Leisure Report articles from March 2008

Leisure Report archives from March 2008

Levy shambles could result in further FOBT machine curbs.
March 1, 2008... You can't please all the people all of the time, but the government's unwillingness to take a stance on the horseracing levy, coupled with its ongoing failure to reach a suitable outcome over the sale of the Tote, has achieved the impressive...

Courting a PR disaster.(Inside track)
March 1, 2008... For such a short month, we seem to have crammed so much news into February that it's difficult to know where to begin an analysis, but the story that could have the most far-reaching consequences for the leisure sector is that of Graham...

Merlin Entertainments is UK's fastest-growing PE-backed firm.(Breaking news)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Global visitor attractions operator Merlin Entertainments has topped the Sunday Times Deloitte Buyout Track 100--'Biggest 10' list, which identifies the private equity-owned companies in the UK with the fastest growing profits (ebitda) of more...

Mintel: smokers go out less since ban took force.(Breaking news)
March 1, 2008... New research has confirmed that the smoking ban has seriously threatened the leisure industry, with some two million smokers admitting to going out less since it came into force. The report by market analysts Mintel found that 16% of...

Probability finds backer.(Breaking news)(issue of shares)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Probability, the AIM-quoted mobile phone gambling specialist, has raised approximately 1.7m [pounds sterling] (net) through a placing of 397,028 new ordinary shares of 1p each in the company at 50p per share with IPGL, a private holding company...

SHOKK launches dietary workshop.(Breaking news)
March 1, 2008... SHOKK, the children's gym specialist, has launched a new interactive nutrition workshop to help parents and children learn how to follow a healthy, balanced diet. The workshop, launched recently at Moorhead Sports College, Accrington is...

Ladbrokes takeover mooted.
March 1, 2008... Shares in Ladbrokes were buoyed by takeover rumours as Leisure Report went to press, following increased speculation it may be subject to a bid from a private equity concern. The takeover talk was prompted by dealers being alerted to the...

US tourists shun UK.
March 1, 2008... American tourists are turning their hack on Britain and taking their holidays elsewhere, according to VisitBritain, the national tourism agency. Figures released last week revealed a sharp 6% decline in US visitors to Britain to 4.5m in 2007....

Trump in heraldry row.(Donald Trump's is developing golf course)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Donald Trump's plan to build a 1 bn [pounds sterling] golf course development in Scotland has hit another snag. The coat of arms, which has appeared on his promotional material, jackets and caps, is unregistered. The Scottish heraldry court has...

Elbow rooms sold.
March 1, 2008... Restaurant company Inc Group has bought The Elbow Rooms, a trendy chain of pool halls. Terms of the deal are not being disclosed but owner Frank Dowling said activity-based leisure venues were "in a growth phase right now".

Turftrax floats on AIM.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Turftrax, which provides technical services to the racing industry, has floated on AIM with a market cap of 17.6m [pounds sterling]. The 40p-a-share placing raised gross proceeds of 3.2m [pounds sterling], which it will spend developing a new...

Health screening demand is rising.(News: Health & fitness)
March 1, 2008... There has been a sharp rise in the number of health clubs wishing to offer health screening for members, according to Ultralife, which provides nutritional products and wellness services to health clubs across the UK. The firm said that,...

US clubs report healthy growth in Q3 2007.(News: Health & fitness)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... A recently-conducted survey of 18 leading US health and sports club companies found that financial performance had improved for the quarter ending 30 September, compared to the same period in the previous year. The IHRSA index found...

LC secures 5-year contract extension.(News: Health & fitness)(Leisure Connection's contract with North Kesteven District Council)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Leisure Connection (LC), the public access sports and leisure operator has secured a five-year contract extension with North Kesteven District Council. LC currently manages the Council's 10 leisure and sporting facilities, and has been doing so...

ADDleisure confident on prospects as new corporate deals lead the way.(News: Health & fitness)
March 1, 2008... ADDleisure, the AIM-traded company formed to develop products and services in the health and leisure sectors, reported a pre-tax loss of 2.16m [pounds sterling] (2006:-1.41m [pounds sterling]) for the year to 31 July 2007, which it allotted to...

Powerleague set to outscore Goals over the short-term, says Altium.(News: Sport)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... With both leading small-sided soccer operators set to release interim results this month, analysts at Altium Securities are tipping Powerleague to outperform Goals Soccer Centres. Altium said: "Powerleague shares have been weak over the...

2012 deal will see BA reach 6.5 million people.(News: Sport)
March 1, 2008... British Airways, the latest 'Tier One' London 2012 sponsor, can expect over 6.5 million people in Britain to be aware of its involvement with the Games, according to new research. Sports Marketing Surveys, the sponsorship and sports...

NAKMAS warns on martial arts insurance shortfalls.(News: Sport)
March 1, 2008... Many martial arts clubs, as well as fitness clubs which offer such activities, are not properly insured, leaving them exposed in the event of an accident or allegation of abuse, according to NAKMAS (the National Association of Karate and...

Blues against Grandtop appointments.(News: Sport)(appointment of Fan Zhi Yi and Steven McManaman at Grandtop International)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Birmingham City said it does not support proposals by its major shareholder Grandtop International, the Chinese property company, to appoint Fan Zhi Yi and Steven McManaman as additional directors to its board, and has unanimously recommended...

Sport England gets Strategic for NW sports strategy.(News: Sport)
March 1, 2008... Sport England NW has appointed Strategic Leisure to undertake the development of the north west regional sports facilities strategy. This strategy will set out the vvision for future sports facility provision in the region, and identify the...

Soccercity sets its out future plans as it prepare to delist from AIM.(News: Sport)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Soccercity, the AIM-listed small-sided soccer firm, has confirmed its decision to cancel its stock market listing and re-register the business as a private limited company. The firm said its creditors, Acceleris, WH Ireland and Valedale...

Ladbrokes makes Eastwood's day with 117.5m [pounds sterling] LBO acquisition.(News: Betting & gaming)
March 1, 2008... UK gaming giant Ladbrokes has acquired Eastwood Bookmakers, Northern Ireland's largest retail betting operator, for 117.5m [pounds sterling], adding 54 shops to its portfolio. The deal, which includes goodwill payments and property...

AsianLogic secures new Philippines deals.(News: Betting & gaming)
March 1, 2008... AsianLogic, the Asia-Pacific-oriented online and land-based gaming company, has secured a licensing agreement with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and Bingo Bonanza, which it says will extend its presence in its core...

Global Gaming Technologies needs a deal.(News: Betting & gaming)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Global Gaming Technologies (GGT) reported a narrowed full-year pre-tax loss, but said that its AIM listing will be suspended if it fails to make an acquisition within a year of its AGM. For the year to 31 July, the company said its pre-tax...

NMLS backs Inspiring tie-in to drive future opportunities.(News: Betting & gaming)
March 1, 2008... New Media Lottery Services (NMLS), the AIM-listed gaming content and systems provider, said it is currently exploring several additional lottery opportunities together with Inspired Gaming. The announcement came as NMLS announced interim...

Mobile gaming market is set to take off, says GBGC's Bartlett.(News: Betting & gaming)
March 1, 2008... Betting through the mobile phone has been a disappointment so far but a combination of three important factors means that this neglected segment of the market is now about to lift off, according to Warwick Bartlett, lead partner of Global...

Predators circle Rank but is Gala deal on cards?(News: Betting & gaming)
March 1, 2008... Guoco Group, a Malaysian-based business which owns Thistle Hotels and the Clermont Club, has increased its interest in Rank Group to 23.6 million shares, or 6.05% of the total voting rights in the company. Hong Leong has been consistently...

32Red stays in the black.(News: Betting & gaming)
March 1, 2008... 32Red, the online casino, poker and sportsbetting operator, said it expects full-year trading to fall in line with management expectations, and said it is set to enter the bingo market with a game launch scheduled in February. Providing an...

Sportingbet board backs its offer.(News: Betting & gaming)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Sportingbet said Peter Dicks, who has returned to the company to becomenon-executive chairman, has purchased 50,000 shares. The purchase is the latest in a number of director dealings which have seen the firm's board buy into the company...

Dark clouds gather at The Weather Lottery.
March 1, 2008... The Weather Lottery said its full-year pretax loss widened, due to static sales and the increased costs of listing on AIM. For the year to 31 July, the lottery operator saw its pretax loss widen to 170,000 [pounds sterling] from 82,000 [pounds...

DM pays 1m [pounds sterling] prize.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... DM, the AIM-listed direct marketing group specialising in database management and home gaming, has awarded an industry record breaking 1m [pounds sterling] jackpot through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Purely Creative. The prize winning 'Golden...

Neville Porter refinances.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Neville Porter, the listed UK bookmaker, said it has entered into various agreements with two of its directors, David Neville Porter and Brian Morton, for a proposed refinancing and restructuring of the company and its subsidiaries' businesses....

Bodog eyes UK market.
March 1, 2008... Bodog Entertainment Group, the online gaming firm, has applied for a licence to operate in the UK, as it ups its efforts to establish a foothold in the European marketplace.

Devilfish plans float.(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Online poker site Devilfish Gaming is set to seek a listing on Plus Markets, formerly Ofex. The firm aims to raise about 1m [pounds sterling] from the float, which will give it a market value in excess of 3m [pounds sterling]. Celebrity taker...

Tenpin sale-and-leaseback underpins Georgica.(News: Cinema & entertainment)
March 1, 2008... Georgica, the UK leisure operator, posted a eight-fold rise in full-year pretax profit, bolstered by the sale and leaseback of nine of its Tenpin properties, that generated a profit of 28m [pounds sterling]. The firm, which since the sale...

Bowplex on a roll as it cuts carbon footprint.(News: Cinema & entertainment)
March 1, 2008... UK leisure operator Bowlplex is reducing its carbon footprint in all 16 of its family entertainment centres with the implementation of a number of energy saving schemes. With the help of partners including the Carbon Trust, Dorset Resource...

Novus in talks to buy Soho Clubs.(News: Cinema & entertainment)(Nevus Leisure to buy Soho Clubs & Bars )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Nevus Leisure, the bar operator led by Steve Richards, has entered exclusive negotiations to buy Soho Clubs & Bars for between 7m [pounds sterling] and 10m [pounds sterling]. Talks are thought to be at an advanced stage for the company, which...

Alliance attacks VisitBritain review.(News: Tourism & attractions)
March 1, 2008... The Tourism Alliance has agreed to contribute to the tourism review currently being undertaken by VisitBritain at the request of DCMS, but said it believes the "review is fundamentally flawed and will not resolve the structural and funding...

New attraction towers ahead for RTC.(News: Tourism & attractions)(Retail Theatre Company)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The Retail Theatre Company (RTC), specialists in the design and build of leisure projects, launched its new 'Jungle Jim's Towering Adventure Attraction' at this year's European Attractions Show in Nice, France. The project has been created...

Lo-Q signs new management deal with Merlin.(News: Tourism & attractions)
March 1, 2008... Lo-Q, the AIM-traded ticket management company, announced it has reached agreement with Lego Windsor Park for the use of its flagship queue management system. The two-year extendable agreement provides for the operation of the system from 15...

Fears that eating-out fuel obesity are overblown and prejudicial.(News: Food and drink)
March 1, 2008... Last month's national news story directly linking eating out to rising obesity shows how poorly-organised the sector is when it comes to refuting negative PR, to say nothing of the fact that the evidence was thin, at best. The story came...

Food spend has halved since 1957.(News: Food and drink)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Spending on food and drink has more than halved in the last 50 years, according to new figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that expenditure on eating and drinking has fallen to 15% of the average UK household's weekly...

Starbucks to shut 100 US sites.(News: Food and drink)
March 1, 2008... Starbucks has announced it will close 100 of its underperforming outlets in the US, after reporting a 1% decline in domestic same-store sales for its first quarter, to 30 December 2007. The company said that same-store sales across its...

Burger King reports 29% Q2 profits rise.(News: Food and drink)(Financial report)
March 1, 2008... Burger King has reported a 29% increase in second-quarter profits, driven by strong US sales of its Whopper burger, and new Homestyle Melt sandwiches. The chain said that net income for the quarter rose to $49m (24.6m [pounds sterling])...

McD's cooks up a 5.7% sales rise in January.(News: Food and drink)(Financial report)
March 1, 2008... McDonald's has reported a 5.7% increase in global same store sales in January, driven by growth in Europe and Asia. The company saw comparable sales rise by 8.2% in Europe and 7.8% in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, while US sales were...

New spas in Scotland & Manchester.(News: Property & development)
March 1, 2008... Crerar Hotels has launched the biggest spa in Scotland's 'Highlands and Islands' with the opening of a new 2m [pounds sterling] facility at the Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa at Craignure Bay, while the Isle of Eriska hotel has completed its spa...

Revamped Esporta Riverside to re-open.(News: Property & development)
March 1, 2008... Esporta's prestigious Riverside Health and Racquets Club in Chiswick is set to re-open, following the fire that forced it to close two years ago, providing a boost for the beleagured operator. The 155,000 sq ft facility will boast an...

School plan for 2012 Olympic stadium.
March 1, 2008... The government has announced that it is looking into the possibility of establishing a school at the Olympic stadium site after the 2012 games. Tessa Jowell, Olympic minister and Jim Knight, schools minister, have commissioned a review into...

New SHOKK for north east.(re-opening of Spectrum Leisure Centre )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The Spectrum Leisure Centre in Willington, County Durham, has re-opened the regeneration of its facility, which has seen a 170,000 [pounds sterling] investment enhance the existing gym and sports hall, and the introduction of a dedicated SHOKK...

Rhydycar led by leisure.
March 1, 2008... The Merthyr Tydfil leisure park in Rhydycar, Wales, has agreed deals with Frankie & Benny's and Vue Entertainments for its 25m [pounds sterling] mixed-use development scheme. A nine-screen Vue cinema, as well as a Frankie & Benny's restaurant...

Puccino's to sell 11 sites.
March 1, 2008... Puccino's, the 90-strong UK coffee-bar group, has placed a package of 11 leasehold properties on the market through Christie & Co. The sites, which are available individually--both for sale or franchise--are mainly located in London and...

EC takes Germany and Sweden to court over gambling restrictions.(News: Industry)
March 1, 2008... The European Commission announced it has launched legal proceedings against Germany and Sweden over laws which restrict competition in their gambling markets. The Commission has sent a said it had sent a "letter of formal notice" to which...

Britons start to feel the squeeze.(News: Industry)(impact of subprime crises on taxes)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Britons have started to feel the effects of the credit squeeze, with average household taxes having increased by 7,800 [pounds sterling] per year since 1997, while disposable income has stagnated, according to new research. A report by the...

AIM entries are subdued in 2007.(News: Industry)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... The number of new entrants on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) fell from 362 in 2006 to 222 last year a 39% decline, although the total raised by the newcomers still amounted to 6.2bn [pounds sterling], according to research from Growth...

SkillsActive unveils plans for sports academy.(News: Industry)
March 1, 2008... SkillsActive has submitted its business plan to the Learning and Skills Council for the development of a National Skills Academy for sport and active leisure. Over 5.8m [pounds sterling] of employer and partner investment has been raised...

United we should stand: David Minton says encouraging participation through alliances, as pushed by the airline industry, could provide effective within the UK fitness sector.(Insight)
March 1, 2008... The top 40 major airlines, with some smaller regional carriers, are now working together to improve the overall value of the airline industry, reducing operating costs, providing expanded rewards for the customer and increasing participation....

Focused M&A to continue in 2008: the Livingstone Partners' Leisure Survey 2008 reveals some surprisingly upbeat attitudes towards likely M&A activity this year, despite the effects of the global credit crunch.(Research: M&A Survey 2008)
March 1, 2008... January is always traditionally a 'dark' month following the good cheer of the Christmas break as consumers try their best to stick to their New Year resolutions and take steps to makes amends for some of their more recent excesses (by giving...

Looking through the froth: the recent trials at Starbucks are an illustration of what can happen if a brand loses sight of its core values, and touch with its customers.(Insight: Starbucks)(Company overview)
March 1, 2008... 'Brands with a cause' was my recent plea (What does my brand stand for? Leisure Report January 2008). Let us ignore the companies bordering on the irrelevant and connect with those that genuinely stand for something. Life is too short to waste...

Coastal profit erosion: the British amusement arcade is facing an annus horribilis, after the twin blows of the smoking ban and the Gambling Act, says David Carey, but the battle is not lost yet.(Sector update: Amusement arcades)
March 1, 2008... There has been plenty of tough talk lately about the negative impact of double taxation and the smoking ban on the UK bingo industry, and rightly so, but less-widely reported has been the effect of certain aspects of the Gambling Act on the...

Participation for the nation: more people, more active, more often--how can we achieve this? Graham Farrant, Leisure Connection chief executive, examines the importance of increasing mass participation.(Opinion: Fitness participation)(Viewpoint essay)
March 1, 2008... In a recent Sport England report it was highlighted that 10bn [pounds sterling] needs to be spent on 3,000 local authority sports facilities--but I question whether this is achievable within the current provision model of pubic access leisure...

Once more into the breach? Data losses can cost companies time, money and the confidence of their customers and, as Derek Parkinson investigates, hotels are more vulnerable than most to theft and misuse.(Insight: Data protection)
March 1, 2008... For those of us worried about the security of our personal data, 2007 was a strong candidate for "Annus Horribilis". Security breaches in both the public and private sectors, due to a range of miserable failures such as poorly designed...

Last call back for Scotland: CMS Cameron McKenna's Timothy Pitt reviews the changes to Scotland's licensing regime and what this will mean for hotels, which hold the majority of the country's 24-hour licences.(Insight: Licensing)
March 1, 2008... Background The Licensing (Scotland) Act, coming into effect gradually over 2008 and 2009, has overhauled Scotland's licensing laws for the first time in over 30 years. The new legislation was introduced with the clear aims of reducing...

LR Index leisure stockwatch February 2008.(Sharewatch)
March 1, 2008... Frabjous day, caloo calay, one might be tempted to say, as February's Stockwatch can report a number of rays of sunshine, in keeping with the unseasonably bright weather we've enjoyed. Given the gloom surrounding the financial markets in...

Barclays Commercial Bank.(People on the move)
March 1, 2008... Barclays Commercial Bank has made two new appointments in its leisure and gaming team. Mark Hewson, formerly a relationship director, has been promoted to the role of head of leisure and gaming operators. He will be responsible for leading...

Top Ten.(People on the move)(Gary Bennett and Allen Walsh bingo )(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... UK bingo operator Top Ten said Gary Bennett and Allen Walsh have been respectively appointed as finance director and operations director, with effect from 12 February. Both are currently executive directors of Top Ten Bingo, the subsidiary...

Amazing Holdings.(People on the move)(David Mathewson appointed chairman)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Amazing Holdings, the property development group involved in the establishment of a casino hotel resort in the Pescadores Islands, Taiwan, announced that Gregg Carlson is stepping down as chief financial officer, and from the company's board,...

The Weather Lottery said Neil McGowan has been admitted to hospital and is therefore unable to carry out his duties as finance director.(People on the move)
March 1, 2008... The Weather Lottery said Neil McGowan has been admitted to hospital and is therefore unable to carry out his duties as finance director. Whilst he is unable to perform his duties the role will be undertaken by the company's financial controller...

Sports Cafe.(People on the move)
March 1, 2008... James Spragg, the former Novus Leisure executive, has been appointed chief executive of Sports Cafe, the five-strong large-scale bar operator, which was acquired by Agilo, a London-based special situations fund, last month. Spragg, who was...

Lifetime.(People on the move)(Brief article)
March 1, 2008... Lifetime has announced three more additions to its team. Alex Gillett, Katie Edwards and Ben Brook will be responsible for delivering NVQ programmes across the UK. Before joining Lifetime as a regional trainer, Gillett worked as a personal...

Diary dates: March.(Calendar)
March 1, 2008... March Event: SPATEC North America (spring) Date: 1 Location: Pasadena, California, US Description: Meeting forum of pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments between suppliers and the leading spa directors of the major US hotel,...