The remote Maldives island blending local culture with luxury September 18, 2025 We all do the same thing when we arrive in paradise. Snap-happy eager beavers, scrambling to photograph the first swinging hammock, the first lopsided shell, the welcome coconut drink raised towards the sea, held out like a newborn Simba over Pride Rock. Arriving at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in the Maldives, you will undoubtedly do this. [...]
Titanic Quarter sinks further into the red as losses mount September 17, 2025 Losses at a string of companies related to the landmark Titanic Quarter development in Belfast have widened during their latest financial years, new documents show. The companies, which are controlled by businessmen Dermot Desmond and Pat Doherty, are all involved in the development of the 161.5-acre site. Belfast’s Titanic Quarter is home to more than 100 companies with [...]
Tube strikes driving you to drink? Good luck finding a pub that’s still open September 10, 2025 It’s not just frazzled commuters who’re suffering during the tube strike. London’s pubs – already under intolerable pressure from crushing business rates and burdensome and costly regulations – are taking another hit, says Emma McClarkin Listening to the radio this morning pushed home the far-reaching impact of the tube strike. We heard about a mother’s [...]
Sadiq Khan accused of avoiding public over tube strikes September 9, 2025 Sadiq Khan has been accused of hiding from the public amid ongoing tube strikes hitting Londoners and commuters, with costs on businesses projected to rise above £100m. The Mayor has faced heavy criticism over the lack of public comments made in response to the tube strikes, with union bosses holding firm on radical demands to [...]
Sir Rocco Forte enjoys record pay day after hotels empire deal August 13, 2025 The hotels group founded by Sir Rocco Forte has issued a record dividend for the first full year after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) became a major shareholder. Rocco Forte Hotels has paid out dividends totalling £8.9m for the year to 30 April, 2025, to its shareholders. The international hotels group, which is headquartered in [...]
London pub scene ‘showing real resilience’ despite soaring costs August 7, 2025 The number of pubs in London has barely budged in the last decade despite heavy pressure on the capital’s hospitality scene. There are 3,523 pubs in the capital, only 10 fewer than in 2023 and just under the 3,530 venues recorded in 2017, according to data from the ONS. “The data shows it’s far from [...]
London could have new bridges for free – but we’re funding Nimbys and woke charities instead July 31, 2025 The City Bridge Foundation is an ancient fund with deep pockets whose specific purpose is to build and maintain London’s bridges – so why is it paying for woke charities and indirectly giving money to Nimby groups? Asks John Murphy “Politics is all about trade-offs,” we’re told. “You can’t please everyone,” says the wizened old [...]
Could a tourist tax ever work in London? July 24, 2025 Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner, but I reckon there are few better tourist destinations. Our city is bursting with history and culture, boasts dozens of plush green spaces and has more Michelin Stars than New York. Should people pay to get in? Ours is one of the top cities on earth to visit, but [...]
Tourists help boost luxury London hotels despite widening losses July 23, 2025 Losses have widened at a luxury London hotels group despite international tourism helping to boost its sales to a new record. Firmdale Hotels, which was founded by Tim and Kit Kemp, has fallen to a pre-tax loss of £30.4m for its year to 31 January, 2025, new accounts filed with Companies House show. The total [...]
Angela Rayner pushes for new tourist tax to fix black hole July 22, 2025 Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is pushing Chancellor Rachel Reeves to give more power to councils to tax tourists amid worries that local governments are struggling to keep finances in check. Rayner has suggested that councils should be able to tax tourist hotel stays and take advantage of a rise in visitors, rather than taxing [...]