Brits don’t believe this is a country that rewards hard work November 12, 2025 What conversations are you having at work, at home, in the pub? There’s plenty to talk about, from Traitors (BBC good?) to trust in public broadcasting (BBC bad?) to say nothing of football, Remembrance Day, the weather and Christmas. Looking beyond these topics, is it possible to discern the national mood? Do we feel that [...]
What Champagne to buy for Christmas 2025, from Krug to Moet November 11, 2025 It was with a light step that I made my way to a tasting of Moet-Hennessy’s champagnes. To add spice to the occasion, it took place in Langham’s Brasserie, off Piccadilly, the scene of much revelry over the years. Moet-Hennessy, which has been part of the Louis Vuitton Group since 1987, owns some of the [...]
Christmas adverts in 2025 review, from John Lewis to AI Coca-Cola November 11, 2025 As the embers of bonfire night slowly cool in the rain, our minds are turned to Christmas in its full commercial glory. It’s funny how at this time of year people start to look at ads – the same people that have been actively avoiding them all year! Christmas adverts have become a necessary backdrop [...]
Star J-Mac set to Figure on his Hong Kong return November 11, 2025 REGULAR racegoers in Hong Kong have a treat in store when they make their way to Happy Valley on Wednesday for a nine-race programme starting at 10.40am. Three-time LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award winner James McDonald is back in town, taking up a short-term contract until just before Christmas. The 33-year-old New Zealander is right [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Vodafone shares lead blue-chip rally; Unemployment rises November 11, 2025 Good morning from the City AM liveblog team. What are you looking forward to more – Black Friday or Budget day? They are two vital days that UK retailers are bracing for in this month’s calendar, both of which can provide a major boost to firms – or crushing disappointment. Retail sales today show another [...]
Musk’s $trillion pay package is impossible to justify November 11, 2025 The Notebook, where the City’s movers and shakers have their say. Today it’s investment analyst Susannah Streeter with the pen Radio phone-ins, social media feeds and TV news programmes have all been taken over by talk of Elon Musk’s trillion-dollar deal. I was woken super early by one producer and the phone barely stopped ringing, [...]
Retailers hit by subdued October as Budget threat looms November 11, 2025 UK retailers suffered a “subdued” October as Brits tightened their pockets ahead of what is expected to be a tax-heavy Autumn Budget. Retail sales increased 1.6 per cent year-on-year but remained below the 12-month average of 2.1 per cent, marking the weakest growth since May. The new data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and [...]
Co-op to open or refurbish dozens of stores amid cyber attack recovery November 10, 2025 The Co-op has said it is pushing forward with a number of new stores and major refurbishments as it bounces back from a damaging cyber attack. The retailer said 50 stores will be opened or re-opened by Christmas as it urged the Government to reform business rates ahead of the autumn Budget. It said reforms [...]
7 of the best London pantomimes to book for light-hearted fun this Christmas November 7, 2025 Seven of the best London pantomimes to book this season Tis the season to scream ‘heeee’s behiiiind youuuuu’: despite it being fairly early, many of the capital’s campiest pantomimes kickoff in the coming weeks. If you’re into a bit of light-hearted fun (who isn’t?) then here are the best pantomimes to book this year. Looking [...]
The London Christmas market with free entertainment and festive food November 7, 2025 The Southbank can feel chaotic at Christmas time, when half of the suburbs rock up to go shopping. There is a way to escape that though: there is a Christmas market with free entertainment, and great food and drink, just a minute from the main drag. Between the Bridges market transforms into Electric Winter for [...]