Smokers Paradise lost: City’s oldest cigar shop shuts its doors January 14, 2017 One of the City's oldest cigar shops has shut its doors after serving the great and the good of the Square Mile for almost 200 years. Smokers Paradise, a shop which was based in the iconic Royal Exchange at the heart of London's financial district, has sold its final Montecristo after rising rent costs made it [...]
Remember special relationships? The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator wants one with Canada January 14, 2017 The EU's chief Brexit negotiator has indicated signs of a softening his previously hardline stance of the UK's exit from the union, letting slip a desire to allow member states access to the City. Michel Barnier wants a "special" relationship with London financial powerhouse as part of any Brexit deal, according to unpublished European parliament [...]
Best and worst: The UK cities that are most and least likely to follow through on New Year’s promises January 13, 2017 For many of us, a couple of weeks into January and we're ready to bin those well intentioned promises made on New Year's Day. But new research by Amex has revealed which UK city is most confident about following through on their New Year's resolution. Read more: This is how much you're going to spend on getting [...]
No business like snow business: The funniest tweets about London’s flurry of snow January 13, 2017 The Met Office had issued warnings, Transport for London (TfL) said it had prepared – but in the event, in the capital yesterday's snow flurry proved pretty disappointing. That didn't stop Londoners from taking to Twitter to express their excitement, though. Here are the best tweets about #Snowmageddon. With the Met Office having issued warnings [...]
Why a Singapore-style London would be run by Jeremy Corbyn January 13, 2017 Occasionally, highly educated Londoners half-jokingly, half-wistfully suggest the city should declare independence from the rest of the country. They really mean independence from provincial England, whose values and political priorities they abhor. They aspire to live in a city friendly to business and the successful – an open-minded city, open to the world. Would they [...]
Canary Wharf station reopens after flooding trouble causes more travel headaches for the capital’s commuters January 12, 2017 The capital's commuters have been given yet more travel headaches for the week, after flooding caused station troubles during rush-hour. Canary Wharf was evacuated due to flooding, while westbound services weren't stopping at Mansion House and Victoria station also because of flooding. Bank was also closed due to overcrowding. Trains are now stopping at Mansion House, though Circle [...]
Snow no! London airports have cancelled dozens of flights January 12, 2017 As snow and ice loomed over London, airports across the capital have cancelled dozens of flights. Heathrow and Gatwick airports both said some flights were cancelled in advance of the snow, which is set to begin at five o'clock tonight. Meanwhile, Luton and City airports both said they will keep travellers up to date. Heathrow [...]
Bank junction in the City will come to a standstill this evening due to a cab drivers demonstration January 12, 2017 Cab drivers are planning to demonstrate in the Square Mile today, with police warning that there will be significant traffic problems for most of this evening as a result. Bank junction will be closed from 4.30pm, ahead of the protest action by United Cabbie Group (UCG), which starts at 5pm and runs until 6.30pm. The cab [...]
The easy sell to the EU that preserves the Single Market for the City January 12, 2017 The UK is about to seriously embark on its programme towards Brexit. We have been promised that the government will exercise the country’s right under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March 2017, which commences a two-year period of withdrawal negotiations. Those two years will be marked by considerable political activity and, though this [...]
Why we’re restricting traffic at Bank junction January 12, 2017 Bank junction is one of the City’s most iconic spots. The Bank of England, the Mansion House and Royal Exchange make it an instantly recognisable place. However, those who try and pass through – whether on foot, on bicycle or by vehicle – know that it is incredibly busy, especially at peak travel times. Many [...]