WeCrashed has landed on Apple TV+, and Diary would be derelict in its duty if we didn’t watch the first couple of episodes for the benefit of our readers. We’ve had the books, and the documentary, and the podcast – now it’s time for the lavish dramatisation of the rise and fall of WeWork, focusing, naturally, on Adam and Rebekah Neumann, as played by Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway.
Bookended by scenes from 18 September 2019, the fateful day Adam was ousted by the WeWork board, the first episode flashes back to the beginning – and is on somewhat shaky ground with its depiction of the start of the love story, which awkwardly straddles the line between meet-cute and outright stalking, combined with a spot of white-knighting, after which point Hathaway’s Rebekah oddly seems to change character completely. It’s far more enjoyable to watch Adam grifting his way around New York as a “serial entrepreneur”, trying to sell babygrows with kneepads, women’s shoes with collapsible heels and “concept living”, before finally hitting on his $47bn idea, together with architect Miguel McKelvey (a nicely grounded Kyle Marvin). Along the way, he learns the first lesson of commercial real estate: “It’s not what you can see, it’s who can see you.” Leto delivers a somewhat exaggerated version of Neumann, but as he casts his spell over partners, employees and investors alike, he is suitably mesmerising, almost vampiric – but that could just be us getting distracted by his forthcoming turn as Marvel bloodsucker, Morbius. Long story short, we’re in for the whole thing – but even if you hate the first episode, tune in to the second, if only to witness the exquisite unicorn opening title sequence.
Finger lickin’ kicks
Last month, Diary noted the meeting of high street giants that is Greggs x Primark, and postulated that it might kickstart a wave of other such unlikely collaborations. The trend, it seems, has reached Southampton where – at last – the world of high-end trainers has been brought together with fried chicken. The Bok Shop – which, we assumed was some Reebok-centric store delivering the footwear half of the equation, but is actually an award-winning fried chicken brand – is partnering with collectible sneakers specialists Offgrid to open a first-of-its-kind retail experience in Hammerson’s Westquay Shopping Centre on the south coast. This “unique cultural collision”, we are told, “will host a bespoke limited edition sneaker display, allowing customers to dine while purchasing the latest Yeezys and coveted Air Jordan Diors from trainer experts”. Sizzling hot trainers and tasty chicken – we’re not sure which has us salivating more.
A ’Spoon full of free advice
It’s rare that Wetherspoon founder Tim Martin doesn’t have a view on what the government is doing and how it will help or hinder the pub operator. And, never one to squander the platform that overseeing a publicly listed company gives him, there’s usually a stock exchange update spelling out his views. Ahead of this week’s Spring Statement from Rishi Sunak, Martin took to the regulatory news service to slam proposals for VAT of 20% on food served in pubs, cafés and restaurants. “It doesn’t make economic sense that food bought in pubs, restaurants and cafés attracts VAT of 20%, when food is VAT-free in supermarkets,” Martin said. “Pubs, restaurants and cafés form integral parts of high streets, whereas supermarkets are often in edge-of-town or out-of-town locations. Favouring supermarkets over pubs is bad for high streets and town centres.” And the rather aggrandised title of the stock exchange announcement? “Economic Advice to Chancellor from Wetherspoon.” We’re sure Rishi will be hanging on every word.
Howay the lads
It’s the week after MIPIM, a time for attendees to recover from the experience, and assess what they have gained from it – in many cases, predictably, Covid. But what about people who didn’t go to Cannes? Thankfully, a new Twitter account was on hand to capture the flavour of the event. MIPIM Lads (@MIPIMLads) – with the pithy bio “Lads, lads, lads at MIPIM” – did a fine job of tweeting out photos dominated by that all-too-often overlooked demographic in real estate: white males. Tongue firmly planted in cheek, MIPIM Lads highlighted male-only panels and seas of chaps on the streets – one has to wonder why nobody stopped to think that maybe an entirely male and pale British Property Federation panel on social issues and levelling up was a bad idea. Featuring pitch-perfect hashtags like #toplads and #ladsladslads, the account was largely met with a mixture of congratulation and consternation, with typical comments including: “Thank you to whoever set up the @MIPIMLads account. Cutting commentary without having to say very much at all.” To be fair, some did point out that things are heading in the right direction on the diversity front, but our favourite response goes to L&G’s Pete Gladwell: “@MIPIMLads, you are unfairly failing to recognise the progress MIPIM is making to become more representative. I went three years ago and it was a sea of men in dark suits. Now, after the ravages of a pandemic, some of the men are wearing cashmere jumpers.”
