitality now has a seat at the top table but there’s much more to do, the age of uncertainty, Indian restaurants spicing up the market once again
Authors: Steve Richards, Paul Chase, Glynn Davis
< … view
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Friday 24th September 2021
Tortilla to float with plan to add 45 sites in five years
Tortilla to float with plan to add 45 sites in five years: Tortilla, the largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant group in the UK, is to float on AIM (Alternative Investment Market). The company has 62 sites worldwide, comprising 50 sites i … view
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Friday 24th September 2021
Propel Friday News Briefing
Connell – we could look back at the next few months as one of best times to invest in the sector: Darrell Connell, partner at sector investor Imbiba, which backs operators including Farmer J, Vagabond and Darwin & Wallace, has said if b … view
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Friday 24th September 2021
All tips to go to staff as government plans overhaul of tipping practices, Popeyes UK reveals debut site
All tips to go to staff as government plans overhaul of tipping practices: All tips will go to staff under new plans to overhaul tipping practices set out by the government today (Friday, 24 September). Most hospitality workers – many o … view
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Thursday 23rd September 2021
Trading updates from M&B, Fuller’s, City Pub Company and Everyman
Mitchells & Butlers reports sales have strengthened: Mitchells & Butlers has reported that sales have been volatile since re-opening but have generally strengthened, particularly since the easing of restrictions on ‘Freedom Day’ in En … view
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Thursday 23rd September 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
More than three quarters of hospitality businesses to put up prices in face of rising costs: More than three quarters (76%) of hospitality business leaders have said they will have no choice but to pass rising costs on to consumers by inc … view
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Thursday 23rd September 2021
More than three quarters of hospitality businesses to put up prices in face of rising costs
More than three quarters of hospitality businesses to put up prices in face of rising costs: More than three quarters (76%) of hospitality business leaders have said they will have no choice but to pass rising costs on to consumers by increasi … view
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Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Industry bosses blast Scottish government with pubs and bars as well as nightclubs set to be hit by covid passport scheme: UKHospitality has blasted Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s definition of a nightclub in her covid update … view
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Wednesday 22nd September 2021
Pret sets out plan to double size of business within five years backed by new £100m investment
Pret sets out plan to double size of business within five years backed by new £100m investment: Pret A Manger has set out plans to double the size of its business within the next five years, backed by a new £100m net investment from cur … view
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Tuesday 21st September 2021
Exclusive: I am Doner to make international debut as it signs multi-site franchise deal in UAE
Exclusive – I am Doner to make international debut as it signs multi-site franchise deal in UAE: I am Doner, the award-winning better kebab brand backed by Think Hospitality, has signed a multi-site franchise deal to take the brand to t … view
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Tuesday 21st September 2021
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Wilks – huge growth for competitive socialising will be in the family environment: The huge growth in the competitive socialising category will come from the family environment and opening of more “big box” concepts, Tim Wilks, foun … view
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Monday 20th September 2021
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Monday 20th September 2021
Propel Monday News Briefing
Prezzo announces 4% average pay rise for restaurant workers and Boxing Day closing: Prezzo, the Cain International-backed restaurant chain, will give all its 2,500 restaurant workers a pay rise in October. From next month, team members’ … view
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Monday 20th September 2021
Prezzo announces 4% average pay rise for restaurant workers and Boxing Day closing
Prezzo announces 4% average pay rise for restaurant workers and Boxing Day closing: Prezzo, the Cain International-backed restaurant chain, will give all its 2,500 restaurant workers a pay rise in October. From next month, team members’ wage … view
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Sunday 19th September 2021
Weekend leisure stories and restaurant reviews
Bar and restaurant owners will be stopped from keeping staff tips under new laws: Bar and restaurant owners will be stopped from keeping tips intended for staff under new laws. Workers will become legally entitled to receive 100% of the p … view
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Friday 17th September 2021
Exclusive – Pret to give 5% pay rise to its 6,200 shop staff
Exclusive – Pret to give 5% pay rise to its 6,200 shop staff: Pret A Manger, the JAB Holdings-backed business, is to give its circa 6,200 shop staff a 5% pay increase from next month, Propel has learned. In an internal email from Pret … view
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Friday 17th September 2021
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Supply chain problems could have positive impact on F&B industry, in defence of alcohol, hospitality showing just how agile and resilient a sector it is
Authors: Glynn Davis, Luke Johnson, Ann Elliott
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Friday 17th September 2021
Aviva Investors sells eight-strong pub package let to Marston’s for over £20m
Aviva Investors sells eight-strong pub package let to Marston’s for over £20m: Aviva Investors has sold the eight-strong freehold pub package let to Marston’s, which it placed on the market earlier this summer, to a private investor, … view
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Friday 17th September 2021
Propel Friday News Briefing
Shapland – we plan to open 50 Coffi Lab sites over the next five years: James Shapland, the co-founder of Coffee#1, the Caffe Nero-owned brand, is planning to open 50 sites under his new Coffi Lab concept over the next five years, Prope … view
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Thursday 16th September 2021
Fridays will list under Hostmore name in fourth quarter
Fridays will list under Hostmore name in fourth quarter: Fridays and its offshoot 63rd +1st will be floated under the name Hostmore in the fourth quarter of this year, owner Electra has stated. The company stated: “Over the 16 week peri … view
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Thursday 16th September 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Campbell – we will refurbish 300 PizzaExpress restaurants and add 50 new sites over the next three years: David Campbell, group chief executive of PizzaExpress, has said the 357-strong brand will refurbish 300 of its UK restaurants over … view
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Wednesday 15th September 2021
Itsu raises wages, Red Oak acquires nine Hall & Woodhouse pubs, London alfresco dining
Itsu announces 11% increase in hourly pay for team members: Itsu, the healthy Asian food chain created by Julian Metcalfe, has announced it is increasing the hourly wage for entry-level team members by 11% to a minimum of £10.40 an hour. … view
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Wednesday 15th September 2021
The Restaurant Group re-states growth plans; strong like-for-likes since 17 May
The Restaurant Group re-states growth plans; strong like-for-likes since 17 May: The Restaurant Group has reported like-for-like sales have out-performed the market since dine-in began again on 17 May. The company has also stated its plan … view
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Wednesday 15th September 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
RedCat paid £16m for bulk of 42-strong CMA package: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle headed by Rooney Anand, paid £16m for 33 sites of the 42-strong package of pubs that were originally placed on the market to address competit … view
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Tuesday 14th September 2021
Gail’s Bakery confirms investment from Bain valuing the company at £200m plus
Gail’s Bakery confirms investment from Bain valuing the company at £200m plus: Bain Capital Credit has bought a stake in Gail’s Bakery parent company Bread Holdings in a deal valuing the company at over £200m. Bain Capital Credit in work … view
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Tuesday 14th September 2021
Gail’s Bakery owner set to receive ‘substantial’ investment from Bain Credit Capital
Gail’s Bakery owner set to receive ‘substantial’ investment from Bain Capital Credit: Bread Holdings, the parent company of Gail’s Bakery, is set to receive a “substantial” investment from Bain Capital Credit. Propel unde … view
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Tuesday 14th September 2021
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Holmes – Coco Di Mama has got some exciting opportunities ahead with licensing and franchising: Steve Holmes, chief executive of Azzurri Group, the operator of the ASK Italian, Coco Di Mama and Zizzi brands, has said the group’s Coco … view
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Monday 13th September 2021
Propel Monday News Briefing
Rolling 12-month sales down 15% but managed pubs, bars and restaurants report 5% growth in August against 2019 levels: Mounting consumer confidence and staycations helped Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups to lift sales ab … view
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Monday 13th September 2021
Rolling 12-month sales down 15% but managed operators report 5% growth in August against 2019 levels
Rolling 12-month sales down 15% but managed pubs, bars and restaurants report 5% growth in August against 2019 levels: Mounting consumer confidence and staycations helped Britain’s managed pub, restaurant and bar groups to lift sales above p … view
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Sunday 12th September 2021
Weekend leisure stories and restaurant reviews
Covid vaccine passports scrapped for winter: Boris Johnson will announce this week that he is scrapping plans that would have required vaccine passports for entry to nightclubs, cinemas and sports grounds. On Tuesday, the prime minister w … view
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Friday 10th September 2021
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The price of liberty is eternal vigilance, delivery pains, hospitality offers amazing career opportunities – start shouting it out, co-sourcing
Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Katy Moses, Mark McQuater
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Friday 10th September 2021
Fulham Shore plans ten new openings this financial year
Fulham Shore plans ten new openings this financial year: Franco Manca operator Fulham Shore is lining up ten openings. In a trading update, the company stated: “Since the Group’s Final Results announced on 17 August 2021 group revenue … view
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Friday 10th September 2021
Propel Friday News Briefing
Government challenged to prove vaccine passports will work or put an end to them, Scotland approves plan: A select committee has told the government to spell out exactly how vaccine passports will work or drop the scheme altogether. Willi … view
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Thursday 9th September 2021
Costa gives 5% pay rise to 14,500 staff and adds 2,000 jobs
Costa gives 5% pay rise to 14,500 staff and adds 2,000 jobs: Costa Coffee is to give all 14,500 of its store team members in UK company-owned stores will receive a 5% pay increases in recognition of their ‘commitment and continued passion du … view
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Thursday 9th September 2021
Vaccine passports for nightclubs may be ditched after fierce Tory backlash
Vaccine passports for nightclubs may be ditched after fierce Tory backlash: Ministers are having second thoughts on plans to introduce mandatory covid passports for nightclubs and other “high-risk” venues after Tory MPs tore into the … view
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Thursday 9th September 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Black Sheep Coffee plans more than 30 new openings, including first UK franchise site: London-based speciality coffee shop operator Black Sheep Coffee is set to enter a new chapter of its plans to become a national brand in the UK, with m … view
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Wednesday 8th September 2021
Legal Briefing

Navigating the minefield of business rates by Michelle Hazlewood

Businesses need to ensure that they are fully equipped for the coming autumn and winter months, and operators must turn their attention to the components which can prompt s … view
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Wednesday 8th September 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Sector bosses warn ‘firebreak’ lockdown would be ‘final nail in the coffin’ for many businesses: A “firebreak” lockdown in England during October would be the “final nail in the coffin” for many sector businesses, industry … view
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Tuesday 7th September 2021
Exclusive: Boxpark to accelerate expansion plans after securing multimillion-pound LDC investment
Exclusive – Boxpark to accelerate expansion plans after securing multimillion-pound LDC investment: Multi award-winning hospitality and leisure operator Boxpark has set its sights on expansion across the UK following a significant cash … view
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Tuesday 7th September 2021
Leon to open first restaurant since EG Group acquisition with Kings Road launch
Leon to open first restaurant since EG Group acquisition with Kings Road launch: Natural fast food brand Leon is to open a site in London’s Kings Road next month – its first launch since the business was acquired by forecourt and roadside … view
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Tuesday 7th September 2021
Update: Russell Norman part of team behind Joe Allen relaunch, Chance & Counters receives investment
Russell Norman part of team behind Joe Allen relaunch: Russell Norman, the co-founder of Polpo, is part of the team relaunching the Joe Allen restaurant in London’s Covent Garden. The restaurant has remained closed since the pandemic to … view
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Tuesday 7th September 2021
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Andy Laurillard – change in property usage could lead to hospitality circuits moving: Last year’s change to the use classes in order could lead to some traditional restaurant pitches being “left behind”, Andy Laurillard, co-founde … view
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Monday 6th September 2021
Wagamama boss reveals recruitment challenges
Wagamama boss reveals recruitment challenges: Wagamama has revealed difficulty in hiring chefs across a fifth of its restaurants amid a “perfect storm” of supply chain challenges and staff shortages. The group’s recently appointed c … view
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Monday 6th September 2021
Propel Monday News Briefing
UKHospitality – introducing covid passports for certain venues and events ‘unworkable’ and will cost ‘thousands’ of jobs: Introducing covid passports for certain venues and events will be “unworkable” and cost “thousands … view
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Sunday 5th September 2021
Weekend leisure stories and restaurant reviews
Pubs ‘can keep al fresco seating areas on their own grounds’, but industry fears loss of street dining: Marquees and al fresco seating areas introduced by pubs, cafes and restaurants during the pandemic may become permanent under gove … view
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Friday 3rd September 2021
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Show up for hospitality, connections, four key foundations for a resilient recovery, safeguarding your business in a cashless society
Authors: Olivia FitzGerald, Ann Elliott, Graeme Smith, Malcolm Muir
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Friday 3rd September 2021
Propel Friday News Briefing
Pring – we have the firepower to look at small group acquisitions: Nick Pring, co-founder of Urban Pubs and Bars, which earlier this week entered into partnership with Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual to support and accelerate the gro … view
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Thursday 2nd September 2021
Kate Nicholls – al fresco dining should be a staple
Kate Nicholls – al fresco dining should be a staple: UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has argued the al fresco dining seen in London during the summer should be retained. Writing in City AM she stated: “London may have had … view
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Thursday 2nd September 2021
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Edition Capital looks to raise up to £3m through new hospitality expansion fund: Edition Capital, the backers of sector businesses including Club Mexicana, WatchHouse and Incipio Group, has launched a new EIS fundraising tranche, as its … view
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Wednesday 1st September 2021
Famously Proper appoints Gavin Cox as CEO as Simon Wilkinson steps down
Famously Proper appoints Gavin Cox as CEO as Simon Wilkinson steps down: Famously Proper, the parent company of the Byron and Mother Clucker brands, has appointed Gavin Cox as chief executive. Cox, who joined the business recently, brings a we … view
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Wednesday 1st September 2021
Exclusive – Cote appoints Keith Lloyd as new MD; Lisa Buckley to take special projects role
Exclusive – Cote appoints Keith Lloyd as new MD; Lisa Buckley to take special projects role: Cote, the French brasserie chain backed by the Partners Group, has appointed Keith Lloyd, currently central head of operations for UK and Irela … view
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Wednesday 1st September 2021
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Industry losing £17.6bn a year through no-shows as sector campaign launches to highlight issue: The hospitality sector is losing £17.6bn a year due to no-shows, with 18 to 34-year-olds the worst offenders, according to new research. Thi … view
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