An Isa revolution: Why the savings and investment vehicle is now more powerful than ever before April 23, 2015 Nearly 14m new Isas were opened in 2013-14. According to the recent BlackRock Investor Pulse Survey, the 16 year-old savings vehicle is used by over a quarter of Britons to build up their longterm wealth, and by nearly 40 per cent to provide a rainy day fund for life events. And the government’s revolution in [...]
London Marathon 2015: What to eat, which foods to avoid and how much water you need to drink April 23, 2015 This Sunday, runners from across the UK will gather for the event they've spent months training for – the annual London Marathon. If you're one of the fit few who has decided to take on the challenge (not to mention who managed to get a much-coveted place), the next three days' preparation will be crucial. [...]
General Election 2015: David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg on how they’re going to solve the housing crisis (and which is their favourite room) April 23, 2015 House prices are too high and there aren't enough homes on the market, a new – not altogether surprising – study has suggested. But with an election just days away, property search giant Rightmove, which conducted the research, decided to take it to the leaders of each party to see what they're going to do [...]
Keeping obesity at bay: Why diet is more important than exercise when you’re trying to lose weight April 23, 2015 The world has a growing obesity problem, but this doesn't mean you need to get a gym membership and start running everywhere – being more active just won't make a difference, according to a group of medical experts in the UK. To keep the weight off, it's going to involve limiting the amount of sweet [...]
London’s best eats now within reach: New app Uncover aims to take the pain out of restaurant reservations April 22, 2015 Many of London’s top restaurants can be legitimately described as “exclusive”, primarily because they cost upwards of a hundred pounds a head – prices way out of most ordinary people’s price range. There is, however, another echelon of exclusivity inhabited by restaurants that aren’t only eye-wateringly expensive, but are also booked up for years to [...]
Best of the rest: other useful dining apps for hungry Londoners April 22, 2015 Bookatable Bookatable not only finds the best restaurants around, it also finds the best deals. With a range of offers at great restaurants, it’s a useful, cheapskate’s way of eating in some of London’s best restaurants. Free iPhone/Android Urbanspoon Perfect for when you’ve just arrived in a new city, Urbanspoon organises restaurants by distance, cuisine [...]
Pret A Manger thriving on a macaroni diet April 21, 2015 Quinoa and coffee are the order of the day, Clive Schlee tells Jenny Forsyth PRET A Manger boss Clive Schlee is talking quickly and excitedly. Perhaps he’s just feeling upbeat about the British cafe chain’s record yearly figures – showing a total sales rise of 16 per cent to £594m. Or maybe he’s had a [...]
Restaurant review: Percy & Founders brings a taste of spring to Fitzrovia April 21, 2015 Is there a greater sign of our times than a hospital closing down to be replaced by a modern European restaurant and some offices? It’s the kind of thing politicians go wild for, especially this close to an election. “I pledge that my government will favour nurses over barbecued langoustines. We need hospital beds, not [...]
48 hours in… Vancouver April 19, 2015 WHERE TO STAY L’Hermitage is the best boutique hotel in Vancouver. Located in the heart of the city’s shopping and entertainment district and only blocks from its financial centre, it offers convenience and luxury. Rooms start at $279 per night, visit lhermitagevancouver.com WHERE TO GO Just a 25 minute drive from the city centre, Grouse [...]
The most popular lunch in Britain? Just a simple cheese sandwich April 16, 2015 When it comes to lunch, simplicity is key – Britons are more likely to opt for a good old cheese sandwich than anything else. Not only that, but three in 10 choose this humble meal every single working day, and have done so for an average of four and a half years (that's around 1,000 [...]