Gym Group upgrades outlook as Gen-Z shrugs off heatwave and World Cup September 9, 2026 Gym Group has upgraded its outlook after tempting Gen-Zers into its gyms throughout the summer, despite the distractions of the World Cup and multiple heatwaves. Will Orr, chief executive of the no-frills gym provider, said the group is still on course to deliver three per cent sales growth despite a “noisy macro [environment], some hot [...]
Playtech’s legal spat with rival deepens after publication of secret report September 9, 2026 Playtech’s long-running legal feud with rival Evolution has deepened after the gambling software firm claimed a previously-hidden report proved its competitor was “problematic” and made money in banned markets. The London-listed firm has been in fierce spat with Evolution since 2020 when Playtech hired an intelligence firm to investigate its Swedish rival. But new proceedings [...]
Gatwick and Heathrow warn of delays after air traffic control meltdown September 9, 2026 Airports including Gatwick and Heathrow have warned of further delays as they work to clear a backlog of flights following disruption to the country’s traffic control system yesterday. Both of the London hubs said flights had resumed on Wednesday but warned of longer wait times and urged passengers to check if their flights were going [...]
Why Labour can’t kick Whitehall’s consultancy habit September 9, 2026 Since coming to power, Labour has been vocal about cutting spending on external consultants to save taxpayers money. However, data suggests it has actually moved in the opposite direction, as the private sector shows it is a necessity and not a luxury, writes Maria Ward-Brennan. The pledge to cut back on external consultants was first [...]
Nandy absence called out as MPs urge greater use of sport as soft power September 9, 2026 The government must do more to use sport and the wider culture sector to maximise global soft power, according to an influential MP. Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, has criticised the government for staging its Soft Power Council only four times, with the department’s Secretary of State Lisa [...]
Bournemouth in spotlight after female fan complains to Kick It Out about searches September 9, 2026 Bournemouth are ready to review their stewarding arrangements after a female matchgoer made a complaint to anti-discrimination group Kick It Out about being searched by a male member of staff. The issue is thought to stem from the new perimeter fencing and entry gates installed around the Vitality Stadium as part of Bournemouth’s £90m expansion, [...]
Investors fret as UK fintech chief bows out September 9, 2026 Lisa Jacobs has overseen a tumultuous time at the helm of London-listed fintech Funding Circle. After she announced plans for her exit, Samuel Norman takes a look at Jacobs’ tenure in this week’s column. As she announced plans to bow out from fintech firm Funding Circle on Tuesday, Lisa Jacobs was desperate to play down [...]
Value of UK deals rockets as buyers pounce on FTSE 100 firms September 9, 2026 The value of UK merger and acquisitions more than doubled in the first half of 2026 as foreign buyers capitalised on sluggish valuations to pick off some of Britain’s most valuable companies. Takeovers worth some £124bn were struck in the first six months of the year, up 107 per cent year-on-year from £60bn in the [...]
Open House Festival: The best guided walks in the Square Mile September 8, 2026 As we celebrate the Square Mile with our Toast the City Awards 2026, here are some amazing City-based Open House Festival tours, including close looks at some of our nominees. Money, money, money What is the City of London most famous for? Money, of course. This Open House tour, of the Square Mile’s financial past [...]
Airport chaos latest: Heathrow, London City ‘starting to recover’ after air traffic control failure September 8, 2026 Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports have been among the most-impacted after a “technical issue” grounded scores of flights across the UK. Britain’s air traffic control service, Nats, said just before 2pm it was investigating a “technical issue” which had delayed departures across most of the UK’s biggest airports. The fault sparked travel chaos at [...]