Richard Branson says UK must ‘make it easier’ to be an entrepreneur Entrepreneurship Sir Richard Branson has called on policy makers to do more to support and “champion” British entrepreneurs. The founder of Virgin Group, who launched his iconic business selling records in 1970, said the UK must go further to create an environment where entrepreneurs want to set up and run a business. Writing in City AM, [...]
Branson-backed Virgin Active slashes losses amid WFH battle Business Virgin Active, the gym chain founded by Sir Richard Branson, has significantly slashed its losses as its battle with the work-from-home trend continues. The business, which runs 224 international locations, has reported a pre-ax loss of £78.1m for 2024, down significantly from the £146.7m it lost in 2023. New accounts filed with Companies House also [...]
Eurostar ramps up plans to double capacity at London St Pancras Transport and infrastructure Eurostar has outlined proposals to double capacity at London St Pancras as it looks to tap growing demand for international rail travel. The cross-channel operator has penned a preliminary deal with London St Pancras Highspeed, formerly HS1, aimed at future proofing the popular hub against overcrowding. A three-part plan includes improving the international area of [...]
Regulator blocks Richard Branson’s bid to bring back Virgin trains July 3, 2025 Richard Branson’s bid to bring Virgin trains back to the UK has suffered a crushing setback following a ruling from the rail regulator. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on Thursday said it had rejected applications from Virgin Management and two other companies for track access rights to run services on the West Coast [...]
Room for ‘at most’ one more Eurostar rival, says regulator June 5, 2025 There is space for “at most” one more rail operator at Eurostar’s key east London train depot, the UK’s railways watchdog has said. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has been assessing capacity at Temple Mills International depot after Eurostar claimed it was “basically full.” It said on Thursday there was room for “at [...]
Uber unveils tie-up with Eurostar challenger May 21, 2025 Uber is planning a partnership deal with one of the firms seeking to oust Eurostar as the sole operator of the Channel Tunnel. Gemini Trains, spearheaded by the Labour peer Lord Berkeley, is one of several competitors looking to break Eurostar’s 30-year monopoly on cross-channel services. Passengers will be able to book tickets via the [...]
Eurostar tells rivals to put their money where their mouths are April 28, 2025 Eurostar has called on its rivals to invest in the UK’s capacity for international rail as it insisted it welcomed increased competition. The Temple Mills depot in East London is currently the only place in the UK that can host high-speed, cross-channel trains to and from Europe. It has become a central part of the [...]
Third Eurostar challenger steps up March 24, 2025 A third operator seeking to challenge Eurostar’s monopoly on Channel Tunnel services has been announced. Gemini said on Monday it had submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) regulator for access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills depot, which is the only place in the UK to park and maintain high-speed, cross-Channel trains. [...]
Boardroom Uncovered: How Virgin Group’s CEO went from New Zealand to running Richard Branson’s empire July 30, 2024 Boardroom Uncovered is City A.M.‘s on-camera interview series featuring the CEOs of the biggest and best-known companies operating in the UK.
Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels to open first London hotel in Shoreditch June 13, 2024 Virgin Hotels, the luxury lifestyle hospitality brand owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, has announced its first London hotel will open this August in Shoreditch.