Budget Delay Bad for the Economy
04/09/2025
Jim thinks the late budget on Nov 26th will be bad for business. He also comments on the crisis facing Angela Rayner and the radical new leader of the Green Party.
Finding Hospitality Heroes (Everywhere)
04/09/2025
In this week’s blog, Steven reflects on a story from his Sales Manager, Jules, who returned from Cala d’Or with an experience that highlights the quiet power of true hospitality. Her room attendant, Monica, turned everyday service into something memorable through care, consistency, and pride in her craft.
STARMER GAMBLES ON STRONGER NUMBER TEN TEAM – AND IT COULD BE HIS LAST THROW –OF THE DICE.
04/09/2025
Parliament returned after the summer recess, the PM reshuffled his team – and within 48 hours Labour was embroiled in another unfortunate controversy. Frank McKenna suggests that Keir Starmer may be under as much pressure to keep his job as Angela Rayner is to keep hers.
16 Years at Downtown in Business – A Journey Through Change
03/09/2025
This week I celebrated 16 years at Downtown in Business – and what a journey it has been.
Hospitality Action
28/08/2025
In this week’s blog, Steven Hesketh shines a light upon Hospitality Action. Hospitality Action are there for chefs, bartenders, housekeepers, porters, managers, across hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafés, schools, hospitals and event venues, whenever life gets tough.
What’s next for the Business of Football?
27/08/2025
In this week’s blog, Martin reflects on the future of the game as the Business of Football conference takes place in Liverpool on Friday 29th August. With the Premier League now a $12bn global powerhouse and half its clubs under US ownership, the tension between English football’s traditions and American-style franchise stability is sharper than ever.
Immigration is Good for Britain – But We Need to Manage It Better
21/08/2025
Simple slogans such as ‘Stop the Boats’, ‘Smash the Gangs’, and ‘Just send them Back’ are no substitute for a serious debate on the pros – and cons – of immigration. This complex area of policy has been weaponised by Nigel Farage – and sadly some within the official opposition have jumped on the populist bandwagon too – despite several of them being, at least in part, responsible for the mess immigration policy finds itself in the UK. Frank McKenna offers his thoughts on an issue that attracts many slogans – but few practical solutions.
A week in America | 19 August 2025
20/08/2025
This week, Martin reflects on the Alaska Summit between Putin and Trump. While no meaningful outcomes for peace in Ukraine emerged, there were big moves in diplomacy, international relations and global systems and institutions…
DevaFest 2025: What a Whirlwind!
14/08/2025
In this week’s blog Steven Hesketh reflects on the success of DevaFest 2025.
TRIPLE LOCK TERRORISTS?
13/08/2025
In this week’s blog Jo examines the arrests of hundreds in Parliament Square for holding signs backing Palestine Action, now a proscribed terrorist group, and the criticism that such laws criminalise peaceful protest while doing nothing to help Palestinians.
A Love Letter to Independents
13/08/2025
In this week’s blog Steven Hesketh encourages people to support local and independent hotels in order to keep hospitality human.
A Dark Anniversary
07/08/2025
As we mark the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima, Jim reflects on the current nuclear threat and discussions about what is proportionate in the face of aggression whether it be from the Japanese or Hamas.