independent

It’s not just surviving but thriving.

Tucked away on the UK coast is a seaside town packed full of independent shops and surprises. In its golden heyday, the Victorian age, the Isle of Thanet (the easternmost part of Kent) was packed full of popular holiday resorts. Trend-conscious people like Charles Dickens, swapping the London smog for the revitalising sea air, took the train down to one of them: Broadstairs.

They were enchanted by its sweeping Viking Bay, named in honour of the AD449 Viking invasion of Britain. And with them, they brought riches which helped the small town construct rows of grand houses and an imperial seafront. Unlike many seaside towns hit by the mid-20th-century boom in cheap foreign holidays and the more recent spike in arcade-killing energy prices, Broadstairs is surviving in 2025. In fact, it’s thriving.

I ventured down to the town of 25,000 on a brutal November day to find out if it’s a place that shutters up as the stormy season rolls in and discovered that it has not only found a way to withstand the passage of time but also the winter.

Councillor Kristian Bright, cabinet member for tourism, met me in Salt cafe and explained part of Broadstairs’s success where he told me: “It is one of the only places in Thanet that has an independent high street like this. 15 Square Metres is a great restaurant run by MasterChef finalist Tony Rodd. We have Bar Ingo. I love to spend an evening in there. There’s Kebbells Seafood Bar as well. There’s just so many great places. In the winter, people come down and have a really special time.”

In a way many other coastal spots are not, Broadstairs is protected from brutal seasonal swings by its changing population. The launch of Southeastern’s high-speed rail line in 2009 drew the town a commutable ride from London, while the working from home shift of Covid ensured those down from the capital could stay full-time.

Palace Cinema owners Corinna Downing and her husband Simon Ward are among their number, and now benefit from the new demographic’s love of foreign film. “The notion of local and independent cinema, with its own character, has worked in our own favour,” she explained.

The Palace is the only independent cinema in the area and now draws in punters from across Thanet. Winter, particularly Oscars season, is their time to shine. When they’re not busy showing Imitation of Life and L’Atalante, the cinema is being hired out by members of the thriving local film society – on one recent occasion, for a raucous Austin Powers dress-up night.

Just down the seafront is another business that makes the Palace’s 60-year history look fleeting. Mario Morelli opened an ice cream parlour bearing his family’s name in 1932, and his descendants are still serving up impossibly big sundaes almost 100 years later. Morelli’s is a testament to the idea that if a business does things well and looks after its staff and customers, it will succeed. On the grimmest of midweek mornings, its sensationally big ice creams, waffles, and coffees drew in 30 punters.

Chris Chalklands, the former manager and now semi-retired parlour prince, has been working there for 53 years. He explained what makes Morelli’s so special. “It’s a family-run institution. It’s more of your community hub (in the winter) retreat. We go down about 50% in the winter, but our busiest day is Boxing Day. Everybody comes out for a walk. From 10 to five, it’s standing room only. Broadstairs has changed from a bed and breakfast holiday resort to an Airbnb. I love the atmosphere, community, and general population,” he said.

Hussein, who runs the Fish Inn on the High Street, swapped his home country of Turkey for Broadstairs 15 years ago. More than Morelli’s and The Palace, his business is impacted by the winter months. “It’s a nice place in the summer. I’m not sure about the winter when it’s rainy, but generally it’s good. It’s a nice beach, there’s no trouble. In winter, it’s cold, people don’t want to come out.”

While I was the only chip eater that Wednesday morning, that might’ve been because a gale was flinging rain and fish and chip signs down the road. Usually, a steady trade of students from a local language school and deliveries keeps the 34-year-old Fish Inn ticking over.

There are, of course, tensions in Broadstairs. As they tend to, DFLers have brought money and pushed up house prices. The average home now costs £409,441, according to Rightmove, while the average worker in Thanet takes home £29,312. The pull of its incredible beach and tidal pool during the summer means there is a significant drop-off in tourism in the winter, which can be challenging for businesses.

But these issues seem relatively small and manageable. The council recently introduced a second-home tax, which saw Broadstairs property prices fall by the highest amount of anywhere in the UK last year. Add to that a high street packed with independent shops, and off-season events such as the Blues Bash and Food Festival, and the future prospects of this little coastal gem seem very strong.

The family of Mohammed Ibrahim, a Palestinian American boy who has been detained by Israel since February, is demanding that an independent doctor assess the teenager’s condition amid alarming reports about his situation in prison.

Mohammed’s uncle, Zeyad Kadur, said an official from the United States embassy in Israel visited the 16-year-old last week at Ofer Prison.

The official told the family afterwards that Ibrahim had lost weight and dark circles were forming around his eyes, Kadur told Al Jazeera.

The consular officer also said he had raised Mohammed’s case with multiple US and Israeli agencies.

“This is the first time in nine months that they showed grave concern for his health, so how bad is it?” Kadur asked in an interview on Wednesday.

Despite rights groups and US lawmakers pleading for Mohammed’s release, Israel has refused to free him, and his family said the administration of President Donald Trump is not doing enough to bring him home.

Israeli authorities have accused Ibrahim of throwing rocks at settlers in the occupied West Bank, an allegation he denies.

But the legal proceedings in the case are moving at a snail’s pace in Israel’s military justice system, according to Mohammed’s family.

Rights advocates also say that the military court system in the occupied West Bank is part of Israel’s discriminatory apartheid regime, given its conviction rate of nearly 100 percent for Palestinian defendants.

Adding to the Ibrahim family’s angst is the lack of access to the teenager while Mohammed is in Israeli prison. Unable to visit him or communicate with him, his relatives are only able to receive updates from the US embassy.

The teenager has been suffering from severe weight loss while in detention, his father, Zaher Ibrahim, told Al Jazeera earlier this year. He also contracted scabies, a contagious skin infection.

The last visit he received from US embassy staff was in September.

Israeli authorities have committed well-documented abuses against Palestinian detainees, including torture and sexual violence, especially after the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023.

“We hear and see people getting out of prison and what they look like, and we know it’s bad,” Kadur said.

“Mohammed is an American kid who was taken at 15. He is now 16, and he’s been sitting there for nine months and hasn’t seen his mom, hasn’t seen his dad.”

He added that the family is also concerned about Mohammed’s mental health.

“We’re requesting that he gets sent to a hospital and evaluated by a third party, not by a prison medic or nurse. He needs some actual attention,” Mohammed’s uncle told Al Jazeera.

Mohammed, who is from Florida, was visiting Palestine when in the middle of the night he was arrested, blindfolded and beaten in what Kadur described as a “kidnapping”.

The US Department of State did not respond to Al Jazeera’s request for comment on the latest consular visit to Mohammed.

When Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel last month, he appeared to have misheard a question about Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti and thought it was about Mohammed’s case.

“Are you talking about the one from the US? I don’t have any news for you on that today,” Rubio told reporters.

“Obviously, we’ll work that through our embassy here and our diplomatic channels, but we don’t have anything to announce on that.”

But for Kadur, Mohammed’s case is not a bureaucratic or legal matter – it is one that requires political will from Washington to secure his freedom.

Kadur underscored that the US has negotiated with adversaries, including Venezuela, Russia and North Korea, to free detained Americans, so it can push for the release of Mohammed from its closest ally in the Middle East.

The US provided Israel with more than $21bn in military aid over the past two years.

Kadur drew a contrast between the lack of US effort to free Mohammed and the push to release Edan Alexander, a US citizen who was volunteering in the Israeli army and was taken prisoner during Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Alexander was released in May after pressure from the Trump administration on Hamas.

“The American government negotiated with what they consider a terrorist organisation, and they secured his release – an adult who put on a uniform, who picked up a gun and did what he signed up for,” Kadur said of Alexander.

“Why is a 16-year-old still there for nine months, rotting away, deteriorating in a prison? That’s one example to show that Mohammed – and his name and his Palestinian DNA – [are] not considered American enough by the State Department first and by the administration second.”

Sometimes all you want is the opportunity to slow down life and enjoy a refreshing break somewhere quiet and idyllic – this location is the perfect way to do just that

If you’re dreaming of an escape where rolling green hills meet charming cobbled streets and you’re only ever a heartbeat away from a good cup of tea then one town should be right at the top of your list.

This little gem in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales has become something of a star in its own right, thanks to its role as the fictional Darrowby in Channel 5’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small‘. Fans of the show will instantly spot the familiar streets and stone-fronted shops. But even if you’ve never seen an episode, then the real-life town of Grassington has enough to win anyone over. For families, it’s the perfect blend of adventure and wholesome days out. Start in the bustling village square, where independent shops and cosy cafes, including the Cake House, invite you to linger for a while.

And then there are the proper North Yorkshire pubs where the welcome is warm, the portions are generous and the ale flows freely. Grassington’s inns are the beating heart of the village, from the Gamekeeper’s Inn to Grassington House, offering everything from roaring fires and Sunday roasts to locally brewed pints and family-friendly dining.

Whether you’re settling into a snug corner after a long walk or enjoying a meal in a lively bar where locals swap stories across the tables, it’s the sort of place where time slows down. Many visitors swear the pubs alone are worth the trip, especially if you want an authentic taste of Dales hospitality.

One of the best things about Grassington is how quickly you can slip from village charm into full-blown countryside magic. The surrounding Dales are tailor-made for family walks, from gentle riverside rambles along the Wharfe to more adventurous routes up towards Linton Falls.

The falls themselves are just a short stroll from the village and offer a spectacular view, especially after a good rain. Kids love watching the water thunder over the rocks, and parents love that it’s one of those rare beauty spots that doesn’t require a three-hour trek to get to.

If your family has a soft spot for wildlife, then the Grass Wood Nature Reserve is a must. This ancient woodland is a haven for birds, wildflowers and even the occasional roe deer. The trails here are peaceful and atmospheric, perfect for a slower-paced wander where little explorers can hunt for bugs, spot woodland creatures and burn off some energy.

History lovers won’t be left out either. Head to the nearby Grassington Folk Museum, where the whole family can learn about rural life through the centuries. It’s surprisingly engaging for kids, with plenty of hands-on displays, and gives a real sense of the community spirit that still holds strong in the village today.

And of course, no visit would be complete without a nod to the popular ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. Fans can stroll the same streets James Herriot walks on screen, peek into shop fronts used for filming and soak up the quaint atmosphere that makes the series so beloved. Many visitors say it feels like stepping straight into the show (minus the odd unruly cow).

Whether you’re after cosy pubs, picture-perfect scenery or a family weekend that blends relaxation with just enough adventure, Grassington delivers in spades. It’s no wonder TV crews, walkers and families all fall a little bit in love with it and, after one trip, you probably will too.

The charming market town in Leicestershire, England, is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is home to a wealth of independent boutiques, spas and eateries

The UK is a treasure trove of quaint villages and towns, boasting everything from idyllic cobbled streets nestled in rolling hills to cliffside hamlets adorned with white washed houses. One such gem is Market Harborough in Leicester.

Once a part of the Rockingham Forest – a mediaeval Royal hunting forest – it has now transformed into a delightful market town brimming with rich history and stunning countryside.

The town centre is a haven for independent boutiques, spas and eateries, making it an ideal spot for a day out.

Among the many attractions around Market Harborough, the Foxton Locks stand out.

These locks are the steepest and longest in the UK, enabling canal boats to navigate up and down a 75-foot hill through the Leicestershire countryside, reports the Express.

The canal provides a picturesque autumnal walk along the water as you navigate the locks and watch the boats glide by.

With over 5,000 boats traversing the locks annually, there’s always something to see. If your walk leaves you peckish or parched, why not drop into one of the many canalside cafes or pubs?

The Foxton Locks Inn is a quintessential traditional pub offering home cooked food, local ales, a cosy interior, and even a covered terrace for dining while enjoying views of the canal.

Don’t miss out on Rockingham Castle, a truly magnificent Tudor-era building perched atop a hill with panoramic views across five counties.

The castle, tucked away within 12 acres of manicured and wild gardens, boasts breathtaking views over the countryside. However, it’s worth noting that the castle only opens its doors to visitors on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter until September, and also on Tuesdays from June.

If you prefer to stay within the village and have a penchant for history, then a visit to the Old Grammar School is a must.

Established in 1607 by Robert Smyth, the Grammar school was ingeniously constructed on posts in the town centre, allowing the market to carry on beneath it.