Don’t believe the hype: streaming doesn’t sell artists down the river January 19, 2021 Last October, the Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee launched an inquiry into the impact of music streaming on artists and the industry, after calls from campaigners to shake up how streaming royalties work. While I appreciate the concerns of many artists, I should say that I am a big fan of streaming, for many [...]
“Some challengers don’t want to make a profit” says Cashplus boss February 19, 2021 With plans to raise external investment and a new chairman in tow, challenger bank Cashplus is going full steam ahead just weeks after securing its full banking licence. Earlier this month the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) granted Cashplus a full banking license. Like its digital peers, Cashplus offers current accounts for UK SMEs, currently serving [...]
Rodrigues: The Indian Ocean’s hidden paradise April 17, 2021 As international travel appears to be close to resuming, we’re giving you inspiration for your dream post-Covid trip by republishing articles from our archives. Today we revisit out Life&Style editor Steve Dinneen’s trip to the magical island of Rodrigues. ••• Walking into Rodrigues’ Reserve François Leguat is one of those wild moments that will stay [...]
Best of travel: Why Toronto beats New York for a city break March 17, 2021 To tide us over until we’re able to travel again, we’re republishing classic travel stories from our archives. Today we revisit Siobhan Grogan’s trip to the premier North American city break destination: Toronto. ••• As the cab from the airport inched forward in nose to tail traffic towards the distinctive skyline in the distance, I [...]
Fast fashion: Boohoo bucks high street gloom with soaring revenue June 12, 2019 Fast fashion retailer Boohoo has again defied a gloomy retail sector, reporting 39 per cent sales growth in the last quarter. The firm’s offering, of selling cheap own-brand clothing and accessories online, has chimed with younger consumers in recent years. Boohoo’s rise comes at the same time as high street rivals such as Topshop fight [...]
The Mandalorian season 2 episode 6: S2E6 sees a legend return December 5, 2020 *** SPOILERS AHEAD: If you haven’t watched the most recent episodes of The Mandalorian Season 2, look away now*** After a few episodic adventures, the larger picture of this season of The Mandalorian seems to be coming together. Last episode we got a huge chunk of information about The Child – or Grogu, as he [...]
Exclusive: London’s fintech bubble is ‘close to popping,’ warns Reed Smith partner April 13, 2021 A coalition of London fintech firms recently called on the Financial Conduct Authority to end the dominance of banks over the use of consumer data this year. They argue it would increase competition in the savings, credit, mortgages and pensions markets. Howard Womersley Smith, an expert fintech and data lawyer at Reed Smith in the [...]
WandaVision Episode 8 review: S1E8 revels in last week’s reveal February 26, 2021 If you’ve been watching WandaVision every week (and if you haven’t, why are you reading this?), you’ll have been humming a certain theme tune for the past week. Yep, it was Agatha All Along! Or was it? Following the jaw-dropping twist last week that kindly neighbour Agnes (Kathryn Hahn) was in fact a powerful witch [...]
Restaurant delivery boxes are here to stay: We review 48 of them June 29, 2021 Before the pandemic, most top chefs would have turned their nose up at home delivery services. There’s the lack of control, the logistical nightmare, not to mention the wafer-thin margins. But necessity being the mother of invention has led to dozens of outstanding delivery services, and even with restaurants back open and looking forward to [...]
Best of travel: Hayman, a luxe resort on the Great Barrier Reef February 26, 2021 To tide us over until we’re able to travel again, we’re republishing classic travel stories from our archives. Today we revisit Melissa York’s trip to Australia’s Hayman Island for a VIP tour of the Great Barrier Reef. ••• Backpackers heading to Australia usually aspire to conquer the three Rs; Reef, Rocks, and Rock. Admittedly, it [...]