The City Magazine December 2011

the city m a g a z i n e

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide the most extravagant the most luxurious the best

THE year of the DRAGON Duncan Bannatyne Talks business

THE RIVALS

The Greatest in Sport

finance fashion motoring interiors property DECEMBER 2011 i s s u e 5 0

2011

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contents feature 11 2011: A Year in Review A look back at 2011’s highlights: the key events, people and products of the year

A YEAR IN

REvIEW

73 REX: Winter Edition Pick out the perfect presents from the Royal Exchange’s festive gift guide

I

t seems hardly possible that 2011 is drawing to a close: the London 2012 Olympics, the Diamond Jubilee and the next US election are now just months away, after years of anticipation. While there have been causes for celebration this past year, a plethora of events and issues have had huge, and negative, impacts on communities, nations and economies. In Britain, we have continued to weather the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, dealing with widespread redundancies and soaring unemployment numbers, as well as witnessing the worst rioting since the 1985 Brixton unrest. On a global scale, attention turned to Japan, Norway, Egypt and Libya for all the wrong reasons.

However, there have also been wonderful highlights of 2011, especially on British soil. Billions worldwide watched, enthralled, as royal couple William and Kate became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the most anticipated royal wedding since the marriage of Princess Diana and HRH Prince Charles in 1981. As always, the cultural scene in the UK has flourished, offering up new and xxxxxxx acclaimed works and artists in the fields of art, music, literature and architecture, and British fashion has gone from strength to strength.

In order to remind ourselves of what we have enjoyed and appreciated the most, read on to remember some of the highlights of 2011.

collection 26 The Bare Essentials

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Lucie Dodds showcases this season’s finest jewellery and statement watches

34 A Temple to Time

THE BARE

essentials

Richard Brown reports on the annual watch exposition, SalonQP, which took place at the Saatchi Gallery in November

Timeless and elegant, invest in statement watches and jewellery for maximum impact this winter. From precious metals and rare stones to classic chronographs and luxurious leather, The Royal Exchange offers the finest selection of gifts for the festive season

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Photographer:

Jon Cottam Fashion Editor:

Lucie Dodds

48 Year of the Dragon Duncan Bannatyne has cultivated a formidable image as the man to impress in the world of business: we find out how

calibre

B.ZERO1 4-band ring in 18 carat yellow gold, £990, Bulgari 15 The Courtyard, 020 7283 4580, www.bulgari.com

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sports

SportStarS: The Rivals In memory of boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s greatest rival, Joe Frazier, who lost his battle with liver cancer in November, Lee Brooks takes a look at the greatest sporting rivalries that have lit up the last four decades

60 Work & Play Gadgets and games gizmos for the sporty girls and gents in your life. Because everyone needs a Chanel snowboard

connoisseur 108 Feast & Fancy

A selection of the most delicious, decadent

Christmas offerings in food and drink

Ayrton Senna v Alain Prost

Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe’s rivalry was absorbing, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras’ intense but Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s battle for supremacy has been more compelling than the other two combined.

The two men spent more than five years pushing each other to the limit, with Nadal enjoying the upper hand on the red dirt of Roland Garros and Federer the king of grass at Wimbledon. Then, in 2008, the two men came face-to-face on Centre Court in the Wimbledon final.

Here, through rain, wind and impending darkness, the game’s two greatest players swapped shot after shot of exquisite beauty. Neither man gave the other an inch. The quality was breathtaking and the tension unbearable. Federer won the first two sets and came within two points of victory before sensationally losing the next three sets to the Spaniard. After four hours and 48 minutes – the longest final in Wimbledon history – it was Nadal, with his Spanish flag tucked under his arm, who was scampering across Centre Court to celebrate the title with his friends and family.

By contrast, Federer sat in his chair, broken and alone in his thoughts. Even Nadal felt sorry for his rival: “I’m very happy for me but sorry for him because he deserved this title, too.” A kind comment to make, and one which highlights the respect he has for Federer – something the Swiss returns in equal measure. All good things come to an end and so Federer, who had in his sights a sixth successive Wimbledon title, relinquished his crown to Nadal and in doing so, also metaphorically gave him the edge the Swiss had enjoyed for so long.

The two have continued their tussle, with Federer holding the crown in terms of slams with 16, to Nadal’s ten, but without a grand slam since the 2010 Australian Open. This season, Serbian Novak Djokovic has emerged as a worthy adversary to Nadal as Federer slips down the rankings, but the anticipation, intensity and quality that is generated from a Nadal-Federer tussle is still unrivalled.

Opposites don’t always attract. Ayrton Senna was the brash but popular Brazilian with an exquisite talent to push racing cars to their limit and win at all costs. Frenchman Alain Prost, nicknamed ‘The Professor’, was the strategist, blessed with the brains to play the game and do what was necessary to win. Suffice to say, they didn’t get on: “Metaphorically, Senna wanted to destroy me,” said Prost. But they despised each other long before Ron Dennis decided to bring them together at his McLaren team in 1988 in a move that would have spectacular consequences.

In 1989, Senna, who needed victory at Suzuka to stop Prost winning the title and to maintain his own title hopes, dived up the inside at the final chicane, only for the Frenchman to firmly shut the door by turning in on him. Prost was out, but the Brazilian recovered and went on to win the race, only to be disqualified. Prost claimed the third of his four titles and promptly moved to Ferrari as the already frosty relationship worsened.

A year later at Suzuka, it was Senna who held the championship lead. The Brazilian, who started on pole, was furious that the sport’s governing body, the FIA, which was run by Frenchman Jean-Marie Balestre, decided late on to move the pole position grid slot from the outside on the racing line to the dirty inside side of the track. The Brazilian struggled to get away, allowing second-placed Prost to inch ahead. But the three-times champion was quickly back up to speed by the first corner and kept his car on the inside. Neither gave way and they both crashed out. This time, Senna was the beneficiary and won the second of his three titles. That, as they say, is karma.

While Federer and Nadal clearly like and respect each other, there’s no love lost between Americans Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, who have never pretended to like each other. Back in the 1990s, before Woods shanked his private life into the rough and Mickelson showed his mental frailties once more, the duo were flying high and ranked number one and two in the world.

Ironically, their games are remarkably similar, with both boasting immense accuracy and length off the tee and a supreme ability to shape their iron shots. Both play risk-reward style golf, and match each other toe-to-toe on the greens, but it’s Woods who leads the stats overwhelmingly, with 14 majors to Mickelson’s four. The latter is a total not to be scoffed at but it’s clear that Mickelson’s inability to finish his opponents in the way Woods would do so ruthlessly, remains his Achilles heel.

All-smiling Mickelson remains a fan favourite though, as he is always happy to sign an autograph or pose for a picture, unlike his surly compatriot. Today, their rivalry is but a sideshow with bright, young stars stealing the limelight as the old guard attempt to rediscover their form. However, the fact that no two golfers have stepped up to form a rivalry of their own at the very top just goes to show how infectious and absorbing the Woods-Mickelson duel was – and to an extent, still is.

concierge Gabrielle Lane suggests how best to bring dreams of a white Christmas into your home for the festive season

1980s: FORMULA 1

Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal

Tiger Woods v Phil Mickelson

Lee Brooks takes a look at the greatest sporting rivalries of the last four decades

102 White Christmas

2000s: TENNIS

1990s: GOLF

66 Sportstars: The Rivals

1970s: BOXING Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier We’ve had Federer and Nadal, Woods and Mickelson and Senna and Prost – all rivalries that embrace passion and lend a thrilling dimension to their sport – but Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s rivalry knew no bounds. It was bloody. It was brutal. It gripped the world.

The first of their three fights came in 1971 and was labelled the ‘The Fight of the Century’ – a bout that Frazier won with a fierce display and which handed Ali his first professional defeat. Three years later, Ali gained revenge with the set up of the epic third and final showdown that will always be remembered as the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975. Both men were not the fighters they were four years previously but their steely determination to win delivered the sort of spine-tingling, awe-inspiring and dramatic display that may never be seen again. Ali came out on top in that one, too, but only just.

Frazier was a great fighter and his short, compact, in-close left hook gave Ali all sorts of problems. When he beat Ali, the American thought he would finally be loved as a worthy heavyweight champion but Ali remained the fans’ favourite. Frazier’s bitterness grew over time and was not helped by Ali’s constant berating of him. However, the 67-year-old appeared to have mellowed in his retirement, and before his tragic death last month when he succumbed to liver cancer.

“The world has lost a great champion,” said Ali. Their battles may not have been pretty and they may not have been friendly but the way they engaged on that night in Manila showed just how much they wanted to beat each other – and that in itself shows the level of respect they had for each other. n

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© 1971 ImageForum Image: aFp/Getty Images

regulars 9 editor’s letter

calibre

101 interiors

19 watches & jewellery

113 travel

47 business & finance

125 food & drink

65 sport

128 out & about

95 fashion

131 property

TP_CityMag_TP-RG_210x297_TP_CityMag_TP-RG_1Oct11 19.09.11 11:24 Page1

The Fusion between Ceramic, 18K Red Gold and Rubber.

For a list of Hublot stockists in the UK, please telephone 0207 343 7200 or e-mail info@timeproducts.co.uk Hublot TV on: www.hublot.com

contributors...

RUNWILD M

E

D

I

A

G

R

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Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Editor

Annabel Harrison

Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

Motoring Editor 1. Chelsey Baker is a business advisor and life

coach, she has been featured extensively in the national media as a leading entrepreneur and runs her own consultancy firm Success Media. Chelsey is a freelance journalist and motivational speaker.

2. David Kuo is one of the UK’s leading

commentators on money matters. He is a director at The Motley Fool as well as providing daily insight and financial news for BBC London’s Breakfast Show.

3. Matthew Carter is a London-based freelance journalist who’s been writing about cars for most of his working life. A former editor of Autocar magazine, he is a serial car owner.

4. Martin Bamford is one of the youngest and most successful financial planners in the UK. He runs his own firm of financial advisers – Informed Choice – and regularly contributes to various financial publications.

5. Carol Cordrey is an art critic and editor

Matthew Carter

Assistant Editors Richard Brown Gabrielle Lane

Editorial Assistant Olivia Sharpe

Head of Design Hiren Chandarana

Brand Consistency Laddawan Juhong

Senior Designer Dalton Butler

Designer

Ashley Lewis

Production Manager Fiona Fenwick

Production

Hugo Wheatley

with popular columns in many magazines. Each year she organises sponsored art competitions offering attractive prize money and judged by distiguished artists.

Senior Project Manager

6. Clare Murray is founder and managing

Elton Hopkins

partner of specialist law firm, CM Murray LLP. Clare and her colleagues advise a wide range of companies, professional firms and senior individuals on employment, partnership and business immigration law issues.

Ella Kilgarriff

Head of Finance Managing Director Eren Ellwood

16 Heron Quay, Canary Wharf London E14 4JB T: 020 7987 4320 F: 020 7005 0045 www.runwildmedia.com

The Bare Essentials See p. 26

Patek Philippe 5139, Watches of Switzerland 22 Royal Exchange

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December

from the editor...

H

appy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!” Charles Dickens is an author synonymous with Christmas, thanks to his classic novel A Christmas Carol, and his words resonate as we look ahead to the muchanticipated festive holiday; as for Dickens and for most of us, Christmas means time with our families and loved ones, respite from the pace of everyday life and a day filled with religious significance, memories, childish excitement and festive cheer.

The month prior to Christmas is one of the busiest of the year as we endeavour to work and to fit Christmas parties, family gatherings and seasonal events into our social calendars.

Something that tends to cause an unnecessary amount of stress is choosing what to bestow upon family, friends, partners and colleagues so, in the spirit of giving, we are here to help.

The Royal Exchange is the perfect shopping destination for anything considered truly luxurious and our REX Christmas supplement (pp. 73-85) spells out exactly what to buy for your nearest and dearest.

Be inspired by our own luxury Christmas Gift Guides: choose from jewels, gems, diamonds and

pearls for ladies you love (p. 20) and from smart, chic leather and must-have watches for husbands and wives (p. 23). To ensure your entertaining is as stylish as you are, fill kitchens, dining rooms and drinking dens with the most delicious, decadent offerings we could find (p. 108). For energetic, sporty types, it’s time to play, whether outside – skiing, sledging and snowboarding, boating and golfing, playing pool and taking photos – or inside; our selection of games, gadgets and gizmos should suit even the choosiest of men and women (p. 60).

While gift-giving looks towards Christmas, we also take the opportunity to look back at 2011 as the year draws to a close. Although many events in 2011 had huge, and negative, consequences both for nations and economies, we have chosen to remind ourselves of the year’s highlights and of what we would like to remember in A Year in Review (p. 11). Our specialist editors write about those who stand out in the arenas of fashion, sport, motoring, technology and watches and we choose our Man, Woman, Book, Film, Documentary and Event of the Year.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Annabel Harrison Editor

ASTB_A4_City_Mag_Oct11.indd 1

19/9/11 10:44:16

A Year in

Review THE CAR: Range Rover Evoque Matthew Carter, motoring editor and authority on all things car-related, tells us why this is his car of the year Concept car looks, especially from the impractical three-door version, and celebrity endorsement – Victoria Beckham is ‘designing’ an interior theme – ought to put you off the new Range Rover Evoque. It doesn’t.

Fortunately, there’s substance as well as style to the new baby Rangie. It’s well-built, well-appointed and handles more like a sports car than an SUV. If you’re prepared to get that glorious bodywork muddy, the four-wheel drive chassis will take you almost anywhere. And if you’re not, well there’s always a two-wheel drive option. Go for the five-door Dynamic SD4, with 190bhp and 4wd, and relish the fact that you’re driving one of the best cars made in Britain today.

THE SPORTSPERSON:

THE SPORTS EVENT:

Novak Djokovic

The World Athletics Championship

Lee Brooks gives his expert view on Serbian tennis superstar Djokovic’s incredible past 12 months

Lee Brooks explains why, for him, the World Athletics Championships in Korea stole the show as the sporting event of 2011

Rarely will you see one man dominate his sport as tennis star Novak Djokovic has done this season. The selfproclaimed “skinny kid” from a small town in Serbia made his pro debut in 2003 and while his awesome talent was clear, mental frailties held him back. But in 2011, Djokovic transformed himself into a silent assassin who refused to lose. He began the season with an unbeaten run of 41 matches, which included a second Australian Open title, then added Wimbledon and the US Open to five Masters title victories to seal the year-end number one ranking. Not bad for a skinny kid from Serbia.

Athletics has struggled to engage the British public since the glorious 90s when Sally Gunnell, Linford Christie and Jonathan Edwards led the way but this year’s World Championships in Daegu went some way towards correcting that. The Korean event saw sprinting phenomenon Usain Bolt being sensationally disqualified in the 100m, double amputee runner Oscar Pistorius winning a historic 4x400m silver and Britain’s Dai Greene and Mo Farah earning dramatic gold medals in the 400m and 5000m respectively. Perhaps the greatest spectacle of them all was Channel 4’s lesson in how not to do sports broadcasting: presenter Ortis Deley stuttered through his mistakeriddled script before getting the boot halfway through. It made for painful – but utterly compelling – viewing.

2011

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THE DESIGNER: Tom Ford Fashion editor Lucie Dodds singles out Tom Ford as the designer most worthy of praise 2011 saw top designer Tom Ford return to the fashion world after six years away from it, during which he directed A Single Man, and he did so with a glamorous, seductive splash of a collection. In a year where looks have been revealed on Twitter before models step onto the catwalk and shows are streamed live online, Ford launched his eponymous S/S11 collection at a small, invitation-only event, which included Beyoncé, Daphne Guinness and Lauren Hutton as models.

Upon doing so, Ford “felt complete again” and it’s almost impossible to imagine what this designer will achieve in 2012.

THE GADGET: Virgin Media TiVo Technology expert Jamie Carter explains why the Virgin Media TiVo box is the most desirable gadget of 2011

THE WATCH: Greubel Forsey’s Double Tourbillion 30° Edition Historique Richard Brown looks back at the watch that won one of the industry’s biggest prizes this year We chose to inaugurate ‘Collection’ in July with Greubel Forsey’s Double Tourbillion 30° Edition Historique. The watch had just earned the brand a position among the watch world’s heavyweights by winning the overall prize for the best watch from all categories at the annual Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix. While that watch remains our favourite, beating stiff competition from the likes of Vacheron Constantin’s Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time and Patek Philippe’s 3939, it’s just one example from a range of timepieces that have received industry-wide recognition for their aesthetics and mechanical complexity. Having just unveiled its GMT, the company’s first watch to feature a complication other than a tourbillion – in the shape of a 3D rotating globe that tells the time all over the world – we are sure that Greubel Forsey will remain the brand to beat in 2012.

It’s time to toss out the Radio Times and the Sky+HD box and get into TiVo. A big hit in the US for years, cable provider Virgin Media’s TiVo learns what you like – after monitoring not just what you watch, but what you give the ‘thumbs up’ to, using the remote – and automatically makes recordings to its 1TB hard disk. Tell it your favourite movies and directors and it will record any relevant broadcasts; this is a brilliant feature and one that also works with a list of keywords for which it secretly searches the TV schedules’ show summaries. TiVo also has a smartphone app that can set recordings from afar; this is touchy-feely tech at it best.

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feature 2011

THE DOCUMENTARY: Frozen Planet A Year in

Review

Four years, 2,500 working days, 134 hours filming underwater... Frozen Planet only started in October, but critics have been unanimous in their praise for the seven-part series, describing it as “dazzling” (the Independent), “fabulous, beautiful, sumptuous” (the Guardian) and “brilliant” (the Daily Telegraph). As one would expect from a nature documentary fronted by the human embodiment of the world of exploration, Sir David Attenborough, it is packed full of statistical superlatives: the Taiga forest is the world’s largest biome; the Antarctic ice cap is the largest expanse of ice on our planet; and we encounter the world’s largest wolves, woodlice the size of dinner plates and elephant seals weighing four tons.

The team battling the elements was led by series producer Vanessa Berlowitz and executive producer Alastair Fothergill, both of whom worked on The Blue Planet (2001) and Planet Earth (2006). They, together with the rest of their intrepid team and Sir David’s wonderfully compelling and educational voiceover, have succeeded in producing a series that attracted 6.82 million viewers in its first episode, rocketing to 7.93 million in the second as word spread. What will the BBC tackle next?

THE FILM: The King’s Speech British historical drama The King’s Speech was released in the UK in January this year, following a 2010 release date in America, and was received exceptionally well by critics and viewers alike. Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter, it told the story of King George VI (‘Bertie’ to family and friends) and how he struggled to conquer his stammer with the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue.

A budget of £8 million resulted in international box office sales of £250 million. Widely decorated, its biggest win came at the Oscars this year, with awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay, from 12 nominations.

Highly commended must be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, the eighth and final instalment in the film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter phenomenon. There is little to say, apart from the fact that the series went out with an almighty bang, leaving Potter fans worldwide bereft of the books and films with which so many of them had grown up.

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THE BOOK: One Day by David Nicholls No doubt you will have spotted its distinctive orange and white cover on many a tube journey and no doubt you will have partaken in, or overheard, animated conversations about the travesty of an American actress attempting to pull off a Yorkshire accent. One thing is certain: English novelist David Nicholls’ third novel has struck a note with readers all over the country, following the intertwined lives of Emma and Dex; as the cover says, “twenty years, two people, one day”. Although published in 2009, the One Day film adaptation this year has ensured that the book’s previous success has been amplified by soaring sales. If you haven’t read it yet, buy it now and judge for yourself (although we’d suggest steering clear of the film until then).

feature 2011

THE MAN: Steve Jobs (24 February 1955 – 5 October 2011)

A Year in

Review THE EVENT: The Royal Wedding The 29 April wedding of Catherine Middleton and HRH Prince William of Wales was the most-talked about wedding of the year. Of great interest in the months running up to it was who would design Kate’s dress, and on the day it was revealed to be Sarah Burton, heir to the Alexander McQueen throne, who was spotted slipping into royal hideaway The Goring Hotel. Burton created the dress that subsequently fetched £10 million in ticket sales when on display during the summer to more than 600,000 admirers.

Prince William was dashing, Kate was beautiful, the family clearly pleased and proud, and the nation celebrated.

Although security for the event cost a reported £30 million, approximately £515.5 million was generated in additional retail revenue and £222 million of this just from royal memorabilia. What we will remember in years to come: how we spent the unexpectedly joyous four-day weekend, whether enthralled by the wedding or not; the face of the bridesmaid overwhelmed by the crowd’s cheers; Pippa’s dress and the subsequent 63 tweets a second that almost crashed Twitter; Prince Harry’s characteristically cheeky demeanour; the kiss on the balcony; and an overwhelmingly happy atmosphere that enveloped the country for that royal weekend.

When Bill Clinton became embroiled in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, it was to Steve Jobs that he turned for guidance. When Barack Obama was fighting for Presidential election, it was Jobs he consulted for business advice. When William Hewlett, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, spoke to a 12-year-old Jobs on the telephone 44 years ago, he offered the eighth-grader an internship there and then.

When it comes to detailing the life of the late Apple CEO, it’s hard not to repeat the countless quirks, flaws and oddities that that have been so welldocumented since his death. Instead, here are some facts from a life of incredible achievements. In the ten years that Jobs was CEO of Apple, one billion people across four continents passed through the doors of its stores; after recording an increase in profit of 124 per cent between 2009 and 2010, Apple became the world’s most valuable company; as Disney's largest shareholder and CEO of Pixar, Jobs gave us Toy Story, A Bug’s Life and Finding Nemo.

We think the facts speak for themselves.

THE WOMAN: Camila Batmanghelidjh

© Copyright 2010 Mario Testino 1

Camila founded Kids Company in 1996 in order to provide vulnerable, inner-city children of London with practical, emotional and educational support, thus enabling them to take control of their lives. Although she has been widely praised and recognised for the incredible work she and her team have done, she remains humble and unassuming: “I won’t write an autobiography and I don’t want to leave a legacy... I just want to do the job and be gone”.

Her business acumen has been sharpened over the years; the company requires £20 million of funding each year and a large portion of Camila’s seven-day week is spent campaigning for funds and raising money. Some 550,000 children are recommended for child protection each year, but fewer than 40,000 are taken in. Camila’s team works tirelessly to pick up and care for as many of the children who fall through the gap as possible. The bottom line? “Our plan is to demonstrate through science how imperative love is. And how it can give children remarkable resilience”. This is without doubt a cause, and a woman, worth supporting. n To donate or volunteer, visit www.kidsco.org.uk

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The Westbury Hotel Bond Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2YF Telephone: Facsimile: Website:

+44 (0) 207 629 7755 +44 (0) 207 495 1163 www.westburymayfair.com

P L E A S E E N J OY O U R C H A M PA G N E R E S P O N S I B LY DRINKAWARE .CO.UK

for ladies gifts feature

jewels, Gems, pearlswatches & leather ................................................................. salonqp 2011..........

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Treasure trove

W More than simply somewhere to store your treasured possessions, Piaget’s watch trunks are a contemporary altar to the religion of time

hen one of the world’s most prestigious watch and jewellery brands teams up with a design house known for pushing the boundaries of style and innovation, you can expect the result to be something spectacular. In the case of the partnership between Switzerland’s uber-opulent Piaget and France’s luxury trunk-maker Pinel & Pinel, the result didn’t disappoint us.

Two of the most lavish watch trunks you’re ever likely to see, both the Black Tie trunk and the VIP trunk (pictured) take three months to

manufacture and are available in a range of 20 different coloured leathers. Crafted from poplar wood and cowhide with palladium-electroplated brass and mirror-polished finish, each trunk holds 51 watches, comes with a variety of display options and features a central integrated movement that winds automatic timepieces.

If you’re worried about where to store the rest of your treasures, fear not; the Black Tie and VIP trunks come equipped with drawers suited for a host of other accessories in need of safe-keeping. n www.pineletpinel.com

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1 ‘Supernova’ Swarovski crystal drop earrings, £345, Erickson Beamon, www.ericksonbeamon.com 2 Lili necklace, £140,000, Boodles, 2 and 3 The Courtyard Royal Exchange 3 Sterling silver ‘Shooting Star’ triple star drop earrings, £175, Tomasz Donocik, www.tomaszdonocik.com 4 18-carat white gold and pavé diamonds ring, £7,417, Bulgari, 15 The Courtyard, Royal Exchange 5 Parentesi bracelet in white gold and pavé, £16,800, Bulgari, as before 6 South Sea gold and white pearls on 18-carat white gold stems, pavé set with diamonds, £8,460, William & Son, www.williamandson.com 7 ‘Noble Savage’ Swarovski crystal and stud bracelet, £350, Tom Binns, www.tombinnsdesign.com 8 Thorn tiara set in 18-carat white gold with white diamonds, POA Stephen Webster, www.stephenwebster.com 9 ‘Fusion’ 18-carat white gold and white diamond pavé set ring, £3,100, Georg Jensen, www.georgjenson.com

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10 Matelasse ring, £7,375, Chanel Fine Jewellery, www.chanel.com 11 Multi-strand glass-pearl bracelet, £430, Lanvin, www.selfridges.com 12 Pearl and diamond bracelet, £12,000, William & Son, as before 13 Sterling silver star pendant and chain, £225, Shaun Leane, www.shaunleane.com 14 Multi-strand glass-pearl necklace, £465, Kenneth Jay Lane, www.NET-A-PORTER.com 15 Swarovski crystalembellished bib necklace, £365, Valentino, www.valentino.com 16 ‘Wings’ 18-carat white gold diamond necklace, £11,470, Anita Ko, www.anitako.com 17 Vortex cuff set in 18-carat white gold with white and black diamonds, £33,300, Stephen Webster, www.stephenwebster. com 18 18-carat white gold and diamond stud earrings, £1,460, Ileana Makri www.makri.gr 19 ‘Hypnotic Voodoo’ 18-carat white gold diamond ring, £4,160, Stone, www.NET-A-PORTER.com 20 Swarovski crystal cluster necklace, £620 Kenneth Jay Lane, as before

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1 Lace-trimmed cashmere blend scarf, £1,255, Valentino, www.NET-A-PORTER.com 2 Star diamanté-embellished headband, £395, Matthew Williamson, www.NET-A-PORTER.com 3 Suede and shearling gloves, £350, Miu Miu, www.miumiu.com 4 Nylon black nail case, £100, Anya Hindmarch, www.anyahindmarch.com 5 Bentley GT Racing Ice watch, £5,970, Breitling at Watches of Switzerland, 22 Royal Exchange 6 White ‘Happy Sport’ watch, £13,480, Chopard at Watches of Switzerland, as before 7 Leather iPad case, £345, Chloe, www.chloe.com 8 Heart key ring in cherry red patent, £29, Aspinal of London, www.aspinaloflondon.com 9 Waxy, studded intrecciato leather box clutch, £1,125, Bottega Veneta, www.bottegaveneta.com 10 Leather lockable five year diary in white lizard, £99, Aspinal of London, as before 11 Leather jewellery box, £555, Smythson, 7 Royal Exchange

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1 P3150 Leather fountain pen, £320, Porsche Design, www.porsche-design.com 2 Chronomaster Open Power Reserve, £13,400, Zenith, Watches of Switzerland, 22 The Royal Exchange 3 Circular cufflinks with ‘A’ icon, £75, Aquascutum, www.aquascutum.co.uk 4 Jules Audemars Skeleton Equation of Time, £75,000, Audemars Piguet, www.audemarspiguet.com 5 Constellation Touch with mixed metal and gold, £9,600, Vertu, 38 Old Bond Street 6 Aeternitas Mega, £1,700,000, Franck Muller watches - available at Marcus, 170 New Bond Street 7 iPhone sleeve in indigo English saddle leather, £125, Asprey, www.asprey.com 8 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar, £155,555, Breguet, www.breguet.com 9 Navy canvas travel bag with smooth cognac calf leather, £695, Aspinal, www.aspinaloflondon.com 10 Double Tourbillon 30° Vision, POA, Greubel Forsey watches - available at Marcus, as before 11 Stud box set in indigo English saddle leather, £680, Asprey, www.asprey.com 12 Interlock blue cufflinks, £89, Tateossian, 1 / 4 Royal Exchange

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THE BARE

essentials Timeless and elegant, invest in statement watches and jewellery for maximum impact this winter. From precious metals and rare stones to classic chronographs and luxurious leather, The Royal Exchange offers the finest selection of gifts for the festive season

Photographer:

John Wright

B.ZERO1 4-band ring in 18 carat yellow gold, ÂŁ990, Bulgari 15 The Courtyard, 020 7283 4580, www.bulgari.com

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Raindance Anniversary Spider’s Web design pendant £41,200, Boodles, 2 & 3 The Courtyard 020 7283 7284, www.boodles.com

Jean Schlumberger 18 carat gold with enamel bangles, from ÂŁ19,400 Tiffany & Co, 9 The Courtyard 00 800 2000 1122, www.tiffany.co.uk

‘Stirrup’ Medium Top-Handle Bag in gingerbread ostrich with stirrup closure, £5,910, Gucci, 9 The Courtyard 020 7623 3626, www.gucci.com

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Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar UltraThin, ÂŁ61,440, Patek Philippe, Watches of Switzerland, 22 Royal Exchange, 020 7626 7321 www.watches-of-switzerland.co.uk

Photographer: John Wright

Photographer’s Assistant: Colin Ross

Model: Larissa Goldner @ Premier

Make-up: Nikki Palmer @ Mandy Coakley

Hair: Enzo Volpe @ Models 1

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news

Watches by the seaside A resort on the U.S East Coast may seem like a peculiar setting for the latest ad campaign from Baume et Mercier. The 180-year-old Swiss watch brand is more famous for its sports chronographs and ultra-thin ladies’ watches than for its affinity with one of America’s most famous seaside resorts. According to the company, however, the magnificent residences and idyllic beaches of the Hamptons provide the perfect geographical partner for its updated collection.

Taking inspiration from the beauty of Long Island, the rectangular-faced Hampton watches mix discreet lines, curved cases and two-tone hues. The men’s pieces are available in either self-winding or automatic chronograph versions, while the generously sized ladies’ watches feature a distinctive satined and domed volume.

Ferrari & Hublot partnership Following the less-than-successful partnership between Ferrari and Panerai in 2009, the Italian sports car giant has revealed that it will be making another attempt at entering the luxury watch market. This time round, the brand of the Prancing Stallion is teaming up with the brand that bought us the Big Bang, a joint venture that both companies promise will be much more than a simple sponsorship agreement.

“Exclusivity, technology, passion, style: Hublot and Ferrari share many core values,” declared Ferrari President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. With Hublot’s scientists busy in the labs, the company’s CEO Jean Claude Biver promised that we can expect to see the world’s first red ceramic watch by spring 2012. www.hublot.com www.ferrari.com

Inspired by art

One to Watch This December, we have selected the beautiful, stylish Cartier Ballon Bleu watch as our pick of the month, a perfect Christmas present for the ladies in your life

The simplistic styling and elegant curves of Cartier’s Ballon Bleu watch make it one of the most iconic and favoured of ladies’ wristwatches

Ballon Bleu, £5,525, Cartier Available at Watches of Switzerland 22 The Royal Exchange

If you’ve marvelled at the masterpieces on display at the National Gallery’s Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, you’ll recognise the type of perfection that inspired IWC’s Da Vinci Chronograph Ceramic. A first for IWC, the movement mounting and seats for the operating parts are machined directly into the ceramic casing ring, while the extravagant design of the dial is a step away from the simplicity with which IWC has become synonymous. Combining extremely scratch-resistant zirconium oxide with grade five titanium, expect the watch to survive nearly as long as Da Vinci’s paintings themselves.

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A Temple to Time

The horological equivalent of an international motor show, SalonQP captivated the thousands of watch aficionados that passed through its doors this year.

Exhibiting more than 40 of the world’s most prestigious watch brands, the event has become a must-attend for anyone interested in the instruments we use to measure time. Richard Brown reports

H

ad you strolled into the café on the ground floor of the Saatchi Gallery between 10 and 12 November, you would have been greeted by a giant, spike-skinned monster blinking at you from halfway up a wall. Suspended atop a golden dial, every 60 seconds the fang-toothed creature would snap shut its jaws, biting off the minute that had just passed. In a building brimming with people obsessed with the measurement of time, the temporary residence of John C. Taylor’s dazzling tribute to the grasshopper movement was more than suited to it.

Taylor’s Midsummer Chronophage wasn’t the only display exciting the hoards of horology fanatics that had descended on the annual SalonQP watch exposition.

Bulgari’s Kaleidoscope, which offered visitors a unique view of the intricate internal mechanics of a complicated watch movement, was another stimulating addition to an event celebrating its third birthday, as were the displays of winning entries, from the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers Picturing Time competition, and The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie’s history of watchmaking exhibition.

Having relocated from its previous home at One Marylebone to the larger confines of the Saatchi Gallery – a move that serves to highlight the year-on-year success the event has enjoyed – 2011 was the year that SalonQP earned itself the unofficial title of the UK’s watch event of the year and it’s an accolade that hasn’t escaped the attention of many of the world’s most prestigious watch brands. In addition to representatives from a number of modern marques, including U-Boat, MB&F and De Bethune, the floors of the Saatchi Gallery welcomed a long list of venerable maisons; Cartier, Harry Winston, Vacheron Constantin and Girard-Perregaux, to name just a few.

For Jaeger-LeCoultre, a brand that was on hand to offer visitors master-classes in complicated watchmaking, SalonQP was an event of particular importance. “2011 sees us celebrating the 80th anniversary of our Reverso the iconic timepiece that swivels to reveal another face,” explained Zahra Kassim-Lakha, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s UK Brand Director. “First created for British polo players in India in 1931, the watch has had many illustrious clients

All photography by Brijesh Patel/The Kalory Agency

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One touch of the sapphire screen give s you acce ss to a world of e xclusive e xperiences

SalonQP is charming, accessible and unpretentious in a way that the other watch events simply aren’t. More intimate than Baselworld, more laid-back than SIHH, SalonQP has something essentially British about it Andrew Carrier, Editor-in-Chief of online lifestyle magazine The Prodigal Guide

and special commissions. During its 80 year history the concept of the second side has resonated particularly well with British clientele.” Jaeger-LeCoultre presented many pieces from its latest collection and several of its grande complications, including the Reverso Grande Complication a Triptyque, the most complicated wristwatch on the market today. “We were delighted to meet, literally, hundreds of clients, fans and watch connoisseurs over the three days, to exchange our ideas and share our passion,” continued Kassim-Lakha.

feature

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VERTU.COM

Elsewhere, British brand Bremont unveiled the result of its collaboration with Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood: a Bremont B1 Marine Clock featuring a dial and internal case hand-painted by the rock star himself. “Ronnie is a British icon and an amazing artist, and we are proud to be working with him,” said Giles English, Bremont Co-founder. “For us the clock is so different to a normal marine chronometer anyway but with Ronnie painting the dial and the case it takes it into a different level.” The clock on show at SalonQP was one of 14 that Wood will be painting for Bremont over the next two years, as each one takes a month to make.

While the one-off, custom-made Harley Davidson motorbike at the Bell & Ross gallery certainly caught our eye, for us it was Maurice Lacroix’s Masterpiece Le Chronographe Squelette that stole the SalonQP show.

Striking a balance between technology, tradition and modernist style, the Squelette offers a new take on the sort of skeleton watches that have been around for several years. Protected by a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, the manually-wound movement is proudly on display thanks to the dramatic openwork of the watch’s design. Available for around £7,000, the watch sits at the top of our Christmas wish list.

The huge boom experienced by the watch industry in the last few years has certainly galvanised manufacturers across the sector into creating exciting new pieces to meet increasing demand. Housing a wide selection of these latest models, as well as rare timepieces, SalonQP is an education not only into where the watch world has been but also where it is heading.

If you’ve longed to learn how the intricate internal mechanics of the world’s most complicated watches work, or to meet the faces behind your favourite watch brands, then make sure you pencil the dates of SalonQP 2012 into your diary as soon as they are released. n

L I F E B E A U T I F U L LY A R R A N G E D

4 JUBILEE PLACE, CANARY WHARF, LONDON, E14 5NY

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WHAT’S ON IN BROADGATE The winter ice rink has returned to Broadgate; wrap up warm and skate under the stars, before sipping mulled wine and enjoying delicious seasonal food in nearby wine bars and restaurants

P-p-penguins on Ice! Five Humboldt penguins were the first to enjoy a taste of the ice at the Broadgate Ice Rink as it opened to the public for the winter season. The penguins amused passing commuters on their way to work. London’s only “turn up and skate” outdoor ice rink, Broadgate Ice, is situated in the heart of the city in Broadgate Circle and the stunning open air rink has a number of bars, restaurants and sandwich shops for skaters looking for post-skating refreshment and comfort. It’s easy to find, as it’s next to Liverpool Street Station and served by the London Underground and mainline trains.

There’s no need to pre book as sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis and run three times daily (122.30pm, 3.30-5.30pm and 6-8pm*). On Fridays, the rink opens from 6-9pm, allowing skaters to enjoy the ice well into the evening. Skating lessons are available for skaters of all ability levels from fully qualified resident ice coaches (from just £10 per 15 minutes). Broadgate Ice is also available for private hire. *Please note that there will be amended opening times between Saturday 17 December and Sunday 12 February 2012 - for further details visit www.broadgateinfo.net or contact the ice rink team on 020 7505 4120.

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Players glide cross the ice, using ‘brooms’ to sweep the ball into the goal and plays similar to those seen in ice hockey.

League evenings will take place throughout January with finals in February. Broomball league evenings will start at 5.45pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Broomball League on broadgate ice rink

The Broadgate Ice Rink is available for exclusive use, Monday to Thursday, from 6pm onwards*. The cost is £500 (+VAT) per hour and includes all skating and broomball equipment. For more details please contact Lee Jones on 020 7505 4000 or email ljones@broadgateestates.co.uk

If you’re not familiar with it, broomball is played on ice in training shoes with two teams, each consisting of six players.

*Private hire of the ice rink will not be available from Saturday 17 December 2011 until Tuesday 3 January 2012.

BROADGATEpromotion

Centrepoint’s Sleep Out

ICAP Charity Day

Exchange Square has never seen anything like it. Sleep Out 2011, the flagship event from youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, took place on Thursday 10 November and around 650 people bedded down on cardboard or huddled inside potato sacks throughout the night before bacon sandwiches at dawn, provided by the S&M café.

Wednesday 7 December is ICAP Charity Day and this year there will be more than 60 ICAP offices worldwide taking part. On this one day each year, the firm gives away all its revenue and commissions to charity, enabling it to make significant donations which really make a difference to so many people in need all around the world.

After months of planning, the event saw a host of celebrities showing their support: Centrepoint ambassador Sara Cox, a Sleep Out veteran, brought Radio 1 colleague Scott Mills to the fundraiser, which is on track to raise £250,000 to support homeless young people aged 16-25. Richard Madeley and daughter Chloe, new to the charity, hosted the event and declared their on-going support for the cause. Footballing legend David Ginola also made an appearance, as did X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson, and Christopher Biggins had the crowd in fits of laughter with his bedtime story - a rendition of Roald Dahl’s Red Riding Hood from Revolting Rhymes.

But it wasn’t all about the famous faces. Sleep Out, the seventh so far, raised awareness of the charity, which makes small steps into helping some of the 80,000 young people that experience homelessness every year. Centrepoint supports more than 1,200 people with accommodation, from one night to two years, and provides additional help with health, education, training, employment and life skills. Many sleepers spoke of their new found empathy for people who sleep rough every day, where the cold, noise and lack of decent sleep are a constant reality.

The biggest fundraisers so far include Herbert Smith with £12,313, Forsters with £11,678 and Selby Jennings with £6,537.

The individuals who have raised the most to date are James Jordan and Peter Andrew of Taylor Wimpey with £4,508.

Wrap Up London Hands On London, a charity that promotes flexible volunteering in London, has been collecting coats for London’s vulnerable this winter. The campaign, Wrap Up London, run in conjunction with Broadgate Estates, K2 and London Underground, will collect around 5,000 in total. 1,200 coats were collected in just one morning, across six tube stations, as part of the campaign kick-off event. Donated coats will be redistributed to more than 50 charities in Greater London which help the elderly, the homeless and vulnerable women and children. Broadgate Estates has assisted with the campaign by hosting a coat collection at Liverpool Street Station and at ten other buildings, providing volunteers to help with the collection and marketing the campaign across their buildings.

ICAP Charity Day has been built on the efforts and generous support of customers, employees and suppliers, without which it would not work. Everyone at ICAP works hard to make it a very special day, with employees donning fancy dress to create a unique atmosphere. So if you bump into Darth Vader or Fred Flintstone on your way to lunch on 7 December, don’t be surprised!

Arts for All at Broadgate In October, volunteers from British Land and Broadgate Estates joined together with community charity Arts for All to celebrate its tenth anniversary. Arts for All is a creative centre in Shoreditch, which runs clubs and classes for children and adults. The Arts for All Anniversary Auction comprised a fantastic array of lots, some donated by businesses on the Broadgate estate, including Japanese restaurant Tsuru and Chinese restaurant Ping Pong, and others sourced by Records Manager at British Land, Roger Gajadhar: goodies from the British Land secretariat and catering departments and a painting from Roger’s own collection. The auction generated £6,500 for the charity.

Dating in Broadgate This December will see Broadgate launch a unique report on modern workplace romance and a modern day guide to dating in the city. A dating masterclass at Broadgate is also set to take place, offering tips, hints and advice on dating ahead of the Christmas party season. The guide will include essential Christmas party dos and don’ts, tips to spot the perfect partner and also things to look out for. Broadgate workers will be invited to the unique coaching session with our resident relationship expert. Keep tuned for more information!

Bars and Restaurants Who said business and pleasure don’t mix? With more than 30 pubs, bars and restaurants, you are spoilt for choice.

There’s something to suit every budget, so whether it’s a post-ice skate beverage, a deal-making business lunch, or dinner with a special person, Broadgate has it.

Visit www.broadgateinfo.net for more information about the event programme

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SHOPPING

OBIKÀ Iberica

Obikà

Obikà IBERICA

Iberica OBIKÀ

NEW ARRIVALS SET THE SCENE Recently opened in Canary Wharf, Spanish-inspired Iberica and Italian export Obikà Mozzarella Bar add jewels to the crown of Canary Wharf's growing restaurant scene Located on the doorstep of the City, the restaurant scene at Canary Wharf boasts a fantastic range of outstanding restaurants and bars.

But if you thought the selection couldn’t get any better, think again, because after the recent arrival of Iberica Canary Wharf and Obikà Mozzarella Bar, diners will be flocking east to sample the delights of these two new and exciting eateries.

Led by two Michelin-starred executive chef, Nacho Manzano, the new Iberica Canary Wharf restaurant offers fine authentic Spanish tapas and pinchos – the perfect accompaniment to a night of fun, chatter and wine with friends away from the crowded Square Mile.

You’ll find favourites – such as Patatas Bravas, Jamon Iberico and Manzano’s Arroz de Pitu – and exquisite wines including ‘Pagos Viejos’ Bodegas Artadi, Rioja (1996).

The luxurious yet traditional interior (think plush leather seating, textured wood and painted Spanish floor tiles) incorporates private mezzanines that can accommodate 30 and 50 guests respectively, perfect for festive entertaining, with the Christmas menu now available.

For lovers of all things Italian, the new upmarket Obikà Mozzarella Bar is another of Canary Wharf’s welcome newcomers. Opening in the West Wintergarden, it incorporates the renowned Itaian Mozzarella di Bufala Campana into a host of classic dishes and innovative new recipes.

The fresh handmade mozzarellas are processed using milk from the water buffalo. The dairy farmers then use their hands for the “mozzatura” (or ‘lopping off’) process. Combining this hand-made touch with artisanal produce typical of Italian tradition, Obikà is proud to present a tasty and tempting menu characterized by vibrant colours and full flavours.

Favourite dishes include Scialatielli di Gragnano (Pasta with Smoked Swordfish, Ricotta and Pistachio) and an exquisite appetizer of Mini Rotoli Trio (Rolls of Mozzarella filled with Cured Beef, Wild Salmon and Charcoal roasted Ham). Then enjoy a smooth espresso and traditional Ricotta di Bufala Mousse (with Honey, Orange Peel and Pine Nuts). It may not be Milan but Canary Wharf’s newest addition is so authentic you might not notice the difference.

Iberica Canary Wharf Cabot Square 020 7636 8650 www.ibericalondon.co.uk

Obikà Mozzarella Bar West Wintergarden 020 7477 1477 www.obika.it

SHOPPING Roka

Plateau

Boisdale of Canary Wharf

FESTIVE FEASTS Planning your Christmas meal is simple with a selection of special festive offerings from Canary Wharf’s favourite restaurants Boisdale of Canary Wharf

If traditional is your bag at Christmas time, Boisdale of Canary Wharf is the perfect choice – decked out in warm woods and cosy tartans, festive celebrations have a welcoming Scottish vibe. A real gentlemen's favourite, Boisdale has an outstanding reputation for fine whisky and luxury cigars - the perfect accompaniment to the fabulous jazz scene that has already become legendary in Canary wharf. For private functions, Boisdale offers luncheons, dinners, drink parties and informal gatherings.

offers private or semi-private Christmas party options with a great atmosphere, set threecourse menu, champagne on arrival and friendly, experienced staff in a breathtaking riverside location.

Plateau Restaurant, Bar & Grill Quadrato

Jamie’s Italian Another British favourite, Italian cuisine, has been part of our national identity for decades and this year Jamie’s Italian is entering the festive spirit with a delicious Christmas Menu full of incredible seasonal produce and antipasti boards (not to mention Gennaro Contaldo’s Festive Porchetta). Other highlights include Bronze Turkey and Chestnut Tortellini, Roasted smashed pumpkin & Ricotta Rotolo and Jamie & Gennaro’s Peppered mince pies – beautiful!

Roka

Quadrato If modern Italian is what you’re after, but a private dining space is more suitable, then the stunning Four Season’s restaurant Quadrato

Boisdale of Canary Wharf Cabot Square 020 7715 5818

Jamie's Italian Churchill Place 020 3002 5252

On a theme of continental cooking, the renowned Plateau restaurant offers modern French fare in a sleek, minimalist setting complete with stylish Christmas décor. Enjoy highlights including Dill marinated Scottish salmon and Roast Norfolk Bronze turkey noisette, with Pear William and almond tart, house made brandy truffles, or winter spiced doughnuts to finish.

Jamie’s Italian

Quadrato, Four Seasons Hotel Canary Riverside 020 7510 1857

And for those who like their celebrations a little more exciting, the edgy oriental cuisine at Roka is the perfect place to ring in the New Year.

Choose favourites from the main menu or try the specially created New Year’s Eve menu, where the dishes have been matched with Krug champagne to celebrate in style! Then experience the unique atmosphere of Roka’s own Hanami festival; with blossom adorning the bar and lounge to create an ethereal party atmosphere, live entertainment including a DJ, percussionist and Samurai stilt walkers will lead the unforgettable celebrations.

Plateau Restaurant, Bar & Grill Canada Place 020 7715 7100

Roka The Park Pavilion 020 7636 5228

The Most Wonderful

TIME OF THE YEAR Canary Wharf undergoes a breathtaking transformation as a winter programme of festive fun sets it up for the best Christmas yet Exploring Canary Wharf will be more enchanting than ever with the arrival of a glittering ice-rink and gravity-defying ice-sculpture this winter.

Alongside a fun-filled festive programme for all the family, both locals and visitors will be delighted to see the return of Santa’s grotto and a host of children’s festive activities. Wrap up warm and re-discover Canary Wharf in a whole new light.

Dancing on Ice One of Canary Wharf’s beloved winter pursuits is the ice-rink, returning for its seventh year. A traditional festive favourite, visitors can enjoy skating beneath the twinkling night sky, alongside the stunning backdrop of iconic architecture that surrounds Canada Square Park.

The dramatic surroundings of Canary Wharf provide a unique setting for ice-skating that cannot be found anywhere else – and coupled with the excellent facilities you’ll find yourself planning another visit before the season is over. It’s a great idea for a festive treat, especially for family outings, social gatherings or those trying to impress on a ‘skate-date’.

Better still, organize a group of colleagues to hit the rink after work – there’s no better ice-breaker!

There’s plenty of time to indulge in a skating session over the winter season as the rink is open between 9:45am and 11:00pm, leaving you plenty of time to explore the wide range of shops for a bit of last-minute Christmas shopping or January sale bargain hunting – a visit to the ice rink could easily turn into a whole day out. And what could be better, once you’ve finished skating and shopping, than a well-earned rest in one of the rink-side bars and restaurants – mulled wine or hot chocolate with a delicious mince pie should replenish your energy stocks nicely.

SHOPPING Do you believe in Father christmas?

The most wonderful time of the year, Christmas can be a truly enchanting season for children, and Mums and Dads know how much the little angels need entertaining over the festive period.

But parents need not fret; an exciting array of events have arrived at Canary Wharf, banishing those boring days at home and giving the family lots of wintery treats with no hefty price tag (that’s right – the activities are FREE).

The most important visitor to Canary Wharf, as an excited child will tell you, is Santa himself, who will be residing in his Grotto ready to meet his little friends. Led by two enormous reindeer, the 2011 grotto lies within a sparkling colourful sleigh, piled high with shiny presents. Located in Jubilee Place, Santa will be in his Grotto every weekend during December and throughout the week leading up to Christmas Eve, welcoming little ones to come and ask him for a special wish.

Have a very merry Christmas!

A masterpiece in the making One of the more unsusual seasonal pursuits to hit the capital is the art of ice-sculpture. Here at Canary Wharf visitors can soak up the atmosphere of the 2012 London Ice Sculpting Festival.

Teams battle it out in a race to bring their striking and mesmerising designs to life before your very eyes. Teams will carve up crystal clear blocks of ice reaching 2m in height, in a bid to create their own winning interpretation of a set theme.

Fittingly for the year of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the ice-sculpture festival explores the theme of Winter Sports – and the public are invited to watch all the action live in Montgomery Square.

Audience members will be invited to cast their own votes for the Public Choice Award as the festival culminates with a high-paced speed sculpting challenge to animate the ‘Team Spirit’ theme in record time. Visitors can also test their own sculpting skills on a small block of ice by signing up for a free, supervised Masterclass in Canada Square Park and Jubilee Place – a once-in-alifetime experience not to be missed!

CANARY WHARF ICE RINK

Open now until Sunday 19 February 2012 Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf Mon-Sat 9.45am – 11pm / Sun 9.45am - 7.30pm Tickets from £10 / U12 £7.50 Visit www.canarywharficerink.com for details of ticket prices and booking, session times, skating lessons and more

SANTA’S SHOWTIME

3-4 December East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, FREE (pre-booking essential) Visit www.canarywharf.com to book tickets

CHILDREN’S FESTIVE ACTIVITIES 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24 December Throughout the shopping malls 11am-5pm, FREE

SANTA’S GROTTO

3-4, 10-11, 17-24 December Jubilee Place 11am-5pm, FREE

LONDON ICE SCULPTING FESTIVAL Friday 13 & Saturday 14 January 2012 Throughout Canary Wharf Friday 9am – 7pm, Saturday 8am – 4pm, FREE Visit www.canarywharf.com and/or www.

Londonicesculptingfestival.co.uk for more information

Ice Sculpting Masterclasses Friday 13 January 10am - 6pm Saturday 14 January 10am – 6pm Canada Square Park, FREE

Jubilee Place Mall Friday 13 January 12 - 4pm Saturday 14 January 10am – 6pm * Visitors must sign up for Masterclasses. Children must be 12+ and accompanied by an adult. Workshops take place on the hour, 20 minutes and 40 minutes past. The last masterclasses begin twenty minutes before the finishing time.

Snow Pit**

Montgomery Square Friday 13 January 10am - 6pm Saturday 15 January 10am – 6pm, FREE ** The Snow Pit is first come, first served. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

FESTIVE FUEL If watching the 2012 London Ice Sculpting Festival leaves you feeling chilly, visit the charming Frost Fayre with winter stalls selling freshly prepared winter snacks and drinks, to feast on fresh hot chocolate, delicious mulled wines and ciders, and an array of marshmallow-y treats.

SHOPPING

Winter Wishlist Take the stress out of Christmas shopping at Canary Wharf, where a selection of stunning luxury ‘must-have’ gifts will put a smile on the face of your loved one 1

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 Isabella bra £110, thong £45, suspender £65, Myla, Cabot Place  Celeste Tote, £250, Whistles, Jubilee Place  18-carat white gold diamond “Hook My Heart” earrings, £4,498, Shaun Leane at Charles Fish, Cabot Place 4 La Pluie Eau de Parfum 50ml, £60, Miller Harris at Space NK, Cabot Place  Ladies fur cuffed gloves in black, £105, Aspinal of London, Cabot Place  Earlham Box Clutch, £79, Reiss, Jubilee Place  Selene White Diamond Stainless Steel and Sapphire Watch, £350, Links of London, Jubilee Place  Smooth black and cobalt blue suede attaché case, £850, Aspinal of London, Cabot Place 9 Sport chronograph automatic with dark blue dial, £2,540, Montblanc, Canada Place  Scarf in navy, £75, Jaeger London, Cabot Place  BeoLab 8002 speaker, £3,330, Bang and Olufsen, South Colonnade  Alpha small soft travel satchel, £295, TUMI, Cabot Place  Mini speaker and leather case, £40, Jaeger London, Cabot Place

arts&events LONDON ICE SCULPTING FESTIVAL

CANARY WHARF ICE RINK The Canary Wharf Ice Rink, back for its seventh year, promises to be as enchanting and full of festive fun as ever. Nestled in Canada Square Park, skaters can glide under the gleaming towers and twinkling trees full of fairy lights in one of London’s most iconic settings. It’s perfect for an office outing, fun family day or a romantic date for two. Once you’ve finished skating, stop for a well earned rest in one of the rink-side bars and restaurants or take care of all your Christmas shopping in the shopping malls. With more than 200 shops, bars and restaurants to choose from throughout Canary Wharf, a visit to the ice rink could easily turn into a whole day out. See you on the ice!

Until Sunday 19 February Daily Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, E14 Tickets from £10 (£7.50 under 12’s) Booking information: In advance: ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 847 1556 / Groups 0844 847 1546 (Booking fee applies) In person: Rinkside Box Office canarywharficerink.com

The annual London Ice Sculpting Festival is returning to Canary Wharf. Cheer on the international teams as they battle it out in a race to bring their striking designs to life before they melt away. Now in its fourth year, the festival explores the theme of “Winter Sports” and you’re invited to watch the action live in Montgomery Square. Teams will attempt to tackle blocks of ice reaching two metres in height to create their own interpretation of the theme. Cast your vote for the Public Choice Award as the festival culminates with a speed sculpting competition on Saturday; one member from each team will take on the challenge of animating the theme “Team Spirit” in record time.

Visitors can test their own sculpting skills on a small block of ice by signing up for a free, supervised Masterclass* on Canada Square Park and in Jubilee Place Mall or, if that sounds like too much commitment, leisurely apply their skills to shaping snowmen in the Snow Pit** on Montgomery Square. If ice and snow mean you need something to take away the chill, visit the charming Frost Fayre with winter stalls; feast on hot chocolate, delicious mulled wines and ciders and an array of marshmallow treats.

Friday 13 & Saturday 14 January Throughout Canary Wharf, E14 Friday 9am – 7pm, Saturday 8am – 4pm FREE canarywharf.com / londonicesculptingfestival.co.uk

Masterclasses*

Canada Square Park Friday 13 January 10am - 6pm Saturday 14 January 10am – 6pm Jubilee Place Mall Friday 13 January 12 - 4pm Saturday 14 January 10am – 6pm

window galleries The Art, Design & Lightbox Window Galleries, located in Canada Place Shopping Mall, showcase up-and-coming artists, designers and craftspeople. This month the galleries are displaying:

Rebecca Sangster Rebecca’s interest in portraiture has developed over time as she has become increasingly interested in human interaction, appearance, cultures and traditions.

In ‘A study of Duncan’ shown here she tries to create the human form accurately on canvas.

rebeccasangster.com

Sena Gu Sena highlights everyday objects by playing with traditional forms and adding an unexpected and often organic element. In this way she aims to make functional ceramics that bring a smile and sense of play to those who use them.

sena-gu.com

Sunju Lee

*Visitors must sign up for Masterclasses. Children must be 12+ and accompanied by an adult.

Workshops take place on the hour, 20 minutes and 40 minutes past. The last masterclasses begin twenty minutes before the finishing time.

Snow Pit**

Montgomery Square Friday 14 January 10am - 6pm Saturday 15 January 10am – 6pm

**The Snow Pit is first come, first served. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Sunju addresses the way in which we interpret constructed space through living in it, reading how a place reflects its rich array of facets in contrast to other places and people.

sunjulee.com

interview DUNCAN BANNATYNE feature G20 SUMMIT personal finance INVESTment ....................

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Review of 2011

We look back at major events that have helped to shape the course of 2011 in the world of news, business and politics

January 14: Tunisian government falls; President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia after 23 years in power March 11: A 9.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hits Eastern Japan, killing 15,822 people and damaging four nuclear power plants April 29: An estimated two billion people watch the Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey May 1: Barack Obama announces death of Osama bin Laden, leader of militant group Al-Qaeda July 7: After 168 years in print, the News of the World announces its final edition following the phone hacking scandal, with the loss of 200 jobs.

August 6-10: London boroughs and cities across England suffer widespread rioting, looting and arson and police struggle to contain the chaos.

Thousands are charged in the wake of the riots.

October 15: the London Stock Exchange is the first target for anti-capitalist protesters and their tents are soon clustered around St. Paul’s Cathedral October 20: Muammar Gaddafi is killed in Sirte, with National Transitional Council forces taking control of the city and ending the civil war October 31: This day is selected by the UN as the symbolic date on which the global population is believed to have reached seven billion. n

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YEAR OF THE DRAGON A fearsome fire-breather who’s deftly incinerated those brave (or foolish) enough to enter his lair, Duncan Bannatyne has cultivated a formidable image as the man to impress in the world of business. Anthony Pearce finds out just how Bannatyne has won this reputation

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longside his fellow entrepreneurial heavyweights in the BBC phenomenon Dragon’s Den, the 61-year-old self-made tycoon has been labelled the Simon Cowell of the boardroom, thanks to his cutting remarks and often harsh putdowns. But did the mogul – whose empire spans the property, hospitality and fitness industries – always possess such an adept corporate mind or was it a case of learning from his mistakes along the way?

Founding his business kingdom out of the back of an ice cream van more than 30 years ago, Bannatyne quickly discovered his innate ability to maximise profit on paltry resources and set about capitalising on that talent through nursing homes, day care centres, gyms, hotels and luxury spas. At the time of writing, the father of six is reportedly worth an estimated £430 million.

There’s a well known story from your childhood about creating a job for yourself with a local newsagent by compiling a list of 100 people who wanted their newspapers delivered.

Have you always felt that you were naturally gifted in the ways of making money?

Not gifted but it felt quite natural, yes. My dad had this attitude that we were working class and that wouldn’t change but I totally rejected that idea. I wanted money. I hated everyone who had money and who had cars and things like that. I hated everyone who had more than me.

comparison with Simon Cowell! There is only one Duncan Bannatyne and, obviously, I am much better looking than [Simon], cleverer than him and wittier than him. The fact is, if I stopped doing Dragon’s Den, people would have forgotten about me within three years.

What’s it like to work alongside other prolific business figures like Peter Jones and James Caan?

The real question is: how do they feel working alongside me? And the answer will be, “incredibly privileged!” I’ve known both these gentlemen for years and they’re truly that – gentlemen. Kind and courteous individuals, until they cross me in the Den; then we’ve seen some fireworks.

How does it feel to have appeared in the 2011 Sunday Times Rich List?

I’m not really that bothered about that stuff. I don’t even know where I’m placed, if I’m honest, and nor do I care.

It’s not about that for me, not about “oh, maybe I can get five or six places higher next year”.

There’s more to life.

Charity has become my biggest priority now and I want that to continue; not just for the next five years but for the rest of my life

What led you to start Bannatyne’s Health Clubs?

I snapped two ligaments in my leg when I went skiing and had to go to the health club to build up the muscle but it was a 25-minute drive away. So I thought: I could build one nearer to my house.

What did you gain from the experience on Dragon’s Den? I think I gained an understanding that I can be quite harsh sometimes... too harsh. There was one guy on the show who we were all too hard on and I misunderstood him. He made a terrible presentation, messed up everything and I gave him a hard time. I felt bad about that.

Did the fame come as a surprise and how much has it affected your life?

It was a big surprise but it hasn’t been a huge, dramatic change. Truth be told, initially I liked the attention, but it’s not a big deal now, although I never appreciate the

What was the inspiration behind the Bannatyne Charitable Foundation?

In 1999, I saw for the first time the poverty of the Romanian street children living on rubbish dumps and sewers and I was incredibly shaken up by it. I had to help. UNICEF was already making such a huge effort and if I could contribute in any way, then I had to. I made several trips out there and established Casa Bannatyne, a hospice for sufferers of HIV and AIDS, and I’m working now with several charitable organisations around the world. Setting up the foundation basically makes it easier to coordinate and disperse the funds and it’s probably one of the most significant things I’ve done in my life.

Tell us about your trip to Ethiopia on behalf of Comic Relief.

Unfathomably eye-opening. And I learned so much.

The most special part was seeing people being taught how to sow vegetables so they can grow them near their own homes, because in addition to the training programme, the project supplies seeds and tools so that everyone can become self-sufficient. It was amazing to see the incredible work being done out there.

How did it feel receiving an OBE? Obviously I was incredibly happy and proud but to be able to bring my mother and sister to Buckingham Palace topped it all.

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What words of inspiration would you give to other young budding entrepreneurs from underprivileged backgrounds?

The best advice I ever received came when I was in the Channel Islands, when waiting on tables at a posh hotel.

I got chatting to a wealthy businessman who said: “If you want to start a business just borrow, borrow, borrow – invest the bank’s money, anyone else’s money. Take a good idea and go with it. It’s the only way to do business”. I’ve been doing that ever since. I’ve borrowed loads of money and I say the exact same thing to anyone else starting out now. Borrow and invest wisely. And don’t be afraid.

Someone comes up with an amazing product idea or piece of technology but knows little about the world of business.

What’s the first thing they need to do?

Read my books. That’s seriously the first thing you should do.

What characteristics do you look for in an employee or business partner?

Common sense above all else, a level head and someone who’s not going to buy into any stress whatsoever, nor let red tape get them down. Someone with a constructive, creative, shrewd nature. Someone who shows me from the first moment of meeting them that they have a knack for business.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Aside from the charity work, I’d have to say it was when I got my first ice cream van concession in Stewart’s Park in Stockton. I paid £2,000 and made £18,000 in profit that summer. It’s the easiest money I’ve ever made and it gave me a proper taste of what it could be like to make real money.

Who did you aspire to be like when you were young in the business world?

No-one when I was younger; I didn’t really think like that.

But now, someone like [Lord] Alan Sugar or the Kwik-Fit founder, Sir Tom Farmer; they are two business heroes I aspire to [be like] and want to live up to. Both came from

fairly poor backgrounds and built up businesses. I was inspired and felt I could do the same.

Away from the world of business, what else interests you?

My family and my charity goals. I’m not really one for pastimes, although I like good TV and films.

What do the next five years hold for you?

Business-wise I just want to keep it going, buy a hotel and purchase the odd health club. I’m working with Theo [Paphitis] and Peter [Jones] on a foundation we’ve called The Three Musketeers. We’ve put £600,000 in for Kibera, the biggest slum in Africa. And there’s so much work I want to do for my charities. Charity has become my biggest priority now and I want that to continue; not just for the next five years but for the rest of my life.

What’s the biggest risk you have ever taken?

I lost just over £1 million in 1997 when I tried to take over a public company called Lady in Leisure, a health club for women. That was a bad investment.

Chinese symbol representing the Year of the Dragon

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Do you have any major regrets?

Not really. I wasn’t too hot on the idea of becoming well known initially, but if I overall regretted it, I’d just quit television tomorrow. And it all helps to build the Bannatyne brand, after all. n

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The G20 Summit Victoria Main reports from Cannes about events at the 2011 G20 Summit, the sixth meeting of the G20 heads of government in a series of ongoing discussions about financial markets and the world economy

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annes, best known for the glitzy international film festival it has staged since 1946, is no stranger to drama but when France selected the Côte d’Azur resort as the location for the finale of its year-long presidency of the group of the world’s 20 leading emerging and developed economies, it surely had no idea that the Greek crisis was about to reach boiling point.

The original script for the G20 summit in November – doubtless penned with the subtext of bolstering low-polling French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s chances of re-election in 2012 – featured long-term goals such as a plan for growth and jobs, reform of the international monetary system, a crackdown on tax fraud and measures to enhance food security. On the eve of the summit, however, the shock decision of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou to call a referendum on the bailout package for his country, hammered out by eurozone leaders at an overnight emergency summit in Brussels just a week earlier, forced a hasty last-minute rewrite by a fuming Sarkozy. The escalating economic and political crisis in a country that is not even a member of the G20 eclipsed the legitimate cast.

Created in 1999 in response to the financial crises affecting emerging countries in the late 90s, the G20, representing 85

feature

per cent of the global economic output, comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Among the many actors on the eurozone economic stage to have his schedule overturned by the Greek turmoil was Klaus Regling, the German chief executive officer of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the Luxembourg-based body charged with propping up the currency zone’s weaker members. Fresh from his cap-inhand dash to China for extra money, and due that morning to address a select group of London financial sector insiders at a closed-doors brunch organised by Canary Wharf-based newswire Market News International, Regling was spotted at London City airport on day one of the G20 summit.

Saying he had been summoned to Cannes to attend what was fast turning into yet another Greek crisis summit, the former top economic official at the European Commission reiterated that Greece would receive no more money unless it endorsed the austerity terms of the rescue package. Upon landing at Nice, he observed wryly that the bumpy flight could well prove “symptomatic” of the talks ahead. The stormy weather clouding the usually azure sky was another inauspicious omen. In a pre-summit press conference, Sarkozy and fellow eurozone heavyweight, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, had set the scene for zero tolerance of Greece’s unchanging ways, signalling for the first time that they could live with its exit from the eurozone. Their message: the eurozone is more important than one recalcitrant member.

Between them, Sarkozy and Merkel psyched Papandreou into calling off his market-rocking referendum and thus staved off Greece’s eurozone exit... for the time being.

Ad-libbing became the order of the day. The European Union’s treaties contain no provision for a country to leave the eurozone and such a move could trigger exchange rate risk, plus conjecture over which other troubled members would follow suit. The focus began shifting to heavily indebted Italy, the eurozone’s third biggest economy. Controversial, and almost former, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi came under pressure to make good his promise to adopt austerity measures aimed at whittling back the country’s debts.

Christine Lagarde, International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director, expressed it as follows: “The problem

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that was clearly identified both by the Italian authorities and its partners is a lack of credibility of the measures that were announced.” Berlusconi eventually ‘volunteered’ to submit Italy’s accounts to IMF surveillance, an unprecedented move for a Eurozone country that has not received a bailout.

Eurozone hopes, that the rest of the world would help it to contain the contagion from Greece, either through bolstering the EFSF’s €440 billion coffers or strengthening the IMF’s resources, came to nothing. G20 leaders delayed a decision on the latter until the next meeting in February, with Lagarde saying that in any event the IMF would not help the EFSF because it “lends to countries not to legal entities”. Equally, any notion that China or other surplus-rich countries such as Brazil would race to the eurozone’s rescue with a capital injection for the EFSF proved fanciful, for all Regling’s efforts.

In the stark words of one Chinese correspondent for state-run newswire Xinhua: “No money from us!” Just as hands-off, if less brutal, US President Barack Obama made it clear that the eurozone was on its own: European leaders “agree with us that it’s important to send a clear signal that the European project is alive and well and that they are committed to the euro.”

However, at the last summit before the G20 presidency moves to Mexico, one thing was certain. Amid the drama unfolding on the waterfront Boulevard de La Croisette, it was business as usual for France’s top business-to-business centre and its second leading convention city after Paris.

Cannes hosts some 55 conferences a year, attracting around 290,000 visitors. The Palais des Festivals et Congrès is at work for an impressive 300 days a year, earning an annual €780 million and generating approximately 12,000 jobs.

As Canary Wharf seeks to attract more business from around the globe, it could do worse than look to Cannes for inspiration. Sarkozy may have quipped in his closing press conference that the weather during the two-day summit had been so atypical that participants could be forgiven for thinking they were on the other side of the Channel. But their obvious differences aside, the two locations have in common stunning waterfront views, nautical history and a reputation for business excellence. Just a thought. n Former journalist Victoria Main is a Brussels-based media expert with the strategic communications arm of global business advisory firm FTI Consulting

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comment personal finance

Investing Tips For Scrooge Dr. David Kuo explains why Charles Dickens’ most miserly character can teach us something valuable about saving

Oh, how different Ebenezer Scrooge’s life could have been if he had been just a little more adventurous and a little less grasping, greedy and grudging with his money. He could so easily have been a cheerful tycoon, happily married to his childhood sweetheart Belle, instead of being a bitter and twisted Victorian curmudgeon. However, if that had been the case, then Charles Dickens would not have penned the classic A Christmas Carol. What’s more, what would we call someone who is miserly, miserable and penny-pinching? A Chancellor of the Exchequer perhaps... So how could Scrooge’s life have been different?

Reading between the lines, we can probably ascertain that Scrooge was a reasonably successful businessman. Some will argue, though, that usury is hardly a business but, leaving that to one side, Scrooge was certainly a shrewd operator. His objective was to live below his means, which, in itself, is quite laudable.

However, there are much better ways of spending less than you earn without having to be tightfisted, mean-spirited and thoroughly unpleasant to your relatives in the process. The key is to try to boost your income.

In defence of the Victorian curmudgeon, a modern-day Scrooge has many more investing options today than Bob Cratchit’s disagreeable employer did. For starters, we have low-cost brokers who will let you assemble a portfolio of shares without costing you a fortune. This

provides an easy way to build a basket of dividend-paying stocks that could generate a regular income, regardless of market volatility.

By judiciously choosing the companies, you can put into the basket shares that have a proven record of raising payouts regularly.

Scrooge, I suspect, would have been a keen fan of this income strategy. It is an alternative to long-term savings, corporate and government bonds and also annuities. The secret is to identify companies that are capable of consistently raising dividend payouts above the rate of inflation, which should protect the purchasing power of your stream of income. As a money man, Scrooge would have been good at rooting around balance sheets and income statements, identifying glaring weaknesses and obvious strengths.

Scrooge also abhorred debt, and we should too, but he was not averse to piling debt misery onto those who were in desperate need of cash. Debt, it should be said, can be a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it can allow a business to expand, provided the cost of servicing the debt is lower than the rate at which the investment is expected to grow; on the other, taking on debt can be risky and in the worst cases debt will ruin a company. Even if it doesn’t destroy a business, the unavoidable interest payments and the need to renew debt facilities at certain intervals make the borrower a hostage to the fortunes of interest rates. This can impose difficulties and we certainly don’t need to be reminded that even august organisations and powerful sovereign states can be brought to their knees as a result of too much debt.

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It is hard to tell precisely how old Scrooge was but it is probably fair to say that he was not a young man. After all, no one who is young could possibly be as wretched as Scrooge.

Scrooge should therefore consider balancing his portfolio in line with the Rule of 100, where the proportion of your investment portfolio allocated to cash should be equivalent to your age in years.

So, if Scrooge was around 60 years of age, then only about 40 per cent of his portfolio should be allocated to shares and 60 per cent should be in less volatile investments such as bonds and cash.

With a properly balanced portfolio, I suspect that Scrooge could have slept a little easier at night. Instead of nightmares about the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, he could be dreaming of trips to the theatre, walks in the park and a stress-free retirement. Merry Christmas everyone! n

Dr David Kuo is director at popular financial website The Motley Fool www.Fool.co.uk

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At the Office For Her:

Let There Be Light

For Your Boss: For Him: Close

Shave

Like most modern men, chances are your boss prides himself on his appearance. Show you’ve noticed he appreciates the finer things in life by presenting him with the Mayfair Horn Shaving Set from Gentlemen’s Tonic. The ultimate wet shave collection, each element of the hand-crafted three-piece set (brush, razor and stand) is finished in horn, while the brush heads are made from pure badger hair.

For Her: All

She’ll Want For Christmas

Quite simply, Selfridges has provided the best advent calendar your female boss could wish for. Courtesy of beauty powerhouse L’Oreal, the calendar comes complete with fragrances from Giorgio Armani, hair care from Kiehl’s, cosmetics from Lancôme and goodies from YSL. You don’t need to worry if you’ve not had the time to purchase the calendar for the start of the month; buy it late and your boss will have the pleasure of opening several days at once.

It’s never a simple task buying a present for a woman, let alone a female work colleague. However, we are convinced that this facetted tea-light holder from The White Company, handmade from glass with a hand-antiqued, silvered finish that beautifully reflects light, is incapable of causing offense. The tea-light holder acts both as an attractive vintage-looking ornament and as the perfect accessory to create a relaxing atmosphere after a hard day at the office.

For Your Clients: The Ultimate Hamper

You wouldn’t have a business if it wasn’t for your clients, so let them know how much they are appreciated by ordering them a Kings Fine Food Basket hamper from gift-library.com. Full to the brim of delicious delicatessen offerings, the basket includes Riofrio caviar, goose rillette, and toscano chocolate spread, as well as George Gardet Curée Saint Flavy champagne and a mother of pearl spoon.

For Your Employees: For Your Secret Santa: For Him:Desktop

Dandy

If you find yourself stuck for a sophisticated secret Santa gift, Aspinal of London’s desktop business card holder could be what you’ve been looking for. Possessing the appearance of expense and luxury without the monumental price tag, the card holder is the perfect present for a male colleague. It is both practical and elegant, having been meticulously crafted from a solid cedar wood frame and then hand-bound in Amazon brown mock-croc calf leather.

Chocolate Indulgence

Thank your wonderful staff for all of their hard work this year by treating them to a tasting evening at chocolate manufacturers to Her Majesty The Queen, Charbonnel et Walker. Held at the company’s flagship store on Old Bond Street, the corporate tasting events offer guests the chance to indulge in glasses of Prosecco while sampling a range of Charbonnel et Walker chocolates and truffles.

1. Gentlemen’s Tonic’s Mayfair Horn Shaving Set is priced at £150, available from www.gentlemenstonic.com 2. All I Want This Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar is exclusive to Selfridges and priced at £80, www.selfridges.com 3. Aspinal of London’s business card holder in Amazon brown mock-croc calf leather is priced at £39, www.aspinaloflondon.com 4. The White Company’s facetted tea-light holder is priced at £20, www.thewhitecompany.com 5. The Kings Fine Food Basket Hamper is priced at £320, www.gift-library.com 6. Corporate tasting evenings with Charbonnel et Walker are priced at £60 per person. They can accommodate a maximum of 25 people and minimum of 12

gifts games, gadgets, gizmos feature sporting rivalries motoring aston martin . ............

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Casino Royale

N In the world of luxury gaming, Lancelot Lancaster White’s poker boxes don’t just up the stakes: they raise them to a whole new level

ot even the casino tables of Monte Carlo boast the sort of poker sets created by this London company.

Crafted by hand from the finest materials in the world, each of the boxes takes three months to manufacture and is finished in 18-carat rose-gold plating.

Encrusted with jewels and diamonds, all boxes are made to order in the UK from materials chosen for their practicality and aesthetic value. Blending modern technology and traditional styling, each box bears on a plaque its unique product number and the name of its original owner – making it the

perfect gaming gift for any keen poker player this Christmas. Lancelot Lancaster White’s Buckingham box (as above) has a swirled ebony veneer case with fittings of solid brass while the Nocturn set is adorned with black, highly-glossed lacquer and mother of pearl inlay. Personalised, gold-plated metal reliefs ensure that no two boxes are the same.

For the man who has everything, look out for the company’s Big Ben special, a watch box that will wind eight watches automatically using a mechanism made from original Big Ben parts. n www.luxurypokerbox.com

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1 Carbon off-piste mini skis and snowboards, POA, Chanel, www.chanel.com 2 ‘Change the Record’ speakers, POA, Paul Cocksedge, www.paulcocksedgestudio.com 3 Golf stand bag, £299.99, Audi, www.merchandise.audi.co.uk 4 F1 crankshaft 8V on carbon fibre base, £3,028, Ferrari, www.store.ferrari.com 5 MINI 2012 in red, silver or blue, from £17,800, MINI, www.mini.co.uk 6 Recline Personal, £6,000, Technogym, www.technogym.com 7 Golf zip case, £100, Dunhill, www.dunhill.com 8 Black Jack Nero patent golf shoe, £355, Royal Albartross, www.albartross.com 9 Games Compendium, £3,000, William & Son, www.williamandson.com

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10 Porsche bobsleigh, £215, Porsche Design, www.porsche-design.com 11 D-Lux 5 Titanium special edition camera, £855, Leica, www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk 12 Unicu multi gym, £3,595, Technogym, www.technogym.com 13 Golf tool, £45, Victorinox, www.victorinox.com 14 Road Inc Interactive Car Library App, £9.99, Pyrolia, downloadable at www.apple.com/itunes 15 Snooker cue and mini butt, £4,500, Dunhill, www.dunhill.com 16 Inflatable raft, POA, Chanel, www.chanel.com 17 Arcade 80s trunk in white, £13,685, Pinel & Pinel, www.pineletpinel.com

Out of Office 1. Formula 1 Served Cold

They may feature the same layout but there’s one significant difference between Silverstone UK and the Silverstone found in northern Sweden: ice. Choose to pit your wits against a Corvette Z06 or a Porsche 997 GT3 at the Laponie Ice Driving centre and it won’t be tarmac under your tyres but the frozen ice fields of Swedish Lapland. www.laponie-ice-driving.com

4. Take to the Skies

As the most famous British fighter of World War Two, the Spitfire has an enduring and emotional appeal for many Britons. Although there are only a handful of the legendary two-seater Spitfires left in the world today, it is still possible to get up close and personal with the iconic aircraft from the inside of an exclusive helicopter. www.intotheblue.co.uk

2. Thrill of the Hunt

Whether it’s high quality pheasant shooting you’re after, or fast and furious partridge hunting, Shootdays offers bespoke game shooting days for teams ranging between six and 12 guns. With a portfolio of shooting estates across Kent, Sussex and Hertfordshire, you can escape to the country in the morning and be back in London in time for dinner. www.shootdays.com

3. White-Knuckle Ride

Book now for your last chance to ride the rapids at the Lee Valley White Water Centre before the world’s best athletes paddle for gold medals at the London 2012 Games. Sessions start with a calm first run, designed to get you used to the feel of the boat. By your final run you’ll be surfing, high siding, spinning and nose-dunking like an Olympic pro. www.gowhitewater.co.uk

5. Up, Up and Away

Have you ever dreamed of floating through the air, high as a bird?

The largest independent hot air balloon ride supplier in the UK, Go Ballooning, offers the unusual, but fantastic, treat of hot air balloon rides throughout the winter. For unparalleled views of England’s green and pleasant land, book a trip from one of the company’s hundred-plus launch sites. www.goballooning.co.uk

6. Horses for Courses

For a truly unique Christmas gift, invest in a racehorse. Famous names who have invested in syndicates with Highclere Thoroughbred Racing include Mike Tindall, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Jodie Kidd.

Syndicates come with year round access to a box at Newbury Racecourse, private tours of the training yards and the chance to stay at the prestigious Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket. www.highclereracing.co.uk

1 Two-day packages at Laponie Ice Driving start from £1,914 per person 2 Shootday packages cost between £38 and £45 per bird depending on location 3 Ride the Lee Valley White Water Centre from £49 per person 4 Fly in formation along the Kent coast courtesy of Into the Blue for £249 5 Prices for a 5,000 foot hot air balloon ascent start at £85 6 Syndicates at Highclere Thoroughbred Racing start at £4,950 per share

high risk. high reward.

Take racing to a thrilling new level this Christmas with horse ownership from industry expert John Best. Own a quarter share in one of our magnificent colts, and experience the sheer exhilaration of being part of the race as you watch your very own horse gallop to the finish. With the potential for a very healthy return on your investment and a lifetime of adrenaline and adventure, it is the ideal gift this season - even if it’s just to yourself.

For more information, call:

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sports

calibre

Let’s Play Darts

sports

news

Alexandra Palace plays host to the 2012 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship between 15 December and 3 January.

Adrian Lewis enters the 19th World Championship as the defending champion, having won the tournament last year. A total of 72 players will take part, 16 of whom will start in the preliminary round stage, played between 15 and 21 December, with the eight winners joining the remaining 56 players in the first round proper.

Ladbrokes.com Darts World Championships 15 December 2011 – 3 January 2012 Alexandra Palace

Home

THE European Speed Skating Championships

Team GB’s football dates The dates of Team GB’s group stage fixtures ahead of London 2012 were announced last month. The men’s team, coached by Stuart Pearce, will begin their Olympic campaign at Old Trafford on Thursday 26 July, followed by Wembley Stadium on Sunday 29 July. Their final group game will be held at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Wednesday 1 August.

The first two women’s team games will be held at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday 25 and Saturday 28 July. Their final group stage match will take place on Tuesday 31 July at Wembley Stadium. Tickets went back on sale at the start of this month on a first-come, first-served basis.

While you’re indulging in mince pies and mulled wine over Christmas, Europe’s top speed skaters will be concentrating on keeping themselves in tip-top condition ahead of the continent’s Speed Skating Championships.

Taking place on 7 and 8 January in Budapest, Hungary, the competition will be held on an outdoor court for the second year running. It will be the 37th time the competition has been held for women and the 109th time for men.

7 – 8 January 2012 Budapest, Hungary

Visit www.tickets.london2012.com or call 0844 847 2012 for more information

To qualify for the Dubai World Championship a player must compete in 12 tournaments of The European Tour prior to arriving in Dubai. The numbers one to 60 players, ranked according to their earnings that year, will then vie for the tournament’s Harry Vardon Trophy and $1,250,000 top prize money. 2010 winner Robert Karlsson flew out to Dubai last month to familiarise himself with the Earth course ahead of the tournament, although he said he will be approaching the event with no fixed game plan.

Following his stunning performance in last month’s WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai, Rory McIlroy enters the tournament as one of the bookmakers’ favourites, as will long-time season leader Luke Donald.

8 – 11 December 2011 Earth Course, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Diego Barbieri / Shutterstock.com

Thor Jorgen Udvang / Shutterstock.com

AWAY

The Dubai World Championship

Sporting Soundbite Citius, Altius, Fortius [Swifter, Higher, Stronger]

The motto for the modern Olympic Games iN Latin

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Sportstars: The Rivals In memory of boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s greatest rival, Joe Frazier, who lost his battle with liver cancer in November, Lee Brooks takes a look at the greatest sporting rivalries that have lit up the last four decades

Š 1971 ImageForum Image: AFP/Getty Images

sports

calibre

2000s: TENNIS

1980s: FORMULA 1

Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal

Ayrton Senna v Alain Prost

Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe’s rivalry was absorbing, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras’ intense but Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s battle for supremacy has been more compelling than the other two combined.

The two men spent more than five years pushing each other to the limit, with Nadal enjoying the upper hand on the red dirt of Roland Garros and Federer the king of grass at Wimbledon. Then, in 2008, the two men came face-to-face on Centre Court in the Wimbledon final.

Here, through rain, wind and impending darkness, the game’s two greatest players swapped shot after shot of exquisite beauty. Neither man gave the other an inch. The quality was breathtaking and the tension unbearable. Federer won the first two sets and came within two points of victory before sensationally losing the next three sets to the Spaniard. After four hours and 48 minutes – the longest final in Wimbledon history – it was Nadal, with his Spanish flag tucked under his arm, who was scampering across Centre Court to celebrate the title with his friends and family.

By contrast, Federer sat in his chair, broken and alone in his thoughts. Even Nadal felt sorry for his rival: “I’m very happy for me but sorry for him because he deserved this title, too.” A kind comment to make, and one which highlights the respect he has for Federer – something the Swiss returns in equal measure. All good things come to an end and so Federer, who had in his sights a sixth successive Wimbledon title, relinquished his crown to Nadal and in doing so, also metaphorically gave him the edge the Swiss had enjoyed for so long.

The two have continued their tussle, with Federer holding the crown in terms of slams with 16, to Nadal’s ten, but without a grand slam since the 2010 Australian Open. This season, Serbian Novak Djokovic has emerged as a worthy adversary to Nadal as Federer slips down the rankings, but the anticipation, intensity and quality that is generated from a Nadal-Federer tussle is still unrivalled.

Opposites don’t always attract. Ayrton Senna was the brash but popular Brazilian with an exquisite talent to push racing cars to their limit and win at all costs. Frenchman Alain Prost, nicknamed ‘The Professor’, was the strategist, blessed with the brains to play the game and do what was necessary to win. Suffice to say, they didn’t get on: “Metaphorically, Senna wanted to destroy me,” said Prost. But they despised each other long before Ron Dennis decided to bring them together at his McLaren team in 1988 in a move that would have spectacular consequences.

In 1989, Senna, who needed victory at Suzuka to stop Prost winning the title and to maintain his own title hopes, dived up the inside at the final chicane, only for the Frenchman to firmly shut the door by turning in on him. Prost was out, but the Brazilian recovered and went on to win the race, only to be disqualified. Prost claimed the third of his four titles and promptly moved to Ferrari as the already frosty relationship worsened.

A year later at Suzuka, it was Senna who held the championship lead. The Brazilian, who started on pole, was furious that the sport’s governing body, the FIA, which was run by Frenchman Jean-Marie Balestre, decided late on to move the pole position grid slot from the outside on the racing line to the dirty inside side of the track. The Brazilian struggled to get away, allowing second-placed Prost to inch ahead. But the three-times champion was quickly back up to speed by the first corner and kept his car on the inside. Neither gave way and they both crashed out. This time, Senna was the beneficiary and won the second of his three titles. That, as they say, is karma.

1990s: GOLF Tiger Woods v Phil Mickelson While Federer and Nadal clearly like and respect each other, there’s no love lost between Americans Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, who have never pretended to like each other. Back in the 1990s, before Woods shanked his private life into the rough and Mickelson showed his mental frailties once more, the duo were flying high and ranked number one and two in the world.

Ironically, their games are remarkably similar, with both boasting immense accuracy and length off the tee and a supreme ability to shape their iron shots. Both play risk-reward style golf, and match each other toe-to-toe on the greens, but it’s Woods who leads the stats overwhelmingly, with 14 majors to Mickelson’s four. The latter is a total not to be scoffed at but it’s clear that Mickelson’s inability to finish his opponents in the way Woods would do so ruthlessly, remains his Achilles heel.

All-smiling Mickelson remains a fan favourite though, as he is always happy to sign an autograph or pose for a picture, unlike his surly compatriot. Today, their rivalry is but a sideshow with bright, young stars stealing the limelight as the old guard attempt to rediscover their form. However, the fact that no two golfers have stepped up to form a rivalry of their own at the very top just goes to show how infectious and absorbing the Woods-Mickelson duel was – and to an extent, still is.

1970s: BOXING Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier We’ve had Federer and Nadal, Woods and Mickelson and Senna and Prost – all rivalries that embrace passion and lend a thrilling dimension to their sport – but Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s rivalry knew no bounds. It was bloody. It was brutal. It gripped the world.

The first of their three fights came in 1971 and was labelled the ‘The Fight of the Century’ – a bout that Frazier won with a fierce display and which handed Ali his first professional defeat. Three years later, Ali gained revenge with the set up of the epic third and final showdown that will always be remembered as the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975. Both men were not the fighters they were four years previously but their steely determination to win delivered the sort of spine-tingling, awe-inspiring and dramatic display that may never be seen again. Ali came out on top in that one, too, but only just.

Frazier was a great fighter and his short, compact, in-close left hook gave Ali all sorts of problems. When he beat Ali, the American thought he would finally be loved as a worthy heavyweight champion but Ali remained the fans’ favourite. Frazier’s bitterness grew over time and was not helped by Ali’s constant berating of him. However, the 67-year-old appeared to have mellowed in his retirement, and before his tragic death last month when he succumbed to liver cancer.

“The world has lost a great champion,” said Ali. Their battles may not have been pretty and they may not have been friendly but the way they engaged on that night in Manila showed just how much they wanted to beat each other – and that in itself shows the level of respect they had for each other. n

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Double TAKE It might be based on a humble Toyota but, says Matthew Carter, Aston Martin has transformed the iQ from an ugly duckling into a beautiful Cygnet

motoring

B

ack in 1963, when skirts were getting shorter, the Beatles were fab and London had just started to swing, you could buy a brand new Mini for around £650, including purchase tax. So when Peter Sellers decided to celebrate his success as Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther by spending four times that much – a huge £2,600 – on a Mini, most people thought him quite mad.

But then, the Sellers car wasn’t quite as it came out of the factory. He commissioned coachbuilders Hooper to turn a standard Cooper into a luxury limo with thick leather seats, electric windows, Wilton carpets and a walnut dashboard, completed by revised switchgear and a sunroof.

There was a new grille at the front with driving lamps, a new paintjob and, more bizarrely, wicker bodywork but, given that Hooper was best known for making bodies for Bentleys and Rollers, the workmanship was second to none.

Before long the concept of a luxury Mini had caught on.

Ringo had his turned into a hatchback by Radford, another venerable coachbuilder, while George’s Mini de Ville was painted in psychedelic colours. John had one, too, as did Marianne Faithful and Monkee Mickey Dolenz. All were reassuringly expensive.

Fast-forward half a century and the concept of turning a humble city car into a luxury mini (now with a lower case ‘m’) has been revived. This time, however, the price of the donor car has increased by ‘only’ two-and-a-half times – a bargain! – and it’s the little Toyota iQ that’s come in for the luxury treatment. The ‘coachbuilder’ is Aston Martin and so comprehensive is the makeover that you won’t find the word Toyota on the car; this is, then, the Aston Martin Cygnet. But instead of paying £12,515 for the equivalent Toyota you’ll need to find at least £31,000 for the Cygnet.

Aston has kept the basic shell and running gear of the iQ but changed everything else. Inside there’s the full wood and leather luxury treatment while outside, AM designers have transformed the look: there’s no mistaking the grille for anything other than an Aston. There are new front wings, new lights front and rear, the door skins are bespoke and the paintjob is as good as you’ll find on any Aston.

They’ve even stuck a couple of V8 Vantage-style vents in the middle of the iQ’s bonnet.

It certainly turns heads. It’s been a while since I’ve had a road test car that has stopped so many people in their tracks.

The interior is wonderful: the feel, look and smell of it is pure Aston and owners of the real thing will feel at home.

Indeed, when the concept was first mooted, Aston suggested that the Cygnet had been designed specifically for Aston customers who needed a ‘tender’ for their V8 or V12s. There was even talk that Cygnet would only be sold to existing Aston owners, so that if you saw one on the streets, you knew the driver had something bigger and more powerful but just as luxurious tucked away in the garage at home.

“Luxury is not constrained by scale,” said the company.

calibre

The truth is rather more prosaic: anyone with the money is welcome to buy one. The simple fact is that Aston – just like the rest of the industry – needs a small, economical car with low emissions in its line up to help the company to comply with the EU’s fleet average emissions standards due to come into force next year. For that reason Aston has left the basic iQ hardware alone. Cygnet might look like an Aston but its performance is anything but, taking more than 11 seconds to go from 0-60mph. Far more important, and more eco-friendly, is the fact that it’ll do 54mpg and produces only 120g/100km of CO2 rather than the 18mpg and 367g of the DBS. So it looks like an Aston but it doesn’t quite drive like one. Around town, the Cygnet feels a little sluggish (despite the test car’s CVT automatic transmission which should help acceleration) and the ride quality leaves something to be desired. On the open road, however, things are much better. It hums along at (and above) the legal limit and the rides smoothes out, but on these roads you’d much rather be driving your Vantage, surely?

No, there’s little doubt that the city is Cygnet’s natural habit. The iQ is claimed to be the shortest four seater on the market and that certainly makes parking easy but don’t expect to get four large adults in the car. You might squeeze three in there but there is no legroom behind the driver and with the seats in use, there’s no luggage space. In reality it’s best to fold down the rear seats to create a boot and think of it as a two-seater. As you might expect from the price tag the Cygnet is well equipped, with some nice touches like the glovebox – it’s a leather bag – and a hand-stitched leather steering wheel, although the lack of electric front seats is an odd omission.

It’s a curious thing, the Cygnet. I see exactly what Aston is trying to do and the look and feel of the interior, especially, is beyond reproach. Peter Sellers would have loved it, as does Sir Stirling Moss who’s bought one of the first in London as a birthday present for wife Susie. But there’s no disguising IN BRIEF its origins. Despite the comprehensive make-over, it’s no Aston under the skin: Car: perhaps the mark two version can have Aston Martin Cygnet more Aston DNA in the drivetrain and Price: the driving dynamics. £32,115 I do hope there will be a Mark 2 Engine: version, though history isn’t on its 1,330 cc 4-cylinder petrol side. Once those stars of the 60s had Power: played with their souped-up Minis 97 hp for a while they got bored and moved Drive: on to something else. Everyone else, Front-wheel drive meanwhile, looked at the price and said CVT transmission “thanks but no thanks”. The Hooper Performance: Cooper and Mini de Ville shone brightly 106 mph max. but briefly. It would be a shame if the 0–62 mph in 11.6 seconds same happened to the Cygnet. n

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calibre motoring

Now we are

SIX...

Yet another Mini joins the fray. Matthew Carter reports on the newest addition to the stable

T

alk about extracting the most you possibly can from one particular theme. There are now no fewer than six Mini models to choose from: as well as the ‘original’ Mini hatchback, there’s the Clubman estate, the vast four-door Countryman and the convertible. This quartet was joined a couple of months ago by the frankly odd-looking Mini Coupé, sporting a roofline that one colleague memorably reckoned looked like a baseball cap being worn backwards.

Thankfully for the sixth derivative, the new Coupébased Roadster, BMW has taken the tin snips to the ‘cap’ and replaced it with a fabric roof. What’s the difference, then, between the Mini convertible and the Mini Roadster?

Simple; the newcomer only has two seats and its roofline is 20mm lower than the four-seater. Despite the lack of rear

70

seats, though, the new Roadster is actually a little longer than the four-seat soft top.

As with the Coupé, there’ll be four versions of the Roadster when it arrives in UK showrooms next spring and all will have the Cooper name on the boot. There’s the Cooper, Cooper S, the diesel-powered Cooper SD and John Cooper Works Roadster, with power outputs ranging from 122hp for the Cooper to 211hp for the JCW version. Prices will start at just over £18,000 and go up to nearly £25,000.

Among the Roadster’s standard features is a rear spoiler integrated into the boot lid, which extends automatically once the car hits 50mph, while with a lower centre of gravity and extra body stiffening to compensate for the lack of a roof, it should handle like a go-kart. Just try to avoid the temptation of wearing a baseball cap when driving it. n

exceeding your expectations

Luxury

Car Hire

Whether it’s for business, a special occasion, test drive or just for fun, VIP Car Hire can cater. We provide car hire from three days to 12 months and our fleet includes Ferrari 458 & F430, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Bentley GTC, Range Rovers and many more all the way down to the Mini Cooper S. We also offer a nationwide delivery service with any of our cars.

contact@vipservices.co.uk www.vipservices.co.uk

Tel: 020 7407 2121

VISIONS OF CHANGE

Daniel Craig, Omega and ORBIS unite

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Gucci celebrates 90 years

ICONS OF STYLE Breathtaking building, beautiful brands

news

this year at rex 2011 has been a landmark twelve months for the Royal Exchange.

Ten years ago the historic site was turned in to a luxury shopping destination tailored to the longings of those living and working in the Square Mile. We strive to maintain our position amidst the Capital’s cultural landscape and the building continues to be a hub of both work and play. Those businessmen, merchants and tradesmen who met within the open courtyard hundreds of years ago might be surprised by what we have been up to over the last 12 months

The Financial Animal In July Natasha Archdale, the artist renowned for giant collages of female nudes created with newspaper clippings, unveiled The Financial Animal.

The exhibition followed her celebrated nude collection – which sold out within two hours of its first public exhibition – and recent work in iconic portraiture, with subjects including Margaret Thatcher, Nelson Mandela and the disgraced financier Bernie Madoff.

The selection of animal portraits were made up of thousands of cuttings of the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times and focused on the creatures that dominate our financial landscape. Bears and bulls represent the markets themselves while elephants, donkeys and other beasts represent various political and economic institutions.

For one day Natasha set up a studio at the Royal Exchange and invited ardent followers of the stock exchange to visit her and contribute their own cuttings, her work.

The Bull (left) and The Bear (bottom left), referring to markets of the same name, were fashioned using cuttings of The Financial Times. Much like a bull that will swipe its horns up at an opponent, a bullish trend in the stock market occurs with increasing investor confidence. On the other hand, when a bear fights it crashes its paws down on its rival, mimicking the downward market trend.

Chocolate therapy In May the Kiehl’s store celebrated its first birthday by teaming up with chocolatier Paul A. Young. Paul concocted the Kiehl’s Acai Chocolate using three ingredients are found in Kiehl’s age-defying acai range. By combining the acai ‘super berry’ known to be one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants with soothing lavender and calming orange flower water, Paul created the ultimate detoxifying indulgence.

In the pink

On 14 February the building was flooded with pink light to celebrate the national day of love. Budding Casanovas bought roses on the front steps, whilst those that popped the question enjoyed complimentary champagne. Lovers dining at Restaurant Sauterelle in the evening savoured an amorous menu of Cornish crab ravioli, roast venison saddle and orange parfait, amongst other epicurean delights devised by head chef Robin Gill.

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news

City Cycle Style An increasing number of Londoners are taking to the saddle, whether it be on a vintage, fixed-gear, classic lightweight or Pashley bicycle. However cycling is not only a way to get around. It is a reflection of your own personality and fashion choices.

At the end of September fashionistas across the capital took to two wheels for City Cycle Style, an exhibition by acclaimed fashion photographer, Horst A. Friedrichs.

The Lord Mayor Alderman Michael Bear and Boris Johnson joined style-setters Sir Paul Smith, the British fashion designer; Hazel Robinson, stylist to Madonna and one half of cutting edge fashion label, House of Jazz; Donna Ida Thornton, owner and founder of the Chelsea denim boutique and Jonathan Kelsey, shoe designer for Matthew Williamson, Mulberry and Hunter.

Paul A Young (pictured left), owner of Paul A Young Fine Chocolates, commented, “A stylish cycle needs a stylish cyclist especially in this beautiful, vibrant City.

A chance to adorn yourself with your favourite fashion designers and pedal through the London is a real treat.”

The collection was on display at REX for one month and celebrated what is truly great about London; its diversity and individuality.

London Jewellery WeeK

The Royal Exchange began the summer with a glittering partnership with London Jewellery Week, the capital’s annual festival of all that sparkles.

International luxury jewellers Boodles, Theo Fennell and Bachet hosted exclusive events throughout the week inside the columned courtyard, and guests at the invitation-only ‘Cocktails and Catwalk’ event enjoyed an unforgettable evening of runway glamour and statement pieces.

Tales of Terror Once again David Carter, purveyor of fine words and founder of 40 Winks, led his band of whimsical storytellers outside their East London hideaway to bewitch and delight with ‘Tales Of Terror’. Guests savoured chilling cocktails while listening to eerie fables, and the melodious sounds of Tricity Vogue and her ukelele.

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luxury item

MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD

While most companies believe their success depends on the latest trends, there is one English company which prides itself on changing nothing. The craftsmanship needed to make Searle and Co’s timeless Yard-O-Led silver pens and pencils has remained unchanged for generations.

These most distinctive writing instruments are made by just eight highly skilled craftsmen working in a Dickensian workshop in Birmingham’s atmospheric Jewellery Quarter; each pen taking more than 2,000 strikes by hand for the Yard-O-Led’s ‘Victorian’ finish, eight different processes to make its clip and a final moment of patience to individually number it after it has been hallmarked. Every fountain pen, pencil and ballpoint is a unique example of traditional English craftsmanship.

The Plain Diplomat Hexagonal Pencil is timeless, elegant and smart – the perfect choice for the discerning city businessman, and a unique keepsake to be treasured for many years to come.

Searle and Co have been dealing with Yard-O-Led and their forebears Sampson Mordan since 1893.

Yard-O-Led Silver Plain Diplomat Hexagonal Propelling Pencil £255

1A Royal Exchange 020 7626 2456 www.searleandco.ltd.uk 76

BOO168-254_REX_Blossom_SP.qxt_Layout 1 06/10/2011 12:49 Page 1

Boodles Blossom | T: +44 (0)20 7437 5050 | www.boodles.com

gift guide

01

04 03 05

02

In Vogue

Super stylish favourites for chilly chic

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01 02

LUXURY SNAP BRIM TRILBY in CHOCOLATE Brown

£180, Laird & Co, www.lairdlondon.co.uk ‘COUVERTURES ET TENUES DE JOUR’ DIP DYE SCARF IN PURPLE/GREEN

£260, Hermes, 020 7626 7794

03

burwood w ladies brogue

04

Lapis Belt

05

Magenta Continental Purse

£255, Church’s, 020 7929 2111 £275, Smythson, 020 7621 1037 £250, Smythson, 020 7621 1037

gift guide

04 02

05

01

06

03

Adorn & Embellish This season’s must-have accessories 01

SHOCKING PINK SWAROVSKI CRYSTALLIZED LIPS CLUTCH

02

Diamond Time Square Watch in Rose Gold

03

Liberty Ankle Boots

£650, Lulu Guinness, 020 7626 5391 £295, Tateossian, 020 7283 3434 £270, Paul Smith, www.paulsmith.co.uk

04

Gold South Sea ring£2,700 Chocolate tahiti Ring, £1,550, Milleperle, 020

05

HONEYCOMB BEE CUFF BANGLE

06

Gold Arrow Heart Necklace with Amethyst Stone

7621 1118

£9,950, Theo Fennell, 020 7623 4380 £120, Tateossian, 020 7283 3434

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gift guide

02 01

05

03

04

Luxury Wishlist

Sensuous scents, luxury leathers and sublime silks

01 02

03

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Lapis Sling Bag

£395, Smythson, 020 7621 1037 Cornubia Eau de Toilette 100ml

£80, Penhaligon’s, 020 7623 3131

London Red Roses Bath Oil Glass Decanter

£52, Jo Malone, 0870 192 5131

04

Emerald Panama Notebook

05

florine BRa

£45, Smythson, 020 7621 1037 £110, Agent Provocateur, 020 7623 0229

gift guide

05 04

06 02

03

01

Winter’s Most Wanted On-trend with smart flats, printed scarves and cross-body bags 01

‘COUVERTURES ET TENUES DE JOUR’ DIP DYE SCARF IN khaki

02

Peridot Sling Bag

03

‘CLIC CLAC H’ BRACELET IN SILVER/RED

£260, Hermes, 020 7626 7794 £395, Smythson, 020 7621 1037 £400, Hermès, 020 7626 7794

04

Rosario pump

05

my sunglasses number 2 in marrone

06

BLACK CHERRY LARGE PATENT LEATHER ANNABELLE

£129, Pretty Ballerinas, 020 7929 6994 £850, Loro Piana, 020 7398 0000 £275, Lulu Guinness, 020 7626 5391

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gift guide

01 06 05

04 02 03 09

07

08

The Man About Town Suave sophistication in the City 01

Gresham Watch Roll

02

‘ARCEAU CHRONO’ IN CALFSKIN BARENIA NATURAL

03

Gulliver Sports Watch with Yellow Faces

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£345, Smythson, 020 7621 1037 £3,800, Hermès, 020 7626 7794 £180, Tateossian, 020 7283 3434

04

Skeleton Watch in Rose Gold

05

Drummond in Mink Suede

06

Dorney l mens weekend shoe

£550, Tateossian, 020 7283 3434 £320, Crockett & Jones, 020 7929 2111 £295, Church’s, 020 7929 2111

07

Fedora Downbrim with Satin Band in Rust Brown

£195, Laird & Co, www.lairdlondon.co.uk

08

Gresham 24 Hour Bag

09

my sunglasses number 1 in black

£1,090, Smythson, 020 7621 1037 £850, Loro Piana, 020 7398 0000

feature

Invest in the best: WATCHES & JEWELLERY Made from valuable precious metals and the finest stones, these glittering treasures are safe investments as well as statement accessories

TIME’S A-TICKING

Buying or receiving a new watch is one of life’s great pleasures, but perhaps even more so is the miraculous discovery of the antique, vintage or rare limited edition timepiece – perfect for a long-term investment. Whether such a treasure has inspired years of searching, or forms part of a larger portfolio collection, watches make a great investment piece and a personal collectable item.

Of course, from all the watch families, there are particular names that stand out when hunting for that classic timepiece. Rolex has been a name synonymous with luxury and class for just over a century, known around the world for developing and patenting the world’s first waterproof wristwatch; creating the Perpetual Rotor; and launching the Submariner (invented originally for deep sea divers and adopted by the British Royal Navy). An investment like this is akin to owning a piece of technological history.

Alternatively, Omega carries an outstanding reputation for precision craftsmanship (a current choice as sponsor of the 2012 Olympic Games) and cutting edge adventure (favourite brand of 007 agent James Bond, no less) – or perhaps you’d favour Patek Phillipe with nostalgic designs and worldwide renown.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

Whilst everyone is aware that gold bullion is a solid investment, it’s often more fun to choose something you can wear too. Since 2005, the value of coloured diamonds has rocketed by 300 per cent, taking their place as one of the most popular investments for the super-wealthy. Many world-renowned jewellers such as Tiffany & Co. and Cartier have responded to the change in demand by creating new coloured diamond collections; these include Cartier’s Inde Mysterieuse collection, where the smallest piece (a pair of yellow rose-cut diamond earrings) was valued at more than £169,000.

However, coloured diamonds aren’t the only option for long-term jewellery investments. Tanzanite is one of the rarest minerals on the planet and is found in just one place; the Meralani Hills of northern Tanzania, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Discovered just over 40 years ago, the rich blue tanzanite is exceptionally precious, and over 1,000 times rarer than diamonds. Expert geologists estimate that there is only 15 years of supply left, meaning that tanzanite is not only a great investment for future years, but also an important addition to any jewellery collection.

Theo Fennell says “One of the great mistakes and irrelevances of jewellery buying today is the idea that cost is everything. This can lead to a cock-eyed system where not very rare stones become super expensive – diamonds over tanzanite, for example – or standard rubies become more important than a very bright tourmaline, which is far rarer.” Theo Fennell, Tiffany & Co. and Boodles all work in association with The Tanzanite Foundation.

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win win win win winwin win

win

win

competition

win win

win

START THE NEW YEAR WITH SOMETHING SPECIAL

win

Traditionally a long, cold month with early mornings, dark nights and punishing resolutions, January can feel like a come-down after the sparkle and shine of the Christmas holidays. But for one lucky reader, the Royal Exchange will brighten up the month with a selection of beautiful luxury gifts making the New Year that little bit more fabulous.

Our fantastic grand prize includes: • Penhaligon’s Ladies Fragrance Collection (Artemisia, Ellenisia, Lily of the Valley, Gardenia and Malabah) • Delicious dinner for two at Sauterelle (up to £100) • Kiehl’s Limited Edition Jeff Koons Creme de Corps • Paul A Young box of 15 chocolates from the winter collection • Lulu Guinness black satin Couture Shop top zip bag • Tateossian Interlock Blue Cufflinks • Pretty Ballerinas Marilyn pump in black and white stripes with red trim To be in with a chance of winning, simply log on to the Royal Exchange website (www.theroyalexchange.com) and enter your email address to sign up for the newsletter, which will automatically register you as a competition entrant.

The competition is open from 24 October and the final closing date is Friday 20 January. Good luck!

www.theroyalexchange.com

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10th anniversary

Luxury Shopping and dining in the City Agent ProvocAteur, ArtisAn Fine Art, BAchet, Boodles, BulgAri, church’s, crockett & Jones, de Beers, gucci, herMÈs, Jo MAlone, kiehl’s, koJis, lAird & co hAtters, l’occitAne, loro PiAnA, lulu guinness, MillePerle, Molton Brown, MontBlAnc, oMegA, PAul A. Young Fine chocolAtes, PAul sMith, PenhAligon’s, PrettY BAllerinAs, roYAl exchAnge Jewellers, seArle & co, sMoker’s PArAdise, sMYthson, tAteossiAn, theo Fennell, tiFFAnY & co, vileBrequin, wAtches oF switzerlAnd grAnd cAFé & BAr, iMPeriAl citY, MezzAnine lounge, sAuterelle, nAPket, PAvArotti’s

roYAl exchAnge, BAnk, citY oF london www.theroYAlexchAnge.coM

ec3v 3lr

christmas interiors fashion

gorgeous gifts White Christmas ......................................................... winter style .....................................

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Circle of Style

T The Helen Green Pelham Wreath brings a rustic style to your door this season

hroughout the ages, wreaths at Christmas have always symbolised a classic and stylish nod to the time of year and the sight of festive wreaths adorning doors throughout London is always the first sign that the most celebratory and enjoyable of seasons is upon us. This gorgeous wreath is by far our favourite luxury offering from London society florist John Carter and British luxury interior designer Helen Green.

The two experts have combined their eye for elegant, original design to create the Pelham Wreath, a show-stopping festive garland that has

been created using a suitably festive combination of blue pines, fresh eucalyptus and eucalyptus pods, pheasant feathers, snow berries, preserved beech and lichen.

The Pelham Wreath measures 20 by 20 inches and can be displayed as a traditional door hanging, sophisticated table decoration or alternatively in front of a large framed mirror to create a dramatic autumnal reflection. n The Pelham Wreath is priced at ÂŁ150 and can be purchased from Helen Green Design 020 7352 3344 / mail@helengreendesign.com

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Seasonal Style 4 1

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1 Sheer Lace Robe, £625, Jenny Packham, www.harrods.com 2 Vol de Noit Perfumed Shimmer Powder, £49.50, Guerlain, www.johnlewis.com 3 Legged Cone Bracelet, £250, Eddie Borgo, www.cochinechine.co.uk 4 Michelle Dress, £470, Jexika, www.jexika.com 5 Embellished Leather Gloves, £645, Roberto Cavalli, www.netaporter.com 6 Marlene Sandal, £1295, Jimmy Choo, www.jimmychoo.com 7 Limited Edition Jimmy Choo EDP, £98, Jimmy Choo, www.harrods.com

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8 Softy Chyc Animal-print Calf Hair Shoulder Bag, £1,380, YSL, www.netaporter.com 9 Feather Necklace, £325, Matthew Williamson, www.selfridges.com 10 Nail Duo in Boosh and Spartan, £20, Illamasqua, www.illamasqua.com 11 Fox Fur Gilet, £5,999, Lanvin, www.harrods.com 12 The One EDP, £67, Dolce & Gabbana, www.harrods.com 13 Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow in 005 and 007, £24.50 each, Giorgio Armani, www.selfridges.com 14 44 Lash, £10, MAC, www.maccosmetics.co.uk 15 Sweet Dore Shoulder Bag, £1,130, Lanvin, www.harrods.com

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7 1 Proud Peacock Crystal Dome Paperweight, John Derian, £55, www.liberty.co.uk 2 Large Clarence Pendant Light, £320, Heal’s, www.heals.co.uk 3 Horn Frame, £170, Gift Library, www.gift-library.com 4 Bathtub with Swarovski Elements, £POA, Catchpole & Rye, www.harrods.com 5 White Arm Chair, £1,250, Squint, www.selfridges.com 6 Les Endiables, £326, Saint Louis, www.harrods.com 7 Beula Tealight Holder, £9.99, Zara Home, www.zarahome.com 8 Vibora Cushion, £39.99, Zara Home, www.zarahome.com

Friday 8TH JUNE 2012

City Friday & Polo Party at Mint Polo In The Park ‘The Best Corporate Day Out’ - as voted by CITY AM Winner of ‘Best Sports Attraction’ - London Lifestyle Awards 2010 & 2011

Book it while you can!

This sensational summer event brings you first class hospitality in a beautiful, central London setting, dynamic sports action and plenty more entertainment including the new Friday night ‘Veuve Clicquot at Hurlingham’ launch party.

Clicquot at Hurlingham’ party tickets start at £50 plus VAT per person.

For more details or to book, telephone 0207 936 5284/5282 or email: rachel@ cityevents.uk.com

Choose from all day, fully inclusive hospitality or a half day with our ‘Cool Britannia’ Afternoon Tea and then party the night away with Veuve Clicquot at The Hurlingham Club!

Package prices for Friday 8th June start at just £185 plus VAT per person. ‘Veuve

www.mintpolointhepark.com

luxuryl o n d o n Burlington Arcade has all you need for a fabulous festive season, so walk down the red carpet to discover where all the magic is made

BURLINGTON BEADLES

There to make sure your shopping trip is as easy and enjoyable as possible, these knowledgeable, uniformed guards will happily guide you, while ensuring that order is kept within the halls of the 192-year-old promenade.

IN THE B AG

The Arcade is excited to welcome luxury accessories retailer Lulu Guinness to the Burlington family.

The brand’s combination of impish charm, witty design and timeless quality has ensured its incredible worldwide popularity and its creations can often be seen hanging from the arms of many celebrities.

Flagship Store

Jimmy Choo has launched its first UK men’s boutique. Fusing modern British style with luxurious Italian craftsmanship, the AW11 men’s footwear collection has a Mod aesthetic with a hint of a 1960s Mayfair playboy. This masculine collection combines classical detailing in modern styles and beautiful Italian materials crafted with minimal framed, butted and scored seam detailing and luggage stitching.

BULL OR BEAR?

Home to London’s most elegant collection of cufflinks and stud sets, Michael Rose and Susannah Lovis design both traditional and eclectic styles for all ages including contemporary, genuine antique and vintage cufflinks. Don’t miss the clever ‘Bull & Bear’ pair from Cameo Corner – perfect for the risk-managing City Boy.

little filler

This stylish Perfume Atomiser from Thomas Lyte is sleek and compact in design, making it the perfect accessory for your handbag as well as a quirky little stocking filler.

PROMOTION

golden age

Chic knits

Gold in any form is always a great choice for presents and gold jewellery is the perfect way to remind your loved ones just how much you care. Choose from a vast array of stunning, sparkling pieces from some of London’s finest jewellers – Hancock’s, Johnson Walker, Susannah Lovis, Heming, Richard Ogden and Hirsh – gift your loved one with a beautiful item of jewellery that will last for generations.

For classic and contemporary costume jewellery head to Ciro.

The softest fabric imaginable, cashmere is the ultimate weapon in battling the London weather in style.

Burlington Arcade houses some of the top names in the chic world of knitwear, including N.Peal, John Smedley and Ballantyne cashmere at Berk, and House of Cashmere – that’s winter all wrapped up.

FESTIVE FRAGRANCE

Penhaligon’s is a great place to find specialist fragrances and candles which can be ribbon-wrapped in limited edition Victorian themed keep sake boxes this Christmas.

N. Peal

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

OLD FATHER TIME

The ultimate investment, a well-chosen watch is a statement accessory that will go with everything and last for a lifetime. The luxury timepieces available at Burlington Arcade are classic, elegant and will never go out of style. Head to Somlo Antiques, David Duggan, Vintage Rolex at the Vintage Watch Company, Heming and Armour Winston for a dazzling selection accompanied by expert advice.

Pick up luxury travel backgammon sets at Pickett, a simple, traditional game to play with family and friends, home or away.

Extended Christmas Shopping Hours December Tuesday 20th - Friday 23rd 08.00am - 20.00pm.

PEN PAL

Saturday 24th (Christmas Eve) 09.00am - 17.00pm

Forever answering the dilemma of what to get for the person who has everything, a beautifully crafted pen from Penfriend makes a fabulous Christmas keepsake for absolutely anyone.

Sunday 25th (Christmas Day) Closed

STEP OUT IN STYLE

Monday 26th (Boxing Day) 11.00am- 17.00pm. Limited trading

For the finest luxury leather shoes, look no further than Church’s, Crocket & Jones, Harrys of London and the newly opened Jimmy Choo. Whether you’re looking for smart City shoes, weekend brogues or black-tie patents, the selection of specialist brands offer the perfect choice. For expert leather care, don’t forget to visit shoe shiner Romi Topi (whose celebrity clientele includes model David Gandy) to keep your shoes in pristine condition.

Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th 11.00am - 17.00pm. Limited trading Saturday 31st 08.00am - 17.00pm

January 2012 Sunday 1st 11.00am - 17.00pm Limited trading Monday 2nd (Bank Holiday) 11.00am - 17.00pm Limited trading

For more information visit

www.burlington-arcade.co.uk

Kaleidoscope_FP_CanaryWharf_Layout 1 15/11/2011 14:53 Page 1

KALEIDOSCOPE BY

HEMING

CLASSIC JEWELS • DIAMONDS • FINE WATCHES FOR LIFE'S EXCEPTIONAL OCCASIONS 18-19 Burlington Arcade, London W1J 0PW

T: +44 (0)207 499 7644

W: www.hemingjewels.com

fashion

concierge

CHIC AND CHARITABLE The pretty Disaya dress worn by Amy Winehouse on the cover of her legendary Back to Black album is to be auctioned in aid of the charity set up as part of her legacy.

The piece was originally chosen for the singer by stylist Amy Winwood, much to the delight of designer Disaya Sorakraikitikul, who confessed she was thrilled that Winehouse had worn the gown. The dress is expected to raise between £10,000 and £20,000 when it goes on sale on 29 November as part of the Passion for Fashion event in Pall Mall.

women’s fashion

news

© Rankin

www.kerrytaylorauctions.com

Quote of the month

All-round Icon The first issue of a new biannual fashion magazine masterminded by North Londonbased photographer and publisher Rankin is available now. Entitled The Hunger, it will feature individuals from the worlds of art, design, fashion and music as part of beautiful photoshoots and

insightful interviews. Each issue will be available with both a male and female cover star, with the first two being Rhys Ifans and Skye Ferreira. An online counterpart will be updated weekly with backstage exclusives and documentaries. www.hungertv.com

Some choose the archetypal chain strap bag as their evening accessory, others a sparkly clutch. While there is undoubtedly room for both in a (very desirable) closet, this vintage-inspired Dorothy Sue bag is a classic in its own right. The gold python skin simultaneously satisfies this season’s snake print and jewel-toned trends and, even better, the material is ethically sourced. £274.99, www.safor.co.uk

www.fashionising.com

MUST-HAVE ITEM

Fashion is a progression of revisited ideas...

Bruce Oldfield

Website

TREND

With London such a hotbed of diversity and style, one could be forgiven for getting confused about the latest trends. While it’s important to invest in timeless pieces or choose items which flatter, this is a great website for anyone who wants to see the catwalk looks summed up.

Fashion Books Cheaper than the looks, and almost as much fun, are the new literary launches from our favourite designers. This year has already seen Mulberry: The Book, chronicling 40 years of the luxury British brand and the next few months will see us devour Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo’s handiwork in print.

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fashion

concierge

Three of the best...

men’s fashion

news

Pea Coats Military-inspired styles continue to dominate smart/casual wear this autumn and winter. Originally worn by sailors in the Navy, classic pea coats offer a masculine way to complete smart weekend outfits.

Short Navy Pea Coat Dunhill, £995, www.dunhill.com

Best of British With a flagship store boasting one of the most prestigious addresses in the world of tailoring, No. 1 Savile Row, it’s no surprise that the A/W11 collection from Gieves & Hawkes finds itself firmly rooted in traditional British design. In the year that the tailors are celebrating 240 years of service as official military outfitters, Gieves & Hawkes menswear continues to offer some of the finest

examples of masculine shapes and quintessential English styling. This looks set to continue now that John Durnin, the man formerly responsible for global strategy at Alfred Dunhill, sits at the helm of the brand. As well as its Savile Row and Sloane Square stores, Gieves & Hawkes is stocked in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.

London Dixon Pea Coat Burberry, £995, www.mrporter.com

www.gievesandhawkes.com

Loafer Loving The brand might be better known for its brightly coloured suede moccasins but if you thought the extent of Fins for Him’s shoe range stopped there, then think again. Ideal for the winter season is the London brand’s selection of evening slip-ons, classic brogues and leather-soled dessert boots.

With leather loafers finding particular favour among City types at the moment, Fins for Him’s penny loafers (pictured) will form a fashionable addition to any gentleman’s wardrobe. Pair the loafers with slim-fit jeans and a fitted blazer for the perfect dress-down-Friday office look. www.finsforhim.com

Navy Melton College Pea Coat Polo Ralph Lauren, £430 www.my-wardrobe.com

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Red Hot

Ice Queen

Lulu Guinness is renowned for her modern and playful handbag designs that are recognisable the world over and the new ‘Drip With Jewels’ Cruise 2011 collection does not disappoint. Inspired by Lulu’s love of vintage jewellery and designed with the festive season in mind, the beautiful Fifi clutch is no doubt a winter winner. Made from red snakeskin with an elegant gold clasp, accessorise with confidence and make a statement wherever you are in the world.

Dazzle someone special this Christmas with Boodles Winter Season Ring. The creative director of Boodles chooses only the most soughtafter stones and in this piece the icy cold of winter is reflected in aquamarines, tanzanites and tourmalines, surrounded by diamonds.

Boodles’ passion for luxury gemstones and beautiful contemporary designs is demonstrated in this spectacular item.

Lulu Guinness Red Snakeskin Fifi clutch, £325

Boodles 2 & 3 The Courtyard Royal Exchange 020 7283 7284

Lulu Guinness 23 Royal Exchange 020 7626 5391

WINTER IN

Boodles Winter Season Ring, £13,500

Style

Visit the Royal Exchange this December to stock up on essential skincare, sparkles and accessories ahead of trips away this winter – all equally perfect as Christmas gifts for your loved ones or gifts for yourself on any occasion

Get Your Skates On

Cream of the Crop

Tiffany & Co. is one of the world’s most celebrated luxury brands, famous for timeless style and superior quality. This winter sees Tiffany & Co. partner with the Somerset House ice rink for a fifth year and in celebration an exclusive range of products – the Tiffany Skate collection – has been launched. Perfect for travelling, this stylish canvas tote comes in ivory canvas with iconic Tiffany Blue® leather trim.

Kiehl’s has been producing premium skincare products since 1851 and with a background that blends herbal, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and medicinal knowledge, you couldn’t be in better hands. Wherever your travels may take you this winter, remember that your skin deserves a treat just as much as you do. Whether skiing, sunning, sailing or spaing, if you’re carrying Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, you can guarantee 24-hour hydration. Designed with harsh weather conditions in mind, and including Antarcticine and Desert Plant Extract, your skin will be left feeling smooth with a healthy winter glow.

Tiffany & Co. Canvas Tote Bag with Tiffany Blue® leather trim, £385 Tiffany & Co. 9 The Courtyard Royal Exchange 00 800 2000 1122

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream (50ml), £24 Kiehl’s 14–15 Royal Exchange 020 7283 6661

Green with Envy Make your plans for 2012 in elegance and style – with a little help from legendary stationers Smythson. The Panama diary is undoubtedly the most iconic Smythson innovation and it has hardly changed since its introduction in 1908. The Peridot Panama features stunning green leather with glazed croc print, a chic gold square clasp and, of course, the traditional gilt-edged paper. A Smythson diary is the gift that will keep giving for the whole year round.

Smythson Peridot Panama Diary, £105

Little Luxuries Take a little piece of home away with you this winter, by packing Jo Malone’s three candle travel collection. Wherever you’re jetting away to – or even if you are creating your own little getaway at home – relax with these divinely festive scents: Pine & Eucalyptus, Roasted Chestnut and Pomegranate Noir. Jo Malone’s perfect packaging has a crimson twist this Christmas, making the iconic box even more covetable.

Jo Malone Travel Candle Collection, £60

Smythson 7 Royal Exchange 020 7621 1037

Jo Malone 24 Royal Exchange 0870 192 5131

Festive Fruit Treat yourself or someone you love to a luxurious ‘Getaway en Provence’ gift package. L’Occitane has its roots in Provence and shares the colours and scents from the South of France in its all-natural skincare and body products. The scrumptious Limited Edition Délice des Fruit gift collection

by L’Occitane is full of flavour – sweet and sparkling candied lemon and Clementine zests – and includes a shower jelly, body cream, perfumed soap, bath ball and hand cream – the perfect pamper parcel.

L’Occitane Délice des Fruit Gift Collection, £39 L’Occitane 29 Royal Exchange 020 7929 7722

Sensuous Scents Legendary British perfume house Penhaligon’s has introduced a delicious collection of gifts for Christmas. The Gentleman’s Fragrance set comprises five miniature scents, including the elegant and uplifting Quercus and the sensual Endymion, which combines citrus, spices and leather. There is a fragrance for every mood and the collection is the perfect introduction to the range for first timers, as well as offering a new favourite for current fans. The beautifully decorated boxes can be stacked to create an eccentric London house – to display all year round.

Penhaligon’s Gentleman’s Fragrance Collection, £35 Penhaligon’s 4 Royal Exchange 020 7623 3131

Agent Provocateur || Artisan Fine Art || Bachet || Boodles || Bulgari || Church’s || Crockett & Jones || De Beers Gucci || HeRMes || Jo Malone || Kiehls || KOJIS || L’Occitane || LOEWE || Loro Piana || Lulu Guinness || Milleperle Molton Brown || Montblanc || Omega || Paul A. Young Fine Chocolates || Paul Smith || Penhaligon’s Pretty Ballerinas || Royal Exchange Jewellers || Searle & Co || Smoker’s Paradise || Smythson || Tateossian Theo Fennell || Tiffany & Co. || Vilebrequin || Watches of Switzerland

Royal Exchange, Bank, City of London, EC3V 3LR

www.theroyalexchange.co.uk

www.vgnewtrend.it

ph. Andrea Pancino C

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VG Studio at

inspirations vision

style

design

www.idesign-int.com info@inspirationsoftickhill.co.uk Tel: 01302 760040

interiors

concierge

For the KITSCH

interiors

news

Kosta Boda is one of the world’s most eminent glassware brands, with each piece an intricate and original blend of function and form. The Swedish design house produces everything from goldlaced goblets to vases, as well as this striking new ‘make-up’ collection created by the talented Asa Jungnelius. The collection is intended as a statement of society’s femininity and encompasses lipsticks, display glasses hung with charms and nail polish bottles. www.kostaboda.com

For the CONTINENTAL This month we filed B&B Italia in our interiors address book, ready for an ultra contemporary and crisp interiors trend brief. Creations of the B&B Italia kind regularly spawn the ‘ergonomic’ tag – essentially, interesting shapes styled in bold colours and made from industrial materials, with an equally practical appeal.

Some of the most stand-out items include the fashionable padded Husk chair by Patricia Urquiola, a super-comfortable floor cushionesque shape, named the ‘Up2’, and the almost industrial Lithos side tables, all of which are simple but very cool.

WWw.bebitalia.it

For the QUIRKY The editor’s pick this month is this stunning lamp, fashioned from a vintage fire extinguisher. Each salvaged item is unique and all have been dipped in nickel to create elegant table lamps, topped with black shades. There are few designs which blend history with sleek modernity quite so well.

The design is typical of those from The Games Room Company, which provides a range of interesting, reconditioned furniture and centre pieces including vintage cola vending machines, cinema seats and jukeboxes; these are all perfect for injecting some quirky cool into your study, living room, kitchen space or bedroom. £1,700, www.gamesroomcompany.com

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the trend Embrace the white Christmas tradition and create a cosy and attractive festive space, using a pale colour palette and delicate decorations

Indoor/Outdoor LED Pin Lights, £45 The White Company, www.thewhitecompany.com

Beads & Flower Bauble, Silver, £3.50 John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com Glitter & Jewel Snowflake Bauble £4.50, John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com

Gold Star Bauble, £3.99, Zara Home www.zarahome.com

Glass Angel Tealight holders, £13 John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com

interiors

concierge

Jewel Snowflake Tree Decoration £4.50, John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com

Eliot Raffit Silver Bauble, £39.99 Harrods, www.harrods.com

Assorted Glass Angels, £3 John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com

Antiqued-Glass Frill-Edge Tealight Holder, £12, The White Company www.thewhitecompany.com

White glitter Christmas Arrangement £15, John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com Gold Rush Range - Pre-Lit Gold Spruce Wreath, £29.50, Marks & Spencer www.marksandspencer.com

Pair of Glitter Gold Reindeer, £36 Graham and Green www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Hi-Ball Orpheo Glass, £70.20 Val Saint Lambert www.amara.co.uk

Rivera Marshmallow Sparkle Tree, £50 Harrods Food Halls, www.harrods.com

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concierge interiors Crack Christmas Bauble, £9.99 Zara Home, www.zarahome.com

Gold Oval Bauble, £3.99, Zara Home www.zarahome.com

Silver & Pearl Wreath, £25, John Lewis www.johnlewis.com

Lapland Christmas Stocking £10, habitat, www.habitat.co.uk

Dragonfly Clip Tree decoration, £4.50 John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com

White Cut Out Metal Pot, £25, Monsoon Home, www.monsoon.co.uk

Winter Botanical Large Candle, £30 The White Company, www.thewhitecompany.com Jewel Christmas Decorations, £8 for 24 pack, John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com

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DESIGNSALE Great savings on sofas, tables, wall systems and lots more!

Visit our professional Design Consultants in store and ask about our Free Interior Design Service or see all the great offers on www.boconcept.co.uk

BoConcept TCR 路 158 Tottenham Court Road 路 London W1T 7NH 路 0207 388 2447 路 tcrlondon@boconcept.co.uk

333_UK_TC_sale_city_angel.indd 1

17/11/11 20:38:38

christmas food & drink out & about

feast & fancy hawksmoor ........................... new year’s’ eve

...................................................

. .......................................

i’’d like to make a toast...

C This Pixel Drinks Cabinet provides the added benefit of offering enjoyment for more than just the recipient

utting-edge design, exclusivity and fine craftsmanship factor highly for most discerning purchasers and this statement piece, which has been commissioned by luxury lifestyle brand Charles Burnand, far exceeds all the criteria this Christmas.

Charles Burnand specialises in unique and desirable furniture, silverware and home accessories and accordingly, the cabinet’s finish includes 1,088 precision-cut triangles and a diverse array of materials including gold and silver leaf, dark woods and sleek lacquer.

The base features two interlinked polished brass frames, which further enhance the design, and the interior is styled with aged mirror glass, using the capitoné technique which increases its sense of depth and continues the fusion of modernity and timeless sophistication.

We can think of few places as special to store your favourite champagne flutes or aged tipple, and this is a piece that doesn’t have to be used to be appreciated as a piece of art. n Pixel Drinks Cabinet, £15,000, Charles Burnand www.charlesburnand.com

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1 Gauthier Christmas Wine Hamper, from £52, Gauthier Wine Soho, www.gauthierwines.co.uk 2 Mark Hix Carving Masterclasses, £150pp, classes on 7 & 15 December, 11 & 25 January at Rocco Forte’s, gift certificates available from Brown’s Hotel. 3 POP Art Collector Set, £52, Pommery, Justerini & Brooks, www.justerinis.com. 4 King’s Ginger Truffle, £11.95, Charbonnel et Walker, www.charbonnel.co.uk 5 Sourdough loaf embellished with festive handmade dough, £19.70, Poilane, www.cuisinedebar.com 6 Appleton Estate 30 Year Old luxury rum, £495, Appleton Estate, available exclusively at Harrods, wwww.harrods.com

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7 Eve Decanter, £375, Riedel, www.riedel.co.uk 8 Christmas Tree Pralines, £26, Pierre Marcolini, www.marcolini-eboutique.com 9 Ginger Hunks, £12.50, Prestat, www.prestat.co.uk 10 Champagne Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 2004, £105, Harvey Nichols, www.harverynichols.com 11 Chateau Rauzan-Segla 2009 with label designed by Karl Lagerfeld, £100 per bottle, available at Farr Vintners, Berry Bros, The Wine Society, Harvey Nichols, Harrod’s, Lay & Wheeler, Justerini & Brooks and Corney & Barrow and Bordeaux Wine Investments 12 & 13 Mount Street Hamper (left) and Annabel’s Limited Edition Hamper (right), £150 & £3000, both Mount Street Deli, hampers@themountstreetdeli.co.uk 14 Alain Ducasse Baubles, £25, The Dorchester Hotel, London www.alainducasse-dorchester.com

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15 Toscana Hamper, presented in a leather strapped hamper, £125, Gelupo, www.gelupo.com 16 Armand de Brignace Pink Ace of Spades Champagne, £430, Vanquish, www.gift-library.com 17 Frou Frou Art Tea Towel, £6.50, Museum of London, www.museumoflondon.org.uk 18 LaKyrsiew Tea Caddy by Lalani and Co, £24.35 per 125g, H.R Higgins, www.hrhiggins.co.uk 19 Locadeli Olive Oil, £16.99, Locanda Locatelli, available at Selfridges and Selfridges online, www.selfridges.com 20 Edible Guirlande butter cookies, £4 for 175g bag, Poilane, www.cuisinedebar.com 21 The Boutique Box, £190, the Chocolate, www.the-chocolate.com, also available exclusively at Harrods 22 Ultimate Christmas Hamper, £999 for 14 fine wines, Galoupet, www.galoupet.co.uk

travel

connoisseur

travel

news

ADVENTURE TRAIL

DECADENT DINING The luxurious beachside resort of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, located on the west crescent of the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, offers incredible views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s towering skyline. With its interior design inspired by palaces of the Ottoman period, detailed touches include handpainted finishings, Turkish artwork and murals designed to conjure up images of the opulent Ottoman Empire.

The restaurants are equally grand and no visit would be complete without an evening, or more, of fine dining in Voi. Soaring ceilings, white walls and colossal mirrored pillars give the impressive of an enormous, decadent vault, complete with crystal chandeliers and accents of fresh green foliage. Sample exquisite dishes, which combine Vietnamese and French Colonial cuisine, and toast your trip, as we did, with Perrier-Jouët rosé champagne. www.jumeirah.com

FOLIE DOUCE La Folie Douce, the epitome of après-ski in the Alps, has announced a brand new events calendar for the 2011-12 ski season. Owner Luc Reversade continues to bring worldclass DJs, bands and burlesque shows to the Val d’Isère slopes and this year the open-air bar officially launches on 9 December. Perched at an altitude of 2,400 metres, in peak season the popular venue ushers 1,800 skiers through its doors daily to soak up live music and some of the finest alpine views. As well as taking advantage of the champagne pulley system, skiers can tuck into hearty, traditional cuisine at a choice of two restaurants or sample local cheeses and exquisite wines, selected by 2011 Best Sommelier of the Alps, Aissa Abella, in the vaulted cellars. www.lafoliedouce.com

The Telegraph’s Adventure Travel Show, the UK’s only event dedicated to offbeat travel experiences, is coming to London Olympia, 28-29 January 2012.

Offering inspirational travel advice from seasoned explorers, tour leaders and travel writers, the show is a must for those who like to holiday outside of the mainstream. Uncover epic, once in a lifetime trips and get advice from the on hand specialist travel operators about everything from trekking to safaris and volunteering projects. Enjoy an array of talks, travel photography and writing workshops, designed to inspire and inform your next adventure. www.adventureshow.com 0871 230 7159

Travel Fact Soaring to a breath-taking 1,087 metres over Cape Town, South Africa’s Table Mountain earned its name from the cloud ‘tablecloth’ which gathers across its peak.

When the wind blows from a south easterly direction, the cloud is whipped up and pours down the sides of the sandstone plateau.

Website of the month www.excursionist.com With a dynamic selection of unique travel opportunities categorised by passions – including the arts, nature, food and drink, people and culture, wellness and sports and adventure – this site offers unique possibilities for independent travellers, keen to encounter authentic cultural experiences combined with luxury travel across the globe.

Brought to you in association with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassable collection of over 500 hotels spanning 70 countries, which offer an infinite variety of experiences.

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Cultural

capital With more museums than any other capital in the world, and a bar and restaurant scene to rival London and New York, Mexico City has moved on from its stopover status and become a hot destination in its own right, says Sarah Gilbert

travel

connoisseur

T

his sprawling megalopolis, 2,240 metres above sea level and encircled by mountains, successfully blends the ancient and contemporary, from dramatic Aztec ruins to stunning modern architecture, street markets to chic boutiques and traditional food stalls to upmarket fusion restaurants.

I began my exploration of the historic centre with breakfast at a city institution, Sanborn’s House of Tiles. In the historic restaurant, I opted for a classic morning dish of huevos rancheros – a hearty combination of tortillas, fried eggs, spicy sauce and ubiquitous black beans, served with a glass of fresh orange and cactus juice.

Then it was on to sightseeing. At the heart of things is El Zócalo, the city’s vast and perpetually busy main square.

Surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral – which has taken more than 250 years to complete – and imposing colonial buildings, it stands on the site of the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan and you can still see the ruins of the Great Temple. For more Aztec history, it’s worth travelling about 30 miles north to stunning Teotihuacan with its monumental pyramids and temples, as well as the world-renowned National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultapec Park, the lungs of the city.

I abandoned the display of Aztec dancing for the shade of the National Palace and the murals of one of Mexico’s most famous artists, Diego Rivera, whose vibrant scenes depict the history of Mexico from the Aztecs to the revolution. A walk through the Plaza Santa Domingo – known for its scribes who sit and type letters on old electric typewriters – took me to the Ministry of Education and more of Diego’s murals.

Afterwards, I strolled through leafy Alameda Park, an oasis from the heat of the city. Nearby the sumptuous Palace of Fine Arts is home to Mexico’s opera, the work of more legendary muralists – Orozco among them – and the Ballet Folklorico, whose glittering twice-weekly show is a whirl of colourful costumes and stirring music from all over the country. Equally traditional is Café Tacuba, opened in 1913, and with its exquisite stained glass, tiled walls, tacos, tortillas and delicious hot chocolate, it’s as authentic as it is picturesque.

So too is the opulent La Nueva Opera Bar, with its red velvet banquettes and where the hole from Pancho Villa’s bullet still scars the gilded baroque ceiling.

Plaza Garibaldi, with its lively bars and cantinas, is the perfect setting for the new Museum of Tequila, where you can learn the history and traditions of this potent spirit. That evening, the square was awash with sombreroclad mariachi bands who, for a few pesos, will serenade you with a classic Mexican song, such as the rousing Guantanamera or Cielito Lindo.

Mexico City has more than 100 museums so it’s impossible to see them all in one visit, but the Frida Kahlo Museum – another of Mexico’s most renowned artists – in the tranquil southern suburb of Coyoacan is a must. Long since swallowed up by the ever-expanding city, the area retains its elegant colonial squares and cobbled streets.

The Blue House, where she was born and lived with Diego Rivera, and its perfectly preserved rooms are filled with objects from their day-to-day lives, including the studio where she painted. The kitchen is a riot of colour, decorated in blue and yellow, the walls are lined with Mexican pottery

Far left: Palacio de Bellas Artes Left from top: Stained glass in Mexico City Pyramid of the Sun Palacio Nacional de Mexico Floating Gardens

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connoisseur travel

and, in the luxuriant walled garden, pre-Columbian statues sit amongst the tropical plants.

To the West of Coyoacan is the affluent neighbourhood of San Angel. Every Saturday, market stalls spill out into the streets surrounding the Plaza San Jacinto, selling all manner of tempting Mexican crafts, from embroidered textiles and silver jewellery to wood carvings and kitsch art.Diego and Frida’s other house and studio is now a small museum and the cubist building behind the high cactus fence is actually two separate houses connected by a walkway – a testament to the couple’s independent union. Opposite the studio is the San Angel Inn, an old Carmelite monastery that has been converted into one of the city’s loveliest restaurants and the sunlit, plant-filled courtyard is the perfect spot to indulge in, what are reputedly, the best margaritas in town.

From the old to the new: in the upmarket district of Polanco, the Mexican business tycoon, Carlos Slim – one of the world’s richest men – has opened a dazzling new museum, Soumaya, which showcases his own personal art collection, from pre-Columbian to Spanish colonial treasures and modern art, while the designer boutiques along President Masaryk Avenue are some of the most upscale in Latin America.

The boho-chic districts of Condesa and Roma are the city’s equivalent of New York’s SoHo – bursting with energy and full of great bars, modern Mexican fusion restaurants, cool boutiques and art galleries. I stopped off for a cocktail on the rooftop bar at the ultra-modern design hotel, Condesa DF, before dining at the sleek restaurant, Aguila y Sol. A long way from a traditional cantina, the chef takes the country’s staple dishes and gives them a contemporary twist, with dishes such as crispy duck tacos in mole sauce – a rich mixture of ingredients including chillies and dark chocolate.

The following day I headed south, to the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, where Frida and Diego used to rent a gaudilydecorated trajinera (punt) and glide along the network of Aztec waterways, eating, drinking and singing. Barely changed, at weekends it still throngs with Mexican families.

I grabbed a cold beer and a tamale (corn dough stuffed with spicy meat and wrapped in a banana leaf) and set off along the canals, amid boatloads of mariachi bands, floating canteens and flower sellers touting their wares. Viva Mexico! n For further information on Mexico City visit www.visitmexicocity.com.mx

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Above: Plaza of the Three Cultures, Tlatelolco Left from top: Temple of Quetzalcoatl Frida Kahlo house Stone Skulls in Tenochtilan

How to get there: Iberia flies daily via Madrid www.iberia.com

Where to stay: Contemporary luxury hotel Habita is uniquely located in the upscale area of Polanco. With crisp lines and a modern feel, the hotel appears from the outside a floating glass box; inside, serene and elegant spaces offer personalised service and a cool atmosphere. www.hotelhabita.com

Pack Up

Your Troubles

With the ongoing recession and subsequent euro crisis, residents of the UK are in agreement that life has not been easy in 2011. Olivia Sharpe presents the best destinations for those wanting to escape from the economic and political climate, as well as the British winter weather Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Voted one of the top places to spend New Year’s Eve, Rio de Janeiro provides an unforgettable experience and will guarantee you start 2012 with a monumental bang. With awe-inspiring beach views, the Sofitel hotel provides the perfect location to do so. Dine at Restaurante le Pre Catelan, named one of the top ten hotel restaurants in the world by Hotel World, and experience a delectable culinary treat.

The hotel is ideally situated between prime hotspots Copacabana and Ipanema. For a slightly more upmarket experience, head to Ipanema which, although adjacent to Copacabana, remains distinct from its neighbour. The crowd is slightly older and there’s a plethora of worldclass restaurants, shops, art galleries and theatres. Ipanema holds its own street parade during Carnival festivities, separate from Rio de Janeiro’s but if you are looking for the ultimate party experience, it can only be on Copacabana beach, where the stunning fireworks display at midnight is, quite simply, out of this world. www.sofitel.com

Barbados, Caribbean If life in the Capital has become stressful and you’re in need of the ultimate holidays in terms of relaxation, the Caribbean is the only place for you. The Coral Reef Club and Spa, located on the west coast of Barbados in St. James and owned by the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand, is renowned for its tranquil and understated ambience, with only 88 guest rooms. The family-owned and run club is ideal for a break with the children during the Christmas holidays or for couples looking for some much-needed respite from day-to-day pressures.

The elegant Caribbean classic is located on a breathtaking stretch of endless white, sandy beach; imagine you are Robinson Crusoe as you walk barefoot along the isolated stretch and be swept away by the hypnotising sight of the transparent blue ocean. Activities on offer to stop you from becoming restless and enabling you to work off Christmas indulgences include tennis, gym, complimentary water-sports including skiing and, nearby, riding, deep sea fishing, and golf. www.slh.com

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Jan Kratochvila / Shutterstock.com

travel

Marrakech, Morocco

Sydney, Australia

During my visit to Marrakech a couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to reside in one of Mike Balfour’s renowned Hideaways villas, part of the property investment club. In a dramatic setting overlooking palm and olive groves to the mass of the Atlas Mountains beyond, and set in private landscaped grounds on the outskirts of Marrakech, one had exclusive access to the facilities available, including a large swimming pool, table tennis table and stunning gardens.

The interior was both traditional and ornate with beautiful, soft and serene colour schemes set off by bright Moroccan accents, overall enhancing the calm and seclusion of the Moorish surroundings. However, like the magical world of Narnia, the hustle and bustle of the souks and buzzing nightlife to be found in the city centre were practically on one’s doorstep. To capture the flavour of Morocco, I recommend a visit to Café Arabe. Enjoy a romantic drink on the roof terrace, with a backdrop of mountains, before indulging in Moroccan delicacies. www.thehideawaysclub.com

Although some may accuse Australia of lacking in history and culture, I could not disagree more. Stay at the sensational Park Hyatt where the whole of Sydney lies before your bedroom window. The best things to experience in this fast-paced and exciting city, including the Royal Opera House, Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge, are a stone’s throw away from the hotel’s glass walls, which provide the resort with warmth and sunshine which is characteristic of Aussie society.

The chichi shops, boutiques and galleries of the Rocks, for those of you who are shopaholics, are in close proximity, while the golden sands of Bondi, for those desiring a more secluded and picturesque day out, are a mere 30 minutes away. Savour the feast of indigenous art and culture that you will find in the Powerhouse Museum, as well as the aquatic marvels at the Sydney Aquarium, where, without getting wet, you will see one of the world’s largest Great Barrier Reef exhibits, plus one of the most impressive collections of sharks, platypuses, and seahorses. n www.masonroseprivate.com

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GRAVETYE MANOR Beverley Byrne discovers that legendary country house hotel Gravetye Manor, in West Sussex, is one that exudes both pedigree and panache

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know this because as an impoverished student sharing a flat with a chum whose parents were loaded, I heard rather a lot about Gravetye. Whilst metaphorically jamming my nose against the outside of its Elizabethan stone windows, I salivated while she described in loving – and, I felt, somewhat elaborate and unnecessary detail – her exclusive Gravetye Manor dining experiences.

Not surprisingly, in my youthful imagination, Gravetye took on an almost mythical status so when offered an opportunity to review the hotel, I had to forcibly stop myself from poking my old mate on Facebook to tell her that now, at last, it’s my turn. But at the back of my mind, a doubt lingered. Does the glorious Gravetye experience she enjoyed still exist?

Since it was established in 1958 by the revolutionary restaurateur and hotelier Peter Herbert, Gravetye flourished as a vanguard country house hotel, serving exquisite cuisine to a discerning and glittering clientele. After his retirement in 2004, you only had to consult Trip Advisor to realise things were not as they should be but in 2011 entered knight in shining armour Jeremy Hosking, a former Gravetye guest who has brought comprehensive

programmes of restoration and redecoration to this historic house and garden.

And what a history! Turning off a leafy West Sussex country road and negotiating the long forest-lined drive leading to Gravetye’s impressive entrance, I remember my rich but culturally challenged flatmate failing to mention Gravetye was a house of historic importance. Built in 1598 as a wedding gift for a lucky local bride, it was later home to William Robinson, one of the leading garden theorists of the 19th century.

Ranking alongside Gertrude Jekyll in terms of influence, he lived at Gravetye for 50 years from 1885 and in their heyday, the gardens and extensive woods surrounding the house burgeoned with thousands of plants, earning Robinson the nickname ‘Father of the English Flower Garden’. He was the champion of the naturalistic garden and today, the term ‘Robinsonian gardens’ resonates as loudly as ‘Jekyll borders.’

As well as restoring the manor, the current owner is making sure the gardens receive equal attention. This includes appointing visionary head gardener, Tom Coward, formerly of Great Dixter, to restore the flower garden, a wild garden, a magnolia walk and azalea bank as well as the original Victorian glasshouses and a magnificent

travel

one-acre circular walled kitchen garden which, during the summer, provides most of the organic fruit and vegetables served in the manor’s restaurant.

My first thought on entering this handsome mansion, is “thank heavens it hasn’t been mucked about with”. So many hotels courting the country house soubriquet either chintz it up mercilessly or do the ‘boutique’ bit by herding edgy contemporary furniture into traditional rooms which simply wither beneath the onslaught. At Gravetye, ornate Victorian moulded ceilings, featuring indigenous plants and trees, and oak wall panels are complemented by sumptuous furnishings and opulent fabrics patterned with floral themes echoing the gardens outside. Warmed by the open fire burning in a gargantuan fireplace in the reception room – a welcome sight on a damp November day – I come over all Downton Abbey and order afternoon tea served on exquisite china, painted with tiny native flowers.

Bringing the garden into the manor is the guiding spirit behind Gravetye’s recent renovation. My spacious room, Bay (all 17 rooms are named after tree species found on Gravetye’s vast estate) is a world away from the ‘painting by numbers’ concept behind some hotel interiors. The wood panelled walls, sourced from the estate during Robinson’s time, create a cosy atmosphere which is enhanced by antique furniture polished to a mirror-like shine. The stoneclad fireplace might be inscribed with the date 1598 but amenities are bang up-to-date with complimentary WiFi, flat-screen televisions and Bose iPod docking stations.

A secret door concealed within the panelling reveals a small room containing a fridge loaded with selections of water and fruit juices plus a classy coffee making machine and posh teas contained in dinky voile pyramids. However, the main attraction has to be the views. Long windows – one featuring a recessed window seat – overlook the formal flower gardens on one side of the room and on the other, an ornamental lake nestling in a deep wooded valley: a Shangri-la setting just an hour away from central London.

Having explored Robinson’s romantic gardens in the fading evening light, I dine beside another great fireplace in the impressive classical restaurant. Executive chef Rupert Gleadow promises “some of the most honest and delicious food in the area” and neither the menu, nor the elaborate wine list, disappoint. Given the season, I’m glad to see game featured and my roast red leg partridge (preceeded by pancetta-wrapped Hebridean scallops) is elegantly executed and served with diligent élan by a brace of waiters wearing white gloves. A selection of artisan British cheeses, including a tasty ‘Lancashire Bomb’ served from a black wax purse, concludes this memorable meal with an appropriate bang.

The following morning I maintain this high level of decadence by ordering breakfast in my room. Served on crisp white table linen, I savour artistically arranged fresh berries, poached fruit and yoghurt laced with roasted almonds and local honey, delicious continental meats and cheeses and warm pastries washed down with freshly squeezed orange juice and aromatic coffee. It is a triumphant way to start the day.

Reflecting on my student days, I wonder if I would have appreciated then all Gravetye has to offer now. As a callow undergraduate, could I have appreciated the subtle grandeur,

connoisseur

the implicit luxury, the exquisite architecture, the glorious gardens, the refined cuisine and unparalleled traditional service that my old friend boasted about so often? You bet I could. At least now, in the unlikely event that we ever meet again, I can tell her from personal experience that Gravetye Manor is still the pinnacle of perfection. n For more information on Gravetye Manor, a member of the Relais & Chateaux alliance, visit www.gravetyemanor.co.uk or call 01342 810567. For special offers visit www.gravetyemanor.co.uk/gravetyemanor/en/offers

New Year’s Eve at Gravetye Celebrate in style this New Year’s Eve with a fantastic two night package at Gravetye. 31 December will see a fine night of celebration complete with a sumptuous five-course dinner, swing band and champagne at midnight. The package also includes dinner on the second night and breakfast throughout.

Prices are per person based on two people sharing. Minimum two nights.

Exclusive Deluxe Bedroom - £580 Deluxe Bedroom - £520 Superior Bedroom - £505 Classic Standard Bedroom - £465 Standard Bedroom - £425

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connoisseur

Three of the best for...

food & drink

news

Christmas Cocktails Vertigo 42, 25 Old Broad Street The five new Bellini cocktails at the luxurious Vertigo 42 mix some unusual ingredients such as yuzu juice (a hybrid citrus used in Japanese cooking), chestnut and Fino sherry. If you fancy an aromatic choice, try the Lychee & Hazelnut with lychee purée, Frangelico and Angostura bitters. For something not too sweet, Rose & Plum is the ‘on trend’ choice. www.vertigo42.co.uk

Emli Bendixen

ICEBAR LONDON 31-33 Heddon Street, W1

food on the Gingerline Gingerline, which operates in secret and changing locations along the East London Line (ELL), is the city’s only nomadic pop-up restaurant and arts space. Guests are kept in the dark about the location, menu, concept and collaborators until the night in question. The last event involved guests following a trail of ginger paint splatters from Forest Hill station until they reached a concealed

entrance, a maze of doors and peepholes.

Delights on the menu, created by chef Stephanie Boote, included a starter of vibrant citrus and beetroot soup served in ‘paint pots’, a main course of crispy confit of duck served on a cumin-infused bed of sweet potato, pumpkin mash and seasonal greens, and a dessert of meringue roulade, plums and pomegranate molasses.

ICEBAR LONDON is the UK’s only permanent bar made of ice, kept at minus five degrees all year round, and is well worth a visit this Christmas. In below-freezing surroundings, warm yourself up like the Russians do with an explosive Suicide Blonde with Ketel One Vodka, fresh lime, elderflower cordial and prosecco, or a comforting Angel Dust with Cairel vanilla vodka, Frangelico and Pan d’Apice syrup. www.belowzerolondon.com

Jewel Bar, 130 Wood Street, EC2

Culinary Academy The Class Room’s Culinary Academy offers a new generation of cookery courses, ranging from accredited professional courses to a variety of short cookery courses which cater for all abilities, ensuring a first-rate culinary education.

The course covers topics such as pastry and desserts, bread making, canapés and vegetarian cookery and ranges from £49 upwards.

Situated in the heart of the City, The Class Rooms is also a destination restaurant and bar, serving modern European cuisine with a stress on seasonal, local produce and featuring innovative twists. The menu, created by Head Chef Stefano di Lorenzo, boasts fresh fish, meats and delicious cheeses, with Scottish rib-eye, Shetland Mussels and strong Yorkshire Blue cheese. The Class Rooms caters for corporate events and is available for private weekend bookings.

In the heart of St. Paul’s lies a true diamond in the rough. A trendy and sophisticated hotspot, and a great corporate space, cocktails at Jewel Bar are surprisingly reasonable (from £8).

For a true Jewel experience, order the Crown Jewel, a blend of passionfruit liqueur, vodka and Midori with cranberry juice and a hint of fresh lemon.

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restaurants

bars

American

Italian

Hawksmoor

157 Commercial Street, E1 020 7247 7392

Lena

66 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 020 7739 5714

5-6 Carey Lane, EC2V 020 7600 2720

British

Refettorio

Varnishers Yard Regents Quarter, N1 9FD 020 7841 7331

Canteen

19 New Bridge Street, EC4V 020 7438 8052

Beach Blanket Babylon

9 Norwich Street, EC4A 020 7831 1622 or 020 7831 1677

2 Crispin Place, E1 08456 861 122

Volupté

19-23 Bethnal Green Road, E1 020 7749 3540

Oriental

Bar Pepito

The Big Chill Bar

Dray Walk, E1 020 7392 9180 Bonds

14 New London Street, EC3R 020 7264 1910

Royal China Club

40-42 Baker Street, W1U 020 7486 3898

5 Threadneedle Street, EC2R 020 7657 8088

GREENS

14 Cornhill, EC3V 020 7220 6300

Saki

4 West Smithfield, EC1A 020 7489 7033

59 West Smithfield, EC1A 020 7796 0600

French

Mexican

Gilt London

Cellar Gascon

Cicada

Green & Red

5 Threadneedle Street, EC2R 020 7657 8088

51 Bethnal Green Road, E1 020 7749 9670

132-136 St John Street, EC1V 020 7608 1550

Coq D’Argent

Middle Eastern

Andaz Hotel, Liverpool Street, EC2M 020 7618 7215

Bonds

No.1 Poultry, EC2R 020 7395 5000 Les Trois Garcons

1 Club Row, E1 020 7613 1924 Sauterelle

Royal Exchange, EC3V 020 7618 2483

Gastropub Duke of Cambridge

30 St Peter’s Street, N1 020 7359 3066 The Peasant

240 St. John Street, EC1V 020 7336 7726

Greek Mezedopolio

14 Hoxton Market, N1 020 7739 8212

Kenza

10 Devonshire Square, EC2M 020 7929 5533

Modern European

CATCH & Champagne Bar

The Gherkin Bar & Restaurant

Levels 39 & 40, 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 020 7071 5009 Grand Café & Bar

Magdalen Restaurant

The Courtyard, Royal Exchange, EC3V 020 7618 2480

One Lombard Street

5 Abchurch Yard, EC4N 020 7623 2355

Rhodes Twenty Four

233 Shoreditch High Street, E1 020 7247 8989

152 Tooley Street, SE1 020 7403 1342

1 Lombard Street, EC3V 020 7929 6611 Tower 42 Old Broad Street, EC2N 020 7877 7703

Smiths of Smithfield

67-77 Charterhouse Street, EC1M 020 7251 7950

Spanish Camino

3 Varnishers Yard, N1 020 7841 7331 Moro

34-36 Exmouth Street, EC1R 020 7833 8336

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Balls Brothers

Harry’s Bar

Light Bar

Match EC1

45-47 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 020 7250 4002 Ortega

27 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 020 7623 1818 Vertigo 42

Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, EC2N 020 7877 7842 The Worship

Triton Court, 14 Finsbury Square, EC2A 020 7330 0920

food & drink

connoisseur

Tasty M eat With the opening of London’s third Hawksmoor restaurant, Rebecca Ross discovers her inner carnivore

D

escending the mahogany staircase, I felt as if I was being ushered into another time, even if I couldn’t say exactly which era. Hawksmoor Guildhall takes inspiration from a number of times and places: from a 50s gentlemen’s club to an American diner, by way of an Edwardian dilettante’s drinking den. The third Hawksmoor in London, its decor has been sourced from eclectic origins; the bar once functioned as the counter of a Dutch bank, the wall panelling is made from specimen cabinets rescued from refurbishments at The Natural History Museum, and the building itself (according to the hearsay of a friendly waiter) evolved from a strip club to a steak house. The atmosphere is intimate, though perhaps not romantic, and fits with the vague but pervading ethos of simple things done well.

And so it is with the food. Steak and chips does not seem to be a dish around which to base a restaurant of this calibre but this was not just any steak and chips. Having started with a half a lobster, wallowing in melted hazelnut butter, I was already impressed before our steak was brought sizzling to the table. We had chosen to share an 800 gram Porterhouse steak, done medium-rare. The waiter had given us a choice of the steaks available and I had quailed at the size of the cuts, opting for the smallest. Still, nearly a kilo of meat is more than enough for two.

The Porterhouse combines the leaner fillet and the fattier, flavoursome sirloin. Chargrilled to perfection on the outside, slightly pink in the centre and fully two inches thick, it was simply the best steak I’ve ever had the joy of eating (and I’ve eaten a lot of good steak). We had ordered a cavalcade of accompaniments, with triple-cooked chips incredibly crispy yet fluffy, macaroni cheese surprisingly strong and rich and grilled bone-marrow, decadent and the epitome of the

meatlover’s feast. It was one of those meals which tastes so good that you feel the need to keep eating, even though you are full to bursting. On a sartorial note, wearing a tight belt when dining at Hawksmoor is most inadvisable.

We drank Rosso Braida, a 2006 mix of Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, specially blended for Hawksmoor to compliment the steaks. Served in glasses as large as fish bowls, it seems again Hawksmoor had reached the quantity versus quality conundrum and shrugged: ‘Why not have both?’ The chocolate rum pudding was intense and gooey, not trying to do anything too ambitious or complicated; just simply delicious.

When it came to cocktails, the menu was separated into centuries-old categories, created in eras gone by to give good justification for drinking at all times of the day.

According to the Edwardians, it wasn’t just good science; it was good medicine. Whether you’re after an ‘antifogmatic’ (something to clear away the cobwebs and to be drunk with breakfast) or a post-prandial (a beverage to finish off a lavish feast), the bar at Hawksmoor has a selection of the very best, and unexpected, concoctions to be found.

My pre-prandial Champagne Charlie certainly kicked things off nicely, with the fresh pear enlivening the gin and bubbles. Following the meal, my Diviation (gin, crème de violette and maraschino with a lemon twist) based on a 1917 recipe, packed a fearsome punch but with such suave charm that I wanted a second even before the first was drained dry.

Hawksmoor excels in demanding fine dining prices without fine dining pretensions. The sommelier is ‘Stew, the wine guy’, and you may order a ‘burned cream’ but not a crème brulée. But in the shortfall between price and pretension is the quality of the food. From ingredients to execution, there is a real desire to get it just right and perfectionism is tempered with a sense of fun and charm.

Hawksmoor Guildhall pitches itself perfectly at the modern city carnivore, understanding that beneath the slick suit there is a Carey Grant of urbane charm and a caveman wanting his slab of meat. n

On a sartorial note, wearing a tight belt when dining at Hawksmoor is most inadvisable

Hawksmoor Guildhall 10-12 Basinghall Street, EC2V 5BQ 020 7397 8120

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&

out about

Christmas classic This December sees the exciting return of ballet to The O2, the world’s most successful music and entertainment venue, with the epic Christmas show The Nutcracker. From 27 to 30 December 2011, Victor Hochhauser and The O2, in association with Universal Music Arts and Entertainment, will present six magical performances of Sir Peter Wright’s world-acclaimed interpretation of the Christmas classic.

Ingrid Sutej, Director of Content Development for

The O2, said: “With nearly 50,000 people visiting The O2 to watch Romeo and Juliet we have shown that there is a huge appetite for ballet out there. We are absolutely thrilled to present The Nutcracker at a time of year when families are spending time together. It is a magical event that just encapsulates the festive spirit in a unique way and it will make for a very happy Christmas at our venue.”

The Nutcracker, 27 - 30 December 2011 www.theo2.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing Fans across the UK will be thrilled to learn that it’s not long until the much-anticipated Strictly Come Dancing Tour 2012. The UK arena tour returns for the fifth consecutive year, opening at the Birmingham NIA on 20 January 2012.

The show includes a new line-up of celebrities and their dance partners from the BBC1 show, courtesy of judge Craig Revel Horwood, who is directing the tour for the second year running.

The five-week dance spectacular will visit Wembley Arena and The O2 in London, as well as Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Cardiff, Dublin and Belfast. www.strictlycomedancinglive.com

To Watch this christmas Downton Abbey Having reached a record-breaking ten million viewers, ITV’s BAFTAwinning drama Downton Abbey, written by actor and director Julian Fellowes, took television by storm in 2011 and is one to watch this Christmas. With its second series wrapped up, the cast will be returning, to the delight of fans, with a Christmas special, confirming that audiences can’t get enough of the scandalous lives of the Grantham family.

Watch the DVDs and catch up in time for Christmas.

out & about

connoisseur

this month, book...

EYE Photographic Workshop

WH CHOW / Shutterstock.com

For a unique Christmas gift, give a loved one the chance to become an accomplished photographer by sending them on an exclusive EYE Photographic Workshop.

The top providers of expert photographic tuition for beginners and experts, the EYE workshops offer the opportunity to pursue an interest in photography in UK locations and abroad. This year, gift vouchers, at a price of £485 (inclusive of lunch and refreshments), for photographic tuition are available. Groups of a maximum of eight are matched up with two tutors to ensure plenty of one-on-one instruction; the workshops provide a personal approach for beginners and the more adept to learn how to take professional-standard photographs on top of the range equipment. www.eyephotographicworkshops.com

this month, read...

New Year’s Eve in...

Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis

... in London

Don’t miss out on the spectacular and magical London Eye fireworks on 31 December.

Never failing to disappoint Londoners and tourists alike, the 2011 display promises to be no exception. Mayor Boris Johnson aptly stated: “London will bring in 2012 with a bang, a glittering explosion across the midnight sky. We want to show to the

world that we are looking forward to the future with the optimism and energy that characterizes our capital and makes it the most exciting city on earth.” New Year’s Eve revellers have been warned to plan ahead, as venues around the Thames, where people will be watching in anticipation for the countdown, will soon be booked out.

Out in time to be the perfect Christmas coffee table present, Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis consists of a collection of images, some unpublished until now, by the actress’s chief photographers, including Richard Avedon, George Barris and Cecil Beaton. The result is a portfolio of rarely seen images, chronicling the various periods of the Hollywood icon’s life, from her earliest sittings in 1942 till just weeks before her death two decades later. The book, by well-known curator and preservationist David Wills and Stephen Schmidt, includes quotations from friends, fans and colleagues, reflecting on Monroe’s life and career.

If you are looking for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience away from the hustle and bustle of London, head to Edinburgh where the celebrations will ensure you enter 2012 in style. The opening event of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2011/12, taking place on Friday 30 December, is the stunning Torchlight Procession. Choose from a whole array of

events certain to keep you entertained up until the infamous countdown and well after that, including the Primal Scream Concert in the Gardens, the Ceilidh and the final epic all-night street party, with incredible live music and entertainment, DJs, giant screens, outdoor bars and the world famous Midnight Fireworks. www.edinburghshogmanay.org

akva / Shutterstock.com

....in Edinburgh

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december

Welcome note...

W

elcome to London Homes & Property, where we’re looking forward to Christmas and beyond. Our high spirits have been boosted by reflecting on a reasonably positive year for the capital’s property prices (p. 156) and the prospect of a beneficial Olympics season in 2012 (p. 153).

Speaking of the Olympics, we’re hearing that the iconic torch will reach the City of London on 25 July next year, having been guarded by the local Beafeaters the night before, while next summer will also see a new development of office space planned for London Wall Place, following very recent planning consent (p. 134).

While ‘out with the old and in with the new’, might be a common expression at this time of year, the opposite sentiment is in action at Brentwood’s gorgeous new property scheme, The Galleries, which has managed to combine state-of-the-art contemporary living with the existing Grade-II listed Victorian architecture, just 30 minutes away from London (p. 158).

Wishing you very happy holidays!

Fiona Fenwick

Production Daniel Harris

Senior Property Manager Samantha Ratcliffe

Finance Manager Elton Hopkins

Managing Director Eren Ellwood

RUNWILD M

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16 Heron Quay, Canary Wharf London E14 4JB T: 020 7987 4320 F: 020 7005 0045 info@londonhomesandproperty.com www.londonhomesandproperty.com Runwild Media Group cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Runwild Media Group take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

LONDON HOmes&

PROPERTY ShowcaSing the fineSt homeS in your area

c o v e r i n g c a n a ry w h a r f, D o c K L a n D S , wa P P i n g & t h e c i t y

Stately

Style

historic aPartments

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE ProPerty market tiPs

Interior by Louise Bradley www.louisebradley.co.uk

contents 134

156 living local

134 Area News 153 State of the Market

158

new homes

156 Property Latest 158 Development Focus 162 Mortgage Update

living local

areanews

By Richard Brown

LONDON WALL PLACE GETS THE GO AHEAD Land requirements in the City have changed somewhat since the 2nd and 3rd century. Back then, London Wall was built as part of a defensive strategy to protect the capital from attack. Nowadays, it isn’t hostile invaders that pose a threat to the continued success of the Square Mile, but a lack of office space.

Earlier this year, research by BNP Paribas Real Estate concluded that London’s banks and businesses will require an extra 1.6million sq ft of space in Central London over the next three years. That’s the equivalent of four Shards or five Heron Towers.

Faced with meeting these requirements, the City of London Corporation is having to look at new ways of using old space. One project that has been given consent for development, subject to securing a tenant, is London Wall Place on the St Alphage House site.

Work on the project will begin in summer 2012, despite members of the Barbican Association questioning the role that Lord Mayor of the time, Michael Bear, played in the agreement. Bear is an employee of Hammerson, the developer behind the

scheme, and took his post as Lord Mayor during a sabbatical from the company.

Resident and workers of the City will be pleased to know that over half of London Wall Place will be open space, with a series of new gardens set around the historic London Wall. The larger of the two proposed buildings, 121 London Wall, will be built as a 300,000 sqft headquarter office. Moorhouse, its smaller sister at 123 London Wall, will provide 195,000 square foot of office space in a 16-storey tower. stalphage@fd.com

Transport latest…

Olympic Flame route revealed

2012 promises to be a busy year for London City Airport.

To help facilitate the needs and demands of an increasing number of passengers, the airport will be introducing a 2012 information pod in the terminal throughout the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Supported by the Greater London Authority (GLA), and manned by ‘London Ambassadors’, the pod will provide passengers with real time travel advice and information on London’s many attractions, helping to make visiting easier.

The Olympic Flame will be carried 8,000 miles by 8,000 inspirational Torchbearers during the Olympic Torch Relay next summer. After being lit in Greece, the Torch will arrive in the UK on 18 May. Beefeaters at the Tower of London will be charged with the task of guarding the Flame on the night of 25 July before the torch reaches the City of London the next day. Street by street details of the Olympic Flame route will be available next year.

Did you know?

There are more than 32,000 music performances a year in London – 621 a week, 17 per cent of which are free.

Bank area strategy If you live or work in the City and visit the area around Bank Station on a regular basis, the City of London Corporation wants to hear from you. The authority is preparing a strategy for improving the area and wants to know your thoughts on what works, what doesn’t and how the area can be developed. Email your thoughts to bankarea@ cityoflondon.gov.uk or call Melanie Charalambous on 020 7332 1710. Alternatively, you can upload pictures and videos of the area at www.bankarea.co.uk.

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Knight Frank

Hermitage Court, Wapping E1W

Capital Wharf, St Katharine Docks E1W

Two double bedroom flat with a larger than usual reception room and a south facing balcony. Master bedroom with shower room en suite, a second double bedroom and family bathroom. The flat is being sold with a secure parking space.

Leasehold

A charming, light, two bedroom flat with all the principal rooms facing onto the river. Entrance hall, reception room, kitchen, en suite bathroom with shower and bath, guest cloakroom/shower room and 24 hour porterage.

£475,000

£850,000

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

Tower Bridge Wharf, Wapping E1W

Leasehold

Cinnabar Wharf, Wapping E1W

A 938 sq ft two bedroom flat in west Wapping. Master bedroom with built in wardrobes and an en suite shower room, second bedroom, family bathroom. The flat also benefits from a peaceful riverside balcony and parking for one car.

Share of Freehold

Superb two bedroom apartment with balconies off both the reception room and master bedroom offering stunning river views. Approximately 112 sq m (1,204 sq ft), this flat has been upgraded from the original specification. 24 hr porter service and garage parking space.

Leasehold

£685,000

£1,395,000

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7480 6848 wapping@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank Cormorant Lodge, St Katharine Docks E1W Apartment with dock views Two bedroom, two bathroom (one en suite) apartment in the impressive City Quay development. Good size reception room leading on to a private patio garden, fully fitted kitchen, wooden floors, 24 hour concierge and south west facing dock views.

ÂŁ725 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848

Breezers Court, Wapping E1W Spacious one bedroom unit A beautifully presented furnished apartment set in this smart warehouse conversion. Open plan kitchen reception room with a mezzanine level, double bedroom with a further mezzanine, two bathrooms, wooden floors and exposed brickwork.

ÂŁ495 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848

Knight Frank

Victor Wharf, Borough SE1

Luxury split level penthouse with spectacular river views A high specification three bedroom apartment. The master bedroom leads out onto a wrap around terrace and there is a private balcony off the superb oval shaped reception room.

Comfort cooling system, integrated sound system, plasma televisions and Gaggenau kitchen appliances, as well as residents’ street parking. £1,950 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848

Knight Frank Halcyon Wharf, Wapping E1W Stylish apartment

Bright south facing furnished apartment in west Wapping with a great dual aspect reception room, open plan fully fitted kitchen, double bedroom, bathroom with separate shower cubicle and a large balcony offering direct river views.

ÂŁ525 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848

E1 Waterside, Wapping E1W

Riverside apartment Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment set in this small modern development in west Wapping.

Fully open plan kitchen, beautiful bathroom suites with showers, stone flooring, under floor heating, private balcony and parking.

ÂŁ695 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk/lettings wapping@knightfrank.com 020 7480 6848

Knight Frank

Horizon Building, Canary Wharf E14

New Atlas Wharf, Isle of Dogs E14

A well presented one bedroom apartment comprising a large reception room with laminated wood flooring and floor to ceiling windows that lead out onto a private south facing balcony, fully fitted open plan kitchen. Further amenities include a day time porter.

Leasehold

A stunning three bedroom apartment situated on the ground floor offering a wealth of internal space as well as a large private terrace with views across the park.

The apartment comprises three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and private parking.

Share of Freehold

£300,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf 020 7512 9966 canarywharf@knightfrank.com

£550,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf 020 7512 9966 canarywharf@knightfrank.com

Vanguard Building, Canary Wharf E14

Anchorage Point, Limehouse E14

Two double bedroom apartment situated in one of Canary Wharf’s most popular residential developments. Two bathrooms, (one en suite), well presented fitted kitchen with separate utility room, large reception room with patio doors onto terrace.

Leasehold

Beautifully refurbished two bedroom, two bathroom (one en-suite) apartment in one of the most sought after developments in Canary Wharf with 24 hour concierge as well as a residents’ gym and swimming pool and a private parking space.

Share of Freehold

£500,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf 020 7512 9966 canarywharf@knightfrank.com

£450,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf 020 7512 9966 canarywharf@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank

Seacon Tower, Canary Wharf E14

Medland House, Limehouse E14

A west facing and light two bedroom flat presented in good order throughout, benefitting from excellent views over the river to the City. Seacon Tower is within walking distance of all the amenities of Canary Wharf as well as the Jubilee Line station (approximately 0.7 miles away).

Leasehold

The apartment comprises a master bedroom with en suite facilities, spacious second double bedroom and separate family bathroom. Benefits include a private balcony, concierge service and an underground protected parking space.

Leasehold

£440,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf 020 7512 9966 canarywharf@knightfrank.com

£435,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf 020 7512 9966 canarywharf@knightfrank.com

Boardwalk Place, Canary Wharf E14

Wingfield Court, Blackwall E14

A 821 sq ft two bedroom apartment in the ever popular Boardwalk Place. Master bedroom with en suite and balcony access, second bedroom and family shower room, protected parking space and daily porterage.

A well proportioned two bedroom and two bathroom (one en-suite) apartment in the ever popular Virginia Quay. Reception room opening onto a private balcony, concierge and close proximity to Canary Wharf.

Leasehold

Leasehold

£425,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf 020 7512 9966 canarywharf@knightfrank.com

£339,950 KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf 020 7512 9966 canarywharf@knightfrank.com

Knight Frank

New Providence Wharf, Isle of Dogs E14

Three bedroom penthouse offering river views from a large roof terrace A three bedroom penthouse situated on the 16th floor of New Providence Wharf. The apartment offers a wealth of internal space split into two separate areas, a bedroom wing and an entertaining space. The reception room offers panoramic views and leads onto a huge terrace with unrivalled river views and a plunge pool.

Leasehold ÂŁ2,000,000

(CNW110054 )

KnightFrank.co.uk/Canary-Wharf canarywharf@knightfrank.com 020 7512 9966

Knight Frank

Pan Peninsula, Canary Wharf E14

Park Central Building, Bow Quarter E3

Contemporary one bedroom, one bathroom furnished apartment to let in Pan Peninsula. Open plan kitchen, reception room, 24 hour concierge, leisure facilities.

Well presented two bedroom apartment with a good size bathroom, semi-open plan kitchen, large reception area with balcony overlooking the Bow Quarter gardens. 24 hour porter, secure parking and leisure facilities.

£425 per week

£330 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9955 cwharf@knightfrank.com

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9955 cwharf@knightfrank.com

Landmark East Tower, Canary Wharf E14

Naxos Building, Canary Wharf E14

Two bedroom apartment featuring floor to ceiling windows with excellent views of the River Thames, Canary Wharf and the o2 Dome. The block is conveniently located approximately 0.4 miles from Canary Wharf Tube station and includes concierge and a gym.

Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment spread over 1650 sq ft comprising a large fully equipped kitchen with separate utility room, reception room. Fully furnished with both a balcony and terrace facing west overlooking the river.

£595 per week

£1,050 per week

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9955 cwharf@knightfrank.com

KnightFrank.co.uk 020 7512 9955 cwharf@knightfrank.com

1 2

savills.co.uk

BELGRAVE COURT, e1w

BOARDWALK PLACE, e14

Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø balcony ø porter ø 2 car parking spaces

2 reception rooms ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø large terrace ø porter ø parking space

Guide £625,000 Leasehold

Guide £794,995 Leasehold

3 4

Savills Canary Wharf bpage@savills.com 020 7531 2500

Savills Canary Wharf bpage@savills.com 020 7531 2500

DISCOVERY DOCK, e14

BELGRAVE COURT, e14

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø terrace ø porter ø parking space

Reception room ø kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø porter ø parking space

Guide £1.1 million Leasehold

Guide £1.5 million Leasehold

Savills Canary Wharf bpage@savills.com 020 7531 2500

Savills Canary Wharf bpage@savills.com 020 7531 2500

1 2

savills.co.uk

ELUNA BUILDING, e1w

PRUSOMS ISLAND, e1w

Reception room ø kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø terrace ø parking space

Reception room ø open plan kitchen ø 3 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø porter ø parking space

Guide £650,000 Leasehold

Guide £735,000 Leasehold

3 4

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

DUNDEE COURT, e1w

BERMONDSEY STREET, se1

Reception room ø open plan kitchen ø 2 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø laundry room ø dressing room ø porter

2 reception rooms ø kitchen ø 4 bedrooms ø 3 bathrooms ø playroom ø terrace ø garage

Guide £750,000 Leasehold

Guide £2,999,995 Freehold

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Savills Docklands zjames@savills.com 020 7456 6800

Rendall and Rittner Lettings Ltd.

To all landlord and sellers! Rendall and Rittner Letting limited would like to take the

opportunity to invite you to contact one of our dedicated experienced members of staff to discuss your property requirements.

Lettings

City View House, Bethnal Green E2E2 £275.00 Per week

New Caledonian Wharf SE16

Excellent opportunity to rent this one double bedroom apartment situated on the sixth floor of this former factory building situated in the heart of Bethnal Green, being ideal for the underground and local bus services to The City and beyond. Weekday concierge.

Furnished/Unfurnished.

Three Double bedroom, duplex apartment is available in this prestigious development known as New Caledonian Wharf. The property comprises: Three double bedrooms, three bathrooms, two receptions, Private terrace, with views of The River Thames.

Parking. Onsite leisure facilities. 24Hour concierge.

Heron House WC1

Admiral Place, Rotherhithe SE16

£600 Per week

Two bedroom Refurbished apartment in this centrally located building situated along High Holborn. Local transport links are within 100 yards and include an array of bus services and Chancery Lane (central line) underground station. Property comprises: Shower room, Bathroom Reception benefitting from doors to a large private terrace. Open plan kitchen. Two bedrooms.

Furnished.

£575.00 Per week

£300 Per week

Two double bedroom maisonette, built alongside Rotherhithe Street, which is (in our opinion) a convenient location for local pubs, Thames clipper service and the newly opened Rotherhithe overground station. The property also benefits from a parking area in front. Property requires some updating.Good Location.

Unit 3, Vogan’s Mill, 17 Mill Street, London, SE1 2BZ Tel: 020 7702 0042 Fax: 020 7394 1937 Email: lettings@rendallandrittner.co.uk www.randrlettings.co.uk

OWNERSHIP

·

H O L I D AY S

·

INVESTMENTS

Holidays of distinction

Dream investments - 8% ROI*

Are you looking for a relaxing escape in sumptuous surroundings? Then look no further! We have launched a holiday brand that caters for the more discerning customer looking for a luxurious break in the UK.

The “staycation” phenomenon has transformed the way we take our holidays.

Many customers that may have previously taken luxury holidays abroad are now looking for that something special in the most beautiful areas in the UK. Catering for this market puts us in a unique position to be able to offer a guaranteed return of 8% ROI*, an Exclusive Lodge priced to buy at £139,000 will return over £11,000 net income per year.

Our Lodges deliver on every level with each detail carefully considered to ensure your stay is nothing short of perfect.

With locations only a short drive from London and high end, private accommodation, your dream luxury break is but a phone call away.

Not only will you have an asset that gives an unrivalled return, you can also enjoy breaks in your own luxury accommodation, free of charge without compromising your return. *available on selected parks

www.thedreamlodgegroup.co.uk For more information, to order a brochure or to book a park visit please call:

0845 123 6333 Please quote reference: CW12/11

living local

HOT PROPERTY: A Rare Opportunity

There now exists a unique opportunity to acquire a two bedroom apartment in a sought after riverside development within the City of London. The complex is extremely well maintained and situated around a central courtyard with a striking tropical water garden.

It also benefits from a daytime concierge service.

The property itself is spacious and well-arranged, with two double bedrooms and two bathrooms, as

well as an attractive living and dining area and private balcony overlooking the communal garden.

It is presented in excellent condition and, enjoys an enviable location close to St Paul’s Cathedral, the Millennium Bridge and all of the major financial institutions in the heart of the City. This striking property is sure to make an excellent London home or valuable rental investment.

high timber street, ec4 ÂŁ550,000 LEASEHOLD Lawrence Ward & Co www.lawrenceward.co.uk

020 7264 1234 149

London's Finest Properties

LETTINGS

SALES

Adana Building, Lewisham, SE13

Westgate Apartment, Excel, E16

New Providence Wharf, Fairmont Avenue, E14

New Providence Wharf, Fairmont Avenue, E14

• Studio Apartment • Balcony • Unfurnished • On-Site Gymnasium • Concierge Service • Nr. Lewisham St

• One Bedroom Apartment • 11th Floor • Balcony • Fully Furnished • On-Site Gymnasium • Concierge Service

• 17th Floor One Bedroom Apartment • Highly prestigious riverside development • Exceptional Leisure Facilities • 24hr Concierge • Moments from Canary Wharf

• Stunning 13th Floor Two Bed Apartment • Uninterrupted River Views From All Rooms • Excellent Condition Throughout • Secure Underground Parking • 24hr Concierge and Exceptional Leisure facilities

Asking Price £325,000

Asking Price £475,000

£185.00 per week

£290.00 per week

Westgate Apartments, Excel, E16

Seacon Tower, Canary Wharf, E14

Sugar House, Leman Street, E1

Westgate Apartments, Royal Docks, E16

• Two Bedroom Apartment • 5th Floor • Balcony • Fully Furnished • On-Site Gymnasium • Nr. Royal Victoria DLR

• One Bedroom Apartment • 5th Floor • Balcony • Fully Furnished • On-Site Gymnasium • 24hr Concierge Service

• Immaculate 1st floor show apartment • Two Bedroom/ Two Bathroom • Interior Designed • Exceptional Specification • Secure Underground Parking • Moments from the City and tube

• 5th floor Two Bedroom/ Two Bathroom • Immaculate Condition • Concierge • Good Transport Links • Close Proximity to Canary Wharf and the City

£325.00 per week

£365.00 per week

£1,080,000

£314,950

New Providence Wharf, Canary Wharf, E14

Gainsborough House, Canary Wharf, E16

Christopher Court, City Quarter, E1

New Providence Wharf, Fairmont Avenue, E1

• Two Bedroom Apartment • 4th Floor • Balcony • Fully furnished • On-site Facilities • Concierge Service

• Two Bedroom Apartment • 4th Floor • Balcony • Fully Furnished • Allocated Parking • 24hr Concierge Service

• 2 Bedroom/ 2 Bathroom Corner Unit • Private Patio • Highly Desirable Development • Exceptional Level of Specification • Moments from DLR/Tube and City

• 4th Floor Two bed/One bath • Stunning Riverside Development • Balcony • Valet Parking • Moments from DLR and Jubilee Line

£425.00 per week

£460.00 per week

Asking Price £529,950

Asking Price £399,999

Sales | Lettings | Corporate Services | Property Management www.liferesidential.co.uk

Central London 020 7582 7989

West London 020 8896 9990

Finchley 020 8446 9524

Docklands 020 7476 0125

Deptford & Greenwich 020 8692 2244

living local

State of the market Emma Wilbourne, Director at Chesterton Humberts in Tower Bridge, comments on the state of the residential property market

OLYMPIC ONSET

I

n a little over seven months time, London will be the global centre of attention as the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games is performed at the new 80,000-capacity Olympic Stadium.

Some 17,000 athletes from 205 nations will be competing across 26 sports which will be watched by around 850,000 spectators. It is estimated that around 900,000 visitors will stay in the capital to see the Games.

But what does this mean for the lettings market?

With its central location and transport links to all the major venues, properties within the City are certainly going to be in high demand from visitors, but I would urge landlords and homeowners looking to make a fast buck from Olympic Lets to be cautious.

A few things to bear in mind: • The Olympics are only running for just over

• • • • •

two weeks. The void periods either side of the short-term let could negate any gains made from temporarily upping the rent.

There is likely to be a massive surge of stock coming available immediately after the games.

This will drive prices down in the short term.

If you are planning on renting out your own property, you will need to put personal belongings into storage.

You will need to insure yourself against damage to the property.

Some councils, including Westminster, do not allow short lets.

A good tenant that you have built a relationship with can be valuable, you may not get one of a similar quality once you come to re-let after the Games.

However, if the lease with your tenant is coming to an end next summer and they are not looking to renew, this could be a great opportunity. n Chesterton Humberts, Tower Bridge 020 7357 6911 www.chestertonhumberts.com

153

living local

property pick City Style

Rental properties are rarely as inviting and attractive as this bright and spacious one bedroom apartment in West Wapping. The property is situated within a popular portered development and is south facing and beautifully furnished. The living space is organised around a great, dual-aspect reception room with an open-plan, fully-fitted kitchen which makes it ideal for entertaining. There is also a double bedroom, bathroom with separate shower cubicle and a large balcony with separate views of the river.

The apartment is situated close to St Katharine’s Dock and Tower Hill underground and DLR stations which also ensures it is a convenient base from which to explore the best of the capital’s amenities.

154

Halcyon Wharf, E1W £550 pW Leasehold Knight Frank, Wapping www.knightfrank.co.uk

020 7480 6848

newHOMES

Your essential guide to new local developments. Read up to the minute information about star apartments, good investments, yet to be launched to the market properties, and the best in innovative design, architectural excellence and chic, city style. This dedicated section covers luxury projects throughout Blackheath, Camberwell, Dulwich and other select areas of South East London.

Victorian Splendour Historical Homes

Cash Conversion The commercial boom

newhomes

Property Latest

By Lauren Romano

TRANSFORMATION TREND Property consultancy Druce & Co has noted an increasing trend for the conversion of commercial property into luxury residential property in central London. For the majority, these developments are to meet demand from wealthy overseas investors, keen to invest their money in prime London property and shelter their cash from the uncertain Euro and volatile global economy. Two exemplar properties that have recently come onto the market include conversions of a striking 1930s penthouse art deco property and the former residence of famous surgeon Sir John Milsom Rees. The former has an impressive Manhattan loft style feel, offering wide open plan living spread across bright rooms. Two adjoining roof terraces, Apple iPads that control everything from TVs to lighting and an elegant mix of

marble, walnut floors and beautiful listed ceilings create an opulent yet minimalist feel. In the latter, an imposing atmosphere is evoked by high ceilings, glass arches and floor to ceiling windows, with a Juliet balcony

FIND A FLATMATE East Dulwich property management company Daisylets has started a free message board to help landlords and tenants to communicate effectively; tenants can post up adverts for vacant rooms and find future flatmates. The number of young professionals choosing to house share two bedroom properties in particular has increased in recent years, largely because there is a distinct lack of licensed HMOs (houses of multiple occupation for five individuals or more) available in the East Dulwich area due to building regulations and the substantial refurbishment needed to make larger properties suitable for sharing. www.daisy-exchange.com

leading from the living room. And for one final piece de resistance, the property even comprises a self-contained 1,400 sqft three bedroom flat which could be let out from approximately ÂŁ80,000 per annum at current market rates.

UK HOUSING MARKET OVERVIEW The price of an average home in the UK edged up by 0.1 per cent, or £350, last month to £166,256, according to Nationwide.

Although this is 0.3 per cent lower than in September last year, it’s more than 12 per cent higher than when the market troughed in early 2009. The index for future house prices highlighted the regional split across the UK, with households in the South East and London expecting price rises over the next 12 months. The broad stability in the market over the last year has been underpinned by a shortage in the supply of new homes, and this trend is expected to continue for the rest of this year. This month, there was more positive news when a rise in the closely watched PMI indicator of activity in the services sector signalled that economic activity may have picked up towards the end of the third quarter. However, at this time the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to inject more money directly into the economy in a bid to aid growth.

Donna Swyers, partner and office head Knight Frank, Canary Wharf

FIRST TIME BUYERS STAMP DUTY LAND TAX RELIEF With stamp duty land tax relief for first time house buyers set to end on 24 March 2012, prospective home owners are encouraged to start looking for their first homes now to save up to £2500 in tax. In the majority of cases, tax relief applies to first time buyers who have never previously purchased a residential leasehold or freehold property in the UK or anywhere else in the world. To qualify, the property must also be the main residence for the buyers and must not cost more than £250,000.

NEWS IN BRIEF RENT REVIEW Rents across the UK continued to rise in the three months to July as demand continued to outstrip supply, according to the latest data from RICS. But the pace of growth slowed slightly from the previous three month period.

Prime London rents also continued to climb in September, rising by nearly one per cent in the third quarter, marking the ninth consecutive quarterly increase. Rents are now 27 per cent higher than the market trough in early 2009 and are two per cent higher than the previous record high hit in March 2008. But the growth in rents is likely to moderate in the coming months as supply of properties to rent begins to rise, in part due to the number of new-build completions in central London.

Vanessa Evett-Beesely, Partner Knight Frank Lettings, Canary Wharf

THE YOUNG INDEX The Young Index, a quarterly gauge of market sentiment within the private rented sector, sheds light on landlords’ views of the value of property management and its impact on residential investment returns. The most recent Index suggests that 76.6 per cent of the 500 landlords polled think that tenants pay more for properties that are professionally managed, with 82.9 per cent of the view that tenancies are often longer for homes that are professionally managed. The overwhelming majority, (81.3 per cent) believe that tenants also take better care of property that is professionally managed while 73 per cent of landlords also think that it enhances a property’s capital value and is money well spent in the long run.

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newhomes

DEVELOPMENT FOCUS Heritage Housing HISTORY AND LUXURY ARE COMBINED AT THE STUNNING GALLERIES DEVELOPMENT, SAYS ALICE NAIL

B

eautiful architecture is often forsaken in the quest for luxurious and contemporary homes. However, the impressive properties at The Galleries development in Brentwood, offer buyers the opportunity to enjoy modern, designer living spaces within Grade-II listed Victorian splendour.

According to records, the landmark buildings at the site were designed in 1851 and chosen to reflect the medieval period while being ‘substantial, cheerful and English in character’. Painstaking restoration has uncovered several gothic features including decorative stonework, figurative carvings and arched windows which have been kept and combined with sensitive new refurbishment to form part of 250 high quality apartments and mews houses, some of which sit within The Galleries prestigious clock tower.

Each of the unique homes is equally impressive.

Traditional materials and techniques have been used throughout to complement the existing features and the décor incorporates exposed brick walls, wooden beams and stone vaulted ceilings, whilst capitalising on the generous proportions of the original structure.

The homes each possess between one and three bedrooms and a spacious, open-plan living area, with each phase benefitting from its own stunning aspects including terraces and mezzanine levels.

Bespoke kitchens and bathrooms are also of an exceptional standard, with the selection of stylish white suites, chrome fittings and stainless steel appliances overseen by talented interior designer Karen Cox who masterminded the properties’ calming and sophisticated feel. The finishing touches also testify to the attention to detail and opulence of the project; original floorboards have been salvaged and supported by beautiful oak timber; parquet and ceramic tiles are used in more practical areas, and carpets are made entirely from super soft wool.

The development stands within eight acres of grounds which have also been finished as they were intended to be over three centuries ago - as striking, formal gardens and secluded courtyards which can be appreciated by all residents. The attractive planting and lawns is overseen by a dedicated caretaker ensuring they continue to look breathtaking throughout the year and give the whole complex a serenity which perfectly reflects why some choose to live further afield than the city.

However, The Galleries has a convenient and advantageous location. It is situated just a short walk from Brentwood station, which allows for a commute to central London in just 30 minutes. The shops, bars and restaurants of the town are also moments away, while a 400-acre forest can also be reached quickly and easily.

With the development satisfying such a diverse array of requirements, it is unsurprising that it has proved popular with a broad spectrum of buyers, including those looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of the weekends and those realising the enhanced value for money available here.

Its wide and well-deserved appeal has also seen The Galleries win an incredible 12 awards. n

Star PROPERTY There are many gorgeous phases at The Galleries, including those properties in Pope Court which are nestled amidst the Tudor-influenced Victorian red brick buildings and have been carefully restored into a range of apartments and duplexes by City & Country’s award-winning conservation experts.

Pope Court is extremely light and airy and the apartments feature openplan kitchens and living rooms which accommodate a modern lifestyle. They are steeped in effortless style, and the high-ceilinged spaces make these homes ideal for socialising. The bespoke high-gloss kitchens are equipped with integrated appliances, as are the luxury bathrooms, which feature stylish Vitra sanitary ware and Eurobath chrome fittings. Sleek and modern furnishings create a chic feel in both bedrooms, and the master bedrooms benefit from an en-suite shower room.

The properties boast views of the beautiful landscaped courtyard gardens, and, with these being maintained by a separate management company, residents can enjoy the picturesque sights without any of the usual upkeep concerns.

Prices at The Galleries range from £225,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to £445,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. www.the-galleries.net 01277 202122

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newhomes

property pick A Modern Masterpiece

This luxurious apartment is perfect for contemporary living; the impressive sub-penthouse extends to 1,760 sqft and offers glorious views of St Katharine Docks and beyond.

Inside, a large south-facing reception room opens onto a sun terrace. The refurbished kitchen is fully equipped, with a Gaggenau coffee machine, Teppan Yaki hob and Miele wine cooler among the high-tech appliances. The space also has a raised breakfast area overlooking the dock, while the stunning master bedroom benefits from a balcony and an en suite bathroom. Further accommodation includes two double bedrooms, a further balcony and terrace and a guest shower room. The property also has secure underground parking.

Sanderling Lodge, Star Place, E1W ÂŁ2.15M Leasehold Knight Frank, Wapping www.knightfrank.co.uk

020 7480 6848 161

newhomes

Will I ever OWN A HOME? Ron Radway looks at the problems facing first time buyers

W

ith the number of first-time buyers falling from 500,000 in 2000 to 200,000 last year (CML), and the government reporting that the number of households privately renting rocketed from 2.4 million in 2005 to 3.4 million in 2009, clearly there are issues to overcome.

Lenders are normally first in the firing line when the blame is apportioned, but, in fairness to them they are doing their best under trying conditions of their own. Having been blamed for causing market difficulties in the first place by being too “imprudently generous”, according to the deputy governor of the Bank of England, they can hardly be castigated for being circumspect in lending policy now!

But, if it’s true that you cannot purchase, and you don’t want to live with Mum and Dad for the rest of your life, then renting is the only option, with the private sector alone able to fill the void, as demand for community housing outstrips supply.

However, with the private sector dominated by short term tenancies, there is no security of tenure, with the possibility of short notice eviction spoiling the likelihood of long term settlement. Also, it must be said, that it is invariably more expensive to rent than to buy, so defies logic.

The government has asserted that it is determined to pull out all the stops to help those who want to take their first step onto the property ladder, which include encouraging lenders to offer more mortgages to first time buyers, as well as building more homes. However, in my opinion, the restrictions placed upon lenders by bodies such as the Bank of England mean it might be 162

difficult for this particular direction to succeed.

So what is the answer then? Patently, it isn’t simple, so practicality and personal responsibility must come to the fore.

If you are determined to be a home owner, raising a deposit and ensuring ongoing affordability is key.

When it comes to the former, retail interest rates have never been lower, so if a mortgage is outside of your income range, you should not apply. As for raising a deposit, this requires personal determination and dedication - just as it did in the “good old days”.

Without decrying the complications in saving for a deposit, in many ways it is easier now than in days of yore. Lenders are helping, with ten per cent deposit deals being more commonplace, along with greater numbers of approvals and even five per cent deposits accepted. Pragmatic guarantor schemes are also available. Admittedly, saving for a deposit alongside meeting all other budget pressures is not easy, but increasingly, family members are prepared to help, either from their own resources or by re-financing their own homes.

It was never easy to get on the property ladder and it’s not supposed to be. However, it can be done and just needs tenacity. A recent survey by the ABI also indicated that 46 percent of people felt that professional advice on obtaining a mortgage was essential. n Ron Radway is a mortgage consultant with OneCall Financial Advice Centre 020 3174 0422 www.unbiased.co.uk

Sensitive conversions. Sound investments.

City & Country Group offer a selection of unique conversion homes that not only make a statement but also offer a sound long term investment.

Balls Park Hertfordshire a landmark development of luxurious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom conversion apartments, set within 63 acres of picturesque parkland. from £199,950 to £1,500.000. call 01992 551777

Bentley Priory Stanmore an exclusive selection of apartments and houses within the historically significant mansion house and adjoining buildings at Bentley priory. launching february 2012. register on 01279 817882

Show homeS open daily from 10am to 5pm www.cityandcountry.co.uk

the Galleries Brentwood 1 & 2 bedroom conversion apartments in a Victorian Grade ii listed building and brand new apartments set in tranquil courtyard gardens. from £225,000 to £440,000. call 01277 202122