February Sales

Record-breaking bargains all over town this winter

I rather overdid the spending round Christmas this year, so I've not had the chance to restock my wardrobe quite as thoroughly as usual in January. But my goodness haven't the sales been impressive? There have always been bargains to be had up and down Oxford Street if you’re willing to brave the crush, but in general I find the whole experience so depressing - baa-ing my way round Liberty’s with all the other sheep, frantically snatching at labels - that I have to comfort myself by buying something pointlessly expensive. Which renders the whole exercise futile.

I want to do my shopping somewhere with a bit more class, frankly, but most years, if a gorgeous little boutique in Bond Street or Floral Street has a discreet sign saying 'sale', it means that their tops are down to only £78.50 from their normal £80. This year, however, the whole of Seven Dials, Soho and Mayfair is so covered in giant 70% DISCOUNT signs that they look like whole streets of Mr Byrite stores (albeit Mr Byrites with a funky hip-hop soundtrack and androgynous Japanese shop assistants wearing vomit-coloured Converse boots).

And they really mean it too. Even on my severely limited budget, I managed four beautiful pairs of shoes in a single afternoon trip to Neal Street, with still enough left over for a serious accessory binge. I mentioned this to a rather serious friend who works for the Daily Telegraph, and she suggested that this was a sign of economic downturn – we're apparently now so far in debt that we simply can’t afford to step out of high street saints Primark and Top Shop to buy ourselves an occasional £300 handbag. The boutiques are having to offer us serious sales just to get rid of all their stock.

Well, more power to the economic downturn, I say. Apparently we’ll still be seeing these offers and better well into February, and that means that I'm going to be looking fabulous. Assuming my next credit card bill doesn’t leave me homeless and destitute.

All donations are gratefully received.

Tour de Londres

London is to host the start, the ‘Grand Depart’, of the 2007 Tour de France. The route, which will form the first stage of the race, will be unveiled at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on 9th February 2006.

Eddie Er-fine

Formula 1 star, Eddie Irvine, runs the risk of being arrested on sight if police catch a glimpse of him in the capital. The former Ferrari and Jaguar driver still has a warrant out for his arrest dating back to 2003 when he failed to appear in court for speeding on a motor scooter without a license or valid insurance.

Moore's Legend Set in Stone

The first images of the statue of Bobby Moore set to adorn the new Wembley Stadium have been released. The bronze 20ft Philip Jackson statue will be unveiled in its entirety later this year to mark the 40th anniversary of England’s 1966 World Cup win.

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