Smithfield Christmas Meat Auction: London’s oldest festive tradition returns December 19, 2025 One of London’s oldest festive trading traditions returns this Christmas Eve, as the gates at Smithfield Market’s Grade II listed Grand Avenue are set to open at 09:30, for the iconic Smithfield Christmas Meat Auction. The Auction began around a century ago, as traders prepared for their well-earned festive break and sold off excess supplies [...]
Sir Devonshire Square: A new hotel embodying the City’s spirit December 18, 2025 Sir Devonshire Square: A new hotel embodying the City’s spirit Devonshire Square sits at the meeting point of Shoreditch’s creative energy and the City’s commercial core. Just two minutes from Liverpool Street station, Britain’s busiest by footfall, it offers a unique blend of history and modern vibrancy. Its restaurants and bars, including Cinnamon Kitchen, KöD [...]
The Capitalist: City of London cracks down on public defecation December 18, 2025 The City launches a festive anti-defecation campaign, The Capitalist meets the King and BP does the hoedown throwdown.
City of London confirms major funding for housing upgrades December 12, 2025 The City of London has confirmed funding for upgrades to its housing stock across the Square Mile and six London boroughs. The Corporation, which manages 1,800 social rented homes as well as 900 leasehold properties across London, has allocated £152m from the City’s Fund to support the major works programme, which totals £211m. The decision [...]
London Museum: inside the £400m cultural development at West Smithfield December 9, 2025 The London Museum is set to open at West Smithfield in 2026. It is one of Europe’s largest cultural developments and is backed by more than £400m in funding from the City of London Corporation and the Mayor of London, of which the City Corporation is contributing £222m. I recently toured the museum and met [...]
City of London considers outside investment for housing projects December 9, 2025 The City of London is considering bringing in outside investors to help fund housing projects in the Square Mile. A partnership would be the first time the Square Mile has brought in outside investment for housing in the Corporation’s nearly 1000-year history. The Corporation, which manages 1,800 social rented homes as well as 900 leasehold [...]
City policy chairman: London must seize chance to lead on AI December 8, 2025 Following the Budget, the UK can't afford complacency. From AI to pensions, here's how the City of London can lead, writes Chris Hayward.
Starmer calls for ‘sober realism’ in relations with China amid embassy row December 2, 2025 Keir Starmer said the UK’s approach to relations with China should be guided by “sober realism” in a wide-ranging foreign policy speech at Guildhall in London. At the Lady Mayor’s Banquet, Starmer said the UK had to reject a “binary choice” in being too hawkish or dovish in relations with China. After weeks of diplomatic [...]
City of London policy chairman: Bank levy should be wound down November 24, 2025 Financial and professional services underpin the country’s global competitiveness. The Budget should support banks, writes Chris Hayward.
How the Square Mile is taking the fight to the fraudsters November 19, 2025 Fraud has towered over our economy for too long and has reached the highest levels since first measured in the crime survey for England and Wales. This deceitful crime now represents 44 per cent of all offences or 4.1 million incidents, with more than £1 billion lost to fraud last year alone. Behind those numbers [...]