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A SPRAWLING golf course has undergone a multi-million pound transformation – and it’s set in the heart of the English countryside.

The lakeside location has now been upgraded to a luxury “world-class” getaway.

The Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere in Knutsford, has completed its £70million renovation, transforming the site into a 5-star countryside retreat.

Works done to the previously-named The Mere Golf Resort & Spa, included upgrading the 81 exisiting guest rooms into luxury suites, with an additional 35 rooms added to the property.

Located on the shoreline of Lake Mere, the 157-acre site now features an 18-hole championship golf course, originally designed in the 1930s by James Braid and George Duncan.

Guests will also be able to luxuriate in the property’s on-site spa and wellness resort, which boasts three pools, seven thermal experiences – including a sauna, salt room and hammam – alongside three cold plunge pools.

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A Technogym fitness studio also offers spin and HIIT sessions, with a covered outdoor class area ideal for training under open skies.

Further upgrades include a new restaurant to be operated by Gordon Ramsay, featuring lakeside dining and seasonal British ingredients – as well as the chef’s signature beef Wellington.

Enhancements have also been made to the existing orangery, which now incorporates a champagne and freshly-shucked oyster bar, as well as an afternoon tea atrium.

Located just 10 minutes from Manchester Airport, and just half an hour from the city centre, the property has said “it is one of the North
West’s leading destinations for conferences, weddings and corporate retreats”.

As a result, the site offers a separate conference and events centre with ten dedicated spaces, the largest of which – the Grand Ballroom – has a capacity up to 1,000 guests.

The resort, which opened last Friday (July 10), is managed by the French multinational hospitality company, Accor.

This marks Accor’s fourth Fairmont-branded property in the country, joining Fairmont Windsor Park, Fairmont St Andrews and The Savoy.

Israr Liaqat, group CEO for Select Group, said: “From the outset, Russell WBHO brought the skills, experience, and dedication that this project demanded, and the result speaks for itself.

“The development sets a new benchmark for five-star hospitality in the North West, offering opulent accommodation, world-class spa and golf experiences, exceptional dining and grand event spaces.”

STUDENTS have been left thouands of pounds out of pocket after a UK travel company unexpectedly went bust.

Customers have called the news “gut-wrenching”, as bosses say they “deeply regret” the decision to shut close after nearly three decades.

UK gap year students may lose thousands after volunteer travel company, Global Vision International (GVI), cancelled all its holidays.

The Exeter-based company offered a range of conservation and “voluntourism” placements all over the world, becoming especially popular with school leavers and gap year students who paid to take part.

On July 1, after 28 years, the company was plunged into liquidation in a move that bosses say they “deeply regret”.

CEO of GVI, Andrew Valentine, said in a statement: “It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I write to share that GVI is today closing its doors.”

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“I deeply regret the effect that GVI’s closure will have on staff, projects and customers, and we are committed to providing clear information to those affected as GVI goes through a formal liquidation process.”

GVI states on its website that “all current and future GVI programs have been cancelled”.

It continues to inform customer that “all impacted participants will receive formal correspondence detailing the liquidation process and instructions on how to lodge a claim”, and how to get their money back.

Amy Taylor, 21, a wildlife conservation and zoo biology student from Manchester, told BBC Newsbeat that GVI’s closure was “gut-wrenching”.

The student forked out £4,000 to pay for her once in a lifetime South Africa internship, hoping it would help her “stand out” on the job market -but now she is just filled with “disappointment”.

Linus Rowland-Bell, 23, from Liverpool worked two days a week alongside his university studies to pay for a programme in Peru.

Advertised as an internship in the Amazon rainforest, he found out about it through his university careers fair, paying £2,258 in total for his trip.

“The thought of all that money, all that time that I’ve saved up, that excitement completely vanishing into the ether, it was terrifying,” he told Newsbeat, after receiving the news of the liquidation.

Rowland-Bell received a full refund, but many more are waiting for more information from the liquidators.

Taylor further said she was relying on her bank to reclaim the money, as her insurance was booked through GVI.

“If I don’t get the money back, I can’t go anywhere else and I don’t really trust anyone at the moment to be able to go anywhere else.

“It didn’t seem like they were struggling – everything looked professional.”

The Sun reached out to RG Insolvency, who are overseeing GVI’s liquidation, that declined to comment.

A HISTORIC UK castle is set to be transformed into a major visitor attraction.

The Grade II-listed building is undergoing significant work to revitalise the site.

Haverfordwest Castle, in Pembrokeshire, will soon become a “flagship” tourist destination as the medieval fortress undergoes a multi-million renovation.

The 2,000-year-old castle, which dates back to as early as 1120, has already received a full replacement of its two-level roof structure and the building’s core foundations have now been stabilised.

The £15million redevelopment will also include a new café, a shop with a range of hand-crafted and local products, free-to-access grounds, community spaces and an outdoor events area with 500-seat capacity.

Once reopened, the site will also be capable of hosting an open-air theatre, crafts fairs and Christmas markets.

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The gaol building will also be transformed into a family-friendly visitor attraction detailing the story of Pembrokeshire’s past, and the existing museum exhibition will be modernised.

Other important works currently underway include strengthening and repairing the castle’s original walls, landscaping the area, making accessible footpaths and removing any non-protected debris.

The renovation is set to be completed by next summer, with the castle fully reopening in 2028.

Pembrokshire county councillor, Thomas Tudor, said: “Haverfordwest Castle is without doubt the jewel in the crown for the County Town of Pembrokeshire, and I am so pleased that the redevelopment of the castle is gaining momentum. 

“It’s brilliant news that Morgan Sindall Construction has reached a key milestone in the £15m project to rejuvenate Haverfordwest Castle with the new roof now in place. The future is looking very positive for Haverfordwest, which can be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike.”

Haverfordwest Castle was established during Norman times – with the main structure largely built by 1290 – as an English military stronghold to assert control over Wales.

An estimated 40,000 annual visitors are projected to visit the site once works are completed.

A new hovercraft route is being trialed this summer – and has already proved popular with travellers.

A number of extra dates have been added for crossings this summer, meaning even more passengers can make their way to a sun-drenched UK island from just £12.

A brand new hovercraft route has been introduced connecting Hampshire to the Isle of Wight.

In just 15 minutes, travellers can journey from Lee-on-the-Solent to Ryde, soaring across the waters at speeds of 46mph and hovering 1.5m above the Solent.

Run by Hovertravel – the world’s oldest and longest-running hovercraft operator – the new route to the Isle of Wight is currently being trialled over the summer.

The crossings take place on the travel operator’s two-craft fleet: the Island Flyer and the Solent Flyer.

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For those looking to book onto the high-speed crossing, an adult return ticket (16+) will set you back £24.

Seniors (60+) can snap up a crossing for £18.00 and children’s tickets (aged between 5-15 years) will cost £12.

Infants aged between 0 and 4 ride free on the hovercraft.

Crossings were originally planned for June 28, August 22 and September 5, but a number of extra dates have now been added thanks to the popularity of the new service.

Travellers can now book onto crossings on July 23, August 7 and August 21.

Departures take place twice a day, at both 10am and 3.25pm.

Return routes back from Ryde leave the island at 9.30am and 2.30pm.

Dates had also been extended to today, July 9, but at the time of publishing this article, The Sun found that the journeys could no longer be booked.

Hovertravel was established in 1965 and still provides the fastest way to cross the Solent, between Southsea in Portsmouth and Ryde.

A 100-MILE network of floating walkways could soon debut in one of the UK’s largest cities.

Plans for the £100million project include boat jetties, cycle lanes and new signage.

A proposal to create a 100-mile floating network of pathways in Manchester has now made “significant” progress forward.

The concept – drawn up by CyanLines – was created with the aim “to connect Greater Manchester’s blue and green spaces into a high quality network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes” for residents and visitors.

The cyan-coloured walkways have been designed to snake along either side of the River Irwell, complete with jetties for rowing boats and cycle lanes.

The £100million scheme was first announced in September 2025 and was expected to be developed over the next 10 years.

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Now, the project is now well within the first phase of co-design and agreement – including drawing up an investment case – according to co-founder, Tom Bloxham.

Backed by Manchester City Council, Labour leader Bev Craig also told Manchester Evening News that the plans are making ‘significant’ steps forward.

The project, also supported by the National Trust, is said to bring a host of benefits to the city, including better access to green spaces, more opportunities for businesses and healthier residents.

Four CyanLines pilot loops are currently being ‘proof-tested’ by the public, with more than 15 miles of paths plotted.

These routes include a trail from St Peter’s Square to Whitworth Park and the Irwell & Castlefield Loop.

Pete Swift, CyanLines project co-founder, said: “The routes will be the starting point, or spring board, for a whole plethora of CyanLines projects which will bring new opportunities for nature to thrive and to be enjoyed.”

A MASSIVE travelling attraction is set to return to a seaside hotspot next week – and it’s perfect for the whole family.

The popular spot will be open for more than a month throughout the summer.

Cardiff Bay Fun Park will descend on the Welsh capital once more, as the family-friendly destination is set to return to Roald Dahl Plass next weekend (July 18).

This year also marks the attraction’s newest arrival, Skyfall – the tallest travelling drop tower in the UK.

At 262 ft (80 metres) high, thrill-seekers will be treated with 360-degree panoramic views of Cardiff and the Bristol Channel, before plunging down at speeds of up to 75mph.

The tower even dwarfs the tallest roller coaster in the UK, Hyperia, which stands at 236 ft (72 metres).

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Remaining in the city until August 31, visitors can also ride fun fair classics including Dodgems, Funhouse, Bungee Trampolines and Water Walkers.

The summertime staple is also set to host magic shows, princess sing-a-longs and character meet and greets for younger guests.

The destination will be open on Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 8pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm.

Residents have shared their excitement online about the return of the much-loved fair, with many saying they “can’t wait” until next weekend.

One enthusiastic user said: “This looks so much fun! I definitely need to check it out.”

Meanwhile, another shared their reservations about the attraction’s newest arrival, commenting: “Omg, this looks terrifying.”

A TRAIN strike is set to cause major rail disruptions this week.

Passengers can expect delays, cancellations and reduced services over Friday and Saturday.

London Northwestern Railway services will be scaled back from July 9 to 11, with staff walkouts set to impact the West Coast Main Line routes.

Numerous employees striking will result in fewer trains running from the likes of London Euston, Birmingham, Crewe and Liverpool.

Those intending to travel on strike days are being urged to check their route first, as some routes will be without trains entirely.

Some routes will run one train per hour over Friday and Saturday.

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These routes include London Euston to Crewe, Birmingham to Liverpool plus Birmingham to Euston via Northampton.

The Milton Keynes to Euston and Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey routes are also expected to operate on a one train an hour basis.

Services will stop earlier than usual, with the last train from London to Crewe going at 3:46pm on Friday.

The last LNR service of the day from Euston will be the London to Milton Keynes Central train, departing at 5.09pm.

No LNR trains will run after 7pm on Friday, with no early morning services scheduled for Saturday and trains starting later than usual at 7am.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association Union has called the strike amid disagreements over rest day pay.

London Northwestern Railway’s customer experience director, Jonny Wiseman, said: “We are disappointed TSSA has called further unnecessary strike action which is set to cause significant disruption for our customers. We are working hard to reach a resolution to this dispute and urge TSSA to continue talks.

“We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause our customers and we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact as much as possible. If the strike action does go ahead we will be running a significantly reduced timetable on both dates.”

A MULTI-MILLION pound karting attraction is set to come to a major seaside city.

Thrill-seekers will be able to experience the ride in just two years time.

The brand-new attraction – known as Skyline Swansea – is set to bring Europe’s first ever skyline luge to the Welsh city.

The £49million experience will see visitors taking a cable car up the mile-long stretch from the Copper Quarter to Kilvey Hill.

Once there, thrill-seekers will be able to ride a three-wheeled luge cart – a type of reclining sled – down a 1,012-meter snaking track, propelling visitors downwards using gravity.

Three luge tracks will be available to ride upon opening, along with a children’s adventure park, a 50mph sky swing, and a 150-seat restaurant with a separate bar area.

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The mountain biking trails that are currently available on the hill will also be maintained and improved, with additional trails to be added.

New Zealand-based Skyline Enterprises, the firm behind the project, revealed that construction is currently underway, with an estimated completion date of mid-2028.

The leisure company said their mission was to “open up Kilvey Hill for everyone to enjoy, bringing accessible tourism to the heart of Swansea” and “where the sweeping views of Swansea Bay, Gower, and Bannau Brycheiniog can be enjoyed by all”.

This marks the firm’s first project in the UK, having built similar style sites across New Zealand, Canada, Singapore and South Korea.

The 193-metre hill also remains a popular site for hikers, cyclists and trail runners, with an estimated 140,000 visitors each year.

However, the new attraction is projected to bring in upwards of 450,000 visitors annually, with more than half coming from outside of Wales.

A CHARMING English pier is finally getting a £550,000 upgrade next month.

The Grade ll-listed Victorian structure was forced to close two years ago after it was damaged during a heavy storm.

Worthing Borough Council has said work will start in August on new foundations for the town’s pier.

It comes after the original £930,000 cost estimate was reportedly revised to £550,000.

A storm damaged the pier in October 2024 but it reopened two months later with a temporary steel support in place.

Council bosses have said the pier, which was built in 1862, will continue to remain open while the work is undertaken.

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It is expected to be fully refurbished by the end of 2026.

In a statement, the council said the works “will give the pier new foundations to allow it to stand against the elements without the need for the steel support structure”.

Routine maintenance will take place on the underside of the pier during the structural works, according to the local authority.

Officials said the cost reduction to the project was due to contractors no longer requiring the removal and refitting of the pier’s timber deck.

Worthing Borough Council leader Caroline Baxter said: “Our pier is one of Worthing’s best-loved landmarks and a huge part of our coastal heritage.

“Looking after it isn’t just about maintaining a structure – it’s about protecting a place that means so much to local people and continues to attract visitors from across the country.”

A SPRAWLING new entertainment venue has opened in a major UK hub – and it features more than 170 games.

The £11million attraction will offer visitors a wide range of virtual reality, sporting and gaming experiences.

Mega City has thrown open its doors in Slough today (July 6), bringing a new immersive family entertainment venue to the town.

Spanning more than 55,000 sq ft, the site offers a wide range of virtual reality experiences, 10 bowling lanes and even a karaoke room set across its three floors.

Located just eight minutes from the Elizabeth Line, the 170-game venue also features arcade machines, interactive football, a laser tag arena and an AR clay pigeon shooting experience.

Built on the site of a former Wilko, the entertainment destination comes as part of an £11million investment into Slough’s regeneration.

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Its opening is expected to create more than 80 local jobs, as well as generate footfall for the town centre.

Jeet Grewal, co-founder of Mega City, said: “At its heart, Mega City is about bringing people together. We wanted to create a place where different generations can enjoy shared experiences, feel welcome and make real memories.”

The late-night spot is also open until 2:30am on Fridays and Saturdays and until 1:30am the rest of the week, with a number of food and drink facilities on offer, including a restaurant, desserts bar and cocktail bar.

Grewal added: “Slough is incredibly diverse, vibrant and now well-connected through the Elizabeth Line, and we saw a real opportunity to create a large-scale leisure space that reflects that spirit.”

This follows Slough’s projected £3.5 billion transformation, with plans submitted last month for a £640million housing and leisure development.

The town has experienced a dramatic decline in recent years, with retail closures, a housing shortage and a degrading high street all contributing to the area’s deterioration.

A MAJOR airport in the UK is launching new overnight weekend trains for the first time.

Late-night airport passengers no longer need to break the bank to hail a cab.

Thousands of travellers heading to and from London Stansted Airport will soon be able to catch trains through the night.

Stansted Express is launching a trial overnight service that will run every Friday night into Saturday morning from July 3.

The new service is aimed at passengers travelling on late-night and early-morning flights during the busy summer holiday season.

During the summer trial, trains will run every 30 minutes between 11.30pm and 5am, linking Stansted Airport with Tottenham Hale and London Liverpool Street.

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Most of the overnight trains will operate between Stansted Airport and Tottenham Hale, where passengers can connect with the Victoria line Night Tube to continue their journeys across London.

A handful of early morning services will also start from, or continue to, London Liverpool Street.

The journey from Stansted Airport to Tottenham Hale takes around 36 minutes, providing a quick link into the capital.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy, said: “These overnight Stansted Express services will make a real difference to people arriving late or travelling for early flights – connecting them straight into London via the Night Tube.

“Alongside contactless ticketing at every London airport, we’re building a railway that works for passengers and drives growth across the country.”

The trial will be running until September 25, giving flyers more transport options during the busy holiday season.

Stansted Express will evaluate how many passengers use the late-night trains during the trial before deciding whether to make them permanent.

A NEW “world-class” arena is being plotted for an iconic UK seaside resort.

The Government has pledged £20million to explore the possibility of bringing the development to life.

A new indoor arena has been proposed for Blackpool, as part of the area’s continued bid to become the UK’s City of Culture for 2029.

Currently dubbed the Phoenix Pavilion Arena, the venue would become the focal point of the city’s wider regeneration strategy.

With a proposed capacity of 15,000 to 20,000, Carters Building Consultancy said the site would host major concerts, sporting events, festivals, trade shows and live performances.

It would also create a new waterfront hospitality area, with cafes, bars and restaurants facing the promenade.

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Blackpool South MP, Chris Webb, began a petition in November last year supporting the proposal, which has since been signed by thousands of local residents.

As a result, the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, has now pledged £20million to explore the next stage of the development.

Webb said: “This funding gives Blackpool the opportunity to properly test whether the project is commercially viable and put us in the strongest possible position to attract an experienced private-sector partner with the expertise to develop, operate and programme a world-class venue.

“It has the potential to attract visitors throughout the year, support our hotels, restaurants and local businesses, create high-quality jobs and strengthen Blackpool’s position as the UK’s entertainment capital.”

The investment will assess whether the construction of the arena is financially feasible and whether it would be the right investment for the area.

It also places the proposal in a better position to attract private investors.

This comes as part of Blackpool’s £2billion regeneration program set to transform the seaside city.

Completed projects include the Talbot Road tramway extension – which connected the Promenade to Blackpool North railway station – and construction is currently underway on a new £65million, high-tech university campus.

A HUGE new indoor soft play park is coming to a major city in the UK this weekend.

Families are set to get a new destination for rainy-day fun with everything from laser tag to trampoline games.

Epicland UK will launch in Partington, Greater Manchester on Sunday, July 5.

Owners say the venue has been completely fitted out from scratch, with all-new play equipment installed throughout.

Children can look forward to light-up racing slides, interactive trampoline games, laser tag arena and soft play zones.

Parents won’t be left out either as they can sit back and enjoy fresh coffee and matcha drinks at a brand-new cafe.

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After an active play, your little ones won’t go hungry as the cafe offers healthy snacks and children’s lunch options.

The centre is designed to cater for children of all ages, with plenty of space for toddlers and older youngsters alike.

To celebrate the opening, the centre is offering a bargain deal with 20 per cent off all entry tickets until the end of August.

Customers can use the code “WELCOME20” to book a play session at a discounted rate.

The new attraction will open its doors at 9am on Sunday with a full programme prepared for the occasion.

The grand opening will be packed with fun activities from face painting, balloon artist, traditional lion dancing to giveaways.

The centre will stay open until 6pm on July 5, which means you’ll have to be quick to make the most of it.

A UK airline has lost its last chance at a rescue deal – more than eight months after entering administration.

The firm had suffered financial difficulties after the loss of a contract with KLM.

A potential rescue deal for Eastern Airlines, and its affiliated company Air Kilroe, has fallen through – leaving administrators unable to save the regional airline.

As a result, administrators RSM UK, are set to break up and sell the businesses’ assets separately, as revealed in new documents filed by the company.

A joint sale of Eastern and Air Kilroe was initially pursued as the companies had operated under a single business – before entering into administration in November last year.

The North Lincolnshire-based airline had flown routes across the UK, Ireland and Europe, and had been operating four aircraft for KLM Cityhopper in Europe.

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However, the abrupt loss of this contract in October last year plunged the company into severe financial difficulties.

At the time of collapse, RSM said “high fixed overheads” and its staff base had “ultimately proved too high to be sustainable”.

Jamie Miller, partner at RSM UK and joint administrator, added: “The unexpected and sudden termination of Eastern’s KLM contract, along with other economic factors, unfortunately left the directors with no choice but to appoint administrators.“

Now, all nine of the company’s aircraft fleet have been sold off to private buyers, as well as associated plane parts and components.

At its peak, the airliner provided 200 flights per day and employed around 330 staff members, the majority of which have now been made redundant.

Now just 16 employees remain, and are expected to stay on until the administration process is completed.

Known as one of the UK’s last regional airlines, the firm had run a weekday service between Wick John O’Groats Airport and Aberdeen, which was seen as an essential link for those living in the most northerly point on mainland UK.

Launched in 1997, the airliner also flew from bases in East Midlands, Jersey, Manchester, Southampton and Denmark – and even held eight summer slots at London Gatwick.

RSM has declined to comment.

PLANS for a huge aquadrome with slides, party rooms and padel courts have been confirmed.

The proposed £60million site would be located in a major UK market town.

A brand new Aquadrome could come to Basingstoke, in Hampshire, after the council confirmed a contract has been signed with Places Leisure to manage the site.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said that work will now begin to finalise the design of the water and leisure complex, ahead of submitting the planning permission this autumn.

According to the plans, the new £60million centre is set to include a 25-metre competition pool, a leisure park with slides, a 150-station gym, indoor play and party rooms.

A luxury health suite, Reformer Pilates studio and padel tennis courts have also been proposed.

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If approved, the complex will be built in a new location on the leisure park, with an expected completion date of 2029.

The existing Aquadrome will remain open until the new facility is completed.

Places Leisure – who operate over 90 leisure facilities across the UK – will also take over the management of Basingstoke Golf Centre & Knights Realm Adventure Golf and Tadley Health & Fitness Centre from 2027.

The town‘s existing Aquadrome opened more than 24 years ago in 2002, and is currently run by Serco and Basingstoke and Deane Community Leisure Trust.

At the time plans were announced, Dan Walker, business development director at Places Leisure, said: “The new landmark leisure destination is an investment in health and wellbeing for the entire community.

“We look forward to working closely with local partners, colleagues, residents and community groups to shape a facility that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the area.”

The new Aquadrome forms part of a wider regeneration of the leisure park, which includes new play areas, nature trails, a “flexible use” plaza and cultural hub.

MYSTERIOUS 250-year-old tunnels are set to open for the first time as a brand new attraction.

The abandoned tunnels will form the backdrop to an immersive virtual reality experience.

Stourbridge Glass Museum, in Dudley, has revealed plans to permanently open its historic glassmaking tunnels to the public.

The tunnel network, located beneath the White House Glass Cone site, will form part of a brand new immersive exhibit.

Visitors will be able to view Stourbridge‘s more than 400 years of glassmaking history through VR, animation and projection-mapping technology, which will show the glassmaking process from start to finish. 

Although the museum occasionally runs tours of the tunnels, this will be the first time guests will be able to fully immerse themselves underneath the museum.

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Alexander Goodger, the director of the Stourbridge Glass Museum, said: “This is just one part of our new phase of capital development designed to boost the site for locals, expand the offer, give it a wider appeal and bring in tourists to the area who then go on to stay in hotels and eat in restaurants, regenerating the area.

“We want to bring in investment for the Black Country’s heritage.”

The tunnels originally existed as storage for glassmaking materials, as well as to control heat and support the glass cone’s production processes.

As a result, extensive health and safety improvements, including signage, accessibility and lighting, will have to be carried out by the museum to ensure a “safe and free-flowing visitor experience”. 

The Stuart crystal factory, which previously stood at the site of the museum, was a major manufacturer of English cut glass until its closure in 2001.

The entire area, which was once considered “the heart of Britain‘s traditional Glass Quarter”, suffered the loss of the four major companies by the late 90s and early 2000s, with only a few glassworks remaining today.

A MAJOR ferry operator has announced a raft of changes – with one major route set to close permanently.

This comes as the French carrier firm announced a substantial cost-cutting plan.

Brittany Ferries is reportedly considering closing the Le Havre to Portsmouth route in Autumn this year, as the company faces financial pressures.

The popular route, which has operated as a “no-frills” service since 2014, offers one departure daily for passengers and vehicles.

By ceasing the service, French-outlet Le Marin reported that the company is expected to save more than €20million (£17million).

Two ships in its fleet will also be sold – the Barfleur, which travels between Poole to Cherbourg and the Cotentin, which runs from Cherbourg to Rosslare.

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As a result, the Poole to Cherbourg route will be stopped, and replaced with a daily service from Portsmouth to Cherbourg.

The Cherbourg to Rosslare route will continue operating via other vessels.

Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries, told the Portsmouth News: “Brittany Ferries has a track record in adapting its business to long- and short-term challenges.

“But we have to be realistic. We need to adapt and that means a plan to secure a future that will continue to bring opportunities for all those who live and work in the regions we serve.

“We have informed our ports and will work with everyone affected on this plan for the future.”

The company’s financial trouble began following a loan taken out during the pandemic.

Although half the debt has already been paid off, the carrier company continues to face a £27 million bill, as the remaining debt has been further burdened by the EU’s Emission Trading System tax.

A UK airport is going back on the market just months after its first sale fell through.

The 350-acre site, which has suffered millions in losses at the expense of the taxpayer, is up for grabs for a second time.

Gloucestershire Airport in Staverton was put up for sale last year by joint owners Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, with an asking price of £25million.

However an agreed deal with the preferred bidder fell through, after the terms of the proposal changed.

The councils have now agreed to put the airport on the market for a second time and are said to be “hopeful” that it can be successfully sold.

Estate agent, Savills, has been appointed to head up the process.

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It’s hoped a buyer who can offer growth and investment for the space will be found.

Gloucestershire Airport has been hailed as a “vital economic and aviation asset for our county and region” by the City Council.

It’s also been confirmed that there has been “considerable interest from potential investors” in recent weeks, making it the “right time” to put the airport back up for sale.

The airport is still in operation, with the Cheltenham-based site offering charter services for private jets and helicopters.

Flying lessons are also operated from the airport as well as gift experiences like hot air balloon flights.

Speaking on the decision during a recent council meeting, Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said: ”We are hopeful this renewed sale process will attract the right partner for the airport’s future, which remains our key priority.

“We will work with partners and stakeholders to update as the new sale process proceeds.”

A MUCH-LOVED lido is launching its summer season tomorrow, with the popular swimming site now set to open daily.

The venue boasts multiple water flumes and a diving board, with visitors hailing it as “a fab day out”.

Aldershot Lido in Hampshire is fully reopening for its summer season from tomorrow.

Having welcomed families throughout June, the venue now hopes to attract even more visitors with the summer holidays coming up.

From tomorrow, the lido will open daily between 10am to 6pm, continuing until August 31.

Aldershot Lido welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually to its outdoor pool, boasting a capacity of up to 3,000 swimmers.

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Opening in May 1930, Aldershot Lido was once reputed to be “the largest and finest open-air bathing pool in the country”, playing host to the London Olympics Games in 1948.

Spanning over nine acres, the site offers three water flumes and a diving board, alongside a toddler paddling pool and sandpit for the little ones.

For those wanting a workout, the facilities include a 75-metre pool with plenty of space for lane swimming, as well as a full-sized basketball court.

A wide range of food and drink vendors are on offer for refreshments, with lawn space surrounding the pool reserved for family picnics.

The lido’s popular Doggy Splash sessions will also return in September, giving local pups the chance to play in the outdoor pool before the end of the season.

Swimmers have raved about Aldershot Lido across the years, with one calling it a “fab day out”, and another saying it is “a lovely place for children”.

Karl Miles, Everyone Active regional contract manager, said: “The move to daily opening marks the start of our busiest and most exciting period of the year.

“Aldershot Lido offers a unique outdoor swimming experience and we are pleased to be providing residents and visitors with even more opportunities to enjoy everything the site has to offer this summer.”

Adults can enjoy the open air pool from just £12.50, with children’s tickets priced at £9.50 and those under three swimming for free.

Aldershot Lido will be open daily between 10am and 6pm from July 1 to August 31.

A POPULAR Victorian-era attraction used to spy on tourists will stay closed for weeks while essential maintenance work is carried out.

The “hidden gem” is a beloved tourist spot that offers 360 degree views of the area.

The Great Union Camera Obscura will stay temporarily closed for several more weeks while a number of repairs are carried out.

The tourist attraction, located on the Isle of Man, first shut down on June 14, with a notice posted online by volunteers.

The notice read: “Please note that the Camera Obscura is currently closed while essential work is being carried out.

“The closure may last for several weeks, but we’ll keep you updated and let everyone know as soon as we’re able to reopen.”

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Now, it has been revealed that the site will need to remain closed for longer as the latest condition survey unearthed a series of repairs that would need to be carried out.

Department of Education, Sport and Culture Minister Daphne Caine confirmed the repairs when responding to a written question about the work.

She said: “Since the last condition survey, issues have been found that require further repairs and maintenance, and the Department of Infrastructure is currently engaging with a contractor to address these issues.

“At the present time, these include the removal and replacement of wooden joists and decking, and the removal and replacement of corroded steelwork, fastenings and bolts located underneath the decking.”

The latest condition survey occurred in March 2025, and also identified areas of the sailcloth roof edging that had begun to fail and nails used to fix timber panels that were showing signs of decay.

According to Mrs Caine, the Camera Obscura underwent extensive repairs in 2017-18.

The Great Union Camera Obscura was first built in 1892, offering visitors a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, including the Douglas harbour and lighthouse.

According to the Isle of Man tourist website, the optical effect of the camera works through a series of mirrors and lenses located around the roof line above a darkened room with views of the surrounding area then projected onto a circular table.

The “unique” Camera Obscura boasts eleven lenses to create its views, whereas most only have one.

The “hidden gem” tourist attraction offers visitors a look into how Victorians first saw moving pictures and according to reviews is “well worth visiting to see how things were”.

Visitors have praised the “knowledgeable volunteers” at the attraction and the “stunning” views.

“You have to go to understand it,” wrote one visitor. “Like watching an old movie with movement.”

“People watching at its best,” read another.

A NEW UK train station has finally opened following a £183million building project.

The transport hub has been in the works since 2023 and opened to the public on June 28.

Cambridge South is the city’s third train station and will expand transport links for passengers.

The station will be run and managed by Greater Anglia.

Thameslink, Great Northern, CrossCountry and more services will also run from the station.

This is set to connect passengers to the likes of London, Brighton and Birmingham.

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A direct route from Cambridge South to London Stansted Airport is also set to run.

The station is located next to the famous Cambridge Biomedical Campus and boasts four platforms that will see up to nine trains per hour pass through.

The site also offers over 1,000 bicycle parking spots, ticket vending machines and lifts that provide step-free platform access.

The arrival of the new station will “deliver better transport options and connectivity for 1.8 million passengers”.

It’s also hoped the transport boost will “grow and level up the economy” by increasing employment opportunities.

Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “With up to nine trains per hour and all passing services stopping, Cambridge South will make a real difference from day one. 

“Cambridge South will bring London, Stansted Airport and international markets closer, supporting the investment and skilled people we need, and creating opportunities locally too.”

AN ICONIC music festival will host its final line-up this summer – after more than 18 years of hosting performers.

This marks a blow for residents as the county’s biggest festival comes to an end.

Nottingham’s Splendour festival will run for a final weekend next month, as the festival is set to be closed permanently.

The decision comes after organisers said they faced challenges within the current festival market, and have struggled to manage “the cost of staging events”.

Launched in 2008, Nottinghamshire’s biggest festival hosted a number of well-known performers throughout its run, including the likes of Noel Gallagher and Calvin Harris.

It regularly drew in crowds of up to 25,000, and had expanded into a two-day event in 2022.

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Now, the final show will take place from July 18 to 19 in Wollaton Park, with The Wombats, Primal Scream and Snow Patrol performing as headline acts.

George Akins, DHP Family managing director, said: “Like many independent festivals, Splendour has had to navigate a very different landscape in recent years, with the cost of staging events rising sharply at the same time as household budgets have come under pressure and the festival market has become much more crowded.

“After a lot of careful thought, we feel the right thing to do is to make this year a proper celebration of everything Splendour has meant to Nottingham and give it the send-off it deserves.”

Local artists, including Nottingham act Jake Bugg, had often used Splendour as a springboard for their careers.

To mark the final edition, organisers launched a two-for-one ticket offer on general admission day tickets.

Akins added: “Thanks to everyone for your loyalty and support over the years, we couldn’t have done it without you.”