In a prior warning to passengers, they have advised that no trains from the south and east of the city will run into Manchester Piccadilly.
This will last for nine days over February half term (Saturday 14 – Sunday 22).
Some trains from across the north will also be impacted as well as direct connections to Manchester Airport station.
Services normally running to and from Manchester Piccadilly will terminate at other stations, including Stockport.
Platforms 1-12 will be closed but the concourse will remain open to the public.
There will be a limited service westbound from platforms 13 and 14.
More detailed information about alternate travel plans are to follow in due course.
Julien Dehornoy, Network Rail’s North West & Central deputy regional managing director, said: “We’re investing £7.9m in renewing the Piccadilly corridor, a stretch of track critical to the journeys of around 400,000 trains into Manchester every year.
“This work is going to significantly reduce disruption for the many passengers who regularly use this route.
“Once the job is done, we will have a better, more reliable railway.
“The major overhaul over six railway lines can only take place during a full railway closure and we are working closely with train operators, TfGM and Manchester City Council on alternative travel plans to keep people on the move.
“The full details on which will be published in mid-November.”
Network Rail has warned passengers that Manchester Piccadilly is set to close for nine daysCredit: Network Rail
A Victorian train station is closing down for over two years amid network upgrades.
Rail commuters are bracing themselves as the station is set to be demolished.
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Victorian train station will undergo a major revamp amid network upgradesCredit: Network RailRavensthorpe station is set to close from Sunday, December 14Credit: Alamy
Ravensthorpestation, nearDewsbury, will be shutting down from Sunday, December 14 until the summer of 2028.
Brits traveling between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury will be offered a rail replacement bus service during the closure.
The new, modernised station will re-open 200 metres west from its current location.
Ravensthorpe station will boast a step-free access, shiny new lifts, and a modern footbridge linking platforms.
A revamped forecourt will make it easier for cars to drop off passengers, while a longer island platform means bigger trains and more seats for commuters.
It’s all part of the massive Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) which focuses on rebuilding huge chunks of the northern rail network.
Engineers are putting in a new four-track railway through the old and new station sites, plus a brand-new Baker Viaduct.
Once complete, it’ll let faster trains overtake slower ones, cutting journey times across the North.
Electric lines are also going up, paving the way for greener, quicker services in the years ahead.
The Ravensthorpe triangle, one of the largest civil engineering sites in the nation, is currently the subject of extensive work.
As part of the road and track realignment work, notable projects to date include the placement of piers for the new Baker Viaduct, the installation of concrete beams to form the new Calder Road bridge, and utility diversions on Thornhill Road.
Andrew Allwright, TRU Programme Delivery Lead for Northern, said: “The work to upgrade Ravensthorpe railway station will support the efforts that the Transpennine Route Upgrade is doing to deliver a fully accessible railway that is fit for the 21st century.
“When Ravensthorpe station closes, from Sunday 14 December until the May timetable change in 2026, Northern will be running a rail replacement service between Ravensthorpe and Dewsbury, connecting to services for a number of destinations, to ensure our customers can continue to travel with as little impact to their journeys as possible.
“We recognise that the work taking place will lead to extended journey times for customers travelling from Ravensthorpe and thank them for their continued patience.”
A legendary nostalgic broadcaster will be ‘shutting down five music channels in the UK’ amid the quick rise of streaming services
Legendary nostalgic broadcaster ‘shutting down five channels in the UK’(Image: GETTY)
Nostalgic broadcaster MTV will reportedly be closing all of its iconic music channels around the globe, minus the USA, following huge cuts amid a company merger. In the UK, MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and Live HD will no longer be available to watch after decades on air.
MTV has reportedly finalised a deal between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. Over the summer, it was revealed MTV UK, which started in the 90s and helped launch the careers of Emma Willis and Kelly Brook, became the latest casualty of social media and streaming.
At the time, bosses said it “will still have a presence” but accepted MTV UK wouldn’t continue making original music content.
And now, it was reported in The Sun that the music channels will be pulled from air on December 31. The main MTV channel will not be affected.
One insider said it was a ‘dark day for the music industry’ as they told the publication: “MTV was once an industry powerhouse but now is a total shell of its former self. All channels bar the main MTV station are being axed — but even that only airs reality TV shows like Geordie Shore.”
The source claimed the changes were due to the rise of streaming.
Earlier this summer, a spokesman said: “MTV UK is sunsetting local series Gonzo and Fresh Out UK, beginning this month. We are deeply grateful to our hosts, Jack Saunders and Becca Dudley, the talented artists who have been a part of these series, as well as the teams who brought them to life.
“Fans can continue to enjoy global music shows like the MTV VMAs, STANS and Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now on MTV and Paramount+, alongside digital music content on our MTV UK social channels.”
Earlier this year, Sky performed a shake up its channel offerings as POP Max was removed from all platforms.
The broadcaster previously carried POP Max and POP Max +1 on Sky Q and Sky+HD, as well as POP Max HD on Sky Glass and Sky Stream.
The channel had already vanished from Freeview last year. Originally launched in 2008 as Kix, the channel underwent a rebranding to POP in 2017.
Sky broke the news on its website, noting that while other POP-branded channels will stay, some will change positions due to the closures.
COPS have launched a murder inquiry after a teenager was stabbed and “dumped” in the street.
Multiple police cordons were in place last night after the victim, believed to be 19 years old, was found by officers with serious injuries in the Harehills area of Leeds around 12pm yesterday.
He was pronounced dead shortly after.
The man is thought to have been attacked in another part of the city before being left in St Wilfried’s Crescent.
As investigations continue, three crime scenes were erected.
In a statement,West Yorkshire Policesaid: “Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Leeds.
“At around 12pm today (8 October), a report was received that a man was found on St Wilfrid’s Crescent, Harehills, with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead a short time later.
“He has not yet been formally identified. A number of scenes are in place whilst extensive enquiries are carried out, including Parkside View, St Wilfrid’s Crescent and Amberton Crescent.
“Officers from the Homicide and Major Enquiry team are appealing to anyone who was in any of these areas around 12pm who may have witnessed anything to come forward with information.
“Local neighbourhood policing patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance.”
Anyone with information that may help the police with their enquiries can call 101 using log number 650 of October 8.
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The man was found in St Wilfried’s Crescent in Leeds on WednesdayCredit: Google Maps
A MAJOR high street retailer has launched a huge closing down sale ahead of the closing of six of its branches across the UK.
GAME – which operates around 240 stores across the UK – has slashed the prices of some of its products by up to 20 per cent across the closing outlets.
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GAME is set to close six stores in August and SeptemberCredit: Alamy
The retailing giant announced the closure of six of its stores across the UK in August and September, including outlets in Eldon Square in Newcastle and at Galleries Shopping Centre in Bristol.
Fans of the gaming store spotted major discounts at their local outlets that are due to be shut.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
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Closing down sales with discounts of up to 20 per cent have been spotted at the GAME stores slated for closureCredit: Getty
Hundreds of travellers have descended on woodlands around Lyndhurst, Hampshire, for a huge pony and trap ‘drive’Credit: Solent
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All bar one pub closed in the village due to the weekend’s festivitiesCredit: Solent
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Many of the travellers set up in fields in LyndhurstCredit: Solent
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The event is controversial for the impact it has on the local villagersCredit: Solent
The sole bar manager has boasted about owning the “bravest pub in the village” as he opened his doors this weekend to the travellers.
Nearly every pub for miles around the village have closed signs plastered outside other than The Stag Hotel.
Manager Jake Ellis said: “I don’t know if we are brave, or mad!
“To be honest I feel it’s no different to a large group of stags, or hens, turning up.
“You can have all sorts of trouble with them, and we have a simple rule here, if you’re lairy you leave.”
Owner of the popular high street pub, Maria Harris, said one main factor behind her staying open was because a “task force” being set up around this year’s event.
Comprised of the local council, the police and Forestry England, dozens of people kept a close eye on the drive to keep everyone safe.
It comes after the 2024 pony and trap drive in the New Forest was described as “complete carnage”.
Maria said: “If it wasn’t for the task force, we would be shutting like most pubs.
“There have been meetings with all the businesses where they outlined the plans, they had to keep control of it, what was being done to ensure the welfare of the ponies and what support we will have if any trouble starts.
Moment French farmers use tractors to spray hordes of squatters with manure
“The drive is a heritage event which should keep going. But respect is a two-way thing.
“I am giving my trust to the travellers by saying they are welcome here, but I am also asking them to behave – hopefully they will.”
Many travellers heading down for the annual get together were left upset by the lack of pubs open – especially the one they normally congregate at.
The Happy Cheese – just up the road from the The Stag Hotel – won’t be open for business across the two days.
Their owners have plastered big signs saying “No tethering of horses” to fences surrounding the establishment as an extra message.
In response, the travellers carried out a drive by the pub in their pony and carts.
Some even left piles of horse manure behind as a calling card.
Organiser of the drive Tracy Cooper – which the event is named after – slammed the pubs which have shut as “being guilty of disgusting racism“.
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The travellers have given two fingers to one of the pubs they normally congregate at – The Happy Cheese – after it closedCredit: Solent
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A yellow CCTV pole has been set up on the field where the travellers often gatherCredit: Solent
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Part of the police initiative around the village includes the involvement of a ‘Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Liaison Officer.’Credit: Solent
She said: “It is total discrimination. We have so much hate directed at us. It’s ignorance of our ways.
“To be honest I am so sick of the abuse I get over this I think this will be the last one. I just can’t take it anymore.”
Last year’s gathering was marred by the death of a horse that was driven over a cattle grid.
Witnesses said the animal had “died in agony” and there were calls for the drive to be banned.
Tracy responded: “That pony and trap wasn’t even part of our drive. It was nothing to do with us.
“We care for our animals; anyone can see for that themselves.”
She was also happy over the introduction of the task force and welcomed them to patrol the event.
She said: “We have been working closely with it. We are glad the police are around, it shows people we are doing nothing illegal.”
Part of the police initiative includes the involvement of a “Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Liaison Officer”.
PCSO Steve Hull, who is part of a travelling fair community, is visiting all major traveller and Gypsy events in the UK, including the world famous Appleby Horse Fair.
He wants to “help break down barriers between us and them”.
Pointing at his uniform he said: “The biggest problem is this, they see it and think ‘Oh police’ and the mistrust comes in.
“But then the see the sign on my back which states what I am, and they start opening up.
“My aim is to build links between us and them and educate the police about what their communities are about.”
Steve, who is a member of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight police force, gives talks to police bosses about Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities.
He said: “They are an ethnic minority like any other. The more trust we can gain with them the easier it is to police events like this.
“We can work together to ensure they run safely and without incident. I am not saying they are all law abiding but a lot of what is said about them on social media is false.”
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The roads were full with horses and travellers over the weekendCredit: Solent
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Two of the hundreds of horse and cartsCredit: Solent
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One of many signs up in the vilageCredit: Solent
Apart from Steve other new measures this year include tall temporary yellow CCTV towers which have been placed on Lyndhurst high street and at “hotspots” where the travellers gather.
These include beside a river near the Balmer Lawn hotel in Brockenhurst where they go to wash their horses after a drive.
Last year angry locals scattered glass and metal screws on the riverbanks to stop the travellers doing it.
The area then had to be closed for over a week while a clear up operation to prevent harm to wild animals was undertaken.
Some residents of the New Forest, while not agreeing with that action, can understand why some locals have been driven to it.
Local Evelyn Warren explained: “It’s a shame because the drive is actually wonderful to see with all the ponies and the carts.
“But then they go to a pub, get drunk and do all sorts. I don’t think the drive should be banned but it needs to be controlled more.
“There are so many travellers it can get scary at times.”
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PCSO Steve Hull has been called in to help police the eventCredit: Solent
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There are calls for the annual two-day event to be scrappedCredit: Solent
POUNDLAND has confirmed the full list of 12 more store closures amid a massive restructuing.
Sites across Canterbury, Coventry and Brigg have been named as destinations due to shut.
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Poundland has revealed the locations of more stores facing closureCredit: Alamy
Poundland’s retail director Darren MacDonald said:“While our anticipated network of around 650-700 stores remains sizeable, it is of course, sincerely that we’re closing a number of stores to allow us to get us back on track.
“We entirely understand how disappointing it will be for customers when a store nearby, closes but we look forward to continuing to welcome them to one of our other locations.
“Work is underway to with colleagues through a formal consultation process in stores scheduled to close, exploring any suitable alternative roles.”
You can check out the full list of closures here:
Brigg: Cary Lane, Brigg, DN20 8EY
Canterbury: Unit 2A, Marshwood Close Retail Park, Canterbury, CT1 1DX
Coventry: 63 Hertford Street, Coventry, CV1 1LB
Newcastle: Unit 15-18, Killingworth Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE12 6YT
Kings Heath: 74-76 High Street, Kings Heath, B14 7JZ
Peterborough: Unit 19, Orton Gate Shopping Centre, PE2 5TD
“E! News,” the nightly pop culture program that helped define cable network E! Entertainment Television, is going away.
The Comcast-owned network informed “E! News” staff Thursday the program will tape its final episode on Sept. 25. The channel’s news operation will continue to provide coverage online where it has a robust presence.
The staff was told the E! news audience prefers breaking entertainment coverage throughout the day on social media platforms instead of showing up at 11 p.m. Eastern for a live nightly show on traditional TV. About 20 jobs will be eliminated with the cancellation.
The network will continue to provide live coverage of red carpet events such as the Oscars and Golden Globes. E! also carries the People’s Choice Awards.
The “E! News” move was revealed ahead of the channel’s move to Versant, the spinoff company that will include other current Comcast cable channels such as MSNBC, CNBC and Golf Channel.
Comcast is putting all of its cable networks — with the exception of Bravo — into Versant to prevent the mature businesses from dragging down the company’s stock price.
“E! News” was launched in 1991 and was long a highly profitable business for the network as there were few TV outlets for live coverage of entertainment and pop culture. Ryan Seacrest was co-host of the program from 2006 to 2015. The program was canceled in 2020 but returned in 2022.
The show is currently co-hosted by Keltie Knight and Justin Sylvester. Some of the on-air talent from the program will have the chance to move to Versant.
The Angels (42-42) reached .500 for the ninth time this season, while the Braves (38-46) have lost five of six.
Adell’s double down the left-field line off Dylan Lee (1-3) drove in Mike Trout, who doubled. Jorge Soler, who came off the injured list after missing 11 games with lower back inflammation, added a two-run double off Enyel De Los Santos in the four-run inning.
Angels shortstop Zach Neto returned as the leadoff hitter after missing four starts with a jammed right shoulder.
“Having the two guys back makes a huge difference,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said before the game.
The refurbished lineup struggled against Atlanta right-hander Grant Holmes, who gave up only three hits and recorded 10 strikeouts in six innings. Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson also threw six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.
Rookie right-hander José Fermin (1-0) earned his first win with a scoreless seventh.
Key moment
Michael Harris II ended an 0-for-22 drought with a triple to open the fifth. The Braves couldn’t drive in Harris thanks in part to Ronald Acuña Jr.’s third of four strikeouts in the game.
Key stat
A first-inning single extended Matt Olson’s career-best, on-base streak to 31 games. The longest active streak in the majors of games safely reaching base began May 29.
Up next
Braves rookie right-hander Didier Fuentes, 0-2 with a 10.80 ERA after two starts, was moved back one day to start Wednesday. Outfielder Jurickson Profar is expected to make his return from an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drug use. Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (3-6, 2.79) is the Angels’ starter.
The shop was founded by David and Rodger Kingsley in 1978 following the success of their sister company Jonathan Trumbull in 1971.
But current store manager Beckie Kingsley said the store will close due to the economic climate and aftermath of Covid-19.
Britain’s retail apocalypse: why your favourite stores KEEP closing down
She said: “It’s with truly heavy hearts that, after 46 unforgettable years, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to close the doors at our beautiful, beloved and historic Timber Hill home.
“We’ve weathered many storms over the decades, but there’s been ongoing challenges of today’s financial climate – coupled with the lasting impact and huge shifts within the retail landscape since Covid.
“This led us to ask – does it still work for us? After deep reflection, the answer, sadly, is no.”
A spokesperson for the chain said the decision to shut the branch had been made “as part of ongoing plans to optimise our store portfolio”.
The move has been met with sadness by shoppers, with one online stating: “No I love The Works.”
Another dejectedly added: “Be nothing left in the town soon.”
Emporium Worthing
Independent bar and shop Emporium Worthing is closing to the public on Sunday “with a heavy heart”.
The owners posted a lengthy statement on Facebook announcing the closure.
It said: “We share the challenging decision to close Emporium Worthing after five memorable years of serving you.
“This has been a tough choice for us, but after careful reflection, we believe it is the best path forward and the right choice for us at this time.”
A huge closing down sale has been launched to clear stock, even including fixtures and fittings from inside.
It’s not all bad news though as the Emporium will be moving online and selling hardwares.
New Look
New Look is closing its branch in the Northfield Shopping Centre, Birmingham, on June 8.
A picture recently posted on Facebook of the shop window advertised the closure and signposted customers to the retailer’s website.
Customers finding out about the closure have been left gutted.
One posted on Facebook: “Will soon be a ghost town, absolutely nothing left.”
Another commented: “Online (retail) is killing shops.”
A New Look spokesperson said: “We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.
“We hope customers continue to shop with us online at newlook.com, where our full product ranges can be found.”
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs would cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research published by the British Chambers of Commerce earlier this year shows that more than half of companies planned to raise prices by early April.
Separately, the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has denied responsibility for the closure of banks and financial institutions in areas controlled by M23 rebels, citing security concerns for individuals with savings accounts in those areas.
Before the Rwanda-backed rebels took control of Goma in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu, banks and other financial institutions in those regions had ceased operations.
The rebels’ reopening of the Caisse Generale d’Epagne du Congo (CADECO) has not produced the expected results but aggravated the situation, especially as CADECO branches only pay taxes to the rebel authorities.
There have been ongoing calls for the authorities in the DR Congo to reopen banks to alleviate the financial hardships faced by the population. In response, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya explained that the banks are not closed due to the government’s decision but rather due to security concerns affecting individuals with savings accounts.
Muyaya expressed concerns during a press briefing, stating that ongoing tensions in Kivu have led to punitive measures against its populations due to the banking sector’s dysfunction. “Let them not lie to you. These people do not have the right to utilise the American dollar in any way,” he said, emphasising the legal ramifications of engaging with movements under U.S. sanctions.
He clarified the situation by explaining that “the banks are not closed because the government wants it, but because of how the system functions and the security conditions,” indicating that the closures are a complex issue tied to broader systemic and security problems. The government’s spokesperson says he hopes for expeditious peace initiatives to alleviate the suffering endured by the Congolese communities affected by rebel control, which he attributed to support from Rwanda.
“The President of the Republic and all of us in government are working to push all the processes going on, and this situation, the butchers in Goma, must quickly stop. I recall the necessity for all of us always to express the sentiment of support and solidarity to affected populations,” he added.
However, Joseph Kabila, a former president of the DR Congo, criticised the government for neglecting the people, particularly by disconnecting local financial institutions from the national banking network, and restricting the movement of people and goods.
Calling for the humanisation of the living conditions in this part of the country, the former president exhorted the authorities to protect the population and insisted that “the army, justice and other structures in charge of security and order must in reality be in the service of the population and respond to their aspirations”.
The Bishops of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo also expressed their disquiet at the persistence of the multifaceted crisis affecting the DR Congo. In a statement made public on Friday, May 16, the religious leaders deplored the degradation of the political climate and the deterioration of the socio-economic situation, especially in the zones under the control of the M23/AFC rebels supported by Rwanda.
For bishops, the closure of banks and airports in the territories under the control of the M23/AFC rebels imposes precarious and challenging living conditions on several families.
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has disclaimed responsibility for the closures of banks in regions controlled by M23 rebels, attributing them to security concerns.
Prior to the rebels’ takeover, financial institutions in Goma and Bukavu had already halted operations. The rebels reopened CADECO, worsening the situation as taxes are only paid to the rebel authorities. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya emphasized that banks closed due to security conditions, not government directives, and stressed the legal issues with using currency under U.S. sanctions.
Former President Joseph Kabila criticized the government for neglecting the people by severing local financial institutions from the national network. He urged the protection of affected populations, calling on security forces to prioritize public welfare. The National Episcopal Conference of Congo’s Bishops expressed concern about the ongoing crisis, highlighting the deteriorated socio-economic conditions in areas under rebel control, worsened by bank and airport closures, impacting residents’ living conditions.
The government aims for swift peace initiatives to mitigate these hardships.
A MUCH-LOVED jewellers is set to close its doors for good after more than 20 years on the high street.
The jewellery shop has launched an ‘everything must go’ sale, ahead of its closure.
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Whittakers Jewellers is closing its branch in Yarm
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Shoppers will be able to land massive deals in its closing sale
Whittakers Jewellers, which has been a staple of Yarm High Street for 21 years, has confirmed its final day of trading will be Saturday, May 31.
The long-running store first announced its closure back in November, sparking sadness among loyal locals.
Since then, big bold signs have filled the shop windows, shouting about the store’s closing down sale with jewellery fans flocking in for a final bargain.
But now, with the countdown officially on, fresh signs have gone up confirming its last day is just days away.
The store have slashed jewellery prices from as much as 70% off.
The store posted one hot deal to its Facebook, where a diamond ring was slashed from £7,350 to £2,190.
The deal meant shoppers would save a massive £5,000.
The family-run store has thanked customers for their loyalty over the years in a heartfelt Facebook message.
It said: “We are sad we are leaving but we have treasured the 21 years we’ve been here on the High Street.
“We think of our customers as family and friends… we will miss you all.”
Whittakers have built up a massively loyal customer base and is located between the Lucy Pittaway art store and The Keys pub.
Four members of the Evans family have run the business since March 2004.
Bosses of the jewellers told Teesside Live they had expanded over the years – and even opened the first Pandora shop in the country.
But they added they always looked to maintain a “genuine, homey feel”.
Fans of the jewellers say it will leave a huge hole in the town, with one heartbroken shopper writing: “It’ll be such a big loss to the high street and to me.
“I’ve had the pleasure of purchasing so many lovely items over the years”
Another added: “Big loss to Yarm High Street.”
While a third said: “Thank you for your beautiful jewellery and fabulous staff. You will all be greatly missed”
Popular retailer to RETURN 13 years after collapsing into administration and shutting 236 stores
It’s not the only jewellery giant feeling the pinch.
G Hewitt & Son, a 154-year-old jewellers, and one of the UK’s first Rolex retailers, launched a once-in-a-lifetime closing down sale last month.
The shop told followers on Facebook: “Everything must go – don’t miss out on huge savings.”
Meanwhile, The Watches of Switzerland Group – based in Leicestershire – has confirmed it will close 16 showrooms across the country and that 40 people were expected to leave the business.
Similarly, Terence Lett Jewellers, located on the high street in Witney, Oxfordshire, has announced its decision to shut up shop.
And loyal customers of Jane Allen Jewellers in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales were left distraught to hear the update and have been mourning the imminent loss.
With more and more historic jewellers disappearing from high streets, Whittakers’ final goodbye will be bittersweet for shoppers in Yarm.
Locals now have just days left to bag a bargain and say farewell to one of the town’s best-loved shops.
RETAIL SECTOR STRUGGLES
Its not just jewellery stores that are suffering to stay open.
It’s worth bearing in mind, larger retail chains often open and close branches based on customer demand and sales.
Sometimes a single store might shut because a lease is ending and the chain has decided it is better to direct cash into other shops or opening new ones.
However, the retail sector more broadly has struggled since the 2008 financial crash.
The Centre for Retail Research has said the industry has been going through a “permacrisis” during this period.
There are a number of reasons the sector is struggling, one being the rise of online shopping.
This has seen footfall to high street stores fall seeing large swathes of branches close across the UK.
Challenging economic conditions in recent years, including soaring inflation, have dented shoppers’ wallets and purses too.
While some bigger retailers have struggled to stay afloat, including Wilko, in recent years independent shops have suffered the most.
The Centre for Retail Research said more than 13,000 high street shops closed in 2024, with over 11,000 of these independents.
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
A POPULAR high street name is set to make a dramatic return 13 years after vanishing from UK towns and cities.
Comet, once a go-to store for electrical goods, is being brought back by online marketplace OnBuy – but this time, it’s going digital.
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Founded in Hull in 1933, Comet grew from selling batteries and radios into a nationwide electrical giantCredit: PA:Press Association
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Now, more than a decade later, there’s fresh hope for fans of the iconic brandCredit: Getty – Contributor
The retailer, which closed all 236 of its UK branches in 2012, including popular outlets in Essex, will relaunch as an online-only platform in time for the festive season.
Founded in Hull in 1933, Comet grew from selling batteries and radios into a nationwide electrical giant.
It was a household name for decades, known for its deals on TVs, washing machines, and home appliances, before financial trouble forced it into administration in 2012.
Its collapse was one of the biggest retail failures of the time, with thousands of staff losing their jobs and many shoppers left disappointed.
Now, more than a decade later, there’s fresh hope for fans of the iconic brand.
OnBuy’s boss, Cas Paton, said he’s determined to restore Comet’s former glory.
“I am so excited, so thrilled. Growing up, I went to Comet to get what I needed.
“It was a brand that was close to me personally,” he said.
The relaunch won’t see the return of physical shops, but the digital revival promises a wide range of electronics, from big names to emerging tech brands.
OnBuy plans to use its marketplace model to connect shoppers directly with manufacturers, offering better prices and more variety.
Britain’s retail apocalypse: why your favourite stores KEEP closing down
Paton added: “We will be ultra competitive and undercut Currys and Amazon.”
He believes OnBuy’s modern approach and Comet’s strong heritage will help win over UK customers.
A significant portion of the £10 million investment will go towards building the Comet website and boosting its technology.
Around 50 new jobs are expected to be created as part of the relaunch effort.
Paton, who started his first business with just £80 after serving in the Royal Navy, said the brand’s revival is about more than nostalgia.
“We’re not just reviving a name; we’re reimagining what trusted electronics retail looks like in a digital-first economy,” he said.
OnBuy, which launched in 2016 and is now worth around £200 million, hopes to turn Comet into a major online player.
The relaunch comes at a time when more consumers are shopping online and seeking alternatives to big-name retailers.
Shoppers can expect a mix of old and new when Comet returns, with the website promising:
“We’re reviving the brand you love to bring you the best tech, brands, and deals worth waiting for.”
Although the high street stores won’t reopen, many still have fond memories of browsing the aisles at their local Comet.
For those in Essex and beyond, the return of the name, even online, is sure to stir a sense of retail nostalgia.
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
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The relaunch won’t see the return of physical shops, but the digital revival promises a wide range of electronics, from big names to emerging tech brandsCredit: Reuters
A BELOVED clothing store that has been in business for nearly 50 years has launched a massive sale ahead of its closure.
Ginger, in Norwich, will shut for good on June 7 after the owners were forced to make an “incredibly difficult decision”.
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The family-owned business is one of Norwich’s oldestCredit: Facebook
The shop was founded by David and Rodger Kingsley in 1978 following the success of their sister company Jonathan Trumbull in 1971.
Beckie Kingsley broke the sad news on social media that her family’s shop was soon to be no more.
The store manager blamed the current economic climate and the aftermath of Covid-19 for the business’s hardship.
She said: “It’s with truly heavy hearts that, after 46 unforgettable years, we have made the incredibly difficult decision to close the doors at our beautiful, beloved and historic Timber Hill home.
“We’ve weathered many storms over the decades, but there’s been ongoing challenges of today’s financial climate – coupled with the lasting impact and huge shifts within the retail landscape since Covid.
“This led us to ask – does it still work for us? After deep reflection, the answer, sadly, is no.
“We’ve had the privilege of watching generations grow, celebrating precious life milestones, sharing joys and deepest sorrows.
“Being part of people’s stories has been beyond a privilege – more than some may ever know.
“They’ve always been more than just customers – they’ve become wonderful friends.”
Ginger is one of the city’s oldest businesses and loyal customers rushed to share their praise.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
AN AWARD-WINNING pub has been forced to close after opening its doors just two years ago.
The luxury eatery was voted as the best pub in the Midlands and even were finalists for the best Desi grill of the year 2024.
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The Emerald Pub in Nottingham is closing its doors after just two yearsCredit: Google Maps
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The Emerald served a range of delicious Indian meals
The Emerald in Nottingham offered a huge range of Indian dishes and had become a thriving community hub.
The pub doubled as a sports bar, attracting both hungry diners and football fans – in what the owners have described as a “cultural space” and a “labour of love”.
However, after being open for just two years, The Emerald has been forced to shut its doors for good.
The eatery has battled with soaring costs, as well as crushing internal pressures.
Announcing its closure on Facebook, The Emerald issued a lengthy and emotional post in which it thanked its loyal fan base.
A spokesperson for the pub said: “The Emerald was always more than just a pub—it was an Indian pub, a cultural space, and a labour of love that aimed to bring something different to our community.
“We will forever hold dear the memories, the celebrations, and the friendships that were forged within its walls.
“Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your unwavering support. It has meant everything to us.”
Fans flooded the comment section of the post, sharing their incredible stories and experiences from their trips to the pub.
One Facebook user wrote: “Very saddened to hear this and we always loved Emerald, it was more like home for us and will be missed.
Why are so many pubs and bars closing?
“Thank you for all the lovely food and memories we have created at Emerald specially watching cricket and more importantly India winning the world cup.
“All the very best team Emerald for future!!”
Another shared: “Such sad news always made me and my family very welcome thank you for what you have tried to do.”
However, in its Facebook post, The Emerald detailed internal pressures which had contributed to its closure – which is scheduled to take place on May 31.
A spokesperson for the pub detailed how the departure of a business partner had created “emotional, financial and operational” strain which affected the “day-to-day running of the pub”.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
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The spokesperson also pointed to soaring costs as a major factor behind the closure of the pub.
They wrote: “Rising costs—including a significant increase in barrel prices, rent, and business rates—have placed a substantial financial burden on us, ultimately making the business unsustainable.
“Although we explored the possibility of selling the business to enable someone else to carry on what we began, we were unable to move forward due to conditions and restrictions that were beyond our control.
“More broadly, the current economic climate and policy environment have created immense pressures for small businesses, making it increasingly difficult for independent establishments like ours to survive.”
Many other businesses have faced closure, just like The Emerald.
