Business

A Welsh manufacturer of darts equipment has snapped up a fast-growing technology business that automates scoring, in a deal aimed at reshaping how the sport is played and watched.

Nodor, based in Bridgend and backed by private equity firm Inflexion, has acquired Autodarts for an undisclosed sum. The company said the move would help “deliver the most advanced playing, training and competition experiences for players worldwide.”

Autodarts uses cameras mounted above or around the board to detect where darts land and instantly calculate scores. The technology already has more than 85,000 players worldwide using the system to train, compete online and play socially.

The acquisition comes as darts enjoys a surge in popularity. Luke Littler’s remarkable victory this year as the youngest ever world darts champion has brought fresh attention to the game, inspiring new fans and players.

Even elite professionals are backing the tech. Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world champion and Winmau ambassador, said: “I’ve been playing professional darts for nearly 20 years and this next-generation technology is an absolute game-changer. Online play, training programs, connecting the darts community across the globe — it will take the sport to the next level.”

Vince Bluck, managing director of Nodor, said the deal represented a natural evolution for the company: “By combining our world-class equipment with their world-class technology, we are creating a platform that not only supports players at every level but also redefines how the game is played, practised and enjoyed globally.”

Founded in 1973 by John Bluck, a Ford motor engineer, Nodor was born out of an ambition to make tungsten darts more affordable for working men. John and his wife Gill built up the Red Dragon brand, acquiring Nodor in 1983 and rival Winmau in 2002.

In 2023, private equity group Inflexion acquired a majority stake in the business for tens of millions of pounds, giving it fresh capital to expand.

The addition of Autodarts reflects the trend of sports increasingly blending tradition with technology. For darts, it means eliminating disputes over scores, enabling seamless online play, and offering new opportunities to collect player data and develop training tools.

With the weight of Nodor’s global brands behind it — from Winmau dartboards to Red Dragon tungsten arrows — the partnership aims to establish darts not only as a pub game and professional sport, but as a connected, data-driven global community.

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Nodor acquires Autodarts to bring automatic scoring tech to global darts community

Leicester has been revealed as the best place in the UK to launch a new business, with companies in the city posting average growth of 95.3 per cent over the past five years.

The East Midlands hub recorded more than 4,000 new business registrations between 2018 and 2023, cementing its status as one of the country’s most dynamic start-up centres.

Central Bedfordshire emerged as another bright spot, with an average growth rate of just over 68 per cent and more than 2,000 new businesses established over the same period. Hertfordshire also performed strongly, registering more than 9,000 start-ups — the third-highest number anywhere in the UK outside London — and sustaining growth of more than 30 per cent.

South Wales offered a mixed picture. Rhondda Cynon Taf stood out as a surprising success story, with average growth of 28 per cent and more than 1,100 new registrations, putting it among the UK’s top performers. Southampton rounded out the strongest growth areas, with start-ups expanding at an average rate of 27 per cent. Other regions to post notable gains included Rutland, Hampshire, Torfaen, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, all of which have seen consistent upward momentum in new business creation.

Yet while parts of the East Midlands and South East lead the charge, the data also highlights areas where entrepreneurs continue to struggle. Caerphilly in South Wales was identified as the most challenging environment for start-ups, recording more than 600 registrations between 2018 and 2023 but suffering an average year-on-year decline of 18 per cent. Darlington also fared poorly, with growth contracting by 17.5 per cent, while the Isles of Scilly saw a 12.5 per cent fall despite only 11 new businesses registering during the period. Newport and Pembrokeshire added to the list of underperforming regions, both recording double-digit declines in growth.

The findings reveal stark regional divides in the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape. While areas such as Leicester and Central Bedfordshire have created vibrant ecosystems for new firms, large parts of Wales and smaller local economies continue to face structural hurdles that are holding back start-up activity. For policymakers, the figures underscore the need for targeted regional support if the government’s ambition to spread prosperity and opportunity more evenly across the country is to be realised.

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Leicester tops UK rankings for fastest new business growth while South Wales lags behind

The British Business Bank (BBB) has announced an £8 million investment into NRG Therapeutics Ltd., a pioneering neuroscience company developing novel therapies for severe neurodegenerative conditions, as part of a £50 million Series B funding round.

The financing was led by SV Health Investors’ Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF), with participation from M Ventures, Novartis Venture Fund, and Criteria Bio Ventures, alongside existing backers Omega Funds and Brandon Capital.

NRG Therapeutics is advancing treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neurone disease (MND) and Parkinson’s disease by targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, a key driver of neurodegeneration.

The company has developed a new class of small molecule mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) inhibitors, designed to protect mitochondria from toxic proteins linked to ALS/MND and Parkinson’s, and preserve neurons in pre-clinical models.

Its lead candidate, NRG5051, has shown profound neuroprotective effects and reduced neuroinflammation in pre-clinical studies. Having completed IND-enabling work, NRG5051 is expected to enter first-in-human clinical trials in early 2026.

The Series B financing will enable NRG to generate clinical proof of concept in ALS/MND while also collecting meaningful data in Parkinson’s patients.

Dr Neil Miller, co-founder and CEO of NRG Therapeutics, said the raise would accelerate the company’s mission to provide new hope for patients and families affected by devastating neurological diseases: “Developing new drugs to treat neurological diseases is very challenging but is receiving increased interest given the high unmet medical need and growing prevalence in ageing populations. These new funds provide the runway to advance our lead programme through proof of concept in ALS/MND, and to expand our portfolio for other indications including Parkinson’s.”

Leandros Kalisperas, Chief Investment Officer at the British Business Bank, said backing NRG underscored the Bank’s focus on scaling UK life sciences breakthroughs: “We seek to back the best of UK life sciences, helping to turn breakthrough research into world-leading, fully commercial companies. Like many of our life sciences investments, our investment in NRG Therapeutics is especially rewarding because it has the potential to help solve one of the world’s largest healthcare challenges.”

Emma Johnson, Senior Investment Manager at the Bank, added: “We are pleased to join NRG on this next phase of development as they progress their novel therapy with disease-modifying potential into the clinic. This makes them the 16th life sciences direct investment for the British Business Bank, complementing our existing portfolio of breakthrough innovations.”

In association with the Series B raise, Emma Johnson (British Business Bank), Laurence Barker (SV Health Investors), Charlotte Kremers (M Ventures) and Florian Muellershausen (Novartis Venture Fund) will join NRG’s board of directors, bringing additional expertise as the company transitions toward clinical development.

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British Business Bank backs NRG Therapeutics with £8m investment in £50m Series B round

London’s black cab industry has received its biggest ever investment as Sherbet, The Electric Taxi Co, secures up to £40 million in backing to scale its zero-emissions fleet and prepare for global expansion.

The funding comes from HOF II Holdco S.à r.l., advised by European private equity firm Hoplon Investment Partners LLP, and represents the single largest injection of growth capital in the history of London’s licensed taxi trade.

Founded in 2013 by Business Champion Award entrepreneur the year and former black cab driver Asher Moses, Sherbet has grown into the UK’s leading electric taxi company. Its mission: to transform London’s most recognisable mode of transport into a zero-emissions, tech-enabled mobility platform fit for the 21st century.

Sherbet currently operates around 550 electric cabs. With fresh capital secured, the company plans to expand its fleet to 3,000 vehicles over the next three years, consolidating the licensed industry under the Sherbet brand and offering independent drivers a new platform.

“This investment marks a turning point, not just for Sherbet, but for the future of the black cab industry,” said Moses. “The black cab is a globally recognised symbol of London — trusted, iconic and deeply woven into the city’s identity. Yet for too long, it has lacked a dedicated guardian committed to modernisation.

“Our mission is to step into that role, not only to preserve its heritage, but to equip the trade with the technology, data and scale it needs to thrive. With this investment, we’re laying the foundation to reposition the licensed industry and establish Sherbet as its new home: electric, innovative, and built for the future.”

Sherbet’s growth strategy extends beyond electrification. The investment will fund the rollout of a comprehensive driver-focused technology platform, integrating access to bookings, data, advertising opportunities and advanced analytics to help drivers increase their earnings and job security.

Each cab will also be equipped to provide real-time environmental, traffic and road safety data to city authorities, bolstering London’s smart city credentials. Sherbet has also pledged to invest in the next generation of taxi drivers through the Knowledge School pipeline, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the trade.

Passenger accessibility and reliability remain central. Black cabs are uniquely designed to be wheelchair accessible, a feature Sherbet says it will safeguard as it scales.

Sven Hansen, co-founder and managing partner at Hoplon Investment Partners, said: “Sherbet is redefining what it means to be a modern mobility company. Asher’s vision blends the legacy of the black cab with a forward-thinking, data-led approach to electrification and driver empowerment. We’re proud to support Sherbet’s growth in London and its expansion into international markets.”

The investment will also help Sherbet strengthen its position against unlicensed ride-hailing giants such as Uber. By leveraging its trusted, regulated brand — and combining heritage with innovation — Sherbet aims to outpace app-based rivals through compliance, quality assurance and sustainability.

Sherbet’s model has already attracted interest from cities worldwide looking to replicate London’s unique blend of heritage and innovation. With Hoplon’s backing, the company is poised to export its platform internationally, positioning the London black cab as a global symbol of sustainable urban mobility.

For London, the investment marks not only a milestone in the taxi trade but also a boost to the capital’s green credentials. For Sherbet, it signals a future where the black cab remains an icon — but one reimagined for a cleaner, smarter age.

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Sherbet secures record £40m investment to expand electric London black cab fleet

Britain’s ambition to deliver nationwide 5G coverage risks being derailed as farmers and rural landowners revolt over deep cuts to the rents paid for hosting mobile masts.

Rents that once ran into thousands of pounds are being slashed by as much as 90% under laws designed to accelerate the rollout of digital infrastructure. In Cornwall, one farmer said his rent was reduced from £8,500 to £750, while another in Dorset saw his annual fee collapse from £5,000 to £1,600.

A survey of more than 500 mast site owners found that one in three is now considering walking away from agreements altogether, citing plummeting returns and rising frustrations with mobile operators.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and Country Land and Business Association (CLA) have warned that members are increasingly inclined to turn their land over to other uses — from holiday lets to solar farms — which offer more lucrative and less complicated revenue streams.

“It’s concerning that a significant number of site providers are considering walking away from hosting telecommunications infrastructure,” said Rachel Hallos, NFU vice-president. “Members do not feel listened to by operators or government when it comes to having a say over what is happening on their land.”

Any large-scale withdrawal of landowners from mast contracts would imperil the UK’s digital upgrade, leaving rural areas in particular at risk of falling further behind Europe in terms of 5G coverage.

At the heart of the dispute is the Electronic Communications Code (ECC), introduced in 2017 to bring mast rents in line with fees paid by utility companies for power lines or water pipes. The code gave operators such as EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three sweeping powers to renegotiate existing contracts, often cutting rents dramatically.

Critics argue that rather than speeding up rollout, the policy has soured relations between landowners and operators, triggering legal disputes and slowing deployment. They warn that Labour ministers are now preparing to expand the ECC to cover a further 15,000 sites — a move likely to deepen resentment in the countryside.

This comes despite former shadow digital secretary Lucy Powell warning as recently as last year that the laws could “slow down, rather than speed up” investment in 5G and full-fibre broadband.

The mast rent row comes amid a wider backlash from farmers over Labour’s policies. The government is already facing criticism for its inheritance tax reforms, which cut reliefs for family-owned farms and are blamed for a record number of farm closures this year.

Together, the changes have left many in rural communities feeling abandoned. The NFU and CLA argue that mobile mast hosts — which also include schools, NHS trusts, councils and small businesses — are being asked to subsidise digital infrastructure at their own expense.

Mobile operators, however, insist the ECC has been crucial to improving coverage. Industry body Mobile UK pointed to more than 33,500 4G and 5G service upgrades since 2017, calling it evidence of effective collaboration.

“The vast majority of agreements are being reached consensually, demonstrating the active participation of landowners in the rapid expansion of critical national mobile networks,” the group said in a statement.

They also highlighted the ECC’s role in enabling the Shared Rural Network, an initiative that has helped boost 4G coverage to 95% of the UK’s landmass.

The row has also exposed friction between landowners and companies such as AP Wireless, which buys up mast leases and then charges operators to use the sites. AP Wireless, owned by private equity, has warned that the ECC undermines its “land aggregation” business model, while operators accuse it of inflating costs.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology defended the reforms but acknowledged tensions remain. “Our priority is to continue delivering high-quality 5G networks across the UK, which is critical to boosting growth and improving public services for the British people,” a spokesman said.

“We want to ensure the measures to deliver the infrastructure the country needs to grow work for landowners, operators and communities, which is why we are now carefully considering the findings of a consultation we ran earlier this year.”

The stakes are high. Britain already lags behind many European rivals in 5G rollout, and the government has pinned its economic growth plans on improved connectivity to drive productivity, innovation and regional development.

But if farmers and other landowners increasingly walk away from mast agreements, the UK could face delays, patchy coverage, and mounting rural discontent — undermining both digital strategy and Labour’s already strained relationship with the countryside.

For now, the ECC may have delivered cheaper rents for mobile operators. But the question remains: at what long-term cost to Britain’s ambition of becoming a truly connected economy?

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Farmers warn 5G rollout at risk as mast rents slashed by up to 90%

Britain’s biggest trade unions have warned Labour not to water down its Employment Rights Bill following a cabinet reshuffle that removed some of the legislation’s strongest supporters from government.

The bill, expected to become law in the coming weeks, represents one of the most significant shake-ups of workplace rights in decades. It includes new protections against unfair dismissal, the outlawing of “exploitative” zero-hours contracts, and wider reforms intended to rebalance power in favour of employees.

But trade union leaders fear that the loss of Angela Rayner as deputy prime minister and the departure of employment minister Justin Madders could weaken Labour’s commitment. Senior union figures voiced concern at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Brighton, warning that the government may bow to business pressure and “slow walk” implementation.

Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, which represents more than a million workers, said the reshuffle was a troubling signal.

“It doesn’t send out a very good message that the people who were absolutely committed to driving through the Employment Rights Bill are no longer doing those jobs,” she told the BBC.

McAnea described the legislation as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to tilt the balance “slightly in favour of working people” and warned:

“Any attempt to pull back would be a huge mistake. Unions will furiously campaign against it. We are expecting a clear timetable, and if that doesn’t happen there will be some very unhappy trade union leaders around — including me.”

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, echoed those concerns but said he remained confident Labour would deliver.

“This bill will give a massive boost to rights for millions of working people in insecure, low-paid employment,” he told Business Matters. “My message to the government is simple: stay on course, deliver the Employment Rights Bill, and deliver it in full.”

He also rejected suggestions that ministers might soften measures to placate business groups. “Having people in well-paid, secure employment is good for everybody. It’s good for workers, good for responsible employers who are undercut by cowboys, and good for the UK economy.”

The USDAW union, which represents more than 300,000 supermarket, warehouse and factory workers, is particularly concerned about an amendment added by the House of Lords in July.

The amendment would change the bill from a requirement for employers to offer guaranteed hours to employees, to a weaker right for workers merely to request guaranteed hours. USDAW has warned this could strip away meaningful protections for shift workers, leaving zero-hours contracts largely intact.

While unions push for stronger protections, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has argued the bill is already too onerous. Craig Beaumont, the FSB’s policy director, said: “In some of our recent polling, 92% of small employers said they were worried about this legislation. They don’t have HR teams and they feel overwhelmed by the scale of change.”

Beaumont suggested that Rayner’s resignation and Madders’ sacking created an opportunity for compromise. “This is a chance to fix the issues,” he said.

The Employment Rights Bill was a flagship Labour pledge during the election, designed to cement the party’s support among working people. But with the economy under strain, some MPs fear ministers could delay or dilute implementation as a gesture to business.

One senior Labour MP told the BBC: “Many colleagues fear that with the economy under strain, ministers may be tempted to drag their feet on implementation as an olive branch to business.”

For now, the message from unions is clear: any sign of retreat will spark fierce opposition. With expectations high and the reshuffle unsettling allies, Sir Keir Starmer faces a delicate balancing act between keeping businesses onside and delivering on Labour’s promise to strengthen workers’ rights.

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Unions warn Labour not to dilute landmark workers’ rights bill after cabinet reshuffle

Meta, the social media giant led by Mark Zuckerberg, is preparing to open its first physical store in London as part of a push to drive sales of its virtual and augmented reality devices.

Property sources said the company is exploring Oxford Street as the likely location for a permanent flagship space where shoppers can try out products such as the Meta Quest headset and Ray-Ban smart glasses. The move would mark Meta’s first bricks-and-mortar presence in the UK.

Meta has already hired property agents to scout potential sites. Meanwhile, Meta Labs, a subsidiary of the group, has registered a trademark in Britain covering the sale and demonstration of “virtual reality, mixed reality and augmented reality hardware and software.”

Since its founding in 2004, Meta has been best known for its software platforms Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. But in recent years it has poured billions into hardware through its Reality Labs division, seeking to compete with Apple, Microsoft and Asian tech giants like Samsung.

Meta has already trialled pop-up shops in the US under the Meta Labs brand, including collaborations with Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica. Its smart glasses have seen sales triple in the past year as more consumers experience the technology firsthand.

Despite mixed results for its early “metaverse” platforms, Meta continues to invest heavily in augmented reality. Last year it unveiled advanced AR glasses capable of projecting computer screens and video games into a wearer’s field of view.

Zuckerberg recently argued that AI-enabled glasses would become essential tools: “In the future, if you don’t have glasses that have AI, or some way to interact with AI, I think you’re probably [going to] be at a pretty significant cognitive disadvantage compared to other people.”

Meta’s planned London store mirrors strategies by its biggest rivals. Apple operates a global network of retail stores, while Microsoft once had a flagship site on Oxford Street before closing it.

Opening a permanent location where consumers can try on VR headsets and smart glasses is seen as crucial to persuading mainstream users to adopt emerging technologies.

Meta declined to comment on the store plans.

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Meta plans first London AI store to showcase VR headsets and smart glasses

Barclays Bank has been hit with a formal complaint alleging anti-Semitism after a customer claimed staff at its Leicester business team unfairly froze his account because of his Israeli residency.

In a letter addressed directly to group chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan, journalist Martin Blackham accused the bank of discriminating against him on the basis of his nationality and location.

Blackham, who said he is a member of His Majesty’s press corps currently covering the war in Israel, claimed that his Barclays account had been blocked from normal use after the system flagged a request for further details which he was unable to update online.

“As the account details show that I am based in Israel this is clearly a case of anti-Semitism by the Barclays Business Team management in Leicester,” Blackham wrote in his complaint.

He alleged that despite raising the issue with Barclays three months earlier, on 8 June, the bank had failed to respond to his repeated correspondence. He described the situation as “disgraceful” and urged Venkatakrishnan to order a “thorough investigation” into the conduct of Leicester-based staff.

The letter further stated: “Anti-Semitism has no place in the Barclays Leicester workplace, and I expect not only a thorough investigation into this matter [but also] assurance that the matter has been resolved.”

The account freeze, Blackham argued, had restricted his access to funds while reporting from Israel, an operational difficulty he described as both unprofessional and discriminatory. He also claimed this was not the first time he had experienced similar issues with Barclays.

Barclays, which employs more than 80,000 people worldwide, has faced heightened scrutiny in recent years over its compliance processes in high-risk jurisdictions. While the bank has not yet commented on Blackham’s specific claims, it has previously stated a “zero tolerance” policy towards discrimination of any form.

Anti-Semitism complaints within UK financial services remain relatively rare, but banks have been criticised in the past for opaque decisions to close or restrict accounts linked to certain nationalities, residency statuses or politically exposed clients. In July 2023, NatWest was forced to apologise after the closure of Nigel Farage’s Coutts account sparked a political and regulatory storm over “debanking.”

Blackham’s complaint adds a fresh dimension to that debate, raising questions about whether compliance flags risk straying into unlawful discrimination.

A spokesperson for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, when contacted by Business Matters, said: “We are extremely concerned to hear allegations of anti-Semitism in the banking sector. All financial institutions must ensure that their compliance procedures are robust, transparent, and free from discriminatory practices.”

Barclays is expected to come under pressure to respond swiftly. The letter, dated Sunday 7 September, was copied to Business Matters after months of silence from the bank, according to Blackham.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) declined to comment on individual cases but pointed to its rules requiring firms to treat customers fairly and to act without discrimination.

With anti-Semitism levels in the UK at their highest recorded since 1984, according to the Community Security Trust, the complaint is likely to draw broader scrutiny of how banks balance compliance with equality obligations.

Whether Barclays views the freeze as a procedural error, a compliance measure or a more serious internal failing may determine the reputational fallout. For now, Blackham says he awaits a reply “by return.”

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Barclays faces complaint over alleged anti-Semitism at Leicester branch

Labour ministers are weighing reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as part of a rightward shift on migration aimed at halting Reform UK’s advance, with polls showing Nigel Farage’s party opening up a double-digit lead.

According to The Sunday Times, new home secretary Shabana Mahmood is exploring options that could include changes to Britain’s relationship with the ECHR, with one source saying she would “start with the unthinkable and work backwards.” The ECHR underpins the Good Friday Agreement, but Farage has pledged to withdraw from the treaty and replace it with a British Bill of Rights that applies only to citizens and those with legal residence.

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has also said she would examine the case for leaving the convention.

Mahmood, a former justice secretary, is under pressure to speed up asylum processing and reduce the reliance on hotels to house migrants. She is expected to announce that asylum seekers will be moved into barracks on former military bases, according to the Telegraph.

The government is also close to striking a new “one in, one out” returns deal with Germany, building on an agreement reached with France over the summer. Under the French deal, the UK can return one irregular migrant in exchange for accepting one claimant from France judged to have a higher chance of success.

Ministers have hailed the French deal as “game-changing”, though it will initially apply to only a small number of asylum seekers. A similar arrangement with Friedrich Merz’s German government would likely focus on migrants who transit through Germany en route to France before attempting to cross the Channel.

Farage has pledged to fight the next general election, expected in 2027, on a promise to “stop the boats” within two weeks of taking office. His party’s surge in the polls has been attributed to the vacuum left by government during the summer recess, with Reform capitalising on voter frustrations over asylum and migration policy.

Defence secretary insiders said Sir Keir Starmer was “going up a gear” as Labour seeks to reassert control of the migration debate and shore up its electoral position against Reform.

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Labour weighs human rights reform as Mahmood shifts right on migration to counter Reform UK

Spending short periods of time shopping or browsing online during work hours is not a sackable offence, a UK judge has ruled in a case that awarded an employee more than £14,000 in compensation.

The ruling followed the dismissal of Ms A Lanuszka, an accountancy administrator, who was fired in July 2023 after her employer secretly installed spyware on her computer and recorded her visiting websites such as Rightmove and Amazon.

The tribunal heard she spent around one hour and 24 minutes over two days on personal browsing. But Employment Judge Michael Magee, sitting in Bury St Edmunds, concluded the activity was not “excessive” and did not justify dismissal.

Judge Magee noted that Lanuszka’s boss, Ms Krauze, also used her work computer for personal purposes and had provided no clear policy banning such use. “She was free to use the computer personally when work commitments permitted and during breaks,” the judge said.

A large proportion of the recorded time was spent on professional development, including Excel training. Lanuszka had no prior disciplinary issues and had received no warnings.

The judge also criticised diary entries presented by Krauze to suggest long-standing performance issues, pointing out they were written in 2024, after the dismissal, and backdated to 2022 and 2023.

The tribunal concluded that Lanuszka’s dismissal coincided with the permanent move to the UK of Krauze’s sister and was designed to remove her from the company before she accrued two years’ service — the threshold at which workers gain full protection under unfair dismissal law.

Lanuszka had originally joined Accountancy MK in 2017 but signed a new contract in 2021 when Krauze rebranded the business.

The tribunal’s decision highlights the importance for employers of having clear IT and personal-use policies — and of applying them consistently.

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Online shopping at work not a sackable offence, tribunal rules