Kurt Geiger boss joins list of retailers slamming the end of tax-free shopping September 2, 2024 Kurt Geiger’s boss has said the UK is shooting itself in the foot by not bringing back tax-free shopping for international visitors. Kurt Geiger’s chief executive, Neil Clifford, told The Times that the end of VAT-free shopping has had a “massively negative effect” on Britain”. “International tourists, whether it be Middle Eastern or American travellers, [...]
The Savoy Hotel feels the pinch as London’s luxury market gets even more competitive August 28, 2024 The Savoy Hotel is feeling the impact of an increase in competition in London’s luxury hotel market after its pre-tax loss widened during 2023, it has been revealed. The hotel has reported a loss of £17.9m for its latest financial year, having also made a pre-tax loss of £12m in 2022, according to newly-filed documents [...]
Venice Film Festival: An insider’s guide to all the gossip, parties and deals August 27, 2024 The 81st Venice Film Festival kicks off tomorrow and it’s set to continue its legacy as a hotbed of dealmakers, party goers and luxury brand sponsorship. Our man on the inside gives the lowdown on what to expect this time around. “The Ghost with the Most is Back” proclaim the Venetian billboards for Tim Burton’s [...]
9 of the best September holidays to book now in Spain, Greece and more to keep summer alive August 27, 2024 Don’t believe those who would tell you summer is almost over: book one of these September holidays to keep the summer spirit alive Ignore chat about summer being over – it’s wrong. The summer season officially lasts until 20 September, and plenty of the season’s biggest events are yet to happen. Travel network Virtuoso data [...]
Jamie Oliver serves up sales success after flagship London restaurant opens August 22, 2024 Jamie Oliver’s new flagship London restaurant and the continuing popularity of his recipe books helped boost the turnover of the celebrity chef’s group during its latest financial year. The group has reported a turnover of £27m for 2023 after posting a total of £23.6m for 2022, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. Its sales [...]
Claridge’s Hotel: Major expansion helps sales and profit surge at five-star London icon August 21, 2024 Sales at Claridge’s Hotel surged by more than 20 per cent in 2023 thanks to a “strong” recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and the completion of a major expansion project. The five-star London hotel has reported a turnover of £119.3m for its latest financial year, up from the £98.1m it achieved in 2022. According to [...]
Rick Stein-owned group to open new restaurant in central London after return to profit August 20, 2024 The Stein Group, founded and co-owned by Rick Stein, has announced plans to expand to central London after making its way back into profit last year. Stein’s has reportedly begun the search for a central London site for its thirteenth restaurant. It currently operates twelve eateries across the south of the country, with one already [...]
England fast bowler Tom Curran on what he’d eat for his last meal August 16, 2024 England international Tom Curran, currently playing in the Hundred, picks out the dishes he’d eat for his last supper on earth, from an entire breakfast to a gooey chocolate fondant. I grew up from the age of six in Zimbabwe so we ate a lot of meat and spent a lot of time cooking on [...]
This stunning London rooftop pool could be in Los Angeles August 16, 2024 If you’re looking for London rooftop bars or outdoor swimming pools in the capital, both combine at the art’otel, the new Battersea Power Station opening with a hot tub overlooking the iconic chimneys that featured on the cover of Pink Floyd’s 1977 album Animals. A room costs £250 and gets you access to what we would [...]
Inside the real foodie Chicago that inspired The Bear August 16, 2024 Ash Hiden explores why America’s Second City should be first on your list for a stateside city break following the massive success of culinary drama The Bear The Bear is an astonishingly good watch. As hard to turn away from as lead star Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein underwear ads, it is a celebration of [...]