#euston food bank

[twopoppies]

This is so, so lovely 😔

And I have the feeling, this description fits all 5 of them… There is a reason why we (still) feel attached to them.

“He never once asked for anything. He did not want publicity, he did not want people to know, he just didn’t have that motivation – he saw a need and knew he could help.”

https://x.com/hs_news_/status/1849428317008461953?s=46&t=HJNgJeyaKbaPu8DTunwOUA

💔 I’m so sad. And so angry.

x

[liamnews]

How Liam Payne secretly gave up his time to help feed hundreds of struggling families in Camden

When lockdown left hundreds of families struggling to put food on the table, pop star Liam Payne had the means to help – so he did.

The One Direction singer, who died last week after a fall at a hotel in Buenos Aires, handed over £80,000 to Camden food poverty campaigns and rolled up his sleeves to volunteer as well.

This week Euston Food Bank director Dorothea Hackman paid tribute to the star and explained how he had, without publicity or fanfare, stepped in to help when they were at their most desperate.

She said: “Liam Payne was the kindest, most sensitive young man I have ever met over an incredibly long period of time.”

The singer had been approached on social media by a young volunteer who was a fan and, to their surprise, he responded immediately. As the pandemic struck and London went into lockdown, the Euston food bank went into overdrive.

Ms Hackman added: “He got in touch out of the blue and offered help. We desperately needed the money at the time. We were dealing with a massive increase in demand – because of lockdown people were desperate for food.

“He got in touch and asked what we did and what we needed. We told him about our work and he said, ‘Right, I’m giving you £80,000.’”

Half of the donation went to the Camden Town charity Food For All, and Liam visited both the Euston food bank and Food For All’s community kitchen to volunteer.

Ms Hackman added: “He came down to the food bank and really got involved, really rolled his sleeves up. He carried crates, packed boxes and bags, he visited us, supported us and was always charming.”

Ms Hackman added: “We are all incredibly upset and sad to hear the news. He really got it. He really understood his social obligations as a successful and rich person. He stood up to be counted. We will miss him terribly.

“He never once asked for anything. He did not want publicity, he did not want people to know, he just didn’t have that motivation – he saw a need and knew he could help.”

Food For All director Peter O’Grady recalled the singer turning up at a kitchen in Holborn and helping make giant pots of curry. He added: “He actually saved the day during the pandemic. He made the biggest single donation we have ever had, with no fuss. He didn’t want anyone to make a thing about it. He let nobody know of his generosity.”

[aghostshipontheblue]

Got to King’s Cross, realised we were at the wrong station and booked it to Euston.

Got to Euston, Glasgows on the board until it isn’t. Go up to the info desk, we’re told get on the Preston train and change to the Glasgow train there, there’s some problem with the switchboard or something, not great but fine.

Go get food and I happen to mention what train we swap onto, no idea, Keera goes up to information desk and is told the Preston swap is no longer happening, the Glasgow train isn’t coming and we have to go to Edinburgh.

I had a Karen moment because the Edinburgh train leaves from King’s Cross so how the fuck are we supposed to get there in 15 minutes and I’m upset that we booked seats and now we won’t have seats unless we beat folks to the unreserved section.

Booked it to Kings Cross because we’ve been told to get the 12pm train, paying for a taxi which isn’t bank breaking but like I shouldn’t need to do that.

Anyway we managed to get seats but we get into Edinburgh an hour after our Glasgow train was supposed to get us home, then we’ll have another hour to get the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow which will be peak times so it’ll cost a bomb, then we’ll need to go from central to the house which will cost more money.

I’m super pissed I won’t get home until after 6 probably, dogs will have pissed all over the house so that’s fun 🙃🙃.

Edit: there’s two dogs next to us, I’ve made my peace with the train journey.

[liam-93-productions]

Pushing a trolley stacked high with cans of Baked Beans along a narrow corridor, it's hard at first to recognise the masked young man despite his face being on billboards around the world.

His hair, too, is longer thanks to lockdown, while his hands are covered by an unflattering pair of latex gloves.

Up close there's no mistaking who the mystery man is....but quite why Liam Payne finds himself stacking shelves in a London foodbank is another matter.

In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, the down-to-earth 26-year old singer has spoken for the first time about how he felt compelled to act in the wake of the global pandemic.

Like many, he was left deeply upset by reports of families struggling to eat under the crippling financial pressure caused by the nation going into lockdown.

And in an extraordinary act of generosity, the star has donated cash worth 360,000 food parcels to the Trussell Trust, who support a nationwide network of food banks.

But he wanted to get his hands dirty too....so headed down to a foodbank in London's Euston to volunteer and also find out first hand about the scale of the problem.

“I was told that in terms of people turning up to that specific foodbank, it was almost double, if not more. It's terrible people need food banks anyway but now, it's getting worse and worse,” he says.

Liam spent the day packaging up food parcels for the homeless with a team of four other charity volunteers

“My job for the day also entailed packaging up specific items for homeless people that were stuck on the street,” he says. “They need very specific types of food because a lot of them can't cook things, they can't prepare stuff, they can't get boiling water.”

Last week The Trussell Trust said it was enduring its busiest ever period, with 81% more emergency food parcels being given out across the UK compared to the same period in 2019. This included 122% more parcels going to children.

“The numbers are crazy,” he admits. “And it's just disturbing to know how many people are without food in these circumstances. I hope enough people out there know about these food banks and can get down to them.”

He paid special tribute to the “inspiring” foodbank volunteers he met including Carla, Dorothea and Helena.

“These people are putting themselves on the line every single day going out and doing this, putting themselves at risk,” he says

“I want to urge anyone reading this to donate to The Trussell Trust if you’re able to. I know lots of people are in a really difficult financial position right now so can’t … but if you can please do donate.”

Growing up in Wolverhampton, money was tight in the Payne household, with dad Geoff a fitter and mum Karen a nursery nurse.

But while he admits that “money definitely put stress on the family in certain circumstances”, he says that it was a world away from the current predicament many families are now finding themselves in.

“This is a really unprecedented situation that we find ourselves in right now,” he says. “It's very distressing seeing the number of people out there losing their jobs. I'm hoping that the Government does what it can and makes those right decisions so that we can all improve this and get back on our feet as quickly as possible.”

(...)

Liam says he was also left worried about new reports of a potentially lethal inflammatory syndrome in children that appears to be linked to coronavirus infections.

“To think of kids struggling, it really, really pulls on the heart strings, and I just can't imagine how people feel in that position.”

Liam reserves special praise for the army of NHS workers up and down the country and says how he has been joining in the Clap for our Heroes every Thursday.

And like so many other people he has been left horrified by the rising death toll among their ranks – not least as he recognises the important role the NHS played in his own life.

The star has previously said how he was born “effectively dead” with doctors having to bring him round. He was then in and out of hospital with kidney problems as a toddler.

Asked if he owed a personal debt to the NHS, he said: “I think so, definitely. Living in the country and having the NHS service, I think we have taken it for granted. It's unfortunate that it's only in times like these that we all suddenly realize that. I mean these guys literally put themselves at risk every day. It's wonderful to hear the clapping throughout the streets, and people really, really going for it.”

Work-wise, the lockdown has meant that Liam has had to put on hold a series of international dates over the summer including a gig in Russia.

“I hadn't been there before, even with One Direction, so I was quite miffed about,” he says. “But you have to do what you have to do in this circumstance. And I was actually meant to go to America at the time of this, and luckily I'd stayed put for the moment, I didn't want to be stuck away from all my family and everything, which would have been even harder.”

Instead he has taken on the rather unique challenge of putting on gigs from the confines of his London flat. As well as performing the One World Together at Home gig put on by Lady Gaga, he performed his new single Midnight with Alesso on James Corden's chatshow from both his frontroom and rooftop.

“I mean it's challenging to make things look interesting from home.... we were flying a drone around in here, what we’ll do next I don’t know..!” he laughs.

For someone who has been so open before about his mental health while in One Direction, I wonder how he is doing holed up away from his friends and family?

Liam has previously spoken about suffering chronic loneliness in the band and having to seek therapy because he was in such a “bad place”.

He says: “The thing that I'm trying to remember in my head is there are going to be bad days. There are going to be some days where you feel a bit down. But as long as you know that, you can kind of battle your way through it a little bit.

“But I think the main thing for me is just making sure I have a routine and setting mini goals and little victories like writing a song or making sure that I've been in touch with a family member that day.

“But I think one of the things we can all do to help each other is just by staying in touch. If you know somebody who's a little bit lonely or is struggling, reach out to them.”

Liam is supporting the Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity that supports a network of food banks and campaigns for a future where everyone can afford their own food. You can support their work by donating here – www.trusselltrust.org/make-a-donation/

[monkeyscomics]

Speedy’s Cafe clarified they are not closing, but they are up for sale. Nonetheless, I wish to express how much I miss you guys, I hope the new owner would keep the special place exactly as it is. It is the spot connecting fans, and where to revisit the Sherlock legend.

Good luck with everything in the future!

Can’t help to run through old photos… AH How much I miss London!!! If you haven’t been to Speedy’s Cafe, or if you miss it as much as I do, let’s take a virtual tour together!

1.Your travel company: Me, Roll, and tiny Benedict (pin drawn by my dear Ka)

2. The journey start at Euston Station, turn right and walk for about 5-10 mins, you should see Speedy's Sandwich Bar & Cafe. The day we went was raining as London’s usual, but it won’t stop me from taking tons of photos~~~

3.  - 

4. Lovely food! Enormous!!!! I was so sorry to tell you we couldn’t finish it. The girls next to us could finish it. The man behind us? Couldn’t finish it. It was a generous portion!!! It won’t break the bank, and it’s delicious! (So how much did Sherlock and Watson eat ??? ) 4 -7. I worried if they do not welcome fans, or if they do not welcome us taking photos, but when I saw they have fan arts and photos of the cast pinned everywhere, I was relieved. People in there are friendly ~ 8. We actually got this table!!! YEAHHHH The table next to us were also fangirls XD

9-10. The one who invent this kind of photos is genius ! Love merging the scene and the real place, a door to escape reality.

[themillennialdiaries]

Freshers’ Week In Halls - Four Things I Wish I’d Known

I still remember the day I moved into halls so clearly; stepping off the train at Euston station, my family acting as concierges to move the ridiculous amount of stuff I insisted was ‘essential’ for uni, and the blend of excitement of fear that set in when I hugged them goodbye and was left alone in my cold and empty halls room.

Freshers’ week can be incredibly daunting, especially when you’ve moved away from home. It is a time where everyone needs guidance, and nobody really knows what they're doing. The most advice I read before setting off to university was ‘buy a doorstop to show you’re open to talking to people’; a nice idea on paper, but not really very helpful. Here are my top four things to keep in mind during freshers’ week that I wish I had known back then.

1)    You don’t have to be a party animal to make friends.

Freshers’ week is always hyped up to be a week of binge drinking and non-stop clubbing, to the extent that it seems you have to join in this lifestyle to make any friends at all. But this is simply not the case; in fact, it’s the friends that you do things other than fireball shots with that you’ll likely continue hanging with after the madness of freshers’ is over. Plus, in London especially, you’ll find that going to the popular clubs like Ministry of Sound and Egg will eat into your bank account like crazy. There are so many more fun things to do that don’t involve killing your liver, and the student union website will usually have a calendar of all sorts of activities running throughout the freshers’ period where you can meet new people.

On this note – don’t discount the student union club nights. Glittoris, which runs once every month at the UCL Students Union, is an LGBTQ+ club night with free entry, cheap drinks and the most fun and welcoming atmosphere. They have cheesy pop tunes, drag queens hosting all night and run a lip-sync battle a la Ru Paul’s drag race mid-way through the night. You can even bring a guest along with you if you have friends visiting from other unis. You cannot go wrong!

2)    You’re going to feel clueless. 

Having moved into your strange, very basic halls room, there’s going to be a period of time where you ask yourself how you will manage to live on your own, as an adult. You’re going to realise that the only things you can cook are beans on toast, oven chips and microwave rice. Or, if you’re as a bad as I was, realise you can’t even turn an oven on in the first place. Or work a washing machine. 

To avoid this crisis of confidence, arm yourself with a few basic skills before you make the move. For example, learn how to make some easy recipes. There are plenty of easy recipes online, my favourite go-to sites being BBC Food and Tesco Food Magazine. Bonus points if you find recipes with cheap ingredients -  chickpeas are a godsend. And please, please learn how to use a washing machine before you leave home, to avoid dying all your clothes pink.

3)    People are going to steal your food. 

Yes, even in the first week. This is a fact you will have to accept. Passive aggressive post-it notes left in halls kitchens may seem ridiculous to you now, but they are no myth you might even find yourself writing one out when someone eats half of your tub of Ben and Jerry’s Cookie Dough. The weirdest things I’ve had stolen from me include a bottle of rose wine and a tomato. One solution is to bring a padlock for your cupboard – but for the fridge, you might just have to stick to putting post-it notes on your food saying ‘may contain laxatives’.

4)    Don’t feel pressurised to do everything right. 

Freshers’ week can be overwhelming –adjusting to living alone in a new city, with SO MANY things going on and so many new people to meet. If you’re not careful, you can quickly find yourself in the position where you have planned to join 50 different societies and meet up with 15 different people in the same day. It’s ok to have a breather and do something relaxing! Take some time to yourself, go for a walk, and don’t put pressure on yourself to avoid missing out on everything going on. UCL actually hold a lovely Plant Sale in freshers’ which is the perfect way to take some time out from your new busy hectic social schedule. Also, you can buy a plant that doesn't need much maintenance and feel like you have your life together somewhat. Trust me, my cactus I bought back then is still with me and THRIVING. 

Life in freshers’ week, especially in halls, is chaotic. You’ll become best friends with people you’ve met for 5 minutes and then never talk to them again when the week is over. You will join the most random societies ever and never go to any of their events. Without fail, during the first week, someone will set the fire alarm off burning a pizza at 3am. And be known for it for the rest of the year. Don't let it be you.

But there is really no RIGHT way to do freshers’ week – just have a good time!

[emmamartinsblog]

Christmas train to Glasgow

“Everything is fine as long as it all goes to plan!” 

I’m sat on the train from Euston to Glasgow. Very exciting! I turned up 2 hours early - I tend to do that in general just to be on the safe side...the nice people at Euston put me on the earlier train. I still have to have assistance to be able to find the right seat number. All was going well until we hit Carlisle - there seemed to be a problem on the track so we all got taken off the train. I didn’t know whether I was going to make it up to Glasgow or not. All is ok but it’s the real life problems (which everyone has) that stress me out and that I find hard to deal with. Weirdly on the train I bumped into a guy who I went to Uni with who got on the wrong train and it was his wedding anniversary. I suppose it could be worse as he’s missing his wedding anniversary and I’m just on my way to Glasgow! He’s called Russel and he was in my student accommodation at the Old Bank. Fingers crossed it all went well for Russell. 

Other things for the RNIB: For my birthday they got me a cake which was very unexpected and I thought that it was a really lovely gesture from the team at the RNIB. 

Garry and the team at the RNIB.

I met a lady called Marvel. We had a product shoot for the RNIB with products that blind people use - we had a lot of fun. Some of the participants were partially sighted or fully blind. Marvel was a marvel as she told me about her own blindness and climbing Kilimanjaro. She was quite a character and we all got on very well. One of the other ladies had a right sided Hemianopia very similar to me and she was incredible. We all decided that we were going to make our own version of ‘Loose Women’! It could be quite a story, I’ll suggest it at the RNIB. 

The RNIB have been great in entertaining me with lots of jobs. I’ve started doing some stuff on the RNIB radio connect in the Camden studio. My first interview was with Lauren Bateman who’s blind after she had toxoplasmosis and cataracts. She has been through hundreds of operations but is now fully blind. Lauren is 1o years younger than me. She has er own guide dog called Grace who is gorgeous and we had a great interview on the radio. She is amazing because she travels the world and she had just returned from a trip to Helsinki with her guide dog and boyfriend to get Grace used to travelling which is fantastic. She is hoping to travel more in the new year.

Lauren and Grace at RNIB radio.

So, I’ve had yet another birthday! It was great. One of the highlights was going to dinner at an Italian place called Gloria’s. It was amazing food but also felt very surreal and quite kitch but good fun. The food was to die for. I had a fantastic Carbonara which I shared with my Mum. Boris Johnson’s Dad Stan was in the restaurant - hilarious. More food back at home with old pals and family. We went to a Thai restaurant and it was great to catch up. The day after we went to see DJ Yoda with my old Portland Street Massive! It was a really good night where I bumped into lots of old faces. We all really enjoyed reliving our youth! From now on I’m going to be going backwards and staying in my 30′s! 

I had to go to an annual check up at the Royal London where I had to go for yet more tests...straight after we went to a silver lining meeting - my Mum’s first one and it was really busy. There were so many people there that it made me think there must be more and more people getting brain injuries all the time. The stats are showing that there were was approximately one admission every 90 seconds to UK hospitals in 2016-17 and rising all the time. 

Me and Mum also went to the UKABIF conference (United Kingdom Aquired Brain Injury Forum) - it includes people with brain injuries as well as support workers and medical practitioners. It seems this is turning into my specialist subject and meeting lots of different people. I ended up being invited to go to the ABIL conference (Aquired Brain Injury Forum for London). There were a lot of people there who suffered following a brain injury and who were speaking about their experiences. Maybe I could do something like this next year. It was great to meet all of the key players in this brain injury field. I brought my flyers to both of these events to promote my podcast. 

I had my annual Acast Christmas party. They are doing really well there. It was nice to see them so busy and how many podcasts and podcasters they are now dealing with and hearing what their expectations for the new year were. Well done them! 

I finally finished my podcast with John Lawson. We had to redo it because we had some technical difficulties on the first try but John was happy to redo it. John was quite a famous chef. He used to work under Gordon Ramsay in Australia and then he had a brain injury following a stroke. He then had to have a Craniotomy (an operation on the brain where you have to be awake during it). John now has a vegan restaurant in Leigh on Sea. He is a survivor and a very nice man who talks a lot about meditation as part of his new life. The podcast episode with John as well as 2 other new episodes will be coming out in the new year. So hopefully you’ll look forward to that! 

When I arrived in Glasgow it decided to be quite rainy but I guess that’s quite typical when you go up North. Me and Yvonne went for a nice walk and saw Highland Cows. 

We then went out for dinner, drank a lot of G&T’s and caught up. Seb was up for the weekend too and joined in with the shenanigans. On Saturday we watched the boxing with Anthony Joshua winning and then we followed that with a huge Christmas dinner on the Sunday which was lovely. So good to catch up with everyone. 

Back to the train journey...I ended up having to change trains 3 times but made a new friend on the journey - hopefully he’ll listen to my podcast. All in all it was a very tiring, long trip. I left London at 1:30pm and arrived in Glasgow at 10:30pm which was much later than expected. But this does mean that I get compensation for the inconvenience - the silver lining! 

Merry Christmas to everyone and hope you’ll still read my blog in the new year :)

[didsomeonesaygo]

London, Day 3

Got a late start this morning - still a bit jet lagged, it seems! Took a train and a bus to Chelsea and walked to the Chelsea Physic Garden, a really cool botanical garden that was created in 1673 for the purpose of growing medicinal plants and training apothecaries. It's near the river and faces south, giving it a microclimate that allows plants that wouldn't normally do well in England. We saw California Poppies (represent!) and our nemesis, the extremely invasive Arundo Grass; we were somewhat vindicated to see that even full-time gardeners can't seem to keep it from spreading.

Walked along the Thames into Chelsea to visit Worlds End, Vivienne Westwood's shop where the Sex Pistols got their start. It was closed. (See Sad Patrick.)

Took the bus to Covent Gardens and stopped in at Pick & Cheese, which is every bit as delightful as it sounds. It's a conveyor belt. With cheese. Like, ALL of the cheese. I restrained myself somewhat and had only (!) 5 cheeses so we wouldn't spoil our dinner with cousin Laura and Aunt Ann at Sagar. It was great to see family, and a perfect end to our London Indian food tour. (Did I mention we had Indian food every night here? Brits brag about it so much, we figured we had a responsibility to do a wide survey, at least of the vegetarian options. Other stops included Mint Leaf near the Bank of England and Chutneys on Drummond St. The verdict: Yes, the Indian food here is excellent, though we prefer LA's papadams.)

After gelato at Amorino, we said goodbye to Laura & Ann at the Leicester Square tube stop. Then we meandered through Chinatown to Piccadilly Circus, which felt like a smaller Times Square, and then took the tube back to Kings Cross station. Since our first night here, we'd been intrigued by the Euston Flyer across the street from the hotel - Patrick somehow read it as Boston Peter? - so we stopped in and had beers and an order of chips. (We rationalized that our first "meal" of the day was cheese at 3pm, so we needed to keep our energy up with all of the walking we've been doing!) Though the pub kind of smelled like fried fish, the chips were the perfect chips of my dreams - definitely worth it.

[travelonlinetipsofficial]

Easter travel weekend: All the cancelled trains and rail works happening this bank holiday weekend

https://www.travelonlinetips.com/easter-travel-weekend-all-the-cancelled-trains-and-rail-works-happening-this-bank-holiday-weekend/

Easter travel weekend: All the cancelled trains and rail works happening this bank holiday weekend

By lunchtime on Maundy Thursday, London Euston station was extremely busy. From the close of services tonight, the terminus for

Travel News #TravelNews #travel #love #photooftheday #nature #photography #instagood #travelgram #travelphotography #travelblog #travel #travelgram #travelphotography #wanderlust #instatravel #travelling #travel #travelgram #photooftheday #travelphotography #trip #instatravel #foodandtravel #foodie #foodporn #food #foodblogger #foodphotography #foodies #foodiesofinstagram #travel #foodpornshare #sogood #travelonlinetips #MarkWeins #holiday #vacation #staycation

[moutoshidotcom]

EXPERT CHOICE: 10 BEST 5-STAR HOTELS IN LONDON

London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. Tourism of London according to the London Government website the statistics are:

Visitor Count: 21 million

Spending Amount by Visitors: £2,104 million

The Number of Overnight Stays: 1.3 million

Visits Per Day: 19.7 million

In Britain, tourism is the fastest growing industry. Up until 2025, it is expected to grow by 3.8% a year, creating 10% of all jobs. In 2016, overseas travelers spent £22.5 billion in the UK. Here is a listing of the 10 Best 5-star Hotels in London.

List of 10 Best Most Visited 5-star Hotels in London

1. Vintry & Mercer

2. Intercontinental London — The O2, an IHG Hotel

3. Hilton London Bankside

4. Shangri-La The Shard, London

5. The Ampersand Hotel

6. ME London by Melia

7. Kimpton — Fitzroy London, an IHG Hotel

8. Andaz London Liverpool Street — a Concept by Hyatt

9. The Langham London

10. London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf

1. Vintry & Mercer

The five-star Vintry & Mercer in London offers a fitness center and bar 700 m from St Paul’s Cathedral. Nearby points of interest include Sky Garden, Tower of London, and Borough Market. A business center and free WiFi are available at the property.

Every room and suite has a bespoke interior design and includes a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Some rooms at Vintry & Mercer feature a balcony as well as a private bathroom with free toiletries.

The property offers a continental breakfast. Restaurants on-site specialize in British and Asian cuisine. You can get advice on what to do in the area at the reception.

The accommodation is 1.7 km from London Bridge. The property is a short walk from Mansion House station. The London City Airport is 12 kilometers away.

Based on independent reviews, this is our guests’ favorite part of London. The location is especially popular with couples, who rated it 9.4 for a two-person trip.

2. Intercontinental London — The O2, an IHG Hotel

The InterContinental London — The O2, an IHG hotel, is located on the Greenwich Peninsula. Free WiFi and a spa are available onsite. It takes 5 minutes to walk to the O2 Arena from the hotel via a covered walkway.

All rooms have a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and complimentary luxury toiletries. Three restaurants and two bars are available to guests. Both Clipper Bar and Eighteen Sky Bar offer views of Canary Wharf and the River Thames.

IHG’s InterContinental London — The O2 has a 24-hour reception and a large conference center. In the UK, the Arora Ballroom is the largest pillar-free event space. 19 additional meeting rooms are available.

The InterContinental London — The O2, an IHG hotel, is 8.2 km from London City Airport. The Excel Arena is 6.4 km from the hotel. Five minutes walk from North Greenwich Tube station and ten minutes walk from Emirates Airline Greenwich is the North Greenwich Tube station. For a two-person trip, couples rated the location 9.6.

3. Hilton London Bankside

Hilton London Bankside has an indoor pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a cocktail bar, as well as free WiFi. The hotel is located on London’s popular South Bank, 11 minutes from Borough Market and Waterloo Station.

There is a 42-inch flat-screen TV with pay-per-view channels, a radio, air-conditioning, and a Hilton Serenity Bed in each room. The room has a seating area, a work desk, and a refrigerator. There is a shower or a bath in the en suite bathroom, as well as bathrobes, a hairdryer, and free toiletries. A few of the rooms offer a view of the city. Restaurant service is available all day long as well as 24-hour room service.

Shakespeare’s Globe is a 7-minute walk from the Hilton London Bankside, and the Shard is a 14-minute walk away as well. The London Eye, Southbank Centre, and SEA LIFE London Aquarium are all nearby.

According to independent reviews, this is the favorite part of London for our guests. Couples rated the location 9.0 for a two-person trip.

4. Shangri-La The Shard, London

The Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London occupies levels 34 to 52, offering breathtaking views of the capital and beyond. The highest bar in London serves cocktails until late and has an exquisite restaurant.

In addition to floor-to-ceiling windows providing views of the city, all of the hotel’s rooms maintain the theme of Oriental elegance. In addition to the body-contouring Shangri-La Bed, rooms include a TV, coffee maker, complimentary WiFi, and binoculars.

Marble-clad en suite bathrooms come with underfloor heating, separate bathtubs, and a glass-enclosed shower. There are plush bathrobes, Acqua di Parma toiletries, and mirrors with TV screens. As part of the building’s integrated sun-shielding, all rooms are equipped with climate control.

TING, a signature restaurant and lounge on level 35, and Bar 31 are two of the hotel’s dining and drinking options. GŎNG, located on level 52, is London’s highest champagne and cocktail bar.

London Bridge Station is less than one minute walk from the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard. You can walk to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge in 20 minutes. Enjoy a stroll along with the South Bank of the River Thames to The London Eye, Big Ben, and Westminster, located approximately 2.4 km away.

According to independent reviews, this is the favorite part of London for our guests. Guests rated the location 9.5 for a two-person trip.

5. The Ampersand Hotel

In a large Victorian building, The Ampersand is a cosmopolitan hotel with a Mediterranean restaurant and is a short walk from South Kensington Underground Station. There is also a gym and a games room at the hotel.

An elegant chandelier cascades down a grand staircase in the pillared foyer. A patisserie menu is available in the hotel’s drawing rooms, while the downstairs bar area has an urban feel with exposed brick arches.

All of the rooms at The Ampersand have original Victorian features and bold contemporary wallpaper designs. There is a minibar, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and an en suite bathroom in each room.

Additionally to the hotel’s well-equipped gym, guests will have access to information about horseback riding, private trainers, and running routes.

A short walk away from the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, Harrods and Hyde Park is just 15 minutes away.

According to independent reviews, this is the favorite part of London for our guests. Couples rated the location at 9.7 for a two-person trip.

6. ME London by Melia

ME London by Melia overlooks Somerset House from its location on the Strand. This elegant hotel offers international fine dining at the STK London restaurant. The River Thames, Covent Garden, Somerset House, and Soho are all just 2 minutes away. The Radio Rooftop Bar offers panoramic views of London.

This innovative hotel features cosmopolitan interiors and contemporary music. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views, a media hub, an LCD TV, and a Bali shower in the en suite bathroom. Guests can also enjoy free WiFi, 24-hour gym access, and 24-hour room service.

The radio rooftop offers a variety of breakfast options and in smoothies, pastries, and coffees in the Marconi Lounge Bar, or guests can enjoy a cocktail on the radio rooftop bar. A Suite and breakfast rate also includes breakfast at the rooftop Radio restaurant, with views of the city.

Guests at ME London by Melia can request tailored tourist information and reserve tickets for events and attractions. Only 5 minutes walk from the bright lights of the West End is the hotel. Ten minutes by foot will take you to Trafalgar Square, and five minutes will take you to Temple Tube Station.

According to independent reviews, this is the favorite part of London for our guests. For a two-person trip, couples rated the location 9.6.

7. Kimpton — Fitzroy London, an IHG Hotel

The Kimpton Fitzroy London is a landmark building on the eastern flank of Russell Square in Bloomsbury. A short walk from Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, and The British Museum, this lavish property features a striking terracotta exterior and luxurious contemporary designer interiors.

The rooms and suites have been completely redesigned throughout the hotel to create a sense of modern luxury throughout the hotel. All rooms come with free WiFi, Smart TVs, minibars, and en-suite bathrooms with high-end toiletries.

On-site dining options include Burr & Co., a casual coffeehouse by day, and a wine bar by night. At Fitz’s bar, guests can relax with a drink. The Neptune Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the Palm Court serves afternoon tea.

Hotel guests have access to eight meeting and event spaces, including a ballroom that can hold up to 300 guests.

The Kimpton Fitzroy is just steps from Russel Square Tube Station and less than 1.6 km from Oxford Street and the West End’s theatres. In less than 10 minutes, you can reach King’s Cross, St. Pancras, and Euston stations by car.

According to independent reviews, this is the favorite part of London for our guests. Couples rated the location 9.4 for a two-person trip.

8. Andaz London Liverpool Street — a Concept by Hyatt

This five-star hotel is adjacent to Liverpool Street Station and has 267 stylish rooms and suites, 7 restaurants and bars, free WiFi, a 24-hour health club, and complimentary wine and canapes in the hotel’s lobby every evening.

All rooms feature a flat-screen TV, Yukata bathrobes, REN toiletries, and a free non-alcoholic minibar with juices and snacks.

At Eastway Brasserie, you can enjoy casual dining, traditional English pub food at Lady Abercorn’s Pub & Kitchen, or authentic Japanese cuisine at Miyako. Guests can also enjoy all-day dining, beverages, and live music at Rake’s Café Bar.

The Andaz London Liverpool Street has located just 1.6 km from the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral, as well as a short distance from vibrant and creative Shoreditch, with its array of boutiques, markets, and nightlife. Located in central London, Oxford Street is only a 7-minute Tube ride away.

Independent reviews indicate that this is the favorite part of London for our guests. For a two-person trip, couples rated the location 9.4.

9. The Langham London

An award-winning glamorous bar, Artesian, and a stylish restaurant, Roux at the Landau, are located at the top of Regent Street. Oxford Circus tube station is a 5-minute walk away, and there is free WiFi. In the local area, there are numerous shops, theatres, and restaurants.

Among Langham’s bars and restaurants are the award-winning Palm Court, Artesian Bar, and The Wigmore, all overseen by Michel Roux Jr. Currently, the Landau restaurant Roux is closed.

A 16-meter swimming pool, sauna, steam rooms, a fully equipped gym, and treatment rooms can be found at Chuan Body + Soul Spa and Health Club. Each room at Langham London features an en suite bathroom, air conditioning, and a flat-screen TV.

It was Europe’s first grand hotel when it opened in 1865, and it has hosted royalty, foreign dignitaries, and celebrities in luxury for 150 years.

Our guests’ favorite part of London, according to independent reviews. The location is particularly liked by couples — they rate it 9.7 for a two-person trip.

10. London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf

Luxury rooms and a gym are available at this 5-star landmark hotel in Canary Wharf. The O2 Arena and London City Airport are easily accessible.

The spacious rooms at London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf feature LED TVs with Google Chromecast, luxurious beds, and comfortable seating areas. Room service is available 24 hours a day, and there are USB outlets in the rooms.

In addition, many of the rooms overlook Canary Wharf and the skyline of London’s business district.

Manhattan Grill Steakhouse offers prime USDA steaks in a stylish environment. You can also relax at the G&Tea Lounge, which offers a variety of gins, cocktails, snacks, and full meals as well as afternoon tea.

The Marriott Health Club offers a wide range of fitness facilities, including a fully equipped gym and a relaxing sauna.

West India Quay Station, 200 m from the hotel, is served by the DLR. In the public areas, executive rooms, and suites, Wi-Fi is free. Couples like the location the most — they rate it 9.2 for a two-person trip.

These are our expert choices for the 10 Best 5-star Hotels in London. We hope you enjoyed this article. Please share your views through comments. We are wishing you all the best in spending your holidays in Mauritius. Thanks for being with moutoshi.com.

[liamnews]

trusselltrust: Thank you so much @LiamPayne for helping your local food bank yesterday. We’re stronger together and your support will help us work towards a future where food banks are no longer needed 💚 [Image description: A photo of Liam Payne helping volunteers sort food supplies at Euston Foodbank.] #trusselltrust #teamtrust #liampayne #foodbank #poverty #donate #food #charity #getinvolved #thiscanchange

[dykemisspiggy]

The South Bank for sure, it's full of life and music and art (it has the National Theatre, British Film Institute and the Globe as well as street performers and artists).

Speaking of the Globe, if you don't mind standing (or the possibility of disappointment), you can get £5 tickets to a globe performance by waiting in the queue at the box office on the day. (Nearest tube stop Blackfriars/St Paul's)

If museums are more your thing, we need to split into categories as we have far too many:

Science:

The Science Museum is fun and interactive as well as informative. The nearest tube stop is South Kensington.

The Natural History Museum is also amazing, less interactive exhibits but beautiful in its own way. I highly recommend the T Rex exhibit. (nearest tube stop: South Kensington)

The Wellcome Collection is a collection created by the Wellcome family and is mostly scientific and medical curiosities. Expect antique glass eyes and preserved body parts. (Nearest tube stop: Euston)

Art:

The National Gallery - this place has always filled me with wonder. It's art from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. It's located in Trafalgar Square so you get two sights in one. (Nearest tube stop: Charing Cross)

Tate Modern is a modern art museum (early/mid 20th century-now) and is absolutely fantastic. It's also on the South Bank (next to the Globe) so it's easy to hit in on the way to other things. (Nearest tube stop: St Paul's)

Any small gallery you see on your way somewhere. These galleries will let you look around for free and this is often a good chance to see emerging and current talent. It's also a last-chance-to-see because the majority go to private ownership.

History:

The Victoria and Albert Museum - *stefon voice* this place has everything. It houses clothing throughout the ages as well as treasures borrowed stolen from countries we invaded, including Tipu's Tiger - a major highlight. (Nearest tube stop: South Kensington)

The Museum of London was good the last time I went, but I hear reports that it's become a bit crap, check the Google reviews on this one. (Nearest tube stop: St Paul's/Barbican)

The National Maritime Museum - if you like ships/naval history/the terror, then wander down to Greenwich. It has the history of British water travel and a an exhibition on polar exploration with real artifacts from the actual Franklin Expedition. (Nearest tube stop: Cutty Sark)

If you like the Royals, then Buckingham Palace is fun, lots of opulence and it's a bit jarring as it's 5 minutes down the road from a fancy new office block. The nearest tube stop/national rail station is Victoria. If you're in the area of Victoria, I'd suggest the English Rose Café and Tearoom. I worked there over Christmas last year and they treat their staff really well, their food is amazing, and the atmosphere is gorgeous (like the vintage-y coffee shop AU of your dreams). Oh, and the staff are happy to chat and give recommendations if you want them.

There are a lot of places mentioned in literature in London. There are so many that if you want to know if a place is any good, dm me. If I've been I'll let you know.

If you don't mind a crowded Market, Camden Lock Market is amazing. In particular the part which is called the Old Stableyard. A warren of unique clothing and wonderful shops and food. It's a bit pricey though! (Nearest tube stop: Camden Town/Camden Road)

The London Eye is lovely, but long and expensive. If you have no burning desire to see London from above, then don't go for this.

I would recommend walking down/up the river you discover amazing places and people.

My main advice is go out and explore. London is a living, breathing city. Get lost and find a cute little café in a tiny side-street. Talk to a street musician and go to his gig in a dive bar that night. Because there's no guarantee what you found before is still there.

If you want more info or just to chat more about where to go in London, just message me. I love talking about my hometown!

anybody know of any cool things me and my mum can do in london next week??

[joalhe1997-blog]

It’s a slow process...

Into March we go - 20/270 before today’s (or yesterday’s given I’m writing this after midnight) excursion and I’m starting to doubt that I will complete this… Always much harder when you don’t actually live in London to be fair!

I made sure that I got into London early enough to give myself a bit of time to discover more stations. After getting a cup of coffee from Marylebone, I decided to meander down Marylebone Road and eventually after passing Baker Street and Regent’s Park, reached Great Portland Street (21/270).

I do rather like the old station platforms with the bricks.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t really pay attention to which line I got from there, I think it was the Metropolitan. This then took me one stop along to Euston Square (22/270).

I then made the very short walk from there to Warren Street (23/270).

I then took the Victoria line one stop along to Oxford Circus (24/270).

This was a station I was expecting to do much earlier but never got round to. 

I got out and walked east down Oxford Street, where suddenly I realised that caffeine and I aren’t as friendly as we used to be. I had to pull into a well known burger franchise and although I was planning to eat anyway, had to pay for food before I could use their facilities…

A few minutes later, I left and headed right over the road to Tottenham Court Road (25/270).

I thought I had more time than I actually did so at that point made a little detour on the Central line towards Bank, hoping that by switching between there and Monument, I might encounter a ticket barrier, having never used the link before (very much out of hope than being expectant). Alas I was wrong and so, in a bit of a panic, headed back on the District line from Monument to Embankment and lazily (well, more because I have a better idea of where I’m going from there and thought I’d probably encounter fewer street crossings) got the Bakerloo line back up to Charing Cross where I disembarked.

I was back at the London Coliseum for the English National Opera’s performance of The Winter’s Tale - a world premiere of a piece by Ryan Wigglesworth. It was enjoyable but probably not one I’d hurry back to see.

Homeward bound and with my tally now up to 25/270, I’m still yet to hit the 10% mark at 9.26%, but I am close. I think I’ve decided that at a minimum I’d like to complete Zone 1 (so far 19/63 - 30.16%) by the end of the year. Although I also am aware that I have completed 9/15 - 60% of the Victoria line. Until a week or so, ciao!

[tripstations]

5 New Standout Hotels in London

Well established as a design capital — the famed Victoria and Albert Museum was founded in the 19th century as a design museum — London has become the world’s best hotel city.

There are the pillars of timeless elegance, like Claridge’s and The Connaught, which set the hospitality bar quite high while injecting glamour into the hotel cocktail bar and restaurant.

England’s capital also hosts upstarts like The Hoxton, which opened its first hotel in 2006 in Shoreditch, an East End neighborhood, helping to transform the district and redefine the hotel lobby as a creative hangout, aglow with laptops.

Game-changers like Chiltern Firehouse — opened in 2013, still white hot, and not just because it’s got a secret smoking room — and The Ned, the 252-room hotel and members club opened in 2017 by the founder of Soho House, continue to rewrite the rules of what hotels can be: a place to rest your head, of course, but cultural touchstones, too. That’s why The Standard chose London for its first address outside the United States — on Euston Road in a striking 1974 Brutalist building, opening officially in the fall.

In the city’s current hotel-opening boom times (the Great Scotland Yard Hotel is due late 2019), here are five standouts.

Vintry & Mercer

Named for the 14th-century merchants and traders who established this district in the City of London, this 92-room hotel is 100 percent powered by renewable energy and has a rooftop terrace, where lunch comes with views of St. Paul’s and the Shard.

Velvet headboards, leather door handles and vintage-map wallpaper give the individually designed rooms lush character; lots of plants in the public spaces create a business traveler’s bolt-hole; and Do Not Disturb, an underground speakeasy with leather banquettes and images of Zeigfield Follies girls on the walls, has its own sultry entrance set back on Garlick Hill.

Vintry & Mercer; from about $225; 19-20 Garlick Hill, City of London.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Just before a major renovation was to be unveiled last year, a fire ripped through this property, so the old-world behemoth had to be renovated again — for a total cost of $192 million. The results are shockingly luxurious and certainly not for the faint of wallet (nor for anyone with a shopping, er, problem, given the proximity to the fashion temples of Knightsbridge), but well suited to one of the few hotels on Hyde Park.

You can set your Rolex by the Royal Horse Guards riding by every morning at 10:30 on the way to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Very near Tower Bridge and the Tate Modern, this 193-room hotel is a refurbished 1905 magistrate’s court. While there’s a whiff of businessman’s hotel design in the rooms (it’s part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection), some details from the architect John Dixon Butler’s Edwardian original are intact — such as the Y-shaped central staircase.

There are cheeky allusions to the building’s history, too: a coffee table in the Orwell Suite was made from benches etched by former prisoners, a glass chandelier in the lobby is made up of tiny handcuffs, mug shots decorate the Courtroom bar and the coffee roasted on site is called — wait for it — Shakedown.

The Dixon; from about $320; 211 Tooley Street, Southwark.

Belmond Cadogan Hotel

The original Cadogan Hotel, where Oscar Wilde was arrested in 1895, was built in 1887. After a four-year, $48 million restoration, it’s now a 54-room (and suite) boutique hotel in central London with lots of exclusivity, including access to the mulberry trees and tennis courts of the private Cadogan Place Gardens.

Original design details — working fireplaces, mosaic floors, wood paneling — have been preserved, and rooms have a plush residential vibe with little sofas, intricate molding and eclectic art under recessed lighting. The hotel also landed a couple of key collaborations: with an independent bookshop, John Sandoe Books, for a small library of British literature; and with the chef Adam Handling, a 30-year-old Scottish darling of the London food scene, for its restaurant and all of its food and beverage.

Belmond Cadogan Hotel; from about $600; 75 Sloane Street, Chelsea.

The Hoxton, Southwark

A new 14-story building among the converted factories on the south side of Blackfriars Bridge, London’s third Hoxton hotel is due to open in September. The 192 rooms — designed by Ennismore Design Studio — come in five categories: Shoebox, Snug, Cosy, Roomy and Biggy, all fitted with British-made new and antique furniture.

The rooftop restaurant overlooks the Thames. Perks standard to the brand include a minibar that guests can stock with local products from the hotel’s shop (at supermarket prices) and a free breakfast bag delivered daily to the room.

A new twist: the inclusion of Working From_, a six-floor shared work space within the hotel, with 744 desks, five meeting rooms, its own entrance, a winter garden and a wellness studio with class programming curated by the every-body fitness company Refinery E9.

The Hoxton, Southwark; from about $265; 40 Blackfriars Road, South Bank.

52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Follow our 52 Places traveler, Sebastian Modak, on Instagram as he travels the world, and discover more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week you’ll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.

The post 5 New Standout Hotels in London appeared first on Tripstations.

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[biofunmy]

5 New Standout Hotels in London

Well established as a design capital — the famed Victoria and Albert Museum was founded in the 19th century as a design museum — London has become the world’s best hotel city.

There are the pillars of timeless elegance, like Claridge’s and The Connaught, which set the hospitality bar quite high while injecting glamour into the hotel cocktail bar and restaurant.

England’s capital also hosts upstarts like The Hoxton, which opened its first hotel in 2006 in Shoreditch, an East End neighborhood, helping to transform the district and redefine the hotel lobby as a creative hangout, aglow with laptops.

Game-changers like Chiltern Firehouse — opened in 2013, still white hot, and not just because it’s got a secret smoking room — and The Ned, the 252-room hotel and members club opened in 2017 by the founder of Soho House, continue to rewrite the rules of what hotels can be: a place to rest your head, of course, but cultural touchstones, too. That’s why The Standard chose London for its first address outside the United States — on Euston Road in a striking 1974 Brutalist building, opening officially in the fall.

In the city’s current hotel-opening boom times (the Great Scotland Yard Hotel is due late 2019), here are five standouts.

Vintry & Mercer

Named for the 14th-century merchants and traders who established this district in the City of London, this 92-room hotel is 100 percent powered by renewable energy and has a rooftop terrace, where lunch comes with views of St. Paul’s and the Shard.

Velvet headboards, leather door handles and vintage-map wallpaper give the individually designed rooms lush character; lots of plants in the public spaces create a business traveler’s bolt-hole; and Do Not Disturb, an underground speakeasy with leather banquettes and images of Zeigfield Follies girls on the walls, has its own sultry entrance set back on Garlick Hill.

Vintry & Mercer; from about $225; 19-20 Garlick Hill, City of London.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Just before a major renovation was to be unveiled last year, a fire ripped through this property, so the old-world behemoth had to be renovated again — for a total cost of $192 million. The results are shockingly luxurious and certainly not for the faint of wallet (nor for anyone with a shopping, er, problem, given the proximity to the fashion temples of Knightsbridge), but well suited to one of the few hotels on Hyde Park.

You can set your Rolex by the Royal Horse Guards riding by every morning at 10:30 on the way to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Very near Tower Bridge and the Tate Modern, this 193-room hotel is a refurbished 1905 magistrate’s court. While there’s a whiff of businessman’s hotel design in the rooms (it’s part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection), some details from the architect John Dixon Butler’s Edwardian original are intact — such as the Y-shaped central staircase.

There are cheeky allusions to the building’s history, too: a coffee table in the Orwell Suite was made from benches etched by former prisoners, a glass chandelier in the lobby is made up of tiny handcuffs, mug shots decorate the Courtroom bar and the coffee roasted on site is called — wait for it — Shakedown.

The Dixon; from about $320; 211 Tooley Street, Southwark.

Belmond Cadogan Hotel

The original Cadogan Hotel, where Oscar Wilde was arrested in 1895, was built in 1887. After a four-year, $48 million restoration, it’s now a 54-room (and suite) boutique hotel in central London with lots of exclusivity, including access to the mulberry trees and tennis courts of the private Cadogan Place Gardens.

Original design details — working fireplaces, mosaic floors, wood paneling — have been preserved, and rooms have a plush residential vibe with little sofas, intricate molding and eclectic art under recessed lighting. The hotel also landed a couple of key collaborations: with an independent bookshop, John Sandoe Books, for a small library of British literature; and with the chef Adam Handling, a 30-year-old Scottish darling of the London food scene, for its restaurant and all of its food and beverage.

Belmond Cadogan Hotel; from about $600; 75 Sloane Street, Chelsea.

The Hoxton, Southwark

A new 14-story building among the converted factories on the south side of Blackfriars Bridge, London’s third Hoxton hotel is due to open in September. The 192 rooms — designed by Ennismore Design Studio — come in five categories: Shoebox, Snug, Cosy, Roomy and Biggy, all fitted with British-made new and antique furniture.

The rooftop restaurant overlooks the Thames. Perks standard to the brand include a minibar that guests can stock with local products from the hotel’s shop (at supermarket prices) and a free breakfast bag delivered daily to the room.

A new twist: the inclusion of Working From_, a six-floor shared work space within the hotel, with 744 desks, five meeting rooms, its own entrance, a winter garden and a wellness studio with class programming curated by the every-body fitness company Refinery E9.

The Hoxton, Southwark; from about $265; 40 Blackfriars Road, South Bank.

52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Follow our 52 Places traveler, Sebastian Modak, on Instagram as he travels the world, and discover more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week you’ll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.

Sahred From Source link Real Estate

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[onetouchinvestment-blog]

Digbeth – The Shoreditch of Birmingham?

Why is Digbeth being touted as the Shoreditch of Birmingham?

Interspersed with street art, craft beer pubs and creative working spaces, you could be mistaken in thinking you were walking through London’s Shoreditch. It’s Birmingham’s Digbeth, an exciting area that is experiencing a phenomenal amount of regeneration and has piqued the interest of Birmingham’s creative crowd.

Digbeth is conveniently situated just a five-minute walk away from the Bullring shopping centre. It was once the industrial heart of Birmingham and due to its location and affordability, has recently been pulled into the limelight and has undergone quite the transformation.

Now Digbeth is home to breweries and tap rooms such as Dig Brew Co and street food markets such as Digbeth Dining Club. Both day and night there is always something new to discover and the neighbourhood’s streets are buzzing with artistic expression. With these trendy new things to do in Digbeth, it is no surprise that it is becoming an appealing place to live and work for creatives. Due to the heightened reputation of the area, a creative working space called the Custard Factory (aptly named after the Bird’s Custard factory that occupied the same area) has been developed. It is now home to some of the country’s most creative well-known businesses such as the BBC’s digital innovation unit, Channel 5’s the Gadget Show as well as many digital start-up companies. It is also home to craft beer and cinema venues such as The Mockingbird, and Chitty’s Cakes – a cake shop that sells bespoke novelty cakes.

King’s Cross: another creative hot spot

Another area with an emerging creative sector is King’s Cross. Google recently set up its new headquarters in the area and the office is the first outside of its US office to be completely owned and designed by the company.  Other companies setting up office in King’s Cross include Facebook, the Guardian, Universal Music and Nike.

How do property prices compare between Digbeth and King’s Cross?

King’s Cross is just one stop from Euston, which will receive trains from Curzon Street in Birmingham. The total journey time will be 51 minutes. Curzon Street is just a ten-minute walk from Digbeth, making Digbeth a viable alternative for those who work in the creative industry in King’s Cross but cannot afford the high price tag of accommodation. King’s Cross has an average house price of £950,019 compared to £147,336 in Digbeth (according to Rightmove).

One particular investment option in Digbeth is Moseley Gardens, a new development comprising 67 one and two-bedroom apartments. Due for completion in Q2 2020, one-bedroom flats in Moseley Gardens start from £185,000. These could be an ideal option for someone looking to live in the area, or the astute investor who knows Digbeth will soon be one of the most coveted areas in Birmingham.

Why invest in Birmingham?

A lot of companies are investing in Birmingham and this is evident with HSBC’s chosen city for their new headquarters was Birmingham which created 1000 jobs. Also, Deutsche Bank increased the number of people they employ in Birmingham from 50 to 2,000. Outside of London, Birmingham produces the largest number of new businesses due to the availability of affordable office space, housing and young talent. It’s no surprise then that Knight Frank recently named Birmingham as the UK’s number one business hotspot and with the creation of new jobs, young talent has followed. In 2015, 6061 people moved from London to Birmingham which is more than to any other city.

As above, young talent has followed job creation. This has meant that Birmingham has a significant young population with under 25s making up almost 40% of the city’s inhabitants. Its young population lends itself well to the rental market, as they often don’t have the capital to buy a property and enjoy the freedom of renting before they decide where to lay down roots. The demographic can also contribute to capital uplift, as once they have saved up the money for a deposit, they will be a captive audience to purchase existing properties in the future. This makes buy to let investments particularly attractive, as there will be a significant demand for property from young professionals.

Contact us today to find out more about property investment UK and why Digbeth is one of the most exciting hotspots to be considering this year.