Regime shift: investing into the new era December 9, 2022 As this economic cycle ends, we shouldn’t expect to see the patterns of the past decade repeated. A new regime in policy and market behaviour is unfolding which investors need to understand if they are to find the best opportunities and safeguard their portfolios. The re-opening of economies after Covid sparked a phenomenon investors have [...]
All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers complains of ‘significant uncertainty’ over energy bills next year December 7, 2022 Mitchells & Butlers has said “significant uncertainty” remains over the heftiness of its energy bill next year, as pub bosses have called for more financial aid. The All Bar One and Toby Carvery owner said its trading environment “remains very challenging,” as cost inflation headwinds were expected to be as much as 12 per cent [...]
Kentucky: Why the Bluegrass State is more than just horses and bourbon December 7, 2022 As we all pay more attention to what we are eating and drinking, flavour tourism is growing, particularly in the world of drinks. Visits to mezcal makers in Mexico, cognac chateaus in France, and now bourbon distilleries in Kentucky are on the up. If the idea of a well-made Old Fashioned, Mint Julep or simple [...]
What to do in London for Christmas, from carols to food and drink December 1, 2022 Whether you’re after carols in a cathedral or a knees-up in a brewery, we have the perfect Christmas outing for you. CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT ST PAUL’S Short of getting a ride in Santa’s sleigh, there can be little more festive than singing Christmas carols in the stunning surrounds of St Paul’s Cathedral. This year there [...]
It’s truly the best of British to dine at Restaurant St. Barts Smithfield November 30, 2022 Stepping into Restaurant St Bart’s is like walking into the most luxurious Shepherd’s hut you could imagine. With an emphasis on stone and wood, the space is so calm I half expected to be ushered to the spa for a massage. We began the meal on cosy, candlelit sheep-skin covered chairs with a wax-sealed menu [...]
Retail sales fall off cliff in November in sign of Christmas spending slump November 28, 2022 Retail sales have fallen off a cliff, pushed by consumers reining in spending as scorching inflation eats away at their finances, a new survey out today reveals. A net 19 per cent of retailers said spending fell over the year to November, down from a net rise of 18 per cent in October, according to [...]
It could be said the EU was never going to offer Britain a Switzerland-style deal November 24, 2022 It is often said that Britain is a nation divided by our relationship with Europe, but British people are in fact united in their disinterest as to how the European Union works. To most it will always come across as a byzantine mixture of commissions, councils, and competencies presided over by a rather grey cadre [...]
Pets At Home: Animal ownership ‘not just Covid trend’ as profit slips November 23, 2022 The chief of Pets At Home has said pet owners are keen to treat their animals still, as the FTSE 250 firm posts subdued profit before tax. In interim results, the London-listed business posted underlying profit before tax of £59.2m, some 9.3 per cent below its previous half-year sum of £65.3m. Profit slipped due to [...]
Chasing pavements? Let them eat black cod! November 18, 2022 Having ticked off his long list of life sins, our Monty is in forgiving mood as his thoughts turn to regulation of the crypto industry.
Matt Hancock’s eating bugs to improve his image – will the same work for me too? November 17, 2022 Spare a thought for poor former health secretary Matt Hancock, who has been so drastically misunderstood that he’s had to fly all the way to Australia to eat bugs and worms and testicles to present his “human” side to the British public. “The honest truth is there’s so few ways in which politicians can show [...]