Latest news with #cafeCulture
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Peterborough businesses struggling during 'cafe culture' works
Businesses along a busy city road have said they are struggling while a "cafe culture" redevelopment project takes place. Shops and cafés on Lincoln Road in Peterborough reported a sharp reduction in customers after part of the pavement was fenced off and a one-way traffic system introduced. The improvement works in the heart of Millfield will result in wider walkways and a new pedestrian crossing but Mohammed Farooq, owner of Chicken Palace on Lincoln Road, said "about 65% of our business is gone."Peterborough City Council said it was "trying to put in as much mitigation as possible" for businesses. Mr Farooq told the BBC: "People can hardly walk along the path."Metal gates were erected around the work site between the junctions with Windmill Street and Searjeant Street while the pavements were Mahmood, manager of Nafees, said his South Asian sweets and bakery business was "totally dead".He said businesses which could deliver food to customers were less affected, but his goods must be kept refrigerated."We are suffering right now," he added. The £3.5m works to Lincoln Road were funded in part by the government's Towns Fund designed to encourage economic growth in struggling areas. Peterborough City Council has said the changes aim to encourage people to walk and cycle in the area and bring a boost to the local economy. The work is due to continue until spring Aziz, owner of dessert restaurant Chocoberry on Lincoln Road, said the redevelopments were a "positive" for his business."Hopefully it'll bring new people and people will be excited to come to this road rather than thinking about it in a negative way," he said. "It's a positive thing for us. It's just that we need to make sure that things progress faster. It's a bit too slow."But overall I think it's a good thing and a good development for the area," he Ellis, both a ward councillor for Millfield and Peterborough's cabinet member for environment and transport, said he understood there would be "some disruption" while the works took place. "There was a concern about deliveries to the businesses," he said. "We've put in some mitigations to make sure there's some parking spaces for the deliveries they need."Ellis said businesses were also being sent newsletters updating them about the works, adding the council was "actively promoting the area" on social media."This is a catalyst for regeneration. Once this is done, in the future we can look at what else is possible," he added. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
News.com.au
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
5 entitled habits coffee drinkers do that annoy the hell out of baristas
For many caffeine-loving Aussies, ordering a freshly-made coffee from their favourite cafe might be the highlight of their day. Whether it's a little 'sweet treat' to get them through the afternoon or a small indulgence to enjoy before their 9-5, Aussie cafe culture is deeply embedded in many of our lives. However, one barista has some wise words for us caffeine fiends to ensure the experience is enjoyable for both the customer and the staff. Taking to TikTok, the frustrated barista shared the common annoyances faced by coffee shop workers – starting with the fact that many customers don't even bother to say hello before rattling off their order. Barista Lauren Taylor explained that some people simply walk straight up to the counter and say, 'medium latte,' without even addressing the person taking their order. 'A simple hello goes a long way,' she noted. She also mentioned that people often don't know how to order their own coffee, asking for a 'normal' sized cup instead of specifying small, medium, or large. 'JUST TELL ME!' Ms Taylor remarked. Also, instead of stating a specific order, some customers will just ask for 'a coffee'. When she assumes they mean a black coffee, the customer sometimes corrects her and says what they really want, like a latte. 'I'm unfortunately not a mind reader,' she quipped. Another frequent habit is people forgetting their order altogether, so when she calls it out and looks directly at them, they look away as if they don't realise it's for them. Another complaint she has is about people who are 'too busy on the phone,' leading them to order the wrong drink and then getting angry when they receive it because it's not what they wanted. She concluded her clip by saying that despite all these scenarios, the barista always seems to be in the wrong because of the old saying 'the customer is always right'. After her video gained nearly 100,000 views and over 100 comments, it was clear that other baristas shared her frustrations. 'I had a woman last week ask me for a normal coffee too … she wanted an oat milk flat white,' said one. 'These things are 100 per cent spot on,' echoed another. 'I feel your pain,' agreed another. Meanwhile, many baristas added their own gripes. People asking for an 'extra hot' Americano was another annoyance, as it's impossible to make boiling water hotter than it already is. Another common complaint is that the barista will ask if someone is having their coffee in or taking it away. 'They'll reply, 'I'm just sitting outside' – Okay but have in or takeaway?!!!' one frustrated follower commented.
Bloomberg
18-05-2025
- Bloomberg
London's Alfresco Dining Revival Has One Obstacle: Londoners
A glorious summer has been unfolding in London, and the city's mayor is pushing for more outdoor dining and longer opening hours for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Who could object to an expansion of European-style cafe culture in the brief interval when the weather is so inviting? The Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich offers an example of why the path ahead may be less clear than the skies overhead. The historic pub sits on the south bank of the Thames next to the site of the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum. Opened in 1837 and named after Admiral Horatio Nelson's famous victory, patrons included writers William Thackeray and Charles Dickens, who used it as the setting for a scene in Our Mutual Friend. Prime Minister William Gladstone was a customer in the 1880s; more recently, Liz Truss, whose premiership was almost as brief as the Battle of Trafalgar (though less successful), held her wedding reception there.
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Forbes
Everything To Know About Retiring In Italy
Enjoy cafe culture in Italy's great cities, with the world's most famous museums, cathedrals, and architecture at your fingertips... Retiring in Italy is a dream for many Americans—and for those who make the dream come true, it doesn't disappoint. With some of the most history, art, and culture in the world packed into this small country, as well as amazing food and wine, this is a culture vulture's paradise. What most people don't know is that Italy also delivers on outdoor pastimes , with mountains for skiing, long coasts full of award-winning beaches, oodles of countryside, and national parks to explore. Whatever kind of lifestyle you're looking for, Italy will deliver. With such a massive population of Italian descendants in the United States, numbered at 17.3 million according to a 2024 census, it's no surprise than many of them dream of returning to the old country… And many of them do—nearly 16,000 Americans are reported to be currently living in Italy . Plus, according to the British Embassy in Rome, 30,000 Brits were living in Italy in 2021, a number which has likely risen since. That means that you won't have trouble finding English-speaking friends or community here in Italy, though in smaller towns or remote villages, you might need to go to more of a population center to find them. I've often heard expats in the Italian countryside report that they had lived there for years and had just recently met another foreign couple who'd also been there for years—they had just never crossed paths. The best way to meet people is to be active on social media and join lots of local groups. La dolce vita in Italia (the sweet life in Italy) is renowned for a reason… Italy offers a wide variety of lifestyles, from countryside to cosmopolitan city, from beaches to mountains, and from luxury to completely off-grid. Because of its location on the Mediterranean, Italy enjoys fairly temperate year-round weather. Even in the north, where it can be rainier, foggier, and cooler than in the south, you won't experience extreme colds here. In the summer, though, prepare for heat and humidity, as well as lots of sunshine. With its two long coastlines along the Med and the Adriatic, there's a wealth of beaches to enjoy, as well as any other water diversion you'd like. Its world-class historical cities drew over 68 million visitors from around the world in 2024, a record-breaking number. From the Roman Empire to the Renaissance, Italy maintains its connection to its past. When it comes to history and cultural sites, Italy has 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites… to put that in perspective, China has 59 and is about 32 times bigger than Italy. Italy offers endless opportunities for fun and adventure—especially for nature and history lovers. Plus Rome and Milan's international airports offer easy access to the world, with direct flights to the United States, Canada, and dozens of destinations all over Europe… All that in addition to the cuisine, wine, history, culture, arts, and general attitude towards life, make Italy one of the most popular overseas locations in the world for retirement. On the plus side… On the other hand… Tax residents of Italy are subject to income tax on their worldwide income. There are three types of income tax in Italy: national income tax, regional income tax, and municipal income tax. National income tax is quite high at 23% to 43%. Regional income tax ranges from 1.23% to 3.33% depending on which region you live in. Municipal income ranges from 0% to 0.9% (according to municipality). On the bright side, first-time buyers of a primary residence in Italy are not subject to tax, and subsequent homes are taxes at just 0.05%. Italy imposes a wealth tax of 1.06% on real estate and 0.2% to 0.4% on financial investments owned outside of Italy. Tax treaties with the United States and Canada prevent any risk of double taxation. Italy does not have a retiree-specific visa, but offers an independent means visa known as the Elective Residency Visa that many retirees use to live in the country long-term. The basic requirement to qualify is proof of passive income (pensions, dividends, royalties, rents, etc.) of 32,000 euros per year. This grants you a one-year residence permit that is renewable. The Golden Visa requires an investment of €250,000, €500,000, or €2 million in approved sectors. It's valid for five years and is renewable. A digital nomad visa is available if you can prove an income of €32,400 per year outside Italy as well as savings of €30,00. It's valid for a year and is renewable. After five years you can apply for permanent residency and after another five for citizenship. Cities that have become overcrowded with tourists in summer, particularly Venice, have been putting in regulations to limit the number of visitors per day. But this attitude generally only applies to tourists, especially those who descend for just a few hours from cruise ships. When it comes to people wanting to move to the country, Italy has been known to be especially welcoming, putting in incentive programs for business people and digital nomads, selling homes for just a few euros, offering tax breaks, and offering citizenship through proving you have Italian-born parents or grandparents. Italy is no secret to those of us who love culture, great food and wine, and the beauty of the Old World. Any lover of history, art, culture, fashion, and food would love a life in Italy. This popular European destination is a haven for expats searching for a dreamy, sunshine-filled retirement that offers the best of the outdoors, as well. Along with this generous stretches of coastline, Italy offers one of the most varied landscapes on Earth, including scenic mountain ranges like the Alps and the Apennines, and stunning lakes such as Lake Garda and Lake Como. If you don't think you're up for learning Italian, though, you'll have a hard time settling in here. It's also not the best destination for LGBTQ+ retirees, as this is one of the most conservative and traditional Catholic cultures in Europe. Aside from those two caveats, Italy is a welcoming and hospitable country for Americans. So whether you prefer cities or the outdoors, retiring in Italy will deliver an enviable lifestyle for just about anyone.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
‘The European city with huge rooftop swing that I return to every year' – and it's reachable without having to fly
STROLL just five-minutes in any direction, away from the compact city centre and down one of the cobblestone alleyways, and that's where you'll find the real Amsterdam. This week's destination we're shining a light on is Amsterdam, capital of The Netherlands. The Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski often visited the Dutch city, being an easy train from the UK. She says: It's the cafe culture that brings me back here year after year – the whole city is littered with tiny artisan bakeries and shops where you'll find locals sat on a rickety old table, sipping on coffee and tucking into homemade goodies. Some of the tired buildings are not much to look at from the outside, but that's part of its charm. Take the 'brown bars', for example, so named because of their dark, wooden interiors that have a somewhat cosy feel to them. That's where you'll find me within an hour of touching down in the city, with a local beer in hand and gobbling up some bitterballen. These deep-fried, stewed-meat balls are, in my humble opinion, the best bar snack in the world, often served with a healthy dollop of mustard on the side - you can pick a tray of them up for only a few euros. MUST-SEE / DO Amsterdam is famed for its beautiful canals so a boat tour is undoubtedly the best way to see the city. One-hour cruises with I Amsterdam cost from €16 (£13.47) per adult and €8 (£6.74) per child. There are 14 departure points to pick from. If you're brave enough, drive your own boat - you can pick one up for €16.50pp (£13.90pp) for three hours on a six-seater vessel from Zaandam: The Lego-Like Wonderland of The Netherlands They are really easy to steer and, with more time on board, you can hop on and off as you please to take advantage of the many canalside pubs. HIDDEN GEM The artsy, bohemian neighbourhood of De Pijp is much loved by locals and not very well known among tourists, but it is heaving with quirky cafes, artisan shops and tall buildings where colourful flower pots light up the brick balconies. BEST VIEW The 100-metre-tall A'DAM Lookout may offer the best views of the city from above, with a 360-degree sky deck and giant rooftop swing, but do expect queues because it's a popular tourist spot. For something a little quieter that will make for an excellent photo background, head to one of the smaller canal bridges, a little farther out of the city centre. 3 There are a few pretty bridges behind the Tulip Museum - such as Hilletjesbrug, where you can pose for pictures in front of flower-covered railings with a tree-lined canal and bobbing boats as your backdrop. RATED RESTAURANT Cafe de Parel was once a traditional Dutch "brown bar" but now it's an in-demand restaurant with affordable tasting menus (three courses for €52 (£43.79)). These change regularly but you can expect to tuck in to sophisticated sharing dishes such as calamari with egg yolk and dashi, or pointed cabbage with brown butter and chamomile jus. BEST BAR Vesper, a teeny bar close to Centraal Station, serves mean cocktails, created by award-winning mixologists. For a proper pint, Bar Brother, close to the Chassebuurt district, has a welcoming atmosphere and serves its ales alongside typically British bar snacks such as Scotch eggs and arancini. HOTEL PICK CitizenM Amstel Amsterdam Hotel is well located, around a 30-minute walk from the main train station and with modern, affordable rooms from €100 (£84.22) per night. For something a little fancier, The Pulitzer hotel is set within 25 restored 17th and 18th-century houses along the canal in the Jordaan district, close to the Anne Frank museum. It's also home to a top-notch restaurant and bar. Rooms cost from €295 (£248.44) per night. 3
