23/12/2025 09:46:00
The City of London Corporation (CoLC) is looking to transform Leadenhall Market into one of the Capital's leading dining destinations, reports The Restaurant. Located on Gracechurch Street, Leadenhall is one of the oldest markets in London - dating back to the 14th century - and comprises 41 units, primarily occupied by retail and F&B operators. CoLC is looking to position the market as a seven-day a week destination in order to drive footfall and sales. The move forms part of CoLC's 'Destination City' programme, which is about turning the Square Mile into a 'must-visit' destination with a particular focus on driving weekend visitor numbers.
Center Parcs has completed more than £10.5m of investment in new leisure attractions across its UK villages, marking one of the most significant expansions of its activity offering in over a decade, reports The Business Desk. The programme, delivered between April 2024 and December 2025, has seen new experiences introduced at every Center Parcs village, aimed at enhancing the guest proposition and reinforcing the operator's premium family leisure positioning. Lee Carpenter, leisure director at Center Parcs, said the investment underlined the group's commitment to evolving its leisure offer. "The response from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, and this represents our most diverse range of new activities to date, supporting our aim to provide a premium environment where families can switch off and spend quality time together."
Sixes, the experiential cricket concept that counts England captain Ben Stokes among its backers, has entered administration following a 'challenging trading period'. The group's site in Southampton has closed with immediate effect leaving Sixes with 16 locations in the UK and a single international site in the West Indies, all of which continue to trade. The Morning Advertiser reports that the group has a core of 'strongly performing sites', but others have 'struggled' in the face of fierce competition and reduced consumer spending.
Mitchells & Butlers has announced the refurbishment and extension of three of its All Bar One transport sites, writes Pub & Bar. Part of a combined £2.3m investment, All Bar One Birmingham Airport T2 Airside, All Bar One Edinburgh Airport 1 West and All Bar One Birmingham New Street Station are undergoing design-led upgrades tailored to cater for the high-footfall locations. The business says that each site will feature the bar brand's trademark interiors with practical layout improvements to enhance guest flow and experience, supporting the growth of all-day trading, while offering speed and flexibility for travellers.
Café and restaurant brand Daisy Green has beaten 30 bidders to be the preferred operator for four cafés across Hampstead Heath and Queen's Park, London, reports The Caterer. The City of London Corporation's Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen's Park Committee agreed leases for four cafés at Parliament Hill Fields, Parliament Hill Lido, Golders Hill Park and Queen's Park. Daisy Green is set to deliver seasonal menus using locally-sourced ingredients in upgraded buildings. Daisy Green is expected to take over all four locations by spring next year. The company was founded by Prue Freeman and Tom Onions in 2012 and serves Australian-style brunch and coffee from 21 sites including the Peggy Jean barge in Richmond and the 10,000 sq ft Paradise Green in the City of London.
Harry Cragoe will open The Gallivant Littlestone Beach in Kent next summer, marking the second property for his boutique hotel brand. Cragoe acquired the former Romney Bay House Hotel in 2022, when he revealed plans to refurbish the site and reopen it as part of the Gallivant Hotels portfolio. The Gallivant Littlestone Beach was originally due to open in 2023, but has faced significant delays. When it launches next summer, the hotel will be home to 13 bedrooms, a sitting room, orangery, dining room, library and Nordic spa. In a previous interview with Boutique Hotelier, Cragoe said he aims to bring "glamour back to the British seaside" with the opening, creating a private beach house feel at the hotel.
1,000 pubs join anti-Labour MP protest over higher business rates, reports The Times.