A savage satire of corporate crime September 24, 2009 TheatreENRONRoyal Court TheatrePOST credit crunch, the Enron collapse might seem like a disaster from another age. But in Lucy Prebble’s scintillating play the scandal is shown as the blueprint for the meltdowns that came after it. “There’s a strange thing goes on inside a bubble,” says one character. “People inside it can’t see outside, don’t [...]
Suiting gets serious in the City as retro styles return September 24, 2009 PINK shorts, fox-fur capes and metallic trousers might be what passes for menswear at London Fashion Week, but in the real world things are very different. In the City at the moment, the fashion watchword is simple: smart. “That casual thing is completely finished in the City,” says Johnny Allen, the manager of Savile Row [...]
Live in a little bit of British history September 24, 2009 ENGLISH Heritage recently expressed shocked dismay at the large numbers of Britain’s 9,300 conservation areas that are sliding into disrepair, and started a campaign to preserve these symbols of British history. English Heritage was more concerned about beauty, but these areas also make a great investment. A recent bulletin from estate agent Savills said that [...]
FOCUS ON: WOOLWICH, SE18 September 24, 2009 Building 47, Marlborough Road, SE18Price: £350,000This smart duplex apartment with views across the river is within walking distance of Woolwich Arsenal DLR station. Part of a warehouse conversion, this two double bedroom apartment comes with a spacious open-plan living area with wooden floors and exposed brick walls. The property also comes with a secure parking [...]
The time is ripe to take the plunge into the Cotswolds September 24, 2009 FOLLOWING a tough year when the market has been in the doldrums, the Cotswolds – the perennial favourite area for City workers’ second homes – are back in the swing of things. The problem for those who yearn to own a property in those picturesque old wool villages is that they just don’t often come [...]
Smartphone app developers are striking gold September 24, 2009 GOLD Rush. It’s not a phrase you hear much these days, but that’s how research firm Yankee described the market for smartphone apps earlier this week. Its analysts estimate that the US market will be worth some $4.2bn (£2.6bn) by the end of 2013 – over 10 times higher than the $343m it is expected [...]
At 89, the champion of horse thrillers has finally slowed down September 23, 2009 EVEN MONEYBY DICK FRANCIS AND FELIX FRANCISMichael Joseph, £18.99 THE action opens at a racecourse – where else? Ned Talbot, an independent bookie, is at Royal Ascot drawing to the end of an unlucky day in which the punters keep winning. As with many Francis heroes, Ned’s feeling a bit weary with life. His wife [...]
THE JOY OF A GOOD STOVE September 23, 2009 JEFF GALVINWE FOLLOW THE GALVIN BROTHERS AS THEY COUNT DOWN TO THE OPENING OF THEIR NEW CITY RESTAURANT A GOOD STOVE is the heart of any restaurant, so you just have to make sure it’s right. Which is why for our new restaurant my brother Chris and I have designed our own, which was made [...]
CONSERVATION AREAS NEAR THE CITY September 23, 2009 GRAFF HOUSE, RICHMONDGraff House sits within the trust grounds of St Margarets, a mile away from Richmond town centre. St Margarets trust grounds are made up of three secure private gardens making up 12 acres, which naturally lend themselves to family picnics, tennis tournaments and sports days. The Thames, Kew Gardens and the Richmond Deer [...]
A Dragon with style and substance September 22, 2009 IN Duncan Bannatyne’s smartly understated Covent Garden flat, one item stands out. Between the elegant cream sofas of the living room and the smooth lines of his minimalist kitchen sits a curved, asymmetrical armchair of the most garish, glaring pink. “It reflects my feminine side,” says the entrepreneur, as he settles into the chair to [...]