Latest news with #PiccadillyCircus
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I tried best Guinness where 20,000 are sold a week and and it wasn't Dublin'
Guinness has become all the rage in the last few years, once thought as the choice of that random old man always lurking in the same corner of your local, it is now the choice of a much younger crowd. The drink has amassed almost a cult-like following with Guinness rankings becoming all important on social media and in almost every pub at some point in the evening you'll see a crowd of young lads infamously attempting to split the G. Fitting perfectly into the box of a 24-year-old, flat white drinking basic man, I headed on the pilgrimage to our promised land - The Devonshire. The pub has become so famed for its pint of the Irish stout it now sells around 20,000 pints of the black gold each week - that's only a few short from being able to fill an Olympic size swimming pool every year. The pub is nestled into its magical own corner of Denman Street and Sherwood Street in London's Soho, just a stone's throw away from Piccadilly Circus. The faint murmuring of its bumble playing in the background as you enjoy a pint in the traditional London way - stood up crowded around the pavement outside - where I rightfully took my place. Its classic green exterior with overhanging Ivy is in stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of the West End theatres that surround it. This is most obvious with the view of glowing red signs of Moulin Rouge at the Piccadilly Theatre taking up the spot across the road. As I walked inside I was met with a classic chequered floor, aged wood and traditional oxblood leather-backed seats that greats you like it would've done a hundred years ago - despite only opening in this iteration in 2023. The building itself is steeped in history and has been operating mostly as a pub since 1793, and after a brief recent stint as a Jamie's Italian, I'm glad to see it has been returned to its former glory. I made my way in with a slight spring in my step to the bar, where a line of half-full Guinness was already lining its countertop patiently waiting to settle to create the perfect pour and a happy customer in front of me of course had ordered two pints of the black nectar. I was next, and along with 70 percent of the bar's customers, ordered my glass of the stout. After a short wait I was handed my pint and soon made my way outside to enjoy the not-so-fresh Soho air. Like many, I'm sceptical of how good a Guinness really can be. Aficionados often claim to taste notes of chocolate, coffee and treacle but to me, many stouts all taste relatively similar. But as I took a healthy first gulp, I could instantly understand the hype. The head was almost creamy in nature with its remnants leaving that trademark and all-important 'shtick' - a sign of great pour. This pint was distinctly fresher than others I've had, it didn't leave you feeling full, bloated and like you've drunk the three-course meal equivalent of a pint - instead it was light and crisp and left me thirsty for another one. The secret behind the pub's top-notch pint is all supposedly to do with the system. The pub's landlord Oisín Rogers, dubbed by critic Giles Coren as London's 'most famous publican', told GQ: "Nobody's really done it properly in the UK. "Because there's never been the investment from the pubs, or the owners of businesses to do it properly. In every other pub that I know in the UK, the Guinness comes through the same cooler as the lagers, which makes it too cold. And they use the same gas." The Devonshire instead has a purpose-built Guinness system that feeds it with an 82:18 nitrogen to carbon dioxide ratio (unlike the more common 70:30) giving it the creamier texture found more commonly in The Emerald Isle. Another reason for its flavour is the pub's sheer volume. The Devonshire churns out the stuff around 20,000 pints a week, so you know your pint isn't coming from an old keg that's been hiding in the basement for months and instead has just come off the boat from Dublin. In short, I believe it is. There is a reason the pub is rammed from nearly dawn to dusk every day. Safe to say it was the nicest Guinness I've ever tasted and with its almost magical surroundings it's worth adding on the pit-stop during a trip to the capital. If you're lucky enough to bag yourself a reservation (which is much easier said than done) the pint is possibly best enjoyed with its food - which has garnered attention of its own after being ranked as the nation's best gastro-pub But for any future pilgrims sticking to the bar, there should be one big caveat - it is still a Guinness, I believe this is one of the best examples of the stout in the British Isles but it should be admired for the humble drink that it is.
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Hawksmoor asked Tommy Robinson to leave after staff 'felt uncomfortable'
Far-right anti-Islam activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, was asked to leave a London restaurant after the business said guests and staff felt 42-year-old said he and four others were told to leave the Hawksmoor steakhouse, near Piccadilly Circus, on has accused the restaurant of "discriminatory behaviour" due to his political which did not name Yaxley-Lennon in its statement, said the group left the restaurant "politely", adding that its decision was "not about politics or belief" and it was "not trying to engage in a public debate". The restaurant chain has been contacted for further footage, posted on X by a member of Yaxley-Lennon's group, shows a member of staff telling them that his colleagues felt "uncomfortable serving" staff member is then heard saying that he had a "duty of care", adding that he would waive the bill for their drinks and apologising for the inconvenience. Posting on X, Yaxley-Lennon said: "Restaurants and businesses should not be political. We weren't loud, aggressive or inappropriate, so this can only be my politics."Tripadvisor has temporarily suspended reviews on some Hawksmoor restaurants due to an influx of reviews "that do not describe a first-hand experience". It comes after Yaxley-Lennon called for a boycott of the restaurant and for his followers on X to leave reviews. The steakhouse chain has seven restaurants in London, with branches in Liverpool, Edinburgh, Manchester and abroad. 'Huge amount of fallout' In a statement Hawksmoor said: "On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. "The party left peacefully and politely on request."It added it wanted to welcome guests "regardless of background or views" and its team had to deal with a "huge amount of fallout... some of which is quite concerning". BBC News has contacted the steakhouse chain's CEO for comment. It comes after Yaxley-Lennon pleaded not guilty to two charges of harassing two Daily Mail journalists on founded the far-right English Defence League, known for its protests against what it calls "radical Islam". He stepped down in 2013.
Forbes
07-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How A Top Company Used Generative AI To Reinvent Culture And Innovation
In March 2023, Coca-Cola launched its 'Create Real Magic' month-long campaign to reimagine the role of generative AI at work. The company partnered with OpenAI and Bain & Company and asked digital artists from around the world to use AI to remix iconic Coca-Cola visuals. Thousands of submissions poured in, each one reflecting a personal take on the brand's timeless identity. Coca-Cola showcased many of the AI-generated creations on large digital billboards in Times Square and Piccadilly Circus. It was a creative invitation that allowed the public to participate in storytelling, putting the brand's legacy assets, like the contour bottle, into the hands of everyday creators. The campaign officially ran through the end of March 2023, but it opened a much broader conversation about how generative AI can influence not only marketing but also corporate culture, innovation, and leadership strategies. The experiment was a success. Coca-Cola proved that inviting public collaboration can generate global engagement. People around the world helped shape the brand. That level of inclusion helped deepen emotional investment and positioned the company as forward-thinking without letting go of what made the brand special. Coca-Cola also learned that using AI can speed up content production significantly. What would traditionally take weeks to produce could now be created in days or even hours. That gave marketing teams more flexibility and made it easier to test creative ideas in real time. Still, speed doesn't automatically equal success. The company released a holiday commercial in late 2024 that was entirely AI-generated. Many viewers found it lacked the heart and warmth Coca-Cola ads are known for. Some called it 'dystopian,' and others said it felt off. AI can often feel that way, but Coca-Cola defended the effort as an experiment in blending human and AI creativity. The response highlighted something important: consumers may enjoy AI-driven content, but they still expect brands to feel human. Coca-Cola's experience points to a deeper layer of strategic reflection that many companies overlook. Leaders planning their own generative AI initiatives should embrace curiosity and consider these questions: What internal capabilities do we need to build first? Before the campaign ever launched, Coca-Cola had already begun training internal teams, building literacy in generative AI tools, and partnering with experts. Integrating AI has to be part of the culture. What creative processes should still belong to humans? Coca-Cola chose specific assets to be AI-enhanced but didn't overhaul everything. They were careful about when and where generative AI could contribute. That's a critical balance. Not every part of your business should be automated, and not all content should be generated. Are we prepared for legal and ethical questions? This is often one of the trickiest aspects of working with AI, especially when it comes to intellectual property, data use, and contributor rights. Coca-Cola retained ownership of the generated content and made it clear that submissions were for non-commercial personal use only. That clarity matters. It sets expectations and protects the brand. Does this align with how people emotionally experience our brand? This is where perception plays a powerful role. If a campaign creates scale but feels hollow, it can damage long-term trust. The goal of using generative AI should be to enhance connection and maintain authenticity. The campaign had a noticeable effect internally. Coca-Cola used the campaign to create new momentum around digital transformation. It sparked excitement across departments and gave HR a chance to work on upskilling. Teams were encouraged to experiment with AI, apply it to their own roles, and explore what it meant for the future of work. HR played a central role in coordinating training, managing the ethical rollout of new tools, and supporting change management across departments. It also influenced Coca-Cola's employer branding. Showcasing this kind of innovation made the company more attractive to creative and tech-savvy talent. Candidates began to see Coca-Cola not only as a legacy brand but as a place where modern ideas could thrive. There are real, practical steps HR teams can take to get ahead of these opportunities. Coca-Cola didn't wait until the campaign was public to get HR involved. Other companies can do the same by focusing on five key areas. Start by building a culture of curiosity. Encourage teams to explore, ask questions, and experiment with AI in safe ways. One effective method is to assign team members to try out different AI tools, then present findings in casual peer-sharing sessions. It lowers the barrier to entry and raises comfort levels. Partner with legal to set clear internal guidelines. People need to know where generative AI can be used, what data is off limits, and how to maintain transparency. HR is in the best position to co-author these boundaries and help teams apply them. Offer fluency training that focuses on how AI works and where it fits into daily roles. Employees do not need to be coders to use AI effectively, but they do need to understand its capabilities and how to ask better questions when working with it. HR can embed this training into leadership development programs or onboarding. Update talent strategy and recruiting language. If a company is using generative AI in public campaigns or product innovation, that should be part of the employee value proposition. It signals a forward-thinking culture and draws people who want to work in that kind of environment. Address the emotional impact of change. Some employees will feel excitement while others may feel uncertainty. HR can play a critical role in creating space for open conversations about what this technology means for people's roles, expectations, and future development. Generative AI changes how creativity happens, how teams collaborate, and how leaders define success. Coca-Cola showed what's possible when organizations make space for experimentation, invite collaboration, and use technology to support meaningful contribution. People remain curious about what AI can do, but they still want content that feels emotionally real and culturally relevant. AI does not replace storytelling. It redefines how stories are built, shared, and scaled. Companies that want to follow this path do not need a global campaign. They need a clear commitment to curiosity, a foundation of trust, and an HR strategy that uses AI to support meaningful work and long-term growth.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Britain's 'most hated drill rapper' is hauled to court AGAIN from his prison cell after driving his £200,000 Lamborghini without insurance near Piccadilly Circus
A drill star dubbed the most 'hated rapper in London' has been convicted of driving a £200,000-plus Lamborghini without insurance close to Piccadilly Circus, MailOnline can reveal. Digga D was prosecuted over the incident in 2023 while languishing in HMP Brixton where he is currently serving more than three years for drugs offences. The 24-year-old star, whose birth name is Rhys Herbert, has been convicted of driving the supercar without insurance on Piccadilly in the West End of London in October 2023. Piccadilly Circus is where he has filmed his music videos in the past, once shutting it down when he was mobbed by fans who scaled the world-famous statue of Eros. He faces an unlimited fine and a potential driving ban, according to court documents, and may even appear at Bexley Magistrates' Court from his London jail via video link when he is sentenced. Digga D is currently serving time for importing and dealing close to 50kg of cannabis. He was arrested last year and lives-streamed the moment armed police crashed into his home. Digga, as he is called by his fans, has multiple convictions for gang-related crime and drugs with friends claiming he had earned up to £3million from rapping before he was jailed four months ago. He told a court last year that he began smoking drugs aged 12. His use of rap songs and videos to goad rivals and glorify violence has seen him dubbed 'London's most hated rapper' online due to the number of enemies he has. Herbert, from west London, was even subject to a ultra-rare police order that controls his musical output because it was linked to violence. On one occasion he was almost blinded when stabbed in the eye by a rival during a previous spell in jail for a machete attack. On another occasion someone tried to kill him by opening fire on him in his car, MailOnline understands. In January this year Digga D was jailed for three years and 11 months for selling 45 kilos of cannabis after helping import the illegal drug from the US. He was arrested after police launched a raid on his property in Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln in the early hours of February 21 last year - while he was broadcasting live on Instagram . He pleaded guilty last May to importing 3.6 kilos of cannabis in June and July 2023 and a further charge of supplying cannabis. At his sentencing in January Judge Simon Hirst decided on the level of Herbert's drug dealing after hearing two days of evidence, because the prosecution did not accept the basis of his pleas. Judge Hirst said he was satisfied Herbert had played a significant role in selling cannabis for a commercial profit and jailed him for just under four years. Digga can be heard shouting: 'What do you lot want, I'm here! I am here! Stop! What are you lot doing?' with the sound of smashing glass in the background The court heard Herbert had six previous convictions for 13 offences, including possessing an offensive weapon and violent disorder for which he was sentenced to 30 months youth detention in March 2020. Herbert told a previous hearing that he began smoking cannabis from the age of 12 and used the drug throughout his teenage years to "help with his frequent migraines". He claimed it was 'a benefit' to buy his cannabis in bulk as he could afford it and it proved cheaper. The musician said buying in bulk also reduced the chance of him coming to the attention of the police as he was often stopped both in London and elsewhere in the country. He said he also obtained bags of cannabis to use in the video for his hit song I'm From. Mobile phone footage of the star handling a bag of cannabis and allegedly complaining about the poor quality was also played in court. A number of photographs also showed Herbert handling large amounts of cash, the court was told. His criminal past goes back to his teenage years. He last left prison in May 2020 after being sentenced to two and a half years for his part in a machete brawl in front of shoppers in central London. Digga D (pictured centre) invited his fan base to join him in Piccadilly Circus in London when he filmed a new music video in 2023. It was nearby where he was caught driving the Lamborghini Anti-knife campaigners also criticised the BBC for producing a documentary about a violent rapper in which he complains about his struggle to make music that glorifies gang attacks. BBC promotional material for the programme at the time stated: 'Police say they target drill because it promotes and causes violence, but the genre's supporters call this censorship and say that the art simply reflects real life. Digga's situation, and his ongoing story, embodies this dilemma. A Metropolitan Police order even banned him rapping about rivals or specific attacks, although he can refer to violence generally. His supporters said he was being censored. But he had hidden apparent coded references to attacks in songs, and the name of his group, The Conspiracy Gang Members, is thought to be a 'tribute' to members of his 1011 drill gang arrested in 2018 on their way to attack rivals. In 2018 five members of the 1011 gang, including Digga D, were jailed and banned from making violent videos after they were caught with machetes and baseball bats on the way to attack a rival gang in 2017. They had got in a black car and drove towards the postcode area of their rival's, the '12 World Gang' from Shepherd's Bush, intent on revenge. But police swooped and found they were carrying deadly weapons. A judge banned the five young men from mentioning death or injury in their songs or on social media and ordered them to inform police before they record or perform songs. In 2019 cyber criminals broke into the Metropolitan Police Twitter account and posted tweets calling for the release of Digga D from jail. In a now-deleted tweet the hackers wrote: 'FREE DIGGA D ON FOENEM GANG.' The account, which is normally only used to update the public on ongoing policing matters, had posted tweets that said: ''F*** the police' and 'What you gonna do ... phone the police?' In one video viewed nearly three million times, on YouTube Digga D boasted about having to bleach his knife after using it to attack someone. His songs are also explicit about sex as well as gang rivalries in London.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Instant karma for 'phone snatcher' who tries to steal Chinese student's mobile in lawless London theft hotspot
A suspected thief got a dose of instant karma after trying to steal a mobile phone out of the hands of a Chinese student on the streets of lawless London. In a short video clip, uploaded to Red Note, the alleged crook approaches the student and starts a conversation in a bid to distract him. In just a matter of seconds, it appears the man has swiped his phone before running off with the expensive device and into Tottenham Court Road Tube station. But, what the suspected thief doesn't realise is he's picked on the wrong person. The alleged victim chases after the man, dressed in a camel puffer jacket, into the Tube station, down the escalator and onto the platform. There, a struggle ensues and the suspected phone snatcher is restrained into a corner by the student who holds him in a vice-like grip before finally retrieving his phone. He then guards the alleged thief until before police and Transport for London (TfL) staff arrive and escort him out of the station. Police confirmed to MailOnline that a man was arrested on suspicion of theft in connection with the incident during rush hour last Wednesday. However, it seems the Chinese student (pictured in black coat) quickly served him instant karma, catching him and retrieving his device A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Police were alerted on Wednesday, 7 May to a report of phone theft in central London. 'A 28-year-old man had alleged his phone had been stolen between His Majesty's Theatre and Piccadilly Circus at 17:00hrs on Monday, 5 May. 'The victim retrieved his phone at Tottenham Court Road tube station after it had been thrown to the ground. 'A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft, and has been bailed pending further enquiries, which are ongoing.' It comes as London has been hit with a phone snatching epidemic, with the issue reaching crisis point as victims as young as four being targeted. Figures show there were 22,253 incidents reported phone snatching incidents in Westminster alone in the year leading up to September 2024, equating to 85.4 thefts per every 1,000 people. Discussing the problem, Paul, who works by the London Eye, previously told MailOnline: 'I see it all the time. I would say every day. It's worst around this touristy part of London - particularly along Westminster Bridge. 'It happens to tourists a lot because they're unaware. I try to warn them but it doesn't always work. After racing through Tottenham Court Road, the Chinese appears to grip the alleged thief in a bear hug in a bid to stop him racing away The pair responsible for the brazen daylight attack then ran off past the other boutiques 'One time, a family asked someone to take a photo of them in front of the London Eye. And the guy they chose ran off with their phone. 'Usually though, they come past on their bikes and snatch the phone before anyone has a chance to react. It's a real issue.' The 51-year-old said he sees the same culprits at work repeatedly, adding: 'There are groups of them who are here all the time,' Paul said. 'The police know about them. 'I've had them trying to steal my phone too. Even though they know that I know who they are. It's bold.' Ovye, who works for a bus tour company, said the thieves target 'anyone' - and that even children aren't off limits. He said: 'It can happen to anyone. I once saw someone snatch a phone out of a little girl's hand while she was taking a picture. She can't have been more than four years old. Unbelievable.' Met Police commander, Owain Richards, told MailOnline: 'We understand the impact that mobile phone theft can have on victims – it's an invasive and sometimes violent crime - and we're committed to protecting Londoners and tackling this issue as we make the capital safer. 'Met officers are targeting resources to hotspot areas, such as Westminster, Lambeth and Newham, with increased patrols and plain clothes officers which deter criminals and make officers more visibly available to members of the community. 'We continue to use data and technology to build intelligence and track stolen items to target offenders. We are also working with phone firms to 'design out' the ability for phones to be reused and sold on as we seek to dismantle the criminal market that fuels robbery and theft.
