QuadReal pumps nearly $1bn in London property January 12, 2021 Property group QuadReal has spent nearly $1bn to acquire a majority stake in seven London-based assets owned by Realstar UK. The Canadian asset manager partnered with Realstar to invest in four rental properties in New Cross, Stockwell and a 45-story tower in the heart of Elephant & Castle. Realstar CEO Ryan Prince said, “Far [...]
Cars and buses to be banned from busy Strand junction January 11, 2021 Westminster Council is set to embark on a pedestrianisation of the busy junction abutting Strand and Aldwych at a cost of £18m. The scheme will see the part of the Strand which runs next to King’s College London and Somerset House closed to traffic. It will be replaced with what Westminster Council describe as a [...]
We travel to Europe’s first psychedelic mushroom retreat January 11, 2021 Lockdown has scuppered even the best laid plans. Far from going on holiday somewhere exotic, or embarking on an adventure of self discovery, we’re stuck in a country where walking in the park with a flask of tea may get you arrested. So as we dream of better times and sunnier climes, we’re starting a [...]
21 movies to see in 2021: Our bumper guide to the year ahead January 8, 2021 If 2020 had been the plot of a movie, no-one would have believed it. As the pandemic spread its tendrils across the globe, Hollywood’s studios were forced to shut their doors and an entire year’s worth of blockbusters either moved to streaming or were pushed back to 2021. This year the only thing we can [...]
Defending the rulebook: Overcoming America’s Darkest Day January 7, 2021 This is a time for elemental thoughts. Following one of the darkest days in the history of the American Republic, when an armed mob set in motion by Donald Trump marched on the capitol, ransacking it, and pressured lawmakers to overturn the 2020 election results (words I never, ever thought I’d write), it is time [...]
Footballers warned by own union to stick to lockdown rules following spate of high-profile breaches at top clubs January 6, 2021 Footballers’ union the PFA has urged players to observe lockdown rules as a matter of “vital importance” following a number of high-profile breaches. Stars from Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham have attracted criticism for holding social gatherings over the festive period. The PFA’s warning comes as Covid-19 cases soar in the Premier League and [...]
On track: First passenger trains run on Northern line Tube extension January 4, 2021 The extension to the Northern line came a step closer to completion over the Christmas period as the first passenger trains completed journeys through the new tunnels. Test trains entered the 3.2km of new track at Kennington, passing through Nine Elms station before arriving at the extension’s second new station at Battersea Power Station. The [...]
With little ado, a divided United Kingdom casts off into the Brexit unknown January 3, 2021 By Guy Faulconbridge and Kate Holton LONDON (Reuters) – The United Kingdom began the New Year outside the European Union’s orbit on Friday after ending a tempestuous 48-year liaison with the European project, its most significant geopolitical shift since the loss of empire. Brexit took effect in substance on Thursday at the strike of midnight [...]
Footfall collapses on Boxing Day as retailers count the cost of restrictions December 27, 2020 Retailers across the country saw one of their busiest days of the year end with a whimper rather than a bang as Covid-19 restrictions saw High Street footfall collapse. Across the country, retail footfall fell by 60 per cent, according to market watcher Springboard. Read more: Retailers hope for a digital boost but the end [...]
Brits to splash out £2.7bn across Britain as virtual sales kick off December 26, 2020 Retailers are expected to enjoy a bumper Boxing Day as Brits head to online and physical sales. New data from Barclaycard suggests Brits could spend as much as £2.7bn across the January sales. Read more: Free ports and smart investment are the Brexit prize, says Gove But data from the West End’s leading retailers paints [...]