Latest news with #HiddenGrooves
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Sir Richard Branson reveals he's bringing back much-loved Virgin business and his plans to rival Jeff Bezos
Music has been at the heart of Virgin ever since the first Virgin Megastore opened on London 's Oxford Street in the 70s. Originally a mail order company, Sir Richard Branson first set up shop in 'a little shoe shop with an empty floor', after a postal strike threatened the end of the business. 'We put headphones on the walls, people sat on the pillows and smoked a joint while they listened to music, we had people behind the counter that really knew their music - and Virgin was born,' he tells us in an exclusive interview with MailOnline. Virgin Megastores quickly became one of the most popular record shops, with hundreds of branches worldwide. But, as streaming took over, Richard's brainchild began to struggle – and, by 2015, it was operating only in the Middle East, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Morocco. However, that all could be about to change, according to Richard, thanks to a surge in people buying vinyl again. 'We used to have a great Megastore in New York,' he tells us. 'And we may even go as far as reopening some Megastores in other places, because I think people are loving discovering vinyl again, and Virgin could also sell them some holidays, Virgin balloon trips, and a few other things in these Megastores. 'They're still going in the Middle East, so maybe we can get them going again in the UK. 'We'll most likely give it a shot.' Richard's lightbulb moment came during the unveiling of Virgin Hotel Shoreditch's brand-new listening bar Hidden Grooves. Just hours after seeing it for the first time, Richard says: 'Coming into Hidden Grooves was almost emotional. 'It's just so beautifully done, and they really tried to create a blast from the past with music and 12-inch discs, a drawer full of all my favourite albums and pictures from days with the Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson and the Sex Pistols, and it was just lovely to see. 'Today, seeing it in person, we decided on the spur of the moment to open a Hidden Grooves in our big hotel in New York, just off Times Square, too. 'In our New York hotel, the one thing I don't particularly like is the entrance area and this would just sort that out straight away.' Hidden Grooves is just one new element of the London hotel, which has been undergoing a phased transformation since last August. Virgin Hotel boasts a rooftop pool, stunning new suites with the brand's iconic red doors and famous 'lounge beds'. Guests can also enjoy Marlin's on the Roof restaurant, a private gym, treatment rooms and rooftop club - and a new signature restaurant will be arriving later this spring. Richard confesses that his 'mind is always racing' when it comes to building his business. 'If I feel that something's not been done well, I'll just jump in and do it. And obviously, I'm lucky, because I own the company, I can just say, "Screw it, let's do it' and get it done. 'And I try to enable everybody who works for Virgin to be able to do that, but, in the end, the buck stops with me, so I can just make decisions and get on with it.' Richard has plenty of plans for Virgin over the next few years - including more Virgin Atlantic flights to India, Virgin Voyages cruises to the Red Sea, and also a rival to Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel. But it's Virgin Galactic that Richard is most excited about. He says: 'Virgin Galactic is building a number of spaceships and, by the end of next year, they should be ready to fly. 'We're also looking at other countries where we can build space ports, and not just America, so that's quite exciting.' But does he think Virgin Galactic can compete with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin? 'Jeff and I, we're good friends,' Richard says. 'He'll pop by Necker Island if he's in the area, and then we'll play pickleball together. 'I think it's important in life to be friends in the night time, with the people you're competing with in the daytime, and there are so many people who want to go to space that there's room for us both. 'I obviously think Virgin Galactic is the better of the two experiences, and I'm sure if Jeff was here, he would argue that his his experience is the better, but there's room for both!'
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch Unveils Final Design: First Look Inside The Stylish New East London Destination
Virgin Hotels Shoreditch, London Virgin Hotels Collection 'I suspect we should have chosen London 40 years ago when we launched Virgin Atlantic but we didn't have the resources to open an airline, film company and hotel company at the same time. Now we've decided to open a number of hotels in London so that passengers who fly on Virgin Atlantic can continue their experience in the way they've been looked after on our planes.' Sir Richard Branson The first property in London for Virgin Hotels Collection was officially opened this week by Sir Richard Branson and CEO of Virgin Hotels, James Bermingham. Following a soft launch last August, the hotel has undergone a phased transformation with suites, a listening room and rooftop pool added to complete the luxury offering. Located in east London's Shoreditch, the 120-bedroom hotel also has 14 suites and a glorious rooftop pool. And, Hidden Grooves, a brand-new hi-fi listening bar pays homage to Virgin's musical roots, featuring a studio-album-themed cocktail menu, light bites and an extensive vinyl collection. The opening marks the eighth property for Virgin Hotels Collection. The flagship property is in New York with five others in the United States, including Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Nashville and New Orleans. In the UK, London joins and Edinburgh and soon to open, Glasgow. Hidden Grooves at Virgin Hotels London Virgin Hotels Designed by Richard Branson himself, who insists that 'vinyl sounds better' than digital music, Hidden Grooves, the hotel's brand new hi-fi listening bar, is a first for the hotel group. Taking cues from Japanese listening bars, the concept celebrates the golden era of vinyl and draws inspiration from Virgin Records' roots, honoring Richard Branson's iconic music legacy. The cozy bar resembles a chic 1970s lounge, featuring retro furnishings and curated music memorabilia that reflect the brand's early days. Richard Branson at the new Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch. Professional Images/@ProfImages 'It's a tribute to Virgin's music roots,' said Branson. 'We built our name on records – now inside our beautiful new hotel, we've built a space where people can enjoy them again. Who also doesn't remember visiting a Virgin Megastore and listening to the music before choosing which album to buy? This is exactly what I wanted to recreate with Hidden Grooves.' At the 38-seat venue, guests can explore a vast selection of music, from rare finds to timeless classics, played through the highest quality sound systems designed by London-based Project Audio. There's even a turntable in one corner where guests can choose their own vinyl to play. To complement the music, the hotel offers album-themed cocktails and bites. A range of weekly entertainment and vinyl sessions are an additional reason to drop in. A suite at Virgin Hotels London Virgin Hotels Collection Lynne Hunt London (LHL), together with Virgin Hotels' in-house design team, have created a bold and contemporary new design for its Premier Suites and Sir Richard's Penthouse Flat (also available to stay in). The guestrooms and suites pay homage to the vibrant spirit of the 1970s, when the Virgin brand was established and today's buzzy Shoreditch, famous for its cafes, bars and the rise of the YBAs (young British artists) like Damien Hirst, Sarah Lucas and Tracey Emin. The spacious suites feature an eclectic palette of rust, olive green, pale blue, and cream, with fabrics like boucle, velvet and leather. Hollywood-style orange mirrors, carefully selected artwork and painted brick walls lend a contemporary feel. Enhancing the suites are cosy sofas, velvet armchairs and custom-designed burl oak furniture and Virgin Hotels' super comfortable, patented beds. Hotel guests can use the innovative Lucy app which allows a fully digital check in but rest assured, a traditional check in with the friendly staff is also available. A rooftop bar and Marlin's on the Roof restaurant are on the seventh floor, along with a lovely petite swimming pool, heated to 28 degrees all year round. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the bright rooftop restaurant which serves a modern mediterranean menu. A chic new signature restaurant on the lower ground floor will open later this spring. Getting to Shoreditch from London Heathrow is a short trip on the new Elizabeth Line. A double room at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch is from £300 per night. Members of Virgin Red – Virgin's rewards club – can pay with Virgin Points for Reward Stays at Virgin Hotels London-Shoreditch. For a limited time, weekend Reward Stays start from just 45,000 Virgin Points per night.
