Bowling and gyms the surprise winner as Brits look for affordable fun in sporting summer August 14, 2024 The cost-of-living crisis may have started to tail off slightly, but it hasn’t gone away completely, as Brits chose affordable attractions during the summer. Amusement parks, aquariums and gyms topped the list of activities as school break got into full swing during a bumper summer for sport, according to data from Revolut, which tracked the [...]
Hammerson: Shopping centre giant secures refinancing for leading Dublin retail hub August 14, 2024 Shopping centre giant Hammerson arranged a €350m (£300m) loan for one of Ireland’s leading retail destinations, Dundrum Town Centre. The deal has been agreed with Pimco Real Estate, with its existing loan due to mature next month. Hammerson’s share of the new loan, which is repayable by September 2031, was €175m (£150m) with lenders for [...]
‘Magnificent’ Hyde Park penthouse on sale for £60m August 13, 2024 A £60m penthouse has gone on sale in Hyde Park in a tentative sign that the super-prime market may be turning towards bigger, more expensive homes again. The apartment, which is one of London’s biggest listings in 2024, includes “one of the largest private terraces in central London”, according to James Van Den Heule, co-founding director [...]
From the Paris Olympics to Royal Ascot: How catering giant Sodexo Live became the invisible force behind Europe’s biggest events August 12, 2024 From the Paris Olympics and the Rugby World Cup to Royal Ascot, Sodexo Live has become the invisible force keeping plates loaded and champagne glasses topped up at Europe’s biggest events. In 2023 the Paris-headquartered catering giant‘s events division, Sodexo Live, served more than 11m guests in the UK alone, employing around 1,700 people across [...]
Burger King UK’s revenue spikes after restaurants revamped and new sites opened August 12, 2024 Burger King has reported a rise in sales and revenue in 2023 after a boost from new restaurant openings. Revenue spiked by a huge 30 per cent, although like-for-like sales only rose by three percent. The rise in revenue was due to growth in the “existing estate and new restaurants”, as well as “good cost [...]
Can the poshest wellness retreat in Thailand cure me? August 10, 2024 Thailand has kind people and a vast history of traditional wellness. But can it cure a tired Millennial? Adam Bloodworth finds out A textbook Bangkok afternoon: the sun is doing its darnedest to incinerate anyone who dares go outside, but luckily I’m indoors, laying in a bath with a towel covering my modesty. Chernkwan, a [...]
Congratulations France, but Paris 2024 legacy must now be human August 8, 2024 This is a Paris you’ve never known and never will again. Empty side streets speak of Parisians good to their threats to vacate for the Olympics. Hotel receptionists attest to sluggish bookings. Restaurants are shuttered. And yet the crowds are here, French and foreigners alike. They exude a relaxed urgency, a collegiate passion. The sport [...]
Worms in the fish? Team GB star rails at food in Paris 2024 Olympic Village August 6, 2024 GB staff were forced to send their own chef to cater for the team following complaints about the food.
How our two-century-old fine cider brand is climbing its way to the top August 6, 2024 Ambition A.M. meets Nick Showering, brand manager at Somerset-based Showerings Cider, to look at how the 180-year-old fine cider brand is climbing its way to the top of an evolving market.
Explainer: Who wants to live in a 24 hour city? August 6, 2024 Is the world moving towards 24-hour alcohol licensing? Is that a good thing?