Greece’s catastrophic 1930s-style depression is a salutary tale August 12, 2013 SORRY, but the fact that Greece collapsed at an annual rate of 4.6 per cent in the second quarter, rather than a little bit faster, isn’t good news. It’s terrible, awful, horrible news. Greek output is down by 23 per cent since 2008 and unemployment is at around 28 per cent; no wonder, given the [...]
Should we all just stay in bed? September 23, 2013 NASA is paying guinea pigs to work from their bed – but how productive can we be outside of the office? Melissa York investigates the pros and cons of homeworking THIS week, US space agency NASA announced it was looking for regular guys like you and me to join a special project. Hold on before [...]
What the analysts are saying about UK retail sales growth August 15, 2013 Source: Capital Economics Earlier this morning, the Office for National Statistics reported that retail sales jumped by 3.0 per cent year-on-year in July, boosted by sunny weather and food sales. For the most part, analysts seemed cautious about getting too excited over the data and prospects for a sustainable recovery. Martin Beck, UK economist [...]
Tea expert who’s found a new blend September 23, 2013 Annabel Palmer talks to Mike Brehme, who is transforming hot drinks for the second time WHAT do you do when you’ve already transformed that most British of pastimes – drinking tea? That was the conundrum facing Mike Brehme – co-founder of Clipper Teas, whose newest venture FruitBroo has recently come onto the shelves at Sainsbury’s [...]
The range of premium mixers produced to raise gin’s spirits October 21, 2013 Annabel Palmer talks luck, liquor and a lightbulb moment with Charles Rolls, co-founder of drinks label Fever-Tree WHILE gin may not be the most popular global spirit (that prestigious title goes to Korean rice wine brand Jinro), the world consumes 440m litres of it each year. But back in 2000, Charles Rolls, co-founder of the [...]
How to make your fitness regime stick August 26, 2013 HOW TO MAKE THOSE FITNESS GOALS STICK Autumn can be a bit like the New Year when it comes to fitness goals. Well intentioned as you were at the start of the summer, you now realise there’s been more barbecued burgers than beach volleyball over the last couple of months. Before you start making a [...]
Review: Bulgari Hotel September 1, 2013 Zoe Strimpel checks in for a slice of the high-life THE name Bulgari conjures images of diamonds and decadence – it’s appropriate that its first UK hotel is in that home of international wealth, Knightsbridge. Its probably only a matter of time until the Gucci Hotel opens up on Sloane Street, or Fendi launches a [...]
Elephant trekking, luxury and great Thai food September 29, 2013 This luxury beach resort was devastated by the 2005 tsunami. Now it’s back and better than ever THE PERFECT way to end an unforgettable afternoon spent trekking through the jungle trails of Khao Sok National Park in Phuket, Thailand is to give a leathery, old elephant a sunset bath. With Bauthong (lotus flower) repeatedly submerging [...]
Turning up the heat: Former trader taking on the Big Six September 22, 2013 Annabel Palmer talks tariffs and talent with Stephen Fitzpatrick, who switched the City for the Cotswolds to found energy company Ovo EXPERTS are predicting another gloomy winter for Britain, with power firms expected to raise tariffs in November and December by up to 10 per cent – pushing annual average bills to over £1,500 for [...]
Foodie who hit the ground running September 29, 2013 Annabel Palmer talks to David Moore, the restauranteur behind London’s Pied a Terre THE GLOBAL restaurant industry is forecast to increase in size by 7.2 per cent over the next three years, rising from total revenues of $2.45 trillion (£1.53 trillion) in 2011 to $3.48 trillion by the end of 2016. And in the UK, [...]