Pubs and restaurants are battling the so-called “pingdemic” - a surge of self isolation alerts from the NHS Covid app. Some say it’s hampering their recovery, and one boss admitted he told his staff to delete the app altogether. Meanwhile, business minister Paul Scully has suggested it might be okay to ignore the app, in contrast to official advice.
The economic bounce back slowed down in June despite a boost in business for the hospitality sector. That’s according to a survey by Lloyds Bank, which found that overall growth dropped compared to May. Their head of economics reckons this is to be expected, saying we’re \"less likely to experience the rapid month-on-month output growth we've typically seen when businesses have been able restart operations”
Never commuting again? 1 in 10 Londoners says they plan never to commute again and 60% say they’re concerned about the post-lockdown commute. That’s according to a survey by transport expert Kura, which found that people’s main concern is infection control and social distancing while travelling to and from work.
No Christmas in M&S? Marks and Spencer has warned that it’s cutting Christmas products from its Northern Ireland stores due to concerns about Brexit checks. Changes to border checks could also mean higher prices and less choice for customers. Products are currently only subject to “light-touch” checks - but that changes at the end of September.