Let bagpipes play "o sole mio"
Haggis pizzas could become the new way to celebrate Burns Night after test batches of the unusual mixture proved to be a sell-out. Italian food firm Cosmo came up with the two-nation tribute at its base in Newtongrange, Midlothian. After perfecting the mix with the help of haggis firm MacSween, it hopes to sell it to high-street customers and Tesco and Sainsbury's. Owner Cosmo Tamburro said: "We are proud of our Scottish base and decided this was a delicious way to merge the two cultures. We use our margherita pizza and add haggis and just a pinch of fresh parsley."
Come on in, the water's lovely
Sir Terence Conran didn't miss a trick in blending his interior design with the weather last week. When a particularly torrential rainstorm hit the capital, inside Soho restaurant Mezzo it was raining almost as heavily as outside. Water was pouring through the ceiling and the light fittings, and staff had to evacuate diners from the conservatory, which was becoming flooded. At least they made good use of the Champagne buckets.
After a while the guests all seem to run together...
Corus Hotels is starting a new midweek fitness club over the summer to help business people stay in shape while away from home. The scheme allows guests at the Corus Hotel Hyde Park, the Richmond Gate and Richmond Hill hotels to meet like-minded people and jog or train together in the evenings. All three hotels are located next to historic parks that are ideal for jogging. Bob Baldy, head of marketing, said: "It can be hard to find the motivation to run or train alone, but if you have company then it can greatly help." The scheme invites runners to meet in the lobby, make introductions, select a suitable route and embark on a run. Each hotel reception desk stocks maps to help runners select their routes. Who knows? It could be the start of something beautiful.