As soon as Diary saw this Disney-esque parrot on a Looney Tunes-style background, we knew we had to print it… even if we have no idea who it is. Is it Mr Tipsy? We are offered no explanation. It is merely an anonymous part of the marketing for Mr Tipsy’s Down The Hatch – a new immersive theatre experience at America Square, close to Fenchurch Street station. Creative director and producer Nick Olivero sure knows how to appeal to Diary’s sensibilities. He describes the whole thing as “Willy Wonka meets Walt Disney World’s Epcot Theme Park”, all of which has us clamouring for a golden ticket, even though we’re not much of a drinker. Launching in August, the new venue will be designed for a post-Covid-19 social experience, and groups of up to 20 customers will be taken on a 70-minute world tour of seven themed bars, each dedicated to a different spirit, and all filled with “interactive theatre, song, dance and visual surprises”. Channelling Willy and Walt, Olivero told us: “Mr Tipsy’s sprung from my passion of fine spirits and meaningful social interactions. It blends theatre with multiple-themed bars and is crafted specifically for post-lockdown groups looking to reconnect with friends in a fun, safe environment. It is going to put a lot of smiles on people’s faces, and we can’t wait for the spectacle to begin.” As our mystery parrot friend might squawk, you can say that again.
Winter is coming to Love Island
The property industry has historically enjoyed plenty of representation in the villa on Love Island, and this year is shaping up to be no different. Among the latest series’ contenders is Devon-based letting manager Faye Winter, who is taking a sabbatical from three-branch estate agent East of Exe to appear in the reality show. Casa Amor has catapulted many a contestant to fame, but Winter seems to be keeping it real, for the moment. She tells ITV that she plans to return to property afterwards and hopes to set up her own agency one day. Heads may turn now and then, but real estate is forever…
Dream less big
Last week, house raffle specialist Winmydreamhome.com offered a warning about the dangers of winning your dream home in a house raffle. But any fears of a permanent switch from poacher to gamekeeper have been put firmly to rest just seven days later, as now Winmydreamhome is back in touch to remind us of our “last chance” to win an “awesome London flat for £5”. But their messaging is, at least, consistent. With the flat on offer valued at £500,000 (thus, on their figures from last time, costing only £5,000 a year to maintain), we are told: “This is a prize you can afford to live in, unlike some other property prizes that would take all your salary just to pay the bills, forcing you to sell the property.” It’s an admirable message, but dare Diary suggest a name change to reflect this sage advice? As far as we can tell, Winmyrealistichome.com is available…
Points of review
Is it still public relations when the member of the public you are relating to is yourself? Twitter had cause to ponder exactly this thanks to a tweet from @Ballymorehell – a leaseholder campaign group with, it seems, an axe to grind with housing developer Ballymore. It provided a screenshot of an exchange on review site Trustpilot that recorded enthusiastic resident Hayleigh O’Farrell commenting “I absolutely loved living at City Island” in her five-star review (somewhat higher than the company’s current average of 1.9). “It’s a genuine creative community,” she added. To which Ballymore replied: “Thanks Hayleigh, we really appreciate the feedback.” So far, so innocuous. Until @Ballymorehell points out that Ballymore’s head of brand and communications is called… Hayleigh O’Farrell. Total coincidence, we’re sure – there must be a lot of them about. And, sadly, the review no longer seems to be available on the site to check.
On to a boozer
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, they say, and if one national institution has seen its appeal soar during the pandemic, it is the humble pub. After a few beleaguered years of declining numbers, several months of enforced lockdowns saw a parched populace champing at the bit to return to their local hostelry. As if there was any doubt about it, it is abundantly clear now: the great British public love a boozer. Just not too many of them close to their homes. According to research from the homebuying platform, YesHomebuyers, a profusion of pubs is bad news for property values. “In local authorities with an estimated 1 to 150 pubs, property prices averaged £289,479,” YesHomebuyers says. “This then fell by -9% to £263,041 in areas with 151 to 300 pubs and further again to £253,808 in areas with 301 to 450 pubs – a drop of -4%. In local authorities with 451 or more pubs, the average house price fell by a further -6% to £238,163, an -18% gap between those local authorities with the most and least pubs.” Then again, it points out, London has the most pubs (4,366) and the average price is £500,310 – enough to drive you to drink.
