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New Statesman
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
Adieu, Marylebone Waitrose…
Photo by Justin Leighton / Alamy The other day, a friend whose cycle route to work takes her through my old neighbourhood, sent me a photo of the Waitrose in Marylebone High Street. It was boarded up, and a huge sign said, 'Your nearest stores are: Nova Scotia and Ulaanbaatar. Scan for more information,' next to a large QR code. Well, they were really Edgware Road and Bloomsbury, but you get my drift. 'One of your childcare centres is closed,' said my friend, and she was right, for whenever the kids came to stay for alternate weekends, this was how we would spend Saturday afternoon, or some of it: shopping for that evening's dinner, and the Sunday lunch the next day. Naturally, it became a fixed ritual, with its own chants and responses. We would look at the bottles of Still Lemonade, which the children were fond of, and one of us would say, 'Is it still lemonade?' and the answer would be, 'Yes, it's still lemonade.' A good day would be when the PizzaExpress pizzas were on offer: it represented a considerable saving when multiplied by four. Twenty-six times a year for ten years: the maths isn't hard. We once saw Paul Weller there, and I had to explain who he was. In fact, the Waitrose in Marylebone had a significant part to play in the genesis of this column: it was after realising that I couldn't afford the fancy mayonnaise, the one with the quote from Delia Smith on it, that I bumped into the then deputy editor of this magazine, after I'd crashed a book launch in Daunt's bookshop up the road (free wine). He asked me how I was doing and instead of saying 'Fine, and you?' I told him, at some length, how screwed I was. The Waitrose bag swung pathetically from my hand as I spoke. He reported back to his editor and the next day I got an email. Anyway, back to the present: how the hell, I thought, is it now possible that Marylebone is incapable of sustaining a Waitrose? Has everyone left? Has London finally been hollowed out? (There is the idea that you have to be super-rich to shop at Waitrose. It is a myth.) I thought, too, of recent developments in Brighton: the Co-Op on Seven Dials, where I used to shop, is about to take over the nice wine shop and the café next to it so they can make their store bigger, even though you can actually see the larger branch of the same store 300 yards down the road. Waitrose shrinks; the Co-Op spreads, acting like Russia to the wine shop's and the café's Ukraine. So it was with gloomy thoughts that I set off to Marylebone to discuss a project that is going to involve filming in the neighbourhood. Where to meet for lunch? Well, there was only one option: the Duke of Wellington on Crawford Street, once my local, and the home and business premises of one of my saviours in those days, the Guvnor. (Seasoned readers of this column will at this point suck on their cigarettes and say: 'The Guvnor. That's a name I haven't heard in a long time.') There was a time, after I left the area, when it looked as though the place was going to be closed down, and turned into obscenely expensive flats. But no. I got a call from Darren. The place had reopened. Darren! He was one of the staff at the Duke, and I wondered how long he would last. I was once being bought lunch there and he looked dubiously at the bottle of wine he was about to put on the table. 'Here is your coats do roams,' he said. How we giggled. Well, I was giggling on the other side of my face when I got the call from Darren: he had bought the pub and had brought it back to its former glory, and was inviting me round. I can't remember if I was living in Scotland or Brighton then, or under a bridge, but I couldn't make it; so I wished him well. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly, I thought as I left Baker Street Station, treading a route that I knew in my bones. But the Duke was as good as ever: and it was a joy to see Darren again. He now owns two pubs, which is two more than I ever will, and they thrive. The Duke is now more restaurant than pub, but it is still there, that's the main thing. As we ate, I could see the church of St Mary's, against whose walls my friend Razors and I would play night cricket until the police would arrive and tell us it was bedtime. Later on, after I had bewailed the loss of the Waitrose to my friend, she said, 'It's just being refurbished,' and I looked closer at the photo, and, ah, yes, it does say that on the hoarding on the other window. So things aren't as bad as I thought they were. I was also pleased to note that, in Marylebone, I cheered up, and was not unmanned by nostalgia. All I could think was: this place is looking nice today, and it was, for the weather was lovely. As for the project I mentioned, well, these things are always in the lap of the gods. And I remembered the previous verse in the proverb about the dog and its vomit: 'The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.' [See also: Donald Trump can't escape Jeffrey Epstein] Related
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Green belt homes plan approved for Addingham despite objections
Plans to build housing on a "very special" area of green belt have been approved despite almost 100 objections.A planning application to build nine homes on a field off Turner Lane, in Addingham, Bradford, was first submitted by Joanne Ogilvie in the summer of plans attracted 99 objections from residents of the village, many of whom were concerned over the loss of green space on the edge of their councillors approved the application under new national guidelines which can allow green belt land to be reallocated as grey belt and suitable for housing. This can be in cases where the site does not prevent the sprawl of large built-up areas or prevent the merging of two neighbouring towns.A planning report to Bradford Council's regulatory and appeals committee suggested this site met the criteria, said the Local Democracy Reporting one of the objectors Stewart Bannister said: "Turner Lane is a very special place. It has always been a green space. At a time of year you will see snowdrops, followed by crocus, followed by daffodils."He said very few cars currently travelled on the stretch of road, making it popular with dog walkers, cyclists and ramblers."This is a real asset to Addingham and Bradford," he told dismissed developer's claims that the site was sustainable, and that residents would be able to walk to local facilities, pointing out that local Co-Op was more than a mile away and said the homes would not be affordable. 'Goalposts changed' Green councillor Caroline Whitaker questioned the consequences of agreeing this site could be downgraded to grey belt and said it could mean "any field in any village could be built on".Richard Mowat, representing the applicants, said Bradford's current housing position was "dire"."Nine dwellings can make a significant contribution to the local housing supply," he Labour committee chair Shabir Hussain said it was as difficult decision."The goalposts have been changed. This is the first decision we've had to make on the green belt, grey belt issue."He said the planning officer's report was very thorough, and he would be supporting committee voted five to one to approve the plan. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Edinburgh Reporter
7 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Refurbished Perthshire properties on the market
Braemore Estates, is selling investment property in the middle of Crieff, as they launch the development at Wade Court. This is a standalone development with nine apartments priced from £162,000. Buyers can acquire these properties, fully upgraded and redecorated, at a fixed price and in turnkey condition. Crieff, a bright and pleasant commuter area, is increasingly in demand from a UK wide audience, is now one of the country's property hotspots. Offering contemporary, open plan living, Wade Court is on Commissioner Street, with south facing views across the Strathearn Valley from its upper floors. There are private parking spaces in the building's undercroft garage which also has an external store in the garage area, useful for golf clubs and bicycles. There are two bespoke apartments on the first floor currently available, a one bedroom, priced at £162,000, and a bright and spacious two bedroom apartment with open plan kitchen/dining/living room, Juliet balcony, and ensuite to the master bedroom. This desirable property is priced at £192,000. Both of these modern and well insulated apartments are complete with well fitted modern kitchens, gas central heating, NEFF and Hotpoint appliances, Power Showers, all floor coverings, and secure door entry systems. Both can also take advantage of storage space in the undercroft garage and the external store in the garage area. The two bedroom apartment has its own parking space. Externally, buyers of these apartments may use a shared access pathway all around the building, with two communal areas for sitting out to enjoy the countryside views. Crieff is one of Scotland's most attractive market towns, and living at Wade Court, is within easy walking distance of a local pharmacy, the local Co-Op supermarket, the community hospital, doctors' surgery and numerous other independent retailers including a florist, a physiotherapist, artisan bakers, new acclaimed pastry shop & café, Ems & Co, and several beauty salons and hairdressers. Leisure facilities are available at nearby Crieff Hydro Hotel which offers various dining options within its recently refurbished restaurants and bar. A short walk from Commissioner Street takes you to the town's High Street. In front of the development, construction of a new Church Hall is about to commence. Carole Cameron, from selling agents Ballantynes, said: 'Wade Court represents a not to be missed chance to acquire a modern, turnkey apartment in the heart of Crieff, an area which has become highly desirable as a lovely place to live, which is rich in amenities and fabulous lifestyle opportunities, and as a lock and go investor hotspot, perhaps for those based overseas. Competition to acquire such properties can be fierce, but we are offering fixed prices.' For further details please contact Carole at Ballantynes on 01738 441825, or 0131 457 2222. Like this: Like Related
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
UK arrests four linked to M&S, Harrods cyberattacks
The attack on M&S locked down the company's internal systems with ransomware, causing weeks of disruption to online sales and an estimated £300mil (RM1.73bil) hit to its operating profit. — Reuters The UK's National Crime Agency has arrested four people over a series of disruptive cyberattacks that targeted leading British retailers earlier this year. The authorities detained three teenage males and one 20-year-old female in the West Midlands and London on suspicion of Computer Misuse Act offenses, blackmail, money laundering and participating in the activities of an organised crime group, the agency said in a statement Thursday. The arrests were made in connection with an investigation into hacks in April that targeted Marks & Spencer Group Plc, Co-Op and Harrods. The attack on M&S locked down the company's internal systems with ransomware, causing weeks of disruption to online sales and an estimated £300mil (RM1.73bil) hit to its operating profit. Meanwhile, the Co-Op said hackers stole data from its internal systems on "a significant number' of its customers. Paul Foster, head of the National Crime Agency's cybercrime unit, said the investigation into the attacks was one of his organization's top priorities. "Today's arrests are a significant step in that investigation but our work continues, alongside partners in the UK and overseas, to ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice,' Foster said in the statement. A spokesperson for M&S said that the company welcomed the development and thanked the crime agency "for its diligent work on this incident.' A Co-Op spokesperson said its members were pleased their cooperation led to the arrests. Harrods did not respond to a request for comment. The suspects were arrested at their home addresses on Thursday and had electronic devices seized, according to the National Crime Agency. Three are British nationals and a 19-year-old male from the West Midlands is Latvian, investigators said. Retail companies around the world have been plagued by a campaign of cyberattacks that some researchers attribute to Scattered Spider, a loosely affiliated English-speaking hacking gang that targets companies and individuals. A group resembling Scattered Spider recently moved from targeting retail to insurance companies and airlines, according to Charles Carmakal, chief technology officer at Google's Mandiant. The National Crime Agency declined to comment on if those arrested were affiliated with the group. The hackers worked with another cybercrime gang, known as DragonForce, to carry out the UK retail attacks, Bloomberg News reported previously. Dragonforce rents out malicious software, known as ransomware, to other hackers. Typically, ransomware encrypts files stored on computers and the hackers then demand payment in cryptocurrency to unlock the files. The incident occurred as a result of "sophisticated impersonation' of one of the retailer's third-party users, Marks & Spencer Chairman Archie Norman told a UK parliamentary committee on Wednesday. "It's fair to say that everybody at M&S experienced it,' he said. "We're still in the rebuild mode and will be for some time to come,' though things would return to normal for customers by the end of this month, Norman added. – Bloomberg
Wales Online
02-07-2025
- Wales Online
He was banned from every shop in a city centre but it didn't stop him
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A serial shoplifter banned from every shop in a city centre has been jailed after he continued to shoplift. Layton Vallance had been given a Criminal Behaviour Order, which banned him from all retail premises in Wrexham City Centre, Plas Coch Retail Park and Co-op shops in Wrexham. The 26-year-old, of no fixed address, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday, June 30 and admitted five charges of theft from a shop. A police spokesperson said: "The offences took place between 22-27 June at Co-Op stores on Borras Park Road and Poplar Road, and the One Beyond shop on Hope Street. Goods stolen by Vallance during this period were cumulatively valued at more than £500. "Vallance also breached a Criminal Behaviour Order banning him from all retail premises in Wrexham City Centre, Plas Coch Retail Park, and all Co-op stores in Wrexham. He was sentenced to serve a total of 36 weeks in prison and ordered to pay £255 in costs." Insp/Sgt Tom Dewberry added: "Vallance is a prolific shoplifter in the Wrexham area, with his actions having a detrimental effect on local businesses. His sentencing is welcomed and should give the local businesses the respite they deserve from his offending. 'We hope this result will reassure local businesses and their customers that we take this type of offending seriously and will do everything we can to protect them from crime.' You can sign up for all the latest court stories here Find crime figures for your area
