Life&Style

Unwind with City PM's Life&Style section

Saudi Arabian takeover of Newcastle United off as bid withdrawn

July 30, 2020

The Saudi Arabia-backed bid to takeover Newcastle United football club has been withdrawn this afternoon. A consortium made up of the Gulf state’s Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben brothers had reportedly made a £300m bid to businessman Mike Ashley for the Premier League team. In a statement, the group said: “With [...]
Sky Arts to become free to air channel in bid to boost culture sector

July 28, 2020

Sky Arts will become free to air for all viewers in September, as the broadcaster attempts to boost the sector in a “vital time for culture” during the pandemic. Britain’s only TV channel dedicated solely to arts and culture is currently only available to paying customers. However, it will become free to air for all [...]
The Tate Modern reopens next week – but what will it look like in a post-lockdown world?

July 25, 2020

Monday will see the reopening of the Tate Modern (as well as the Tate Britain and the offshoots in Liverpool and St Ives) after more than five months behind shutters. And while we’re all becoming accustomed to social distancing in bars, restaurants and shops, how will it affect the UK’s second most popular tourist attraction? [...]
Government has been ‘too slow’ to help the arts during pandemic, say MPs

July 23, 2020

The government has been “too slow” to respond to the “existential threat” faced by theatre, live music and other cultural outlets during the coronavirus pandemic, a committee of MPs has said. A wide-ranging report released today by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee found that MPs have “consistently failed to recognise [...]
Southbank Centre to slash 400 jobs as coronavirus hammers the arts

July 16, 2020

The Southbank Centre, has confirmed 400 jobs are at risk as it enters into talks with staff in an attempt to reduce losses caused by the coronavirus crisis. The UK’s largest arts complex, situated on the River Thames in Waterloo, said that it will make around two thirds of its staff redundant, after months of [...]
Simon Cowell buys out Sony Music Entertainment from joint venture

July 15, 2020

Simon Cowell has bought out Sony Music Entertainment’s stake in their joint talent and production company, handing the TV presenter total control over the company after more than 11 years of partnership. Cowell today announced he has bought Sony’s 75 per cent stake in Syco Entertainment, which owns TV franchises Got Talent and The X [...]
V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum to open next month

July 14, 2020

London’s V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum are set to reopen their doors in August with new social distancing measures after almost five months of closure during the pandemic. The three South Kensington galleries are set to stagger their opening days and introduce mandatory online booking in a bid to reduce pressure on public [...]
Hipgnosis seeks £200m capital raise in new share placing

July 2, 2020

Music royalties investment firm Hipgnosis has announced plans to raise £200m in a share placing as the company looks to expand its catalogue portfolio. The London-listed firm said it hopes to raise the cash in a retail offer of up to 200m new C shares, at a price of 100p per share via London fintech [...]
Wigan Athletic football club enters administration amid ‘significant impact’ of coronavirus pandemic

July 1, 2020

Wigan Athletic has entered administration following the “significant impact” of the coronavirus pandemic on the football club’s finances. Paul Stanley, Gerald Krasner and Dean Watson from Begbies Traynor have been appointed as joint administrators, the Championship team said in a statement. Krasner said: “Our immediate objectives are to ensure the club completes all its fixtures [...]