London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

How small businesses can now advertise on Britain’s biggest news websites

How small businesses can now advertise on Britain’s biggest news websites

The end of lockdown couldn't come soon enough for small businesses up and down the country - but many are managing to come back with a bang through clever advertising

The end of lockdown couldn’t come soon enough for small businesses up and down the country.

After a difficult year, children’s sports activity company Richmond Playball is is back in business in south west London, and boss Bonny Santangeli, 38, could not be happier about it.

‘The past year has been a huge economic hit for us, and very worrying,’ she said. ‘Now we’re feeling positive, and keen to make up for lost time.’

To boost her business in the wake of lockdown, Bonny used Mail Metro Media’s new Ad Manager to advertise to local potential customers.

Bouncing back after lockdown: Bonny Santangeli, centre, and coaches at Richmond Playball

Bonny said: ‘I run Playball, which offers sports and movement camps and classes for children, in Richmond, Kingston and Barnes. Before lockdown, business was going really well – I had four coaches working for me and we were seeing 600-700 children a week.
‘But when lockdown struck we had to stop overnight. I took a Government Bounce Back Loan to help support my staff, and eventually furloughed myself on just over £500 a month.

‘It was so worrying. The loan was our biggest form of support but it’s still a loan, so a debt which we will have to pay back over the next few years.’

Bonny says seeing the childrens’ faces light up has been fantastic.


Bonny was thrilled when restrictions eased and she was able to open up her camps again for children. And one of the first things she did was take out a series of ads for her business on MailOnline using the online Ad Manager.

Bonny said: ‘It was so simple to use – really easy and straightforward setting up the ads.’
The results were great – and started straight away:

‘I’ve had so many emails, all from new people who we haven’t had before. I’ve been so busy, it’s great!’

So happy to be back in business: Bonny says seeing the children’s faces light up is fantastic

Now, Bonny says, her three Playball franchises are open and thriving.

‘A good thing about lockdown is it’s shown people the benefits of being outdoors, and starting to exercise from a young age to develop a love for activity outside,’ Bonny said.

‘We’ve spent the past year putting Covid protocols in place, and the children are absolutely loving being back – seeing their little faces light up when they see their friends, it’s fantastic.’

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×