Introducing Spark & Bell Brighton-based studio, Spark & Bell, is pioneering a new era of sustainable lighting, combining community focused craftsmanship with quality and responsible materials in its contemporary design pieces. Established in Brighton in 2015, Spark & Bell is a custom handmade lighting business committed to bringing high-quality, bespoke lighting directly to consumers and interior designers. Founded by Emer Gillespie, a former fine arts photographer and lecturer, the company was started out of personal desire for original lighting options and a simple yet ambitious vision: to combine exceptional local craftsmanship and ethical practices into a sustainable family-run business. Emer…
Author: Editor
The latest membership numbers released by the Booksellers Association (BA) revealed that the number of independent bookshops has declined slightly in 2024 from 1063 to 1052, continuing 2023’s downward trend. However, independent bookshops continue to outperform the wider retail sector which, according to recent data from the Centre of Retail Research, saw about 37 shop closures per day in 2024. The Booksellers Association (BA) welcomes the healthy number of 45 independent bookshops opening in 2024 (compared to 51 in 2023) as a continued vote of confidence in bookselling but signals that any decline of overall independent bookshop members is a reminder…
The Government’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Opportunities Action Plan maps out promising opportunities for the economy, however engagement with the recruitment sector needs to part of the solution if it is to work. That’s according to the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo). Shazia Imtiaz, General Counsel at APSCo explains: “It’s encouraging to see the many plans outlined by the Government to boost the UK’s AI prowess and we welcome many of the recommendations. That includes the creation of AI Growth Zones across the country alongside research into the extent of the skills gaps in the remit. APSCo has advocated the…
Active Careers, in collaboration with OriGym, a leading UK fitness training provider, reports a substantial rise in the number of women qualifying as personal trainers over the past nine years. Data from OriGym, encompassing over 40,000 students, indicates a 25% increase in female enrolment in personal training courses since 2016. This trend aligns with Active Careers’ job board statistics, where 46% of personal training job applicants are now women. This shift reflects a growing female presence in a profession traditionally dominated by men. To understand this change, Active Careers surveyed 824 female personal trainers about their primary motivation for entering…
Pineapple Dance Studio’s: Galentines Day Heels Workshop What a better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, than with your girlfriends having a blast in a steamy dance class at Pineapple Dance Studios! 💗 In this special Galentine’s Heels Workshop for all levels you can explore your body and have fun. This heels class will start with a juicy warm up then go into learning a dance routine in heels to feel confident and sexy. All levels are welcome, the teacher will give options to allocate for all abilities during the class. Turn it up or down to whatever level of sizzle you want! Bring your heels or even your trainers…
London Wetland Centre announces mudtastic festival for February half-term WWT London is set to host a Mudfest event packed with mudtastic activities to get stuck into this February half-term. Mudfest will see nine days of mud-themed activities to entertain the whole family – from creating mud art, to whipping up a ‘treat’ in the mud kitchen and much more. The full line-up of messy and muddy activities at WWT London also includes exploring how different shaped beaks help wetland birds hunt for food in their muddy habitat, muddy arts and crafts and treating the senses to a good old-fashioned squelch through the…
Adagio, the European leader in aparthotels, announces the appointment of Sophie Mestiri as Chief Human Resources Officer and member of the Executive Committee. With extensive expertise in human resources management and organizational transformation, Sophie Mestiri will play a key role in implementing initiatives required to achieve Adagio’s strategic plan. A graduate with a master’s degree in social law from Panthéon-Sorbonne University and Paris II Assas, Sophie Mestiri began her career at Bouygues Telecom, where she held various roles for 12 years, including customer relations and organisational project management. She then continued her journey with industrial and service groups: at Shell…
Tourism Malaysia is thrilled to announce its participation in Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show 2025, the UK’s largest and longest-running travel event, held in association with The Times and The Sunday Times. This premier event will take place at Manchester Central from 16th – 19th January 2025, and at Olympia London from 30th January – 2nd February 2025. Destinations is commemorating its 30th anniversary in 2025, marking three vibrant decades of inspiring travellers to explore the world. With over 600 travel brands taking part, visitors will have the unique opportunity to connect with hundreds of experts who can tailor-make and book the perfect getaway. With 2025 marking the…
Trafalgar St. James, Curio Collection by Hilton – the 5* lifestyle hotel in central London – unveils the first stage of the hotel’s luxury refurbishment with the opening of the new Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar and the fully redesigned lobby. The all-new Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar and lobby transformation are part of the hotel’s £6m renovation plan which sees the hotel elevating their premium offering with a full refurbishment of the ground and lower ground floors. The next phase of the renovation, due to be unveiled in February 2025, will see the hotel add six new suites to their offering. Rockwell Bistro & Wine Bar is an…
Pink Guards will descend on Westfield White City this weekend, as EE and Netflix team up to host a unique Squid Game 2 experience at the EE Studio The free event will see the iconic Squid Game piggy bank take centre stage as it is redesigned as a ‘money grabber’ game giving consumers a chance to win incredible prizes, while pink lighting and content from season 2 will transform the Studio into an immersive arena for the weekend Shoppers are invited to play as if their lives depend on it, with a range of prizes available for those who come out…