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We’ve trained in plenty of places across the capital, from shiny health clubs to no-frills 24-hour spots, and we’ve built a fair picture of what works and what doesn’t.

Out of all the best gyms in London, one clearly comes out on top: Crowns Gym. It sets the standard, and in this guide we’ll share our take on the rest so you can judge for yourself.

Top 5 Best Gyms in London

Crowns Gym – Combat, conditioning, community, recovery, best
Third Space – Stylish, sprawling, varied, busy, costly
Equinox – Polished, pricey, wellness, image-driven
KX – Exclusive, luxurious, lifestyle, spa-heavy, extortionate
PureGym – Cheap, crowded, basic, functional, flexible

1. Crowns Gym – Beckenham

Step through the doors at Crowns Gym in Beckenham and it’s immediately obvious why it sits at the top of our list of the best gyms in London. It’s not about glitzy interiors or gimmicks; Crowns wins you over with substance.

The design is purposeful — clean, modern and unfussy — and every space has been created to deliver a specific training experience. The layout has been designed with precision. The Chamber is dedicated to combat sports, buzzing with energy during sparring sessions, while Room 101 is a serene space for yoga and Pilates.

The trainers aren’t just instructors ticking off sets; they’re seasoned professionals, from combat athletes to strength coaches, who know how to draw the best out of you.

There’s also a community feel that’s rare in luxury gyms: members support one another. This combination of expertise, atmosphere and facilities makes Crowns, without question, the best gym in London.

Variety is at the heart of Crowns’ offering.

The weekly timetable is packed with more than 30 classes that cover almost every discipline: boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and self-defence sit alongside conditioning favourites like HIIT, kettlebells, TRX and barbell pump. There’s balance too, with yoga, Pilates, mobility and dance-fit ensuring your recovery and flexibility keep pace with the heavy training.Each class is carefully structured.

Crowns doesn’t stop at physical training. The wellness offering rivals some of London’s most exclusive clubs. There’s a dedicated recovery suite complete with sauna, cold plunge and a red-light therapy bed: facilities more often found in boutique spas than gyms.

Nutrition coaching ties the whole programme together, so you’re not undermining your training with poor habits outside the gym. This holistic approach (strength, conditioning, recovery and diet)  is what elevates Crowns above the rest.

Membership is straightforward and transparent. A luxury gym day pass in London is available for around £15, perfect if you want to sample the experience before committing. Regulars can opt for the “Crowns King” package at £95 a month, or secure even better value with an annual membership at roughly £1,100. There are no joining fees, and the packages include unlimited classes and access to all recovery facilities. In a city where luxury gyms often hide behind complicated pricing and contracts, Crowns feels refreshingly fair.

Check their website out today at www.crownsgym.com to see for yourself why it tops our list of the best gyms in London.

Cons:

Location in Beckenham may be a stretch for central Londoners

Crowns Gym
4 Thayers Farm Road, BR3 4LZ
+44 (0)117 302 1018
https://crownsgym.com/

2. Third Space – Tower Bridge

Third Space is often billed as one of the top gyms in London, and its portfolio of 13 sites makes a strong case. Each branch is designed individually rather than following a single template. At Canary Wharf, for instance, you’ll find 100,000 sq ft of training space, sprint tracks, climbing walls and a spa-like pool area.

The facilities are undeniably high-end, but you quickly realise that much of what you’re paying for is the polish and prestige. Some members argue that while the branding is sleek, equipment isn’t vastly superior to other London gyms that charge half the price.

The choice of classes is extensive. With more than 100 a week, the timetable ranges from boxing and HIIT to reformer Pilates, barre, cycle and hot yoga.

Some instructors are exceptional, while others receive lukewarm reviews, particularly from advanced members who feel sessions can lack depth. Third Space excels at variety, but if you’re seeking the personal attention of a boutique club, you might find it less satisfying.

Where Third Space leans into its luxury reputation is wellness. Most branches offer pools, saunas, steam rooms, cryotherapy, red-light therapy and sports medicine support. These facilities rival those of a Beckenham spa gym like Crowns, but here, access often depends on your membership tier or incurs extra costs. It’s impressive, but not always inclusive.

The clubs are modern, clean and central, from Soho to Marylebone. A London gym pass for one location usually runs £230–£260 per month, with all-club access exceeding £300. Contracts are often 12 months, and cancellation terms have attracted criticism. Crowds at peak hours can also dent the luxury feel.

Cons:

Very expensive memberships
Can get overcrowded
Extras often cost more

Third Space Tower Bridge
2b More London Riverside, London SE1 2AP
+44 20 7940 4937

3. Equinox – Kensington

Equinox in Kensington and St James’s likes to present itself as the pinnacle of luxury fitness. The buildings are impressive, Kensington with its art deco dome, St James’s with its boutique feel,  but the truth is you’re paying heavily for presentation.

It certainly looks like one of the cool gyms in London, but the atmosphere can feel more about image than serious training. If you strip away the skylights and spa lighting, the core facilities aren’t dramatically different from other cool gyms across the city.

There’s no shortage of classes: boxing, yoga, reformer Pilates, cycling, strength circuits, all branded with slick names. Personal training is another revenue driver, with highly qualified staff available at a premium.

But despite the variety, the experience isn’t always transformative. Classes can feel generic, with little tailoring once numbers climb. For beginners it’s a safe place to start, but advanced members may question whether they’re paying for coaching or just a polished presentation.

Wellness is heavily marketed. You’ll find saunas, steam rooms, cryotherapy, spa treatments and nutrition services, but most of these sit behind additional charges. The promise of an “all-in-one” fitness and wellness hub is watered down when so much costs extra. It adds to the sense that the brand sells exclusivity more than substance.

This is where Equinox really divides opinion. Membership at Kensington hovers around £290 per month, plus joining fees of up to £400.

When you compare gym prices in London, it’s one of the most expensive memberships in the city. For some, that buys prestige. For others, especially those who actually want performance coaching or variety, the numbers don’t add up.

Cons:

Very expensive (£290+/month plus joining fee)
Extras often cost more than expected
More about image than serious training

Equinox Kensington
99 Kensington High Street, London W8 5SA
+44 20 7666 6000

4. KX – Chelsea

Let’s be honest: KX isn’t competing with the other best gyms in London. It’s operating in a completely different realm. This is the definition of a luxury gym, tucked away in Chelsea and catering to an ultra-wealthy clientele. We’re talking celebrities, royals, and people for whom price is simply not a factor. If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it.

Inside, KX is pure opulence. The spa and changing rooms feel more like a five-star hotel than a gym, easily some of the most polished in the city. But the constant presence of staff keeping everything spotless can feel clinical rather than calming, creating a slightly sterile atmosphere.

It’s less a gym and more a private health sanctuary, offering everything from cardiovascular screenings to personalised wellness plans. Impressive? Yes. But if you’re after a relaxed or gritty training environment, this isn’t it.

KX is in a league of its own when it comes to cost. Membership reportedly starts around £8,000 a year, and you’re not just paying for gym access, you’re buying into a full lifestyle package that includes the restaurant, medical clinic, and social club, whether you want those extras or not. Trial passes? Not available. This is all-in or not at all.

Cons:

Astronomical price:  easily the most expensive gym in London
Can feel soulless

KX Chelsea
151 Draycott Avenue, London SW3 3AL
+44 20 7584 5333

5. Puregym – Moorgate

PureGym is probably the most recognisable fitness brand in London. With clubs in Bermondsey, Moorgate, Ilford, Whitechapel and plenty more, it has become the go-to choice for people who want affordable, no-frills training. The big draw is the price and convenience.

You can walk into a PureGym at any time of day or night and know you will get the essentials. It is not glamorous and certainly not a luxury gym London option, but it does exactly what it promises.

Classes are included in most memberships and range from spin and circuits to boot camps and fat-burn sessions. Many branches run dozens of classes each week, so there is variety. The catch is inconsistency. A good instructor makes a huge difference, and not every class has the same energy or quality. Personal training is available, but the standard can vary widely from one branch to another.

This is the area where PureGym falls short compared with other cool gyms in London. There are no pools, no spa zones, no recovery suites. Facilities are limited to the basics such as changing rooms, lockers and showers. For many members this is perfectly fine, since they join for price and access. But anyone expecting a wellness element will not find it here.

PureGym’s strength lies in its reach. There are more than 20 clubs in London and most are open 24 hours, making it convenient for people with busy schedules. Each gym is stocked with plenty of cardio kits, weight machines and free weights.

Even so, overcrowding is a constant complaint, especially in central branches at peak times. Cleanliness can be hit and miss, again depending on the location. Another frequent gripe is membership management. Although advertised as contract-free, members have reported difficulties when trying to cancel.

Cons:

Overcrowded at busy hours
No extras such as pools or spas
Quality of classes and PTs is inconsistent
Complaints about cancellation and cleanliness

PureGym London Wimbledon
Unit 6, 17-27 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW191PS
+443444770005

How We Judge the Best Gyms in London

Finding the best gym London has to offer isn’t as simple as counting treadmills or checking if the showers smell of eucalyptus. We look at how a place actually fits into your life. Is it convenient, motivating, and consistent? The nicest gyms in London should feel inspiring, not intimidating, while popular gyms shouldn’t leave you fighting for space at peak hours.

We weigh up values too. A luxury gym day pass London is a great way to see if a club really delivers before you commit. Some of the posh gyms charge eye-watering fees, but unless the experience feels genuinely premium, what’s the point? The best gym membership balances price with perks, not just shiny kit, but proper coaching, recovery and atmosphere.

And finally, we keep an eye on the scene. Every new gym London launches wants to be one of the premium gyms London raves about. Only a few make the cut.

Is a Pricey Membership Really Worth It?

London is full of exclusive gyms promising transformation, community, and cold-pressed juice on tap, but does signing up to an expensive gym actually change your life, or just your bank balance? We’ve seen plenty of fancy gyms London has to offer, complete with marble reception desks and spa robes, and while some are impressive, others are simply expensive gyms dressed up with buzzwords.

A slick fitness centre London can absolutely motivate you, but results still come down to showing up and putting the graft in. The truth is, good gyms in London don’t always mean posh ones; sometimes a solid fitness club with decent kit and classes trumps another “Instagrammable” venue.

Before committing to a long-term gym membership, ask: am I paying for progress, or just paying to say I go there? In the end, the badge of exclusivity isn’t what gets you fitter.

Day Passes vs. Long-Term Commitment

Here’s the thing about London gyms: everyone wants your loyalty, but sometimes all you want is a taste before you dive in.

A day pass is perfect for that. Whether it’s a tenner at a budget chain or £40 at one of the glossier clubs, it lets you suss out the vibe (the crowds, the kit, even whether the showers actually work) without tying yourself down. Think of it as speed dating for fitness.

A long-term commitment, on the other hand, comes with perks and pitfalls. You’ll often get a better rate, maybe some extra classes or wellness credits, but you’re also locked in. Twelve months at the wrong gym can feel like a very long year.

Our advice? Use the pass, test the waters, then commit only if you can see yourself showing up week in, week out.

Boutique Buzz or Budget Basics?

Not every workout in London needs chandeliers and cucumber water. Sometimes your local gym does the job just fine, other times you crave the glow of the luxury gyms in London with their saunas and sleek studios.

We’ve spent time on both ends of the spectrum (from gritty south London gyms to the high end gyms in London that feature in glossy magazines) and the truth is, it comes down to what you value most. Here’s how we weigh it up:

Atmosphere: A London fitness club with boutique vibes can feel inspiring, while your local spot may be more no-nonsense.
Cost: A London gym membership at the top gyms in London can hit triple figures, while smaller clubs stay affordable.
Facilities: A London luxury gym offers recovery suites and pools; budget gyms keep it simple with weights and treadmills.
Location: The best gyms in south London might not have a marble lobby, but they’re closer, and you’ll actually show up.

Wellness, Recovery and Extras: Do They Really Add Value?

It’s easy to get dazzled by the add-ons. Many London luxury gyms promise spa suites, cryotherapy, even IV drips, but do these perks actually help, or just pad the bill?

We’ve seen both sides: the most expensive gyms in London with marble steam rooms, and the affordable gym where a foam roller in the corner counts as “recovery.”

Here’s how to cut through the noise:

Passes: A 1 day gym pass is the best way to see if wellness extras matter to you before locking into a contract.
Access: A proper 24 hour gym means you can recover or train on your own schedule, not theirs.
Commitment: A 3 month gym membership gives you long enough to test if you’ll use the extras or ignore them.
Balance: The best health clubs and the best gym to join don’t just throw in fancy treatments, they make recovery part of training.

How to Get a Gym Membership

It sounds simple enough (sign up, swipe your card, start training) but anyone who’s ever tried to compare gym memberships in London knows it’s never that straightforward. Every club has its own spin: some lure you in with a 1 day gym pass, others push 12-month contracts, and the real trick is figuring out where you’ll actually turn up.  You can scroll through endless cool gyms in London, but if the commute kills your motivation, you’ll waste your money.

Here’s what we look at before picking the best gym to join:

Location and vibe: even the cool gyms lose appeal if they’re a pain to reach.
Value: always compare gym prices, what’s included, what’s extra, and what’s just fluff.
Extras: at places like Crown Fitness or the Crown Spa Gym, recovery is built into training, which makes the spend feel justified.

Last Words About the Best Gyms in London

After touring the capital’s fitness scene (from posh clubs with sky-high gym membership prices to stripped-back 24-hour chains) one name consistently stood out: Crowns Gym! It blends serious training, spa-level recovery and a genuine community feel, making it more than just another health club.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Gyms in London

What Is the Best Gym in London Right Now?

Crowns Gym in Beckenham takes the top spot for 2025. It combines expert coaching, structured classes, spa-level recovery facilities, and a welcoming community—all at a fair price.

Are Luxury Gyms in London Worth the High Membership Fees?

Not always. While clubs like Equinox and Third Space offer slick interiors and wellness extras, you’re often paying for branding. Some, like Crowns, deliver luxury and substance.

Is There a Gym in London with Recovery Facilities Included?

Yes. Crowns Gym includes a full recovery suite (sauna, cold plunge, red-light therapy) in its standard membership, unlike many luxury clubs that charge extra.

Read more:
The Best Luxury Gyms and Health Clubs in London in 2025

Britain’s festive shopping habits are undergoing a technological transformation, with new research showing that more than seven in ten consumers will use generative AI to help choose Christmas presents this year.

The sharp rise—from just 31 per cent in 2024 to 71 per cent in 2025—highlights how quickly AI is being woven into everyday retail decisions, from gift inspiration to budget management.

The findings come from Shoppers Say Yes to GenAI This Holiday Season, a survey of 6,000 consumers across the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand by AI search and personalisation company Coveo. Far from treating AI as a short cut, respondents said they expect tools to compare products, suggest budget-friendly options and recommend personalised gifts. For many, AI is fast becoming a practical ally in managing both cost pressures and the complexity of festive shopping.

The study also reflects the wider pressures facing UK households. Some 85 per cent of British consumers said they were already feeling the seasonal strain amid the ongoing cost-of-living squeeze. Yet most intend to maintain or increase their spending compared with last year, with three-quarters planning to give more or spend at least the same in 2025. Encouragingly for physical retail, 55 per cent of shoppers said they still plan to visit the high street for at least part of their Christmas shopping.

Adoption of AI-led shopping is strongest among younger generations, with nearly nine in ten Gen Z and Millennials planning to use the technology, though more than half of Baby Boomers are also open to trying it. For retailers, Coveo’s findings send a clear signal: consumers are not only ready for generative AI shopping tools, they are actively seeking them out. Those who fail to embrace the technology risk missing a major opportunity to ease shopper stress, build loyalty and boost holiday sales.

Read more:
Millions of Brits to use generative AI for Christmas gift shopping in 2025

Sotheby’s has posted a steep increase in annual losses as the world’s art market continues to struggle, compounding pressure on the auction house owned by billionaire Patrick Drahi.

Filings from parent company Bidfair Luxembourg show losses more than doubled to $248 million (£184 million) in 2024, compared with $106 million the previous year.

Revenues fell 18 per cent to $813 million as commission and fee income was hit by a marked decline in high-end collecting, reflecting weaker demand from wealthy buyers against a backdrop of global geopolitical uncertainty and trade tensions. The downturn has added to the challenges facing an industry already sensitive to fluctuations in confidence and liquidity among the ultra-wealthy.

Sotheby’s financial results were further dented by a sharp rise in severance costs, which rose to $29.2 million last year from $11.4 million in 2023. Despite the scale of the payouts, the company’s headcount dropped by just 24, leaving its global workforce at 2,218.

The auction house, founded in London in 1744 as a rare book dealer, now operates in 40 countries and has expanded beyond art and books into luxury categories including wine, jewellery and diamonds, as well as financial services that fund art acquisitions and provide loans against collections. Drahi, who acquired Sotheby’s in a £3.7 billion deal in 2019, has sought fresh capital for a turnaround strategy, striking a deal last year with Abu Dhabi’s ADQ sovereign wealth fund, which acquired a 24 per cent stake in return for a $1 billion investment.

While Drahi has become a prominent figure in the art world through his stewardship of Sotheby’s, the French-Israeli businessman remains best known for his telecoms empire Altice, built through a string of leveraged acquisitions. The scale of Sotheby’s losses underlines the challenge of reviving profitability in a market still recovering from pandemic disruption and shifting global wealth dynamics.

Read more:
Sotheby’s losses more than double to $248m as global art market weakens

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has warned passengers to remain vigilant after a cyber-attack on a third-party supplier exposed customer contact details and some journey history.

The operator stressed that no financial data, passwords or ticketing systems had been compromised and that train services continue to run as normal.

The breach, which LNER said it was treating “with the highest priority”, highlights the growing risk of cyber-attacks on UK transport operators and their supply chains. While the company confirmed that the supplier involved had no access to bank or payment records, it urged customers to be alert to unsolicited emails or messages, particularly those requesting personal information.

The incident is the latest in a string of high-profile hacks to hit UK businesses and transport services. Transport for London suffered a cyber breach last year affecting financial data for 5,000 customers, while earlier this month production at Jaguar Land Rover was halted by a ransomware attack. Retailers including Marks & Spencer, Harrods and the Co-op have also been targeted this year.

LNER said it is working with cybersecurity experts and the supplier concerned to establish the full scale of the breach and implement additional safeguards. Updates will be provided as investigations progress.

Read more:
LNER warns customers after passenger details exposed in cyber-attack

Larry Ellison, the 81-year-old co-founder of Oracle, has leapfrogged Elon Musk to become the world’s richest individual after a surge in demand for artificial intelligence services sent Oracle shares soaring.

The company’s stock jumped more than 40 per cent in New York trading on Wednesday, boosting Ellison’s net worth by $101 billion in a single day and taking his total fortune to $393 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.

The dramatic rise underscores the extraordinary wealth being generated by the AI boom, which is transforming the fortunes of technology companies and their founders. Ellison, who still owns 41 per cent of Oracle, co-founded the software giant in 1977 and has been its driving force for nearly five decades. Today, the group is reaping record demand for cloud computing services as businesses invest heavily in generative AI.

Ellison’s business interests extend far beyond Oracle. He has a stake in Tesla, owns the Hawaiian island of Lanai, and bankrolls SailGP, the global yacht racing league he launched in 2019. Known for his lavish lifestyle, he has also built a family dynasty, with his son David Ellison now at the helm of Paramount following a high-profile takeover, which saw the Stephen Colbert Show cancelled allegedly to ensure the takeover passed President Trump’s media watchdog.

Ellison’s ascent marks a new milestone in Silicon Valley’s reshaping of global wealth, as AI’s winners consolidate their position at the top of the financial hierarchy. Musk, with a net worth of $385 billion, now trails the Oracle founder in second place, underlining how quickly fortunes can shift in the high-stakes world of technology.

Read more:
Larry Ellison overtakes Elon Musk as world’s richest man amid AI boom

TikTok has overtaken Google and Amazon to become the world’s most scraped website, underlining how the artificial intelligence boom is transforming demand for online data.

According to Decodo’s second annual Most Scraped Websites report, the video-first platform recorded a 321 per cent surge in scraping traffic, climbing from outside the top 10 last year to claim the number one position in 2025.

The findings point to a profound shift in the data economy as businesses move away from traditional, text-heavy sources toward multimodal platforms rich in video, audio and social interactions. Video and social media now account for 38 per cent of all scraping activity, ahead of search engines (24 per cent) and e-commerce platforms (22 per cent). YouTube, Coupang and ScienceDirect were among six new entries to the top 10, marking the sharpest year-on-year change since Decodo began tracking the sector.

Industry experts say the trend is being driven by escalating demand for diverse, high-quality datasets to train next-generation AI models. “Data might have been the new oil in 2006, but in 2025 it’s the fuel that powers artificial intelligence,” said Gabrielė Verbickaitė, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Decodo. “AI systems have an appetite for fresh, varied training data at unprecedented scale.”

As companies compete for an edge in AI, access to rich external data sources is fast becoming a decisive competitive advantage. Decodo’s analysis suggests that organisations prioritising diverse content inputs will be better positioned to innovate in an era where multimodal AI reshapes not only technology, but entire industries.

Read more:
TikTok tops list of most scraped websites as AI training reshapes data priorities

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signalled a fresh push to support small businesses by reforming business rates, pledging to remove the “cliff edges” that discourage firms from expanding.

At present, companies lose all access to small business rates relief when opening a second property, a rule widely criticised for stifling growth and investment.

Speaking today, Reeves said the government’s top priority was delivering growth and that small businesses were central to that ambition. “Our economy isn’t broken, but it does feel stuck,” she noted. “We want to see thriving high streets and small businesses investing in their future, not held back by outdated rules or strangled by red tape.”

Reeves confirmed that the Treasury is reviewing the current system, with a focus on making reliefs fairer and encouraging firms to expand, employ more people and reinvest profits locally. The reforms form part of Labour’s broader commitment to revitalising Britain’s high streets and ensuring that economic growth “works for, and rewards, working people”.

Read more:
Rachel Reeves says economy is not broken, it’s just stuck

Merck, the American pharmaceuticals group known as MSD in Europe, has dealt a significant blow to the government’s ambitions to build a world-leading life sciences economy by scrapping its £1 billion plan for a new London headquarters.

The company confirmed it will halt construction of its 25,000 sq ft research centre in the capital’s Knowledge Quarter, a flagship project announced only two years ago and scheduled to open in 2027.

The decision, which includes shutting down discovery research operations in the UK with the loss of 125 jobs, underscores growing unease among global drugmakers about Britain’s regulatory and pricing environment. Merck said successive governments had failed to address “the lack of investment in the life sciences industry and the overall undervaluation of innovative medicines and vaccines”, citing in particular the NHS’s restrictive approach to new treatments.

Its withdrawal follows the collapse of talks between ministers and the industry over reforming the voluntary branded medicines pricing scheme, which limits NHS spending on innovative drugs. The timing is also notable: the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has published a report, produced with PwC, warning that the UK is slipping behind international rivals in attracting foreign direct investment and commercial clinical trials.

Merck is not alone in its frustration. Eli Lilly has recently paused part of its UK investment pending greater clarity on government policy, while AstraZeneca and GSK are also expected to press ministers for reforms. The stand-off comes just as ministers seek to showcase Britain as a life sciences leader ahead of a state visit by US president Donald Trump, who has warned Washington will no longer “subsidise the healthcare of foreign countries”.

Although officials insist the UK remains one of the most attractive global investment destinations, industry figures say that without meaningful policy change, Britain risks losing out to the US and Europe in the competition for pharmaceutical innovation and capital.

Read more:
Merck halts £1bn London HQ as pharma giant attacks UK support for life sciences

Britain’s ambitions to build a world-leading life sciences industry are being undermined by falling investment and mounting criticism from global pharmaceutical groups, according to a stark new report.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), working with PwC, has warned that the UK is “losing the race” to attract foreign direct investment, citing a toxic mix of poor access to innovative medicines, low government support and unpredictable NHS pricing clawbacks.

The 50-page study benchmarked the UK against international peers on 48 competitiveness indicators and found foreign investment in life sciences had slumped to £795 million in 2023—58 per cent below 2017 levels—pushing Britain down to seventh place in global rankings from a high of second only two years earlier. Pharmaceutical R&D has also slowed markedly, growing at just 1.9 per cent annually since 2020, against a global average of 6.6 per cent.

The warnings come as Merck scrapped plans for a £1 billion London research hub and cut 125 jobs, while AstraZeneca abandoned a £450 million vaccine site expansion in Liverpool. Eli Lilly and Sanofi have also sounded the alarm, with UK operations paused or scaled back until government policy becomes clearer. Executives say the sector’s world-class research infrastructure, academic institutions and thriving biotech ecosystem are being overshadowed by rising regulation and diminishing confidence in the UK market.

The findings threaten to undercut Labour’s industrial strategy, which has identified life sciences as one of eight key growth sectors. Ministers insist Britain remains the most attractive destination for life sciences investment, pointing to new funds and partnerships, but industry leaders warn urgent action is needed if the UK is to compete with the US, China and European rivals for the next generation of drug discovery and development.

Read more:
UK life sciences sector slipping in global investment race, industry warns

Smart glasses that help people with severe depression complete daily tasks and AI-powered filter apps designed to make therapy for anxiety more approachable are among 17 pioneering projects receiving government support to transform mental health care across the UK.

Science Minister Lord Vallance announced the investment today, with £3.6 million in funding from Innovate UK’s Mindset programme. The projects are aimed at delivering real-time, scalable mental health support, reducing costs for the NHS and easing pressure on resources.

The backing comes amid a 40 per cent rise in people accessing NHS mental health support in England since before the pandemic. The technology will be developed and trialled over the next 12 to 18 months, offering potential breakthroughs in how patients manage complex conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and PTSD.

Among the innovations is a lightweight smart glasses system developed by CrossSense in London. The glasses use AI to help users with severe depression and memory loss by recognising household objects and providing real-time prompts through a connected app.

The technology can guide vulnerable individuals through everyday tasks – from issuing safety warnings such as “stay away from boiling water on the hob” to reframing negative thought patterns. It adapts over time to the wearer’s needs, helping prevent cognitive decline and enabling people to live more independently despite complex mental health challenges.

Immersive therapies and AI-powered tools

Other projects backed include:
• Play Well for Life, working with the University of the West of England, is developing an augmented reality board game that helps children improve communication, problem-solving and social skills in a supportive, interactive setting.
• Life Process Program, based in Northern Ireland, is building a customisable virtual coach for individuals recovering from substance abuse, simulating real-life therapy sessions.
• EcoGPX in West Yorkshire is linking extended reality with physical activity to connect people with nature and reduce anxiety.
• Photography Based Therapeutics, with the University of Surrey, is creating the world’s first app combining AI and AR to help young people use photo-editing filters to reduce distressing elements in images, replacing them with calming features. These visuals can then be used in therapy sessions to aid communication.

Lord Vallance described the programme as an example of science driving life-changing solutions: “From smart glasses helping those with debilitating depression to games helping children build social skills, we are supporting teams across the UK to build cutting-edge tech that unlocks opportunity, supports the NHS and grows our economy.”

Minister for Mental Health Baroness Merron added: “By embracing new tech, we’re improving lives and reducing pressure on the NHS to make healthcare fit for the future, as part of our Plan for Change.”

The funded projects cover a wide range of conditions including ADHD, autism, depression, occupational stress and addiction recovery. They form part of the government’s wider 10 Year Health Plan, which pledges an additional £688 million for mental health services, more staff, expanded talking therapies and enhanced access via the NHS App.

By investing in extended reality (XR) – including VR, AR, mixed reality and haptic technologies – the government aims to put the UK at the forefront of digital mental health solutions. These tools could be available via the NHS following clinical approval, or through regulated private channels, offering patients new ways to access personalised, effective care.

Read more:
Smart glasses and AI apps backed to transform mental health care in the UK