Whether it’s an exclusive establishment with a years-long waiting list or a working men’s club at the heart of its community, there’s nothing like a sense of belonging. And when times are tough, memberships go upWhen Michelle Fisher got involved with running the Walthamstow Trades Hall, a social club in north-east London, something surprised her: how...

Wheat haul in England estimated to be down by 21%, with Britain’s wine producers also hit hardEngland has suffered its second worst harvest on record – with fears growing for next year – after heavy rain last winter hit production of key crops including wheat and oats.The cold, damp weather, stretching from last autumn through this spring and early...

Christmas-favourite sweet brand hopes to cut virgin plastic use, but consumers may mourn reusable tubTucking into a tub of Quality Street is a Christmas tradition for many British families, and once they have scoffed the chocolates the handy container often takes on a new life, being used for many years as a cake tin or Lego storage box.But the useful...

Beijing also considering duties on European petrol cars after EU imposed extra levies on Chinese electric vehiclesChina has imposed tariffs on EU brandy imports in an escalating tit-for-tat trade row with Brussels over extra levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles.Beijing also said it was considering duties on imported petrol cars from Europe. Continue...

Food Standards Agency says applications for cultivated steak, chicken and foie gras have already been submittedCell-cultivated meat could be on sale in the UK within a few years, the food regulator has said, with applications for lab-grown steak, beef, chicken and foie gras already submitted, while another 15 applications are expected in the next two...

Private equity groups Calveton and Breal Capital to buy 51 restaurants, although 35 outlets will closeA rescue deal for the UK arm of TGI Fridays has been struck, with two private equity groups to buy 51 restaurants – although a further 35 outlets are to close with the loss of more than 1,000 jobs.Calveton UK and Breal Capital, which own upmarket restaurants...