X-Men: Apocalypse review: James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender can’t salvage this incoherent X-jumble May 19, 2016 X-Men: Apocalypse takes the franchise’s hard-won chips and bets them all on tumbling pyramids and slo-mo explosions. It sells the X-Mansion for a bag of CGI beans. It’s an incoherent jumble, lacking any kind of authoritative vision; a collection of disparate elements that rub uncomfortably against each other, more closely resembling a fan-made super-cut than [...]
Harry Potter’s spell is still working its magic on publisher Bloomsbury even as focus shifts May 19, 2016 Bloomsbury Publishing, which has been hanging on to Harry Potter’s soaring broomstick for nearly two decades now, isn’t letting go any time soon. The company reported an eight per cent rise in pre-tax profits last year following a 133 per cent surge in sales of Harry Potter books. The rise has been put down to [...]
Gin proves to be no mother’s ruin for Young’s and Co as sales soar May 19, 2016 A huge rise in demand for gin and sparkling wine gave Young’s and Co a tonic as the pub operator tapped into trends for premium drinks. Sales of sparkling wine rose by more than 25 per cent for the third year running, while the number of people downing spirits also increased. Gin, the drink du [...]
New EU tobacco rules: In defence of the menthol cigarettes and packs of 10 that will soon be banned May 19, 2016 Among the many petty new rules being introduced in the EU's Tobacco Products Directive, which comes into force tomorrow, is a ban on menthol and a ban on packs of 10. The ban on menthol came about as a result of anti-smoking hype about "characterising flavours". There was much chatter in Brussels about the supposed allure [...]
The Rose and the Ring at The Charterhouse: How to enjoy country opera within the Square Mile May 19, 2016 The Rose and The Ringw | The Charterhouse | ★★★★★ Country-house opera is a peculiar experience. You dress up, park your car on a rich Englishman’s estate, drink champagne and have a picnic, all the while being immersed in the operatic experience. The Charterhouse hosted a City-based version last week with a riotous production of [...]
EU referendum: More than 80 per cent of students will vote Remain over new job opportunities May 19, 2016 A huge majority of British students are set to back Remain in the EU referendum due to fears that Brexit could lead to a lack of job opportunities. New research shows that 81 per cent of students back Remain, while just 10 per cent plan to vote to Leave. Some nine per cent were either [...]
Millennials are driving wine sales but are in the dark when it comes to actual knowledge about wine May 19, 2016 Millennials will be raising a glass to the news that they are now a major force in the UK's wine industry, although new research also suggests they don't have a clue what they're talking about. Successful millennials – between the ages of 18 and 35 with an above average income – now account for 31 per cent of [...]
Mothercare takes baby steps towards recovery with first statutory profit in five years May 19, 2016 Mothercare's share price has soared more than 10.3 per cent this morning after posting its first statutory profit in five years. The figures Revenues dropped 4.5 per cent worldwide to £1.15bn, with the international market continuing to be "challenging". However total UK sales were up 0.3 per cent to £459.7m, with like-for-likes up 3.6 per cent. Group [...]
What do Dyson, Google and other “super” entrepreneurs have in common? May 19, 2016 When the word “entrepreneurial” is mentioned, most people immediately think of small owner operator businesses. But the Marketing Agencies Association’s second annual Super Entrepreneur list looks to some of Britain’s biggest and best known companies to understand and explain their growing culture of entrepreneurialism. An expert panel ranked 200 of Britain’s biggest consumer-facing companies against entrepreneurial [...]
Harlequins prop Joe Marler rules himself out of England’s Australia tour and admits he needs break May 18, 2016 Harlequins prop Joe Marler has pulled out of England’s summer programme, including next month’s three-Test tour of Australia, after admitting he needs time away from the game. Marler was an integral member of England’s front-row as head coach Eddie Jones guided the Red Rose to their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2003 in March, [...]