Latest news with #WestfieldLondon
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TOCA Social to open third UK venue at Westfield London on 1 July
Interactive football and dining destination TOCA Social is to launch its third UK venue at Westfield London in Shepherds Bush on 1 July. The competitive socialising brand will occupy 30,000 sq ft of the former Debenhams department store space, hosting 24 game boxes and with a 1,000 standing capacity. TOCA Social White City will also offer virtual reality experience, Sandbox VR including the Squid Game Virtuals game created in collaboration with Netflix. TOCA Social opened its first site at The O2 in London in 2021 followed by the Bullring in Birmingham last year. Alex Harman, President of TOCA Social, said: 'There is a clear and accelerating trend of people wanting more experiential entertainment, particularly around the nation's favourite sport, football. TOCA Social White City will be our third UK venue and largest yet, although we feel we are still scratching the surface of demand for TOCA Social. 'We are delighted to be partnering with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield on this project and excited to be opening our doors in time for the Women's Euros in July." Andy Scanlon, co-founder and CEO of Sandbox VR UK & Ireland, said: 'We are excited to bring the future of entertainment with our groundbreaking virtual reality experiences to TOCA Social's biggest venue yet, Westfield White City. This is the start of an exciting collaboration and we look forward to immersing guests in a whole new world of interactive entertainment like never before.' Jacinta Rowsell, head of customer & retail operations, Northern Europe of Westfield's owner Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said: 'The arrival of TOCA Social at Westfield London represents the future of destination-led retail – where world-class entertainment, dining, and technology come together under one roof. This partnership cements Westfield London as the capital's ultimate playground for the next generation of social experience.'
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taxpayer ‘risks footing £6bn bill for HS2 Euston overhaul'
British taxpayers risk footing a multibillion-pound bill to turn London Euston station into the new High Speed 2 (HS2) terminus, the site's former owner has said. A blueprint for the £6bn makeover will not deliver the returns needed to attract the type of private investment promised by Rachel Reeves, according to property tycoon Michael Gross, who owned multiple sites around Euston that were acquired by HS2. 'It's certain to fail,' he said. 'There is no chance whatsoever of raising that money privately. It's propaganda, not fact, and the taxpayer will be left to pick up the pieces.' Mr Gross, who was part of a group that submitted plans for Euston's redevelopment, said current proposals that envisage a mix of shops, offices, housing and green space fail to exploit the site's true potential. Only a retail development bigger than Heathrow's Terminal 5 or Westfield London, Europe's largest shopping centre, would stand a chance of raising the required funds, he claimed. 'The station is hugely expensive and the tunnelling is hugely expensive. So you've got to create the highest commercial value you possibly can,' he said. 'You have to build a city within a city. You'll have a captive audience of 100m people a year who you can funnel through shops, an entertainment centre, cinemas and restaurants.' The Euston plan was stalled two years ago when the previous Conservative government claimed HS2 would end in west London unless private investors rode to the rescue with cash to regenerate the area. Rather than scrapping the plan, Ms Reeves committed to taking the high-speed rail link the five miles into the centre of the capital and redeveloping the station. Ms Reeves said in her October Budget that while cash would be provided to tunnel to Euston, the regeneration of the station would be substantively funded by private finance. The Department for Transport (DfT) later said Euston would be paid for via private financing and receipts from commercial development, topped up by taxpayer and local government funds. However, the Commons public accounts committee said in February that it was 'sceptical that the private sector will provide this level of contribution'. Mr Gross said ministers were mistaken in regarding the redevelopment of nearby Kings Cross as a template for Euston, with the former having been a brownfield site of disused railway yards. The Euston project, by contrast, will see the station itself double in size, its roof replaced with a concrete deck that must support new buildings while existing platforms remain in use. He said the Hudson Yards complex in New York was the only practical blueprint, having been built above tracks from Penn Station. It features 100 shops and restaurants and 16 skyscrapers – one 200ft taller than The Shard – on a site half the size of Euston. Andrea Ruckstuhl, of Lendlease, the master developer for Euston, said the firm is working with partners to deliver a planning application for the station and its surroundings. He said: 'That will include new homes, businesses and community spaces; while also generating significant value for the UK economy.' The DfT spokesman said the Government was 'working at pace to set out the delivery arrangements and funding for the station' and will provide an update in due course. Mr Gross said that even if Labour were to rethink its approach, changes in the office and retail sectors since Covid meant redeveloping Euston for HS2 would not be viable. He urged the Government to admit defeat, halt HS2 in west London and focus on upgrading Euston as a hub for trains on the existing West Coast line to northern England and Scotland. He said: 'Euston is falling apart. We need to rebuild it as a conventional railway, but they have no plan, no money and no idea how to deal with it.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
12-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Taxpayer ‘risks footing £6bn bill for HS2 Euston overhaul'
British taxpayers risk footing a multibillion-pound bill to turn London Euston station into the new High Speed 2 (HS2) terminus, the site's former owner has said. A blueprint for the £6bn makeover will not deliver the returns needed to attract the type of private investment promised by Rachel Reeves, according to property tycoon Michael Gross, who owned multiple sites around Euston that were acquired by HS2. 'It's certain to fail,' he said. 'There is no chance whatsoever of raising that money privately. It's propaganda, not fact, and the taxpayer will be left to pick up the pieces.' Mr Gross, who was part of a group that submitted plans for Euston's redevelopment, said current proposals that envisage a mix of shops, offices, housing and green space failed to exploit the site's true potential. Only a retail development bigger than Heathrow's Terminal 5 or Westfield London, Europe's largest shopping centre, would stand a chance of raising the required funds, he claimed. 'The station is hugely expensive and the tunnelling is hugely expensive. So you've got to create the highest commercial value you possibly can,' he said. 'You have to build a city within a city. You'll have a captive audience of 100m people a year who you can funnel through shops, an entertainment centre, cinemas and restaurants.' The Euston plan was stalled two years ago when the previous Conservative government claimed HS2 would end in west London unless private investors rode to the rescue with cash to regenerate the area. Rather than scrapping the plan, Ms Reeves committed to taking the high-speed rail link the five miles into the centre of the capital and redeveloping the station. Ms Reeves said in her October Budget that while cash would be provided to tunnel to Euston, the regeneration of the station would be substantively funded by private finance. The Department for Transport (DfT) later said Euston would be paid for via private financing and receipts from commercial development, topped up by taxpayer and local government funds. However, the Commons public accounts committee said in February that it was 'sceptical that the private sector will provide this level of contribution'. Mr Gross said ministers were mistaken in regarding the redevelopment of nearby Kings Cross as a template for Euston, with the former having been a brownfield site of disused railway yards. The Euston project, by contrast, will see the station itself double in size, its roof replaced with a concrete deck that must support new buildings while existing platforms remain in use. He said the Hudson Yards complex in New York was the only practical blueprint, having been built above tracks from Penn Station. It features 100 shops and restaurants and 16 skyscrapers – one 200ft taller than The Shard – on a site half the size of Euston. Andrea Ruckstuhl, of Lendlease, the master developer for Euston, said the firm is working with partners to deliver a planning application for the station and its surroundings. He said: 'That will include new homes, businesses and community spaces; while also generating significant value for the UK economy.' The DfT spokesman said the Government was 'working at pace to set out the delivery arrangements and funding for the station' and will provide an update in due course. Mr Gross said that even if Labour were to rethink its approach, changes in the office and retail sectors since Covid meant redeveloping Euston for HS2 would not be viable. He urged the Government to admit defeat, halt HS2 in west London and focus on upgrading Euston as a hub for trains on the existing West Coast line to northern England and Scotland. He said: 'Euston is falling apart. We need to rebuild it as a conventional railway, but they have no plan, no money and no idea how to deal with it.'
Arab News
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Westfield London's Eid Festival celebrates British Muslims' impact on communities
LONDON: Eid Al-Fitr celebrations began in London this weekend and featured numerous events, the most notable happening at Westfield London, Europe's largest shopping mall. Although Eid was celebrated at the end of March in most Muslim countries to signify the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, some planning is required in Europe and the UK to mark the occasion at weekends. Eid fell this time on the first weekend of beautiful spring days, warm and sunny, although there was a chilly breeze in the shade. It coincided with the Easter school holiday, the clocks have already moved forward, and the cherry blossoms are blooming. The London Eid Festival at Westfield London has been celebrated for six successive years, and next weekend, from April 11 to 13, it takes place for a second year at Westfield Stratford City in East London. Skin and healing products are sold by an independent vendor at Westfield London's Eid Festival. (AN Photo/Mustafa Abu Sneineh) Westfield London is an enormous upmarket shopping destination featuring more than 460 stores. For those accustomed to shopping at local delis and occasionally making trips to Sainsbury's, the interactive touch-screen map at Westfield is essential for navigating the seven levels of the mall. The London Eid Festival features independent vendors selling jewelry, fragrances, books, clothes, and sweets near the front of the mall. Just outside Wood Lane Station, two rows of food stalls featuring halal cuisine from China to Mexico are ready for celebrators to enjoy meals under the sun. Families with children in prams, teenagers on Easter break, and those curious about Eid sit on colorful yellow and blue benches to listen to singing performances and watch children's ballet in the yard. Westfield is a mainstream location for all communities, and this gives us an opportunity to showcase the Muslim community to the rest of the world Waleed Jahangir, Algebra Consulting Organizers are expecting more than 300,000 visitors at both weekends of the Eid celebrations at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City. Waleed Jahangir, the managing director at Algebra Consulting, told Arab News that the celebration taking place in one of the world's leading public venues is what makes the London Eid Festival unique. 'Westfield is a mainstream location for all communities and this gives us an opportunity to showcase the Muslim community to the rest of the world,' Jahangir said. 'When you hire a venue, the doors are closed with a majority of Muslims there; but here I want to showcase the power, the impact, and the festivities to the mainstream audience and in front of all the major brands … which benefit from the footfall and the sales.' An employee applies henna dye on a customer's hand during the London Eid Festival. (AN Photo/Mustafa Abu Sneineh) Most vendors at the London Eid Festival are independent businesses with a once-a-year opportunity to sell and showcase their products alongside Westfield's major chains and big brands such as Apple, Nike, H&M, and Zara. However, some of their products are pretty niche, such as Ghanaian African black soap made from cocoa pods. It appeared too adventurous for someone who grew up in Jerusalem using olive oil soap before discovering Mitchell's wool fat soap on a drizzly day at Chatsworth House. But the most popular item to buy at the festival was Dubai chocolate, according to the young food enthusiasts Lubna, the vendor, acknowledges that Ghanaian black soap is not their best seller but the pain relief oil, which has been sold for the past nine years, is popular among customers for treating arthritis and joint pain. Hanzalla, one of nearly 100 vendors at the London Eid Festival, sees the event as an excellent opportunity to showcase his halal food supplements, which are produced and packaged without alcohol or pig products. A Korean food stall prepares Halal German sausages. (AN Photo/Mustafa Abu Sneineh) Some vendors do not have physical stores but operate online, such as Learning Roots, a publisher that offers children's books about the prophets and illustrated translations of the Qur'an. Thobes for women, Palestine T-shirts, and oud essential oil are available for Eid celebrators. However, I saved my cash for a halal Chinese meal of chicken, green beans, and noodles with chilli flakes. According to Ali and Mohammed, who are from Indonesia, this is the most popular meal. There were three Korean food stalls, one of them selling German halal sausages. I asked Wahy, as he was preparing to open for customers at noon, about the popularity of Korean cuisine in the market, but he could not find a convincing reason other than 'English people like it.' Learning Roots publishes interactive books to teach children about Islam. (AN Photo/Mustafa Abu Sneineh) But the most popular item to buy at the festival was Dubai chocolate, according to the young food enthusiasts who spoke to Arab News. Shayaan was visiting with his father Taleb and explained that it became famous after going viral on TikTok. It is his favorite thing. Dubai chocolate is made with shredded phyllo dough and pistachio cream, the vendor explained as she served customers. She noticed it had become a bestseller over the last year or so. Shayaan was clearly enjoying his Eid and the Dubai chocolate. Those who grew up in the 1990s in the Middle East remember how we eagerly waited for Eid to spend our money on Kinder Surprise to get our hands on the tiny toys; nowadays it is Dubai chocolate, and for good reason.
Arab News
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Europe's largest Eid festival returns to London's Westfield for its 6th year
LONDON: The London Eid Festival will return in April to one of the UK's most upmarket shopping destinations, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and celebrating the Muslim holiday. The London Eid Festival is Europe's most significant celebration of Eid Al-Fitr, a three-day holiday marked at the end of Ramadan in Muslim countries, which concludes in late March. This year marks the sixth consecutive celebration of Eid at Westfield London, Europe's largest retail destination with over 460 stores. The event takes place from April 4 to 6 and features fashion, fragrance, food, and live entertainment. The organizers said festivities would then take place at Westfield Stratford City from April 11 to 13, promoting unity among London communities as Ramadan concludes. Katie Wyle, the head of Shopping Centre Management at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, said the London Eid Festival remains a yearly highlight. 'Following its successful debut at Westfield Stratford City in 2024, we're thrilled to bring it back for a second year, allowing the event to flourish across both sides of London,' she said. Organizers expect over 300,000 visitors across both weekends of the Eid celebrations and say the event will 'rival the bustling crowds typically seen at Westfield on Boxing Day.' There will be a vibrant mix of entertainment, activities, and food stalls to entice the crowds. Waleed Jahangir, the managing director at Algebra Consulting, said: 'As organizers, we're not just hosting a festival; we're shaping and celebrating the evolving Muslim community consumer landscape, and we can't wait to bring an even bigger, more vibrant Eid celebration to life for everyone to enjoy.' The festival will showcase a diverse lineup of performers and brands from Turkiye, Malaysia, the UAE, and other countries, featuring modest fashion, boutique gifts, children's books, and homeware.
