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Letter Editor from the
Can someone please tell me where this year has gone? I know it’s a cliché to say that time speeds by even quicker when you’re advancing in years, but come on, this is getting ridiculous. I blinked and lost October and November and here we are, at the threshold of ringing in the New Year. 2017. Unbelievable.
2016, for all its haste, has been a corker here in Leicestershire. But behind the glitz, the glamour and the outstanding opportunities our great city offers, there is an unfortunate flipside. We were saddened to see the levels of homelessness on the streets recently. It may be that ‘they’ have always been there, but more hidden, but the city’s homeless are more visible than ever and needing our support. According to charity Homeless Link, the latest figures, collected in the autumn of 2015, show that 3,569 people are estimated to be sleeping rough on any one night. This is an increase of 30% from 2014 to 2015, while since 2010 rough sleeping estimates show an increase of 102%. It was this rough sleeping we witnessed, in great number. After taking to social media to voice our concerns, we were thrilled to learn about Emmaus Leicestershire & Rutland – a local homelessness charity with a difference. Instead of just giving homeless people food and a bed for a night, they offer them a home for as long as they need it, and also meaningful work, which gives them the skills, confidence and self-esteem to rebuild their lives. Based in Hinckley, they currently support 16 formerly homeless adults; they work in their charity shops which, in turn, raise the funds to run the charity. Another local charity initiative we’ll be actively supporting this year is the Christmas Shoeboxes for the Homeless appeal. Organised by the wonderful Cheryl Travers the shoebox appeal asks for people to donate a shoebox full of everyday essentials that someone living life on the streets would appreciate. This could be basic toiletries, warm gloves, a scarf and hat and perhaps a treat or two as well. Cheryl also asks that you pop a Christmas card in with some positive words of love and support. The shoeboxes are being distributed around the county via homeless shelters. They say that it’s the giving, rather than the receiving that inspires most joy, so in this season of goodwill, why not make it your resolution to give a little and get involved. Every little helps. Visit www.facebook.com/pg/christmasshoeboxesforthehomeless to find out more and arrange to drop off your donation- we’ll be donating again this year at dluxe. Cover image and this page: Photography by Chris Denner, Art Direction by Jonathan Fraser. All clothing by Next.
See you in the Spring,
We can’t wait for... 1.
21st - 23rd December sees the return of the Christmas Farmer’s Market at Leicester Market
2.
3.
Holidays are coming... the Coca Cola truck is coming to Leicester on the 13th December
JK Rowling fans rejoice! Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is in cinemas now - perfect for little Potters! 4 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
4.
Climb aboard the Polar Express at Thomas Land, Drayton Manor Park and Zoo running until NYE.
Jonathan Fraser Group Editor In Chief
5.
Grease is the word this year at Curvewe were born to hand jive and are hopelessly devoted to this show - running until the 21st jan.
CONTENTS... 08 THE EDIT What’s on the top of our shopping lists and ringed in our diaries this season. 14 SPOTLIGHT We talk to comedien Omid Djalili ahead of his new stand up show coming to Leicester next year. 18 SPOTLIGHT Restaurantaur Zeffy
Thompson from the Michelin recommended 34 Windsor St.
22 GIFT GUIDE The ultimate festive
gift guide for him, for her and for the family.
28 READ MY LIPS Evening and
partywear for him and her, exclusively by Next.
32 FOR HER Evening jumpsuits, exquisite accesories and winter boots. 36 FOR HIM Putting on the glitz, winter coats and festive fragrances. 40 LIVING How to dress the perfect
tree.
44 TRAVEL Warm up with some Winter Sun and we visit Paradise Island, Bali. 48 MOTORS Something for the weekend? We’ve fallen for Fiat’s retro reinvention of the classic 124 Spyder. 50 DINING Ginger Christmas Cake, Italian treats and a treat at The Tithe Barn. 54 DIARY What’s happening and what’s happened in the county this season.
60 PAPERWORK Pensions, investments, careers and business in focus. 66 PEOPLE We talk to Jason Manford ahead of the debut of his new panel show at Leicester Comedy Festival 2017.
GET IN TOUCH MANAGING DIRECTOR Kevin Urquhart Kevin@fu-media.co.uk 07713 740 272
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE Lilith Hunt-Sheppard lilith@fu-media.co.uk 07975 970711
GROUP EDITOR IN CHIEF Jonathan Fraser Jon@fu-media.co.uk 0772 580 9654
MARKETING EXECUTIVE Carey York carey@fu-media.co.uk
COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE Ben Walker Ben@fu-media.co.uk
Disclaimer: Copyright 69 & dluxe BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL 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 2016
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info@fu-media.co.uk / www.dluxe-magazine.co.uk @dluxemag
TH E J OY O F GIV ING
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PANDORA Fosse Park Unit 11a, Fosse Park Avenue, Leicester, LE19 1HX
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Archive Chic for Walls With an established tradition for breathing new life into old designs, Little Greene has delved into the English Heritage archives, scouring for historic designs that can be successfully adapted for 21st century interiors. The company’s most recent collection, London Wallpapers IV, is a glorious compendium of authentic motifs, rescaled and recoloured for contemporary living and is available from January. The collection is comprised of twelve designs over 58 papers in an enticing palette of classic and contemporary colourways, enhanced with subtle printed textures. Five designs are drawn from existing Little Greene collections, and retain some of their original Little Greene colourways as well as new, updated tones; there are also seven unseen designs in a variety of delightful shades. Spanning three centuries of British design, the original patterns can be dated back to the years between 1760 and 1950. Mostly manufactured in London to decorate smart city and country homes, each design has its own compelling provenance tracing it back to the original house in which it was discovered. We’ve fallen for the delights of Upper Brook Street (c.1920), a design that features brightly coloured torch lilies or red hot pokers. They were recorded by English Heritage as having been hand-painted and stuck over a pre-hung wall covering in a late-18th century Upper Brook Street house as a bespoke decoration. To replicate a natural scene behind the pokers Little Greene has adapted a motif from its Stag Toile paper. Supplied in a standard 10m roll, there are three drops, each 3.25m in height. The pokers repeat every drop but the full background scene is only completed when all three drops are hung. Little Greene wallpapers are available online at www.littlegreene.com or in store at Brewers, Leicester and Loughborough, Barkers Interiors, Woodhouse Eaves, Liz Millington Interiors, Arnesby, Furleys, Oakham and Ashby Decorating Centre, Ashby de La Zouch. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 9
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ORTon’s final work celebrated
Ladies Day 2017 Acts Announced Curve has announced an all new production of Joe Orton’s What the Butler Saw, which will be staged during the commemorations to mark 50 years since the iconic Leicester playwright’s death. Directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster. the production will star comedian and actor Rufus Hound as the sex-obsessed psychiatrist Dr Prentice, who attempts to seduce his prospective secretary in a hilarious, innuendo-fuelled interview. Dakota Blue Richards, last seen at Curve as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire returns to play Geraldine, the naïve target of his advances. But when Dr Prentice’s carnally-crazed wife calls in unexpectedly, his clinic becomes a hotbed of heightened sexual tension, mistaken identity and exquisite bad taste. Orton’s last play, completed just a month before his untimely death and never seen by Orton himself, is a comic masterpiece reminiscent of Oscar Wilde’s witticisms, with the craftsmanship of a French farce and spiked with Orton’s trademark dark humour and unmistakable subversive glee. What The Butler Saw runs at Curve from 3rd - 18th March. Tickets can be booked online via curveonline.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0116 242 3595.
Christmas Wreath Making at King Richard III centre On Saturday 3rd and 17th December the Visitor Centre will be hosting workshops, led by Rosemary Hughes, official nosegay provider to the Queen. Rosemary also provided the floral arrangements for the reinterment of King Richard III. Rosemary will demonstrate how to create a wreath and then participants will be able to create either a door or table wreath. All materials are provided and the skill level required is basic (suitable for those aged 12 years+). Admission to the Visitor Centre and refreshments are also included in the price of £40.00 per person. Leicester’s award-winning King Richard III Visitor Centre will have a festive feel to it this December. Not only will you be able to discover the incredible story of the much-maligned monarch but you can also take part in a number of seasonal activities including Christmas wreath making workshops. 10 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
The workshops start at 11am and lasts for two hours, with a break halfway through. Places need to be booked and paid for in advance – please call 0116 229 4132 to book your place now. And visit kriii.com for further information
Leicester Racecourse has revealed their acts to perform at Ladies Day 2017, set to take place on July 8th and it’s gonna be a corker! One of the most successful pop groups of the 90’s, All Saints, have confirmed that they will headline the evening, performing some of their classics throughout the years. The award winning band released their first album in 10 years, ‘Red Flag’ in April, and have recently embarked on their first tour in 15 years. Also taking to the stage will be famous TV personality, presenter and DJ, Mark Wright. He’s best known from the hit TV show, The Only Way Is Essex. Since 2012, Wright has been presenting the ‘Club Classics’ every Friday and Saturday evening on Heart Radio. He’ll be performing a DJ set in the evening. Hosting the event will be BBC football reporter and commentator, Ian Stringer. Stringer also hosted this year’s Ladies Day and is excited to return to the stage for 2017. Also, for the first time in Leicester Racecourse history, they’re selling a Ladies Day Gift Box as a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift. This includes two VIP badges for entry to Ladies Day 2017, two VIP fast track entry passes, and a bottle of Prosecco on arrival. For further information and tickets visit www.leicesterracecourse.co.uk
Shine Bright Like A Diamond this Christmas AT LANES Housing the most luxurious diamonds in Leicester - including the city’s most expensive diamond the 11-carat Asscher-cut valued at over £390,000 - Lanes Fine Jewellery is your ultimate destination for luxury-lovers this Christmas. Only stocking GIA and IGI certified diamonds along with natural coloured diamonds, Lanes Fine Jewellery, which is the official jewellery partner of Leicester’s other jewel - Leicester City Football Club - has a sparkling selection of diamonds, rings, tennis bracelets, necklaces, studs and pendants that will illuminate any face this Christmas. Looking to add that extra personalised touch as well? Each item of jewellery purchased, can be engraved with personal messages, finger prints and heart beats – making it a gift that will be remembered forever. For the hopeless romantics out there, if you are looking to propose this Christmas then Lanes Fine Jewellery have experts on hand to help you design something exclusive in their relaxed private showcase suite, over a glass of champagne to toast the occasion.
Lanes Fine Jewellery is at Loseby Lane, Leicester. Tel 0116 251 2529 or lanesjewellers.com
SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2017 Junior Department Assessments Foundation & Reception Ages 3-5 9.30 – 11.30AM Senior School Entrance Examinations Years 6-10 Ages 10-14 9.00AM – 12.30PM
Near Leicester Racecourse, South of Leicester. Mrs Julia Harbage, The Registrar, Leicester High School,454 London Road, Leicester LE2 2PP Tel: 0116 270 5338 email: j.harbage@leicesterhigh.co.uk @LeicesterHigh
www.leicesterhigh.co.uk
Leicester High is an independent day school for girls 3-18.
LHS_14Jan2017_Exam_Ad_190x136.indd 1
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
Top seasonal Hair Trends from KH Hair TAKING THE PLUNGE WHEN IT COMES TO CHANGING YOUR HAIR CAN BE A MINEFIELD – ‘WILL I LIKE IT?’, ‘WILL IT SUIT ME?’, ‘WILL IT CAUSE ANY LONG-TERM HAIR DAMAGE?’. WE HAD A CHAT WITH THE EXPERTS AT KH HAIR ABOUT THE TOP TRENDS THIS SEASON THAT WILL BE GUARANTEED TO TURN HEADS, AS WELL AS GETTING A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP HAIR LOVELY AND HEALTHY THROUGH THE COLDER MONTHS.
HAIR TRENDS Fringes are in, and not just any fringe but one that is clearly defined with a bold line and perhaps shaped into a curve to frame the forehead. Getting a fringe is an instant style statement, especially the heavier, blunt fringes that are in Vogue at the moment. It’s important it matches your hair length and style as well as face shape though so KH Hair’s experts will happily advise you on the best style to suit you as well as how best to manage it in between appointments. Colours are still a huge part of the seasonal trend and a great way to transform your look without doing anything too drastic with the scissors. The current colours topping the list of requested styles in the salons are earthy tones made up of shades of copper and maroon with undertones of brown and rich chestnut. As we move into spring KH Hair predict the colours will lighten into pastel shades with key tones such as rose, blush, bluebell and buttermilk all set to be the highlights (pardon the pun) of the new season.
HAIR TIPS Frizz and breakage are not problems confined to the hot summer months, winter can be just as damaging for hair that is prone to these issues and so KH Hair recommend stepping up your haircare routine to make sure you keep a glossy look all the way through the season. There’s no need to wash your hair every day as you’re washing away essential minerals that help keep hair healthy and nourished. However, it is important that you use a mask or deep conditioning treatment once a week to replenish those nutrients and add an overall shine to hair that’s starting to look a bit flat by the end of the week. Toning and purple shampoos for anyone with blonde colours or highlights are great for avoiding brassy tones and keeping a lovely fresh ash blonde that is especially stylish during the winter season.
THIS SEaSON’S ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS System Professional Silver Shampoo This is
a great shampoo to use to cool warmer tones on blonde hair which is perfect for the current trend of ash blonde and violet shades.
Wella SP LuxeOil & LuxeOil Keratin Restore Mask These products are
fantastic to strengthen and 12 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
protect hair through the winter months whilst giving an extra shine to last the season. Use together for maximum benefit.
Sebastian Professional Trilliant This
product is a one stop shop for winter hair care, providing heat protection when styling, conditioning benefits and an
extra sparkle that will make hair shine whatever the weather.
For further information on KH Hair and to make an appointment with their hair stylists visit khhair.co.uk or call 0116 255 3573
dluxe spotlight
SCHMUCK FOR A NIGHT
14 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
Djalili is hitting the road again with a new tour, ‘Schmuck for a Night’, taking in more than 90 towns and cities over the next eight months. We talk to the multi-award winning comic about keeping his mind sharp, being shot by a Rolling Stone and reading the Chilcot report in its entirety. Before his UK Tour Omid Djalili discusses his acting career and what to expect on his new tour, Schmuck for A Night with Ben Williams. The new show’s called ‘Schmuck for a Night’. Why Schmuck? I like the word ‘schmuck’. It means ‘fool’ or ‘buffoon’. You have to be a schmuck to do comedy in today’s climate. I’m embracing the schmuck in me to take on the big issues of our day. Plus, it’s a word that ends with ‘uck’ which can only be a good thing. We found the show mellower than your other tours. Is that fair to say? I’ve become less frenetic. I used to dance every two minutes in between the stand up. I can’t even remember why. It was mentioned to me that when I danced audiences were laughing at me not with me. So it was either stop dancing or ban my manager from the gigs. Are audiences disappointed about the lack of dancing? Yes. Right. You touch on Brexit, ISIS and Trump in the show. It’s a long tour, will the show change while you’re on the road? Well, I think the show will change even while I’m on stage. It’ll be so current sometimes audiences won’t laugh until they get home and turn on the TV. Are you looking forward to that challenge? Of course. Although, my main challenge is getting the audience in a good mood again after my support act Boothby Graffoe has been on. Sometimes people haven’t finished boo-ing until a few minutes into my act. (Laughs) You produced a show known as the ‘Iraq Out & Loud’ project at the Edinburgh Fringe, which involved reading the Chilcot report in full, 24 hours a day. How did the idea come about? I was on the phone to Boothby in July when
I said, “We should do a show at next year’s Edinburgh Festival where we just read the Chilcot report 24 hours a day.” He mentioned it to a promoter called Bob Slayer, and rang me back and said, “There’s a guy called Bob who’s mad enough to do it this year.” So while Bob was building a shed to stage it in, we were contacting all our friends in comedy to read it and kick the idea off. It took 285 hours and 1444 people to read it. I read too. It was a truly one off experience. It was a great idea. The Edinburgh Comedy Awards’ judges certainly thought so, awarding it the Panel Prize.
“I’d say, and anyone who’s worked with him as an actor would agree, Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones, was probably the most extraordinary...” At my age, winning an award? What a pleasant surprise. Though, I’ve found when an idea is really good it’s no longer your idea. The idea belongs to the collaborators. In fact, the idea felt like it belonged to the comedy industry. Comics do nutty things all the time at the festival. Sometimes it’s a 24-hour show, sometimes mad benefit gigs, but sometimes an idea really captures the Zeitgeist. Comedians are very adept at smelling bs – by which I mean sensing when we’re being fobbed off - so it was important to us that the readings were a simple, non-political, people-powered, public service. Did you find anything funny in such a serious report? Yes. It was in the final moments of the readings - after 285 hours and 1444 people the very last paragraph of the Chilcot report is: ‘How to read the Chilcot report’ [laughs]. It was a great punchline. You were involved in another project about similar subject matter, as executive producer on the documentary ‘We Are Many’ about the 2003 protests against the war in Iraq. Are you proud of the film? It’s not comedy but you could easily say it’s my crowning achievement so far. I’ve worked on the project for the last five years, countless edits, screenings, meetings, discussions… the fact that Universal Pictures bought it, that it’s been so well received and hit number one
on iTunes in about ten different countries, you could say I’m very proud of it. A film promoting worldwide public opinion as a ‘Second Superpower’ has got to be doing good. Will the film and the Chilcot report reading make a difference, do you think? You can never quantify the impact of such things, but certainly it felt like they were important projects to be part of. In this life you’re either a problem or a solution. I’d like to think these projects – which raise more questions than answers – are firmly entrenched in the solution camp. Or at least trying to be! Your stand-up isn’t particularly political or agenda-based, though. Well yes and no. I’m not party political if that’s what you mean. I have no party political agenda. But I’ll talk about what’s going on around us trying to contribute to the discourse… in fact that’s what the show should have been called: ‘Schmuck Talks About What’s Going On Around Him Trying To Contribute To The Discourse’. You’ve just been cast in The Nutcracker with Morgan Freeman and Keira Knightley. How is that going to feel filming and then showing up at a theatre to do stand up? Am I? What are you my agent? News travels fast! (Laughs) You’d think it’d be weird but it has never phased me. Once in Barnet years ago I was late so didn’t change and came straight to the theatre from the set of The Mummy at Shepperton Studios and walked straight on stage in my film costume. I went on stage in full 1930s Egyptian prison warden garb. I even heard a crowd member say “well at least he’s making an effort.” Away from stand-up, you have an impressive acting CV and have worked with Russell Crowe, Brad Pitt, Robert Redford, Johnny Depp, Mike Myers, Sarah Jessica Parker… Who’s been most fun to work with? That’s a tough one… (thinks) I’d say, and anyone who’s worked with him as an actor would agree, Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones, was probably the most extraordinary. He played the father of Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 3’. His character shoots and kills my character for no reason. This seemed to bother him. In fact, he shot me about 14 times and after each take he’d come up to me and say, “Listen, you do know I don’t mean this?” After every take. It was almost like a joke but it wasn’t. Bang! And he’d shuffle up and say “Nothing personal mate, I hope you realise”. Then after another take, with the same sincerity and intensity, “It’s all acting. You know that. You’re not upset with me, are you?” Once he shot me and just said “Forgive them Lord, they know not what they do”. The final time he shot me he just stood over me and mumbled, “We’ve all got issues… it’s all about mummy innit?” How right he was. ‘Omid Djalili: Schmuck for a Night’ will be at De Montfort Hall, Leicester on 6th April 2017. For tickets visit www.demontforthall.co.uk or call the box office on 0116 233 3111. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 15
dluxespotlight
O
mid Djalili might now be known to millions for his roles in Hollywood blockbusters and West End appearances, but he started his career in fringe theatre, moving on to the theatres of Central and Eastern Europe in the early ’90s, and then the alternative comedy circuit. And although he’s swapped dingy pub rooms for the big theatres, it’s still live on stage doing stand-up where he’s at his best.
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
ADVICE ON CHRISTMAS FOOD FOR PETS FROM EEZEEVET
Eezeevet is a new mobile veterinary unit located at Wyevale Garden Centre, Rowena. They put the eeze into veterinary care.
fragments getting ‘stuck’ and causing obstructions but also smaller pieces can cause gut irritation and perforation or even just difficulty toileting.
Christmas is a great time of year and should be fun for all the family, dogs included. However, the festive period is one where we often introduce all manner of exciting items into the house that we don’t usually have. Some of these can be potentially harmful to our dogs and the experts at Ezeevet have put together a list of the common pitfalls to watch out for over the holidays.
Most people avoid the initial pitfall of your dog ‘borrowing the bones off the work surface’ only to get caught out later on by putting the deliciously tasty smelling carcass/bone into the bin where is gets raided in the night. Make sure you dispose of the string from any meat joints as this can be a tempting toy for your dogs and could be harmful if ingested. The best thing is to take it straight outside into a sealed bin.
COMMON CHRISTMAS FOOD DANGERS FOR DOGS: GRAPES
Exactly why and how these are poisonous to dogs is unknown and the exact volume needed to cause symptoms is difficult to predict. Some dogs will eat one or two grapes and become seriously ill but others can eat many of them without apparent signs. The only way to be safe is to keep them out of reach of your dog.
CHRISTMAS PUDDING, CHRISTMAS CAKE AND MINCE PIES
These Christmas fancies are bad for dogs for a number of reasons: Firstly - they are jam-packed full of currants, raisins and sultanas. These are all a variation on the ‘grape’ and as such have the same serious health risks. It is common for them to ingest far more ‘grapes’ in this form than they would fresh grapes because there are so many packed into these cakes and they are smaller. Secondly - they are full of fat, suet etc which can often give them severe stomach troubles, vomiting etc but also, more worryingly high fat meals are one of the high risk factors leading to pancreatitis. This can be a very serious and costly disease to treat. Thirdly – they are usually laced with large amounts of alcohol which can cause many of the symptoms of intoxication seen in people.
CHOCOLATE COINS AND OTHER CHOCCY DECORATIONS
Most people are aware of the dangers for dogs from eating chocolate and take steps to avoid leaving any near their dogs. However, it is not uncommon for people to forget about the chocolate coins or decorations and leave them in an irresistible location. As well as the dangers of the chocolate the actual wrapping foil can be problematic as they work through the gut system.
BONES
At this time of year we often cook far more meat joints than usual and this normally results in many more bones lying about. Once cooked all bones become brittle and splinter easily. This can lead to larger 16 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
N.B. Birds (turkey/chicken/goose) are all hollow boned animals and as such these bones will splinter either raw or cooked and so must never be given to your dog under any circumstances.
MACADAMIA NUTS
Within 12 hours of ingestion, macadamia nuts can cause dogs to experience weakness, depression, tremors, vomiting and hyperthermia (increased body temperature). These symptoms tend to last for approximately 12 to 48 hours, and as with all the other food groups mentioned if you suspect your dog has consumed macadamia nuts note the possible quantity consumed and contact your vet.
ALCOHOL
We tend to use much more alcohol in our cooking at this time of year and so even normal titbits can be potentially problematic over the Christmas period. As it is for people, alcohol is also intoxicating for dogs and can cause similar unpleasant side effects. If your dog does get into mischief and consumes any of these things then the first thing to do is contact your local vet for advice. Often the quicker treatment is sought the easier and more successful the treatment. Call into their mobile unit for all of your pet’s basic veterinary needs including vaccines, flea and worm treatments, health checks and neutering procedures with no appointment needed, just walk in!
Eezeevet are open Monday 9am - 12pm and 4pm - 6pm, Thursday 9am - 10.30am and 4.30pm - 6.30pm, Friday 9am - 1pm. Saturday 9am - 6pm and Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm! Eezee Vets Rowena, Wyevale Garden Centre, Loughborough Road, Rothley, Leicestershire. LE7 7NL. Tel: 07702894705
Leicester Comedy Festival 2017
TH E P E R FE C T B AC K D R O P TO YO U R WE D D I N G D AY
Winter White Wedding Offer: Available
December, January and February 2017 All-inclusive price of £2950
Leicester Comedy Festival returns to the city in February from the 8th-26th featuring over 770 events across 19 days. This year’s comedy festival has reinvented itself as the official comedy party of the UK, with their mission statement simply being to get the UK laughing again.
(Based on 60 guests including reception drink, 3 course set menu, glass of wine with the meal, glass of bubbly with the toast, ceremony and reception room hire, with complimentary overnight honeymoon suite for the bride and bridegroom). Visit our website or call Julie McRoberts on 01572 725181 for more details.
Highlights for 2017 include Jimmy Carr, Johnny Vegas, Ken Dodd, Richard Herring, Stewart Lee, Sue Perkins, James Acaster, Adam Buxton’s Bug: David Bowie Special, Sarah Millican and Standard Issue Magazine in Conversation, an exclusive interview with Romesh Ranganathan, Tom Lucy (Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year winner 2016) and Richard Gadd and Scott Gibson (lastminute.com Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2016 winners). Geoff Rowe, founder and Director of the festival said: “Following a truly depressing 2016 across the UK, we have made it our mission to lift spirits by launching the Official Comedy Party. Join our celebrations throughout February 2017 in Leicester, as we present another festival bursting with laughs; a comedy show for every taste, the return of #UKPunday and the UK Pun Championships, exclusive interviews with top comedians and a host of unique events to put a smile back on the face of all who join us.” There are also political comedy shows from Andy Zaltzman, Andrew Lawrence, Josie Long, Matt Forde, Ahir Shah, Alfie Brown, Fin Taylor, Leo Kearse, Joe Wells, Jonathan Pie, and a documentary about the lastminute.com Edinburgh Panel Prize 2016 winning event, ‘Iraq Out and Loud’. The 2017 festival is supported by a network of partners including main sponsors De Montfort University and Leicester City Council, plus other local, regional and national organisations. After 5 years as title sponsor, Dave continue their association with the event and join Equity, Suzuki, East Midlands Trains, Everards Brewery, The Belmont Hotel and Mercure Hotels as commercial partners. For further information visit comedy-festival.co.uk
Nr Oakham | Rutland LE15 8AB www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk
Tel: 01572 757901
dluxe spotlight Photo courtesy of Leicester Mercury
restauranteur ZEFFY THOMPSON
T
Taking time out of her busy schedule, restauranteur Zeffy Thompson, owner of Burbage based bar and restaurant 34 Windsor St, talks about working in Dubai, her recipe to success and the inspiration behind 34 Windsor St –her two-time Michelin Recommended restaurant. Where was your first job in the hospitality industry?
opened my 1st restaurant in Liverpool in 1999 where I unfortunately chose the wrong business partner. I then took some time out in my 30s and moved to Dubai where I had an events business, but I always knew I wanted to come back to the UK and open another restaurant - this time on my own.
That family and friends are everything and everything is possible if you work hard.
Tell us about your time in Dubai.
I was very fortunate to have the late Tim Bacon, founder of Living Ventures, as my business hero and mentor through my earlier years. He founded some of the best concepts that are still going strong – Gusto, The Alchemist being just two. Manchester is the coolest City I know and I get loads of inspiration from it even now. To this day I still use Tim Bacon’s teaching and training methods with my own team.
When did you realise that you wanted to make a career out of it and work for yourself?
Dubai is an amazing city, very fast paced, extremely social and very open to new ideas, the crazier the better, so working in events and putting together ideas for top retail brands such as Coke, LG and Adidas was brilliant. I once created an event where we built giant remote control football boots and had teams compete with the winners flying to LA to meet David Beckham.
I knew from the very beginning I enjoyed and loved this industry, I
What did you learn from your time there?
My first job was for a trendy wine bar in Manchester City Centre where I lied about my age to get the job; the rate of pay was £2.75
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Upon your return, you carved a successful career for yourself in the restaurant trade in Manchester. Tell us about this.
You work with your son, Nathan, don’t you? How do you find that? Do you think he would say the same...?
What do you see as the 34 Windsor St ‘recipe’ to success? I like to think that we create an experience and attention to detail is key. Our aim is to always try and give the best experience we possibly can to all our diners. Which venues do you rate most in the world and why? Oh, my gosh where do I start? Again, there are so many places I have been fortunate to visit. My two stand-outs are a street food café in Vietnam called Ho Chi Minh City and Midsummer House in Cambridge. Both are run by chefs who have a passion for food and want to give their guests an unforgettable experience, which they achieved with me. What is your favourite dish on the menu at the restaurant and why? My favourite dish currently is the Monk fish dish which Chef has added some Pan Asian influences to. If you’re cooking at home - assuming you do - how would you rate your own cooking skills? Fairly good, I would say. I love cooking and own a million cookbooks. What is your go-to dish of your own making? Thai food. I do a mean Thai Curry from scratch. What was the best bit of advice you were given when you were growing up and/or in your professional life?
:The Taste of success As we work together, it’s not as difficult anymore. I think most of the time Nathan might wish he saw less of me! I love working with Nathan, I get a real sense of pride when I see how far he has come and how far I know he will be able to go in this industry. I always make sure that we get to spend at least a day of quality family time together, where we catch up with each other outside of life in 34. Where did the inspiration come from for 34 Windsor St? The inspiration came from a various collection of thoughts and ideas from over the years and from my travels, which have continued to evolve 34 from when we first opened in 2013. When 34 started out, it was literally one main menu with a small cocktail menu. Now, we have several offerings, from tasting menus to wine evenings to cocktail
master classes to catering for weddings. Why Burbage - it’s not the first place you’d expect a Michelin recommended restaurant? It’s where I moved to coming back from Dubai and on looking around Leicester I kept coming back to this restaurant, which previously was called something else and was in desperate need of TLC. I just thought this could make a great little restaurant.
Do not take things personally when it comes to business. What would you say to a ten year old version of yourself, if you could go back in time? Don’t run away and hide in the shed at the end of the garden because you can’t go to your best friend’s party. It doesn’t make your parents feel sorry for you it will just make them really, really angry and you will be grounded for two weeks. What are you most proud of? My Son. What is coming up in the next year for 34 Windsor St?
What does the Michelin recommendation for the second year running mean to you, the team and the business?
It would be building up the event wedding side of the business. We have a paddock at the rear of the restaurant and it’s crying out to be used for special events and weddings.
It is really great to get recognised by established institutions like Michelin. I am very proud of my team and the hard work we put in, we just aim to please our guests first and foremost and if that
34 Windsor St is in Burbage, Hinckley, LE10 2EF. To view their latest menu or to make a booking visit the 34 Windsor Street website: www.34windsorst.com dluxe-magazine.co.uk 19
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includes Michelin inspectors, well, that’s an added bonus.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
CONKERS’ Waterside WINTER WONDERLAND
Conkers, the award-winning visitor attraction at the heart of The National Forest, is running its Waterside Winter Wonderland Experience until the 24th December. Visitors will arrive at Waterside Winter Wonderland, where Santa’s Chief Elf and his team of elves will lead them through the Enchanted Forest and the Valley of Christmas lights to Santa’s Woodland Grotto where they’ll be able to say hello to all the reindeer (from 12-6pm) and sample some mulled wine and mince pies. They can also take a trip on the Santa Special train through the tunnel of discovery, meet the balloon modeller (from 1-5pm) and watch the Christmas show. Chris Sturdy, Regional Operations Manager at Conkers said: “Christmas is a wonderful time for families at Conkers and we’re pulling out all the stops to ensure that our Winter Wonderland experience raises your Christmas spirits!” Tickets cost £9.95 and include a mulled wine and mince pie for adults or a personal present from Santa himself for children. Family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) are available for £37.80.
Visit www.visitconkers.com to book or call 01283 216633
The best GCSE & A level results in Leicester & MUCH MORE Leicester High School for Girls is easily missed on the London Road in Leicester. Just along from Leicester Racecourse and tucked up a leafy drive, it sits modestly on the south side of the city, in its pretty, three acre grounds. It’s not a showy school. Don’t be deceived by appearances, however. For over 100 years the School has quietly and efficiently been educating girls to a very high standard. Not content with always having the best GCSE and A level results in the city, the School excelled itself this year by achieving the best GCSE results since 2009. Nearly half the grades at GCSE were the top grade of A*. The GCSEs are all in academic subjects too. In addition, A level results were up on last years’ and the majority of Year 13 succeeded in gaining a place at their first choice university. This latest improvement in exam results comes at the end of an academic year which delivered an all-round ‘Excellent’ Inspection Report; a significant improvement on the previous one. Headmaster, Alan Whelpdale, now only in his fourth year at the School, said, ‘Clearly, excellent teaching and achievement are my priority, but pastoral care is a key part of any school, and I know this is also a particular strength at Leicester High.’ Girls at Leicester High have varying experiences: Rugby Club, Boot Camp and Yoga; talks on terrorism and drug abuse, and good skincare workshops by Clinique. Don’t be fooled into pigeonholing this quietly successful School where tradition and progression go hand in hand. Visits to School to suit parents. Please call Mrs Julia Harbage on 0116 270 5338 or email j.harbage@ leicesterhigh.co.uk to arrange a private visit, tour and meet with the Headmaster.
Open Mornings: Tuesday 7 February 2017, 9-11.30am and Wednesday 26 April 2017,
Veeno ‘Clock at St Martins and the lanes The expansion of the St Martins and The Lanes area of Leicester as the destination for drinking and dining in the city continues with the opening of Veeno, an Italian wine café that specialises in offering a place where both beginners and experts can enjoy great wines alongside the most authentic deli platters of meats and cheeses imported from Italian producers. Launched in 2013 in Manchester by two Italian guys in their twenties who met randomly after a game of football to find out that they shared a unique passion they both loved and missed, the Italian Aperitivo; the ritual of drinking, nibbling and relaxing after work. A daily occasion to share moments of happiness with friends and family. Veeno’s wines come from the family vineyard 20 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
back in Sicily where co-founder Nino’s great grandfather Antonio planted the first vines in the 19th century. Since then, they have been working hard to ensure that the quality and tradition flows from the bottle to the glass; so much so that they have been nominated for the prestigious “best wine list” award in the English Italian awards. Nino Caruso, co-founder & director of Veeno said “We’re delighted to be introducing the concept of Aperitivo to Leicester! We already have a strong following in the Midlands in our Nottingham café with some of our customers travelling from Leicester to visit us there!”
Veeno is at 19 & 20 St Martins, Leicester, LE1 5DE www.veenoleicester.co.uk
COME JOIN US FOR A SEASONAL WINE AND MINCE PIES, WHILST WE LOOK AFTER ALL YOUR HAIR AND BEAUTY NEEDS. AS AN EARLY NEW YEAR GIFT, EVERYONE WILL WALK AWAY WITH A £10 DISCOUNT VOUCHER* TO BE USED EITHER IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY.
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL AT REMY.
NEW TO OUR RANGE: OLAPLEX TAKE HOME TREATMENT. REFRESH YOUR BESPOKE COLOUR & TREATMENT AT THE SAME TIME. REMY / 20 KING STREET / LEICESTER / LE1 6RN / 0116 255 9697 REMYHAIRSALON@GMAIL.CO.UK / REMYLEICESTER *ASK AT RECEPTION FOR DETAILS NUS WELCOME
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1: Juice Pro Travel Case www.bitmore.co.uk £34.99 2: Personalised Sparkling Rose Gift Set, 75cl, John Lewis £25 3: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium 90ml, £87, available from The Perfume Shop at The Fort Shopping Park 4: Arabella Womens Red Leather Gloves with Shades of Red Braided Barcode Liberty Tana Lawn £110 at gizellerenee.com 5: 18ct White Gold Tanzanite and Diamond Pear Shaped Drop Pendant £9245 Johnson Jewellers 6: Hedgehog Slippers £7 from Tiger uk.flyingtiger.com 7: Spanish Made Simple Omar Allibhoy at Amazon.co.uk £13.60 8: Selfridges Exclusive Vintage Playing cards ‘Prosecco made me do it’ glitter neon sign £120 9: Vitamix S30 from £299 www.Vitamix.co.uk 10: Judge Slate 35cm Lazy Susan £40.60 www.hartsofstur.com 11: S plus Sleep Solution at splus. resmed.com £129.95 12: My Burberry Festive Edp 90Ml £92 13: Chase Marmalade Vodka in Gift Tube - £37.95 chasedistillery.co.uk 14: Chimento 18ct Rose gold Bamboo Diamond Set Bangle £2820 Johnson Jewellers 15: Selfridges Selection Salted Caramel Panettone 1kg £14.99 16: Rose Interlocked Hearts Braclet £190 at Pandora Stores and pandora.net 17: 18ct White Gold Dazzling Diamond Dropper Earrings £1375 Johnson Jewellers 18: An Italian Afternoon hamper, £55 Harvey Nichols 19: Gingerbread man robe, £28, available from Debenhams at The Fort Shopping Park 20: Sony Bluetooth Speaker at sony.co.uk £49.99 21: Whilst I Was Out by Sara Stewart, £8.99 at Amazon.co.uk 22: Rose & Lemon Turkish Delight £9.99 mrstanleys.com 23: Lindy Cromo IEM-75 £69.98 at Lindy.psd 24: Giant Cracker at Joeandsephs.co.uk £15 25: Chocolate Scotty Dogs £4.50 mrstanleys.com 26: iFit Vue, RRP £99 at Nordictrack.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 23
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1: Compact Camera with 30x Optical Zoom £369 at sony.co.uk. 2: Citrus Beard Oil, £8.99 at powerhealth.co.uk 3: English Pewter Company Stag Mini Decanter Glass Set, John Lewis £108 4: Flamers Bucket, certainlywood.co.uk £16 5: Wentworth Puzzles - Snow is falling £29 at www.wentworthpuzzles.com 6: Hand Warmer, £22.90 at Zippo.co.uk.7: iFavine in Gun Metal at John Lewis £399 8: Selfridges Sister Gourmet Jingle Bell brownie mix £12.99 9: Tudor Fastrider Blackshield Gents Watch £3370 Johnson Jewellers 10: The Famous Grouse Smoky Black RRP £20 at thefamousgrouse.com 11: Chase Vodka In Tin Gift Pack £34.95 chasedistillery.co.uk 12: Fermentation Kit, John Lewis £34 13: Nescafe Dolce Gusto by Krups Movenza - Brushed Black £169.99 at Dolce-gusto.co.uk 14: Harvey Nichols The Man Reviver hamper, £140 15: Braun Multi Groomer – RRP £69.99 Amazon.co.uk 16: iFit Vue, RRP £99 at Nordictrack.co.uk 17: Bull Dog Beard Care Kit at Boots £12 18: Lindy BNX-60 Headphones RRP £89.99 at Amazon.co.uk 19: Hennessy X Scott Campbell £79.99 20: Ben Rothery Pheasant Cushion, John Lewis £15 21: LEFF 24 Hour Brick Clock by Erwin Termaat at John Lewis £269 22: Kodak Pixpro SP360 £249.99 at Argos 23: Jealous Sweets Magical Christmas Cracker, £8.99 - Stockists Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, www.thejealouslife.com 24: Guiness world records 2017 book, £10, available from WH Smith at The Fort Shopping Park 25: Liquorice Pipes £4.99 mrstanleys.com 2: Hugo Boss, Boss The Scent 100m, £64, The Perfume Shop at The Fort Shopping Park dluxe-magazine.co.uk 25
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1: Walk-A-Long-Caterpillar £12.99 from Amazon 2: Wet Head, John Lewis £19.99 3: Toft knit your own monkey kit at John Lewis £30 4: Pom Pom WOW! Decoration Station www.character-online.com £29.99 5: Haribo Mega Stars 300g £2.49 6: Dancing Reindeer £5 uk.flyingtiger.com 7: John Lewis Children’s Monster Slippers £12 8: Wooden Giraffe £9.99 from Hape Toys 9: Jealous Sweets Revolution Christmas Cracker, £8.99 Stockists Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, www.thejealouslife.com 10: Little Live Pets Snuggles My Dream Puppy www.character-online.com £49.99 11: High Seas Rocker £75.95 from Amazon 12: Jelly Belly Beanboozled, John Lewis £25 13: Selfridges Exclusive Matte Black Troll 15cm £50 14: Pie Face Board Game, £19.99 at Selfridges 15: John Lewis Paw Patrol Adventure Bay Block Set £24 16: Playful Santa micro cracker Puzzle £9.95 at www.wentworthpuzzles 17: JoJo Maman Bébé - Reindeer Fair Isle Jumper www. jojomamanbebe.co.uk £22 18: Jellycat Bashful bunny 67cm £75 at Selfridges 19: Reindeer, £12, M&S at The Fort Shopping Park 20: Superman Hallmark Itty Bittys at Amazon.co.uk £5.50 21: Felt Novelty Characters, £19.50, M&S at The Fort Shopping Park 22: Castle Blocks £19.99 from Hape Toys. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 27
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Read My Lips
Sumptuous looks for the from Next.
festive season exclusively
Left: Chloe wears Black Velvet and Spot Mesh Top £28, Black Velvet Trousers £28, Black Beaded point ankle boot £85, Tassel Earrings £12 Ben wears Grey textured double breasted suit slim fit £75, Grey textured trousers £35, White Mini Collar Slim Fit Shirt £22, Bow tie £8, Pocket square 3 pack £10, Black Derby Shoe £78 Below: Chloe wears Bronze jumpsuit £85, Rose gold Choker £7, Black Boxy Fringe Clutch £28 Ben wears Black Velvet Jacket £80, White Mini Collar Slim Fit Shirt £22, Black Tuxedo Fit Trousers £29, Burgundy tie £14
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Above: Chloe wears Black Floral Ruffle Blouse £28, Black Velvet Trousers £28, Mink Chain Clutch £22. Ben wears Burgundy Marl Suit Jacket £60, Black Tuxedo Fit Trousers £29, Black Roll Neck £22 Right: Ben wears Blue Gingham Double Breasted Jacket £90, Blue Gingham Trousers £50, White Mini Collar Slim Fit Shirt £22, Navy signature textured silk tie £18, Burgundy Oxford Brogue £55. Chloe wears Grey Sparkle Fringe Dress £40, Black Velvet Twisted Platform £35, Black Velvet Clutch £25, Enamel Sparkle Bracelets £8.50, Gunmetal Tone Diamante Choker £12
Credits: All clothing featured available from Next. Photographer Chris Denner, yourperfectday.co, Art Direction Jonathan Fraser, Stylist Kimmy Rolf imageconsult.co.uk Hair Danique www.daniquehairdressing. co.uk, Make up Libertii Beau libertiibeau.com Location The Belmont Hotel, belmonthotel.co.uk Models Chloe and Ben from Alan Sharman Agency alansharmanagency.com 30 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
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JUMP IN TO EVENING WEAR From cocktail parties, family dinners and the annual office shindig, the jumpsuit offers a super comfortable yet stylish look that’s sure to work for every party, every night!
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FINISHING TOUCHES For a stylish end note this Christmas, look no further than our accessories edit. Take your cue from the great Italian designers and finish off your party outfit with a stylish flourish. From heirloom clutch bags to statement heels, you’re guaranteed to feel fabulous this festive season.
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1: Bronze Wrap Jumpsuit £120 Phase Eight 2: Corina Halter Neck Jumpsuit,Night Navy, Reiss £225 3: Dahlia Floral Print Jumpsuit, £99 Somerset by Alice Temperley 4: Knotted Jumpsuit, Karen Millen £235 5: Lace and Chiffon Jumpsuit, Black £149 Jacques Vert 6: Josie Wrap Jumpsuit, Navy Sugarhill Boutique, Online Exclusive at John Lewis £48.00. 7: Tilson off-the-shoulder cutout stretch-crepe jumpsuit, Roland Mouret £1395 Net A Porter. 8: Paisley velvet-trimmed embroidered tulle and crepe jumpsuit, Self portrait £320 9: Alberney Crepe Jumpsuit, Navy, Phase Eight £140 10: Jumpsuit River Island, £55 11: Dark Olive Jumpsuit £100 French Connection
1: Dolce & Gabbana embellished laced bag, £2,600. 2: Aquazzura embroidered pumps, £530.3: Fendi cuff, £460. 4: Francesco Russo patent pumps, £390. 5: Fendi bag charm, £700. 6: Gucci clutch, £1840. 7: Gucci knotted sandals, £485. 8: Valentino lace pumps, £560. 9: Valentino My Rockstud bag, £3,720.
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Tom Ford Velvet Orchard Lumière
WINTER BOOTS Our favourite thing in the Winter wardobe has to be a pair of statement boots. Here’s our pick from the designers and the High Street.
Tom Ford introduces Velvet Orchard Lumière, a new spellbinding and fresh fragrance from the Tom Ford Orchard Collection. The fragrance opens with Italian bergamot and mandarin whilst a hint of honey adds a warm dimension. Succan absolute, a hyper-purified rum extraction, lends a caramelized sugar cane note. Further floral notes include jasmine absolute, Turkish Rose Oil and lush Cattleya Leopoldii orchid to intertwine with the familiar Black Orchid fragrance, a signature of the Tom Ford range. At the base, vanilla is intensified and rounded out with labdanum, sandalwood and myrrh. The classic fluted- glass bottle with art deco- inspired lines has been recast in a matte dark purple finish whilst the gold-toned embossed plaque and golden neck cord ensure that Velvet Orchid looks as good as it smells.
Tom Ford Velvet Orchard Lumière is released on 30th January, available at John Lewis or online at tomford.com 1
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For the first time, the eponymous make up line by Kat Von D has come to the UK, debuting exclusively at Debenhams.
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From celebrated artist, musician and tattoo artist to global beauty phenomenon, Kat Von D has created an iconic, high-performance, cruelty-free, brand that is vegan, wherever possible, and specialises in longwear, high pigment and full coverage products. The UK launch includes multiple beauty categories, featuring artisan quality make-up brushes, foundations, concealers, eye shadows, lipsticks and powder formulations that combine powerful pigments to deliver long wearing, flawless and full, customisable coverage.
1: Scarlett boots £170 Dune 2: Suprema Fringe Boots £229.95 Moda in Pelle 3: Norland Over the Knee Boots, Black Steve Madden £160 4: Niida Knee High Boots, Tan, Ted Baker £240 5: Knee High Boot at Debenhams £119 6: Ivy Kirzhner Stardust boots £840 Harvey Nichols 7: Burgundy suede over-the-knee boots Saint Laurent £930 8: Burgundy Velvet Knee High Boots, Dorothy Perkins £49 9: Knee high Boots, River Island £75
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The make-up line is inspired by Kat’s own desire for colours, products, formulations and tools that don’t exist in the marketplace currently.
Kat Von D Beauty is available online at Debenhams.co.uk
after dark
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Channel your inner Gothic beauty and bring a dark air of mystery to the festive party season. A catwalk favourite for the new season, blacks and greys struck a dramatic note at Dior, Elie Saab, Dsquared2 and Maxmara. Here’s how to achieve this most striking of party trends.
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From smoky eyes to jet black lips, Goth-inspired makeup was seen in force on the AW16 catwalks. Marc Jacobs opted for raven lipstick teamed with intense eye liner on the top and bottom lash lines, while Rodarte softened the look with deepest berry lips courtesy of NARS Audacious Lipstick in “Liv”. However, the runway highlight for me was at Elie Saab, where chic-rock smoky eyes were paired beautifully with muted lips. 5
Perfect for creating a sense of drama at this time of year, achieve this most dramatic of trends by keeping your foundation pale and your cheeks natural. Build the colour across your eyes by using light grey or white tones as a base then darker shades to add definition. Go for statement lashes and shimmering silver for glamorous impact. Pucker up with barely-there lip shades. Achieve a fuller pout with a deep berry shade or for the brave amongst us, plump for black lips that will certainly leave their mark under the mistletoe. 1: Chelsea Beautique lashes, £18.50. 2: NARS unrestricted matte eyeliner, £21. 3: Estée Lauder little black liner, £22. 4: Lancôme hypnôse mascara, £23.50. 5: Cover FX total cream foundation, £35. 6: NARS lipstick in Rosecliff, £21.7: Stila smudge pot, £13. 8: Tom Ford Black Orchird EDT, £64 (50ml). 9: Trish McEvoy eye definer, £12. 10: OPI nail lacquer Lady in Black, £13. 11: Yves Saint Laurent contour eye marker, £23.50.
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Divine Boutique’s ‘Red-Carpet Ready’ Store Leicester’s Divine Boutique – the independent retailer who specialise in evening wear, luxurious gowns, prom dresses, accessories and bridesmaid dresses - have relocated to a new space on Silver Street, more than trebling their capacity and range. Now, more than ever, if you’re looking for a special occasion dress with the wow-factor, Divine Boutique will get you red-carpet-ready. Owners, Rosie Holmes and Zoe Billington have been in business for over 15 years but this is their biggest and most ambitious move to date, having truly transformed the historic three-storey space into an utterly divine shopping experience with classic and contemporary décor, plush carpeting and luxurious fitting areas that are big enough for two. The new store proudly boasts an array of beautiful dresses – many of which are exclusive to Divine Boutique - arranged in colour order on the ground floor. For the first time ever, there is now a dedicated second floor devoted exclusively to bridesmaid dresses including designs from Kelsey Rose and Eliza and Ethan complete with its own private changing area – in response to customer demand. It allows for bridal parties to have a private and beautiful space. Divine Boutique stock a variety of red-carpet gowns from designers such as Alyce Paris, Mori Lee, Jovani and the gorgeous Honor Gold, which heralds from Birmingham. All gowns can be tailored to achieve the perfect fit, with their in-house alteration service.
Divine Boutique is @ 44 Silver Street, Leicester LE1 5ET. Tel 0116 251 6924. www.divineladieswear.co.uk dluxe-magazine.co.uk 35
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PARTY ON DUDE Your best bib and tucker doesn’t have to be black tie... we look at some alternative options for the party season.
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PUTTING ON THE GLITZ!
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Give a nod towards the sartorial this Christmas for a look that is very much inspired by the quintessential Englishman ... with a few quirky touches. JAMES BURKE suggests pieces to ensure you’re never knowingly underdressed this festive season.
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1: Tuxedos from £99, Burtons Menswear 2: Slim-Fit Checked Wool-Blend Blazer, MP Massimo Piombo £575. mrporter.com 3: Foxley silver dégradé glittered loafers £475 Harvey Nichols 4: Navy Floral Print Silk Tie at House of Fraser £40 5: Tie Clips by Howick at House of Fraser £46 6: Black Cashmere Roll Neck Jumper, Reiss £195 7:Check Self Tie Silk Bow Tie, Deep Pink and Green, £59 Thomas Pink 8: Egel grey three-piece stretch wool suit, Oscar Jacobson £795 Harvey Nichols 9: Patterned Silk Pocket Square, Black, HUGO by Hugo Boss £35 10: Floral Print Tie £14, River Island at Bullring 11: Black leather belt gift set, Hugo Boss £110
1: Alexander McQueen printed silk bow tie, £100. 2: Balmain tuxedo jacket, £1,605. 3: Alexander McQueen slim-leg trousers, £405. 4: Dolce & Gabbana embroidered velvet loafers, £590. 5: Dsquared2 tuxedo shirt, £485, 6: Larsson & Jennings watch, £245. 7: Giuseppe Zanotti velvet and patent brogues, £630. 8: Simon Carter skull cufflinks, £65. 9 Dolce & Gabbana appliquéd velvet blazer £1,300
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Gentlemen’s o r d e r
THE LONG GAME If Autumn was all about the Bomber jacket then Winter uis firmly focused on keeping coats long...
Gentlemen’s Order is a new subscription based shaving and beard care brand, which brings the modern man back to the basics of grooming. Launched by Midlands based, Michael Wells and Kieran Ashworth, the subscription service contains products from three well-known industry trusted brands, The Shave Doctor, Dapper Duke and Kent Brushes. Unlike many of their competitors, the contents of the subscription boxes aren’t made up of samples from many different brands, instead the business focuses on bringing the highest quality products to men across the UK, in full size products.
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Michael Wells co-founder of Gentlemen’s Order said, “Kieran and myself met at University, and had been saying for years that we wanted to start our own business and work for ourselves. After months of brainstorming, we managed to arrange a meeting with Jamie Dunn, a well-known entrepreneur from the Midlands. Jamie gave us some good, solid advice, and told us that he thought there was going to be a rise in the subscription based business model. This is where the cogs started turning and Gentlemen’s Order was born. This didn’t come without setbacks - it was almost called ‘Male Order’ until we realised the questionable connotations. It would have made a great pun though!” For more information on Gentlemen’s Order, visit www.gentsorder.co.uk
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1: Camel Wool Blend Coat £100, Next. 2: Johnson Longline Peacoat, Navy, HYMN £120 3: Classic Long Wool Coat, Sand Melange, Scotch & Soda £270 4: C-Sintrax Striped Overcoat, Dark Grey, HUGO by Hugo Boss £330 5:Bravo Double-Breasted Peacoat, Navy, Reiss £275 6: Classic Raincoat, Bolgioli £695 7: Engineered Stripe Overcoat, Charcoal Jaeger £325 8: Navy Wool Coat Oliver Spencer £390 9:Crawford pea coat £550 Aquascutum, Harvey Nichols
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Get Suited and Booted forthe PartySeason
Dark, brooding and deliciously addictive, discover an exquisite Christmas edit of must-have masculine fragrances. Whether it’s the bold bergamot notes of Creed Aventus or the woody and oriental heart of Tom Ford’s Noir Extreme, these stylish scents guarantee a queue under the mistletoe. Here’s some of our favourites for the festive season.
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Once again, as the festive party season appears on the special events horizon, it’s time for dapper men all over the country to start thinking about how they’re going to dress to impress this Christmas. It can be tough to find the right line between standard be suited elegance and special seasonal flamboyance. You don’t want to appear too ordinary and have people think that you’re a regular bah humbug with no sense of fun. But at the same time you don’t want to overdo the yuletide glam and end up looking like Christopher Biggins in panto. As always, balance is key. First of all, in a sea of suits and ties, the trick to standing out starts with getting the essentials spot on. So, just in case it doesn’t go without saying, make absolutely sure of the following:
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* Whatever you’re wearing, make sure that it fits - nothing flatters more than a perfect fit * Shoes must be perfect - no one has to see their face in them (unless you’re in the army) but they do need to be clean and uniformly polished
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* If you’re wearing a tie, get it right - nothing says sloppy like a lazy knot * Nails, beard and hair - make sure they’re clean and perfectly groomed Now, with the basics nailed, we’re ready to think about the tailoring. Here are a few very simple ideas to put the natty in nativity and give your look a festive edge. * Tuxedo Jackets. No longer the sole preserve of the strict formal setting, the tuxedo jacket - especially if worn as a separate and tied with a less formal trouser - can really make you shine. If your Christmas party is the smart-casual kind rather than wholly formal, you might want to mix your tux jacket with dark denim for a totally striking highlow, formal-casual combo.
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* Patterned/Checked Suits. Christmas is the perfect time to let your hair down and if you’re feeling confident enough to move away from a single-colour suit, you might want to plump for something patterned or checked. Maybe go for a Prince of Wales check with a neutral jacket. Or if you have the chutzpah, go for some trendy tartan or something equally bold. * Silk Scarves. Finally, nothing makes a style statement like a snazzy silk scarf. Go for a neutral colour or, if you have the confidence to carry it off, a paisley or even polka dot will make you stand out without being overly flamboyant. It’s okay to experiment a bit with your attire over the Christmas season. As long as you don’t go too over the top, you can be forgiven for putting an unusual, but still totally stylish, combination together.
Adrian Barrows, www.thebespoketailor.co.uk
1:Acqua Di Parma Colonia Club cologne, £64 (50ml) 2:Bottega Veneta Pour Homme EDT, £65 (90ml) 3:Creed Aventus EDP, £185 (75ml) 4:Monroe of London No4 Cologne, £79 (100ml) 5:Maison Margiela Untitled EDP, £65 (50ml) 6:Maison Francis Kurkdjian Amyris Homme EDT, £110 (70ml) 7: Tom Ford Noir Extreme EDP, £92 (100ml) 8:Valentino Uomo EDT, £48 (50ml) 9:Viktor&Rolf Spicebomb EDT, £84 (150ml)
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Festive fragrance
dluxeliving
living
dluxe Avoid family arguments over the festive season with our definitive guide on how to dress the perfect tree.
Image by Farrow & Ball
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Even if the theme is total chaos you need to decide on what you want your tree to look like before you begin. Take inspiration from the big stores and see how they dress their tree or spend a sleepless night on Pinterest or Instagram for extra inspiration. A common thread to your design scheme, whether that be colour, shape, materials or style will give your tree a cohesive feel. Once decided it’s time to go shopping! Make sure you choose ornaments of differing size and scale to add depth and interest to your tree.
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THEME FIRST:
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LET THERE BE LIGHT! After you’ve spent what seems like a life time untangling the lights that you knew you should have put away neatly last year, it is time to drape them on the tree.
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Before any decorations get on the tree, start by draping the lights from the top round the bottom covering both the back and front of the tree. Starting at the top will mean that the wire will be tucked back at the bottom out of sight.
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START AT THE BOTTOM: Though it’s better to put the lights on from top to bottom, when it comes to applying the decorations, start at the bottom. The reason for this is logistically as the lower half of the tree branches out wider you’ll need more decorations, which will need to be evenly distributed for a symmetrical look.
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AVOID TINSEL: It may have been a staple of our childhood Christmas trees but tinsel really can over complicate things and distract from all that hard work you spent adding lights and perfectly placed decorations. Why not try hanging ice drops, strings of bells or even vintage style paper chains.
We’d love to see your finished trees – Tweet your pics to @dluxemag and we’ll arrange a Christmas treat for our favourite!
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1: Champagne Gold Effect Diamanté Stag £25 at Next 2: Christmas cat garland, £5 iwmshop. org.uk 3: Christmas Slate Garland £24.95 romanathome. com 4: Holiday Baking in a Jar Yankee Candle RRP £16.99 5: Grey rosette and foliage wreath 43cm £30, John Lewis 6: Grey wool stocking with fur trim & pom pom £25, John Lewis 7:Infinity star light £55, Next at The Fort Shopping Park 8: Blue silver glitter band bauble, John Lewis £4 9: 50 Piece Silver And White Decoration Set at Next £10 10: Galley & Home Red & Cream All I Want Festive Cushion £12.99 at TK Maxx 11: White and Gold Stag Head. £12.99 at Home Sense
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dluxeliving
great design and great inspiration at BLUESUNTREE Bluesuntree have a passion for design and in doing so, love to inspire their customers in how they style their interior. Long gone are the days when you had to follow rules and have all your furniture to match. What’s great about now is how you can successfully mix styles together to give your interior a personality that reflects you and your family’s needs.
Whether it’s a contemporary sofa in a period house or a mid-century inspired dining table with a funky chair, Bluesuntree adore anything concerned with making your living space unique and distinctive.
WOOD IN STYLE Want the warm look of wood without all the maintenance? Then the new Slumber range from Topps Tiles might fit the bill. A contemporary new wood-effect collection that expertly replicates the surface of sawn wood but all in a durable, water resistant, porcelain tile. It’s a smart solution for bathrooms and wetrooms and what’s more, this wood-effect range can be used with underfloor heating, meaning it’s the perfect option for those who want the look of real wood, but with all the associated easy maintenance and durability of a tile. The collection features over 20 variations of stained-effect wood, all of which have been designed to complement each other createing a realistic and homely feel. We love the diverse colourway of Hickory Mix; bang on trend for that industrial upcycled look. The Slumber range is available from £70 per m2. Find out more at www.toppstiles. co.uk 42 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
Whilst neutral tones are still the mainstay of most modern interiors, there’s a significant need for colour too, this season. Now that’s up to you to decide whether that’s a bold change or a subtle alteration, but they’re convinced you’ll feel all the more happier for doing so. It’s amazing the effect of changing just one or two things in a room can lift your mood and rejuvenate your spirits. So by adding a funky coloured lounge chair to brighten up a dull corner or replacing your dining chairs with something more hip, Bluesuntree is sure to have something to inspire.
Bluesuntree endeavour to not only bring great design, but are also committed to making this both affordable and timeless. Furnishing your
home should be fun, not a chore, well that’s what Bluesuntree think anyway; and after browsing their website, we’re sure you’ll be motivated to be creative in your approach too.
For more information on any of the products, the extensive website should give you all the information you need. But if you’d prefer to meet them and their products in person, we welcome you to visit their showroom, centrally placed, just outside Leicester City Centre and only 10 minutes from the M1.
Bluesuntree Ltd, 5 Coal Cart Road, Birstall, Leicester. LE4 3BY Tel: 0116 267 0267 sales@bluesuntree.co.uk www. bluesuntree.co.uk
SPECIAL FEATURE
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WARM UP WITH SOME W As cosy and festive as winter is, it can leave you desperate for some sunshine. A winter sun holiday will warm you right up. There are some questions to consider: If you have to fly 20 hours to get there, is it worth it? If there’s nothing to do but lie on the beach, will you get bored? And do you want to go somewhere a bit new, rather than the tried and true favourites? Sun-seekers – rejoice! We’ve come up with four alternative winter sun destinations, complete with flying times and average winter temperatures. These sunny spots are all easy direct or one-stop flights from the midlands. While it’s cold and grey in the UK, you’ll be away basking in the sun. IF YOU LIKE BARBADOS, TRY CUBA (13 HOURS, 15 MINUTES, 27C ON AVERAGE) Barbados and Cuba are two gems of the Caribbean – energetic but tranquil, relaxing but not boring, developed but authentic. While Barbados has long been a tropical winter paradise, Cuba has recently been opening up as a major travel destination. If you love the sunshine and pulsing nightlife of Barbados, you’ll enjoy Cuba just as much. 44 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
FEEL THE BEAT: Spanish, Caribbean and African influences merge to create son, salsa, rumba and more. In Havana, hear salsa at the beachfront Jardines del 1830 and jazz at the intimate La Zorra y el Cuervo. Elsewhere on the island, listen to music at Trinidad’s soulful Palenque de los Congos Reales and Santiago’s tucked-away Casa de las Tradiciones. HIT THE BEACH: What’s a Caribbean holiday without the beach? Magnificent strips of sand line Cuba’s shores and clusters of cays dot its waters. You can go swimming, snorkelling and diving to your heart’s content. Popular spots include the resorts at Playa Guardalavaca and Varadero, and the more secluded beaches of Cayo Sabinal and Isla de la Juventud. SEE OLD AND NEW COLLIDE: Its political history and communist government have preserved Cuba’s heritage while the entrepreneurial spirit and widespread diaspora are bringing in new life. Check out architectural treasures in Havana Vieja, or Old Havana, then head to one of the latest galleries or restaurants.
IF YOU LIKE THE MALDIVES, TRY CAPE VERDE (6 HOURS, 26C ON AVERAGE) These two small island nations have a lot in common, with beautiful beaches, vibrant underwater life and a welcoming atmosphere. Cape Verde’s topography is more varied, and its blend of Portuguese and African influences makes for a unique culture. If you’re dazzled by the Maldives’ aquatic riches and friendly people, Cape Verde will wow you too.
IF YOU LIKE MARRAKESH, TRY DUBAI (6 HOURS, 45 MINUTES, 25C ON AVERAGE) History, heat and culture blend to perfection in Marrakesh – colourful souqs full of spices and crafts, renovated riads clad in intricate tiles, desert day trips on camels or 4x4s. If this sounds like your ideal winter sun holiday, why not visit Dubai instead? It’s warmer than Marrakesh in winter and offers another lively version of Arabic culture. WADE IN THE WATER: There are many ways to enjoy the water in Dubai. Children will love the water playgrounds at the Wild Wadi and Aquaventure waterparks. Two enormous aquariums mesmerise with their sharks and schools of bright fish. Sunset Beach and Al Mamzar Beach Park are great for swimming. If you’d rather not get wet, enjoy an Arabian Gulf view from a rooftop lounge. GO ON A SHOPPING SPREE: Shopping is a must in Dubai. You can get deals on luxury items at Dubai Mall or Mall of the Emirates. To find one-of-a-kind items, wander around the souqs. Haggle over carpets and pashminas at Bur Dubai Souq; saffron and sumac at Deira Spice Souq; and necklaces and bracelets at Deira Gold Souq.
WINTER SUN GO ISLAND HOPPING: Cape Verde is made up of ten islands, each with its own personality. Sal has tourist resorts and incredible diving; Boa Vista has pristine beaches; São Vicente has music and carnival; and Santo Antão has hiking and green valleys. If booked in advance, travelling between the islands is fairly easy, with regular ferries and small flights. ENJOY THE SUN: Boa Vista’s beaches are spectacular – over 55km of mostly undeveloped white sand and emerald green water. Santa Monica, Curralinho and Sal Rei are top spots. In winter, you’ll miss turtle nesting season (June – October) and whale watching season (March – May), but you’ll still see dolphins, tiger sharks, manta rays and flocks of migratory birds. INDULGE IN THE ARTS: São Vicente is the country’s cultural hub, where many artists, musicians and writers make their home. You can hear local musical styles like the poetic morna and the accordionbased funaná throughout the island. Head to the city of Mindelo for a Brazilian-style carnival in February.
EXPLORE THE DESERT: Sand is as much a part of the Dubai experience as sunshine. Massive sand dunes are just outside the city, where you can go sandboarding, dune bashing and camel riding. You can even camp overnight to get a taste of the nomadic lifestyle. Book a tour with an operator who can provide all the gear.
IF YOU LIKE GRAN CANARIA, TRY FUERTEVENTURA (4 HOURS, 22C ON AVERAGE) The Canary Islands are very popular for winter sun holidays. With seven large islands to choose from, however, there’s a lot to explore in this archipelago. If you always go to Gran Canaria or Tenerife, venture to Fuerteventura, the second-largest island. It’s known for its breath-taking beaches, consistently sunny climate and laid-back vibe. SOAK UP THE SUN: Beaches are the star of Fuerteventura – long stretches of sand with warm blue water perfect for swimming. Corralejo in the north is most popular with Brits, while Germans frequent Jandia in the south. Beaches outside the towns offer more peace and quiet. Playa del Matorral, Parque Natural de Corralejo, and the secluded Lobos Island are great options. RIDE THE WIND: Fuerteventura is a windsurfer’s paradise. With reliable trade winds, sizeable waves and lots of places to take lessons and rent equipment, it’s easy to get active. If the professional windsurfers are too intimidating, you can also surf, kiteboard, snorkel and sail. TOUR RURAL VILLAGES: Slow down and chill out as you wander through the island’s small villages. Photograph whitewashed stone houses; eat fresh fish and majorero – the delicious local goat’s cheese; and visit one of the several lovely art museums on the island. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 45
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PARADISE ISLAND Lying just south of the equator and flanked by the Java Sea and Indian Ocean, Bali is without doubt one of the most famous islands of Indonesia. Often referred to as The Paradise Island due to its incredible natural beauty and tropical climate, dluxe Magazine’s Jonathan Fraser flew with Singapore Airlines to explore this Indonesian Idyll. One of the first things to hit you upon your arrival in Bali, despite the glorious humid heat, is the huge number of statues and temples around the island all of which are surrounded in small offerings and draped in cloths of varying colours. Despite only occupying an area of around 6000km, Bali is home to over 12000 temples. It therefore came as no surprise to discover that the name Bali actually comes from the Sanskrit word for offering. Offering is inherent to the culture of Bali. Even today there will always be an offering made with even office workers bringing a flower to place on their computer to ensure a successful day’s work. Predominantly Hindu in religion, the Bali people make daily offerings of fruits, flour and incense for the good gods and cigarettes for the bad; it’s all about striking the right balance between good and evil and this is reflected in the cloths wrapped around the statues with black and white checks for balance and harmony, yellow for wealth and white for purity. Despite these traditions Bali is a bustling island of industry with markets on every corner selling fresh fruit and produce alongside craft shops and some pretty high end
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designer boutiques. The island’s roads are crammed full of interweaving scooters, many of them carrying entire families as well as their luggage. This choreographed chaos of last minute lane changes, u-turns and uncertainty as to rules of the road makes every road trip an adventure. It’s one we’d recommend not to take yourself though as unless you not only have eyes in the back of your head and cat like reflexes you’ll find it much safer and much more relaxing organising a driver through your hotel or ordering a taxi rather than a hire car.
Potato Head Beach Club: If all of that exploring has left you wanting some down time then the Potato Head Beach Club is the place to relax in style. The beach club is home to three restaurants, two bars, an infinity pool and a 500sq m sunbathing lawn that all look over the Indian Ocean. Instantly recognisable, the Beach Club sits like a shabby chic coliseum as its walls are made up mismatched and multicoloured 18th century shutters all salvaged from across the Indonesian archipelago. It’s also got one of the best sunset views in Bali and is host to a programme of parties, exhibitions and installations featuring both local and international DJ’s musicians and artists; we just missed Grace Jones performing there – gutted!
Ubud Monkey Forest: Make sure you put plenty of time aside to visit the Ubud Monkey Forest. Home to dozens upon dozens of grey long tailed Macaque monkeys you can wander around the beautiful landscapes whilst monkeys swing from trees, walk by or sit beside. The monkeys are wild but are more than used to visitors and are friendly and welcoming – especially if you buy some bananas for them on the way in. On our visit there were lots of infant monkeys to see but don’t get too close to little ones as mum will be not far away watching. Call into restaurant Laka Leke for lunch after your visit, it’s just next door.
Montigo Resorts, Seminyak: In a remarkable destination known for its verdant rice terraces, pulse-pounding surf and enchanting dances, lies a new haven — Montigo Resorts, Seminyak. Perfectly combining the tropical idyll with modern comforts in the heat of Bali’s cosmopolitan district. It offers 108 stylish and expansive guest rooms and suites. We were lucky enough to stay in one of their luxurious and spacious Executive Suites with private garden and terrace, huge superking bed which was incredibly comfortable. The suite’s spacious bathroom features twin vanity with a generous sized tub as well as power shower to unwind under after a day of sightseeing.
Markets: Shopping in Bali is great value with approximately 17,000 Balinese Rupeya to the pound as we write this. There are markets everywhere in Bali and it’s the fruit and vegetable stalls offering wealth of unexplored flavours to sample. From Dragon fruit to the snake like skinned Salak Bali fruit - a cross between an apple and a pineapple taste wise and quite dry. It’s always recommended only to sample the fruit you see peeled in front of you as that way you know it’s fresh. There are multiple handicraft districts across Bali with craftspeople specialising in delicate silverwork and gold jewellery as well as intricate carving. The Ubud Art Market offers a wide range of crafts and all incredibly well priced. This is definitely a place to haggle – ask the price and then offer half. You should find your price somewhere in between!
Make sure you sample the range of treatments at the Montigo Resorts’ in house spa during your visit. We enjoyed a wonderful hour long Balinese massage before relaxing in the garden pool and dining at Tyggo, the resort’s stylish bar and restaurant which offers a wide range of Indonesian and western menu options. We’d thoroughly recommend sampling their Balinese Banquet. www.montigoresorts.com Singapore Airlines offer daily flights from from London Heathrow to Singapore and onwards to Bali. The flight from London takes approximately 12 hours with the onward journey to Bali taking roughly 2.5 hours. For up to date schedules, prices and booking information visit singaporeairlines.com
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dluxe mot ors
Ciao Bella
Styled with classic Italian flair and reviving a storied nameplate, the new FIAT 124 Spider is now available in the UK and brings the authentic, Italian roadster driving experience to a whole new generation of British enthusiasts. The transformation of Fiat from budget buy to the very definition of city chic lies solely at the oh so pretty doors of the Fiat 500, a car that has given the marquee back its brio. One thing that has been lacking though is something truly aspirational, which is where the new 124 comes in to play, but Sports Cars are expensive things to develop so Fiat have, rather cleverly, collaborated with a manufacturer that has perfected the roadster concept; Mazda. Underneath the pretty body the 124 is pure MX5 apart from the engines, which are strictly Italian. Designed in the FiatStyle Centre, the front-end of the Fiat 124 Spider encapsulates the essence of its classic predecessor in a modern, bold and incredibly pretty package; broad and muscular but also elegant and perfectly proportioned. The profile 48 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
view is pure classic roadster, with its long wheelbase, a cockpit hunkered low near the driven rear axle and a long bonnet, all tied elegantly together by a horizontal line that emerges from the front wing, kicking up over the rear haunch and flowing toward the tail lamp, aping the distinctive bodywork of the original Fiat 124 Spider. The nose of the new Fiat 124 Spider also takes its inspiration from the 1966 original with the style and position of the LED headlamps and the hexagonal upper grille all drawing heavily from the details of the classic roadster. The bonnet of the new sports car also emulates the twin power domes of the second- generation Fiat 124 while the rear view is defined by two main features: the swallow-tail rear wings, the upper surface of which cascade inward toward the decklid, and the
sharp horizontal tail lamps with their distinctive ring shape. An integrated rear spoiler enhances the aerodynamic performance of the new Fiat 124 Spider, while twin exhaust outlets are a reminder of its sporting pedigree. To minimise weight, improve longevity and encourage spur-of-themoment open air driving experiences, the multi-layer canvas hood is a manual unit that can be operated in seconds using minimal force and without the driver having to leave their seat. Doing so reveals a cabin built to the highest standard from a variety of top-quality soft-touch and premium materials, painstakingly laid out and fine-tuned to ensure the perfect layout of pedals, steering wheel and gear lever. There’a clear view of the three-dial instrument cluster-it’s effectively the same dashboard as the MX5 so buyers can expect solid
Fiat have decided to make use of the proven 1,368cc MultiAir, turbocharged four-cylinder engine which delivers 140hp and 240Nm of torque to the rear wheels via six-speed manual transmission and compact rear differential. The Fiat 124 Spider is capable of accelerating to 62mph/100km/h in just 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 134mph/215 km/h. It can’t match it’s MX5 for the driving experience- longer overhangs from that pretty bodywork and the addition of a turbo charger to the engine means that the MX5’s perfect 50/50 weight balance is no more but the 124 is an entertaining drive none the less.
made from high-tensile materials, has dedicated structural elements designed specifically to dissipate and absorb energy in the event of impact, aided by a steering column designed for energy absorption and a non-intrusive pedal box. A rear parking assistance system, a reversing camera, keyless entry and automatic lights and wipers also improve safety, security and convenience. Three trim levels will be offered in the UK: Classica, Lusso and Lusso Plus. Standard equipment on the entry-level Classica version includes air conditioning, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless engine start and a powerful infotainment system with USB, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity. A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB, WiFi, two USB ports and a multimedia control knob is available as a £500 option.
The Fiat 124 Spider’s suspension uses a double-wishbone layout in front and a multilink in the rear, specifically tuned for greater stability while braking and turning, while the dualpinion electric power steering system has been specifically tuned to give the Spider a responsive, Italian feel. The 124 Spider offers more of cossetted driving experience; exciting enough in the bends but without compromising comfort and refinement.
The mid-range Lusso version is equipped with that seven-inch infotainment system as standard, but adds satellite navigation with 3D maps and the Parkview rear parking camera as well. It is also equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated leather upholstery, automatic climate control, front fog lamps, keyless entry, chrome exhaust tips and a premium silver finish on the windscreen frame and rollover bars.
Safety is taken care of too thanks to an extensive range of active and passive safety devices. A voice-controlled infotainment system (with Bluetooth), LED rear light clusters, four airbags, TPMS, cruise control, a speed limiter and ESC with ABS and EBD are all standard, as are seat belts with pre-tensioners and Constant-Force Retractors (CFR) to control the degree of force applied by the belt onto the occupant and then gradually release it in a controlled manner. The body,
The top Lusso Plus model builds on the excellent specification of the Lusso model by adding adaptive LED headlamps, LED DRLs, automatic lights and wipers and a nine-speaker BOSE sound system (including stereo headrest speakers on both seats). Prices for the FIAT 124 Spider starts at £19,545 OTR for the Classica version, with the Lusso Plus trim at £23,295. www.fiat.co.uk
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quality throughout. Fiat have added some glamour with a fine selection of leather seats – we love the toffee shade which can be specified on the ergonomically designed steering wheel as well as the seats.
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dluxe
ADD SOME SPICE TO YOUR WINTER FESTIVITIES WITH THIS DELICIOUS G This is a wonderfully rich and decadent Christmas cake with a twist. Spiced with Stem Ginger in Syrup and studded with Crystallised Stem Ginger, this is joyfully gingery and has just the right amount of stickiness! YOU’LL NEED Ingredients: 75ml Ginger Wine plus extra for ‘feeding’ 200g Opies Crystallised Stem Ginger roughly chopped 200g Unsalted Butter 200g Currants 50g Opies Cocktail Cherries roughly chopped 200g Dark Muscovado Sugar 280g Opies Stem Ginger in Syrup 3 Medium Free Range Eggs 250g Self Raising Flour 1 tablespoon Ground Mixed Spice For the Marzipan layer: 20g Reserved Stem Ginger Syrup 500g Marzipan For the Royal Icing layer: 500g Icing Sugar 3 Egg Whites Juice of ½ a Lemon 1 teaspoon Glycerine
dark muscovado sugar. Cream together until light and fluffy.
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Whisk the eggs together, and add to the creamed butter and sugar mixture a tablespoon at a time, beating well in between additions.
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Rinse the cherries in water – dry with kitchen paper and add to the weighed flour, this will stop them sinking to the bottom of the cake.
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Pour 20g of the syrup from the Stem Ginger Jar and set to one side. (You will need this to spread over the cake after baking). Place the rest of the jar – syrup and Stem Ginger pieces into a food processor or blender and whizz until you have a puree. (It doesn’t have to be exceptionally smooth.)
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Then gently fold in the flour and chopped cherries, the mixed spice, then the soaked fruit and Crystallised Stem Ginger and lastly the pureed stem ginger in syrup.
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Scoop the mix into the prepared tin, smooth the surface and place on the newspaper in the preheated oven. Bake for 2 hours.
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Remove from oven and allow to cool in the tin for around 15 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
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You can then ‘feed’ your cake with extra booze should you choose to. Create tiny holes in the top with a tooth- pick and weekly, drizzle a couple of tablespoons full of Ginger wine into the holes. Wrap between feeds and keep in a cool place.
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Once ready to ice, with a pastry brush, brush a thin layer of the reserved ginger syrup over the cake. Fill any holes with little pieces of marzipan and then roll out the block
METHOD You will need one 15cm/6inch cake tin, greased and lined on the bottom and insides with baking paper and wrapped in a couple of sheets of newspaper. Place a slim wad of newspaper on the shelf of your oven shelf to sit the cake on too to protect it whist baking. 1
The night before (or at least a couple of hours before – the longer ahead of time you do this, the better…) place the chopped stem ginger and currants and ginger wine into a bowl. Cover and allow to soak overnight.
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The next day: Set the oven to 150C oven, 140C fan In a large bowl, place the softened unsalted butter and
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Add a touch of Italian chic to your festive feasting this season, from the traditional Tuscan panforte cake to Aperitivo before the main event. And of course, what better way to toast your friends and family than with a glass of Prosecco.
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KATIE SAYERS, selects her favourite treats from Italy this Christmas.
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GINGER CHRISTMAS CAKE of marzipan to ½ cm thick and lay over cake. Trim the edges and leave to set for a few hours or overnight. 12
To make your royal icing: place the icing sugar, the egg whites and glycerine into a large bowl and preferably with a stand mixer or electric hand whisk, whisk until stiff peaks form.
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Place icing into a piping bag.
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You can ice the cake however you like, we like to splodge icing on to the marzipan layer in piped peaks all over, but be creative! The icing will set hard, but not teeth crackingly hard – due to the addition of the glycerine in the mix and will help keep the cake fresh and delicious until you decide to crack it open.
Opies Stem Ginger in Syrup (350g £2.50) & Crystallised Ginger (200g £2.35) are both available from Tesco.
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8 1: Harvey Nichols Aperitivo hamper, £35 2: Harvey Nichols Baci Di Dama biscuits, £8.50 3: Cà dei Frati Rosa dei Frati 2014, £18.75 4: Harvey Nichols panforte classico, £7.95 5: Giuseppe Giusti balsamic vinegar of Modena, £12.95 6: Seggiano Calabrian baked fig, £6.50 7: Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco NV, £18.50 8: Tenuta di Fassia organic white truffle extra virgin olive oil, £11.95
WINE TASTING
WITH SIOFRA O’BRIEN
Anyone who has travelled in Italy will be more than aware of the amazing range of wines the country has to offer, thanks, in part, to its rich tapestry of indigenous grape varieties. With that in mind, I have chosen two great wines that will add an Italian touch to your Christmas feasting. Firstly, from the Broglia family of Piemonte, is Gavi "La Meirana" 2015, £17.50. Made from 100% Cortese, this is a dry white with lovely acidity and is laden
with lemon and apple fruit making it the ideal accompaniment to the roast turkey and trimmings. Heading south to the sunny island of Sicily and a brand new wine to me, Cos, Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2013, £24. Created by three university friends using a blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato, this distinct bottle is packed with instant aromas of black cherry, plum and raspberries alongside notes of tobacco. It shows great freshness and pairs well with white meats or, for the vegetarian diners, it works perfectly with Aubergine Parmingiana. Salute! dluxe-magazine.co.uk 51
dluxedining
AN ITALIAN CHRISTMAS
dluxe dining
REVIEW: THE TITHE BARN DELI CAFÉ, COSBY Taking on a building of historical significance is never an easy feat. With restrictive planning laws, it’s all the more incredible when an ambitious, but sensitive, restoration is undertaken – especially when the modernisation brings with it a change of use. And that is precisely what has happened at The Tithe Barn in Cosby, which we happened upon earlier this Summer.
and urge you to visit, too. The Tithe Barn, Main Street, Cosby, Leicester, LE9 1UW. Tel 0116 216 0438. www.tithebarn.com
A tithe barn was a type of barn used in much of northern Europe in the Middle Ages for storing rents and tithes. The Tithe barns were usually associated with the village church or rectory and independent farmers took their tithes there. Cosby’s Tithe Barn is a grade II listed building dating back to the early 15th Century, circa 1466. More recently, the barn had fallen derelict until the 80s when it was converted into commercial offices and then, in the summer of 2016, transformed once more; this time in to The Tithe Barn Deli Café. Situated next to the 15th Century church – the only building in this historical village that’s older than the barn – the barn sits amidst manicured gardens and offers the quintessential English village environment; it really is stunning and leaves you aching for long hot nights and chilled wine. Inside, the barn has retained its vaulted beams and the thatched roof adds olde-worlde character – a beautiful setting for the deli (to the left) and the café/restaurant, which can seat up to 30, to the right. Despite only opening this summer, it’s already garnered rave reviews for its lazy Sunday brunch – but it’s for its new early evening menu – available Tuesday to Saturday, 5-8pm and Sunday 1-6pm - that we’re here to trial. And we can’t wait. Priding themselves on using locally sourced produce wherever possible, hand-selected produce and foods, I plumped for the 8oz fillet steak. Simply put, the food was delicious and the steak I had was one of the best I have ever had. The steak was served with rosemary & garlic new potatoes, side salad, field mushroom, cherry vine tomato and I opted for the Colston Basset sauce, all of which married well together and couldn’t fault anything. My dining partner was also thrilled with her choice of classic bangers and mash. But they weren’t any old banger; these were three Ringrose award-winning sausages on a quenelle of smooth, buttery mash topped with homemade red onion marmalade. The mains menu is priced from just £9 to £22 for the steak. Though we were both very full after the main course, we opted for two desserts; mine being an espresso chocolate brownie with salted caramel ice cream and my friend’s being sticky toffee sponge. Both were demolished, which can only be a good sign. Overall the experience was an exceptional one: when you marry the attentive service with the superior quality of food and place it in a setting like The Tithe Barn, you can’t help but rave about it to your friends afterwards. We will whole-heartedly return 52 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
WIN!
A STUNNING SPRING HAMPER
We’ve teamed up with the Tithe Barn to offer dluxe readers the chance to win a gorgeous Spring themed hamper packed full of goodies from the deli café including a selection of their own chutneys and preserves. For your chance to win visit dluxe-magazine.co.uk and click on competitions.
THE GREAT BRITISH PUB Does your company reward its team members? Have you thought about how a Traditional pub night could help you? Steamin’ Billy can offer your company a range of fun and engaging activities including darts competitions, race nights, shuv halfpenny, pub quizzes, beer festivals, tutored beer tastings and whiskey tastings with experts.
Food Pubs
And of course the usual Steamin’ Billy friendly offering... excellent real ales, great wines and continental lagers and good honest pub grub including pea and pie suppers, traditional fish and chips and hog roasts.
Beer Pubs
Our company pub nights are an excellent and informal way to interact and engage with your team as well as reward and build relationships. We have a pub to suit you around Leicester and the East Midlands...
The Parcel Yard, The Cow & Plough, The Paget, The Railway and The Coronation
The Horse & Trumpet, The Three Crowns, The Western, The Dog & Gun, The Wilmot Arms and The White Bear. For a great value experience get in touch! natalie@steamin-billy.co.uk or call on 0116 3440064 www.steamin-billy.co.uk
Serving locally sourced, hand selected food and produce 7 days a week Breakfast, Lunch and Early Evenings.
www.tithebarn.com The Tithe Barn, Main Street, Cosby, Leicester, LE9 1UW
t: 0116 216 0438 | bookings@tithebarn.com #tithebarncosby
diary
dluxe What to see and where to be in the West Midlands this season
THE RED SHOES
16-20 May Curve www.curveonline.co.uk A beloved fairytale and Academy Awardwinning movie, The Red Shoes has seduced audiences and inspired generations of dancers with its tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. Matthew Bourne’s magical new adaptation of the legendary Powell and Pressburger film is set to a new score arranged by Terry Davies using the mesmerizing music of golden-age Hollywood composer, Bernard Herrmann (most famous for his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles and Martin Scorsese). An intoxicating drama where life imitates art with fateful consequences; The Red Shoes will dazzle your senses and break your heart.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
WITH SAM BAILEY AND JON CLEGG Saturday 10 December – Tuesday 3 January
LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL GALA PREVIEW SHOW HOSTED BY JASON GreaseBYRNE The Musical Friday 6 January @Curve
Until 21st January Grease is the word around Leicester this Christmas period, as the hit musical THE OFFICIAL STAGE comes toTOUR the Curve. Directed by Nikolai Foster, the smash Monday 23 January hit musical will feature hit songs like Grease Lightning and Summer Nights. So grab your Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies for an evening of CONTENT PROVIDER nonstop singing and dancing.
I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T A CLUE
STEWART LEE
Jack and The Beanstalk
@De Montfort Hall 10th December- 3rd January www.demontforthall.co.uk/ Its Panto time once again this December, with Jack and The Beanstalk heading to De Montfort Hall. Starring singing sensation Sam Bailey and BBC Radio Leicester’s Martin Ballard, this panto is set to be full of beans with plenty of audience participation. Relive your youth and release your inner child by heading down to
Wednesday 8 & Thursday 9 February
SUE PERKINS LIVE! IN SPECTACLES
Saturday 18 February
The Rat Pack
@Kilworth House OMID DJALILI www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk November-30th December SCHMUCK FOR25th A NIGHT
Thursday 6 April 0116 233 3111
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Due to over whelming demand, Kilworth house are welcoming back some of the world’s finest interpreters of demontforthall.co.uk // @demontforthall // Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis JR. this winter. Set in the Kilworth House Orangery; enjoy a three course dinner and outstanding live entertainment.
The Twits
@Curve 10th December -21st January www.curveonline.co.uk As part of Roald Dahl’s centenary year, Curve in Leicester bring a new production of The Twits to stage. Directed by Max Webster, this new coproduction with Rose Theatre in Kingston promises to be just as disgusting and repulsive as earth worms disguised as spaghetti- the
DMH this December.
Just the Tonic
@Loughborough Town Hall www.loughboroughtownhall. co.uk demontforthall 16th December The ever so popular Just the Tonic has been putting15/11/2016 on 10:22 comedy shows around the East Midlands for almost twenty years. Each month the comedy club books the best of the established and up and coming comedians on the circuit. This December Just The Tonic welcomes, Rob Rouse Sam Avery,
Alistair Williams and Kevin Dewsbury
A Passion for Pastels
@Stock Gallery 5th January- 25th February This January welcomes a collective exhibition at the Stock Gallery with the Leicester pastel society. Art exhibited will be from residents of the Leicestershire and Rutland area, with a variety of works set to be presented to the public. dluxe-magazine.co.uk 55
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ideal Christmas treat for all the family.
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event
Legally Blonde features everyone’s favourite blonde lawyer. With memorable songs and dynamic dances,
Star Trust Celebrates
Romeo and Juliet
The East Midlands-based trust is celebrating raising £129,000 at its annual ball, a record-breaking amount for the charity, to be distributed to local good causes across the region. In only its fourth year and entirely run by volunteers, the Star Trust raises funds for small charities across the East Midlands, and the huge amount raised at this year’s ball held at Stapleford Park in association with Graypaul Maserati, takes the Trust’s overall donations to over £340,000.
@The Y Theatre 13th January www.leicesterymca.co.uk The heart-breaking story of two infatuated lovers is beautifully portrayed by Ballet Theatre UK. You will be transported to the city of Verona as the tragic tale between the Capulets and the Montagues unravels. Start your new year off with drama and intrigue.
Star Trust co-founder Steve Hampson said: “Our annual ball is always a huge success, and to have surpassed last year’s already incredible total by over £33,000 is an outstanding achievement. I am so proud of the Star Trust team and their tireless efforts to bring this event together
you’re sure to be in for a treat.
The Woman In Black
@The Curve Leicester 30th Jan- 4th Feb www.curveonline.co.uk Robin Herford brings one of the longest running West End plays to life at The Curve. A spine tingling thriller, you will definitely experience your fair share of adrenaline throughout the play. The spectre of the elusive Woman in Black haunts the stage… and the audience. Do you dare go and see it?
“We have enjoyed exceptional support from our guests and sponsors to enable us to really make a difference to those in need across the region – and as the Trust is entirely run by volunteers, every penny raised goes straight to good causes. “Star Trust is committed to supporting small charities who often can struggle to raise the funds they so badly need, and we are proud to be able to help these very worthy causes carry out the vital work they deliver in our communities. We would urge any small, East Midlands-based charity that is seeking funds for a specific project to get in touch so that we can lend our support.” Patron, Torie Blythe Richards commented; “I have been delighted over the last year not only to support The Star Trust as my chosen charity for The Partnership Lifestyle Club but also very humbled to give my time, ideas and contribution as a committee member. Not only do we help and support amazing charities in the East Midlands, we feel as a business it’s important to put something back into the community. For further information visit www.star-trust.org.uk
Ramin Karimloo
www.curveonline.co.uk @Curve 15th January Olivier and Tony award nominee Ramin Karimloo is heading to the Curve for one night only in January to perform our beloved musical hits including songs from Les Miserables and The Phantom of the opera. If you love an array of musicals, this is certainly one not to miss.
Images by Gary Summers SMD Photography
Ruby Wax- Frazzled
@Loughborough Town Hall loughboroughtownhall.co.uk 3rd February The hit US comedian, Ruby Wax returns to the UK as a follow up to her sell out touring show and best-selling book ‘Sane New World’. Now she is back with a new book, ‘A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled’ and a tour to go with it. Funny and insightful this evening will be your ticket to
Legally Blonde
@Loughborough Town Hall 23rd-28th January loughboroughtownhall.co.uk Presented by Christchurch Theatre Club, comes one Elle of a show, Legally Blonde. Based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon, 56 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
saner living.
Leicester Comedy Festival
ADAPTOR DAVID WOOD
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30 YEARS OF Soft Touch
2016 marked the 30th anniversary of Leicester based charity, Soft Touch Arts. Based on New Walk, Soft Touch Arts have been helping disadvantaged young people in Leicester since it was founded in 1986. To celebrate this landmark year and to showcase the talents of young people, they hosted a special multimedia 80s inspired design exhibition with associated public and VIP events, all made possible with brilliant support from the local business community. Rg+p Architects, Overbury PLC, Arch Creative, Morgan Gleave Art and Design, Newby Castleman, Betty Brown, Ventola Projects and Mocha Marketing all pulled together to offer their services and funding to support the exhibition. Sally Norman and Vince Attwood, founders of Soft Touch Arts, set up the charity from Sally’s front room on Upper King Street. They commented: “We’re so proud of what we have achieved not only for ourselves, but more importantly, for all the young people we have worked with over the years. Now it’s time for the next generation of young people to take over the reins for the next thirty years.” During the launch event, the charity’s patron, Lady Gretton, Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire and the charity’s chair Gill Brigden, spoke to invited guests from the public sector and business and academic community. For further information visit www.soft-touch.org.uk
@Various Locations www.comedy-festival.co.uk Leicester Comedy Festival returns to the city in February from the 8th-26th featuring over 770 events across 19 days. This year’s comedy festival has reinvented itself as the official comedy party of the UK, with their mission statement simply being to get the UK laughing again. Highlights include Jimmy Carr, Sarah Millican and Sue Perkins.
The Wedding Singer
@Curve 10th-18th February www.curveonline.co.uk Be prepared to be plunged straight into the eighties with big hair, big voices and big dance moves! Inspired by the Adam Sandler hit film, the play features X factor’s Ray Quinn and Cassie Compton as well as a few other wellknown names. So, if you’re in the mood for dancing and romancing then this is the play for you!
Jimmy Carr: The Best of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour#
@De Montfort Hall www.demontforthall.co.uk 10th February Jimmy Carr is gathering a selection of his very best jokes along with brand new material for his ultimate comedy show yet. His new tour is set to distil everything that we love to laugh at and be shocked by. You can hear all of his greatest jokes and comedy moments in one spectacular, knock the socks off evening.
Sue Perkins: Spectacles Live! @De Montfort Hall 58 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
www.demontforthall.co.uk 18th February Following her memoir, Spectacles Sue Perkins is carrying on her current tour, heading to Leicester’s De Montfort Hall as part of Leicester’s Comedy Festival. If you haven’t yet adapted to no longer seeing Sue on GBBO, then here’s your chance to see her in person. Expect untold stories and lots of laughs.
The Full Monty
@De Montfort Hall 6th- 11th March www.demontforthall.co.uk Based on the smash hit film and adapted for stage by Simon Beaufoy, The Full Monty is heading to De Montfort Hall for five nights of laughs and NSFW content. The production stars Gary Lucy, Joe Absolom, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Chris Fountain, Kai Owen and a cast of fourteen. Most recently the tour has been voted the best touring production by the UK Theatre Awards, so it is definitely worth a watch.
British Pie Awards
@Melton Mowbray 18th March www. britishpieawards.co.uk The British Pie Awards has become an institution for pastry-connoisseurs countrywide. The annual event sees hundreds of pie-makers gather for a celebration and competition of this British culinary favourite. Held each year in Melton Mowbray, they are lucky enough to have a selection of the most knowledgeable figures in the industry on-hand presiding over the day’s proceedings.
Loughborough Endowed Schools Loughborough Endowed Schools
ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS & ASSESSMENTS FOR ENTRY IN SEPTEMBER 2017
EXEMPLARY INDEPENDENT EDUCATION IN THE EAST MIDLANDS Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough High School
Boys 10-18 years Saturday 14th January
Girls 11-18 years Saturday 14th January
Our Lady’s Convent School Girls 11-18 years Year 7: Thursday 12th January Years 8-10: Friday 13th January
Fairfield Preparatory School
Co-educational 3-11 years Reception: Saturday 14th & 21st January Year 1 and 2: Tuesday 24th January Years 3-6: Saturday 14th January
We operate an extensive bus network across the region
Visit endowedschools.org for further information
NURSERY THE
Curious minds in caring hands Our new nursery opened its doors in September, based on Garton Road, close to Loughborough town centre.
Meet our new addition to the family!
The well-equipped, high-quality facility caters for up to 60 children while our caring, highly-qualified staff help children develop in an atmosphere of warmth and security.
For further information and to arrange an appointment to visit, please contact the Nursery Manager, Carla Brindley on 01509 276820 or email thenursery@endowedschools.org
The Nursery is open 51 weeks of the year, Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 6:00pm daily, excluding bank holidays, and full and part-time places are available to families with young children in the local community.
www.thenurseryloughborough.co.uk
Complete child care in Loughborough for babies to 4 year olds
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For universities at least, Brexit means ….? Almost six months down the line from the June 23rd referendum, Brexit – apparently, still just means Brexit. So, what does Brexit mean? Asks Professor Iain Gillespie, Pro-ViceChancellor for Research & Enterprise at the University of Leicester. With a new Prime Minister and cabinet now settled in place; one court case down and more to come, and now perilously close to the triggering of the Article 50 talks process, we haven’t yet managed to work out the answer to that question. With a Supreme Court challenge on the way, we haven’t really even managed to work out whether parliament will be involved, or whether the process of leaving the world’s biggest trading block can be by a simple act of cabinet fiat. The Prime Minister has started to talk about Brexit as though it’s a game of poker, and trading negotiations are something that we will spring on other EU countries by surprise – rather than the development of new collaborative arrangements to which EU partners must agree, or which go nowhere. 60 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
The delay in making any progress – which was originally announced as designed to give the cabinet time to decide what UK negotiators will ask for in the Article 50 process - is starting to look like nothing more than drift. It’s hard to escape the conclusion that, when it comes to Brexit at least, the government are simply lost.
And yet the decisions – like whether we will ask for a ‘hard’ or a ‘soft’ exit from the EU - will have serious implications for us here at the University of Leicester and for people across the UK. For a university, autumn is the start of the New Year. At Leicester we’ve welcomed 3,700 new faces to the thousands who’ve passed through our doors. 1,300 of our current students are from the EU and 430 of our academic staff, constituting 13% of the total. For almost the first time in our hundred year history, we’re not quite sure what to tell them. We will work hard to limit the impact of Brexit on our colleagues and students, but the reality is that there is much in the long-term picture that we don’t understand.
Take student funding. Under present arrangements, EU students pay the same rate as UK students; they have access to the same funding mechanisms including the student loan book. Once we are out of the EU, will it be possible to continue this arrangement, without it being viewed as unfairly discriminatory against students from further afield? Like all universities, Leicester’s reputation – and our ability to attract the best students - rests on a combination of the excellence of our teaching and of our research. Opt for hard Brexit – curtailing freedom of movement for study and work - and we would expect to see international student confidence in the UK fall. So what in those circumstances, could we do?
For a research intensive university like Leicester, one answer is to focus on our reputation for discovery, which is as diverse as better health for ethnically diverse populations and space science, both areas where we are making major new investments. The excellence of our research reputation attracts many of our students to Leicester. But here too, the picture is concerning.
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The UK is a net - and generously treated – beneficiary of EU research funding. In the current funding round the UK contributed £5.4bn to EU research programmes, and received £8.8bn worth of funding in return. Grants to UK universities constituted a remarkable 14% of total research grants disbursed by the EU last year. It is difficult to see how any government will be able to afford to replicate that level of funding, or avoid the negative impacts of failure to invest in UK science. Lastly, it is hard to see how Mrs May’s government will be able to replicate the levels of EU regional investment that have made such a difference to Leicester, and to Leicestershire. The 2014-2020 Leicestershire European Structural Investment Fund is valued at £105m, of which £58m has been committed to projects which, amongst other purposes, would underpin city regeneration, create 2,300 jobs, and support 6,000 businesses including 1,000 start-ups. At least £40m of local funding could now be lost, while the new cabinet struggles with broader economic impacts calculated at 3% of annual GDP. From national economic performance, to local business confidence, or simply for the new students now packing their bags for the start of a new term, the decisions made now in cabinet will decide what kind of Brexit we look for. We will either be a hard Brexit or a soft one. For Leicester’s sake, for our universities, and for UK prosperity, let it be a soft one. And let’s have some answers soon.
For the love of Country & County Recently I had thoroughly stimulating lunch in Leicester with HE Kena Mphonda High Commissioner forRepublic of Malawi, hosted by leading Malawians living in the city. I have no connections with Malawi apart from knowing many industrious Asian Malawians who have added unprecedented vibrancy to the City and the County writes Uday Dholakia, Chairman Indo-British Trade Council. The discussion focussed on developing bilateral trade, investment and academic links between Leicester and Malawi. Should the link be London based, or did Leicester have a lot to offer? Leicester’s USP was clearly the dynamism of the city’s entrepreneurs and their ability to leverage support from the public institutions and the local universities. The conversation evolved around appointing an Honorary Consul General for the Midlands based in Leicester. I fully supported the proposition and encouraged the High Commissioner to formulate a terms of reference and actively solicit nominations from the high calibre Malawians in Leicester. In addition to the Malawi’s interest in Leicester, there are ongoing links with Strasbourg, East Africa, Bulgaria, Turkey, Poland, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India to name the main ones. The Indian Consul General based in Birmingham; Mr Jitendra Sharma is a frequent visitor to the City supporting cultural, religious and enhancing trading and investment ties with India. The Indo-British Trade Council IBTC), a voluntary group established in Leicester some thirty-five years has been actively supporting British SMEs develop business in India. By “Actively” I mean it has encouraged and supported eleven Indian banks and financial institutions locate in the city. The Turkish Economic Minister recently visited the Rolls Royce Engines plant in Derby and stopped over in Leicester
to explore a Turkish Trade promotion Centre in Leicester. The Confederation of Indian Industries, a leading manufacturing association regularly uses Leicester as its Midlands launch pad for visits and trade promotion. In the context of Brexit, the considerable inside tracks the City and County has with the world need to be harnessed to benefit the industrial and commercial landscape in the Midlands. This means engaging men and women from diverse communities to take on Leadership roles to foster sustainable international links. Not just token representations boards or committees that have no clear strategy or gives in outcomes. Therefore in the context of the Midlands Engine, I hope Sir John Peace and the dominant coalition of economic agencies and tax funded government departments take the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the tremendous diverse and entrepreneurial energy based in our city and county. The proposition to have a modest International Trade Centre in Leicester has been mooted with The City Mayor; Sir Peter Soulsby on a number of occasions. This will put Leicester and the region on the international map, attract inward investment and regular trade visits and create unprecedented links to the academia for research and innovative spin-offs. There is a clear opportunity to galvanise all the synergies under a common purpose. The issue is clear: will we jointly grasp the nettle, or just continue to have sporadic flag-flying events with no measurable outcomes? Like the Government, International Trade is too big and too important to leave it to politicians. We need a paradigm shift that creates equitable partnerships, and shared joint Leadership. Uday Dholakia, Chairs the Export Trade Facilitation Experts Panel, at Dept of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy dluxe-magazine.co.uk 61
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
Exit route Entrepreneurs’ Relief offers exceptional tax-saving opportunities, but despite recent reforms, dangers lurk in the complexity writes Janine Edwards.
For many business owners, Entrepreneurs’ Relief offers an exceptional opportunity to minimise tax when disposing of their company, but new rules around liquidation, introduced in April this year, mean that planning your exit now needs more care than ever.* Entrepreneurs’ Relief, which was first introduced in 2008, allows tax of just 10% to be paid on lifetime gains when a business (or part of it) is sold off. Subsequent changes in the level of relief available have been at least as important, taking the lifetime limit from below £2 million right up to £10 million, where it has remained since 2011. Of course, the rate of Capital Gains Tax on most assets is now just 20% for higher rate and additional rate taxpayers, down from 28%, but this is still only half as generous to business owners as Entrepreneurs’ Relief. Moreover, although there is a £10 million limit, spouses and civil partners may also, under certain circumstances, qualify separately for their own relief. Finally, an individual can make as many separate claims as he or she likes, so long as the ceiling is not exceeded.
Sliding Rules Entrepreneurs’ Relief can be applied to a number of different kinds of business ‘disposals’ (a term that includes the sale, gift or liquidation of a company). The sale of all or part of a business owned by a sole trader or business partner can qualify for the relief, 62 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
including: •
The assets of the business
Entrepreneurs’ Relief in the succession of family businesses and joint venture partnerships.
• Company shares in which the seller owns at least 5% of the shares (including voting rights)
However, the changes have not been able to remove the complexity of calculating whether you qualify – and some of the details of the latest reforms remain unclear.
•
Shares acquired through an Enterprise Management Incentive scheme established after 5 April 2013
•
Assets that had been lent to the business by the seller
There are particular dangers in the definition of a ‘trading company’. To receive the relief, a company must be trading, and not pursuing other activities to any “substantial” extent. HMRC has confirmed that “substantial” should be taken to mean “greater than 20% by reference to a reasonable measure in the circumstances of the case”.
There are limits to how Entrepreneurs’ Relief can be applied. For example, the business or company involved must be trading at the time of application – although a new rule allows the relief to be claimed so long as the shares are sold within three years of the cessation of trading. Moreover, some business activities, such as property and letting, are disqualified because they are seen as ‘investment operations’ rather than ‘trades’. Sole traders or business partners must have owned the business for at least a year in order for the sale to qualify, and the seller of shares must have been an employee, director or holder of office within the company. Cutting some slack In 2015, the government introduced rules intended to crack down on abuses of Entrepreneurs’ Relief, but the 2016 reforms were reckoned by some commentators to be a tacit admission that the 2015 changes had gone too far, and in some cases ended up penalising what had been legitimate tax planning. The 2016 reforms therefore offered some olive branches to business. The relief was extended to long-term investors in unlisted companies, providing a 10% tax rate for gains of newly issued shares in unlisted companies that were bought on or after 17 March 2016, so long as they are held for at least three years from 6 April 2016. The reforms also reinstated
While Entrepreneurs’ Relief offers a potential boost for business owners, its complexities require careful navigation, and detailed understanding of recent legislation. Individuals looking to rely on the relief would be welladvised to conduct an appropriate tax audit.
To receive a complimentary guide covering wealth management, retirement planning or inheritance tax planning, contact Janine Edwards on 01676 530 606 or email Janine. edwards@sjpp.co.uk The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances. The Partner represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website at www.sjp.co.uk/products. The title ‘Partner’ is the marketing term used to describe St. James’s Place representatives. *Exit Strategies may include the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place.
Common tax free cash pension mistakes on retirement Since April 2015, savers aged over 55 have been able to withdraw cash lump sums from their pensions and according to recent figures* more than 60% of those eligible have already dipped into their savings. One rule that has remained the same throughout the pension changes we’ve seen however is the entitlement to take 25% of the fund tax free. However leading Midlands firm, Newby Castleman (Financial Services) Limited, has warned caution that people should still take care to use this entitlement responsibly and seek professional advice before withdrawing funds, particularly in one lump sum. John Freeman, Director at Newby Castleman (Financial Services) Ltd, said, “Despite the increased flexibility pensions now allow, we are seeing an increasing amount of people take their tax free lump sum in one go without really thinking about the long term implications or possible drawbacks.
enhancing the level of sustainable income the fund can produce during retirement as well as growing further any tax free entitlement in the future. 2. Not making use of other savings first. With the flexibility that pensions now have, particularly in terms of cascading wealth tax efficiently to future generations, it often makes sense to consider withdrawing funds from taxable savings first, and then tax-free savings before pensions are considered. By first withdrawing from taxable savings and then from tax-free accounts such as ISAs, you will be keeping as much of your wealth as possible away from HMRC on death. It’s also important to look at the different income options your wealth presents thus maximising the various tax free allowances available to you.
By withdrawing the wrong amount at the wrong time people risk losing out, so to guide people here are three tips to help avoid possible pitfalls.”
3. Poor timing It’s wise to look at the global financial position before making a decision with regards to withdrawing from your pension. We now live in what is a volatile economic climate, so the timing of making withdrawals can be critical. It is of course impossible to time the market perfectly but the question of whether the funds need to be accessed in times of market downturn should always be considered.
1. Taking more than needed after retirement It may be that you do not need to take out the entirety of your tax-free pot all in one lump sum. Most pension providers will allow you to take it out in smaller instalments.
Pension freedom was introduced with the aim of allowing more pensioners flexibility and greater control over their finances. With more control comes more in terms of considerations for retirees so the need for independent advice is higher than ever before.
Once you withdraw the capital you are essentially removing the tax efficient wrapper the funds sit in, which can have long term tax implications for you and your family. By only taking what you need you will ensure that your savings remain within what is a tax favourable wrapper.
John concluded: “Pensions freedom can be very beneficial to savers but it is prudent to seek guidance first. We’re on-hand to provide help and give advice to anyone unsure about withdrawing tax-free cash from their pensions.”
Phasing any tax free cash also has the added benefit of potentially
For more information about our services and how we can help you, please email John Freeman at jdf@newbyc.co.uk.
Accountants that stand out from the crowd... As experienced accountants, Newby Castleman understands the importance of good business and financial management. With proper planning and advice, we can provide you with tailored tax-saving solutions.
Contact us today to find out more...
0116 254 9262 www.newbycastleman.co.uk
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Harness The Power of a Successful Team requires dedication and quality communication. Communication is key to the success of any team. Before any decisions can be made by a group a clear goal must be set and agreed. When people know what they are doing, why they are doing it and how they need to do it, there is a higher inclination to commit to achieving a team’s objectives. If even one person is out of sync with the rest of the group this usually means communication has not been effective enough and needs to be adjusted accordingly. The aim is to create empowerment for each team member. Effective communication ensures everyone is equal and on an even playing field during the process. Continuous effective communication also creates trust within a group, which is vital to a team’s ongoing success.
Cherie Concannon with Rokas Simsonas and Danny Lake, two of Cherie’s production record breaking Team Leaders from an RPO Factory.
I am a firm believer in the power of teamwork, when used effectively, it can produce miracles. The perfect example of this is Leicester City FC taking the Premier League title in May 2016. Jamie Vardy may have been man of the match, but it took a common goal, perseverance and unity to ensure they took the title home writes Performance leadership Coach, Cherie Concanon. With the New Year imminent I have been reflecting lately on how much my client base has changed over the last two years, going from large corporates to really successful SME’s. Turnover for these companies can range from £500,000 to £65 million and each company is different in size. It’s my job as a Success Coach to make these SME’s or individuals as successful as they can be and to do that I need to focus on the engagement and productivity levels needs of all of the people within each company. Some the client companies have hundreds of employees, while some only consist of two people. My aim for every company I work for is to create cohesive, harmonious and productive teams with everyone engaged and committed to delivering their objectives. Here are my fundamental rules of successful teamwork: Commitment and Communication Teamwork happens most naturally in crisis when people put aside their personal feelings in favour of the greater good. This is very difficult to reproduce in non crisis situations as it requires people to be 100% committed to each other, which often goes against the natural instincts of a person when they feel their way is the ‘right way’. Resolving this
Disagreement Successful teamwork is not just about the ability to agree with everyone. It requires the maturity and the courage to disagree with those you are working with without resorting to conflict and negativity. Teamwork has little room for individual ego. A good team can discuss and disagree with each other without resorting to petty squabbling and back-stabbing. Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making /Consensus Multiple brains working in synergy will always outperform a single brain and multiple brains in conflict will rarely outperform a single brain. Society has a bias towards left brain thinking. Often considered the more adept at logical, rational and critical thinking, left brain thinking has been considered the more desirable attribute for problem solving and task management. However, to be able to creatively problem solve, synergistic group right brain thinking is what is often required to produce miracles and this can only happen when an environment is set up to produce positive emotions. Consensus decision-making is fundamental to the success of team work and can only be truly achieved if each of the elements outlined can be applied. The ability to step back from one’s own singular ideas and thought processes and become inclusive and collaborative within a group for the greater good of a common goal is crucial to creating a high performing team. This level of high performance teamwork is exceptionally difficult to maintain. Again I use Leicester City as an example. After the glory of the Premiership victory has faded, the challenge of maintaining their success is already showing. Once a decision has been made by a team, it is imperative to the success of that team that everyone to agree and back all decisions made during the team working process. For more information about Cherie Concannon, her work and to book onto her events, you can visit her website at www. cherieconncannon.co.uk
Local photographer scoops major award
Leicester based photographer Stu Williamson has won a top prize in a major national and international photography award ceremony. Celebrating the Masters of Photography, the annual Master Photographers Association (MPA) Awards welcomed some of the greatest photography talents in a glittering awards ceremony.
Bringing the photographic industry together, with unprecedented awards, the Master Photography Awards is the most anticipated event in the professional photographic calendar. Judges from across the globe selected a record number of nominees this year, which reflected the high standard of photography entered into the awards this year. The MPA annual awards celebrate the Masters of International Photography. Stu, whose business is based in Kibworth, scooped the top UK title with his evocative fine art images, winning UK Photographer of The Year as well as picking up trophies for the Fine Art and Portrait Art Fashion categories. The Awards, run by the Master Photographers Association (The MPA), is one of the most prestigious within the photographic profession, both in the UK and Overseas. Membership of the Association is restricted to professional photographers who must qualify to the minimum required Licentiateship standard. The organization, a not for profit, exists to promote and maintain standards of photographic excellence within the photographic industry. 64 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
For further information visit www.stuwilliamson.com
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dluxe e peopl This February sees the return of the Leicester Comedy Festival, and with it the comedic legend Jason Mannford to the city. Currently on tour with the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jason took time out between shows to talk about the move from stand up to musical theatre, how he sources new material and what he’s up to as part of the Festival.
How did you get into comedy? I worked at a comedy club in Manchester at 16, one night a few acts failed to materialise and the desperate promoter asked if anyone fancied doing a bit! So I did! Who would you say are your comedic icons? Well Peter Kay was the first act I saw live who just blew me away. I thought he was fantastic. But growing up I loved Billy Connolly, Les Dawson and Tommy Cooper. I loved how my family would have tears in their eyes watching them. How do you come up with fresh content? I’ll let ya know when I do! Ha! No, I just listen to people, I read a lot, I have a radio show every Sunday on Absolute which forces me to come up with stuff. But listening is the best way. I’m never the centre of attention at parties, I’m always listening though! (That sounds creepier than I meant it to!) How would you describe the process of putting together a comedic show? Would you say it’s fully scripted or a bit of improvisation as well? I’d say for me it’s mainly 70% scripted, it has to be. But it’s very rarely in the same order. Then I like to mess about and chat and use new thoughts and see how it goes. Now, we’re not questioning your funniness at all, however, has there been a time where you’ve performed and told a joke that you thought was going to land well, but didn’t? Yeah of course, often when I’m trying out new stuff you’ll have a few duds. That’s the wonderful thing about comedy, it’s a total meritocracy. The audience never lie! So far you’ve pretty much done it all, what would you say are your own career highlights? I think meeting Mel Brooks before I starred in The Producers was a highlight. But I’ve had lots really, meeting the Queen after a good Royal Variety Performance, selling out the O2 and Manchester arena on my tour, performing at Royal Albert Hall, 66 dluxe-magazine.co.uk
singing at the Bridgewater Hall with Alfie Boe and having a wonderful time filming an eclectic mix of telly from Ordinary Lies to Ripper Street. I love the randomness of my job, for example, right now as I’m answering these questions I’m getting ready to fly Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Glasgow! You started off your career in 1999 and have developed your career appearing in quite a few shows and most recently a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. How did this come about? I was always interested in musicals, did them all at school and college and university so when I saw an advert for an actor to be cover Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, I made my agent get me an audition! After 4 auditions for it I got it and was suddenly on stage being murdered by Michael Ball! It was magical! Do you prefer theatre to stand up? Is it the same buzz? No stand up is always the greatest thing you can do because it’s just so personal and direct. But I adore doing theatre and being part of a team. You’re returning to Leicester in February as part of Leicester Comedy Festival. How do you feel about performing at the festival? I’m really looking forward to it; I won the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition in 2000 so it’s always been a special place for me. I’m doing a panel show with some very funny comedians so it’ll be something both familiar and unfamiliar for the audience. Can you tell our readers what to expect from your show? It’s a show called Panel Beaters, and it’s a gag filled panel show that we hope will one day be on a screen near you! What’s next for you? A second book? A new live show? Perhaps one man musicals stand up show? A day off I hope! Panelbeaters with Jason Mannford will be at Just the Tonic at Hansom Hall on Sunday 12th February from 4.30pm and 8:30pm. Tickets are £15 and available from www.comedyfestival.co.uk
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
WITH SAM BAILEY AND JON CLEGG Saturday 10 December – Tuesday 3 January
LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL GALA PREVIEW SHOW HOSTED BY JASON BYRNE Friday 6 January
I’M SORRY I HAVEN’T A CLUE THE OFFICIAL STAGE TOUR Monday 23 January
STEWART LEE
CONTENT PROVIDER Wednesday 8 & Thursday 9 February
SUE PERKINS LIVE! IN SPECTACLES
Saturday 18 February
OMID DJALILI
SCHMUCK FOR A NIGHT Thursday 6 April 0116 233 3111
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