Aladdin at Lyric Hammersmith is the playful reinvention that combines flying carpets with Brexit jokes December 6, 2016 Some pantomimes rely on hiring former celebrities to lure in the crowds – “Where are the best years of my career?” “Behind you!” This production has no need for such gimmicks, having instead a tight script that playfully reinvents a classic, high-energy dancing, inventive use of pop songs, engaging performances, and lots of audience participation. It [...]
Fancy some gluhwein? Yeah you do. Here are the best Christmas markets in Europe December 6, 2016 The traditional Christmas market has existed for centuries, and for the most part has remained relatively unchanged. Nativity scenes depict the birth of Jesus Christ, carol singers drop festive beats and boozed up revellers stave off the freezing temperatures with Gluhwein and roasted chestnuts. But while London has certainly enjoyed its own festive renaissance of [...]
Don’t want to cook? Left booking late? Try these excellent London options for Christmas dinner December 6, 2016 Rivea Knightsbridge, SW7, £105pp, rivealondon.com Toast Christ’s birth in the glittering basement of the Bulgari Hotel, where executive chef Alexandre Nicolas has created a traditional menu with decadent twists. Scottish salmon gravlax and a pear and chestnut yule log rub shoulders with more unusual delicacies, such as a foie gras terrine with muscat grape gelee [...]
Edinburgh: a city of lights offering a box of delights December 6, 2016 | City Talk The festive season is a magical time. Comforting childhood memories of twinkling city centre lights, carol singers and sipping hot chocolate mingle with familiar festive music and echoes of the butterflies once felt before meeting Santa in the local department store. Today, the hot chocolate might have been supplanted by a mug of warming mulled [...]
Interiors: Embark on a ‘tipples and trees’ tour to get festive inspiration from London’s hotels and restaurants December 5, 2016 Now the merry month of December is upon us it’s time to fire up the festive spirit and prepare to entertain descending hordes of relatives. But what to do with them? A Christmas-themed afternoon tea or a festive cocktail at one of London’s landmark venues is a surefire way to impress. This time of year, [...]
Focus On Maida Vale: Why financiers and celebrities flock to the birthplace of the London mansion block December 5, 2016 The London mansion block has never been so popular, yet there are only a finite number in existence. While many luxury property developers are seeking to reinvent them for the 21st century for a tidy profit, the birthplace of the original – the real white-stuccoed deal – is still Maida Vale in north west London. [...]
Property of the Week: Former seminary and Call the Midwife location now an impressive property for sale December 5, 2016 Space is in short supply in London, which is why this chapel, the centrepiece of a former college in north London, is such hot property. Spanning over 8,000sqft – over twice the size of a generous Georgian townhouse – this Grade II Listed building has surveyed the surrounding area of Mill Hill Village from the [...]
Brexit is bringing European “shopcationers” to London to do their holiday shopping December 5, 2016 Spanish and Italian shoppers are set to hit the streets of London in droves this weekend to bag bargains ahead of Christmas. Since the EU referendum, the weak pound has made London a prime destination for "shopcationers", or people travelling from abroad with the intention to shop, new data suggests. Read more: Christmas shopping will be cheaper this year [...]
Opinion: Forget banning letting fees – it’s time we introduced compulsory regulation into the lettings sector December 2, 2016 Invent a snappy name, rent a shop and build a website – and, hey presto, you are now set up as a lettings agent. And until the Chancellor’s move to ban fees in the Autumn Statement, you could charge whatever you liked to tenants to handle the renting of a property. Unlike many of our [...]
New Builds: 600 new homes are set to be built on a site the size of three football pitches in south London December 2, 2016 The Quarry, Bexley A quarrying site that hasn’t been used in 40 years is set to be home to 600 new properties. The first new homes – 80 per cent of which will be modern family houses hoping to attract upsizers – will go on sale in the new year. There will also be a [...]
