
EP.121 | Pre-Budget Shambles
Jim, Jo and Kevin discuss the shambolic run-up to the Budget, with persistent challenges to the Prime Minister’s leadership still far from over – forming the main agenda items for this week’s Downtown Den podcast.
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Jim, Jo and Kevin discuss the shambolic run-up to the Budget, with persistent challenges to the Prime Minister’s leadership still far from over – forming the main agenda items for this week’s Downtown Den podcast.


Kemi Badenoch celebrated her first year as Tory Party leader this week. Despite a good conference speech and some impressive performances in recent week’s at PMQs, the Leader of the Opposition’s party are still languishing in the polls. Frank McKenna offers some suggestions as to how the Conservatives can make a comeback.

Downtown in Business has urged the government to think again on its sweeping employment law reforms, warning that this week’s double whammy of announcements – UK unemployment hitting a four-year high, and growth at a disappointing 0.1% in the last quarter, is a flashing red light the Treasury cannot afford to ignore.

Downtown in Business has slammed the Bank of England for once again ducking the opportunity to inject desperately needed momentum into the UK economy, after the Monetary Policy Committee chose to hold interest rates at 4% this week—despite mounting evidence of economic fragility.

A 130-year-old former Unilever factory at Bank Quay, once a cornerstone of Warrington’s proud soap-making heritage, is set to be transformed into a state-of-the-art data centre powering the UK’s growing artificial intelligence economy.

On Thursday 13th November 2025, Downtown in Business hosted an exclusive Leader’s Lunch with Caroline Simpson, Group Chief Executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

This week, Martin spent a day watching American democracy unfold live on television – votes, counter votes, scandals and shutdowns – and a healthy portion of financial sweeteners too.

Hospitality’s wobbling. Too many teams are on autopilot, margins are thin, and guests can feel it.

Nestled in the heart of Oddfellows on Lower Bridge Street, this enchanting new restaurant invites guests to enjoy locally sourced, seasonal dishes created by our dedicated team of chefs.

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has appointed global built environment consultancy Arup to lead the development of its next Masterplan, setting out a long-term vision for the airport’s growth and transformation through to 2041.

Liverpool conference and events venue Spaces at The Spine has been awarded Silver in the Venue of the Year (over 300 delegates) category at the 2025 miaList awards, unveiled by the Meetings Industry Association (MIA).