The Guardian • 30th June 2026

Hospitality VAT cut: can it help the sector and at what cost to UK taxpayer?

Nearly a quarter of hospitality businesses are losing money, new data has shown, reigniting calls among chefs, pub owners and restaurateurs for their sector to be handed a reduced rate of VAT.It may seem like a no-brainer because the measure would ease pressure on the ailing sector and put the UK in line with most European countries. But critics say the measure would be extremely costly and reward big multinational businesses, without necessarily helping to spur growth.Why does hospitality need...

The Guardian • 30th June 2026

Nearly 25% of UK pubs and restaurants lose money, research shows

Nearly a quarter of UK pubs, bars and restaurants are losing money, according to new survey data that came as a group of celebrity chefs and business owners stepped up their campaign for a sector-specific VAT cut.Spearheaded by chef Tom Kerridge, leading figures in the hospitality sector are calling for VAT on the industry to be cut from 20% to 10%.Under the banner “VAT’s the problem”, the campaign will be publicly launched from Wednesday in the hope of convincing visitors to venues across the c...

The Guardian • 29th June 2026

‘A very good gadget’: taking delivery from the robots of Milton Keynes

Driving down an endless string of identical roundabouts in the dead heat with hardly a human in sight, you see robots roving around on grassy pavements, whizzing past obstacles to hurriedly reach their final destination. This isn’t a scene from a Philip K Dick novel, however, but an average Thursday in Milton Keynes.The robots aren’t a new arrival to the Buckinghamshire city, the UK’s largest new town and a longtime marvel for city planning enthusiasts fascinated by its American-influenced layou...

Artists Aside • 2nd June 2026

Inside Berlin’s Legendary Hansa Studios  - Artists Aside

Hansa Studios Manager on running the studio day by day, whilst welcoming leading UK artists like Harry Styles into Berlin’s iconic creative hub. 


For Rocco Weise, no day is ever the same. As studio manager of the legendary Hansa Studios, he oversees consistent recording sessions and is responsible for welcoming some of the world’s leading artists who are inspired by the sound of the city. Since taking over the role in 2021, Rocco has been given the opportunity to both grow and preserve the le...

Artists Aside • 26th May 2026

The turned-around creative working to keep grassroots music alive - Artists Aside

Formed by a refusal to accept music industry barriers, an underground music venue owner builds access for underrepresented creatives and protects grassroots culture.Mike Thompson has many creative roles. Alongside managing music charity RiteTrax and grassroots music venue Plot 22, he is a music producer, DJ and plays bass for indie funk and jazz band, Goldivox.


Earlier, Mike had been wrapping up his weekly music session with a young artist, Sleepwalka, who he’s been working with for nearly tw...

18th January 2026

The women breaking gender barriers in the underground DJ industry

"Walk into every set with the confidence of a straight white male": The women breaking gender barriers in the underground DJ industry

What can we do to accelerate change in a music industry that’s lacking in gender diversity?

NeanderThoughts • 19th November 2025

Mamdani’s Mayoral Victory: What’s Next For New York City?

By Charlotte Smith -The US elected its first-ever Muslim and South Asian Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, to New York City on November 4th. Utilising social media to promote his campaign, Mamdani successfully attracted a large number of Gen Z and working-class voters, which enabled him to win the electoral vote. Mamdani secured the mayoral title with 50.4% of the vote, drawing his strongest support from Upper Manhattan and Northern Brooklyn, along with growing a growing allegiance...

Forge Press • 16th November 2025

A Symphony of Defiance: Rosalía’s Lux - Forge Press

Rosalía’s three-year-in-the-making record, Lux (Latin for ‘light’), reaffirms that her experimental spirit always meets and often exceeds expectations. From her breakthrough flamenco and traditional Spanish album El Mal Querer in 2018, to experimental pop and reggaeton in 2022’s Motomami, Rosalía’s latest release is certainly an ambitious, radical and genre-defying record.
With fifteen tracks unfolding in four parts and spanning thirteen different languages, including Catalan, Mandarin, Ukrainia...

Empoword Journalism • 28th July 2025

Barry Can't Swim: Loner – Album Review - Empoword Journalism

Charlotte Smith
Barry Can’t Swim (aka Joshua Spence Mainnie) releases his second studio album, Loner, delivering a deep sense of sonder intertwined with dance.
Barry Can’t Swim has become a big name in the music scene over the past two years.
Following the release of his album, When Will We Land? (2023), over 100 million streams have landed him playing notable festivals such as Coachella, Glastonbury and headlining All Points East and Lost Village festivals this summer.
His latest album, Loner (...