Data released by Barclaycard today as part of its latest Contactless Spending Index shows that ‘touch and go’ payments have rocketed in the last 12 months, with year-on-year spending up 166 per cent. The news comes as industry body, the UK Cards Association (UKCA), reveals that the number of contactless credit and debits cards in the UK now tops 100 million. Demonstrating … [Read more...]
Mark Kimber and Harry Smith to open Plot in tooting’s Broadway Market
Mark Kimber and Harry Smith will open their first restaurant, Plot, in Tooting’s Broadway Market on the 11th of January 2017. Located a stone’s throw away from cousins Mark and Harry’s family homes, Plot will use suppliers from across the Isles and their local community to create a menu of small plates, showcasing the best of British. The kitchen will be run by Giles Elstob, a … [Read more...]
Hotels which offer a touch of Halcyon glamour
Many historic family-owned hotels within Pride of Britain Hotels’ collection of 47 properties welcomed guests during the 1940s, and are still offering the same levels of exceptional hospitality today. Here are four examples: Deep in the heart of Belgravia, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace is The Goring, London’s only five-star luxury hotel that is still owned and run … [Read more...]
Birmingham’s hotels experience busiest October on record
Birmingham’s hotels posted an average occupancy rate of 81% in October 2016 – with the Conservative Party Conference, the Great Birmingham Run, Grand Designs Live and three Justin Bieber concerts helping the sector to achieve its highest October figures on record. The figures, released by Marketing Birmingham’s Regional Observatory in collaboration with travel research … [Read more...]
Iconic Music Venue to relaunch in 2017
With a long and rich history within London’s live music and nightlife scene, The Garage in Islington has always been regarded as one of the city’s landmark venues. Now, relaunching in February 2017, under new ownership and following an extensive refurbishment, The Garage will be transformed into a destination venue and its iconic reputation reignited. As well as housing the … [Read more...]