US corporate results round-up July 23, 2012 Slowing economy hurts McDonald’s FAST-FOOD chain McDonald’s reported lower than expected quarterly profit yesterday, hurt by a slowing global economy and the impact of a stronger dollar. The company said that net income fell 4.5 per cent to $1.35bn (£870m), and the impact of the stronger dollar ate into earnings in the latest quarter, while [...]
Alpine school holiday heaven July 22, 2012 JAKE’S huge grin said it all. But in case I’d missed his wild enthusiasm as our raft careered down the white waters of the River Arve, he spelled it out with a series of whoops: “Best. Fun. Ever.” Chamonix, which bills itself as the ultimate summer playground for children, had really delivered on its promise. [...]
Roughing it in style in Peru July 15, 2012 OF ALL the things one might expect to find at the bottom of a steep dell in the Peruvian rainforest, the rusted iron hulk of an ancient steamboat would not be high on the list. And yet I’m looking at just that scene: decades after the boat somehow came to rest here, its old funnel [...]
Barratt to build 463 Fulham homes July 12, 2012 Housebuilder Barratt Developments announced yesterday that its subsidiary Barratt London, in partnership with L&Q, the housing association, has bought a derelict 8.5 acre site in Fulham from Sainsbury’s. It currently houses a Sainsbury’s store and car park and a large, derelict wharf building. Barratt is set to transform the £420m site into 463 riverside flats [...]
Hip, hip, odrome! July 12, 2012 LEICESTER Square, 1900. Inside the newly opened Hippodrome, polar bears and elephants parade about and a troop of acrobatic dwarves dive from the Gods into a tank – across the room, Harry Houdini is performing some of his most spectacular acts. At its peak, the Hippodrome, built by Victorian theatre architect extraordinaire Frank Matcham, was [...]
Leon banking on appetite of hungry savers July 8, 2012 HUNGRY investors in search of an investment in a falafel wrap may find solace in fast-food chain Leon’s new retail bond. Nicknamed the Leon bond, the three-year fixed-term corporate bond pays an annual coupon of between 10 to 15 per cent in £eon Pounds, depending on the amount invested, which can be redeemed at the [...]
Live like a true king in Kingston July 8, 2012 THE SUN descends over Kingston town, casting a warm blood orange-hued glow over the city and dramatic dock beyond. At street level music systems crank out raga, cars beep, locals chat animatedly by beer shacks and jerk chicken stands as our car weaves masterfully through the throng of traffic. “Rush hour,” explains our driver, handing [...]
Heart of Glass July 5, 2012 AFTER A 12-YEAR WAIT, Londoners were finally given a preview of the 360-degree panorama from the 72nd floor of the Shard yesterday, at a formal ceremony marking its external completion. The 95-storey tower designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano has had to overcome major planning battles, fierce criticism and a fractious ownership since it was [...]
North Road is a Scandinavian joy July 2, 2012 RESTAURANT NORTH ROAD 69-73 St John St, EC1M 4AN Tel: 020 3217 0033 FOOD **** SERVICE **** ATMOSPHERE **** Cost per person without wine: £75 Scandinavia is having quite a moment. We watch its TV shows, we wear its jumpers, we buy its furniture (while hoping people won’t notice it came flat-packed in a cardboard [...]
OLYMPIC MEDIA BUZZ LONDON 2012 PARTNERS July 1, 2012 IN ASSOCIATION with Repskan.com, City A.M. is measuring the relative Olympic media buzz around the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games partners, week by week. The leaderboard, right, reflects their ranking over the past week, in this case from Wednesday 20 June to Wednesday 27 June. The big media story of the week for sponsors [...]