Trust nobody. It's 1 April, meaning people and companies everywhere are out to fool you. In an age of fake news and hyperbole, it can be hard to know what's a prank, and what's real. Here we've rounded up the best London-based April Fool's jokes we've seen this year.
TfL's Santander Sidecars for dogs
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A new development for the Santander Cycles bike hire scheme, in the form of Santander Sidecars, which allow your dog to ride along with you.
London Eye to go on world tour
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To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the London Eye is going on tour, visiting locations including Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Budapest, Seoul and Sydney, with more locations to be announced soon. If you'd got that far without twigging, the ticket on-sale date of 31 April should have started the alarm bells ringing...
City Cruises launches river water perfume collection
Boat tour company City Cruises has taken water from two rivers, the Thames and York's Ouse, and used extracts to create a new river water perfume collection. According to the info, the Thames offers an "earthy fragrance", while York residents can smell like the "woody" River Ouse. Yum.
Heathrow Express launches spring-cleaning train
Leaves on the line will be a problem of the past, as Heathrow Express claims to be launching a spring-cleaning train. Fronted by a giant Henry vacuum cleaner, the train travels between Paddington and Heathrow Airport, sucking up everything in its way with a giant suction funnel.
How dill-ightful: Black Tap serves a pickle milkshake
New York-inspired burgers and milkshakes chain Black Tap claims to be serving a pickle milkshake at its Westfield Stratford branch, combining pickle juice, vanilla ice cream and hot honey in a glass, topped with a fried pickle.
Chris Barish, co-founder of Black Tap says: "We've always believed that the best ideas come from pushing boundaries a little and daring to be outlandish. Some might call it over the top, even crazy - we call it delicious! At Black Tap, there’s no fun in playing it safe.”
That said, if you've seen the absolutely jaw-dropping milkshakes Black Tap serves on a regular day, this one isn't too much of a stretch.
Rooftop bar opening atop Big Ben
Secret London runs with the news that a pop-up rooftop bar is opening at Big Ben/the Elizabeth Tower this summer, to be called the Big Bong rooftop, and accessed via stairs. Even better, you can get 50% off your first drink by doing your best impression of Big Ben’s ‘bong’, and if you go dressed as the clock or clock tower, you’ll earn yourself a free shot.
Re-tail therapy meets paw-sonal styling at John Lewis
Department store John Lewis tells us it's launching a new 'pawsonal styling' service for dogs, led by members of the team who have trained at the London Canine College of Fashion, and who were selected for their ability to sniff out the latest trends — all overseen by Brenda Collie, Head of Pawsonal Styling.
The press release received by Londonist additionally claims that a selection of treatments including pawdicures and fur-tifying facials will be made available in store. Too early to place bets on a canine theme for this year's Christmas ad?
Grand Prix coming to London's suburbs
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Instagram account @londonsurburbia announces that areas of outer London will host the Suburban Grand Prix Series. Naturally, each area has its own take: the current 20mph speed limits will remain for the Croydon Grand Prix; the Wandsworth race will be held at night around their one-way system, using the McDonald’s drive-through as the pits area; and the pits at the Islington race will be operated by Gail’s Bakery, and drivers will receive a free oat milk latte to take with them on their journey.
BrewDog launches 'Hot Beer'
Swap going for a nice cold one after work for going for a nice warm one (doesn't quite have the same ring, does it?) as BrewDog announces that it's launching Hot Beer. The 3.4% ABV lager, served piping hot, will be available canned and on tap in bars, with beer batch-microwaved to warm drinkers up. Lovely.
Edible jewellery from Tatty Devine
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East London-based jewellery brand Tatty Devine has announced on Instagram that it's launching an edible jewellery range, with croissants, pretzels, fruit and cheese among the foods you can now wear on rings, necklaces and earrings.
