News Summary 15 February 2010
News Summary
O2 Arena hotel proposals submitted
AEG Europe has confirmed that it has submitted a planning application to Greenwich Council for the development of a new 450-bedroom hotel next to London’s O2 Arena. Outline planning consent has already been obtained for the site next to the venue, which will see the Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands-designed property boast serviced apartments and a large event space. AEG is now working with a shortlist of potential operators for the four-star hotel, which will provide banqueting facilities for up to 3,000 people and forms part of the winder regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 3/2/2010
ACE reveals latest Sustain grants
Arts Council England (ACE) has published the list of recipients for the latest round of grants to be handed out from the council’s Sustain fund. It is the seventh round of awards to be made out from Sustain, which was set up to offer help to organisations struggling with the effects of the recession. The latest round will offer financial assistance to 27 arts organisations and the combined worth of the grants will total £8m. The single largest grant was awarded to the Leicester Theatre Trust, operator of the Curve theatre (£1.03m), while the smallest handout was made to the Natural Theatre Company in Bath (£77,000).
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 3/2/2010
Council completes waterfront building purchase
An “unpopular” waterfront property in Bournemouth, Dorset, is set to undergo a major transformation after the local council completed the acquisition of the site. Bournemouth Borough Council (BBC) now intends to enter into talks with the building’s three tenants – Sheridan Millennium, Sheridan FEC and Caskade Caterers – over its plans to develop a new entertainment venue. In January, the council confirmed plans to redevelop the “detested” property, which houses the Sheridan Millennium-operated IMAX theatre, after running out of patience with the site’s previous owner. Two other outlets – the Harbour Lights bar and restaurant and Coyote Ugly – will continue to trade as normal, but have already agreed terms with BBC to close when redevelopment plans move forward.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 3/2/2010
Rick Stein to open first restaurant outside Padstow
In a move away from the Cornish town with which he is more usually associated, restaurateur Rick Stein is to open a fish and chip restaurant on Discovery Quay in Falmouth. To be known as Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips, the 130-cover restaurant will have a similar menu to that of his existing fish and chip restaurant on the quayside at Padstow. Building work has already started and plans include an oyster bar and takeaway facility. Stein, who operates four restaurants and a cook school in Padstow, said the lease for the Falmouth site was signed in December.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 3/2/2010
Irish tourism strategy to target UK market
Martin Cullen, the Irish minister for arts, sports and tourism, has told delegates at a Tourism Ireland-organised seminar in Dublin that the British market is the country’s most important. In his address to tourism industry representatives at the Know Britain Grow Britain seminar, Cullen revealed that Tourism Ireland is set to invest nearly €13m (£11.4m) in attracting more UK tourists to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 2010. Ireland’s tourism sector was handed a boost in December last year, when the government confirmed that additional funding to the Department for Arts, Sport and Tourism (DAST) as part of the 2010 budget. More than €44m (£38.5m) has been earmarked for marketing Ireland in overseas markets in a bid to return the number of inbound visitors to growth, following a period of decline.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 3/2/2010
Redevelopment work on the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare in Somerset has advanced to the topping out phase. A ceremony was held at the attraction on Friday 5 February, celebrating the works reaching their highest point. Plans for the £34m project include a new pavilion, a 250-seat conference facility, rooftop thrill rides and a 90m (295.3ft) observation tower overlooking the resort. The original pier was destroyed by fire in July 2008, only months after being acquired by brother and sister Michelle and Kerry Michael. The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault. By September 2008. six designs had been shortlisted for a replacement and on 17 October the Michaels selected Bristol-based architect Angus Meek to design the new attraction. The attraction is scheduled to open in July 2010.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 9/2/2010
Historic Brighton pier salvage work underway
Part of Brighton’s historic West Pier is set to be removed more than six years after the structure was severely damaged by fire and storms, as part of a new salvage and conservation operation. The pier’s former Concert Hall, which partially collapsed in stormy weather in December 2002 before being further damaged by fire in 2003, will be pulled down by demolition contractor Dorton Demolition. Engineers Hemsley Orrell Partnership are managing the West Pier Trust-led scheme, which will also see historically important items salvaged and stored in safe-keeping by the trust. The attraction’s Pavilion Island will remain. Brighton and Hove City Council leader Mary Mears said “For many, the removal of part of the West Pier will be a sad moment. It’s part of our history and we’ve lived with it for a long time. However, times move on and we welcome the start of work to remove the remains of the old structure.”
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 9/2/2010
Snowsport England reveals priority facilities
Snowsport England has identified the ten ski facilities across the country that are set to be placed at the centre of its efforts to increase the number of people participating in snow sports. Alpine Snow Centre in Aldershot, Hampshire; Sheffield Ski Village and the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire are among the clubs and facilities earmarked to receive a share of £985,000 Sport England funding. Snozone in Castleford, West Yorkshire; Chill Factor in Manchester; Kendal Ski Centre in Cumbria, Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre and Norfolk Ski Centre have also been identified, along with the Midlands Ski Club in Birmingham and Ski Rossendale near Manchester. Snowsport England plans to work in partnership with charity Snow-Camp to give more disadvantaged young people the chance to participate in snow sports, as well as teaming up with universities to reach more students.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 9/2/2010
Gatwick airport expansion put on ice
The new owners of Gatwick Airport have ruled out building a second runway at the West Sussex airport for the foreseeable future. That was the signal from US-owned Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) who bought the airport last year. Sir David Rowlands, the chairman of the company now running the airport, told local amenity groups that GIP had “not a shred of interest” in a second runway. His comments came in a meeting with the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign (GACC). Sir David said that a new runway was neither Government policy nor the policy of the airport. And he added that even if the Government started to look more favourably at the prospect of a second runway, Gatwick would have to “think very hard about spending £100m to £200m on a planning application with an uncertain decision.” GACC chairman Brendon Sewill welcomed the reassurance and said: “This firm statement will kill off some silly speculation, and will remove a lot of uncertainty and anxiety.” Under a long-standing local planning agreement no second new runway at Gatwick can be built before 2019.
Source: Planning Portal News, February 2010
New John O’Groats leisure plans unveiled
Leisure operators Natural Retreats and Heritage Great Britain (HGB) have unveiled a new joint venture to lead a multi-million pound development in John O'Groats, Scotland. The scheme includes the refurbishment and extension of an existing hotel and the construction of new self-catering holiday lodges, as well as a new visitor centre to encourage more visitors to the area. Designs have been drawn up by GLM Architects on behalf of the new joint venture, which follows a public consultation and the development of a masterplan commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). HGB chief executive Allan Leech said: "We have listened to the community and responded with a solution which we believe would deliver long-term social, economic and employment benefits that the region deserves, while addressing concerns expressed during a number of meetings with local groups and residents." HIE's Carol Gunn added: "The opportunities which redevelopment of this site will create will have a long-lasting impact on local people, businesses and tourists.
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 12/2/2010
Merlin ‘still considering’ floatation plans
Visitor attraction operator Merlin Entertainments has confirmed that plans to float the company on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) remain "under consideration". The group, which owns and operates Alton Towers, the London Eye and Legoland, confirmed it does not expect to reach a decision over its future in the wake of reports that it had suspended its flotation plans. In a statement, a Merlin Entertainments spokesperson said: "Merlin Entertainments Group is continuing to consider and debate the options for its future ownership structure.” All options, including an IPO, remain under consideration, but the group does not expect to reach any conclusion in the near future."
Source: Leisure Opportunities, 12/2/2010