The Bed Tax: The Wrong Measure, for the Wrong Purpose, at the Wrong Time Sponsored As the Government urges the nation to prepare for crises, it risks undermining the very hospitality businesses that keep people safe, support essential workers and help London function. Central London Alliance is calling for democratic accountability, a proper economic and social assessment, and a fundamental rethink of the proposed Overnight Visitor Levy. The timing could [...]
New Monument Micro Museum to open beside The Monument, bringing the story of the Great Fire of London to life Sponsored London’s newest and smallest museum has been officially opened beside The Monument in the City of London, exploring the history of the Great Fire of London. The free of charge to visit Monument Micro Museum, commissioned by Eastern City BID, tells the story of the Great Fire through a bespoke 3D map of the City, [...]
PureGym bulks up with £235m Swiss expansion Leisure PureGym is muscling in on the Swiss gym market after signing a £235m deal to bulk up its presence in the European country. The gym operator, which is the UK’s largest by membership, has agreed to acquire NonStop Gym, one of Switzerland’s biggest fitness groups. PureGym’s latest expansion comes as the no-frills gym operator seeks [...]
Battersea Power Station nears completion with £280m new loan October 13, 2026 The developers behind Battersea Power Station have secured a new £280m refinancing as the £5bn regeneration project nears its final stage. The Battersea Power Station Development Company secured the new loan from the group of lenders which have backed the project since it began in 2012, including London-listed Standard Chartered, Malaysian bank CIMB, Singaporean financial [...]
Britain’s biggest bingo chain explores sale despite tax raid threat October 11, 2026 The owner of the UK’s biggest bingo hall operator is exploring a sale of the company, even as gambling bosses warn a huge tax raid could threaten the industry. Asset manager ICG has appointed bankers to advise on discussions with potential buyers for Buzz Bingo, it is understood. The Nottingham-based chain is looking for a [...]
Hollywood Bowl calls on dynamic pricing as heatwaves hit sales October 7, 2026 Hollywood Bowl called on its dynamic pricing system to endure falling ten-pin demand during the summer’s record heatwaves, prompting a share price boost. Britain’s biggest ten-pin bowling operator said the summer’s “exceptionally prolonged, dry weather” had “heavily impacted” its trading, as UK like-for-like revenue fell 5.6 per cent in the second half of this year. [...]
What’s on in October October 2, 2026 | Sponsored October brings a picturesque transition to London, with golden leaves across the parks, cooler weather, and fewer crowds, the city begins to feel cosy. Whether you’re heading out for Halloween night or attending the Central London Alliance Summit, there’s no shortage of things to do this month. Between family-friendly activities, West End theatre shows, and [...]
Mike Ashley continues leisure push with Boom Battle Bar deal September 30, 2026 A company backed by Mike Ashley has snapped up Boom Battle Bar for £11m, extending the retail tycoon’s push into leisure and hospitality. Leisure operator We Do Play, which is backed by Ashley’s Frasers Group, has bought back the business its bosses founded from experiential leisure group XP Factory. Mike Ashley began his retail empire [...]
Studio behind Danny Dyer and Hugh Jackman films calls in administrators September 30, 2026 A British film studio founded by an ex-Lionsgate boss has folded into administration just a few years after taking $150m in start-up financing. True Brit Entertainment, which was founded by former Lionsgate UK chief executive Zygi Kamasa, appointed administrators on Monday, according to filings. The distributor was set up in 2023 hoping to boost the [...]
Last orders: Boss of under-fire pub regulator defends her record September 29, 2026 The Pubs Code Adjudicator, Fiona Dickie, is preparing to step away early next year. She tells Felix Armstrong why the beleaguered watchdog deserves a future Can an industry watchdog be effective if it has launched only two investigations in its 10 years of existence? Yes – at least according to Fiona Dickie, the Pubs Code [...]