City of London to vote on Simpson’s Tavern ‘community value’ designation December 15, 2022 The City of London’s Policy and Resources Committee will decide whether to designate Simpson’s Tavern – the historic City bar and restaurant now threatened with closure – as an asset of community value at a meeting this afternoon. Doing so would mean the site would ensure that the local community would be given the chance [...]
How The Maldives are properly celebrating their food culture December 12, 2022 On The Maldives, local cuisine is finally being properly celebrated. Angelina Villa-Clarke jets in to eat local delicacies including mud crabs I’m sat high in the treetops, hidden amongst the oversized leaves of banana trees. Flickering candles light the tables but, mostly, the scene is illuminated by the night sky, ablaze with an eternity of [...]
Leonardslee House is the UK hotel producing South African wine December 12, 2022 THE WEEKEND: Wanting to rusticate in luxurious splendour, we paid a visit to the newly launched accommodation at Leonardslee House. Owner Penny Streeter OBE has brought back a hefty slice of South Africa to rural England and filled the Grade I listed grounds with things to do and art to gawp at for all ages [...]
‘Thousands of jobs at risk’: Bar bosses despair over fresh Christmas rail strikes December 6, 2022 Pub and bar bosses were last night left despairing over a slew of fresh strike dates, which fall over Christmas. Rail union RMT announced three more days of walk-outs on Monday night, with workers set to strike from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 6am on 27 December. Industrial action had already been planned on 13, [...]
Marston’s swings back to profit as pub chain anticipates Christmas without Covid limits December 6, 2022 Marston’s has welcomed being in the black, after trade at its pub estate recovered from the side effects of Covid-19 lockdowns this year. In results for the year to 1 October, the community pub operator posted a total profit before tax of £163.4 m, versus a loss of £171.1m the year prior. The operator of around [...]
RMT announces three more days of rail strikes over Christmas December 5, 2022 The union RMT has announced three more days of strike over Christmas as it put Network Rail’s offer to its members with the recommendation to reject it. Workers are set to walk out from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 6am on 27 December. This will be in addition to the planned industrial action on 13, [...]
London venues warn they will haemorrhage sales if rail strikes go ahead this Christmas December 5, 2022 London restaurants have warned they will haemorrhage sales should planned railway strikes go ahead this month, as union bosses rejected a new pay offer over the week. Searcys champagne bar and restaurant chain, which has venues at the Gherkin and St Pancras International station, said it was worried it would take a 30 per cent [...]
Disneyland Paris for adults: I went without kids and it was a perfect weekend December 5, 2022 As Disneyland Paris celebrates its 30th anniversary, Adam Bloodworth checked in to get nostalgic for his childhood – and found a wholesome weekend away without too much temptation to drink and be hedonistic, and plenty of fun rides too THE WEEKEND: I had faded memories of gawping at the Castle and meeting Mickey Mouse in [...]
Searcys boss: London venues set for ‘real reality check’ in the new year with spending slowdown warnings December 5, 2022 London restaurants face a “real reality check” come January and February, as consumers will pull back from dining out after Christmas, the boss of champagne bar chain Searcys has warned. Diners will “want to batten down the hatches” next year after enjoying their first Christmas free of Covid measures in three years, with the cost [...]
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 [...]