Nomura reconsiders Dome bid over lack of visitors
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Japanese bank negotiating to buy the Millennium Dome is seeking urgent talks with its operator after learning the attraction needs an extra £49m emergency grant and has heavily cut its visitor target.
The Japanese bank negotiating to buy the Millennium Dome is seeking urgent talks with its operator after learning the attraction needs an extra £49m emergency grant and has heavily cut its visitor target.
Sources close to Nomura International made clear that their £105m bid to buy the Dome was in doubt because the revised 4.5 million figure for paying visitors raised questions about the viability of their own project.
William Hague, the Tory leader, demanded the attraction was immediately closed, calling it an "empty, pointless tent in the middle of nowhere". He also called for Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the minister responsible for the Dome, to be sacked, and said Tony Blair should order an immediate public inquiry after the Millennium Commission increased its lottery grants to the attraction to £628m.
His claims were rejected by David James, 62, the new chairman of the New Millennium Experience Company, the Dome's operator. "I'm absolutely confident that we've got an accurate fix on the running costs and adequate provision to cover the working capital to trade through to the end of 31 December," he said.
However, a source close to Nomura said the company was disturbed to learn about NMEC's new visitor figures and grant. "We need to understand what the hell is going on," he said. "Money is being spent on that place in vast amounts and we still don't know where it's going."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments