houses

“We do not know what to do right now. We do not even have water to drink or bathe with. We don’t know what we would do if the rain falls and meets us in the open air with all our children.”  These are the words uttered by Jacky Tshibala, a resident of the Laurent Desire Kabila camp in Lemba, situated in the southeast of Kinshasa, the national capital of the DR Congo, where over 300 houses were razed to ashes. 

A disturbing silence now reigns in the quarters,  where parents and children this morning  found themselves searching for any personal belongings that the fire might have spared.

One of the affected victims, who is a father and a policeman, reveals that the fire started at 2 a.m. Tuesday morning and spread with unprecedented rapidity to various residential houses.

“We were all taken by surprise at 2 a.m. in the morning by a fire we up to now don’t know its origin. I can tell you that the fire spread so fast that one was unable to save even a pin. Nothing was saved from the more than 300 houses that have been razed to the ground,” declared the policeman with a walkie-talkie in hand.

Another victim,  Julie, told HumAngle that her husband was on an out-of-station assignment when their house was destroyed.  She said she currently depends on neighbours who were not as badly affected as herself.

“Some of them have been giving us their pots with which we are using to cook in the open air. We are still perching outside not knowing where to pass the nights. I have personally lost everything except the clothes I am wearing now,”  she said.  

A group of women sitting on the ground and sweating from the hot temperature said they did not know what to do after the calamity. Some said they had not eaten anything or had a drop of water since the fire struck. They said they were also afraid the rain threatening the horizon might meet them still in the open air with their little children.

Students and primary school children too have been affected as most of them have lost their uniforms and school textbooks. Some of them can be seen sleeping in the open air while their parents struggle to find something for them to eat.

The victims say the vice prime minister in charge of the interior and security, Jacquemain Shabani, had during the day come to express his sympathy and had promised to arrange for assistance to the affected families. However, they had been waiting for the whole day without any indication of the help the vice prime minister promised.

As of now, every victim is sitting on the ruins of what was once their home while waiting for government assistance.

This pretty market town, with its high street bursting with boutiques, is delightful even on a rainy day

If there was any doubt that the town we’d stopped in during our long drive was more upmarket than most, it was dispelled as we walked past a shop front for ‘wealth management services’. A fancy patisserie, an antique store and a few wine merchants’ later, our suspicions were confirmed: Topsham in Devon is really posh.

That’s just the uneducated impression of a first-time visitor, but don’t just take my word for it. For years it has been hailed as home to Devon’s poshest pub crawl, while in 2023 it was reported to be home to one of the UK’s most prestigious residential streets, reports Bristol Live.

The market town on the outskirts of Exeter has an enviable position, overlooking the estuary of the River Exe. The boats bobbing along Topsham Quay looked picture-perfect as we arrived, even on a rainy Monday.

Huddled under umbrellas, we searched for somewhere to take shelter from the unexpected downpour, and shuffled into The Boathouse Café just behind the ferry landing. This cosy cafe is apparently known for its crepes, but we discovered it also does a perfect flat white coffee, which was a reasonable (by Bristol standards anyway) £3.50 and set us up for the day nicely.

A break in the clouds tempted us outside again in no time, and we even considered a boat trip as the sun made a brief appearance. You can get a ferry ride for £9 return, with hourly departures listed on the blackboard during the day we visited, although it seems frequency varies from day to day.

It goes back and forth between Topsham Quay and the Turf Hotel, which pitches itself as an “idyllic” spot in an “extraordinary waterside location”. We decided to give that a miss given another turn in the weather, setting out instead for a spot of shopping.

The high street is a short stroll from the water’s edge, though we took a scenic route past some impressive historic buildings along the way and even more jaw-dropping houses – detached homes here sell for an average of £756,042, according to Rightmove. The high street is lined with luxurious-looking boutiques, gift shops and lunch spots, including two that have made it into the Michelin guide.

That said, there are still bargains to be had if you’re shopping on a budget. I can’t resist a charity shop and found three that were open in Topsham, including Estuary League Of Friends where there was an incredible £1 sale rail. Devon Air Ambulance also has a specialist ‘vintage and variety shop’, which was a treasure trove of retro clothing, antiques and homeware.

On a Saturday there is a weekly market at Matthews Hall, described by organisers as having a “glorious mix of stalls” including food, gifts, clothes, vintage and home items. It’s an indoor market, making it another ideal spot for a rainy day.

Elsewhere we loved the look of Country Cheeses cheesemonger, but it wasn’t open on a Monday. The vibrant painted exterior of the Squid and The Kid meant I couldn’t give that a miss, where I could have spent a small fortune on adorable toys and clothing for my toddler.

I was a bit hesitant about finding somewhere family-friendly for lunch, but we had a lovely bite to eat at Route 2 cafe, where there were plenty of high chairs as well as a baby change facility. For something sweet there were bakeries, coffee shops and delis with mouth-watering displays in the window, but we ended up trying Sara’s Petite Cuisine as it has such great reviews online.

After stepping through the pastel-pink entrance I was slightly alarmed to realise there were no prices displayed on the counter, but I felt too embarrassed to check as there were a few customers already seated in the tiny cafe within earshot.

Preparing for a shock to my bank account, I decided on the delicious-looking banoffee cake and was pleasantly surprised by the £4 fee for such a generous portion – I’ve paid more for a cookie at some of Bristol’s trendy bakeries.

We did have a bit of a battle to get the pushchair back out the door past a rather impatient waiting customer who felt no obligation to step aside, but otherwise everyone we encountered was incredibly friendly and welcoming of the obvious imposters in their midst.

How to get there

Topsham is easily accessible from anywhere along the M5, as it’s just 10 minutes from Junction 30. From there it’s straight along the A376 and into the town, where there are a couple of council car parks. We opted for the Holman Way Car Park as it’s bigger than Topsham Quay and a short walk away.

YouTuber The Wandering Turnip paid a visit to Horden, which is located in County Durham, to explore the seaside town and investigate why so many of its properties have been left to fall into disrepair

A man has racked up almost 1.5million views online after taking a trip to a seaside town to visit the streets where houses are some of the cheapest you can buy in the UK.

‘The Wandering Turnip’ travelled to Horden, located in Country Durham, which is an ex-mining town by the sea. When the colliery shut in 1987, work dried up for a huge number of residents, and as a result, many moved away from the area, paving the way for derelict and run-down houses.

In a 27-minute video, the YouTuber walks up and down the ‘numbered streets’ which feature boarded up houses, smashed windows, and rubbish both in the properties and in the back yards.

Some are available to buy at auction, with prices starting from as little as £5,000 and usually selling for around £20,000. However, as he discovers, potential buyers are often told they can’t view the properties first.

READ MORE: ‘I visited once run-down UK seaside town making a comeback with two new features – it’s miles better’READ MORE: ‘I made £10,000 by reporting my neighbour – anyone can do it’

There has been some effort to improve the look of the boarded up homes; many feature fake front doors, complete with fake doorhandles, and fake lace curtains to give the impression the building is occupied. But the truth is many are abandoned.

During his visit to Horden, The Wandering Turnip arranged viewings for two properties, the first of which is on the market for £39,950, and the second for £15,000 at auction. Both have fallen into disrepair and have experienced some vandalism, with glass all over the floors, radiators pulled from the walls, exposed wires and the floorboards in a bad way.

Over the course of his visit to Horden, the content creator estimated he’d seen around 70 abandoned, boarded-up properties – many of which are in the numbered streets in the central area of town; he notes Seventh Street looks completely derelict.

READ MORE: UK’s ‘worst’ seaside town’s £60m tourism plan after Butlin’s snub 41 years ago

But it’s by no means a wholly negative visit. The locals are incredibly warm and friendly and The Wandering Turnip focuses on the town’s rich mining history – a vocation shared by his own ancestors.

Writing on Youtube, he said of the visit: “I was really interested to figure out why they were so cheap and to take a look at the area. Horden is an ex mining town, and when the colliery shut down in 1987, all the work and the reason for people being there disappeared. You can imagine how busy this place would have been when that mine was open. It operated from 1900 – 1987.

“There were entire streets that were boarded up and I managed to get a look in 2 different properties which were on sale at the time of visiting.

READ MORE: UK seaside town abandoned by theme park and row over £65m holiday park boost

“It seems that the town suffers from a severe vandalism problem, making it hard for properties to be done up, leaving the towns looking like they do. The answer, a lovely chap showing me round one house told me, is that it has to be local landlords or people who can respond quickly. When these houses end up in the hands of outside investors, without a care for the area, they quickly fall into this cycle of damage, try to sell, repeat and repeat.”

He continued: “The people up here are absolutely great, such a friendly welcoming town where everyone was up for a chat. It is a real shame to see so many streets boarded up especially in a town so close to the sea, which I go look at in the end.”

The Mirror has reached out to County Durham Council for comment on the video.

Over on Trip Advisor, previous visitors to Horden have shared their thoughts, with the Horden Welfare Park given special recognition.

“Horden Welfare Park is situated in the middle of Horden and is always kept neat and tidy with lovely flower beds and lawned areas with plenty of seats to just sit and relax and take in the experience,” one person wrote.

“It houses a Victorian style bandstand where they hold entertainment throughout the year. There is also a vintage tearoom where you can have afternoon tea in real china cups and then visit the heritage museum housed upstairs.

“Lastly it houses the Statue named Marra who is a miner with his heart torn out depicting the effect that mines closing had on the local community. All in all well worth a visit in my opinion.”

Another said: “A lovely park with lots of history to go with.

Plenty of plaques to read from history to present day which is very interesting to read, as well as a sad miner statue with his heart missing, probably because of the pit closures. My dad and grandad were both Horden miners so I can relate to it. Brilliant overall.”

READ MORE: Teen girls ‘can’t concentrate’ due to period panic but one item can help them

This town in East Ayrshire, Scotland, has been named one of the most affordable places to live in the UK, with locals praising its vibrant shopping scene and friendly atmosphere

An historic town in East Ayrshire has been crowned one of the UK’s most affordable places to live, with locals praising its bustling shopping scene and welcoming atmosphere. Property website Rightmove has ranked Kilmarnock as Scotland’s top spot for first-time buyers, offering average house prices significantly below the national average.

Rightmove reports that homes in Kilmarnock have sold for an average of £154,688 over the past year. Flats have been snapped up for an average of £75,868, while semi-detached properties have commanded £161,391 and terraced houses £115,793.

Prices have risen by seven per cent compared to 2024 and are four per cent higher than the 2022 peak. This news comes after images show the cheapest seaside spot in England is full of abandoned £40k homes ‘nobody wants’.

READ MORE: Beautiful island has amazing views and three beaches but costs less than a 3-bed houseREAD MORE: Life in Scotland’s ‘most affordable’ town where three-beds cost less than £140k

Home to over 47,000 people, Kilmarnock’s housing costs are more than five times lower than London, where the average flat will set you back a whopping £590,543. The town’s blend of cultural heritage, green spaces and retail options has made it a popular choice for homebuyers.

Kilmarnock is home to a wealth of cultural landmarks, including Scotland’s largest Burns Monument, the Dick Institute and the Palace Theatre. The town centre boasts a range of independent shops as well as popular high street brands, reports the Daily Record.

The tourism board Visit Scotland has described Bank Street as: “a charming cobbled street in the historic core, with the elegant John Finnie Street boasting one of the best examples of provincial Victorian architecture in Scotland.”

The board also spotlighted Dean Castle and Country Park as “a fantastic day out for all the family” and commended the Burns Monument Centre’s picturesque location in Kay Park.

For many locals, the town’s charm and easy access are its main attractions. Andrew Reith, 41, who runs Zenith Coins and has been working in Kilmarnock for five years, said: “The town has some nice parks, and there are a few spots for public entertainment. The shopping area is quite popular, and both tourists and locals enjoy wandering around it.

“What I feel is that the town could benefit from a couple of large organisations, such as factories, to create more job opportunities for people living in the area.” However, not everyone shares this positive view. One local told The Express: “Many people in Kilmarnock rely on Government benefits and lack ambition and zeal to work.

“Most people are looking to send their children to the schools in Troon which is around 15 to 20 minutes away from Kilmarnock and is home to some of the most affluent people in the town.” While some streets offer homes priced between £75,000 and £84,000, others feature properties worth £500,000.

Tracey Oakley, a property adviser with Donald Ross Residential, noted: “Kilmarnock is a huge area and it would not be right to say that the houses are cheap [everywhere] here. The town is not very far from Glasgow and has a lovely shopping centre. “The properties which are put on the market are being sold in just two to six weeks, showing its popularity among the buyers.”

East Ayrshire Council says the town’s energy is being enhanced by regeneration initiatives. David McDowall, head of economic growth, said: “We are happy to see Kilmarnock is featuring as one of the more economical places to live.

“Over the past 15 years, our Regeneration and Business Support teams have attracted investment to enable the redevelopment of the town centre…breathing new life into the town’s conservation area.”

He added that Kilmarnock has “weathered the storm of closures of the mass industries such as whisky bottling, shoe making, carpet making, textiles and heavy engineering” and is now “experiencing a resurgence” with new small and medium enterprises.

Pat Sharp, best known as being the host of the 90s children’s show Fun House was dramatically axed from his radio show after making a crude joke to a woman live on stage

Radio DJ and Fun House host Pat Sharp was axed from his radio show after making a ‘humiliating’ joke that saw him lose his job. The TV legend, best known for being the face of the 90’s childrens show fun house, presented his segment on Greatest Hits Radio from 2019.

However the 63-year-old had made a joke to a woman live on stage at an awards show where he reportedly jibed about “getting on your t**ts” and handed her a T-shirt with his face on it, according to Daily Mail. The T-shirt had an old photo of Pat with his classic mullet hairdo and the caption: ‘Pat Sharp – AS SEEN ON FUN HOUSE – LOOKING SHARP SINCE 1982’.

But the joke backfired after she took to social media afterwards in 2023, and said she fel “violated” in front of around 400 colleagues and friends. She noted: “I was in complete shock and hadn’t really processed what happened. Today I am struggling with it – I feel sad, dirty and, frankly, violated.”

READ MORE: Pat Sharp’s Fun House twin unrecognisable pulling pints in her local Wetherspoons

This led to the radio DJ being dramatically taken off air as Greatest Hits Radio announced that his contract was due to expire at the end of the month and they had made the decision not to renew. They added that he would not return to the show with “immediate effect”.

A spokesperson for Bauer, which owns Greatest Hits Radio, said: “Due to the introduction of new weekend programming, a decision had already been made not to renew Pat’s contract which comes to an end later this month. However with this issue now having been brought to our attention, we have agreed with Pat that he will not return to the station with immediate effect.”

In a statement issued to The Sun, Pat said: “I made a joke on stage which was not well received. I upset one individual in particular and for that I am truly sorry. I apologised at the event to anyone who was offended and I have apologised to the individual personally too.”

Other than Greatest Hits, Pat has previously hosted programmes on Radio 1, Capital FM, Smooth Radio and Heart, as well as presented some episodes of music TV show Top Of The Pops in the 1980s. Since the incident, Pat has stayed under the radar but has been keeping fans updated with his life on Instagram. He posts snapshots of him with his grandchildren and some throwback pictures of him in his heyday.

In one Instagram video, the grandad shared dozens of images of his grandchildren having fun in the pool, playing games and roaming the park in a post captioned ‘Grandkids galore’. When he wasn’t spending time with the grandkids, Pat appeared to be taking some time away at Windermere in the Lake District in July and enjoying trips to the beach in Watergate Bay in Cornwall with his wife Monica.

Earlier this month Pat was advertising an 80s tribute gig Ultimate 80’s Reloaded in Torquay with himself alongside another DJ Max Corderoy. Sharing tickets to book on his Facebook page, the event described itself as “non-stop nostalgia” with “a pulsating mix of 80’s hits”.

Earlier this year, Pat took part in a handful of other gigs – including Music in the Park in Leyland, Lancashire, in May, and at Butlin’s Big Weekenders and Lets Rock Leeds retro festival, both in May.

An earlier version of this story was published in September 2023.

Do you have a story to share? Email [email protected]

READ MORE: 71-year-old ‘looks forward’ to anti-ageing treatment that’s like a ‘£221 spa facial’

Tenby in Pembrokeshire has been named one of the UK’s top 20 best coastal destinations – and it’s easy to see why, with its quaint harbour, sandy beaches and great places to eat

You don’t have to fly off to a far-flung destination for a stunning beach experience; we’ve got some fantastic seaside spots right here in the UK. One of the most picturesque is Tenby, a charming town in Pembrokeshire.

With its quaint harbour adorned with pastel-hued buildings, four sandy beaches, and an array of delightful eateries, it’s no surprise that it’s been ranked among the top 20 best coastal destinations in the UK by holidaycars.com. The website praised: “Tenby is one of Wales’s most popular seaside towns, but with gorgeous sandy beaches, technicolour cottages, and a delightful harbour, it deserves its recognition.

“The working harbour sees fishing boats come in and out, and the crisp scent of the salty sea is always hanging in the air.

“Its maze-esque streets offer plenty for visitors, including top-notch restaurants, independent boutiques, and galleries. There are also three Blue Flag beaches nearby, and Tenby Castle Beach is a favourite.

“After exploring Tenby Castle, which sits atop Castle Hill, you can meander back down to the beach for a well-earned ice cream.”

Visit Wales provides a comprehensive list of activities for those visiting Tenby – from enjoying the town’s four beaches, embarking on a fishing trip from the harbour, or taking a trip to the nearby Caldey Island, reports the Express.

It said: “Just 20 minutes away by boat, the holy island of Caldey Island is an oasis of calm where you can watch seabirds or relax on a tiny beach.

“Owned and run by a community of Cistercian monks, it’s open to the public on summer weekdays and Saturdays.

“Regular boat trips set off from Tenby Harbour (pick up your tickets from the kiosk), taking visitors straight to Priory Beach, a beautiful place for a dip in the sea and the starting point for exploring the island.”

The town also features a museum and art gallery, a 15th-century church, an RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboat station, and even ghost walks.

Tenby can be accessed via the A477, turning south onto the A478 at Kilgetty. It’s approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Cardiff.

The town is also well-served by regular bus and train services. The closest airport is Cardiff Airport, roughly 60 miles away, while the busier Bristol Airport is about 88 miles away.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bitcoin has reached a new all-time high, trading at more than $118,000 (€100,000) on Friday. It followed an enthusiastic trading day on the US stock markets on Thursday, where the main index for tech companies, the Nasdaq, hit a record value.

Interest in Bitcoin was fuelled by a bullish, optimistic trading outlook across risk assets and an appetite for investment in tech companies, such as Nvidia, which recently surged to a $4 trillion valuation. 

Bitcoin’s all-time high also comes days before what the US House of Representatives, one of Congress’ two chambers, has labelled as “Crypto Week”, starting on 14 July. This is when lawmakers are expected to debate a series of bills that could define the regulatory framework for the industry in the United States. 

Bitcoin gained more than 20% this year against the US dollar. 

Bloomberg’s data shows that investors poured around $1.2 billion (€1bn) into Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) on Thursday, pushing the price to a new high beyond $116,000 before the rally continued on Friday. 

Much of the investments pouring into crypto came through ETFs. Cryptocurrency-based ETFs make it easier for investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies without having to buy them directly. These funds have exploded in popularity since bitcoin ETFs began trading in US markets last year.

The strong interest in crypto boosted the price of the second-biggest crypto asset, too. Ethereum gained more than 6%, and traded at around $3,000 (€2,600) on Friday.

Meanwhile, the US President continues to expand his crypto-related offerings. Trump was once a bitcoin sceptic but has since warmly embraced the cryptocurrency industry.

On Tuesday, his family business Trump Media filed paperwork at the Securities and Exchange Commission for approval to launch the “Crypto Blue Chip ETF” later this year.

This is a new exchange-traded fund tied to the prices of five popular cryptocurrencies. The proposed ETF would have 70% of its holdings in bitcoin, 15% in Ethereum, and 8% in Solana, a cryptocurrency popular in the meme coin community.

The Trump administration has pushed for crypto-friendly regulations and laws, in line with the president’s ambitions to make the US the world capital for crypto.

“If we didn’t have it, China would,” Trump said.

Rioters said to target ‘foreigners’ in Northern Ireland town following alleged sexual assault of local teenage girl.

Hundreds of masked rioters have attacked police and set homes and cars on fire in Northern Ireland’s Ballymena in the second night of disorder described as “racially motivated” by police following a protest over an alleged sexual assault in the town.

Police said they were dealing with “serious disorder” on Tuesday night in the town, located about 45km (30 miles) from the capital Belfast, and urged people to avoid the area.

Officers in riot gear and driving armoured vehicles responded with water cannon and firing plastic baton rounds after being attacked with Molotov cocktails, steel scaffolding poles and rocks that rioters gathered by knocking down nearby walls, the Reuters news agency reports.

One house was burned out and rioters attempted to set a second home alight, according to reports, while several cars were set on fire.

The Belfast Telegraph newspaper said that some residents in Ballymena have started to mark their front doors to indicate their nationality to avoid attack, while Irish media outlets report that a call has gone out for protests to be held in other towns and cities in Northern Ireland, currently part of the United Kingdom.

During earlier violence on Monday, four houses were damaged by fire and windows and doors were smashed in other homes and businesses, in what police said they are investigating as racially-motivated hate attacks.

“The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland,” the UK’s Northern Ireland minister, Hilary Been, said in a post on social media.

“There is absolutely no justification for attacks on PSNI [Police Service of Northern Ireland] officers or for vandalism directed at people’s homes or property,” he said.

Unrest first erupted on Monday night after a vigil in a neighbourhood of Ballymena where an alleged sexual assault occurred on Saturday. The trouble began when people in masks “broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties”, police said.

Two teenage boys, charged by police with the attempted rape of a teenage girl, had appeared in court earlier in the day, where they had asked for a Romanian interpreter, local media reports said.

Tensions in the town, which has a large migrant population, remained high throughout Tuesday, with residents describing the scenes as “terrifying” and telling reporters that those involved were targeting “foreigners”.

“This violence was clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police,” Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it was investigating “hate attacks” on homes and businesses and that 15 officers were injured in the rioting on Monday, including some who required hospital treatment.

Cornelia Albu, 52, a Romanian migrant and mother-of-two who lives opposite a house targeted in the attacks, said her family has been “very scared”.

“Last night, it was crazy, because too many people came here and tried to put the house on fire,” Albu, who works in a factory, told the AFP news agency.

She said she would now have to move, but was worried she would not find another place to live because she was Romanian.

SIX of the best-looking pubs have been revealed in the UK, including new modern wonders as well as historic beer houses.

The Pub Design Awards 2025, created by Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA), looks at hundreds of drinking establishments around the UK.

6

6

The awards also works with design and conservation experts alongside Historic England.

Andrew Davison, Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, said the awards “recognise the highest standards of pub architecture, rewarding artistic flair and painstaking historical conservation.”

He added: “From inviting street corner locals to striking medieval coaching inns, there are some stunning pubs in the UK, and the craftmanship involved in making these venues a gorgeous place to enjoy cask beer and real cider or perry should rightfully be applauded.”

The best new build pub – meaning any that were built in 2024 – was bod Lichfield in Stratford.

The “industrial chic design” with “recycled wood, distressed paintwork,  quirky light fittings and exposed ceiling pipes,” were praised.

It comes after the bod Alsager in Cheshire was named one of the best by CAMRA last year.

However for a more authentic pub, the Historic England Conservation award (which preserves many of the features) was given to Swan in Suffolk.

Dating back to the 17th century, a new conservatory bar has been added, while many of the Grade-II listed timber frames have been restored.

One person wrote on Tripadvisor: “Love this place. The refurb has just added to just how wonderful this place is.”

When it comes to the best refurbished pub, the Druid Inn in Wales was given the top spot , after it was restored and reopened last year.

6

6

Lots of previous guests called it a “gem” of a pub and praised the staff as well.

Sadly, one of the joint winning pubs has since had to close for good.

Two pubs were named the best when it comes to converted pubs, one being Borough Beer House in Surrey.

Once a Bailiffs Hall, dating back to the 1600s, has renovated it and turned it into a pub.

6

However, the Python’s Arms in Herefordshire was praised for being a converted farm building.

The owners, who had run the pub for nine years, cited financial difficulties.

Sadly it has since had to close, with Gary Timmins Chair of CAMRA’s Awards Committee adding: “Within just a year from being converted into a beautiful pub, this rapid closure should be ringing alarm bells.

“Real action is needed to support the pub industry, otherwise we will lose many more locals in the near future.”  

The community local winner pub was Forester in West Ealing, London.

Here are the winning pubs last year.

6

KEMPTON PARK is still at risk of being closed and knocked down for housing.

The Jockey Club announced in January 2017 they were selling off the racecourse to developers in a bid to raise £100 million.

2

2

But the track was given a reprieve when those plans hit the buffers in the face of opposition from Spelthorne Council and a number of high-profile racing industry figures.

So the Jockey Club sold an ‘option to purchase’ to builders Redrow in September 2018, Sunracing can reveal, meaning they can buy the land for development during a set timeframe whenever they want for a pre-agreed price.

The expiry date on the agreement is in 2028, though it can be extended a further two years if Redrow express interest in going ahead with the purchase of the 230-acre site, either in its entirety or part of it.

The Jockey Club has not hidden its desire to sell off land at Kempton for housing to raise much needed funds, and in February 2020 they announced revised plans to develop on part of the site which would not involve demolishing the home of the King George.

But those plans were also scuppered by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Jockey Club remains in a deep financial hole, with the last set of accounts published last summer showing they have around £54 million of debt.

Spelthorne Council said eight years ago the site was unlikely to be considered for housing eight as it was deemed ‘strongly performing’ green belt land.

But the new Labour government has relaxed planning laws to encourage house building, with the aim to build 1.5 million new homes before the next election.

The Jockey Club dismissed recent speculation on social media that the racecourse was to be closed at the end of next year, but there is a desperate need for housing in Surrey and Redrow is still interested in developing the site, for all they have yet to trigger their option to buy the land.

A Redrow spokesperson said: “We have an agreement with the Jockey Club to promote Kempton Park for development, lasting until 2030.

“Since this agreement was made, we have been reviewing whether the site, or parts of it, could assist with the delivery of much needed new housing in Surrey.”

The Jockey Club said: “Since 2018, Redrow have had the exclusive right to promote Kempton Park as a potential site for residential development, lasting until 2028.

“Since the agreement came into effect it has been entirely normal procedure for there to be ongoing discussions to see if the site, or parts of it, could play a part in addressing the need for houses in the local area.

“Given the recent changes in wider planning policy, it is no surprise that those discussions are continuing, but in real terms there has been no change in Kempton Park’s status.”

FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

An iconic UK seaside town propelled to fame thanks to a popular TV show also used to be home to a huge Billy Butlin’s resort – which was flattened after just 30 years

An iconic seaside town previously home to a huge Billy Butlin’s resort now looks completely different – but there’s still a small reminder of what once was. While many Brits think the hit TV series Gavin & Stacey cast south Wales’ Barry Island into the tourist limelight, the town was already luring in swathes of holidaymakers back in its hey-day.

Situated in the Vale of Glamorgan in South Wales, Barry and its eponymously named island boasts a sweeping stretch of golden sand beach, cobalt waters and a recently refurbished seafront complete with restaurants, cafes, and colourful beach huts. But back in 1966, the town also featured a Butlin’s resort that had the capacity to accommodate 7,000 overnight visitors every single week.

According to reports, Sir Billy Butlin is rumoured to have been inspired to create his holiday camp business after his family was accidentally locked out of a B&B in Barry Island by the landlady. The all-inclusive complex – which consisted of 800 ‘no-frills’ chalets – featured heated swimming pools, a cable-car ride, a miniature railway, bars, restaurants, and even a Fish & Chip shop – and of course, the iconic Red Coat staff.

READ MORE: Huge £3.5m UK floating hotel abandoned and left to rot in the sea

But, similarly to the Butlin’s resort in Filey, business started dwindling when package holidays to destinations like Spain started becoming more affordable. Hindered by the ‘Benidorm boom’, Barry Island’s Butlin’s, located on Nell’s Point, ran for just 20 years.

It was then taken over by Majestic Holidays – and renamed The Barry Island Resort – but only managed to last a further 10 years. In its last decade of welcoming tourists, the Red Coat staff were forced to wear blue uniforms following threats of legal action.

But in 1996, following a storm that worsened growing maintenance issues, the entire site closed. Rows of once fun-filled cabins, swimming pools, and restaurants were left to rot for almost an entire year, when Vale Council bought the site for £2.25 million.

It was later sold to Bovis Homes and bulldozed to make way for a new housing estate as part of a £3 million regeneration project in the area. Now, the Butlin’s resort looks like any normal residential area – filled with new-build properties and green space.

Want the latest travel news and cheapest holiday deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Travel Newsletter

While Brits heading over to Barry Island for a weekend of sun and ice cream won’t be able to watch an iconic Red Coat show – or spend their days by the pool – they’ll still be able to find a tiny slice of nostalgia. This is because in 2014, a blue plaque was erected at the seafront garden to commemorate the holiday entrepreneur.

Former Red Coat Tony Collier told the BBC: “We couldn’t want for a better position in this lovely garden for the plaque. Hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers and staff came from all over the country each summer and Christmas, to enjoy the facilities offered on site, and the beautiful Welsh countryside on its doorstep.”

Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.