Boarded-up shop fronts and permanently closed department stores have become a common sight across Britain in recent years. As large chains collapse, online retailers gain market share and out-of-town

Is smoking back? LISTEN to the media (not ...

Finding poignancy in the dread and dislocation of modern living, London four-piece DRY CLEANING have garnered admirers including Nick Cave, Grace Jones and Jeff Tweedy. As new album Secret Love refines their nervy post-punk sprechgesang, the band set their sights on new targets. “Art and humour are our main weapon,” they tell Stephen Troussé

I loved my gown, just not the body in it. But I had a plan to change that...

Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight