Super Saturday: 11 London pubs to visit as capital reopens July 3, 2020 We know Soho is opening up with pedestrianised streets, but what else is happening this weekend around the capital? Well, there’s plenty of London pubs and bars reopening, if you’re in need of a post-lockdown drink. If you’re looking for inspiration, Morning Wire takes a very brief look at options – but for goodness’ sake, just [...]
The Friday interview: Gary Boom on wine, trading and virtual tastings July 3, 2020 Nothing has been immune from the disruption wrought by Covid-19 and the wine industry is no different. Morning Wire talks to BI Fine Wine chief Gary Boom about Bordeaux tastings, the wine industry and the value of an alternative asset class. “Here’s your routine when you start: it’s nine o’clock first tasting, with seven wines. [...]
4 July reopening: Soho to sizzle as street festival kicks off this weekend July 2, 2020 The West End is set to be the epicentre of 4 July reopening revelry this weekend with newly pedestrianised streets heralding what some are calling “The Summer of Soho”. Westminster Council have now confirmed that a number of streets in the famous entertainment district will be closed to motor traffic. That will allow venues to [...]
Hipgnosis seeks £200m capital raise in new share placing July 2, 2020 Music royalties investment firm Hipgnosis has announced plans to raise £200m in a share placing as the company looks to expand its catalogue portfolio. The London-listed firm said it hopes to raise the cash in a retail offer of up to 200m new C shares, at a price of 100p per share via London fintech [...]
Boisdale launches campaign to allow live music in restaurants July 1, 2020 London restaurant group Boisdale has launched a campaign urging the government to overturn a ban on live music in restaurants, as the hospitality sector prepares to reopen after months of lockdown. Boisdale, which owns restaurants in Mayfair, Bishopsgate, Canary Wharf and Belgravia, has said it will continue to host live music performances at one of [...]
1 Lombard Street hires Mark Hix as director of food and drink July 1, 2020 City restaurant 1 Lombard Street has hired chef and restauranteur Mark Hix as director of food and drink ahead of the restaurant’s reopening, as the hospitality sector begins to emerge from months of lockdown. Hix, who owns the Hix group of London restaurants, will work alongside executive chef Robin Freeman to reimagine the menu at [...]
Hospitality venues raise the bar as pubs’ re-opening app-roaches July 1, 2020 | City Talk ‘Two pints of lager and a packet of crisps’: no longer (for the time being, at least) a request delivered while waiting at the bar. Instead, a request delivered electronically by smartphone app from a safe, social distance. Technology’s reach knows no bounds as Britain’s public houses – stereotypically bastions of resistance to digital accoutrements [...]
National Gallery, Tate and Royal Academy set dates to reopen June 30, 2020 Major London art galleries are set to reopen next month as England prepares to lift social distancing restrictions after months of lockdown. The National Gallery will be the first major gallery in the capital to reopen on 8 July, while the Royal Academy is set to open its doors on 9 July, and the Tate’s [...]
Coronavirus has reshaped urban mobility but the biggest challenge remains Climate Change June 30, 2020 | Sponsored The argument for small, environment-friendly personal transport has been growing stronger for some time. This was true even before the Coronavirus pandemic required us to socially distance, and the government urged us all to “consider all other forms of transport before using public transport”; thus marking a reversal of the long-standing encouragement to use trains [...]
Exclusive: Joe Allen’s Theatreland brasserie to launch virtual cabaret fundraiser June 29, 2020 It’s the Theatreland institution that has provided late night refreshment to London’s thespians for more than four decades – but like every other restaurant in the capital, Joe Allen’s has been hit hard by the Covid-19 lockdown. But for those missing the theatre, the New York-style brasserie in Covent Garden will be hosting a series [...]