The 100 most at risk pubs in London – is your local under threat? January 13, 2026 The most at risk pubs in London have been revealed by a new website that calculates how proposed changes to rates could affect the hospitality industry. New website ismypubfucked.com uses official data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to identify which pubs will be most affected by the proposed increases to the business rates. The [...]
From Elton John to Kylie: 10 best alcohol free wines for Dry January January 12, 2026 The best alcohol free wines to try this month Put down that sad glass of tap water. If you are taking a break from alcohol, I have some of the very best options out there, none of which involve pretending you enjoy drinking London’s chalky, limestone-heavy water. Spoil YourselfEven in the driest of months, there [...]
Inside the new White Lotus season 4 hotel – as show axes Four Seasons January 12, 2026 Inside the new White Lotus hotel in St Tropez It is common for travel journalists to be gifted a bottle of champagne or a box of chocolates when they check into a room. But when I checked into my room at Les Airelles Courchevel, I found a feather-lined ski coat, woolly hat, neck warmer, socks, [...]
We reveal England’s most ‘fucked’ pub thanks to Is My Pub Fucked January 9, 2026 A new website called Is My Pub Fucked (ismypubfucked.com) has been set up to identify the most at risk pubs in the country, ranking them by how “fucked” they are. The website uses official data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to identify which pubs will be most affected by the proposed increases to the [...]
A Ghost in Your Ear is the scariest show in London January 9, 2026 A Ghost in Your Ear | ★★★★★ | Hampstead Theatre Theatre has evolved remarkably little over the centuries – plonk Shakespeare in the front row at the Almeida and he’d immediately recognise what’s going on. One area that feels ripe for exploration is the use of audience headphones to introduce another dimension to productions. The [...]
This new City pub has a controversial past life January 9, 2026 A pub that first opened over three hundred years ago is set to reopen on Fleet Street next month. The Hoop and Grapes isn’t just any 17th century inn: it has a particularly interesting story. The pub was one of a handful of locations where controversial ‘Fleet Marriages’ took place. They were ceremonies between people [...]
Lotus Emira Turbo SE review: A driving experience to savour January 9, 2026 The Lotus Emira always felt like a good car with a great one trapped inside, trying to crowbar its way out. Can this new Turbo SE liberate the Emira’s untapped potential? Daily-driving one for a few weeks will provide an answer… The ‘Turbo Special Equipment’ badge is an evocative one for Lotus enthusiasts (and I [...]
Sheridan Smith dazzles in psychedelic Woman In Mind January 8, 2026 Woman In Mind | ★★★☆☆ | Duke of York’s Theatre Sheridan Smith’s stage work over the last decade has been a case of art imitating life. In 2016 she pulled out of a run of performances of Funny Girl suffering from anxiety and burnout, triggering a tabloid feeding frenzy. Since then she has led a production [...]
Oh, Mary! London review: Broadway smash falters in the West End January 8, 2026 Oh, Mary! review and star rating: ★★ Historical revisioning – storytelling that presents key parts of history in new and often fantastical ways – has become a major trend through shows like Six and Hamilton. The latest, Oh, Mary!, is a comic imagining of the life of Abraham Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd Lincoln in the [...]
Beyond the neon lights: Discover Tokyo’s timeless traditions January 8, 2026 Japanese culture has always had a strong influence. Whether food, anime or Pokémon, Japan has captured attention from childhood and stayed with people for years whether they’ve visited the country or not. . Art such as “The Great Wave” and traditional themes like samurai are globally recognised, reflecting the country’s craft and pursuit of perfection. [...]