Meyers Franchising was launched in 2011 and adds 10 partners to LSL’s network

The estate agency division of property services group LSL has acquired a franchise operation based on England’s South Coast.

LSL Estate Agency Franchising has acquired Meyers Franchising Limited, based in Dorchester, which operates across Dorset. The undisclosed deal will see 10 franchise partners and six branches added to the LSL network, with the acquisition set to be earnings accretive this year.

Meyers was founded in 2011 by Mark Meyer out of his garage, and has gone on to become a franchise operation giving mainly home-based agents systems and branding to work with. LSL says that over the past 15 years, Meyers has become a trusted name in the region’s property market and pointed to the company as one of the leading sales agents across a large part of Dorset and the South Coast, with coverage extending from Christchurch and Bournemouth across to Weymouth and Poundbury, then up to Sherborne and Shaftesbury.

In becoming part of LSL, Meyers will benefit from investment support and access to the London Stock Exchange-listed group’s resources, infrastructure and strategic expertise. LSL says its strong lettings capability will come into play as an area of opportunity for the Meyers network.

Mark Meyer, founder of Meyers Estate Agents, said: “I am incredibly proud of what we have built at Meyers over the years. Our success is down to the dedication of our franchise partners and their commitment to delivering outstanding service. As we look to the future, partnering with LSL Estate Agency Franchising provides the perfect opportunity to take all the Meyers partners to the next level, while staying true to our core values.”

Paul Hardy, managing director of LSL Estate Agency Franchising, said: “Meyers Estate Agents is a fantastic business with a strong reputation, a proven franchise model, and a highly engaged network of partners. We are delighted to welcome Mark and the Meyers team into the LSL family. With our investment and particular strength in lettings, we see significant opportunities to support Meyers in accelerating its growth and further strengthening its position across the South Coast.”

The latest acquisition for LSL follows full year results for the Newcastle-registered group which saw underlying operating profit rise to to £32.6m in 2025, from £27.8m the year before. Group revenue was up 8% in the same year to nearly £183m as a £12m share buyback scheme was launched in January.

Chief executive Adam Castleton said it had been a strong year for the property services business with improved profitability across each of its divisions, record margins and strong cash generation. It follows a significant reorganisation of LSL in recent years which saw its estate agency network of more than 180 branches switch to a franchise model.

The gaming market isn’t just growing it’s evolving, diversifying, and embedding itself deeper into global culture than ever before. What was once a niche hobby has become one of the world’s most influential entertainment industries, outpacing film and music combined.

As we move further into the decade, the momentum behind gaming shows no signs of slowing. Instead, new technologies, shifting demographics, and innovative business models are pushing the industry into fresh territory. Here’s a closer look at the forces driving the gaming market’s continued expansion.

Gaming Has Become Truly Mainstream

One of the biggest reasons for gaming’s growth is simple: everyone plays now. The stereotype of the “typical gamer” has dissolved. Mobile gaming, in particular, has opened the door to millions of people who might never have picked up a console or gaming PC.

Casual puzzle games, social simulation titles, and mobile RPGs have created a massive, diverse player base. Meanwhile, blockbuster franchises continue to attract dedicated fans who treat game releases like major cultural events. This broad appeal ensures that the market isn’t dependent on a single demographic it’s a global, multi‑generational phenomenon.

Mobile Gaming Continues to Dominate

Mobile gaming remains the largest segment of the industry, and its growth is relentless. Smartphones have become powerful gaming devices, capable of running visually rich, complex titles that rival console experiences. The convenience of mobile play anywhere has made it the go to platform for millions.

Several trends fuel this dominance:

• Free to play models that lower the barrier to entry like free spins
• Live service updates that keep games fresh
• Cross platform integration that lets players switch between devices
• Social features that encourage community and competition

As mobile hardware continues to improve, the line between mobile and traditional gaming will blur even further.

Console and PC Gaming Are Entering a New Golden Age

While mobile leads in scale, console and PC gaming are thriving in depth and innovation. The latest hardware generations have unlocked new possibilities in graphics, physics, and world‑building. Players now expect cinematic storytelling, expansive open worlds, and seamless online connectivity.

Key drivers include:

• Ray‑tracing and advanced rendering that elevate visual realism
• High‑speed SSDs that eliminate loading screens
• Cloud saves and cross play that unify gaming ecosystems
• Modding communities that extend a game’s lifespan

The result is a market where premium titles can generate massive global excitement, often becoming cultural touchstones.

Cloud Gaming Is Expanding Access

Cloud gaming is where games run on remote servers and stream to any device has quietly become one of the industry’s most transformative technologies. It removes the need for expensive hardware, allowing players to enjoy high-end games on laptops, tablets, or even smart TVs.

This shift has enormous implications:

• Lower cost of entry for new players
• Instant access without downloads or updates
• A unified library across multiple devices
• Greater global reach, especially in regions where consoles are less common

While still developing, cloud gaming is poised to become a major pillar of the industry as internet speeds and infrastructure improve worldwide.

Live Service Games Are Redefining Longevity

The rise of live service games titles that evolve continuously through updates, seasons, and events has reshaped how players engage with games. Instead of one and done experiences, many games now function as ongoing worlds.

This model offers:

• Constant new content
• Community driven events
• Cosmetic customization
• Long‑term player investment

Live service games have become social hubs, blending entertainment with digital identity and community interaction.

Esports and Streaming Are Expanding Gaming Culture

Esports has grown into a global spectator sport, with professional leagues, sponsorships, and arenas filled with fans. Streaming platforms have turned gamers into entertainers, influencers, and cultural figures.

This ecosystem fuels market growth by:

• Increasing visibility and mainstream acceptance
• Creating new revenue streams
• Encouraging competitive and social play
• Building global communities around specific games

Gaming is no longer just something people play it’s something they watch, discuss, and celebrate.

New Technologies Are Opening New Frontiers

Innovation continues to push gaming into new dimensions:

• Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive, physical experiences
• Augmented reality (AR) blends digital play with the real world
• AI driven design enables smarter NPCs and dynamic storytelling
• Haptic feedback and adaptive controllers enhance sensory engagement

These technologies expand what games can be, attracting new audiences and inspiring new genres.

Gaming Is Becoming a Lifestyle Industry

Gaming’s influence now extends far beyond the screen. Fashion brands collaborate with game studios, musicians debut songs inside virtual worlds, and major franchises expand into TV, film, and merchandise. Gaming has become a cultural anchor one that shapes trends, communities, and even social spaces.

This crossover appeal strengthens the market by connecting gaming to broader entertainment ecosystems.

A Market That Shows No Signs of Slowing

The gaming market continues to expand because it adapts, innovates, and welcomes new players with open arms. It’s an industry driven by creativity, technology, and community it is one that evolves alongside the world around it.

As new platforms emerge, new genres take shape, and new audiences discover the joy of play, gaming’s growth feels not just inevitable but limitless. The future of gaming isn’t just bright it’s expansive, interconnected, and full of possibility.

Momentum could carry equities higher in the near term, but its endurance will hinge on fourth-quarter earnings, the trajectory of crude prices and whether foreign institutional investors reverse their bearish bets, according to research heads and strategists.

While the immediate overhang from the conflict is fading and energy flows should normalise over the coming weeks, the stock market recovery is unlikely to be linear, said Sanjay Mookim, head of India Equity Research, JP Morgan.

“The key variable is how oil prices settle, as India had been benefiting from imports at $60-65 per barrel, and now, every $10 move higher translates into roughly $15 billion of incremental outflows.”

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navigating peace: Equities could rise for now, but linear recovery ‘unlikely’ Street to take direction from Q4 earnings, oil prices Also, watch out for any reversal of FII bearish bets

Brent crude June futures have dropped more than 13% to $95.1 /barrel on Wednesday evening from a recent high of $119.5 at the start of the conflict. Notwithstanding the initial cheer around the oil price decline, uncertainty over the temporary truce is keeping the investors on the edge.

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“Recent volatility in oil, gas, and related macro variables may be somewhat manageable for now, but optimism remains tempered with caution among investors,” said Gautam Chhaochharia, head of Global Markets, at UBS India.
After the 4% gains on Wednesday, the Sensex and Nifty are down 4.7% from February 27 – the start of the war. If talks between the US and Iran progress well over the next two weeks, the indices could recoup these losses but some pre-existing concerns could resurface. “Even prior to the conflict, concerns around domestic valuations, growth recovery, and AI were weighing on Indian markets,” said Chhaochharia, who remains underweight on India among emerging markets. “Assuming no further escalation, these factors are likely to re-emerge as market drivers.”

Investors will watch companies’ fourth quarter earnings to gauge the impact of rising raw material costs on profitability. “Higher energy costs, combined with a weaker rupee, are likely to keep pressure on corporate profitability in the near term,” said Mookim. “While the sharp day-to-day volatility should ease, the macro effects, particularly on consumption, are another key concern.”