Section: Money:News Money

MCDONALD’S has made a major change to its breakfast menu and customers have been left devastated.

The fast food giant has axed its long-time favourite Breakfast Roll from the menu.

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The Breakfast Roll first arrived on menus in 2020 and has remained on there since then.

But a McDonald’s spokesperson confirmed to The Sun the breakfast item was quietly axed earlier this month.

The Breakfast Roll had included smoky bacon, a juicy sausage patty, melted cheese and a free-range egg, all served in a warm white roll.

You could then choose to have it with either ketchup or brown sauce.

McDonald’s fans on Reddit said they’d been left gutted by the move.

One wrote: “Removing the breakfast bagel? An act of aggression. Removing the triple cheeseburger? A show of power.

“But now removing the breakfast roll… this is surely an act of war?”

Another replied: “What, there getting rid of the breakfast roll? Nooooo (sic).”

A third added: “It’s gone! I realised this morning when I popped into one. So sad.”

A fourth replier joked: “This country is ruined……”

A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “We’re always evolving our menu with our customers in mind to keep things fresh and exciting.”

However, there is a brand new item that has replaced the Breakfast Roll.

Now Maccas fans can get hold of the Sausage Sandwich, which has been added to menus nationwide after a trial in the North of England.

The morning meal comes with a pork patty and melted cheese, and can be topped with either ketchup or brown sauce.

It will cost £1.99, although you can get a selected drink with the sandwich as a bundle deal for £2.99.

The new item will be on the Saver Menu alongside six other breakfast choices including hash browns (£1.59), porridge pots (£1.69) and apple slices (79p).

Other items on the list include a cheesy bacon flatbread for £1.99 and apple or orange Tropicana juice for £1.89.

Remember, if you want to try the new sandwich you’ll need to head to your local McDonald’s before 11am as that’s when breakfast is served until.

The fast food chain has made plenty of changes to its breakfast menu in the past.

Last year, it brought back the popular Breakfast Wrap after it was axed in January 2022.

Luckily for fast food fans, it’s still on the menu for now.

More menu changes

Maccas changes its menu every few weeks to keep things fresh for customers.

Its latest menu drop was on September 10, when it brought back favourites including the Philly Cheese Stack and Mozzarella Dippers.

Plus, the Chicken Big Mac was added to the menu.

But other items were axed, including the Chilli Cheese Bites, Steakhouse Stack, Big Tasty and Spicy Chicken McNuggets.

Meanwhile the Loaded Caramel McFlurry was added to the menu – but was quickly taken off again just days later.

A McDonald’s spokesperson said at the time the ice cream dessert was removed because of a “quality control issue”.

It came after some social media users claimed they had cracked their teeth on hard pieces inside the dessert.

The Loaded Caramel McFlurry was quickly replaced by the Toffee Crisp McFlurry – a returning favourite,

Sun that it’s been replaced by a returning favourite.

A MAJOR supermarket with 340 branches is set to close a site tomorrow.

The supermarket specialises in frozen food but also stocks a wide-range of well known brands such as Muller, Birds Eye and McCain.

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Heron Foods was first established in 1978 after operating as a local butcher in Hull under the name ‘Grindells Butchers.’

After Anthony Grindell sold the business to his sister and her family, the name was changed and the chain started to grow.

The company now runs 343 locations across the UK, however it will suffer a huge blow.

It has now been announced that the Scunthorpe store is set to close its doors for the final time.

In the Heron Foods Scunthorpe Facebook group, one of the admins wrote to the chain’s loyal customer base to announce the news.

The post read: “Dear Valued Customers, we want to thank you for your continued support and loyalty to our Heron Foods store in Scunthorpe.

“It’s been a pleasure serving the local community, and we’re incredibly grateful for the relationships we’ve built over the years.

“We’re writing to let you know that our Scunthorpe store, located at Jubilee Way in the Parishes Shopping Centre, will be closing down.

“This decision was not made lightly, and we understand it may come as disappointing news to many of you.”

It was also revealed that the shop will close its doors for the final time before the weekend has even finished.

The post continued: “Our final day of trading will be the 27th September, and until then, we’ll continue to offer great value and service.

“We encourage you to visit us before we close to take advantage of our remaining stock and special offers.”

The account added: “While this location is closing, we remain committed to serving our customers across the UK. You can continue to shop with us at nearby Heron Foods stores.

“Thank you again for being part of our journey in Scunthorpe. We’ll miss you!”

Customers flooded the comments section of the post to express their immense disappointment at the decision.

One user wrote: “Shame you always have good bargains, going to miss you.”

A second stated: “Shame it’s shutting down always go in there every week.”

“Not good for the town yet again another good shop to close,” claimed a third concerned resident.

While this location is closing, we remain committed to serving our customers across the UK.

Shop adminFacebook

While a fourth commented: “It’s an absolute shame for the wonderfully helpful staff.”

And a fifth added: “Feel sorry for all the people that use the shop in the town that get their good bargains etc.”

However, the chain is launching a new site in Byker, Newcastle which is set to open its doors to customers on October 16th.

The company is also investing in a refurbishment in its Fulwell shop in Sunderland that is due to reopen at the start of October.

In August 2017, B&M purchased the chain in a reported £152million acquisition.

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A MASTERCHEF star has announced the closure of all of his UK pastry shops, after struggling to cope with climbing costs.

Graham Hornigold, who has also appeared on Junior Bake Off co-founded gourmet doughnut brand Longboys back in 2019, but just six years later, the business has gone bust.

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The brand’s three London sites, in Liverpool Street, Coal Drops Yard and Market Halls Canary Wharf have all closed their doors for their final time.

Writing on Instagram, the pastry chef explained: “You’ve probably noticed we’ve been a little quieter than usual.

“The truth is, with rising inflation, changes to NI, and product costs spiralling, the past few months have been incredibly tough.

“Like so many small independents across the UK hospitality industry, we’ve felt the impact hard.

“You may have seen that we made the difficult decision to close all Longboys sites in the hope of reopening. Sadly, we won’t be able to bring them back.

“But this isn’t the end -it’s a redirection.”

Graham added that himself and his team will “dust ourselves off and go again”.

Longboys was famous for its finger shaped doughnut and eclair hybrids, filled with creative flavours, such as Sticky Toffee Pudding and Raspberry Rose Lychee.

Commenting under the post, pastry fans shared their devastation at the closure.

One person said: “Gutted to hear this news!

“Look forward to your return soon.”

A second person said: “Your lychee raspberry donuts will be living rent-free in my mind forever.”

A third person added: “Sorry to hear this news. I enjoyed many visits to your Coal Drops Yard shop.”

More restaurant closures

And Longboys isn’t the only eatery that’s struggled to stay afloat.

Rick Stein’s Marlborough restaurant could be set to close its doors for good, just five years after being saved.

A spokesperson for Rick Stein Marlborough told Gazette and Herald: “We can confirm that we are proposing the closure of our Marlborough restaurant and are consulting with the team to explore whether this can be avoided.

“Our other restaurants and rooms continue to trade well, but this particular site has not delivered the same level of return.”

And last month, Channel 4 chef Dom Taylor announced he is closing his Marvee’s Food Shop in Ladbroke Grove, West London, due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

The Caribbean restaurant only opened a few month’s prior, in May, as part of the music and events space UNDR, near the famous Portobello Road.

A COUPLE have made a stunning discovery of English treasure while weeding their back garden and are set to sell it for £230k.

The husband and wife found an extraordinary stash of 70 gold Tudor coins in clumps of clay soil at their suburban home in Hampshire.

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After they wiped off the mud and laid out the coins on the decking, it dawned on them that they were remarkably preserved.

They’re now set to go to auction in Zurich, Switzerland in November where they’re expected to fetch an estimated £230,000.

The earliest coin dates back to the reign of King Henry VI in the 1420s but a large number are from the 1530s and the reign of Henry VIII.

Some contain the initials of two of Henry’s wives, Catherine of Aragon and James Seymour.

They were found in Milford-on-Sea which is near the historic Christchurch Priory.

The hoard may have been buried for safekeeping by an exceptionally wealthy church cleric during the time of Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries and Catholic priories.

The couple, who have asked not to be named for fear treasure hunters may descend on their quiet street, notified the authorities of their find in 2020.

Although the hoard was initially declared as treasure, it was later disclaimed and returned to the couple as no museums or institutions were in a position to buy it during the pandemic.

The coins are now set to go under the hammer at David Guest Numismatics’ auction in Switzerland where they will be sold individually.

It’s usually the case with coin hoards that a portion of the proceeds must go to the landowner, but in this case the finders are the landowners.

The couple are said to be “excited” about the sales which will be like a lottery win for them.

Auctioneer David Guest said: “It is a fantastic hoard found by a couple while they were gardening at the end of the garden of their home in Milford-on-Sea.

“They were digging in a flower border and found these circular discs in a clump of clay soil.

“They put them on the decking and washed them off and realised they were gold coins so they carried on digging and found a total of 64 of them in the same spot.

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“After they notified the Portable Antiquities Scheme the coins were examined by the British Museum.

“They organised a further archaeological dig of the site and found six more coins.

“The earliest coins are from the reign of Henry VI in the 1420s and they go right up to 1537 and the reign of Henry VIII.

“They are in a remarkable state of preservation.”

Guest added that it was clearly a hoard assembled over a long period of time and that the coins amounted to £26 which was the equivalent price of a house back then.

“It was a lot of money. I doubt most people in England at the time ever saw a gold coin,” he said.

“The gold coins could have belonged to a merchant of considerable wealth or a church cleric who was very rich.

“Milford-on-Sea would have been part of the estate of Christchurch Priory at the time.

“The dissolution of the monasteries was a very tumultuous time and we know that other hoards were buried at this time to keep money away from the King’s commissioners that sought to take control of lands.”

He said the couple who made the find were in their 50s with two children and added “they were sitting on a gold mine”.

“I don’t think anyone digging in their back garden can imagine what it would be like to find one gold coin from Tudor times let alone a hoard of 70.

“The combined pre-sale estimate is a considerable amount of money and a life changing amount for the vendors.

“I have invited them out for the sale but I don’t know if they are coming yet but they are very excited. We have considerable interest in the sale.

“Hoards always attract interest as people love stories about the thrill of finding buried treasure.

“Combined with the quality of many of the coins and the state of preservation adds to the appeal.”

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A MAJOR supermarket chain has released five new cookie flavours for sweet treat lovers.

Tesco launched the new range of Finest Cookies earlier this month, with five new flavours hitting the market.

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The five new flavours include Belgian milk chocolate, Belgian triple chocolate, Belgian white chocolate, jumbo oat and flame raisin and chocolate shortbread.

All flavoured cookies come in a four-pack and are baked in-store.

Tesco Clubcard members can also get their hands on the new flavoured cookies for just £2.

The plastic packaging can also be returned to soft plastics collection points at Tesco stores and the cardboard bases can be recycled at home.

An eagle-eyed cookie lover shared the scrumptious find on Facebook group Baby Deals UK, saying: “These new Tesco Finest Cookies look so tasty and are just so hard to resist”.

Online punters have also weighed in on the new flavours, with many people saying not much has changed.

One person wrote: “They aren’t new though, they’ve just been put in new packaging”.

Another said he preferred home-baked goods.

“Nah not for £2, make them yourself, much better, cheaper and have as many as you want,” he said.

The cookies have sparked fiery debate as other shoppers sang their praises.

“They’re delicious, better than the old version,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Aye looks amazing, loved crumbled cookies”.

Other people claimed Tesco had just ripped off competitor M&S’s popular cookies.

“Packaged like M&S, bet they’re not as nice,” one person said.

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“Have to try these [and] see if they’re as good as the M&S ones!” another comment read.

The Tesco release comes almost one year after M&S released its in-store biscuit range, revamping an old favourite recipe.

At the end of November last year, the store also launched a Christmas-themed version, Gingerbread and White Chocolate, which earned particularly glowing reviews.

One fan said on X: “Those Marks and Spencer ginger and white chocolate cookies live up to the hype. Very dangerous.”

Another added: “Please keep the white choc & gingerbread cookies beyond Christmas. I need them all year!”

But while the taste has been praised as “amazing”, shoppers are unhappy the treats now come wrapped in plastic rather than paper packaging.

The M&S film bags can only be recycled by taking them to supermarkets, meaning they are less likely to be reused compared to the old paper wrappers.  

Commenting on Facebook, one fan said: “Why are the bakery cookies now packed in a plastic bag rather than paper?! Backwards move. Not part of Plan A surely?”

Another added: “I hope they haven’t changed the paper bags to cellophane, as if they have I won’t be buying them.”

Meanwhile, on X, another fumed: “Why have you gone from paper bags for cookies to plastic? Thought you had a focus on sustainability?!?”

ICELAND has revealed this year’s Christmas range including a Baileys yule log and TGI Fridays pigs in blankets.

While the big day is some time away, it’s always good to prepare yourself for the festive season.

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Luckily, Iceland’s new Christmas menu will hit shelves from November 6 and offers everything you need to throw a festive bash.

The items will also be available to buy at Iceland’s The Food Warehouse.

Paul Dhaliwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Iceland Foods, said: “Our customers expect variety and flavour without breaking the bank, and this year we’ve delivered just that. We’ve perfected the festive staples and added new twists that will impress and bring joy to every bite. 

“From classic centrepieces and irresistible desserts to brand-new creations and party essentials, there’s something to suit every kind of Christmas celebration, no matter your style or budget.”  

What’s on the menu?

Iceland‘s menu this year offers customers everything they’ll need for Christmas lunch or dinner from beloved Christmas classics to some new additions.

This includes everything from their Sweet Chilli Sticky Prawns and Pizza Chicken Wedges to TGI Fridays Cheeseburger & Chip baskets.

Shoppers will be able to sink their teeth into a range of Christmas meats, pigs and blankets and all the trimmings on top.

And if you are thinking of throwing a festive bash this year, customers can take advantage of their mix-and-match deals on select products like three items for £10.

Or shoppers can stock up with their £1 party range and luxury platters.

But among the showstoppers of this year’s Christmas range is the Luxury Perfect Turkey Crown.

For £28, you can get your hands on 2.2kg of frozen boneless skin on turkey crown with added water topped with sunflower oil and herb and spice marinade.

We also have a feeling that many will be eyeing up the Bailey’s Iced Yule Log for £12.

It features mouthwatering Baileys salted caramel mousse, a dark chocolate sauce and chocolate flavoured meringue.

And you can nab their Luxury Prawn and Prosecco Shells for as little as £5.

The king prawns come in a creamy Prosecco sauce topped with mashed potato, a parsley breadcrumb and cheese, served in a natural shell.

Other festive finds

Iceland aren’t the only retailer to have revealed their Christmas food range recently either.

M&S have revealed all the festive treats that you can get through from its Christmas Food to Order range from today.

The posh supermarket is famous for its delicious Christmas food, which you’ll be able to pre-order to your home ahead of the big day.

In fact, major supermarkets have just revealed the exact dates you can book Christmas delivery slots, including Asda.

We tried the M&S Christmas collection too including their iconic American must-have and Marmite caramel sauce.

We also recently tried Morrisons new Christmas range and one festive treat was an instant winner, knocking M&S and Waitrose out the park.

Morrisons festive nosh is expected to land in its 497 stores over the coming weeks.

And if you’re after your classic chocolate tubs, we’ve calculated the cheapest supermarket to grab all your favourites this week.

TESCO has launched a range of “restaurant quality” ready-made meals across 160 of its stores around the country.

There are 12 different dishes included in the collection, for a different meal to be had each day of the week.

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The brand new Finest Chef’s Collection range has been designed by Tesco’s in-house chefs.

It includes slow-cooked meals ranging from Italian to Indian cuisine, as well as classic British flavours.

Prices range from £17.50 to £20 per dish.

Among the British-inspired dishes include a Blush Double Pork Chop a Tender Lamb Rump, Balsamic and Rosemary Lamb Shoulder, Succulent Pork Belly, and an Oak Smoked Chicken Crown.

Indian flavours in the collection include Tandoori Spiced Chicken Supremes, Masala Spcied Beef Cheeks, and Spice Lamb Shanks.

The chicken and beef have masala spice blends in the sauce, while the lamb shanks are served with green tikka sauce.

For the Italian inspired dishes, there is a Blush Shoulder of Pork, Stuffed Beef Featherblad with a Procini and Parmigiano Regiiano stuffing, Nduja Stuffed Porchetta, and Rosemary and Porcini Pork Shoulder.

Breige Donaghy, Director of Product Development and Innovation Tesco, said: “We know life’s busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on amazing food at home.

“That’s why our chefs have created the Chef’s Collection – a range of dishes inspired by restaurant menus and packed with clever techniques that make it super easy to cook something special.

“With top-quality ingredients, and most of the prep already done, these dishes make it easy to create special food moments and transform a meal at home into something truly memorable.”

It comes after research found almost 30 per cent of Brits, and around 60 per cent of adults, have tried to pass of supermarket-cooked meals as their own.

More people have also been found to be going out less to restaurants to eat compared to last year, often due to costs.

Executive Chief at Tesco, Jamie Robinson, added: “We’ve worked hard to bring authentic flavours from across the globe to customers’ kitchens without the stress of cooking from scratch.

“Most dishes have been gently slow cooked, and come with our top cooking, pairing and plating tips to help you deliver great results every time.”

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Each meal is designed as a main for two people, therefore costing £10 each.

The Finest Chef’s Collection range is launching at larger Tesco stores, and offers a 25 per cent discount of Clubcard customers until October 12.

Dishes come with step-by-step cooking instructions and a QR code that can be scanned to provide cooking, plating and pairing tips from Tesco chefs.

It comes after Tesco was mocked for launching a strange meal deal shoppers spotted in stores.

As a £9 Clubcard offer, Tesco launched a meal deal consisting of a 12-packl of Sol beers and a bag of five limes.

Many shoppers also threatened to boycott Tesco last month after it was seen increasing the price of its meal deal by 25p.

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BRITAIN’S banks are giving away free cash payments of up to £200 each – and customers need to do one thing to be eligible to claim the money.

The extraordinary deals are being offered by major UK banks such as Lloyds and NatWest as part of the fight to boost customer numbers.

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Nationwide is also among the list of banking giants handing out the free cash payments for changing bank accounts.

The deals are part of switching incentives, and also come with extra perks like cashback and savings rates well above the average.

Nationwide Building Society

The first bank on the list is giving out a handsome sum of £175 to customers who complete a full switch through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

Those joining can pick from three accounts: FlexPlus, FlexFirect or FlexAccount.

The FlexDirect account offers 5 per cent AER interest on balances up to £1,500 for the first 12 months.

It also offers 1 per cent cashback on debit card spending with a maximum of £5 per month.

Combining this with the switching bonus, cashback and interest, smart savers could horde up to £400 in free payments in the first year of joining.

Nationwide’s Director of Group Retail Products Tom Riley said: “It’s never been more rewarding to be a Nationwide member and that’s why we want to help more people benefit by offering this switching offer.”

The building society consistently ranks top for customer service and has already attracted over a million new customers through CASS since 2013.

Lloyds Bank

For a £200 free cash payment, Lloyds Bank is giving away bonuses to customers who make a switch.

People who move their existing account to a Club Lloyds or Lloyds Premier account can get the free cash.

But the payment comes on condition they set up three or more direct debits.

Lloyds Bank is one of the UK’s largest financial services organisations and serves tens of millions of Brits.

NatWest

For account holders switching with NatWest, customers can get up to £175 on one condition.

Those choosing a Select or Reward account can get the free cash.

But they must pay in £1,250 first.

And customers also need to login to the mobile app within 60 days.

Other major banks

RBS, part of NatWest Group, is also offering £175 for switching to a Select or Reward account, as long as they pay £1,250 and login to the app in 60 days.

First Direct is offering £175 for switching to its popular 1st Account.

Customers must pay in £1,000 minimum, set up two direct debits or standing orders, and make five debit card payments within 45 days.

The Co-operative Bank’s switch deal stands at £100, with customers able to make another £75.

Customers need to meet the same requirements as First Direct switchers over the next three months.

What energy bill help is available?

There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.

If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.

This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.

If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.

Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

Financial expert Kate Steere said Nationwide’s package may be the best in value over 12 months, factoring in interest and cashback.

She said: “If you max out the savings and cashback alongside the switching bonus, you could be looking at nearly £400 in your first year.”

Lloyds is offering the highest single payout though, standing at £200 upfront.

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SAINSBURY’S has launched its “biggest ever” giveaway with up to £7,500 worth of Nectar points up for grabs.

This equates to a huge two million Nectar points being given away for a shop.

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The supermarket giant has teamed up with frozen foods brand Birds Eye to deliver the prizes, as well as special prices of products.

From now until October 7, shoppers can scan their Nectar card or app to enter the prize draw if they pick yup any Birds Eye product at a Sainsbury’s.

One winner will receive one million Nectar points, which are worth at least £5,000.

And two winners will get 500,000 points each, worth at least £2,500.

There are also some family dinner classics from Birds Eye that have been put on special Nectar prices.

Chicken Dippers can now be picked up for £2.50, and Fish Fingers for just £1.50.

This is possibly most Nectar points ever seen in the frozen aisle, making it a perfect time to stock up the freezer for the autumn.

Shoppers who scan any Birds Eye product with their Nectar card at Sainsbury’s will automatically be entered into the prize draw.

And every transaction counts for entries.

Winners will be draw at random and contacted within 28 days of the closing date.

Sainsbury’s has also recently been seen slashing the prices on dozens of its chocolates as part of an “amazing” offer.

Several Cadbury’s chocolates in the supermarket were slashed to under £1, with Twirl bites reaching just 97p.

The sale is lasting until Sunday, September 21 and is only being offered to Nectar card holders.

Sainsbury’s recently made a huge change to its Nectar loyalty schemes earlier in the year.

It made personalised ‘Your Nectar Prices‘ available for shoppers for the first time in July.

The scheme has allowed customers to earn points when they shop, which can be turned into money off vouchers.

Previously, the discounts were only available for online orders or through the Smart Shop app or handset in-store.

Now shoppers can enjoy these discounts at the tills by simply scanning their Nectar card.

Discounts are known to refresh every Friday, giving customers regular opportunities to save on essentials and discover new favourites.

THE best pubs across the country have been revealed – so does your local make the list?

The Great British Pub Awards has announced its shortlist of finalists across categories including Best Beer Pub, Best Pub Garden and Best Country Pub.

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The awards are aimed at celebrating the best boozers in the UK.

Six pubs have been nominated in each category, with the eventual winners revealed later this month.

The nominations for Best Beer Pub include the Cask Pub & Kitchen in Pimlico, London.

It claims to have the UK’s first and only vintage beer cellar, which includes beers from the 1950s.

There’s also The Riverhead Brewery Tap in Marsden, Huddersfield, which has its own microbrewery inside.

Blind Jack’s in Knaresborough is a family owned independent traditional pub founded in 1991 that sells highly rated craft beers.

The other nominations for Best Beer Pub include Bowland Beer Hall at Holmes Mill in Clitheroe, Granville’s Beer & Gin House in Horsforth, Leeds, and The Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire.

If you’re a fan of a pub lunch after a walk in the countryside, there’s also a list of the Best Country Pubs.

The Sun Inn in Great Easton, Leicestershire, is in the heart of the Welland Valley.

It says “wet wellies and muddy paws are welcome” and it has a roaring fire to warm you up after your walk.

Meanwhile The Tally Ho Inn in Bouldon, Shropshire, is within the stunning Corvedale Valley.

It’s located centrally between the historic towns of Ludlow and Bridgnorth.

Reviewers say it’s a hidden “beautiful find” with an “outstanding” Sunday lunch.

If you’re heading to the Peak District, it could be worth stopping at The Ashford Arms in Ashford in the Water.

The pub is a stone’s throw from the famous medieval Sheepwash Bridge and there are also hiking opportunities along the River Wye.

The other nominees include The Tollemache Arms in Harrington, Northampton, The Turkey Inn in Laycock, Keighley, and The Fleece Inn in Eversham, Worcestershire.

If you’re looking to make the most of outdoor dining before the weather gets chillier, six pubs have also been nominated for Best Pub Garden.

The Gaggle of Geese in Buckland Newton is set in rural Dorset with five acres of gardens.

It’s got everything you could want, with a skittle alley, crazy golf, pygmy goats and a playbus, as well as camping and glamping.

Meanwhile The Mutton at Hazeley Heath overlooks Hazeley Farm and its garden has boasts blooming flowers and greenery.

A previous Sun review said it has “amazing views, private dining experiences and a huge selection of drinks”.

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The historical Black Friar pub in Salford was built in 1886 but laid derelict for over 15 years before it was restored in 2021.

It now has an award-winning garden and outdoor tavern, as well as its famed Glass Room.

The other nominees are Myrtle Tavern in Meanwood, Leeds, the Hare & Hounds in Tingley, Wakefield, and The Old Crown in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Other categories in the awards include Best Pub for Food, Best Pub for Families and Best Pub for Dogs.

You can see more of the nominations below…

THE Chancellor has been dealt another setback after borrowing hit the highest level in five years, making Budget tax rises “inevitable”.

The Government borrowed more money than expected last month, at £18billion, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This was £3.5billion more than in August 2024.

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The interest on Government debt soared by £1.9billion to £8.4billion, which added to higher spending on benefits and public services.

This offset any boost from the National Insurance Contributions hike, the ONS said.

It marked the highest August borrowing since 2020, significantly overshooting the £12.8billion expected by economists.

The level of government borrowing was £5.5billion higher than the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast in March.

Meanwhile, borrowing for the first five months of the financial year hit £83.8billion.

This was £16.2billion higher than the same period last year and well ahead of the OBR’s £72.4billion prediction.

Martin Beck, chief economist at WPI Strategy, said: “The £10billion buffer the Chancellor pencilled in against her key fiscal rule in March has almost certainly gone.

“That means tax rises in November look inevitable.”

James Murray, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, insisted the Government “has a plan to bring down borrowing because taxpayer money should be spent on the country’s priorities, not on debt interest”.

He added: “Our focus is on economic stability, fiscal responsibility, ripping up needless red tape, tearing out waste from our public services, driving forward reforms and putting more money in working people’s pockets.”

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

A MAJOR UK supermarket has slashed the price of all its Christmas chocolate tubs – and you don’t need a loyalty card to get the bargain.

With just under 100 days to go until Christmas, shoppers are being urged to stock up early and save money on their festive favourites.

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Asda, today cut the price on its tubs of Celebrations, Quality Street, Cadbury Heroes and Cadbury Roses – making them the cheapest on the market without signing up for any scheme.

A tub of Quality Street or Celebrations now costs £4.42, while Cadbury Heroes and Roses are just £4.92 each.

The supermarket said it wanted to give customers the best value possible ahead of the busy festive period, with no need to scan a card or download an app at the checkout.

The deals come as Asda recently unveiled its full Christmas food range for 2025.

It includes Hot Maple Pigs in Blankets, a Pigs in Duvet Wreath, a Festive Fondue Kit, Slow Cured Rack of Pork with Truffle Butter and Parmesan Crumb and a Pistachio & Milk Chocolate Flavour Cream Liqueur.

Retail experts say the price cuts could spark a supermarket price war as competitors look to match Asda’s prices in the run-up to December.

It follows a strong year for Asda, which was named one of the UK’s cheapest supermarkets by Which? earlier this month.

In August, a larger trolley shop of 190 items cost £474.86 at Asda – £11.03 cheaper than Tesco with a Clubcard.

Christmas chocolate price wars

Sweets under the tree are a big part of Christmas for British households.

Supermarkets often offer flash promotions giving shoppers a chance to get their festive favourites at a discounted price.

But these offers aren’t around for long.

Earlier this month, Tesco slashed the price of Quality Street tubs to £2.95.

The price drop gave shoppers a chance to stock up ahead of Christmas.

You’ll need to hide away the tubs to avoid the temptation of tucking in before December.

Besides the big chocolate tubs, other Christmas favourites are starting to land on shelves.

Cadbury’s Mini Snow Balls are one of the best-selling chocolate treats during Christmas time. 

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

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MILLIONS of households are facing a £100 rise in their energy bills next year due to the Government’s net zero policies, according to new analysis.

Energy analysts Cornwall Insight said changes being made to push the country towards net zero will fuel a rise in energy bills for the average household.

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It predicted the changes will add more than £100 to the energy price cap in April 2026 compared with January.

The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy and standing charge, and it’s updated every three months.

Cornwall Insight said bills will increase for households because of the cost of connecting new wind and solar farms, the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power station, and upgrades to the gas networks.

It also suggested further rises will follow later because of the construction of pylon lines, underground cables and substations.

It means households are likely to be paying more for their energy at a time when inflation remains high and many are struggling with the cost of living.

The UK has legally committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

This means the total amount of emissions produced is equal to or less than the amount removed from the atmosphere. 

But the Government is having to balance this with extra costs to households up and down the country.

Ahead of the election, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband had pledged to cut household energy bills by £300 by 2030.

He repeated that promise again last month.

Cornwall Insight’s Dr Craig Lowrey said investing in renewables would eventually reduce bills and it was necessary in the long run.

But he said: “Rising energy bills are never welcome, and this latest view of transmission charges – although only indicative – will add yet another cost to the long list of pressures on household finances.”

The average energy bill for a dual-fuel home is currently £1,720 per year.

However the energy price cap is set to rise at the beginning of October, bringing it to £1,755.

Yet another rise is expected in January because of seasonal increases in wholesale costs.

The £100 bill increase predicted by Cornwall Insight is unrelated to the wholesale cost of gas.

The experts say it’s due to the cost of maintaining and expanding the UK’s power grid.

It said electricity network costs alone would add £30 a year, and this will rise to £50 a year by 2028.

Meanwhile green levies will add another £18, including £12 of advance payments for building Sizewell C.

Upgrading the gas network, which is partly needed to accommodate the introduction of green hydrogen, will add another £53.

Cornwall Insight said the bill increases were “not totally unexpected but highlight potential further financial pressures than households will face”.

It’s expected households will end up paying higher standing charges.

A standing charge is a fixed daily fee added to your energy bill, charged by your supplier regardless of how much energy you use.

Increasing standing charges is controversial as households aren’t able to avoid paying them.

While you could bring down your energy bills by cutting down on how much energy you use, there isn’t a way of reducing the cost of a standing charge.

This can leave struggling households forced to pay extra.

Ofgem has said households will later feel the benefit of an expanded electricity network through their bills, but this will take time.

Dr Lowrey said: “These costs are not just another item to tag onto the bill, they are essential to the long-term security and affordability of Great Britain’s energy system.

“For years, households have been at the mercy of global energy markets, with prices soaring and crashing in response to events happening thousands of miles away. It’s unpredictable, and it’s ultimately unsustainable.

“Investing in Britain’s transmission network means building a cleaner, more resilient energy system – one powered by renewables grown right here at home. Yes, it will take time. Yes, it will cost money. But every pound we invest today is a step toward a future where our energy is not only greener, but also more secure and, in time, more affordable.

“People rightly expect renewables to bring bills down, and they will. But first, we need to lay the foundations. There are a lot of costs involved in the transition, but the costs of doing nothing will be far greater.”

Help with energy bills

If you are struggling with your energy bill then there is plenty of support on offer.

For example, the Winter Fuel Allowance offers £300 to pensioners to help cover the cost of their heating during colder months.

Around 75% of pensioners are expected to receive the support this year, after Labour U-turned on the tighter eligibility criteria it announced last winter.

Struggling families can also get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF).

Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need.

Exactly how much you can get and how the money will be paid depends on your council and situation.

Plus, thousands of households will receive the Warm Home Discount, which is worth £150.

The discount is given to households on a low-income or claiming certain benefits, such as Universal Credit.

It is not paid as cash and is instead applied as credit to your energy bill.

If you are falling behind on your energy bill then you can also get help through your energy supplier.

British Gas has announced a £140million support package to help customers facing financial hardship.

This includes free energy grants, tailored support for households and small business customers and funding for advice centres and charities.

It has also launched You Pay: We Pay, which gives households the opportunity to have their payments matched by British Gas for a period of six months.

Octopus Energy’s £30million Octo Assist fund is designed to help customers keep on top of their energy bills.

It includes free electric blankets, Winter Fuel Payments and standing charge waivers.

EDF’s Customer Support Fund gives grants and help to vulnerable customers who are struggling with energy debt.

It can support customers with electricity or gas bill debts, and provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker.

BOOZERS are giving away one million free tasters of beer during Cask Ale Week, which begins today.

In a bid to kick-start a cask ale comeback, more than 10,000 pubs will each be offering punters hundreds of samples of freshly poured beer.

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It is hoped that the “Try Before You Buy” campaign will breathe life back into Britain’s signature beer amid a steady, long-term decline in sales as well as in the numbers of pubs selling it.

Hampered by its clichéd reputation as an “old man’s drink”, traditional hand-pulled beers have been slowly bumped off the bar by highly carbonated lagers and craft ales.

However, a growing popularity among younger pub-goers suggests “real ale” may be ripe for a ­renaissance.

Research has revealed that an increasing number of Gen-Z drinkers are choosing cask beers which, in general, are more affordable, lower in alcohol and brewed more naturally.

Heritage status

Figures show that 25 per cent of 18 to 24-year-old beer drinkers ­regularly order cask ales at the pub — an increase of more than 50 per cent on the previous year.

Cask ale’s unique, traditional form of dispense means it is the only type of beer that can’t be sold in shops or supermarkets.

“If more people chose cask ale on just one more of their visits to the pub, it would make a big difference to the future prospects for our ­national drink — and to pubs, which are the only place to sell it,” said Fergus Fitzgerald, head brewer at Suffolk brewer Adnams.

“Ironically, cask beer seems to be more appreciated globally than it is in Britain.

“Incoming tourists put a visit to a traditional pub to enjoy a pint of foaming cask ale close to the top of their ‘must do’ list.

“Equally, many of the world’s top craft beer brewers cite British cask ale as their biggest influence.”

Earlier this year, passionate pub- goers set up a petition calling for the Government to grant cask ale and its surrounding culture Unesco heritage status.

The Unesco accolade, which acknowledges its cultural significance and artisanal practices, has already been granted to Belgian beer, French baguettes and even the “Mediterranean diet’.”

“Local pubs really need local ­customers in order to thrive,” added Fergus.

“Cask Ale Week is an opportunity for drinkers to find the style they most enjoy and show their support for British pubs and British beer.”

WHY WE LOVE IT SO MUCH

IN a bid to highlight the problems facing pubs, The Thinking Drinkers Ben and Tom recently completed “The Great British Pub Ride” – a tandem bike journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats relying ENTIRELY on the hospitality of beautiful British boozers.

At the end of each gruelling day in the saddle, they rewarded themselves with a pint of cask ale.

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Here, Ben explains why he loves cask ale so much:

“The envy of the brewing world yet criminally under-appreciated in this country, cask ale is naturally carbonated beer that undergoes secondary fermentation in the barrel.

It’s unfiltered, unpasteurised, brewery-fresh beer that is poured – alive and kicking – straight from the barrel into your glass.

Comparing cask ale in the pub to a can of mainstream lager is like comparing a freshly baked, warm crusty loaf to a bag of sliced white.

But it’s not a warm beer (served properly, it should be gently sparkling and served at between 11C-13C) and spans a broad spectrum of styles from light, hoppy pale ales and softly sweet amber beers to smooth, rich velvety stouts and super-session friendly low-alcohol brews.

In these austere times, it’s an absolute bargain compared to other beers at the bar.

Even though publicans need to work harder to keep it fresh in the cellar, cask ale costs considerably less than many mainstream lagers.

Lest we forget, it’s a more patriotic pint, too.

When you pay for a pint of cask ale, chances are you’re putting valuable pennies in the pockets of both British brewers and British farmers who provide the succulent barley and aromatic hops.

You simply cannot replicate the joys of real ale while sat on your sofa, so get down to your local, order a fresh pint of cask ale and breathe life back into the beleaguered British boozer.

If we don’t use them, we’ll lose them.”

A MAJOR supermarket is selling McVitie’s biscuit boxes for just £2.50 ahead of this Christmas season.

The 400g boxes include a selection of family favourites to get in the festive spirit.

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McVitie’s Family Circle Biscuit Selection boxes are available cheapest at Iceland for just £2.50.

What is included

There are ten different biscuits to choose from in this selection box, including the iconic Milk Chocolate Digestives, popular Custard Creams, and much-loved Rich Highland Shorties.

Also included in the boxes are McVitie’s Choc Chip Cookies, Shortcake, Jam Sandwich Creams, Milk Chocolate Fingers, Crunchy Oat, Nice, and Bourbon Creams.

Shoppers’ reactions

Iceland customers have raved about the product in reviews.

One wrote: “These biscuits have always been Christmas specials.

“There is a good selection of biscuits included.

“And they are great tasting …love them for a treat with a cup of tea or coffee.”

Another added: “Includes chocolate ones and most usual ones.”

“Not really any new ones.”

Both gave the biscuit selection an overall rating of four stars.

Sainsbury’s and Occado are also seen selling the McVitie’s boxes, but for £4.

And Morrisons has them on sale for £3.

More Christmas boxes

Quality Street chocolates and celebrations are also popular Christmas boxes that have been seen going for cheap recently.

At Morrisons, tubs were seen going for just £4.50 from the discount retailer.

And Lidl and Aldi are also known for providing the best deals of groceries, another major UK retailer was found to have the cheapest rate on chocolate boxes.

This week, Tesco took the crown for best overral rates on Christmas chocolate.

Tesco Clubcard holders are able to pick up Nestle Celebrations and Quality Street for £4.50, while Cadbury’s Heroes and Roses have been reduced to £5.25.

MILLIONS of Brits who rely solely on the state pension face having to pay income tax within the next two years.

Rises guaranteed under the triple-lock will push many dangerously close to the £12,570 tax threshold.

State pensions rise each year by the rate of either inflation, earnings growth, or 2.5 per cent — whichever is highest.

With wage growth at 4.7 per cent, the full new state pension will rise to £12,535 a year next April.

That is £35 short of the frozen income tax threshold, meaning OAPs in question are certain to be paying up by 2027.

Despite warnings, the Government has made no commitment to raising tax thresholds or making an exemption for Brits who have only the state pension.

A spokesman said: “We are committed to helping pensioners live their lives with dignity and respect, which is why millions will see their pension rise by up to £1,900 this Parliament.”

They also stated that people completely reliant on the state pension would not have to pay any income tax “this year”.

HMRC is expected to deduct tax directly through pension providers — or send pensioners a Simple Assessment tax bill that they have to work out.

Campaigners last night blasted the news, with ex-Pensions Minister Sir Steve Webb calling it a “creeping injustice” due to “drag millions more into the tax net”.

Rachel Vahey, of pensions firm AJ Bell, said it would force many older Brits to fill out their first self-assessment, and warned that present financial woes made reforms on taxes and pensions unlikely.

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THIS terraced house may look normal from the outside but one disgusting feature has left potential buyers flabbergasted.

Much of the three-bedroom property looks pleasant and welcoming enough but one feature may be too much to bear.

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The family home in Brislington, Bristol, has a bewildering bathroom and kitchen setup that will leave prospective buyers thinking again.

The open-plan utility room may seem perfectly normal at first glance but look a little closer and you’ll find an unwelcome addition.

A surprise toilet can be found alongside the room’s typical kitchen appliances and items – and it’s the butt of jokes online.

The room is home to a washing machine, a fridge-freezer, a sink and even a coffee machine laid out on a cabinet.

But despite food and drink being stored there, there is nothing to separate the toilet from the rest of the room.

The room has been described as the “utility/downstairs WC”.

Listing images were shared on social media, where viewers were left “flabbergasted” by the arrangement, as reported by Luxury Property News.

One person commented: “I get that’s a utility room but… Imagine having your fridge in a windowless room where someone just had a rough time on the throne.

“Or your washing. Either settle for one toilet or put a small cubicle in.”

“This new trend of open plan s***ters has to stop,” another joked.

Someone else wrote: “That’s got to be breaking some health and safety regulations surely?”

“Oh that’s grim, and right next to a kettle and stuff. Imagine how many airborne poop particles are in that fridge and cooking area,” commented another viewer.

Thankfully, the rest of the terraced home looks perfectly ordinary.

It has three bedrooms, a spacious lounge, a dining room, kitchen which opens out onto the back garden and a fully family bathroom upstairs.

And you’ll be pleased to know that there are no other surprise lavatories throughout.

It is currently on the market for £400,000 with Moving You.

It’s not the only property on the market that has some unwelcome additions either.

The Sun recently reported on a perfectly normal looking house that’s hit the market for £435,000 – but it’s hiding a sci-fi surprise inside.

The unique four-bedroom house is certainly bigger on the inside than it appears on the outside.

Another quirky five-bed property has also gone on the market but has a surprise waiting in the basement.

And this unassuming semi-detached home comes complete with its own dance floor, bar and cinema.

Keen entertainers have the opportunity to snap up the five-bed “party house” on Bedford Avenue in Barnet, north London, for £1.25 million.

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OPENING up her bank account, Grace Parkin can hardly believe how healthy her balance is – and it’s all thanks to Mounjaro.

The mum-of-one says the weight-loss jab has not only helped her slim down to a size 12 from 26, dropping 9st – but it’s stopped her £1k-a-month “boredom spending” sprees.

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The estate manager, from Sheffield, had been looking into weight loss surgery but decided to try Mounjaro in May 2024 as a less invasive way to shed the pounds.

Grace, 34, was 17st 9lbs before starting the weekly injections and has now lost 9st 4lbs, making her a slender 10st 7lbs and a size 12.

But she credits the drug, which she is still taking, with not only helping her control her diet but also her out-of-control spending habits.

Previously, the mum-of-one was blowing up to £1,000 a month on luxuries including clothes, eating out and alcohol.

She told The Sun: “I was an impulsive spender before.

“I was spending between £600 and £1,000 a month on recreational things. I’d just be buying shoes – trainers, Uggs, boots.

“Then it would be buying loads of jumpers and holiday clothes, even when I’d not booked a holiday.”

Grace said at her worst, she could spend up to £300 while sat on the sofa.

She explains: “I wasn’t getting into debt, but if I was bored in an evening – I’d buy from Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing, Shein – any brands that did plus-sized clothes.”

Meanwhile, Grace impulsively went on shopping trips several times a week purely for the thrill.

She said: “Two or three times a week, I’d be in my local shopping centre and would come out with bags of stuff. I’d go to Primark and pick up five or six tracksuits for my son.

“I was void-filling – looking for that adrenaline. If I could spend money and it could give that rush – I’d do it.”

Despite being in a well-paid job and always paying her bills, Grace said by the end of the month her wages would be gone.

But since being on Mounjaro, Grace had cut her spending down and now saves £600 each month.

She said: “Now if I need something, I buy it, but I no longer buy things due to boredom. I’m saving in excess of £600 a month.”

“”I am sure my Uber Eats driver probs think I’ve died.

“My Evri driver asked, ‘Is everything alright?'”

My spending diet plan – and how I stay on track

SAVVY saver Karen Powell keeps her spending on a strict diet plan to save her hundreds of pounds every year.

Karen, from Surrey Hills, has budgets for different outgoings and checks her bank statements each week to make sure she’s on track with her money.

The 63-year-old, who runs the time management and organisation skills company The Organising Lady, said: “It’s so important to slim down your spending for your mental health, relationships, and family.

“There’s nothing worse than worrying about money.

“Spending can be addictive if you’re not careful – it’s a dopamine hit going shopping.”

To keep her finances on track, Karen limits her spending.

“I try and stick to £100 a week on food.

“We’re careful with holidays, and will only have two ‘splurge meals’ out while we’re away.

“Me and my sister set a £20 limit on birthday and Christmas presents.

“And me and my husband don’t buy gifts for each other.”

She makes sure to never throw away any food by bulk cooking and freezing – which she reckons saves her £600 a year at least.

She also puts time in her diary each week to monitor her finances.

“Once a week, I’ll look at my bank account to make sure I haven’t splurged and so I can keep track of what I’ve spent.”

She also has “treat” days where she’ll buy affordable things for herself to avoid overspending on big shopping trips.

“I’m human and I love clothes – I just make sure I choose well now, and stick to the rule of one in, one out and sell my unwanted clothes on sites like Vinted.”

Some users of the weight-loss jab have reported a secondary side effect that has helped them to curb impulsive spending.

It’s thought the drug – and other GLP-1 medicines – can not only help to intercept brain signals associated with food cravings but for shopping splurges as well.

We previously revealed how the drug helped another user who was struggling with a cocaine and gambling addiction.

Binge drink and gorge on takeaways

Grace has struggled with her weight for years.

She previously got a gastric balloon in 2009 – when she was just aged 18  – but she only lost three stone and found it didn’t help with her eating habits.

She was never a “big eater” but would find herself gorging during the weekend.

Grace would stick to a strict healthy diet during the week, but it would all go out the window at the weekend when she would binge drink and gorge on takeaways and bacon butties.

She said: “I’d think, ‘It’s the weekend – I can treat myself to a takeaway’.”

She would often go out drinking on a Friday or a Saturday and eat a pizza on her way home.

To mop up her hangover the next day, she would tuck into a bacon sandwich and a takeaway.

She says: “By Monday, I’d hate myself and be back on the diet.”

But when she realised her diet wasn’t working she started to look into surgery options, before trying Mounjaro as a last ditch attempt to shift the pounds.

Grace said: “It’s been incredible. It turns the food noise off.”

She added it has stopped her cravings to gorge on fast food and while she might still occasionally have a takeaway, she’ll opt for a smaller meal.

She explained: “It removes the guilt from food.”

The only bad side effects she has experienced are feeling cold and nauseous and stomach discomfort.

She said: “I had sulphur burps for one day, but I’d take that every day.”

Grace has also seen the mindset shift help with other aspects of her life – including her spending habits.

How you can slim down your spending

ANDREW Hagger, founder of MoneyComms, shares his top tips to slash your spend and avoid piling on the pounds.

Slim down your direct debits

Check your last few bank statements to see if there are any regular payments or subscriptions you can do without.

Cancel any non-essential direct debits to give your bank balance a breather.

Slash your lunchtime spend

Take a few minutes to make sandwiches for the next day to save a packet compared to shop bought lunches.

Dine out on switching bonuses

Switching your bank account could help you to bag a cash lump sum.

You could earn £100 or more by swapping banks, which can give your balance a big boost.

Shed costly credit card balances

You may be able to save hundreds of pounds by switching to a 0% credit card if your credit score is good.

You can transfer your balance to a 0% credit card for up to 34 months without needing to pay interest.

Drop your overdraft

You could save money by ditching your overdraft and paying with a credit card instead.

Doing so could slash your interest rate from 40% to 24.9%.

But if you pay off your card in full each month then it won’t cost you a penny.

Previously, she would splash out on clothes, holidays, eating out and alcohol without so much as a second thought.

But now she only buys what she needs – and credits the control the drug has given her.

“I didn’t try to curb my spending – it just naturally happened,” she said.

“I had money left after the first month on Mounjaro and thought I’d missed a bill.”

Grace doesn’t usually do a weekly food shop but estimates that if she did it would have been £160 before and now would be around £50.

“Before I’d go looking for tea and pick up 20 other things. Without realising I’d spend £50,” she said.

“Now I don’t go in and look at crisps and puddings.”

Grace says she has seen some harsh comments about those choosing to take the jabs.

But she said: “Why would you want to be miserable?

“When I say I have battled obesity and used medication people say ‘you’ve cheated’.

“I’ve tried it the hard way. This has been life-changing. It’s saved my life.”

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Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

BANK branches across the UK continue to close at pace as Lloyds and NatWest confirm more branches are to shut for good in the coming weeks.

Hundreds have already shut so far this year with a staggering 163 more closures in the pipeline for the coming months.

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Banks are set to close a slew of their stores over the coming weeks and months.

In September alone, a total of 26 NatWest branches and 13 Halifax branches will pull down the shutters for good.

The closures are set to extend into October and November as banks grapple with the customer turn toward online and mobile banking.

And banks including NatWest and Lloyds have confirmed even more closures too with some now earmarked for 2026.

Banks and building societies have closed a whopping 6,443 branches since January 2015 equating to 53 closures every month, according to to consumer champion Which?

Sam Richardson, Which?’s deputy editor, said that the closures represent a “seismic shift” in how Brits bank.

NatWest

NatWest is just one of the major banks to be closing a swathe of its sites throughout the UK.

According to the Metro, a NatWest spokesperson said that more than 80% of its current account holders use digital services, and over 97% of retail accounts are opened online.

A total of 54 branches will be pulling the shutters down this year and since 2015, the NatWest Group — which also includes Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank — has shut 1,409 branches.

Full list of NatWest closures

NatWest are closing a huge number of bank branches in the coming weeks and months.

• Abingdon, September 24
• Birmingham (Acocks Green), September 16
• Birmingham (Edgbaston), September 11
• Birmingham (Shirley), October 1
• Birmingham (Smethwick), September 25
• Bicester, September 30
• Bridgwater, October 27
• Bridport, October 29
• Bristol (Fishponds), September 4
• Cardiff (Canton), September 16
• Cardiff (Llanishen), September 11
• Chippenham, October 15
• Cirencester, September 17
• Cwmbran, September 1
• Dorchester, October 22
• Ely, September 10
• Halesowen, September 3
• Hinckley, September 17
• Honiton, October 21
• Luton (Leagrave), September 15
• Leicester (Melton Road), September 2
• Leicester (Oadby), September 10
• Leighton Buzzard, October 28
• Llangefni, September 4
• Lowestoft, October 15
• Melton Mowbray, September 29
• Midsomer Norton, October 8
• Mold, October 21
• Neath, October 13
• Newmarket (Suffolk), September 24
• Northampton (Weston Favell Shopping Centre), September 15
• Paignton, October 2
• Rayleigh, September 2
• Redditch, October 14
• Ringwood, October 1
• Romsey, October 13
• Leamington Spa, October 1
• Stevenage, October 7
• Stratford-upon-Avon, October 8
• Sudbury, September 30
• Trowbridge, October 16
• Wellingborough, October 7
• Wickford, September 18
• Willerby, September 22
• Wisbech, September 1
• Yate, September 25

Expected to be confirmed later:

• Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Cromer
• Evesham
• Launceston
• Portishead
• Torquay

Lloyds

Lloyds will close a number of its branches for good in the coming weeks with more closures announced for March 2026.

While four branches will shut in September, a further 23 will close for the final time in October and November while 13 more are due to wind down in March next year.

The bank says they assess “impact on customers” when it comes to shutting its branches.

Full list of Lloyds closures

Lloyds are set to close a number of branches before the year is out with 13 also confirmed for 2026.

• Biggleswade, November 5
• Blandford Forum, November 10
• Bristol Bishopsworth (Church Road), November 6
• Bury, October 21
• Chard, November 11
• Coventry (Foleshill), November 4
• Debden, November 12
• Dunstable, November 4
• East Grinstead, November 12
• Feltham, November 4
• Ferndown, November 17
• Hexham, November 5
• Hornchurch, September 11
• Kidderminster, October 16
• Leeds (Armley), September 22
• Loughton, November 12
• London (Tooting), October 8
• London (Walthamstow), October 22
• Manchester (Newton Heath), November 5
• Monmouth, September 12
• Plymstock, November 4
• Pontardawe, November 20
• Sheffield (Woodhouse), November 11
• Shipston-on-Stour, November 11
• Southall, October 15
• Stoke-on-Trent (Trent), October 10
• Thetford, September 12

Those due to close in March 2026 are:

• Briggs, March 3, 2026
• Catheram, March 5, 2026
• Falmouth, March 5, 2026
• Glossop, March 9, 2026
• Houghton-le-Spring, March 10, 2026
• Hucknall, March 4, 2026
• Leominster, March 3, 2026
• Peterlee Yoden Way, March 3, 2026
• Seaton, March 11, 2026
• Sleaford, March 12, 2026
• Thornbury Avon, February 26, 2026
• Tunstall, March 9, 2026
• Wymondham, March 12, 2026

Halifax

Halifax is another bank that have now announced closures for next year.

Lytham Road is due to close in February 2026 while four more will shut the following month.

The bank has previously reported a 48 per cent drop in face-to-face transaction at their branches in the last five years.

Because customers are using branches less, the brand has closed an enormous number in an effort to cut costs.

Full list of Halifax closures

Halifax will close a number of its branches from now through to November and have also earmarked several for closure next year.

• Barrow-in-Furness, September 10
• Bexleyheath, October 23
• Blackpool (Lytham Road), October 29
• Bolton, November 25
• Brentwood, September 10
• Bristol (Kingswood), October 8
• Carmarthen, October 6
• Castleford, September 8
• Cirencester, September 25
• Crewe, October 14
• Derby, October 23
• Eltham, October 29
• Epsom, September 15
• Erdington, September 24
• Folkestone, October 9
• Hayes (Hillingdon), October 6
• Hexham, November 11
• Hove, October 20
• London (Clapham Junction), September 23
• London (Woolwich), October 1
• Long Eaton, September 18
• Mold, October 16
• Monmouth, September 30
• Morecambe, September 29
• Northwich, September 3
• Rhyl, September 23
• Richmond (Surrey), September 16
• Sittingbourne, October 15
• Skegness, September 3
• Southport, October 7
• Stevenage, October 23
• Stretford, October 15
• Telford, October 22
• Thetford, October 1
• Walkden, September 25
• Wallasey, September 4
• Wickford, November 10

Those due to close in 2026 are:

• Birmingham (Beardwood), March 2, 2026
• Lytham Road, February 24, 2026
• Nelson, March 4, 2026
• Peterlee, March 3, 2026
• Sleaford, March 12, 2026

Santander

Santander will be closing a fifth of its branches in a major cost-cutting mission. 

The brand have confirmed 19 branch closures after 14 shut up shop for good in August.

Surrey Quays branch will shut on November 10 while the remaining branches are yet to have a confirmed closure date.

Santander has confirmed previously that 93% of the UK population will still be within 10 miles of a branch

Full list of Santander closures

Santander will close 19 branches but only one has a confirmed date for closure.

• Surrey Quays, November 10
• Bexhill, TBC
• Billericay, TBC
• Dover, TBC
• Droitwich, TBC
• Dunstable, TBC
• East Grinstead, TBC
• Holyhead, TBC
• Ilkley, TBC
• Larne, TBC
• Lytham St Annes, TBC
• Maldon, TBC
• Morley, TBC
• North Walsham, TBC
• Redcar, TBC
• Saffron Walden, TBC
• Turriff, TBC
• Uckfield, TBC
• Urmston, TBC

Bank of Scotland

Bank of Scotland is closing five of its branches in the remaining months of 2025.

As with Lloyds and Halifax, closures have now been confirmed for next year too.

Wider trends

As of last December, 64% of the branches that were open at the start of 2015 are now closed.

Branch closures peaked in 2017, when 867 sites closed across the UK, more than 70 each month, followed closely by 792 closures in 2018.

But community groups and campaigners point out that the closures are a concern for older people who are less comfortable with digital technology.

Research shows 39 per cent of people aged over 65 do not use online banking, putting them at high risk of financial exclusion.

SHOPPERS are raving about a unique “soup in a bottle” which is now available in four new flavours at Tesco for just £2.

The microwavable bottles, which are ideal for on the go meals, have landed on the major supermarket’s shelves – and cost an absolute bargain.

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Made from natural ingredients with no additives, Re:Nourish’s new flavours of heat-and-sip bottles are bound to make your mouth water.

The brand is releasing Classic Roast Chicken, Chicken & Vegetable, Pea, Leek & Watercress, and Roasted Carrot & Ginger.

These brand new flavours are now available on shelves as part of the brand’s nationwide launch into Tesco.

Nourish said their new soups are designed to “fuel, comfort, and nourish on the go”.

Founder and CEO of Re:Nourish Nicci Clark said: “We started Re:Nourish to make fresh soup exciting again – functional, portable, and genuinely good for you.

“Launching into Tesco with four brand new flavours is an incredible milestone.

“It means more people can grab our bottles on the go and nourish themselves anytime, anywhere.”

Re:Nourish soups are gluten-free with no additives, preservatives or added sugar.

They come in fully recyclable bottles that can go straight in the microwave – and you can sip straight from the pack.

The brand was set up by former nurse turned entrepreneur Nicci Clark.

The company is now the UK’s fastest-growing fresh soup brand, sold in supermarkets nationwide.

Re:Nourish says it wants to make soup healthy, handy and fashionable again.

The brand’s products are currently available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, Wholefoods, Amazon Fresh and Planet Organic.

They said: “Launching in 789 Tesco stores earlier this week was a huge win for us!”

The bottled soup items will also be hitting shelves in Morrisons later this month, as well as further Sainsbury’s stores across the country.

The brand’s soups are typically priced at £3 a bottle, which is dependent on each shop.

However, for the month of September, Tesco shoppers can get Re:Nourish soups for just £2 as long as they have a Tesco Clubcard.

In the last few weeks, their products have also been available for £2.50 with a Nectar card in Sainsbury’s.

The brand say they are “absolutely one of a kind” with their microwavable bottle.

The soup-maker says: “All you have to do is loosen the cap, stick it in the microwave for 3.5 minutes, and enjoy!

“The bottle helps keep your soup warmer for longer, and it’s fully recyclable and made using BPA-free plastic.”

The products are aimed at people who have little time to cook for themselves, but also want to stay health-conscious.

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