What happened to River Island? June 26, 2025 River Island is suffering from a common affliction. Declining sales and an inability to keep up with competition have led to a restructuring plan, with imminent store closures if the strategy goes ahead. High-street peers like Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams have already disappeared and become online-only – River Island is just the “latest [...]
The return of absinthe: What I learned on a green fairy bender June 26, 2025 Absinthe is back on the menu. We sent Kyle MacNeill on a pub crawl of the best places to drink the green fairy to see if it lives up to its fearsome reputation It’s five o’clock somewhere! By that, I mean that’s the literal time where I am, although for a second I’m not sure where [...]
Smells define our world – but modern life is killing them June 26, 2025 The smell of the Clockwork Orange – AKA the Glasgow Subway – has mystified Glaswegians for over a hundred years. Newspapers have pored over the pong since the metro first opened in 1896. Over the years the curious, slightly fusty scent has been described as an “odour-laden spice caravan” and prompted one Redditor to ask [...]
‘I interviewed with 20 minutes notice’: Senior London culture advisor Laia Gasch on her career highs and lows June 26, 2025 London culture aficionado Laia Gasch takes us through her career, from The Spitz to the London Olympics in Square Mile and Me.
Government accused of ignoring SMEs as firms fight for survival June 26, 2025 Three in five small business owners feel ignored by the government, according to a fresh survey, an increasing amount firms raise the alarm on their fight to stay afloat. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are calling on Westminster to take further measures to support businesses after 57 per cent fear for their survival in the [...]
Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: Foodie delights in Dubai June 25, 2025 Martin Williams is one of the judges for our first Toast the City awards. Here he tells us about his recent trip to the gastronomic paradise of ever-sunny Dubai. The Serpentine Summer Party never disappoints. After a wonderful lunch at Petrus, I found myself enjoying Mujen Sochu Cocktails, created by the bar legend Tato Giovannoni, who [...]
Lunchtime Tourism: Discover The Café Below a St Mary-le-Bow June 25, 2025 If you fancy a cup of Rosie Lea and a slice of Give and Take, then the Café Below in St Mary-le-Bow may be right up your Field of Wheat. Famously, those born within earshot of the Bow Bells are considered true Cockneys, a term that originated as a way for countryfolk to mock their [...]
From Oasis to Pulp, Britpop is back, baby! But why? June 25, 2025 Tonight, we’re gonna party like it’s 1995. Oasis have smashed box office records. Pulp have a new album out. Suede just announced one, too. Supergrass, Sleeper, Cast, Ocean Colour Scene – even Kula Shaker – are all on the road again. Britpop is back – the question is: why? Britpop’s blend of swagger, cynicism and [...]
The City of London is hosting an amazing music festival this week June 23, 2025 The Summer Music in City Churches festival is taking place this week across the City of London. There are events taking place every day in some of the Square Mile’s most beautiful churches — a brilliant chance to take a break from the stresses of work life and take a pew in one of these [...]
US does not seek war, says Pentagon after bombing Iran’s nuclear sites June 22, 2025 America “does not seek war” with Iran, the Pentagon has said in the aftermath of a surprise US attack on three of Tehran’s key nuclear sites. The mission, called Operation Midnight Hammer, involved decoys and deception, and met with no Iranian resistance, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and US Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman [...]