Latest news with #AndrewSaunders
BBC News
18 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Isle of Man TT market gave small traders 'much-needed' boost
A new seaside market showcasing local food and drink during the Isle of Man TT provided a boost for small traders "that really need it", those involved have inaugural Mann Made Festival on from 23 May to 6 June on the site of the Bottleneck Car Park at the southern end of the Douglas Saunders of Event Management Solutions said despite some challenges with unsettled weather, the festival was "extremely well received by the public".He said he hoped the market, which featured food and drink stalls, a bar and live music performances, would return "bigger and better" in 2026. With support from the Domestic Event Fund, the festival saw stalls selling TT-themed artwork, local crafts, baked goods and South African Saunders said the free-to-enter venue had been set up to highlight "how great real Manx produce can be" and gave smaller firms the opportunity capitalise on the island's additional had been "lots of support" from both locals and visitors "even when the weather could have been better", he next year the team would rethink the layout to make it "more inclusive" and create a "market street" to promote "more of what the Isle of Man has to offer", he added. Motorcycle artist John Hancox said it was a chance to display his designs during the TT after the cancellation of annual drag race the Ramsey Sprint where he would usually host a stall.A self-confessed TT and bike fanatic, he said regulars at the event came to find him in the Manx capital, and he also "met lots of really nice new faces from all over the world".The artist said it had been "a really positive experience" with a planned rest day from racing on 5 June, which also saw a red arrows display in Douglas Bay, being his busiest. Owner of Just Jenny's in Castletown Jenny Merrick said her takeaway cake and coffee business would usually shut for the fortnight as there was "not much trade" in the south of the island during the she said "selling was incredible" at the market, where she was visited by regular customers, new local faces and visitors from all over the world."We made more in one day at the festival than in two weeks in Castletown at TT... and we sold out every day we pitched up," she had been a "fantastic opportunity for small businesses" on the island, she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Car park becomes Isle of Man TT local food and drink market
Preparations for a seaside market showcasing local food and drink have led to the closure of a car park throughout the TT Bottleneck Car Park at the southern end of the Douglas Promenade was shut to parking on Tuesday, and ahead of the opening of the Mann Made Festival on Friday at 17:00 site was previously home to the Bushy's Beer Tent for 20 years, which moved to the Villa Marina gardens in Saunders of organisers Event Management Solutions said the market would show "TT visitors and locals alike just how great real Manx produce can be". The market, which will feature food and drink stalls, a bar and live music performances, will be open daily between 12:00 and 22:00 until 6 June.A left luggage facility will also be situated on the site for the duration of the TT festival. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bid for Douglas Promenade food and drink market for TT
Plans have been put forward for a temporary promenade food and drink market to "liven up" an area of the Isle of Man's capital during the 2025 TT Management Solutions has applied for permission to hold a marketplace at the Bottleneck Car Park at the southern end of the Douglas site was previously home to the Bushy's Beer Tent for 20 years, which moved to the Villa Marina gardens in approved, the site would include a main covered bar area, food and drink vans showcasing local offerings, and portable toilets. Operations Manager Andrew Saunders said the event management firm aimed to "create a lively environment" where people could try local Manx produce. The company hopes to run the pop-up on the plot from 21 May until 8 June during the TT motorcycling festival. Mr Saunders said it would be a "nice new environment to liven up that end of the promenade" where there had been "reduced footfall".It would also give Manx companies an opportunity to showcase produce to both visitors and locals, he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK's Assura rejects $2 billion proposal from KKR, pension fund
(Reuters) -British healthcare property developer Assura has rejected a 1.56-billion-pound ($2 billion) proposal from KKR and pension fund Universities Superannuation Scheme, the U.S.-based private equity group said on Monday. Assura's shares jumped nearly 18% to 46 pence, still just over half of their peak price of 88 pence in 2020. Deal-making activity in Britain picked up last year, as cheaper valuations and falling or stable interest rates made financing easier for buyouts. A Deutsche Numis poll showed that private equity firms expect a rise in deal activity in 2025. KKR said it had made four indicative, non-binding proposals to Assura, the latest of which was at 48 pence per share, a 28.2% premium to Assura's closing price on February 13, but was rejected by the British company's board. "KKR is considering whether there is any merit in continuing to try and engage with the board," the U.S. group said in a statement. In a separate statement, Universities Superannuation Scheme said that it did not intend to make an offer for Assura, as part of the consortium or otherwise. It was not immediately clear if KKR was considering an independent offer. The group did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for further comment. Assura declined to comment. The company undertook asset disposals last year to bolster its balance sheet. It was running more than 600 properties with an investment value of about 3.2 billion pounds as of September, and counts Britain's state-backed National Health Service as a customer. "(Assura) is well-managed, has a high quality portfolio and many attributes of obvious attraction to the bidder," Shore Capital analyst Andrew Saunders said in a note. Under British takeover rules, KKR and USS have until March 14 to make a firm offer for Assura or walk away. ($1 = 0.7940 pounds) Sign in to access your portfolio
