Dluxe Leicestershire Winter 2019 Web Edition

LU E D X LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

WINTER ‘19

INSIDE

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

WWW.DLUXE-MAGAZINE.CO.UK

THE PARTY ISSUE ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE VEGANUARY RECIPES NEW LANDROVER DEFENDER THE DARKNESS HOTTEST HONEYMOONS

IN THIS ISSUE

TALK TO US MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@fu-media.co.uk 07713 740 272

GROUP EDITOR IN CHIEF Jonathan Fraser Jon@fu-media.co.uk 0772 580 9654

PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING Lilith Hunt-Sheppard lilith@fu-media.co.uk 07587 056969

ACCOUNTS & ADMINISTRATION Carey Cooper carey@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445 DIGITAL CONTENT EXECUTIVE Francesca Arculeo Francesca@fu-media.co.uk 0116 2533 445 The must have colours for the season; Mellow Yellow and more on page 34

38 TRAVEL

Our personal picks of our favourite features, stories and products from Leicestershire and beyond.

The top Honeymoon Hotspots of 2020.

14 SPOTLIGHT We rock out with The Darkness.

24 STYLE Our top partywear picks and we look at what’s on the top of everyone’s Christmas list.

32 MOTORS An icon of British motoring reimagined for a modern age; the new Defender by Landrover.

DLUXE LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

42 DINING

INSIDE

We get ready for Veganuary.

46 DIARY

YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

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THE PARTY ISSUE ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE VEGANUARY RECIPES NEW LANDROVER DEFENDER THE DARKNESS HOTTEST HONEYMOONS

Cover image: Pure Collection

08 AGENDA

The inaugural Voluntary Action Leicester & Leicestershire Awards shining a spotlight on local charities plus what is happening and what’s happened in and around the county this season.

DLUXE Leicestershire & Rutland

54 HI SOCIETY

www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Did our photographers catch you out and about?

34 LIVING

58 HOROSCOPES

A look at 2020’s top colour trends to keep your home’s interior tip top.

National treasure, sensational star gazer Russell Grant on what the future holds for us all.

Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxe LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy in compiling this publication, the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, breach of copyright or otherwise since compilation. The Publisher cannot be held responsible for any material submitted to the publication, not excluding advertisements. The views expressed within this title are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the Publisher. © 69 Magazine Ltd 2019

31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE TEL: 0116 2533 445

info@fu-media.co.uk

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Total knee replacement.

At Nuffield Health Leicester hospital.

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a significant operation but one of the most common orthopaedic procedures, with over 70,000 operations performed each year and this number is rising. Many people require this type of surgery and thankfully it has a very high rate of success. The most common cause of damage to your knee is arthritis. One in particular – osteoarthritis (known as wear and tear arthritis) can set in over time and cause pain and stiffness.

What is Osteoarthritis?

There are 2 common types of cartilage in the knee surgeons refer to: The first type is the MENISCUS – 2 cartilage cushions or ‘menisci’ between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). The menisci help the knee to function properly by bearing load and weight, absorbing shock, stabilising the joint and providing lubrication. The second type is ARTICULAR CARTILAGE which covers the surface bone ends of the femur, tibia and patella (knee cap) to reduce friction and cushion the joint to aid load distribution. Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis often due to ‘wear and tear’ or damage of this smooth articular cartilage surface which becomes irregular, fissured and may fall off revealing the underlying bone. If this happens, the underlying bones can rub together, producing the pain typical of arthritis. It causes pain in the joints and surrounding soft tissues and limits the range of movement and function of a joint.

There are several factors which contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, including age, being overweight, heavy manual jobs, genetic factors, and joint damage from a previous injury. Severe arthritis can interfere with activities of daily living and limits lifestyle. The severe pain of osteoarthritis can be very disabling.

Healthy knee joint

Osteoarthritus

What are the treatment options?

There is no cure for arthritis, so beware of ‘miracle cures’. The first step is to preserve the knee and avoid surgery if possible. Initial treatment of osteoarthritis focuses on decreasing pain and improving joint movement with a balance of rest and exercise, avoiding vigorous weight bearing activities. Patients are given individualised treatment plans which may consist of: • Education and understanding.

• Physiotherapy and/or heat or cold treatments.

• Exercises to keep joints flexible and improve muscle strength.

• Weight control to prevent extra stress on weight bearing joints.

• Joint protection, to prevent stress or strain on painful joints e.g. knee supports or braces, cushioned insoles, and orthotics.

• Injections of Hyaluronic acid or Steroids into the joint. Steroids improve symptoms by reducing the inflammation within the arthritic joint.

Hyaluronic acid preparations are available which can be injected into joints affected by osteoarthritis to relieve pain, restore lubrication and cushioning, improving joint function.

• Medicines: e.g. anti-inflammatory gels, the use of non- steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. neurofen or naprosyn), non-narcotic analgesics such as Paracetamol. Alternative medicines such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin and cod liver oil.

What about Surgery?

Simple arthroscopic or key-hole surgery may be appropriate if there are mechanical problems within your knee joint such as catching, locking, swelling or giving way. Correcting the mechanical damage may prevent further deterioration of your knee. In some cases surgery will not be able to reverse the damage which has already occurred. In severe cases, surgery may be suggested, such as knee replacement which can give good results.

The type of surgery will depend on your age and severity of the disease. The knee joint is made up of 3 compartments, the patellofemoral (kneecap) and medial (inside) and lateral (outside) compartments between the femur and tibia (ie: the long bones of the leg). Often only one of these compartments wears out, usually the medial one. If you have symptoms and X-ray findings suggestive of this then you may be suitable for a Unicompartmental or Partial Knee Replacement procedure where only the damaged part of the knee joint is replaced through a smaller incision (minimally invasive surgery) than would normally be used for a Total Knee Replacement.

The aim is to keep the patient mobile and active with more rapid rehabilitation and greater activity at an earlier stage following an operation. A Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is an operation where the arthritic knee joint is resurfaced with artificial metal surfaces (cobalt chrome or titanium) secured with bone cement and a plastic insert cushion between these metal surfaces. Sometimes the surface of the Patella (kneecap) is worn and if it is badly damaged this is resurfaced (with plastic) as well. The surgery starts with an incision over

the knee which exposes the joint. Special guides and precision instruments are used to remove the damaged surfaces and create the fit for the implants. The implant is then secured to the bone(s). It may be necessary to re-align the surrounding knee ligaments to achieve the best knee function. Once the components are fixed in place and the knee is balanced and stable, the incision will be closed.

You are likely to benefit from TKR if your pain is severe and interferes with day-to-day activities. This includes severe knee pain and stiffness that limits mobility and function or severe pain that disturbs your sleep. 80-90% of individuals who undergo Total Knee Replacement experience a dramatic reduction of knee pain and a significant improvement in movement and the ability to perform the common activities of everyday life. Many patients get back to exercise (swimming and dancing) and sports such as golf, cycling and social tennis. Your range of movement, muscle strength and pain should continue to improve during the first year after surgery.

Anterior view of the right knee.

Femur Articular cartilage

Lateral collateral ligament Lateral meniscus

If you require further information please call 0116 2982612 email Leicester.enquiry@nuffieldhealth.com or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/leicester

Anterior cruciate ligament Medial meniscus Medial collateral ligament

Fibula

Tibia

IN THIS ISSUE. Where on earth has 2019 gone? They say as you get older that time goes more quickly and it really does seem to. I think the true sign of actually being a proper grown up is when you move from feeling that Christmas is never coming to I can’t believe Christmas is already here!

And already here it is and I am totally unprepared for it! Luckily for mine and thine this issue is full of Christmas spirit including a wonderful gift guide full for festive treats for all the family and we’ve even got a special reader offer for you to have all of your Christmas fayre delivered to your door – super stress free and might be just what I need after such a busy year!

2019 has been an incredibly busy year for us as publishers – it’s not just dluxe that we publish, you see, this issue is just part of a suite of premium sector magazines we produce for ourselves and for companies and societies across the region - including the Birmingham Law Society and Leicester Business Festival brochure. Think a magazine or brochure could work for you and your customers?

Then give us a call.

Statue Appeal which we’re thrilled to announce has made its fundraising target and will go ahead! Keep an eye out on our social media for upcoming events in the new year or if you need an event organising and access to the hottest guestlist in town, drop us a line at jon@ fu-media.co.uk.

So, aside from all things festive, this issue is full of new year treats in which to indulge. We look at where’s hot to honeymoon right now and we climb onboard the new Landrover Defender to see how this icon of British design and everyday life has been updated for a new world. We also get down and dirty in the kitchen, just in time for Veganuary with some tasty recipes to try at home.

All this alongside what’s on and what’s happening in the region for the next few months, an interview with The Darkness ahead of their live show and our round up of new happenings, products, restaurants and bars across the Leicestershire.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year, Until March

We also run events in and around the magazines, so you’ll find us behind launches and lunches, VIP shopping events and hosted dinners for some lovely Leicestershire businesses including Voluntary Action Leicester, King Power Quad Nations Wheelchair Rugby, King Richard III and the recent Joe Orton

Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief

WE CAN’T WAIT FOR...

WEST SIDE STORY A thrilling new production directed by Curve’s Artisitic Director Nikolai Foster is already going down a storm with the critics resulting in five star reviews aplenty - no mean feat! Half of the dluxe team have already seen it and were blown away by Ellen Kane’s choreography that brings the edgy atmosphere of this period piece bang uo to date, resonating in today’s world of gang culture and knife crime. The other half of us are all booked up for a post Christmas pick me up - the show runs until the 11th January. Catch it while you can to hear classics such as Something’s Coming, Maria, I Feel Pretty, (Controversially ditched in the upcoming West End production) and Tonight as well as the funniest ever Officer Krupke routine, apparently. We really can’t wait!

6 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Just the tonic

Ever get bothered by Mosquitos on your hollibobs?

Then make sure your drink of choice is a Gin and Tonic as Tonic Water was originally developed as a cure and preventative measure to malaria and mozzie bites!

For fans of all things Gin, Just the Tonic explores the drink’s roots in the Victorian era.

Read up on the changing role of the G&T: the rise and fall, and rise again, of cocktails during the 19th century; the art deco cocktail bars of the 1920s, through to the recent resurgence of the spirit.

British asparagus and smoky beans on toast

BOND IS BACK!

With multiple changes in writers and directors, Bond is back and it’s Craig’s fifth and reported last outing as British Spy 007. Is there a place for the historically misogynistic Bond? With the likes of Phoebe Waller Bridge on the writing team it seems that everyone’s favourite super spy is being dragged into the modern world. Does that mean the end of the Bond Girl?

We think it’s more like the very beginning and we can’t wait!

DUA LIPA

With a global arena tour starting in April, Dua Lipa’s sophomore long player will be more upbeat with no ballads and a distinctly disco edge. If new single ‘Don’t Start Now’ is anything to go by then we cannot wait. The 24-year-old singer has teased that her new music is a change of direction, she said: “It would probably be risky if I wasn’t risky with the next record. I don’t think it would be as fun.

FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION

Visit our new beautiful new showroom and speak with our skilled design and project management team who are on hand to complete your vision.

Oadby House 91 The Parade Oadby, Leicester LE2 5BB T. 0116 233 7775 www.sherwinhall.com

AGENDA.

LEST-HA ART! Comedians including Romesh Ranganathan, Milton Jones, Shazia Mirza, Flo & Joan, Tim Vine and Ed Byrne are amongst the performers who have donated their jokes to be included on a limited-edition poster on sale to raise money for Leicester Comedy Festival.

Designed and hand printed by artist Barry D Bulsara, the poster (titled ‘LestHa!’) features jokes from comedians who regularly perform at the annual Leicester Comedy Festival.

Sales of the limited-edition poster are expected to raise over £7,500 which will be used to increase the number of community projects during the festival.

In 2020 there is a specific programme of events aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of people visiting the festival.

2020’s festival features acts from Jo Brand, Stewart Lee, Milton Jones (pictured), Shappi Khorsandi, Fascinating Aida, Paul Sinha, Josie Long, Jason Byrne, Tony Slattery, Angela Barnes, Griff Rhys Jones, Andy Parsons, John Shuttleworth, Dane Baptiste, Rhod Gilbert, Mark Steel, Flo & Joan, Arthur Smith and Reg D Hunter.

The poster is available, priced £37.50 + p/p, along with full details of this year’s festival which runs from 5-23 February at www.comedy-festival.co.uk or pick up a programme now in venues across Leicestershire.

WIN an Evening S

WIN WOOFERLY GOOD RECIPES

The Happy Dog Cookbook is packed nose to tail with nutritious treats that readers can bake at home for their dogs.

With 24 beautiful, easy to make recipes created by head vet Sean McCormack, and featuring Annabel Karmel, The Happy Dog Cookbook uses simple, healthy ingredients from the kitchen cupboard, and spans all four seasons throughout the year. The collection includes treats for Pancake Day, Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas, meaning that your dog doesn’t have to 8 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

miss out on calendar date catering. All profits from the book go to StreetVet, the UK charity who offer free vet care to the homeless and their pets. The Happy Dog Cookbook is published by White Fox and available to buy from Amazon, Waterstones.com, Foyles.com priced at £14.99.

WIN!

We’ve got five copies to give away to some lucky pups!

For your chance to win visit www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Amabis ONLINE IS HERE: win £50 To celebrate!

Independent jewellery store, Amabis, has finally arrived in the 21st century by launching their very own website – with 24/7 online shopping function!

As well as their much-loved High Street store in Leicester, you can visit their new site at Amabis.co.uk to view their one of a kind jewellery pieces, many of which that can’t be bought anywhere else on the high street.

Prey Jewellery is also available in store and online where you can view their unusual and beautiful pieces, designed and handmade by Josephine Bott, owner of Amabis. With each piece being entirely handmade and hand finished in their workshops, it truly makes these pieces unique making them the ideal gift for you or a loved one.

Picture by Aemen Sukkar @ Jiksaw.jpg

WIN!

Be in with the chance of winning a £50 voucher to spend online at Amabis.co.uk, simply head to www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk and click the competitions tab.

T&C apply.

Amabis, 60 High Street, Leicester, LE1 5YP Tel 0116 2622769.

Visit them online at www.amabis.co.uk

Spa Experience for Two at Ragdale Hall Spa Combining state-of-the-art facilities with the charm of traditional Victorian architecture, Ragdale Hall Spa offers luxurious and extensive spa facilities. The Rooftop Infinity Pool (Ragdale Hall’s sixth pool) is heated to 35°C and offers stunning views across the rolling Leicestershire countryside.

Awarded ‘UK’s Best Destination Spa’ by the Good Spa Guide and renowned for outstanding customer service, Ragdale Hall Spa is offering the chance for some well-deserved ‘me-time’ for one lucky winner and their guest!

The prize includes use of all facilities, including the multi-million-pound Thermal Spa offering 12 luxurious and unique heat and water experiences, including the atmospherically lit underground candle pool and outdoor waterfall pool with colour-changing lights; plus a two-course evening meal in the Verandah Bar. All you’ll need to do switch off and relax.

If you’re not the lucky winner then Ragdale Hall gift vouchers are the best way to give the gift of ‘me-time’ this festive season. With vouchers available for all packages, whether you’re looking for a stocking-filler or a stand-out gift, there’s something to suit all tastes and pockets.

For your chance to win and to view competiton T&C’s, visit www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk and click on competitions.

For more information or to purchase your gift vouchers today visit www.ragdalehall.co.uk or call 01664 433030. *Good Spa Awards 2017

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 9

AGENDA.

DESIGN YOUR WAY INTO 2020 WITH SHERWIN HALL from which to take inspiration. Sherwin Hall believe that trends are to be enjoyed and used as a great source of inspiration but should always be incorporated to suit your own style. Within all of the designs at Sherwin Hall, they endeavour to embrace clients’ own personal style and dreams so that they can create the perfect ambiance from your new kitchen and living spaces.

Wow, what a great year the Sherwin Hall team have had since they opened their new Oadby House showroom back in October 2018. Where has the year gone!?

Since then the team have met many wonderful customers & worked on a variety of fabulous projects both retail and contract that they are so proud of.

Having secured several new contracts with local developers, Sherwin Hall are already excitedly working on projects into 2020.

The new year shows trends of texture, warm colours, minimalism and concealed technology; expect to see the Oadby House showroom reflect this over the coming months with new displays and products

There’s a calendar of events being planned for 2020 at the Oadby House showroom, so be sure to keep yourself up to date on their social media accounts for the latest news or pop by the showroom on Oadby’s Parade; Whether it is to pop in for coffee and explore the showroom and new technology of their award winning Siemens home connect appliances, or, if you would like to meet the design team and talk through ideas of how they can assist you bringing a new lease of life to your living space, their doors are always open.

Sherwin Hall is at Oadby House 91 The Parade Oadby, LE2 5BB, Tel. 0116 233 7775 www.sherwinhall.com

HAVE YOURSELF A DESIGNER CHRISTMAS & New Year barista in town, 200 Degrees Coffee.

As well as the unmissable brands, restaurants and exceptional savings, the centre has seen a selection of improvements in 2019 which will continue to provide the best possible guest experiences into 2020. The newly expanded carpark with 500 additional spaces allows a smoother experience for guests during peak times. Alongside this, the centre has also welcomed four brand new dual charging units, located at the front of the main car park, the eight new units include universal charging for all types of electric vehicles allowing full charge in as little as 3 hours for most electric cars. Meaning guests can leave their car to charge whilst enjoying the centres ever growing fashion and homeware stores as well as the extensive food and beverage offering. See their ad to secure an extra 10% discount!

Those looking for the perfect place to pick-up a last-minute Christmas gift or a New Year, new you treat need not look any further than the much-loved McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands.

With year-round savings of up to 60% off, a trip to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands is an unforgettable one. Fashion lovers can shop in over 65 10 dluxe-magazine

stores, including the recent new premium brands that have been welcomed to the centre during 2019. From Hugo Boss, Crew Clothing and Charles Tyrwhitt through to Joules and Converse, there is something to suit all ages and style.

Guests can take their pick of the centre’s extensive eateries, from the nations favourite handmade pizzas from Pizza Express to the Japanese inspired restaurant Wagamama as well as the latest

Conveniently located just off junction 28, with easy access from the M1 motorway and A38 expressway. Those travelling by train arriving at Alfreton train station are a short 15-minute drive away by public transport or taxi.

Alternatively, other stations locally include Sutton Parkway, Kirkby-InAshfield and Mansfield. There are direct services from Nottingham, Leeds and Sheffield.

Rutland Cycling Leicester – A Family Success Story is only part of the picture. The Leicester store also offers cycle hire - hybrid, MTB and electric bikes, tandems and kids’ bikes – a great opportunity to explore the local countryside with a dedicated traffic-free Meadows Route of 6.5 miles, perfect for families, and city centre traffic-free route via the Great Central Way – a great way to explore the city.”

Rutland, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Cambridge, Peterborough and now Leicester. It also operates three Giant brand stores, at Rutland, Cambridge and Newport Pagnell.

When Rutland Cycling was established in 1981, the concept of hiring a bike to ride around the now-famous reservoir was very much in its infancy. But the secondgeneration family business has gone from strength to strength as the popularity of cycling in the UK has grown.

Over the past five years, the company has more than doubled in size and now has 14 shops across central England, including

Director Sally Middlemiss, daughter of the original founder, comments “As an independent, family-run business, delivering an excellent customer experience has always been at the heart of what we do. We’ve seen huge growth in our online channels, but in 2019 we remain absolutely committed to our physical store network. Our Leicester store is a real cyclist’s paradise, where you can browse over 400 bikes and a wide range of cycle clothing and accessories from the world’s best cycling brands. Electric bikes are hugely popular and we have a dedicated E-Bike Centre within the store, with over 100 electric bikes to see and try out on traffic-free cycle trails direct from the store. But having a great range of products

“When you visit a Rutland Cycling store you can have a real conversation with our friendly, expert team, benefiting from their advice and experience and getting all your questions answered, so you can feel confident you’ve made the right choice. We believe passionately in going the extra mile for our customers.”

Sally and her husband David work alongside her brother Paul and his wife Karen and the four form a strong family team. Sally says, “In a family business you can never totally switch off, but you also have total trust in each other and it’s great to be growing and nurturing something you own. These are exciting times for cycling and we are looking forward to being part of the Leicester cycling scene, helping inspire even greater participation.”

Open 7 days a week, Rutland Cycling Leicester, Everards Meadows, John Cooper Way (off Soar Valley Way), Leicester LE19 2AN Tel: 0116 344 0200 www.rutlandcycling.com

at Leicester

CYCLE SUPERSTORE NOW OPEN At Everards Meadows opp. Fosse Park

Bikes | E-Bikes | Hire

14 stores open every day at:

|

Servicing

|

Cycle to Work

www.rutlandcycling.com | 0330 555 0080

LeicesterNEW | Nottingham | Rutland Water | Peterborough | Cambridge | Grafham Water | Pitsford Water | Milton KeynesNEW

AGENDA.

WARM UP THIS WINTER WITH HIGHCROSS

Highcross Leicester provides the perfect escape to beat the winter blues with a range of exciting events for the whole family to immerse themselves in, with some festive fun and retail therapy while enjoying mouth-watering food and drink and showstopping entertainment.

Get into the Christmas spirit by exploring St. Peter’s Square to admire the dazzling giant reindeer and beams of sparkling light which flood the outdoor space. Stop off at the Jägerhaus pop-up; a festive snug, serving up delicious hot chocolate and mulled wine to keep you cosy as you wander through the holiday oasis. There’s plenty to keep you fuelled, with a freshly grilled Bratwurst, Cheese Krakaur and a selection of traditional German and British seasonal food and drinks.

When it comes to Christmas shopping and the hunt to get something for those hard to buy for people on your gift list, Highcross has more than 100 top fashion and high street favourites to choose from, and if in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a Highcross gift card.

Over the festive season, Highcross has extended its opening hours and offers reduced cost rooftop parking during evening visits all year round. Whether you’re in need of some post-work retail therapy, last minute Christmas gifts or a delicious dinner – Highcross provides the perfect 12 dluxe-magazine

festive setting, making Christmas shopping easy for you.

There’s plenty of options for recharging and relaxing during the holiday rush too. Book into Clarins spa to help you unwind or take the load off with some friendly competition on the greens at Treetop Adventure Golf.

Whatever you’re after, there is no shortage of leisure and entertainment options at Highcross.

And if you want to kick back with the family during those harsh winter days, cosy up with some popcorn, your favourite sweets and a movie at the impressive 12-screen Cinema de Lux which will be showcasing blockbuster hits including the latest instalment of Star Wars and the highly anticipated Frozen 2: Into the Unknown.

With an impressive food scene including over 30 eateries, it’s no surprise foodies flock to Highcross for a dining experience like no other. Whether it’s for a quick bite of your beloved winter comfort food or to try something new, it’s a gastronomer’s dream.

In the New Year, Highcross will be ringing in the new decade as the go-to hub for many city-wide events like Chinese New Year and Leicester Comedy Festival. This February, the comedy festival will be coming to Highcross for a celebration of laughs. Stay tuned for an impressive line-up of hilarious acts performing in the Showcase Cinema de

Lux. This will be an unmissable afternoon of spit-out-your-drink jokes and one-liners that will leave the audience in stitches.

Visitors can keep up to date with events and enjoy all the fantastic offers by downloading the Highcross Plus app. PLUS app customers will have access to exclusive deals and offers like handsfree shopping.

PLUS customers can also leave their bags at the Customer Service Desk to continue their Highcross visit a little lighter. This means you can enjoy a bite to eat, shop some more or visit the cinema without being weighed down.

It’s also the place to enter for exclusive competitions, giveaways and freebies and includes a ‘Style Seeker’ feature which tells you which shops carry your most sought after looks, saving you time and helping you get exactly what you need. Simply take a photo of an outfit with the app and it tells you where to find what you’re looking for at Highcross Leicester.

No matter your taste or style, whether you’re looking to tuck into a delicious meal, enjoy some retail therapy or escape the cold – don’t hibernate this year, keep winter fun with Highcross Leicester.

Find out more and keep up to date with events, offers and openings at Highcross by visiting www.highcrossleicester.com

Dasher Prancer In Real Life

Festive outfits for everyone.

Excluding reindeer. Sorry.

Open ‘til late.

For detailed opening hours visit highcrossleicester.com

ENTER THE DARK SPOTLIGHT.

With an acclaimed new album, uk tour and the best Christmas single of recent years about to start blasting out across the Glam Rock renegades The Darkness. Neill Barston caught up wth guitarist Dan Hawkins ahead of their upcoming show

Armed with a hit-laden debut album, The Darkness swiftly found themselves amid the global limelight with their infectious brand of unashamedly glammed-up classic rock. Their swagger was matched with success as they quickly gained a tally of three Brit Awards for their troubles, which prompted headline festival slots and global tours that delivered a loyal international following.

split for several years, yet it seems they are now enjoying life as a reunited band more than ever.

As guitarist Dan Hawkins explains, it’s been one heck of a ride over nearly two decades, emerging triumphant over naysayers dismissing them for their clear influences of heroes such as Queen, AC/DC and Thin Lizzy. While he admits that in true rock n’roll spirit they’ve endured their share of trials, including member departures and a

Deftly demonstrating their renewed spark is their epic-sounding sixth studio album, Easter is Cancelled, described by frontman Justin as a concept record that’s “biblical” in scale. It’s seen them make a welcome return to the top 10 charts, with a collection of catchy riffs resounding with confidence.

14 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

These days, they are very ably aided by the services of Rufus Taylor, son of Queen’s Roger Taylor, on drums, who joined their ranks four years ago.

KNESS

airwaves December Will Be Magic Again for w at De Montfort Hall on the 2nd December.

musical pecking order.

It’s this very subject on which Lowestoft’s finest appears to have trained its attentions – Rock and Roll Deserves to Die, lamenting in tongue-in-cheek fashion a perceived lacklustre state of their beloved genre. The track’s accompanying video is one of their most memorable to date, including a finale of Marshall amplifiers raining down from the sky.

“For that song, we went for essentially four styles of music in one – from Led Zeppelin, a Deep Purple scream, to Black Sabbath and AC/DC. It’s not something we are afraid to do with our music.

“I do think that there are some really good bands out there, but a lot of what I hear is very linear sounding. So forget being authentic, what’s needed is some innovation to move things forward,” says Dan. Their latest album, recorded and mixed at the guitarist’s self built Hawkland studio, Sussex, contains a number of standout moments including the crowd-pleasing ballad Heart Explodes, hard rock tribute in the form of Heavy Metal Lover, and the defiant closing song, We Are the Guitar Men. As he relates, recording the album proved an intense experience, with a spirit of determination to ensure that it delivered its full potential.

“The one thing that I wanted to bring to the new album was just in terms of giving as much of my own studio time for it as was possible – allowing them to come back and spend as long as they wanted on it.

“It’s about as close as we’re ever going to get to making a concept album, with a definite thread of subjects covering life and death, and how we bring meaning to them,” he notes of their new release.

Beyond laying down their latest recordings, they’ve certainly not been slacking off on the live performances – enjoying performances last year with Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp’s band, The Hollywood Vampires.

According to Dan, it was something of a surreal episode hanging out with some of the most famous musicians on the planet, yet it proved a blast.

“I’ve a slightly different take on the album to the other members as I produced it, as I have done with our past few records. With the previous albums, I’d be listening back to them looking out for any mistakes I might have made, but that really wasn’t the case with our latest one. I think it sounds amazing,” enthuses Dan of their efforts to restore rock music to its glorious former pinnacle astride the top of the ever-shifting

“Our lives are pretty insane really – it was amazing to be playing those shows. I’m not someone that gets star struck, but with Johnny Depp I actually felt a bit freaked out that we were just hanging out with him.

But after talking to him backstage for about half an hour, he was actually pretty down to earth.”

Another major highlight from this summer was their invitation to join fellow Suffolkraised star Ed Sheeran on his UK tour dates.

The shows resulted in delivering footage that served as the basis for their Heart Explodes single, which revealed how they remain very much in their element on the road.

It seems the solo star took time out to chill out with them and share some tales from their home county.

“Ed was very affable indeed – he’d come and see us before and after our shows, which was nice. He’s the only person I can think of that when he is at gigs and there are fans are around, he actually goes up to people and asks them if they and their kids want selfies with him, rather than them having to ask for pictures.

In a world where we have things like Brexit and Trump, thank goodness that we’ve got Ed Sheeran,” adds Dan, who at 42, says that life in Sussex with his family, which now includes three children, is treating him very finely indeed.

He jokes that the two of his youngsters who appreciate the music of The Darkness, will be remaining on his Christmas present list this year.

“I’ve been a dad for 10 years now and it’s the best thing ever, and makes everything else you do worthwhile,” adds the guitarist, who says when he’s not in his studio, spending time with the family is his foremost priority.

As he reflects on his career to date, he acknowledges the band’s success was hardwon through paying their dues for years on the live circuit. He recalls that both he and his brother were particularly musical from a young age, briefly playing in a group together called Vital Signs, which Dan joined up with when he was just 12 years old. But far from being overnight trailblazers, he says that it took a long while before they would ultimately make it in a late 1990s music scene that had been dominated by the tail end of Britpop acts.

“Before we got our deal, nobody wanted to sign us, including the label who eventually did. It was a long wait for us to make it – I was 27 and actually at the point where I thought we’d missed our chance. So Justin and I just thought we’d form a band playing the music that we wanted to play,” which would finally see their determination pay off, after selffinancing their debut singles.

In terms of overall highlights, he says that while gaining the Brit Awards was something to celebrate at the time, it was subsequently gaining an Ivor Novello songwriting award that meant even more.

As for the present day, he enthuses that there will be plenty for fans to enjoy this time around, mixing their new material alongside a greatest hits set.

“It’s going to be really good to be playing some material we’ve not played before, and the whole thing about this being a concept album will be answered on this tour,” offers Dan of what we can expect from one of rock music’s great survivors as they continue boldly on their journey.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 15

AGENDA.

NORTH 42 GIN SCORES WITH SELFRIDGES

Sally Davis, who is behind the Leicesterbased North42 brand, told an audience at the launch of Back Her Business, a Treasury-led inquiry into the barriers facing women

entrepreneurs, in Birmingham in April, that she wanted Selfridges to stock their gin.

Sam Watts, Selfridges Birmingham general manager, was in the audience and was so compelled by the story behind North42 that she told them she was keen to support them. “It was a surreal moment,” says Sally, who created the rhubarb and blood orange gin with her partner, chef Joanna Betts, to complement the gins they sell in their restaurant, North Bar and Kitchen, in Leicester’s West End. “At that time, we had a concept of the blend, a name and design for the bottle. We felt our restaurant experience had equipped us to make a superb tasting gin. So, to get it stocked in one of our favourite stores has been a dream come true.”

Inspired by their restaurant’s best-selling cocktail, the Rhubarb Tumble, Sally and Joanna successfully crowdfunding to get sufficient backing to create their gin, going on to finalise the perfect blend with a local

STEPHEN & SOTTUNG IN THE CITY weeks and crafted hair for TV and film.

Barrie Stephen has likewise been in the hairdressing industry for thirty years and recently won Salon Business’ Ultimate Salon of the Year accolade and Business Person of the Year 2019 at the Nachural Awards. He launched his Barrie Stephen Hair business 23 years ago in Anstey and has since grown his start-up company into a five-strong salon business including a training academy and barbers lounge spread across the county, in Ashby, Anstey, Narborough, and the city centre.

Barrie Stephen and world-renowned barber Sid Sottung launch new barbering collaboration in Leicester city centre The collaboration between Leicester’s most decorated hairdresser and an American born barbering industry icon, will form the men’s grooming destination, ‘Sid Sottung Barber Shop’, bringing world-class barbering to Leicester.

Sid Sottung brings three decades of hairdressing experience to the new men’s salon which will be on Hotel Street in Leicester city. His impressive CV boasts 17 years at Vidal Sassoon in New York and Washington D.C. Sid has also looked after celebrity clientele, worked backstage for designers at London and New York fashion 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Barrie Stephen said: “Over the last four years Sid has trained up all our Barbers Lounge stylists, helping us skill up and provide amazing male grooming. I am so excited to be partnering with such an internationally recognised expert to bring world-class barbering to the heart of Leicester.

On the collaboration, Sid Sottung said “Both Barrie and I have the same energy and drive to make things happen. We share the same goal of outputting high-quality hairdressing.

Our new concept will combine all of the excellence of men’s barbering, attention to detail styling, traditional wet shaving and beard design with great attitude.”

Sid Sottung Barber Shop is at 6B Hotel Street, Leicester.

distillery, eventually taking delivery of their first 1000 bottles in May. A fruity gin of aromatic blood orange and British rhubarb, underpinned by a carefully curated blend of botanicals it’s as delicious as a sipping gin as it is in a cocktail.

The number 42 has been key to the brand - not only is their restaurant at 42 Hinckley Road, it opened on 4/2/2015 and the gin is 42% ABV. It also costs £42 and is available in store at Selfridges or online at www.selfridges.co.uk or via North Bar & Kitchen, Hinckley Road, Leicester.

From the people that brought the messenger bag back into style comes the evolution of the backpack; the Mazer backpack from Chrome Industries.

Combining rugged and stealthy design, sleek, smart aesthetics and Chrome’s benchmark tough construction the Mazer has been engineered to transport your gear through urban environments. The ultimate choice for those who demand style and substance, each pack in the range is built from 840D ballistic nylon for incredible durability and features practical covert reflective daisy chain loops for attaching extra kit. Practical side water bottle pockets make staying hydrated on the move a synch, whilst an adaptable ergonomic, padded harness design with additional sternum straps provide a secure and exceptionally comfortable fit.

HANG TOUGH

With Leicester fast becoming a hotspot for artisan gins and craft distilleries, two female entrepreneurs from the city have hit the big time with their first craft gin, North 42, being launched exclusively in Selfridges Birmingham, thanks to a chance remark made at a women’s business event.

Priced from £150, see the full range at www.chromeindustries.com

HOT AND COLD! TOP NON INVASIVE TREATMENTS THIS WINTER! NATURAL SKIN TIGHTENING USING RADIOFREQUENCY FOR FACE AND NECK.

This is a non invasive, pain free treatment that stimulates production of your own collagen. It uses the technology of radio frequency to heat up the tissue down to 1.5mm to up to 42C, a hot bath type fo sensation. This creates a tiny micro trauma, which in turn stimulates production of your own collagen.

This treatment is a rejuvenation treatment based on skin health. A course of treatments is required to achieve visible results.

• • •

Results vary and last for up to 2 years.

Nothing is injected, no pain, no needles Pain: None Downtime: None

FAT FREEZING This is a very popular inch loss treatment that uses low temperatures to destroy fat cells.

Fat cells go into a clean cellular death mode called apoptosis when subjected to low temperatures. Fat freezes at higher temperature than skin. Your skin is protected during the treatment. The treatment crystallises the fat cells. Your lymphatic system takes the dead fat cells away gradually within 3 months.

You are likely to start noticing results as soon as 4 weeks, however, full 3 months are needed for the full results to be realised.

• • •

Results vary.

Areas that can be treated: stomach, flanks, arms, thighs.

Pain: None Downtime: None

Free consultation is required prior to undertaking any treatments to ensure safety and suitability of the treatment in each individual case.

AGENDA.

Leicester Law Firm, Shakespeare Martineau, Leads Legal Sector After Top Tier Ranking Announced affairs and has particular expertise in representing high net worth clients who are looking to secure and protect their assets for future generations. Suzanne Leggott has an advanced Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (which has over 100 branches and 21,000 members worldwide) qualification in acting for and advising family businesses and she has been instrumental in ensuring that appropriate business succession planning is in place for many families in the region.

The Leicestershire team also has great expertise in assisting vulnerable and elderly clients where Sarah Brack, a highly recommended “Rising Star” in the Legal 500, works with and guides clients and their families through all aspects of powers of attorney and Court of Protection work.

The team continues to draw on the experience and expertise of Stephen Woolfe, a former President of the local Chambers of Commerce, and many in Leicestershire will also recognise him for his great work with many charitable foundations and trusts and projects and he is currently leading the Fundraising Committee for Leicester’s new Children’s Hospital.

Leading law firm Shakespeare Martineau celebrates its continued success in the latest edition of the Legal 500 and Chamber and Partners directories – both of which critique firms on the quality of their service and expertise.

As the only firm ranked in the top tier of the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners in Leicester, Shakespeare Martineau has been recognised as an outstanding Midlands private client law firm, with Mark Dunkley also rated at the top of the table individually for at least 10 years.

Alongside special recognition from Chambers and Partners for its service to businesses and individuals in Leicester, the firm also has offices in Nottingham, Birmingham, London, Solihull, Stratfordupon-Avon, Sheffield and Milton Keynes.

Shakespeare Martineau prides itself on being a professional adviser for life and in business, and strives to support people through the most important – and sometimes difficult – times in their lives. The firm’s purpose is to unlock its potential to deliver to its clients creative, 18 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

practical, effective and tax-efficient solutions with passion and authenticity.

With proud roots in the Leicestershire community since before 1830, in recent years with Harvey Ingram LLP, and its successor firms, Mark Dunkley has successfully led and grown a team by offering outstanding client service and unrivalled knowledge in all areas of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, Court of Protection, probate and tax practice.

Mark himself is rated by Chambers as a prestigious Tier 1, Band 1 practitioner in this work area.

Mark, who specialises in advising high net worth individuals says: “We are all very pleased that the breadth and depth of our expertise and knowledge has been acknowledged again this year. Although the name of the firm may have changed and evolved over the years, the excellent client service we have always provided has remained consistent and has been consistently recognised. I am immensely proud of the independent ranking in the region”.

The team is well versed in dealing with all areas of its clients’ tax and personal

As the team in Leicestershire continues to grow from strength to strength Mark Dunkley has recently handed over the reins of leading the team to Suzanne Leggott. Suzanne is a highly respected and knowledgeable private client partner who chairs the East Midlands Branch of STEP, a worldwide body comprising experts in trust and estate practice. Mark continues as the Chair of the STEP Worldwide Mental Capacity Special Interest Group Steering Committee.

Suzanne commented: “Although Mark is a hard act to follow, I am delighted that he remains in the team. We have experts at every level to ensure that this success continues. There will be many challenges facing our clients in the future and we remain firmly committed to working hand in hand with them so as to make sure that their estate planning is right and appropriate, their legal affairs are in order, and that they have the right bespoke legal and tax planning advice.

Our leading status makes us the natural first choice in this work area“.

Shakespeare Martineau can be contacted on 0116 257 6130. www.shma.co.uk

Our experienced private client legal specialists have been helping people protect and enhance their wealth for many years. We’ll give you clarity, empathy and reassurance. Our flexible approach offers you peace of mind, with confidence that those you love are provided for no matter what life brings.

· Personal tax planning · Wealth preservation · Estate administration

· Powers of attorney · Wills and trusts

Mark Dunkley Partner 07834 129 687 0116 257 4402 mark.dunkley@shma.co.uk

www.shma.co.uk

· Court of protection and deputyship matters · Inheritance and capital taxes planning

Suzanne Leggott Partner 07850 508 853 0116 257 6130 suzanne.leggott@shma.co.uk

@SHMALaw

Sarah Brack Associate 07976 414 404 0116 257 6128 sarah.brack@shma.co.uk

Shakespeare Martineau

AGENDA.

Best Vision In The Winter For spectacle wearers, the Winter poses extra problems! Not only having to think about the best frames for go with your Winter wardrobe, but the added obstacles of keeping the lenses smudge free in the icy and wet weather and keeping vision sharp on the long drives visiting the family on Winter nights! Luckily, Culver & Glass Optometrists offer two coating options to combat these seasonal issues.

SPECIAL FEATURE

RODENSTOCK XTRA CLEAN Do you find yourself forever cleaning your glasses during the Winter months?

The newest coating offered by Rodenstock does exactly what it says on the tin! This coating means your lenses stay cleaner for longer – the innovate technology provides an incredibly smooth surface ensuring nothing sticks and keeping the lenses smudge free for long-lasting, crystal clear vision.

Optimal water-repellent properties means those rainy days pose less of a problem – a quick wipe with a spectacles cloth and the lenses will be good as new, with no streaks or residue!

Similarly, when coming in from the cold weather and the lenses fog, seeing clearly again indoors should be an easy job with these lenses clearing the mist much more quickly!

RODENSTOCK ROAD Do you find the glare on the roads troublesome in the darker evenings?

With the early nights closing in this Winter, driving in the dark is almost guaranteed! Rodenstock Road lenses are ideally equipped for high quality vision while driving both day and night!

These lenses are adapted to provide large fields of vision and quick adaptation to rapid change of focus – from the road, to the dashboard to the mirrors.

Dazzling lights and reflection from street lighting and wet roads, so often an issue in these later months, are also combatted with the coating’s enhanced contrast and reduced glare.

The lenses come into their own during night-time driving and low visibility – the blurred image effect is detected by the lenses and individually corrected ensuring sharp & highcontrast vision, even in the poorest light conditions!

Culver & Glass Optometrists, 3 High Street, Loughborough LE11 2PY Tel. 01509 212704 Www. Glassandglass.co.uk 20 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Rodenstock lenses and coatings are available from award winning independent optometrist Culver & Glass situated on the High Street in Loughborough. They offer a variety of high-quality lens types as well as a fabulous selection of stylish frames to match that Winter wardrobe!

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR? Welcome 2020 in style.

Celebrate with a four-course dinner and Champagne on arrival at Harvey Nichols, Birmingham.

BOOK NOW +44 121 616 6028 | harveynichols.com/nyedining

harveynichols.com

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 21

SPOTLIGHT.

Prenuptial Agreements and Cohabitation Agreements: What you need to know.

COHABITATION

Cohabiting couple families are still the fastest growing family type here in the UK, with an increase of 25.8% over the decade 2008 to 2018 according to the Office for National Statistics. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a ‘common law marriage’ and living together without being married means you have considerably less rights than those that are.

The assumption, we’ve all been brought up to think is that a long standing and cohabiting relationship acquires similar rights to those that have tied the knot, but this is unfortunately not the case.

Living together, getting married or entering a civil partnership, they are all big steps to make in a relationship. Making the commitment is an exciting time with lots of planning on the agenda, however making agreements in the event of a separation is something often overlooked.

It may not be romantic to consider but it’s a smart, sensible and practical step to make in securing assets. Discussing a prenuptial agreement ahead of getting wed or a cohabitation agreement if you are moving in together is important as it will reduce any emotional or financial stress should circumstances change in the future.

We caught up with the friendly experts at Dodds Solicitors to find out more about the benefits of ‘planning for a divorce before you’re engaged’. Although it might sound risky, it’s a concept that’s gaining traction, as it means all parties can be clear about the relationship they are entering and confident in their part in the partnership – in better times and worse.

PRENUPTIAL

Often regarded as only for the rich and famous, prenuptial agreements (also referred to as ‘pre-nups’) are becoming increasingly common: a recent survey carried out by YouGov has even shown that Generation Z (those born from 1996 onwards) are more likely to enter into a prenuptial agreement than previous generations. While the youth of today may be more aware of the benefits of an agreement, it’s not always been widely thought about with the 40plus demographic – and it should be, as with around 40% of weddings in the UK being second or subsequent marriages, those that have been there and done that once or twice 22 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

before may want to get added protection this time around, as they’re likely to have amassed assets over the years.

While no one enters a union thinking it will end in divorce, it unfortunately does happen and safeguarding your future with a mutual agreement before you make those vows should be discussed to save later disagreements and simplify the process should it not work out well.

Simply speaking, a prenuptial agreement is a formal, legal contract that outlines how property, income and other assets and It is important to seek legal advice from a solicitor to give advice and draw up a fair contract.

Creating an agreement is a chance to be proactive and it should be considered for factors including but not limited to protecting inherited money; safeguarding substantial savings; if either party owns a business; or even if you have children from a previous relationship, ensuring assets and their inheritance rights are secure.

“Whilst pre-nuptial agreements may be one of the last things to consider when you’re in love and intending to marry, they can be essential in situations where you wish to protect assets or income acquired before your marriage, whether it be a second marriage or inherited assets. A clear pre-nuptial agreement prepared with legal advice can carry weight when difficulties arise in the future post marriage”,says Ashin Topiwala of Dodds Solicitors.

If you are getting married and require a prenuptial agreement please contact Ashwin Topiwala on 0116 2628596 ashwin.topwala@dodds-solicitors.co.uk

To make sure you and your partner are protected in the events of a split, it is worth considering entering into a Cohabitation or Living Together Agreement. Although not a legal requirement, an agreement will cover what should happen to property, children, personal possessions and even your pets should the relationship end. They can be particularly useful if partners have made unequal contributions to the purchase of a property, one partner owns the property, or it is owned by someone else. If you move into a property owned by your partner, you have no automatic rights, even if you contribute to the mortgage whilst living there. If you buy it together, the ownership is assumed 50/50 irrespective of how much you each contribute.

It’s advisable to discuss in the early stages of cohabitation to ensure everything is covered and seeking legal advice to take the next steps can offer you both peace of mind.

“It is always a good idea to have that difficult conversation with your partner about what will happen if you split up in the future.

If you specify what you would want to happen in the future it can cut out a lot of uncertainty and save you having to pay for legal advice in the future,” advises Sarah Spence of Dodds Solicitors.

If you are thinking of moving in with your partner and would like a cohabitation agreement please contact Sarah Spence on 0116 2628596 or email sarah.spence@dodds-solicitors.co.uk Dodds Solicitors is at Friar Lane, Leicester, LE1 5RA. Tel 0116 201 8566 www.dodds-solicitors.co.uk Dodds Solicitors LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership and is registered in England and Wales Partnership (No OC364487) Registered Office is 32 Friar Lane Leicester LE1 5RA The Members of Dodds Solicitors LLP are Solicitors and a list of members’ are available for inspection at the registered office Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA No 563422 VAT Registration number 729-9282-86

winter’s most wanted On the hunt for a new winter wardrobe? The quickest way to update your look is with a sleek blackout look.

This winter, embrace the dark side and discover the best designer pieces and all of your winter essentials at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands for up to 60% less.

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save an extra 10%

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Show this page to Guest Services to receive your Fashion Passport, giving you a further 10% off outlet prices.*

4 1. JAEGER, RETAIL £299.00, OUTLET £209.00 2. FOSSIL , RETAIL £139.00, OUTLET £90.00 3. M&S OUTLET, RETAIL £27.50, OUTLET £9.50 4. KURT GEIGER, RETAIL £149.00, OUTLET £109.00 5. FIORELLI, RETAIL £75.00, OUTLET £30.00

destination style With extended opening hours throughout the festive period, there’s plenty of time to discover the perfect gifts for all the family. And some extra time for something special to drop into the shopping bag, just for you. To plan your trip and find out what else we have in store for Christmas, visit us online.

eastmidlandsdesigneroutlet.com *terms and conditions apply

You’ll find a huge range of designer brands at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands like Converse, Jaeger, Kurt Geiger and many more. Visiting by car? Find us conveniently located off junction 28 on the M1 motorway and take advantage of the free spaces at our brand-new car park.

HER STYLE. 1

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1. Jumper: £45 Trousers: £38, Wallis.

2 Gold Jumpsuit, £995, Galvan 3.

Strappy Heels, £359, Julia Mays. 4.

Rose Gold Fine-Knit Wrap Dress, £360, Alice And Olivia. 5. green wool midi dress, £1350, Roland Mouret. 6.

Black clutch, £825, Saint Laurent. 7. rosa print dress, £30, lipsy 8. Shimmer Dress £89.99 Zara 9. Black asymmetric blazer dress, $1350, offwhite. 10.

Darmina floral-print cotton midi dress, £700, Dries Van Noten. 11. Espionage bronze silk wrap dress, £550, Zimmermann. 12. Bag, £19.99, Zara.

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HER STYLE.

FASHION’S FAKING IT When it comes to ethical fashion choose faux fur, leather and suede to ensure you’re dressing with a conscience. Where Stella McCartney has led the way, other brands are now following with the likes of Free People, Vince and Stand Studio offering cruelty-free collections. LISA PIDDINGTON selects her AW19 must-haves that are just as sumptuous and luxurious as the real thing.

Free People faux fur hooded jacket, £170.

By Malene Birger faux Antelope coat, £510

Velvet by Graham & Spencer faux fur gilet, £275

Stella McCartney Eclypse flecked faux leather sneakers, £455.

Free People ruched faux suede mini skirt, £70 Stella McCartney bag, £525

Vince faux fur coat, £5 95

Stella McCartney Alter 115 faux leather ankle boots, £545

Stand Studio Camille leopard-print faux fur coat, £300

NEW WALK CLINIC CORRECTS HYPERPIGMENTATION It’s the most wonderful time of the year so it’s important that you look wonderful too!

From anti-wrinkle injections to jawline softening, dermal fillers to chemical skin peels, Midlands based ZC Aesthetics have a range of “tweakments” to help partygoers shine this season.

Based in Leicester, Newark-On-Trent and Bingham, Nottinghamshire, medically trained pharmacists and aestheticians ZC, provide a unique service with treatments and products suitable for both men and women to treat a wide range of skin conditions.

Whether it's a specific concern like acne, hyperpigmentation, ageing or subtle facial enhancements, the team create an individualised bespoke and tailored plan for each client. Their training, knowledge and experience ensures they are up to date with the most advanced, safe and evidence-based treatments available.

ZC also offer one of the hottest skin enhancement treatments of 2020, 26 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

controlling the appearance of new dark spots.

The treatment consists of one in-clinic treatment followed by a 12-month homecare regime and is the perfect solution for all forms of hyperpigmentation from melasma, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, solar lentigo to ephelides (freckles) and can be used on all skin phototypes.

Cosmelan.

Cosmelan has a dual corrective and controlling action and achieves both short and long-term results by keeping hyperpigmentation under control, regulating overproduction of melanin in the melanocytes, inhibiting and

Laura Catt and Nayna Zuzarte, -owners of ZC Aesthetics, said “Hyperpigmentation is something that, when treated, can make a real difference to your skin. At this time of year it is the ideal time to correct any pigmentation caused by sun exposure over the summer period, we’re passionate about working with clients to enhance their natural look so they can feel their best.”

Find out more about this and other treatments at www.zcaesthetics.co.uk, on facebook as ZC Aesthetics or by calling 0778 6722988

CURATED CHRISTMAS: GIFTS FOR her 3 1

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1. Klimt Gold Crepe Du Chine Scarf, £45, Fox and Chave. 2. Cat Scratching DJ Deck, £19, Red Candy. 3. Maison de Jeu Playing Cards, £32, Christian Lacroix. 4. Fenty Beauty Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Collection, £34.Harvey Nichols.

5. 3 Tier Hanging Planter, £49, Oliver Bonas. 6. Butterfly Doormat -£14.00, RedCandy.co.uk. 7. Brew Crew Mug, £12, Oliver Bonas. 8. Linda McCartney. The Polaroid Diaries, £40. 9. Lilibeth of New York Brow Shaper, Lilith New York, £14.95. 10. Lips and Lashes Make-Up Bag, £44, Podevache. 11. Rose Jewellery Box, £79, Oliver Bonas. 12. The Mini Satchel, £190, Digbeth Official. 13. Caorunn Scottish Raspberry Gin, Caorunn, £20.75. 14. Christmas Tree Bauble with Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel Truffle, Montezuma's, £4.99. 15. Cherry Bakewell, Popcorn Shed, £3.50. 16. Just the Tonic, Kew, £18. 17. NovAge True Perfection Renewing Night Care, Oriflame Sweden, £22.

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1. Davide Blazer £125 White Stuff.

2. Gold Tuxedo Jacket £80 Next.

3. Green Bow Tie, £10, River Island. 4. Hawkbridge Check Waistcoat, £69.95, White Stuff 5. M&S Collection Velvet Blazer, £89, M&S. 6. Black embroidered cotton-blend blazer, £1275, Dries Van Noten, Harvey Nichols. 7. Velvet double breasted evening jacket, £625, Hackett 8.

Slash Band white cotton shirt, £320, Helmut Lang. 9.

Blue printed silk pocket square, £90, Salvatore Ferragamo. 10. Tuxedo Jacket £80 Next. 11.

Leopard Slipper £38 Next. 12. Bold Boot, £79, Office. 13. Monochrome houndstooth wool-blend blazer, £910, Harvey Nichols. .

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HIS STYLE.

THE PARKA: Master modern cool with Givenchy’s olive parka. Expertly tailored for a relaxed silhouette, it’s topped with a drawstring hood and stamped with the address of the house across the back for a militaryinspired finish.

Perfect to add a rebellious touch to your weekend wardrobe, keep it casual with distressed jeans.

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Givenchy printed cotton parka, £1,985.

THE SHELL COAT: Sought-after highperformance outerwear is Stone Island’s forte and this olive shell coat demonstrates why.

It’s treated with an innovative anti-drop finish creating a water-resistant style that will keep you protected while looking cool. Team with sweatshirt, jeans and statement trainers.

Canada Goose crew camouflage shell coat, £550.

THE CAMOUFLAGE COAT: Canada Goose takes its Arctic outerwear in a street-led direction; the tonal green and charcoal camouflageprint is shaped to a three-quarter length trenchstyle that has a zipped and press-stud front plus a classic collar but with the added option of a detachable hood.

Functional details come in the form of its multiple pockets, adjustable cuffs and a drawstring hem.

Acne Studio camel wool coat, £850.

Stone Island garment-dyed quilted shell coat, £950.

A new winter coat will probably be your biggest fashion investment so choosing the right one is crucial. Whether you want to focus on the functional or the stylish, LISA PIDDINGTON reveals this season’s key looks.

Alpha Industries Injector III shell bomber jacket, £210.

THE WINTER 2019 COAT EDIT

THE CAMEL COAT: A fashion classic, perfect for the office or smart weekends away.

Acne Studios’ signature Scandi minimalism is fully realised in the wool Chad coat. Cut with clean lines, it’s shaped to a laid-back fit that’s enhanced by dropped shoulders for a modern touch, while its camel hue gives it a cool retro note.

THE MILITARY BOMBER: Alpha Industries' sage Injector III bomber jacket blends the label’s iconic silhouette with today’s urban modernity. The style is rooted in practicality, crafted from wind and rainresistant 2tone nylon with an insulating shearling collar. Wear with a college grey hooded sweatshirt and ripped jeans for casual chic.

CURATED CHRISTMAS: GIFTS FOR HIM 5

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7 1. Very Merry Christmas Board Game, Rascals, £20. 2. Grooming Ritual Gift Set, Green People, £15. 3. Varta Power Bank, £24.99. 4. Jack Daniel's Honey Glaze, £2.04.

5. Opies Pickled Walnuts, Opies, £2.99. 6.

Smart True Wireless Earbuds, Mifo, £129.99. 7.

Melitta Single 5 Coffee Filter Machine, £39.50. 8.

Chocolate Reindeer Model, Thorntons, £8. 9. 5 Second Rule Game Interplay, £15. 10. Tomatin Legacy Bourbon £26.95.. 11. Craft Gin Club G&T Crackers, £39.99. 12. Russell Hobbs Steam Genie, £44.99. 13. Deco Zig Zag Scarf, Fox and Chave, £65. 14. Classic Platinum Waddingtons Number 1 Playing Cards, £4.99 15. Grahams Six Grapes Port Wine, 16. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt,The Folio Society, £44.95. 17. NovAge Men SET, Oriflame Sweden, £99.

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MOTORS.

RE DEFENDER

As reassuringly British as jam roly poly and custard, the original Land Rover Defender just refused to die with used models of this motoring legend changing hands for more money than Boris promised we’d all be getting post Brexit! It’s little wonder then that replacing this classless icon of British design was going to be tough but golly they’ve done it. Ladies, Gentlemen the new Land Rover Defender is here, and we think it’s rather spiffy!

An icon reimagined for the 21st century; the new Defender has been built to appeal to markets old and new – hose down interiors are available but so are sumptuous leather and heated seats and with prices starting at £35,000 for the van version alone, this is far from the farmers hack of old. We’ll not dwell on that though as time’s do change and Land Rover would be foolish to ignore 32 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

the lifestyle market which always found the Defender so fashionable.

And those fashion-conscious buyers will adore this. The unmistakable silhouette is familiar yet new. It looks tough enough to take on the rough stuff with ease. Minimal front and rear overhangs provide excellent approach and departure angles and the new 4x4 features a purposeful upright stance, alpine light windows in the roof as well as the side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel that make the original so identifiable.

The stripped-back personality of the original Defender has been embraced inside although it’s a massive leap forward compared to Defenders of old.

Structural elements and fixings usually hidden from view have been exposed, with the emphasis on simplicity and

practicality. A dash-mounted gear shifter means there’s the option of the traditional central jump seat which provides three-abreast seating across the front like early Land Rovers.

As before, Defender will be available in 90 and 110 body designs, with up to six seats in the 90 and the option of five, six or 5+2 seating in the 110.

The model range starts at Defender and works through S, SE, HSE, First Edition and top of the range Defender X model. Customers will be able to personalise their vehicle in more ways than any previous Land Rover with four Accessory Packs. The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban Packs each give Defender a distinct character with a specially selected range of enhancements.

User-friendly features include practical

join the range next year providing the prospect of silent EV-only progress.

seen the Defender tackle the muddy stuff. Configurable Terrain Response debuts on new Defender, allowing experienced off-roaders to fine-tune individual vehicle settings to perfectly suit the conditions, while inexperienced drivers can let the system detect the most appropriate vehicle settings for the terrain, using the intelligent Auto function.

The new body architecture provides ground clearance of 291mm and worldclass off-road geometry, giving the 110 approach, breakover and departure angles of 38, 28 and 40 degrees (Off Road height) respectively. Its maximum wading depth of 900mm is supported by a new Wade programme in the Terrain Response 2 system, which ensures drivers can ford deep water with complete confidence- useful at time of writing when we’re all growing gills.)

touches and advanced technological innovations. Durable rubberised flooring shrugs off the spills of daily adventures and once-in-a-lifetime expeditions, providing a brush or wipe clean interior. An optional Folding Fabric Roof provides an open-top feel and allows passengers in the second-row seats of the 110 to stand up when parked to provide the full safari experience!

An all new body structure is the stiffest that Land Rover has ever produced; three times stiffer than traditional body-on-frame designs and provides the perfect foundations for the fully independent air or coil sprung suspension whilst supporting the needs of the latest electrified powertrains.

Old McDonald may turn in his grave at the thoughts of an electric Defender but he’d haunt you no more once he’d

On dry land, Land Rover’s advanced ClearSight Ground View technology helps drivers take full advantage of Defender’s all-conquering capability by showing the area usually hidden by the bonnet, directly ahead of the front wheels, on the central touchscreen.

As a result, the new Defender redefines breadth of capability, raising the threshold for both off-road ruggedness and on-road comfort. It can negotiate crowded city streets as effortlessly as climbing mountains, crossing deserts and withstanding freezing temperatures.

Its carefully honed handling delivers both a rewarding drive and first-class long-haul comfort across all terrains.

It's much, much cleaner too. A choice of advanced petrol and cleaner diesel engines ensure the new Defender has the power, control and efficiency for any environment, while a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain will

To start of with though the petrol line-up comprises a four-cylinder P300 and a powerful six-cylinder P400 with efficient Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology.

Alternatively, customers can choose from a pair of four-cylinder diesels – the D200 and powerful D240 – both of which deliver fuel economy of 37.2mpg thanks to innovative engineering solutions including a flat underbody to optimise aerodynamic performance across the line-up.

The tech continues inside with Jaguar Land Rover’s new Pivi Pro infotainment system. The next generation touchscreen is more intuitive and user-friendly, requiring fewer inputs to perform frequently used tasks, while its always-on design guarantees almost instant responses. In addition, the new Defender takes Software-Over-TheAir (SOTA) technology to a new level, with 14 individual modules capable of receiving remote updates.

By downloading data while customers are asleep at home or in far-flung locations, the new Defender will get better with age: as electronic updates cascade down to the vehicle immediately, without delay and with no need to visit a Land Rover retailer. One really clever idea is the option of Satin Protective Film from new to make the exterior paintwork even more durable.

The completely recyclable wrap helps protect against everything from car park scratches to bramble rash and will be available as a factory-fit option with Indus Silver, Gondwana Stone and Pangea Green colours, providing a unique contemporary finish as it protects paintwork.

So, choose your model, engine, paintwork and accessory pack as the order books are now officially open.

Defender 110 starts from £45,240 on the road with Defender 90 and Commercial pricing confirmed at a later date.

You can configure your Defender 110 at www.landrover.co.uk/Defender - so far we’re up to ££99,081.00 with options…

Eek! dluxe-magazine.co.uk 33

LIVING.

FOUR NEW TRENDS FOR 2020 It’s time to say goodbye to grey and follow a little mid century styling with popping pastel paints and colourways being the top tip for 2020 style. Here are four key colours that ooze style.

NEO MINT

A fresh tone that lends a cool futuristic feel; fit for the new decade ahead say the interior experts at Essential Home.

Minty greens when used as an accent or contrast to neutrals such as taupe, can pop– for a really fresh look pair with white or maybe blue to echo the sea.

Bloomingville Cotton Rug 120X60cm £39 Amara

Alpaca Throw - Mint Green, Annabel James, £149.95

Conway Plastic Bar Stool, Sage Green £59

Skyler Metal Desk Lamp, Green £29

Impressions Side Plate £7 John Lewis

Scandi Clock, Newgate, £65

Broste Copenhagen Wind 3 Seater Sofa Chinois Green £1,695 Harvard Storage Cabinet £399 John Lewis

A paler, more subdued version of the youthful oranges that have made such turbulence recently, with a feel-good quality that is perfect for high summer 2020.

Washed Cotton Throw 250X260 £80 John Lewis

Normann Copenhagen £110 Nest

Bronte Wingback Armchair, Velvet Upholstered, Burnt Orange £249 Cult Furniture

Lund London Flash Blocco Acrylic Storage Pot £20 Audenza

Perci Cushion Orange 45X45cm £25 Habitat

Day Birger Et Mikkelsen Cushions £63 & £36 Amara

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CANTALOUPE

Image from Essential Home

MELLOW YELLOW ‘Peace’ Candle Hand £34.95 audenza

Wyatt 12-Pc Dinnerware Set £60 Habitat

Lizzie Yellow Desk Lamp £25 Habitat Theo Floor Lamp, £89.99 V By Very

Love Frankie Cole & Son, £40, Kissed By Betty

k bu Ka

Newgate Alarm Clock £22

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9.9

£3 Re d

Image from Essential Home

y nd Ca

Anderson Armchair, £399

by Cult Furniture

Diamantini & Domeniconi Wall Clock - Yellow £190 Amara.

Toni Embossed Vase, £18, Habitat

Tota Lantern - Rose & Black £51 Amara

Velvet Palm Tree Cushion Cover -£46 Amara

Cushion Cover With Fringing £39.95 Audenza

With clear roots within mid-century design, it’s impossible not to feel nostalgic for sun soaked summer days with these muted yellows and mild mustards. Add an upbeat, playful tone to your colour palette.

Image from Essential Home

Normann Copenhagen Lust Mirror £97 Amara

Lamp Base £200 Laura Ashley.

Stool from Essential Home

Verso Vase,

Villeroy & Bo

ch, £79.90

Missoni Home Timmy Throw £282 Amara

Kiss The Froggy Chair £199 Cuckooland

Soho Home Chesterfield Sofa Lilac Linen £3,995 Spherical Glass Candlestick Holder £22 Amara

CASSIS Naturally grading from crushed blackcurrant to rich aubergine, the deep purplish tones of the elegantly understated Cassis draws inspiration from nature in shades that are sophisticated, colorful and rich.

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 35

BRAND NEW SPOTTED APP SET TO REVOLUTIONISE LEICESTERSHIRE SMALL BUSINESSES active on social media to market her business properly. Catch 22. She’d reply to people ‘looking for a local’ but had no advertising budget to go further – and no idea how to do it. He realised there was something missing in the market: a portal that linked buyers and sellers in a cost-effective way.

On the app, businesses list themselves for free for 2 months and it’s only 99p per month thereafter. With no hidden fees or commission on leads or jobs, John feels this sets him apart from the rest. The app is free to download and completely free for customers to use.

“

Just because a small business doesn’t have a large marketing budget, it shouldn’t mean that they fall into the shadows

“It’s the simplicity of its use that I’ve been mindful of since day one. I realised that algorithms on certain websites and apps are making decisions on behalf of the customer, showing them what it thinks they want to see, rather than showing all options available, meaning they are less likely to make a well-informed decision”, offers John. “The Spotted App provides all options available to a customer without any algorithms, or adverts being biased to the top, giving you the ability to find the right business for their job”.

”

The newly launched mobile application ‘Spotted: App’ is streamlining the way that businesses reach new customers. Its creator, John Whitbread, is so passionate to help local businesses he has risked it all, even selling his house and put everything on the line to make it work.

When searching for local businesses and services, it’s easy to become overwhelmed as to where to start, and with biased adverts and algorithms, do you really know you are being shown all the results? As a small business, it can be a struggle to overcome the algorithms of social media to get seen by potential customers. Designed to shine the spotlight on local businesses, John created the simpleto-use Spotted App to put the power back in their control.

It is designed to be accessible for all businesses and especially ones who are struggling with time and don’t have marketing budgets.

When customers require a job they need completing, they simply take photos of the job, submit via the app and the app will deploy this to all the relevant and local businesses asking if they want to quote on the job. This means a registered business gets a notification when each job appears and they can send in a quote, if they please.

Customers can check reviews, pay, message and much more through the app making it a more proactive and efficient way of getting quotes you want from providers working in your area.

The idea for the app struck when John was searching for a local dog groomer and realised there was nothing out there that housed all services under one ‘roof’, and sites presently seem to focus on the trades. John resorted to using his local Spotted Facebook page and hoping someone would spot the request and recommend. He illustrates the point further with the example of a local ironing service owner who was struggling to balance her time between work and being

He continues: “It’s only through having all the options available that we can really make educated decisions, so I wanted to create that very thing: I wanted to link businesses and customers with technology aiding the process, rather than hindering it. Just because a small business doesn’t have a large marketing budget, it shouldn’t mean that they fall into the shadows”.

After a year in development and selling his house to fund the project, it’s safe to say that John is both excited and passionate about sending the Spotted App out into the world.

He says: “This has been an interesting 12 months since I got the idea last December, as well as a steep learning curve, and I’m really proud of what I’ve created – this is just the beginning! If I can enable people to build a customer base on a minimal budget, and then hopefully I can encourage more people to go self-employed”.

You can download the app for free via the Google Play and App Store or visit www. spottedapp.com for more information

Businesses can secure their listing by visiting www.spottedapp.com and clicking on the “I want to list my business” button.

Consumers can download for free via the Google Play and Apple Store.

36 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Our commitment to value means that we match the prices of the high street competitors (this excludes online-only or mail order businesses). Service conditions must be comparable. See our ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ leaflet in our shops or online for details.

TRAVEL.

HONEYMOON HOTS

A honeymoon is the opportunity for a holiday of a lifetime, with the person you’ve decided to spend forever with. It’s the time to relax, unwind and settle into married bliss after the stress of wedding planning.

Whether you fancy a fortnight on a Caribbean island or a week exploring a European city, these top honeymoon destinations will guarantee you have a fabulously romantic time. Read on to plan a honeymoon to remember.

THE GAMBIA EXPERIENCE The Gambia is the perfect choice for a honeymoon with numerous romantic hideaways for you to choose from, including adult-only properties, boutique hotels, hidden-away river lodges, wildlife experiences and spa hotels for that extraspecial treat.

Get up, close and personal with fascinating wildlife at the Fathala Wildlife Reserve. This incredible experience allows you to combine a safari experience with a wide range of other excursion options, making the most of its unique location close to the waterways of the Sine Saloum Delta, rich with birdlife.

38dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Africa from the terrace of your luxurious accommodation or cool off in the plunge pool.

A magical atmosphere exists by night as guests gather around the fire pit, observing the wildlife at the nearby watering hole before dining in the traditional thatched restaurant.

Easily reached from The Gambia, Fathala Wildlife Reserve makes for that extra special experience you’re both looking for.

SPECIAL FEATURE

float down the river in the middle of the Jamaican jungle on a bamboo raft.

Take a jerk chicken cooking class, go cliff jumping, or relax on a catamaran, as you watch the sunset into the horizon.

Montego Bay, or Mo-Bay as the locals call it, is one of the most popular and colourful resort areas on the island. It is also where you will fly into and is the gateway to other destinations on the island.

SPOTS MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA White sand beaches, turquoise water gently lapping the shore, palm trees swaying in the breeze – enjoy all this with the love of your life in Jamaica.

Add friendly locals, tasty food and a rum punch or two, and you’ve got a top honeymoon destination.

Explore one of the many stunning waterfalls on the island, sail a boat out to a bar in the middle of the ocean, or

BARBADOS Well known for its spectacular beaches, laid back lifestyle and potent rum punch, Barbados has mastered the art of fine living. Relaxation comes easily on this little island, so pack your bags with swimwear, sun cream and a good book and escape to the Caribbean for a perfect honeymoon.

the wine, the art and architecture, the charming hotels, the lazy afternoons people watching at cafés, even the elegant sound of the French language – these are all among the city’s seductions. There are many things to do for honeymooners in Paris.

Wander down the River Seine at dusk, visit the remains of the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral and get a romantic snap at the world-famous Eiffel Tower. Take a day trip to the magical champagne region and another to Versailles. French cuisine is some of the most exquisite in the world, so enjoy lots of it with accompanying French wine. This is your honeymoon, so you also have to tie a ribbon (locks are discouraged now) on the Pont des Art bridge, which symbolizes your committed love to one another.

The West Coast of Barbados attracts royals and the world’s leading sports stars to its upscale resorts such as Sandy Lane.

The South Coast is ideal for all-inclusive holidays where water sport lovers can enjoy the premium wind and kite surfing conditions.

Barbados is so small you can tour the whole island in a day. Couples seeking to explore should head to the Barbados Museum to learn the history of the island.

Those who would prefer a history of rum, can take a tour of Mount Gay distillery with plenty of tastings along the way.

With its flawless coastline spanning 70 miles, Barbados is the perfect playground to discover marine life. So, ping on a snorkel and dive straight in!

GETTING THERE Fly direct from Birmingham Airport to these destinations with a variety of airlines.

These destinations are perfect for that holiday of a lifetime with someone special.

PARIS, FRANCE We couldn’t write a list of honeymoon destinations without including the city of love itself. Paris is a dream come true for honeymooners. The food, dluxe-magazine.co.uk 39

TRAVEL NEWS. a quiet relaxing weekend break in one of Vienna’s glamorous hotels and enjoy all the charm of this historical city at a more leisurely pace.

CHOOSE FROM THREE BITES OF THE BIG APPLE FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT THANKS TO JET2.COM AND JET2CITYBREAKS Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks is once again giving holidaymakers the chance to enjoy a bite of the Big Apple in Winter 20, after re-introducing Winter trips to New York from Birmingham Airport.

JET2.COM INN-TRODUCES NEW SUMMER DESTINATION- INNSBRUCK! Leading leisure airline Jet2.com has announced summer flights to Innsbruck for the first time, with serviced on sale from Birmingham Airport for Summer 20.

The UK’s third largest airline has put 10,000 seats on sale from Birmingham Airport for its first programme of summer services to Innsbruck, this includes weekly Wednesday services which run from 3rd June through to 16th September. Flights are perfectly timed for holidaymakers, with morning departures helping customers to make the most of their stay.

Innsbruck is the fifth largest city in Austria and is surrounded by stunning high mountains and dazzling lakes, making it attractive to the increasing number of holidaymakers who are enticed by wellness, adventure and sport. With miles of mountain ranges and alpine meadows on the doorstep, adventurers, hikers and cyclists are spoiled for choice, and that’s not mentioning the unique mountain trams that offer up some of the most staggering views around.

TUI UK ANNOUNCES HOLIDAYS TO SHARM EL SHEIKH FOR 2020 FROM BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT TUI, the world’s largest holiday company and the UK’s number one holiday provider, is delighted to announce that holidays to Sharm El Sheikh are back on sale from Thursday 7th November with a flight from Birmingham Airport for winter 2019 breaks and additional flights added in the summer.

The holiday company are delighted to give customers the opportunity to return to the stunning Red Sea resort. They are was always a firm favourite due to its breath-taking scenic landscape, yearround dry climate with hot summers and warm winters as well as its long stretches of beautiful natural beaches and clear, calm seas. The resort is also widely popular with those seeking water sport activities such as scuba diving and snorkelling in the famous coral reefs.

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LAUDA STARTS NEW ROUTE FROM BIRMINGHAM TO VIENNA Austria’s No. 1 low-cost airline starts the new direct connection from Birmingham to Vienna. Lauda offers three weekly connections from Birmingham to Austria’s capital. Customers and visitors can book their tickets now for an unbeatable price and will fly with the greenest/cleanest airline group in Europe, which has the lowest CO2 emissions. On Tuesday the 29th of October, the Lauda Airbus A320 took off for the first time from Birmingham and flew to the Austrian Capital.

Until late December Vienna’s beautiful squares transform into a magical Christmas wonderland with numerous markets popping up across the city. Alternatively, enjoy a quiet relaxing weekend break in one of Vienna’s glamorous hotels and enjoy

Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks has put three trips of-a-lifetime for winter 20 on sale, with flights direct from Birmingham Airport. The four-night trips include Christmas Shopping and Winter in New York trips departing on the 6 and and 13th December from Birmingham Airport, giving holidaymakers fantastic choice and flexibility when it comes to visiting the magical city.

NEW BIRMINGHAM FLIGHTS TO THE GAMBIA The Gambia Experience has successfully secured more flights to The Gambia this winter to meet demand and will operate a new direct Birmingham-Banjul route from December 18th until April 22nd, 2020.

Wednesday flights with convenient morning departure slots are now on sale with a wide range of holidays. Showcasing the best of the Gambia the tour operator’s Luxury, Unique and Classic accommodation collections include exclusive boutique hotels, spa resorts, family friendly allinclusive resorts, safari and river lodges plus beachfront hotels and more.

Package, flight-only and tailormade holidays along with multi centres embracing wildlife and beach resorts plus neighbouring Senegal are offered, as well as group or private excursions to help visitors explore. New cruise holidays are also available this winter. Exploring the waterways of the River Gambia aboard the Harmony V Mega Yacht, guests can observe wildlife along the way. From beautiful birdlife to crocodiles, hippos, chimpanzees, monitor lizards and monkeys, the Gambia is brimming with incredible wildlife opportunities.

Holidays are fully ATOL protected and are priced from £699pp, based on sevennights bed & breakfast at the Kombo Beach Hotel (Grade 3.5) which is situated on an unspoilt, golden sand beach within the resort of Kotu. This price includes Birmingham flights and hotel transfers.

DINING.

GET READY FOR VEGANUARY

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKY BEANS ON TOAST A simple vegan brunch option packed full of goodness and flavour.

Serves: 4, Preparation time: 10 minutes, Cooking time: 25-30 minutes You’ll need: 2tbsp olive oil 2 echalions, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 red bell pepper, cut into small chunks 1 ½tsp smoked sweet paprika 2tsp fresh thyme leaves ½ tsp chilli flakes Salt and pepper 2 cans of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups of water 300g British asparagus, chopped into 2-3cm pieces 4 slices of sourdough What to do:

With environmental, ethical and health concerns growing, many of us are making the decision to eat much less meat, if any at all. Taking a break after the excesses of Christmas, Veganuary is the perfect health kick start to the year and, who knows, with these delicious recipes you may never go back to meat!

CHANTENAY CARROT THAI STYLE SATAY STIRFRY Serves: 2, Preparation time: 5 minutes, Cooking time: 12 minutes You’ll need: 3 tbsp peanut butter 3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 2 tbsp soy sauce 300g straight to wok noodles 1 tbsp oil 1 thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and grated 3 garlic cloves 150g – 200g Chantenay carrots, sliced 300g green stir-fry vegetables 1 small handful basil leaves 25g roasted peanuts, roughly chopped What to do: Mix the peanut butter, chilli sauce, 100ml water and soy sauce to make a smooth sauce

Put the noodles in a bowl and pour boiling water over them.

Stir gently to separate, then drain thoroughly Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then stir-fry the ginger, garlic and Chantenay carrots for 2 mins Add the rest of the veg, then stir-fry over a high heat for 1-2 mins until the veg are just cooked. Add the noodles and stir-fry for another minute or so.

Pour in the peanut sauce and stir into the ingredients. Divide between bowls and sprinkle over the basil leaves and peanuts to serve

Heat a large, heavy based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the olive oil and shallots and cook until they have softened, about 4 minutes. Crush the garlic and add to the pan along with the pepper, paprika, thyme and chilli flakes.

Allow the heat to release the aromas and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes.

Add the beans along with 2 cups of water. Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Leave to simmer for 10 minutes to allow the beans to soften and the liquid to reduce. Once the liquid has reduced, check the seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary.

Finally, add the chopped asparagus and allow to heat through for 5 minutes until cooked but still tender. While the asparagus is cooking, pop 4 slices of sourdough in the toaster or under the grill.

To serve divide the toast onto 4 plates and spoon over the beans and asparagus and top with a drizzle of olive oil. www.britishasparagus.com

www.chantenay.co.uk

FROZEN YOGHURT AND ZESPRI GREEN KIWIFRUIT BITES Fancy a satisfying snack between meals?

This one is full of protein and vitamins. The yoghurt provides the protein to tide you over until lunch and the vitamin C in the kiwifruit will help fill you with vitality.

Recipe rich in fibre with high vitamin C content. Good source of potassium and natural source of folate.

Serves: 4 people, Prep time: 15 minutes + freezing

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Ingredients: 1 cup coconut yoghurt 1 tablespoon coconut oil ½ cup diced Zespri Green kiwifruit 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 pinch cinnamon ½ cup goji berries Preparation: Prepare silicone muffin or bonbon moulds.

Put the yoghurt in a bowl. Add the vanilla and cinnamon and stir well.

Put a little into the base of each mould, add the finely diced Zespri kiwifruit on top.

Cover with more yoghurt, another spoonful of diced kiwifruit, and then more yoghurt.

Decorate the top with the goji berries and put in the freezer.

Wait for it to harden (at least two hours) Remove 5 minutes before eating.

DLUXE READERS: 20% OFF FESTIVE FAYRE

Royal Warrant-holding butcher Donald Russell (www.donaldrussell.com) has everything you need for the perfect Christmas feast and dluxe readers can get 20% off orders over ÂŁ50 with code SIXTY19

prepared by their master butchers in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Donald Russell preps its products to perfection, and can deliver up until 21st December 2019, leaving you to relax without the stress of shopping ahead of the big day.

A vast range of traditional produce is available for delivery direct to your door.

With everything from Carvery Rib Roasts and Pigs in Blankets to Christmas Hams and Free-Range Bronze Turkey Crowns, the endless variety is guaranteed to delight friends and family throughout the festive season.

All products are hand prepared and professionally frozen at their butchery in Aberdeenshire to ensure quality and can be simply unpacked and defrosted, before being cooked or served straight away.

Each centrepiece can be purchased with all the trimmings as an optional extra, and arrives with full cooking guidelines to remove any guesswork or worry, leaving people with a delicious and memorable

Using only the finest meat and fish

meal for festive entertaining.

Whether you like to keep it classic with a festive turkey or choose from a range of grass-fed British beef cuts to suit different tastes, Donald Russell offers a one-stopstop with unrivalled quality, and the choice is endless.

All Donald Russell produce is meticulously prepared, packed and frozen on site to deliver the exceptional craft of their master butchers with the convenience of home delivery.

To take advantage of your reader discount, visit www.donaldrussell.com and enter code SIXTY19

WOK NO MEAT? VEGGIE TAKEAWAY HOMEMADE The Veggie Chinese Takeaway Cookbook is the green holy grail of Chinese takeaway (and restaurant) trade-secret recipes. A recent poll of Brits found that Chinese food is far and away the top takeaway of choice. Everyone has a favourite dish, and with this book, chef Kwoklyn Wan will help you re-create those dishes at home, with step-by-step simplicity.

Master iconic dishes, from starters of crispy Mini Spring Rolls, succulent and juicy Potsticker dumplings and crunchy Chinese Beer-battered Pakoda, perfect for sharing, to delectable mains including spicy Kung Po Cauliflower, a velvety umami Teriyaki Bowl, and rich and aromatic Hong Kong Crispy Noodles with Mixed Vegetables.

With over 70 recipes, this book is the ultimate guide to re-creating your favourite Chinese takeaway and Cantonese restaurant dishes at home.

Available now online and in all good bookshops. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 43

DINING.

GIVE THE GIFT OF GOOD TASTE

Festive Feast, £550.

Festive Fancies, £40.

Crowd Pleaser hamper, £300

Season’s Eatings, £100.

The Drinks Cabinet, £500

The Classique Duo, £32

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The Sweet Shop Hamper , £40

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a few indulgent luxuries. From delectable duos to decadent treats, the HARVEY NICHOLS hand-picked hamper collection certainly ticks all our festive boxes. Whether you’re looking for a present for a hard-to-please loved one or planning a gastronomic feast, you’ll be spoilt for choice this season at the luxury Birmingham Mailbox store.

Discover everything you need to celebrate the most fashionable festive season at the Harvey Nichols Christmas Shop, Foodmarket and Wine Shop. You’ll find an impressive range of hampers, seasonal food and drink, and gift ideas. www.harveynichols.co.uk

Boxing Day, £100

French Spritz Gift Set, £55

The classes are varied in content, depending on what you want to achieve and your cooking level, Sandie runs three classes: The workshop - 2 hours, this is designed for beginners; The food lovers class - 4 hours; The masterclass - 6 hours and this is designed for people who love to cook. The classes are constantly evolving but one thing that runs through them is the theme of cooking with spices, something Sandie is incredibly passionate about - hence the title of The Spice Guy. “Spices have been used around the world for over 2000 years and have influenced history like no other. Empires have been built on spices. Spices have been used to heal, make perfume, aid sexual health and to top it all they have made our food delicious!” says Sandie.

GET COOKING WITH THE SPICE GUY Sandie Vara is The Spice Guy, a chef with bags of personality and culinary skills that are making huge waves in the Leicester food community. This British born, Liverpool FC supporting Mancunian has adopted the city of Leicester to his heart and is working on changing the way us Leicester folk cook with his cookery classes across the

county that keep things firmly focused on flavour!

Having immersed himself in foods from around the world and researching new flavours, Sandie has a residency at Lily’s Live Lounge on the quirky and independent store laden New Bond Street (behind Debenhams).

The cookery classes have become so popular that he’s planning them well into 2020 and there’s the option to buy places on future courses as Christmas gifts along with Sandie’s own range of aromatic, freshly ground spices, all sealed in airtight jars and availabel individually or as gift packs.

To find out more about the classes, book your place or to see Sandie’s range of spices visit www.thespiceguy.uk or search Youtube for spice guy sandie.

Changing the culinary face of Leicester. ~ NOW OPEN ~

With a menu that stays true to India and a contemporary dining environment inspired by its rich heritage, Tandem boasts a multi-sensory experience to remember. Book your table at tandemrestaurant.co.uk

THE DIARY.

CELEBRATE CHARITY & COMMUNITY: VOL INAUGURAL VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTERS Volunteer-Led Organisation of the Year and Charity of the Year Winner, Woodhouse & Woodhouse Eaves Good Neighbour Scheme

A glittering awards ceremony celebrating the positive impact made on the local community by volunteers and charities took place at the inaugural Voluntary Awards Leicester & Leicestershire (VALLs) held at Leicester’s Morningside Arena and sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals.

WINNERS INCLUDED: (pictured top to bottom)

The ceremony, hosted by BBC Radio Leicester presenter Rupal Rajani and Voluntary Action LeicesterShire’s Kevin Allen-Khimani, was an evening of celebration and pride, focussing on the individuals and voluntary organisations across Leicester and Leicestershire that have made a difference in 2019.

City Charity of the Year (Sponsored by Action Coach), The Bridge Homelessness to Hope,

The awards were established by Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL), who wanted to recognise the important role that is played by the thousands of voluntary organisations across the city and county, and the vital services they provide within their communities.

Kevin Allen-Khimani, Executive Manager for Public Sector Contracts and Projects at VAL commented: “We were thrilled with the number of entries we had for the VALLs, especially as it’s only our first year, and the calibre of our finalists was outstanding. So much so, that we didn’t envy the judges having to choose just one winner in each category!”

“We wanted the awards to give the unsung heroes in our sector the recognition they deserve and have thoroughly enjoyed celebrating with all our finalists and winners this evening.”

46 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Volunteer-Led Organisation of the Year (Sponsored by Zinthiya Trust), Woodhouse & Woodhouse Eaves Good Neighbour Scheme,

City Small Charity of the Year (Sponsored by Next), Sound Café Leicester, County Charity of the Year (Sponsored by Freeths Solicitors), Bodie Hodges Foundation, County Small Charity of the Year (Sponsored

by BHIB Insurance Brokers), The Well, Social Enterprise of the Year Winner, Dear Albert Trustee of the Year, Linda Jones, Volunteer of the Year (Sponsored by Dluxe Magazine), Emma Hallam Voluntary Sector Ally of the Year Winner, Caterpillar UK Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Rick Moore

LUNTARY SECTOR STARS CELEBRATED AT SHIRE AWARDS

Dluxe MD Kevin Urquhart and Emma Harris

With over 400 nominations choosing a shortlist and winner was far from easy.

Dluxe were on the judging panel for Leicestershire’s Volunteer of the Year and found it incredibly tough as there were so many doing so much within the county.

After much deliberation the outstanding work done by Emma Hallem, founder of the charity Alex’s Wish meant she clinched the prize. Dluxe caught up with Emma to find our more about the charity and what the award win means to her.

Alex’s Wish raises money to help research a cure for Duchenne, a progressive, debilitating disease that wastes away muscle and affects 1 in 3,500 boys. The charity was founded back in 2012 by Emma and her husband Andy whose thirteen-yearold son, Alex is currently living with Duchenne. At present there is neither cure nor treatment for this devasting disease, however with foundations such as Alex’s Wish raising over £1 million in Autumn 2019 and aiming to raise another £1 million within the next three years, we are on step closer to finding not only a treatment, but a cure.

Winning, ‘Volunteer of the Year ‘Award at the VALL’s was an ‘honour’ says Emma Hallam, ‘there is a lot of being done for the disease Duchenne, but there is still a lot more work that needs to be done’. With the money raised by Alex’s Wish funding research into drug development, a steroid alternative drug (Vamorolone) which has been showing great promise, and also funding further money into supporting boys with Duchenne in Birmingham Heartlands Hospital as well as many more, progress is steadily being made.

Although Duchenne is a rare disease, it still affects so many children in the UK, with it being one of the most serious genetic diseases in children. Worldwide, 300,000 young boys are affected by this disease, and 90% of boys suffering from this disease ending up wheelchairs by the age of 12, proving the need for funding. As well as this, 2 families per week are receiving a Duchenne diagnosis meaning that funding for charities such as Alex’s Wish are vital, and awards such as the VALL’s are integral in recognising these causes and giving them the recognition they deserve, whilst also raising awareness for amazing causes such as Duchenne.

To find out more about Alex’s Wish visit www.alexswish.co.uk or to find out more about Voluntary Action LeicesterShire, the VALL’s or the charities represented visit www.valonline.org.uk/ Images by Saul Morgan

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 47

CURVE, ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON & SIMON FRIEND PRESENT In association with Hachette Children’s Group and Coolabi Group

THE ORIGINAL. LIVE ON STAGE.

LIVE ON STAGE

SUSAN HILL’S

Based on the bestselling book by

GILES ANDREAE

GUY PARKER-REES

ADAPTED BY

STEPHEN MALLATRATT

© Purple Enterprises Ltd a Coolabi Company, Illustrations © Guy Parker Rees

12 – 14 MAR

24 – 28 MAR

31 MAR – 4 APR

A Frantic Assembly and Theatre Royal Plymouth Production, co-produced with Curve

BY SALLY ABBOTT CO-DIRECTED BY KATHY BURKE AND SCOTT GRAHAM

DLuxe & 69 Degrees Mag.indd 2

THE DIARY.

DECEMBER

Ballet Theatre UK: The Wizard of Oz 14th December The Y Theatre

Join Ballet Theatre UK as we follow the yellow brick road and discover all the wonders of Oz.

Aladdin

14th December – 5th January De Montfort Hall A traditional family pantomime full of songs, laughter, fun, baddies, silliness – and lots of custard pies!

Jack and The Beanstalk

Until 5th January Loughborough Town Hall

The team behind the 2018 five star smash-hit Beauty and the Beast are back with the BIGGEST panto of them all with marvelous moosic, cow-ntless costumes and an udderly ridiculous dame with giant-sized jokes!

West Side Story

Until 11th January Curve

This Christmas, experience the Tony Award-winning musical masterpiece, West Side Story. Inspired

by Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Romeo and Juliet, a 20-strong company will be bringing the show’s timeless score including America, I Feel Pretty, Tonight and Something’s Coming to magnificent life on-stage with a 16-piece orchestra.

with their explosively exuberant album, Olympus Sleeping and now, as they happily head into the next decade with confidence, the band will be playing a set of intimate live shows before they go full steam ahead in 2020 with the release of their fifth album.

Santa in the Square

7th – 22nd December New Market Square

A wonderful FREE experience for children and families to visit with Father Christmas at his beautifully decorated Christmas grotto in New Market Square.

6th December O2 Academy Leicester

Razorlight came storming back into our lives in 2018 48 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

When you arrive you will be asked to write down the title of a musical that’s never been seen before; if yours is drawn out of the hat, Rhymes Against Humanity will perform a brand new, fully improvised musical immediately. No scripts, no conferring, no pre-planning, just totally spontaneous musical madness!

Until 31st December Phoenix

Three Breaths in Empty Space is an audio-visual installation by American artist and composer Bret Battey, commissioned by Phoenix to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of the building.

9th – 31st December Curve

Carrying the important and universal message of acceptance and self belief, the sensitive and nuanced storytelling of Giraffes Can’t Dance is perfect for young children, who will be encouraged to dance to their own tune with Gerald the Giraffe and company of five actors playing warthogs, lions, rhinos chimps and, of course, the violin-playing cricket

18th January De Montfort Hall

An evening hosted by Radio 2’s legendary DJ, Tony Blackburn of 60s classics performed live by the Sounds Of The 60s All Star Band & Singers.

20/20 Vision

19th Jan to 29th Feb Sock Gallery at Loughborough Town Hall

Leicestershire Pastel Society was started by Norman Sims in 1999 and has held an annual exhibition every year since.

The pastel medium is one of the oldest mediums used by man. It consists simply of soft coloured powder mixed into a dough with water and formed into sticks. It requires a rough textured surface to grip the pigment and hold it in place.

20th December Upstairs At The Western

Bret Battey - Three Breaths in Empty Space

Giraffes Can’t Dance

Razorlight

Rhymes Against Humanity

30/10/2019 18:00

The Woman in Black 20th – 25th January Curve

Continuing its record breaking run in London’s West End, The Woman in Black now embarks on a major UK Tour Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes dramatically alive in Stephen Mallatratt’s ingenious stage adaptation.

January Moonbeam on a Cat’s Ear

26th January at Attenborough Arts Centre

Sound Of The 60s with Tony Blackburn

Based on the book by author and illustrator Marie-Louise Gay, this visual adventure uses puppetry, physical theatre, light boxes and mesmerizing original music to bring the magic of the story to life.

UPCOMING SHOWS THIS WINTER 23 NOV – 31 JAN

9 – 31 DEC

20 – 25 JAN

CURVE, ROSE THEATRE KINGSTON & SIMON FRIEND PRESENT

THE ORIGINAL. LIVE ON STAGE.

In association with Hachette Children’s Group and Coolabi Group

LIVE ON STAGE

SUSAN HILL’S

Based on the bestselling book by

GILES ANDREAE

GUY PARKER-REES

ADAPTED BY

STEPHEN MALLATRATT

© Purple Enterprises Ltd a Coolabi Company, Illustrations © Guy Parker Rees

12 – 14 MAR

24 – 28 MAR A Frantic Assembly and Theatre Royal Plymouth Production, co-produced with Curve

BY SALLY ABBOTT CO-DIRECTED BY KATHY BURKE AND SCOTT GRAHAM

31 MAR – 4 APR

THE DIARY.

CALS: 40 YEARS OF HELPING LEICESTERSHIRE

Community Advice and Law Service (CALS) has been a beacon of hope for the past 40 years in Leicester and Leicestershire, offering advice and support in debt, housing, and welfare benefits to those people in our society facing difficulties and disadvantage resulting in social welfare law problems.

A special event took place in the prestigious surroundings of the City Rooms in Leicester on Wednesday 13th November, with guests from local businesses, law firms and the CALS team all on hand to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

Guests were given the opportunity to learn more about CALS and the work it does via speeches from both Kathryn Burgess, Executive Director at CALS and Chilli Reid, Executive Director at Advice UK. There was also a chance to ask questions and engage with the speakers throughout the evening.

Kathryn Burgess, Executive Director at CALS, said: “We are incredibly proud of the work that we do at CALS and to be able to celebrate 40 years of giving support and advice to those who need it most is very humbling.”

“We hope that the event has given our guests an insight into the work we do and the challenges faced by many people on a daily basis. It’s tough but extremely rewarding work and we truly hope that CALS will be here to provide its services for as long as people need help and advice to resolve their problems.”

Further information about CALS and the work that it does can be found on its website: www.cals.uk.net images by Steve Smith

50 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

Mack and Mabel

February

Based on the real-life romance between legendary filmmaker Mack Sennett and his beautiful, talented rising star Mabel Normand, Mack and Mabel captures the excitement of Hollywood’s golden age, the fun and action of the silent screen, the hysterical madcap chaos of Fatty Arbuckle and the Keystone Kops, and the glamour of the bathing beauties. Featuring a hugely talented cast, a stunning orchestra, breathtaking costumes and sets, and fabulous choreography, this is a fantastic opportunity to see CTC’s brand new production of one of the all-time great musicals.

Banff Mountain Film Festival

28th January to 1st February Loughborough Town Hall

4th February De Montfort Hall

The Banff Mountain Film Festival joins the world’s best adventure film makers and explorers as they push themselves to the limits in the most remote and stunning corners of the globe. Witness epic human powered feats, life affirming challenges and mindblowing cinematography – all on the big screen!

Paul Carrack

31st January De Montfort Hall

Nicknamed the man with the golden voice in a BBC documentary about his phenomenal 50-year career, Paul; whose vocals have graced million selling songs such as How Long by Ace, Tempted

by Squeeze and the Grammy Award nominated Living Years

by Mike and the Mechanics is now firmly established as one of the hardest working, independent musicians on the scene.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

31st January - 1st March & 9th March – 10th May All Saints Church

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a 360 degree experience in the universe of one of the greatest geniuses of the last century.

Ed Byrne

5th February De Montfort Hall

Join Ed as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has any traits that are worth passing on to his children.

Fascinating Aida 6th February De Montfort Hall

Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Liza Pulman are heading

SPECIAL FEATURE

Rent Vs Sales – what’s best for you? We Ask BERKLEY ESTATE AND LETTINGS “Turning then to the ‘hassle factor’ of the decision process, we can look at more practical considerations such as the steps which might need to be taken to get the property sale - ready or rental-ready, including EPC, safety regulations for tenanted properties etc. We’ll make sure that everything of relevance is covered, for example whether the furniture is actually going to be needed at the new location (and therefore the let would be on an unfurnished basis). “

We know that many people find themselves considering relocation due to work commitments, choice of new school, family commitments - or simply through personal choice to up-sticks and try somewhere new! This is certainly prevalent at this time of year and heading into a new decade that may bring a great many changes to your lives. For many, this brings up the dilemma of whether to sell and cut all existing ties, or to let and still have a base to come back to.

Now, there are many considerations to be made within this very important decision

and at Berkley we are in a perfect position to assist in a number of ways.

“Firstly, we can provide the necessary figures for the financial calculation- an essential stage within the process. A comprehensive (but entirely free of charge) property valuation will allow us to look at the sale value versus the potential rental income and this will give a good indication of what budget would be available to transfer to either purchase or rent in the new location. On top of this, we can share the current trends in the area – e.g. are we getting more people looking to buy or to rent, how long has it been taking to sell/ let on average – all very useful information, which we have at hand as we not only keep a check on our own performance, but also make sure we stay abreast of what is happening in the local area.”

“And finally, to ensure that the letting option is not simply eliminated due to the need to regularly return to ‘keep an eye on things’, we can also provide details and costs for comprehensive management packages which cover every aspect of a landlord’s responsibility. With Berkley overseeing the practical and legislative needs of the let on a day-to-day basis, the otherwise arduous tasks associated with letting are replaced with peace of mind in knowing that everything is in hand.”

“So, if you are in a position where you are simply unable to decide whether to stay or go, or to sell or let, then pop down to have a chat with us and let us give you the facts you need to make an informed decision. Our experience and professionalism have led to our great reputation for relocation and we are happy to share the knowledge and help whenever we can.”

Berkley has offices at: 4 High Street, Barrow upon Soar. Tel. 01509 414787 3 Station Street, Kibworth. Tel. 0116 279616, 75 Hinckley Road, Leicester. , Tel. 0116 2544755. www.berkleyestates.co.uk

WE’RE RECRUITING SALES PROFESSIONALS FOR OUR PORTFOLIO OF PRINT AND ONLINE MAGAZINE TITLES FULL & PART TIME ROLES AVAILABLE

We’re looking for experienced sales professionals to join our dynamic team of experts helping businesses in the East and West Midlands get their message out there in the most effective way possible.

TELL US ABOUT YOU Email Jon@fu-media.co.uk with an up to date CV and tell us what makes you unique!

www.fu-media.co.uk

THE DIARY.

CONNECT IN STYLE AT KUKU CONNECT

out on tour. With a selection of old favourites, songs you haven’t heard before and some you wish you’d never heard in the first place. The songs are hilarious and topical - the glamour is unstoppable.

In our last issue we celebrated three years of KuKu connecting businesses in the region, ahead of their Annual Birthday Reception; well we knew the KuKu boys wouldn’t disappoint, but they surpassed our expectations and threw one of the best business parties of the year!

Diamonds and rare gemstones, Burleighs Gin, fantastic fascinators and millinery, handcrafted tailoring, game croutes from the Butler’s Pantry, Everards beer, cocktails from Bawdon Lodge Farm, a West-End singing star, award winning cuisine from Chutney Ivy, dignitaries, influencers, business leaders, a Lewis Carroll ‘Queen of Hearts’, a Tree House Cakes birthday cake and even representative of Her Majesty The Queen were just some of the highlights of KuKu’s annual birthday bash which celebrates businesses in the East Midlands business community and raises funds for locally based charities.

Over 400 businesses attended the birthday reception at the stunning Stoke Rochford Hall. “The Annual Birthday Reception is about celebrating the contribution of the region’s innovative and hard-working businesses, so think annual dinner, but just without being sat down at tables, we do this so business people come and celebrate, but as always make great new business connections but from across the region.”

Said KuKu co-founder Stephen Goddard.

“We are so passionate about connecting, supporting and celebrating businesses, so this pinnacle event each year is so important to all of us at KuKu Connect and its great that so many businesses were showcased as part of our celebrations. Of course there are many businesses out there 52 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

The Elvis Years – The Story of the King

7th February Loughborough Town Hall

Josie Long

13th February The Y Theatre

Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and very-hard-to-pin-down-indieunderdog-nightmare Josie Long is back with a brand new show after a brief hiatus, during which she had a baby and so on.

With nostalgic film footage, and over twelve costume changes, this glittering twohour production includes classic hits such as That’s Alright Mama, Suspicious Minds, It’s Now or Never, Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, If I Can Dream and many more.

The UK Pun Championships 10th February De Montfort Hall

who might have been put off by networking, so if there are businesses who would like to come and see what KuKu Connect is all about, then come as our free guest.’ offers co-founder Philip BrooksStephenson.

Whatever you think about networking, KuKu Connect provide something very different. It’s vibrant with lots of new connections to be made, friendly, as well as businesseffective and you don’t have to pitch, so no scary public speaking. A delicious drink, a fab venue or interesting business, a tasty nibble and a whole range of businesses to meet, that’s KuKu and that’s why we love em!

Get connecting - any of our business readers can attend one of KuKu Connect’s monthly ‘Connect Receptions’ as our free guest – simply contact the KuKu Team – hello@kukuconnect. co.uk / www.kukuconnect.co.uk

A total sell out for the past six years. The UK Pun Championships returns to De Montfort Hall as the culmination of #UKPunDay. A celebration of the great British pun featuring comedians from across the UK.

Stewart Lee

12th February De Montfort Hall

Tornado questions Stew’s position in the comedy marketplace after Netflix mistakenly lists his show as reports of sharks falling from the skies are on the rise again. Nobody on the Eastern Seaboard is safe.

Rhod Gilbert

22nd February De Montfort Hall

This show sees Rhod as funny as ever, but like never before. ‘The Book of John’ is raw, personal and brutally honest; no more lies, no more nonsense.

Laurel and Hardy Cabaret 22nd and 23rd February The Guildhall

This spin off cabaret is an hour-long bumper package of routines, sketches, songs and dances from The Boys’ lengthy career which you won’t find in the biopic.

Including all their Music Hall scripts from their UK tours between 1947-1954 and a lot of other rare material, it’s the closest you will get to seeing the original pair in action.

You’ll be taken back to an innocent time but still be amazed at how current their comedy remains.

WINTER AT LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN HALL

The Winter season is truly upon us as Loughborough Town Hall hosts another packed programme of shows and performances from the world of entertainment and theatre.

Their season is packed with some of the hottest comedy talent around, kicking off with multiaward winning comedian Russell Kane. Packing more energy than a Duracell factory, Russell’s RS Turbo laugh engine will motor through love, family and life once again proving that the fast and the curious amongst us, see more stuff, and get more done.

Further into the season, they are joined by Joel Dommett, who brings everybody bang up to date on his life since his last live show after his appearance in I’m a

Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!

Later into 2020, they welcome Julian Clary, as he brings his highly-acclaimed Born To Mince tour to Loughborough, alongside Mock The Week panellist Andy Parsons, whose Healing the Nation show has been described

by The Guardian as “cracking adlibbing…a joke-rich rallying call for a better Britain”.

And fans of the popular ITV series Love Island will be delighted to hear that the wonderfully recognisable voice of Iain Stirling brings his new comedy tour Failing Upwards as he explores his inability to function in the most basic of public settings, social media’s constant pressure to “live your best life” and that one time a man stole his shoes.

There’s plenty for our younger patrons to enjoy too throughout the season, as Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever gets everybody ready for a road-trip full of fun adventures, from castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice-creams to muddy puddles!

Prepare for the brand new Peppa Pig live show packed full of songs, games and laughter!

Broadway and the West End, ending with a stunning finale from Les Misérables.

And then into Easter, let your hair down and get tangled in a brand-new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel!

Immersion Theatre proudly presents a witty, tongue-in-cheek retelling of the family favourite complete with a laugh out loud script, a host of catchy songs, heaps of audience interaction, and an exciting array of magical characters.

After appearing in her own Channel 5 hit series Our Yorkshire Farm, Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen presents a frank, funny and informative new show, sharing heart-warming tales and honest anecdotes from her remarkable farming, family life in North Yorkshire. It's a life that has almost gone in today's modern world, one ruled by animals and the four seasons.

Live music takes its place within the programme too, as welcome Beyond The Barricade to Loughborough, featuring pastprincipal performers from Les Misérables, performing some of the best loved songs from

And don’t forget to pick out your blue suede shoes as The Elvis Years takes an unforgettable journey through over 50 golden greats that span over three decades – from the early Sun Records hits to the majestic Las Vegas performances.

Storytelling in its many different forms also takes its place in the programme, as Blackeyed Theatre return to Loughborough, bringing Charlotte Bronte’s literary classic Jane Eyre to life on stage, providing a moving and unforgettable portrayal of one woman’s quest for equality and freedom.

Tickets can be purchased through the Box Office on 01509 231914 or online at www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk

With you every step of the way • Mediation Service • Dispute Resolution • Commercial Property • Conveyancing • Commercial Law

• Litigation • Wills & Probate • Tax & Trusts • Family Matters • Criminal Law

Call now to discuss your matter with one of our legal experts

0116 0116 262 201 8596 8566

Sarah Spence Dispute Resolution & Mediation Services

Ashwin Topiwala Dispute Resolution & Mediation Services

DODDS SOLICITORS LLP 32 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 5RA www.dodds-solicitors.co.uk sarah.spence@dodds-solicitors.co.uk

HI SOCIETY.

After a bumper season of events and openings in

LEICESTERSHIRE TOURISM AWARDS

INDEPENDENT LEICESTER LAUNCH

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

OADBY HOUSE WELLBEING EVENT

LEICESTERSHIRE TOURISM AWARDS

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

Moet & Chandon Summer LEICESTERSHIRE TOURISMParty AWARDS

54 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

OADBY HOUSE WELLBEING EVENT

LEICESTERSHIRE, have you been caught on camera?

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

LEICESTERSHIRE TOURISM AWARDS

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

LEICESTERSHIRE TOURISM AWARDS

OADBY HOUSE WELLBEING EVENT

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

INDEPENDENT LEICESTER LAUNCH

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

LEICESTERSHIRE TOURISM AWARDS

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 55

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

INDEPENDENT LEICESTER LAUNCH

OADBY HOUSE WELLBEING EVENT

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

EAST MIDLANDS WOMEN’S AWARDS

EAST MIDLANDS WOMEN’S AWARDS

LEICESTERSHIRE TOURISM AWARDS

KUKU CONNECT

56 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

INDEPENDENT LEICESTER LAUNCH

OADBY HOUSE WELLBEING EVENT

CALS 40TH ANNIVERSARY VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

EAST MIDLANDS WOMEN’S AWARDS

LEICESTERSHIRE TOURISM AWARDS

OADBY HOUSE WELLBEING EVENT

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER Moet & Chandon Summer Party AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

TIM HORTON LAUNCH

OADBY HOUSE WELLBEING EVENT

VOLUNTARY ACTION LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE AWARDS

dluxe-magazine.co.uk 57

HOROSCOPES.

Written in the Stars with CELEBRITY Astrologer Russell Grant To find out more or to arrange a personal reading, visit www.russellgrant.com ARIES (March21st-April20th) Upsetting news about a community issue will arrive on the 12th December, due to a stressful Full Moon. Government officials have been cutting deals behind the scenes. These negotiations will have a negative impact on the people living in your neighbourhood. Working behind the scenes will be rewarding starting on the 6th January.

Take this opportunity to launch an important and confidential project. Your imagination will run wild if you can escape the attention of critics and cynics. This is also a good time to work with big bureaucracies like hospitals, universities and government agencies. The Full Moon on the 9th February will bring news of an engagement, marriage or pregnancy. You might be celebrating this happy event.

TAURUS (April21st-May21st) Payment for a job well done will be less than expected. An aggravating Full Moon on the 12th December will trigger an angry exchange with a deceptive client or customer. If you loaned money to a friend, it will be difficult to be repaid.

The Lunar Eclipse on the 10th January will bring some surprising news about a community concern. This information will make you see a leader in a new and different light. A friend will invite you to go on holiday with them on the 2nd February; you’ll make wonderful travel companions. Splash out on a gourmet restaurant on the 3rd, as you’re sure to enjoy whatever is on the menu. Your unique ideas will get a popular reception on the 5th.

GEMINI (May22nd-June21st) You’ll be placed in an awkward position in the middle of December. Your boss may ask you to take the blame for their mistake on the 12th, when a Full Moon threatens to expose their ineptitude. It’s better to walk away from a secure position than serve as a human shield. A business or romantic partnership is worth pursuing on the 3rd January. Teaming up with someone who is adventurous, curious and light-hearted will be a source of great joy. Make your desire to work together known; playing hard to get could easily backfire. A rewarding job with lots of perks could come your way on the 3rd February. Stop doubting yourself and accept the position; you won’t regret it.

CANCER (June22nd-July23rd) Troubling information will come to light on the 12th December, due to a revelatory Full Moon. Someone who has been pretending to have expert knowledge will be exposed as a fraud.

A role will come to an end on the 10th January, due to a jarring Lunar Eclipse. Although you’ll mourn the passing of this phase, it’s important to know there are even better things ahead. Make some exciting plans that reflect your heart’s desire.

Working with an experienced person will turn out to be exciting and energising at the start of February. Going on a business trip together will be informative and profitable. The 7th is ideal for making a professional presentation. Your audience will be both charmed and impressed with you.

LEO (July24th-August23rd) Things will be tense on the friendship front in mid-December. The Full Moon on the 12th will fuel tempers. Resist the temptation to respond to an obnoxious or offensive remark on social media. You may feel compelled to defend a group who is being attacked. An exciting job with generous benefits will be offered to you on the 7th January. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get the marketable skills you need to move forward. Hard work will pay off handsomely on the 3rd February. Don’t be surprised if you’re given a bonus, pay rise or other perk as thanks for your excellent contributions. If you’re unemployed, you could be offered a splendid position on the 5th that draws on your artistic abilities.

VIRGO (August24th-September23rd) A tense career situation will come to a head on the 12th December, due to a powerful Full Moon. You may confront a rival who has been spreading lies about you. A flirtatious conversation on the 2nd January could lead to an exciting romance. It feels wonderful to be with someone who shares your ambitions. By joining forces, you can build a prosperous life that is a continued source of pleasure. Let your romantic partner pamper and pet you on the 2nd February. A little tender loving care will bring out the best in you. If you’re single, this would be an excellent time to make your move and launch a new relationship. The sparks will be instantaneous. More money for luxuries will become available on the 7th, thanks to an investment.

LIBRA (September24th-October23rd) On the 12th December, you might experience a series of frustrating travel delays. The more flexible you are about this situation, the better. If your flight is overbooked, it would be wise to accept a seat on a plane that leaves the next day. A Lunar Eclipse on the 10th January could mark a power struggle with an overbearing employer.

You may decide to leave your job or start your own company because of this conflict.

Your job prospects are looking good as February gets up and running; if you’re unemployed, you’ll get at least one potential packed employment offer. This would also be a good time to launch a business from your home. Working with a daring partner will bring a success on the 7th.

SCORPIO (October24th-November22nd) An unexpected expense could strain your bank account on the 12th December. That’s when the Full Moon will shed light on a shortage. You might have to buy additional memory for your computer or increase your router bandwidth.

On the 10th January, a Lunar Eclipse will bring a painful legal matter to a close. Although you might not be happy with the outcome, you will be relieved that the situation is over and done with. Give yourself a reward for having survived this challenge. A powerful attraction between you and an unusual person will be evident on the 5th February. This is an excellent time to embark on a relationship. On the 9th, a fulfilling Full Moon will draw attention to your professional accomplishments.

To find out more or to arrange a personal reading, visit www.russellgrant.com 58 dluxe-magazine.co.uk

SAGITTARIUS (November23rdDecember21st) A troubled relationship will reach the breaking point on the 12th December. That’s when the Full Moon will urge you to walk away from a manipulative friend, romantic partner or business associate. You now recognise their quirky behaviour as manipulative. Becoming more active on the 3rd January will give you a healthy glow. This is an ideal time to join a gym, hire a personal trainer or begin a fitness regimen. When you move your body, creative ideas will flow like a mighty river. Money for furniture, artwork and other household items could arrive on the 2nd February. Take this opportunity to buy things that are not only pleasing to the eye and stimulating to the senses but also comfortable and easy to live with.

CAPRICORN (December22ndJanuary20th) A health problem will demand your attention on the 12th December, due to a disruptive Full Moon. If you’re not satisfied with a doctor’s prognosis, get a second opinion. It may be necessary to see a specialist to pinpoint a problem.

A business or romantic partnership will undergo a big transformation on the 10th January, due to a stressful Lunar Eclipse. If this relationship is going to survive, some big changes must occur. A temporary or permanent separation is possible. Your powers of persuasion are very strong on the 2nd February. Take this opportunity to negotiate and finalise a contract, ask for a date or make a sales pitch. Your expertise will command a good price on the 3rd; use this extra income to take a series of short pleasure trips.

AQUARIUS (January21st-February19th) A romance will hit a rocky patch in December. The Full Moon in the middle of the month could reveal something troubling about your partner’s financial situation. If you discover your amour has been less than honest about their income or debts, tread carefully. A Lunar Eclipse on the 10th January will prompt you to get treatment for a health concern. If you’re not happy with a medical diagnosis, get a second opinion. Working for a large organisation like a hospital, university or government agency could be profitable on or around the 2nd February. You will appreciate the stability of a regular income, as well as significant perks, that come from this employer. A generous relative could give you the money for a household expense on the 5th.

PISCES (February20th-March20th) The Full Moon on the 12th December will force a family confrontation. You’ve been turning a blind eye to a troubled relative’s behaviour. It will be impossible to ignore these outbursts in mid-December. You will have to issue an ultimatum. The start of January is a good time for checking out the possibilities of changing your job. Although the competition will be stiff, you will emerge as a top contender. An important person will be impressed by your gracious behaviour on the 3rd February; be unswervingly polite to everyone you encounter. Give yourself a reward for reaching a health goal on the 9th, when the Full Moon yields admirable results. Take yourself off to a private hideaway with your lover on Valentine’s Day.

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