Lunchtime at my hidden secret, Sweetings — a traditional British seafood restaurant located at 39 Queen Victoria Street in the City of London, operating at its current location since 1889. As per my ritual, I begin with their signature Black Velvet, a Guinness and champagne cocktail, followed by a Chardonnay from Burgundy paired with their exquisite fish in mustard sauce. It’s a splendid time, and I take great pride in presenting this almost unchanged menu, spanning 130 years, to my guests.
After lunch, the board will engage in a hands-on workshop to dissect the decline of one of the world’s largest companies alongside the British Empire. The key question: What lessons can we learn from this historical parallel?
This area around Bank station in London, seamlessly merging its deep historical roots with a vibrant present, offers a unique tapestry of cultural, historical, and business threads, mirroring the city’s diverse persona. It serves as a vivid window into the peak of the Empire, offering an insightful narrative into the financial hub during the era when the sun never set on the imperial United Kingdom.
