This is my favourite building in Soho. Tucked away in a lane off Wardour Street you’ll find this fantastic reminder of a time when the country made its money making things. Clearly that was a while ago because you just don’t see gentlemen in bowlers and top hats anymore, even in the city of London. Still at least someone had the sense to preserve the building. Hats off to the developer.

A lot of people believe that provenance is a very important thing. No more so than in the food and drink sector. That’s why other countries fight so hard to stop rivals stealing their unique food and drink heritage. Put simply their argument is ”if it’s not made here its not the genuine article”. So what a spectacularly sad day it was when Scottish & Newcastle announced yesterday that it is shifting production to Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.
Some drinkers have already vowed to boycott the world-famous brand. I think I’ll just get some in while I still know it’s the real thing.

I didn’t realise that when the most powerful person in the world moves into the most famous house on the planet he (or in this case his missus) gets a trolley dash round America’s art institutions in order to pick up a few pieces to brighten the place up a bit. However that is indeed what happens and the First Lady has chosen a very untraditional mix of great art to impress the other world leaders when they’re over for tea. I particularly like the Ed Ruscha she’s chosen. Check out the words on the canvas:
”Maybe yes …wait a minute…on second thought…maybe no.” Perhaps it’s to remind the President what reactions he can expect from the Republicans as he tries to persuade them that leaving people with no healthcare cover is actually a bad thing.