A WORLD-class chef who dished up grub for Richard Branson is selling his restaurant after struggling to draw in punters.

Graham Brundle, who trained at the Ritz in London, has put the Devon eatery on the market for £1million.

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Brundle’s Bar and Restaurant became a hot spot in Woolacombe after it opened in 2019.

Serving up a mixture of French, Asian and British cuisine, the restaurant is now labelled as “permanently closed” on Google.

It was part of the redevelopment of the derelict Narracott Hotel.

The site was transformed into Byron, a development of 55 fancy apartments with a private pool, gym and sauna.

It is now used for holiday accommodation, boasting views of Woolacombe beach.

Graham travelled the world cooking for the Virgin billionaire, Bill Gates and even members of the royal family.

Hailing from the coastal town, Graham decided to set down roots in Woolacombe.

But tragically a lack of footfall resulted in Brundle’s demise.

In 2023 Graham told followers that they would be closing for the winter season earlier than normal.

“Sunday 26th November will be our last day open this year,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Unfortunately we’ve had to make the difficult decision to shut the doors early this year due to the amount of footfall in Woolacombe.

“In the meantime we’ll be hosting our final 2 Thai Buffets so make sure you get yourselves booked in for those, info to follow”.

However, the family-friendly restaurant never reopened.

It scored 4/5 on Trip Advisor and listed as Travellers’ Choice in 2024.

One former diner wrote: “What a find in Woolacombe. From the point we stepped into the restaurant until the time we left [it was] amazing.

“Attention to detail and customer service was second to none.

“Not only was the owner receptive to our dog who was served a doggy frappacino but fully attentive to our needs.

“The Thai food was some of the best I have tasted anywhere, even in Bali.

“If you do not visit here, you will miss out. A little treasure focused on providing good food using the best and freshest ingredients,” they added.

Other guests raved about the Sunday roasts on offer and the friendly staff.

It is being marketed by Match Property Estate Agents who branded Brundle’s as a “prime beachfront location”.

They also dismissed Graham’s dwindling footfall claims and said Woolacombe is experiencing “something of a renaissance”.

They added: “Already one the UK’s premier holiday and local destinations, Woolacombe is set to become renowned internationally as one of the best places to visit in the UK.”

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The National Football League could treble the number of games it stages outside the US as part of ambitious plans to build a global audience for America’s most popular sport.

The NFL, the richest sporting contest in the world, already stages games in the UK, Germany and — for the first time — this year, in Brazil, and will add a Spanish fixture in 2025. But the league’s leadership have raised the prospect of taking the annual total number of international games to 16 in future, up from five this year and as many as nine next year.

“We know our position. We’re not number one in these countries, but we’ve got a fan base who’s hungry for more NFL,” said Peter O’Reilly, who oversees the league’s international strategy. “It’s not as though fans can only be a fan of one sport . . . You’ve got passionate soccer football fans around the world who can walk and chew gum. They love their sport, and they’re drawn to the uniqueness of our sport.”

The NFL’s domestic media rights deals are worth $110bn over the 11 years through 2033. The league is looking beyond its stronghold in North America as sports leagues compete to build global brands and audiences in search of higher media and commercial revenues.

On Sunday, the New England Patriots will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars at north London’s Wembley Stadium, the final showdown in a trio of high-stakes matches in the UK capital. The NFL has been hosting games in London since 2007.

According to ticket seller Viagogo, UK-based fans accounted for 53 per cent of ticket sales for the three London games, the first time they’ve outnumbered international purchasers. Overall, Viagogo reported a 41 per cent year-on-year increase in international NFL ticket sales on its platform for 2024-25, driven by the overseas games.

The NFL’s international push has helped fuel a race among European football clubs to build new infrastructure to host lucrative fixtures. Next year’s Spanish game will be held at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, which recently underwent a €1.2bn renovation. The Carolina Panthers and New York Giants are heading to Germany next month to play at Bayern Munich’s home ground.

“There’s a real curiosity factor in Europe and, frankly, the rest of the world,” Mark Shapiro, president of media, sport and talent group Endeavor, told the FT. “They know what it is, it’s a proven commodity, it’s a winning franchise and winning platform, and they want to get their own taste of it.”

Overseas matches are only one piece of the NFL’s growth plans. Flag football — a non-contact version of the sport — is gaining ground at schools in the UK, aided by the NFL’s charitable arm. This week, Prince William played catch at a flag football event organised by the NFL’s charitable arm in south London.

Flag football was a “priority” for the NFL, O’Reilly said, particularly ahead of its Olympic debut at LA 2028. He saw this version of the sport as the “most accessible way to scale participation around the world” and hoped it could stay on the Olympic programme in Brisbane four years later.

“You look at that beach volleyball venue near the Eiffel Tower and that inspires you to think about, OK, what could a flag football venue look like in LA? How do you create that energy?”

Grassroots initiatives are key to ensuring that the NFL attracts new fans and participants around the world. Initiatives such as the NFL Academy, which has an elite development programme for student athletes at Loughborough University in the English Midlands, are designed to ensure that the NFL builds on the interest that its overseas matches create.

“We’re committed to [the UK market] for the long haul,” O’Reilly said. “The focus is on deepening the connection with fans and building something lasting, rather than just making a splash.”

The NFL’s current UK broadcast deal with Sky Sport — worth some $25mn annually — is set to end this season. ITV, a free-to-air broadcaster, screens the Super Bowl and two London games. Separately, UK fans can also watch via streamer DAZN, through a 10-year international rights deal that started in 2023.

O’Reilly said the league would consider a mix of streamers and traditional broadcasters when it came to renegotiate its UK rights.

“From a marketing standpoint, from a fan engagement standpoint, getting that teenage, early 20s fan to connect with the NFL in the way they may have fallen in love with it on free-to-air TV in the past, we’ve got to strike the right balance there.”

The most recent Super Bowl attracted 3.4mn unique viewers on Sky and ITV, making it the most watched NFL game on record for the two broadcasters.

The NFL’s domestic media rights will generate $110bn in revenue over the 11 years through 2033, and now include games carried on Netflix, Amazon, YouTube and several television networks.

The NFL’s expansion comes at a time when rival sports leagues are competing hard to reach global audiences, as streaming and social media open up new opportunities to attract new fans.

European soccer clubs hold pre-season friendlies and exhibition matches in the US, but they have been more cautious about staging official games abroad because of regulatory obstacles and sensitivities relating to passionate local fans.

AT this time of year, damp and mould problems can go through the roof.

Wetter weather, lower temperatures and windows closed against the cold leave houses more at risk.

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Around a quarter of renters have damp or mould in their homes, according to charity Shelter.

This week, Mel Hunter looks at the issue, how you can avoid it – and what to do if you see it spreading in your home.

COMPLAINTS ON THE RISE

THERE have been unprecedented volumes of complaints about damp and mould, according to Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway.

His service helps resolve disputes between landlords and tenants, mostly those living in social housing.

It received more than 6,000 complaints relating to damp and mould last year compared with over 3,100 two years earlier.

Richard says: “Historically, the issue has not been taken seriously and we have seen residents fobbed off without the landlord addressing the root causes.”

Whether you rent or own your home, as soon as you get any inkling of damp or mould you need to address it before it turns into a much bigger – and more expensive – problem.

Damp and mould may be caused by a number of different factors. The main culprit is condensation caused by cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors without adequate ventilation.

It’s made worse by a poorly maintained, cold house – and mould will spread if not treated. Where there is gappy insulation, mould-causing condensation will be drawn to the chilly, damp surface.

Richard adds: “If the landlord doesn’t take steps to address damp and mould in a timely way, the resident should raise a formal complaint with the Housing Ombudsman. It free and impartial.”

HOW TO PREVENT IT

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BY keeping your windows open a crack – and open wider when showering – you stand a better chance of avoiding mould, says Heidi Phillips, an expert in deep-cleaning homes.

She adds: “If you’re in a windowless room or cooking, run the extractor fans.”

Heidi, owner of Tergo Specialist Cleaning Services in South Wales, whose biohazard training includes tackling mould, says that the problem can also breed unnoticed behind piles of clutter and in overstuffed wardrobes.

She says: “I often find mould behind furniture, especially if it has been placed against a cold external wall.”

Rising energy costs don’t help, either.

More than 1.7 million households won’t turn on their heating at all this winter, according to price comparison website Uswitch – double last year’s figure of 972,000.

Not heating your home enough can add to problems. Nicholas Donnithorne, UK technical services manager at Rentokil Property Care, says: “If you can, keep your house heated to between 18C and 20C, as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

“It’s harder with the cost of energy – people shut the windows to keep any heat inside but then they lose the ventilation that is vital to let water vapour out.”

He advises opening a trickle vent or small window, even when cold outside.

“If condensation forms on windows, wipe them down to stop mould from forming and spreading, then dry your clothes outside or somewhere airy.”

WHEN TO TACKLE IT YOURSELF… AND WHEN TO CALL IN EXPERTS

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IF you have a small patch of mould on wallpaper, behind furniture or in a wardrobe, you may be able to tackle it yourself for just a few pounds.

Firstly, ventilate the room and keep pets and children away. Then grab some rubber gloves and a face mask.

For a patch on wallpaper, Heidi advises: “Take any affected wallpaper off and bag it up securely.

“Then use a product that penetrates down to the roots of the mould spores.”

Heidi recommends HG or Kilrock mould remover. She adds: “Follow the instructions on the packaging.

 “Afterwards, dispose of everything that may have come into contact with the spores in a sealed bag and change and wash your clothes.”

Clean away any marks left by the mould, adds Nicholas, so that you can spot if it comes back.

“Think about where it is occurring and whether that might be linked to spots in your house that are excessively cold, which is where condensation will be automatically attracted. But above all, think of ventilation.

“Are you opening windows and using extractor fans to give condensation an escape route?”

It is generally agreed that a patch of damp or mould bigger than half a square metre to a square metre needs tackling by professionals. But this can cost thousands.

Nicholas adds: “If you get to the point where you are ventilating your home and you still can’t control it, then you should be asking for help.”

RENTERS’ RIGHTS

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IF you are renting, and poor maintenance is contributing to a damp or mould problem, then your landlord should act.

Substandard insulation, rotting windows, leaks, rising damp and broken extractor fans fall under your landlord’s responsibilities.

You must keep the property adequately ventilated and heated to minimise condensation.

For social housing, new legislation known as Awaab’s Law is due to come into force requiring landlords to act within a strict timeframe.

It follows the death in 2020 of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, from Rochdale, from a respiratory condition caused by extensive mould in his rented flat.

Campaigners hope measures for privately rented properties will come in with the Renters’ Rights Bill, currently going through parliament.

Jenny Lamb, from Shelter, says: “If you have a damp problem, report it to your landlord in writing, along with how long it has been going on.

“If no action is taken, contact your local authority, and they can carry out an environmental health inspection.”

But while many good landlords will act, some will unfortunately use a Section 21 “no fault” eviction order instead of carrying out repairs.

Jenny explains: “A tenant could find themselves in a scary position just for asserting their rights.”

The Government says Section 21 orders will be scrapped in the new Renters’ Rights Bill.

‘I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO MOVE OUT’

MUM-OF-THREE Jodie Moore faced a section 21 no-fault eviction earlier this year when she complained about mould and other problems to her landlady.

The 44-year-old, from Epping, Essex, who has three daughters aged 24, 16 and nine, says: “It was a nice three-bedroom 1930s house, but there was damp and black mould in all the bedrooms and bathroom.

“The windows were very old, with bits missing and the mastic around them had black mould.

“Last winter my youngest daughter developed seasonal asthma which the damp and mould contributed to.”

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Jodie, a domestic abuse adviser, kept asking her landlady to take action, but nothing was done.

In April this year Jodie was served with a Section 21 order, but her local council believed it would be unenforceable as her landlady had not carried out the necessary repairs.

Her landlady did eventually drop the eviction, but Jodie was still forced out when her rent was put up from £1,525 a month to £1,800.

Jodie says: “I was living hand to mouth and felt totally powerless. It was my home with my three daughters, but I had no choice but to move.”

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A rise in fuel duty would rekindle inflation and be “catastrophic” for British businesses, motoring groups have warned, as Rachel Reeves weighs lifting a 13-year freeze on the tax to help bridge a £40bn funding gap.

People briefed on the chancellor’s thinking said she is expected to announce the end of the “temporary” 5p cut in fuel duty from next year. The measure was introduced in 2022 after energy prices rose following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and has been continued by every chancellor since.

Reeves has also been urged by Treasury officials to end the 13-year freeze on fuel duty, although she will weigh the fiscal gain of the move against its impact on the “working people” she has vowed to protect.

Tax rises are set to form the centrepiece of her response to close a shortfall of funding needed to protect key government departments from real-terms spending cuts, as the chancellor prepares for the Budget on October 30.

Fuel duty, which at present is 52.95p per litre for petrol and diesel, is supposed to rise every year in line with inflation but has in effect been frozen since 2011 as successive chancellors curry favour with motorists.

The Campaign for Better Transport has estimated that ending the 5p cut and reinstating annual inflation-linked rises would add £4.2bn in revenue for the Treasury.

On Friday, the Road Haulage Association called on Reeves to maintain the current freeze, arguing that businesses would not be able to take on additional costs with profit margins already squeezed. 

“Firms are under pressure as it is and such a rise in fuel duty would be catastrophic for many, in particular Britain’s small and medium enterprises,” said Richard Smith, managing director of the RHA.

Edmund King, president of the AA motoring organisation, said an increase in fuel duty would be ill-timed, citing the continuing global uncertainty over energy prices due to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. 

“Hiking fuel duty could backfire on working people and fuel inflation,” said King. “Everything from the price of food in supermarkets to the delivery of social care within our communities is impacted by pump prices, and an unnecessary hike in fuel duty could make things worse.”

In March, then-chancellor Jeremy Hunt decided to maintain the 5p cut on fuel duty and freeze the charge for another year in an effort to ease cost of living pressures.

The measure was initially welcomed by motoring groups, with the government claiming it would save car drivers about £50 this year. 

But the automotive industry has criticised the extension of the discount as it makes it harder for carmakers to meet electric vehicle sales quotas that come into force this year. 

Petrol prices have come down since rising in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the average price of a litre of petrol now about 135p compared with 146p in January 2022, according to the RAC.

The motoring group also said drivers were not actually benefiting from the cut, claiming retailers had failed to pass on the lower petrol and diesel prices in order to boost their margins. 

Marbella, a jewel on Spain’s Costa del Sol, is famed for its luxurious lifestyle, pristine beaches, and exclusive atmosphere. This Mediterranean haven has long attracted the elite, offering a perfect mix of indulgence and relaxation. From glamorous yacht-filled harbors to designer boutiques and Michelin-starred dining, Marbella radiates sophistication.

Among this backdrop of opulence, beachfront mansions epitomize lavish living. Nestled along the stunning coastline, these estates offer a chance to experience ultimate luxury and comfort. Whether you’re seeking a secluded family getaway, a romantic escape, or a luxurious corporate retreat, renting a beachfront mansion in Marbella guarantees an unforgettable experience.

Why Choose a Beachfront Mansion in Marbella?

• Ultimate Privacy and Exclusivity: Beachfront mansions in Marbella provide an oasis of tranquillity, shielding guests from crowds while offering unobstructed sea views and lush, private gardens. With gated entries, these properties create a secluded retreat like no other.
• Bespoke Amenities and Services: These luxury properties are designed to meet the highest expectations, featuring private pools, spas, gourmet kitchens, and dedicated staff, ensuring a stay filled with personalized comfort and luxury.
• Prime Location: Situated directly on Marbella’s pristine coastline, these mansions offer direct access to the Mediterranean waters, blending the peaceful serenity of a private beach with the vibrant social life Marbella is famous for.
• Tailored Flexibility: Renting a mansion provides unmatched flexibility compared to traditional hotels. Through services like Cilo Marbella Concierge, guests can create personalized experiences, from private chef-prepared meals to curated activities and excursions, ensuring a truly unique and memorable stay.

Top 5 Beachfront Mansions to Rent in Marbella, Spain

Marbella’s landscape is dotted with a myriad of opulent properties, each offering its own distinct charm and allure. Here, Cilo Marbella presents the top 5 beach mansions that have captivated the attention of the most discerning travelers.

 

Villa Velazquez, Golden Mile, Marbella   

10 bedrooms / 10 bathrooms. 29,000 sq ft

Villa Velazquez is a truly outstanding beachfront estate. It is, without question, one of the leading properties in southern Spain. Located in a small gated community with 24/7 security, adjacent to the renowned Marbella Club Hotel, this is truly the epicenter of luxury living in Marbella. It is only a few minutes from all of the amenities of both Marbella and Puerto Banus.

 

Villa Murillo, Golden Mile, Marbella

15 Bedrooms, 14 Bathrooms. 40,000 sq ft

Villa Murillo is an absolutely stunning frontline beach estate located in the heart of Marbella’s prestigious Golden Mile. Designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, and built in the classical Andalusian style, but with western influences, this magnificent property is one of Marbella’s most desirable residences. A short stroll away from both the Marbella Club and Marbella itself, the location is unsurpassed.

 

Villa El Greco, Mijas Costa, Marbella

9 Bedrooms, 9 Bathrooms. 25,000 sq ft

Villa El Greco is an extraordinary waterfront estate located on Mijas Costa approximately 20 minutes from Marbella. El Greco is, without doubt, one of the finest beachfront homes in southern Spain. The grounds of the estate are laid out with formal lawned gardens, several terraces, a tennis court and waterfront freeform heated swimming pool.

 

Villa Picasso, Puerto Banus, Marbella

10 Bedrooms, 10 Bathrooms. 21,500 sq ft

Villa Picasso is a luxury beachfront estate where lush gardens surround a villa inspired by classic Mediterranean architecture enhanced with ultra-modern features, together with a feature swimming pool which is adorned with an original drawing by Pablo Picasso. It is located at a short five minute stroll along the promenade to Puerto Banus, and a five-minute drive into Marbella.

 

Villa Melendez, Los Monteros, Marbella

8 Bedrooms, 8 Bathrooms. 12,000 sq ft

Villa Melendez is a superb frontline beach mansion with spectacular sea views in the prestigious area of Los Monteros in East Marbella. The main salon is a vast modern space created for living, dining and entertaining; designed entirely in white, which opens up onto the terrace and the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. It is private and secluded yet situated only a 5-10 minute drive from the center of Marbella and Puerto Banus.

Conclusion: Plan your Luxurious Getaway

To begin planning your luxurious Marbella getaway, contact our dedicated team of luxury rental specialists at Cilo Marbella today. We will work closely with you to curate the perfect beachfront mansion experience, tailored to your every need and preference.

Cilo Marbella is an exclusive boutique agency specializing in the sale of luxury real estate and luxury rental villas in the Marbella region of Spain.

Yahya Sinwar’s killing on Thursday forces Hamas to make a choice of far-reaching consequences: picking a leader at arguably its weakest moment since Israel’s assassination of its founder in 2004.

The survival of Sinwar, who led the militant group in Gaza for about seven years, had symbolised Hamas’s resistance under Israeli fire. With the architect of the October 7 attack at large, Israel could not claim victory.

Now his assassination has left Hamas without a figurehead who was steeped in its militant operations as well as its politics. Sinwar “is going to leave a big vacuum”, said Mkhaimar Abusada, a Gazan political scientist now at Northwestern University.

Hardline Sinwar took over its overall political leadership in July after Israel assassinated his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, who had run Hamas’ political wing from exile. It leaves Hamas having to elevate a new leader both in Gaza and for the overall group.

The choice will inevitably be a statement on the group’s wartime goals, with repercussions for how it approaches ceasefire and hostage negotiations. “Hamas now has to decide if it wants to keep with this kind of strong ideological figure who was regarded as more hardline like Sinwar, or . . . shift back to a more moderate [or] pragmatic [one] like Haniyeh,” said Amjad Iraqi, associate fellow at Chatham House. 

Khalil al-Hayya, Sinwar’s deputy and a likely candidate to replace him, gave a fiery mourning speech on Thursday suggesting parts of Hamas see no need to change course.

“The hostages will not return to you without a full end to the war on our people in Gaza, a full withdrawal, and the freeing of our heroic prisoners from the occupation prisons,” he said.  

Within Gaza, Hamas’s new leader might come from Yahya Sinwar’s own family. His younger brother Mohammad has risen up Hamas’ ranks to become a top commander in its Qassam Brigades in Gaza, analysts said, and is a likely candidate to take the reins on the political side. 

“The Hamas military wing in Gaza is the main Hamas body that requires leadership in Gaza right now,” said Ibrahim Dalalsha, director of the Ramallah-based Horizon Center for Political Studies. The younger Sinwar “could be de facto number one, but aided by other senior commanders”. 

Suspected of involvement in the 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, the younger Sinwar has mainly stayed below the radar. But in a rare interview with Doha-based Al Jazeera in 2022, he boasted that “for us, shooting rockets at Tel Aviv is easier than drinking water”. 

The other top Hamas commander in Gaza is Izz al-Din al-Haddad, according to Guy Aviad, a former history department official in the Israeli military who has written about Hamas. 

Haddad, known as Abu Suhaib, was commander of Hamas brigade in Gaza City and has taken charge of all Hamas’ operation in the north of the strip, said Aviad. Mohammad Sinwar, he added, was controlling operations in Gaza’s south.

Beyond Gaza, Sinwar’s deputy Hayya, based in Doha, has risen to prominence as Hamas’ chief ceasefire negotiator, acting as a key link between Hamas’ political leadership abroad and its commanders in the strip.

Hayya is seen as representing a more hardline, pro-Iranian current within the group. Osama Hamdan, who leads Hamas’ Beirut office and is its main interlocutor with the Lebanese militants Hizbollah, is another pro-Iran potential candidate.

Analysts said Khaled Meshaal, who heads Hamas’ overseas political bureau and is based in Doha, represented a separate current within Hamas that is considered more Sunni Arab traditionalist and less close to Iran.

Meshaal survived a 1997 assassination attempt by Mossad agents, who injected him with poison while he was in Jordan. But the 68-year-old’s health is said to be poor. 

Dalalsha said there would also be a host of players, including Iran and other Arab countries, trying to influence Hamas’ election: “it’s not a sole decision of Hamas”.

Sinwar now joins a long list of Hamas commanders killed this year. The Israeli military has said it has also killed Hamas’ top military commander, Mohammed Deif, and its number three, Marwan Issa.

Hamas’ fighting formations in Gaza have been severely weakened. Israeli officials say that they have caused heavy damage to Hamas’ tunnel network and rocket launching capabilities, as well as killing thousands of the group’s fighters. 

“We destroyed nearly all of Hamas’s terror battalions — 23 out of 24,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month.

But while the volume of Hamas’ rocket attacks into Israel has greatly reduced, the strikes have not stopped entirely. Its battalions may be fragmented, but it still has militants all over the strip who are now fighting a guerrilla war against Israeli troops.

In devastated Gaza, “from north to the south you still get these resurgences of militants”, said Iraqi of Chatham House. The fighters are “trying to assert Hamas control, management of whatever wartime economy is going on, the distribution of aid. So it’s still there, it’s still functioning.” 

He added that there is “often an assumption these movements are pegged to individuals and that’s just not the case. There will always be people ready to step into the role.”

And after Ismail Haniyeh’s death, his deputy Hayya had almost described Hamas’ strategy as something that would always outlive its leadership. “Hamas and the resistance remain set on a clear strategy,” he said at the time in Tehran. “That does not deviate — not with the death of one leader nor of 10 leaders.”

Cartography by Steven Bernard