EMAN, KFC, Christie & Co, JDW, World Cup, prices & other:

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

Most things are relative, aren’t they?

For example, the dead chickens for sale in my local supermarket are said the be ‘Happier and Healthier’ than ever before but, looking at the poor creatures, I have to ask ‘relative to what?’

Admittedly, they may have been a bit less miserable for a while.

But the last ten minutes probably weren’t too pleasant and, having finally got around to reading War of the Worlds recently despite seeing a couple of films of it and hearing Jeff Wayne’s rendition no end of times. I have to say that if aliens landed and tried to do to me what looks to have happened to the chickens, I wouldn’t be particularly pleased about it.

In fact, I’d be more inclined to retreat underground, Terminator One style and live like a rat rather than be killed, plucked, stuffed and dropped in a freezer.

Maybe that’s just me but it just serves to remind me, I must re-read 1984 and Brave New World, get with the programme. On to the news:

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PUBS & RESTAURANTS:

World Cup:

Early days but The Oxford Partnership has updated on hospitality sales over the period of the first Scotland game saying that it drove a 24% jump in sales (over the day as a whole) despite the unsociable 2am kick-off…

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Demographics:

The Triple Lock is still in the news with the latest comments coming from Labour hopeful Andy Burnham, who says he is committed to what others have labelled an expensive millstone the only function of which, after 16 years or wealth transfers to a still-growing demographic, may be to bribe one age bracket that is likely to vote in most elections at a cost to one that may not…

Price rises:

To say that ‘Guinness could cost £13 in pubs within a decade’ may be eye-catching but it need not necessarily be correct because firstly the suggestion may be completely wrong and secondly if, powered by inflation, it turns out to be right, the drink may not have changed at all in real terms…

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Other news:

Donald Trump is threating to impose a 100% tariff on French wine in response to the latter’s 3% digital tax on US tech companies….

COMPANY NEWS:

KFC UK & Ireland and its franchise partner FPG Foods yesterday ‘announced a new agreement to accelerate FPG’s growth ambitions in the dynamic UK and Ireland chicken market’. The companies say that ‘as part of the agreement, FPG will acquire 17 KFC restaurants across London and the South of England. FPG will double the size of its UK business and is committed to increasing its estate to 50 restaurants by 2030….’

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American Express has announced the proposed acquisition of TheFork, ‘a leading online restaurant reservation and management platform in Europe, from Tripadvisor, Inc.’ it says that this grows ‘its dining offering in the region….’

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Indicative of levels of sector activity, Christie & Co has updated on trading saying that it has made a ‘good start to the year with robust demand and strong deal pipeline’. It adds that ‘full year expectations remain unchanged’ and says that it ‘has continued to see robust levels of demand for its services in the Period, with lender and investor appetite for its chosen sectors remaining resilient….’

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JD Wetherspoon has announced details of its Scottish beer festival 2026 saying that a range of 12 real ales and five craft ales, all brewed in Scotland, will be available in all Scottish pubs for a 10-day beer festival being held during Friday 10 to Sunday 19 July, inclusive….

KFC in the US has unveiled its ‘next chapter’ of innovation, reports Restaurant Business Online. It says this includes new menu offerings, a refreshed brand identity, and modernized restaurants. The company announces that ‘the updated positioning will begin in the United Kingdom and Ireland before expanding across Australia and the U.S. throughout the rest of this year….’

Sit-down restaurant chain Côte Brasserie is to screen live football matches for the first time over the FIFA World Cup.

Administrators to The Potions Cauldron Ltd, which entered administration on 10 April at which time it operated ten sites across the North of England and Scotland trading as The Potions Cauldron and the Hole In Wand, alongside other brands, say that the company was weakened by underperforming sites and expensive debt.

EVERYMAN MEDIA – PROPOSED DELISTING:

Delisting proposal: The company reports that ‘Adam Kaye, Charles Dorfman and Michael Rosehill, [directors & 45.6% shareholders]…have communicated…their support for a cancellation of trading in the Company’s ordinary shares.’ It says that ‘the Board collectively believes there are also additional shareholders, who hold no less than 11.0% of the issued share capital, who would be supportive of the Delisting.’ EMAN says ‘based on the above the Board believes it is therefore appropriate to discuss with all key stakeholders the appropriateness of a Delisting.’ It says it ‘believes it is likely that the Company will proceed with proposing a Delisting to all shareholders, noting it would be conditional on shareholder approval in accordance with the rules of AIM.’ A ‘further announcement in relation to a Delisting will be made in due course.’ The Delisting would need to be ‘approved by
the required number of shareholders.’

Trading update: EMAN reports that, in the 21 weeks to 28 May, admissions were 2.2m, up 23.1% (2025: 1.8m) and the group generated revenue of £58.5m, up 26.5% (2025: £46.3m).

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OTHER LEISURE:

As flagged, the government has announced a ban on social media for the under-16s, saying that the platforms are harming wellbeing and promoting what may develop into unhealthy online habits…

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Sky News reports that Clive Chesser is to step down as boss at PureGym after 18 months in the job. It says that the ‘departure from the role is likely to be announced this week…’

The FT reports that the US billionaire owners of Crystal Palace are exploring a sale of the south London football club, in what would make it the latest Premier League side to change hands in English football’s top flight.

Fox, which is run by Lachlan Murdoch, has agreed to buy streaming platform Roku in a deal worth $22bn.

FINANCE & MARKETS:

Rightmove has reported that UK house prices fell in June. It suggests that the World Cup, which has really only just started, has had a depressing effect on people’s willingness to or interest in moving house…

The EU has reported that its trade deficit with China is running at around €1bn per day.

The ceasefire in the Gulf and the drop in the oil price now make it more likely than not that the Bank of England will keep interest rates on hold when it announces its latest rates decision on Thursday. This despite the move in Japan to raise interest rates to 1% from 0.75%. Whilst low, this is the highest level in some 31 years.

Sterling lower at $1.3394 and€1.1571. Oil around $1 lower at $82.73. UK 10 year gilt yield 3 basis points lower at 4.82%. World markets subdued but mostly better yesterday & London set to open around 8 points higher as at 6.30am.

RETAIL WITH NICK BUBB:

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