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THE future of a historic pier and its record-holding railway remain in doubt as repairs and ownership questions drag out.

Hythe Pier in Hampshire is the UK’s seventh-longest of its kind but has been shut for more than a year, and has kept essential ferry services out of reach.

Located in Hampshire, the pier is a crucial stopping point for the Hythe Ferry, which ran regular services to Southampton before the closure.

The pier is also home to a historic ferry train which having opened in 1922 makes it the world’s oldest, a feat recognised by Guinness World Records.

Concerned residents have been searching for answers about when the pier would open and ferry services resume given that repair and electrical works seem to have concluded.

Services were suspended in August last year over health and safety concerns when damage was found underneath the landing pontoon.

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But the ferry service never resumed, and the pier was once again closed in autumn this year to carry out electrical work.

“Essential works to support the pier and ferry operations are progressing,” a spokesperson for the ferry company told the BBC.

When contacted by The Sun, the ferry’s spokesperson said algae on the pier needed to be cleared out before services could resume. However, cleaning could only occur once the weather had dried up for a period of time, so the algae was likely to be removed in spring.

This is a blow for locals who have waited months for answers about when they could expect the ferry to be up and running again.

What has made the situation more complicated is a change in ownership of the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company.

Investment firm Njord Partners has taken over Red Funnel, which owned the ferry company, but it has not been made clear how this would impact services.

“We simply don’t know anything about whether the Hythe Ferry was included in the takeover, and as the tenant of the pier, it’s their responsibility to determine when it can reopen again – we’ve asked them and had no answer,” vice-chair of the parish council, Mark Clark, told the BBC.

A PR firm representing Red Funnel issued a statement on the matter saying there was work being done to find solutions for a “sustainable future.”

“We’re pleased to confirm that the owners of Hythe Pier recently completed critical electrical repairs,” read the statement to the BBC.

“This is an important step forwards but there is still work to be done.

“The ferry is a historic and much-loved service, and we are working hard behind the scenes, together with local partners, to find the right solution and secure a sustainable future”.

The pier is owned by local councillor Ashleigh Mutimear-MacMillan who said it was closed by the tenant – Southampton and Hythe Ferry Company – and she was considering getting the pier registered as a charity.

“Decisions about access, operation and reopening sit with the Hythe Ferry,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

“As the pier owner, I continue to engage with the tenant and have been working to resolve electrical issues affecting the pier and associated community facilities.”

Mutimear-MacMillan said her idea of switching the pier business to a charity was because “the only income to the pier is rental income, and the full annual income has already been spent on essential electrical works.”

“There are no further funds available at this time through the private limited company, which is why longer-term funding options are being considered,” she wrote.

A SUPERMODEL was reportedly paid an astonishing amount to appear in one of the world’s most famous Christmas films.

Claudia Schiffer appears in the perennial festive favourite Love Actually for one minute  – and earned the equivalent of the average UK salary in just EIGHT seconds.

Richard Curtis, the film’s director, cast the supermodel in brief – but memorable – scenes alongside Liam Neeson’s character Daniel.

On several occasions in the 2003 film, Daniel, recently widowed, tells his love-sick step-son, Sam, played by Thomas Brodie Sangster, that the path of true love rarely runs smooth.

Daniel tells Sam that he need only look to his step-dad for proof after telling him several times he wants to date supermodel Claudia Schiffer.

The pay-off in the film – when it finally arrives – works a treat.

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In one memorable scene, Daniel hits it off with one of Sam’s classmates – played by the supermodel.

The pair then appear on screen loved-up near the end of the film.

Although her appearance is brief, her paycheck for the role in the film proves it was well worth turning up.

As reported by Vogue, in his book ‘How Much?!: The $1000 Omelette … and 1100 Other Astonishing Money Moments’, author Andrew Holmes revealed Schiffer was paid $350,000 for the role.

That works out at £275,000 for the entire screen time – or £4,500 per second.

In contrast, two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson, who plays Alan Rickman’s long-suffering wife Karen in the film, has stated she felt she was underpaid for her role.

Thompson’s fee has not been disclosed.

While on Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Tutti Frutti actress said she no longer rewatches Love Actually,

THE UK’s most isolated island celebrates Christmas on January 6 – despite the rest of Britain packing away the decorations weeks earlier.

Foula, a tiny Scottish island 20 miles off the west coast of Shetland, follows its own festive timetable.

The unusual timing is down to the calendar the island follows.

While the rest of the UK adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, Foula’s residents chose to keep using the older Julian calendar.

That decision means key dates slowly drifted, and after a leap year change in 1900, Christmas and New Year ended up falling 12 days later than elsewhere.

Home to just 35 people, Foula is often described as one of the most remote places in the country.

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With no pubs, shops, bars, Wi-Fi or National Grid connection, supplies arrive only by boat or small plane, weather permitting, yet despite its isolation the island still offers plenty to see.

Foula covers around five square miles and is dominated by five dramatic peaks, including Da Kame, which is believed to be one of the highest sheer sea cliffs in Britain.

The island is also one of the best places in the UK to spot the Northern Lights.

Known locally as the Mirrie Dancers, they are most often seen between mid-October and mid-March, depending on conditions.

Wildlife is another major draw. Foula is famous for its native sheep, which are unique.

Foula is also popular with scuba divers due to several shipwrecks around its shores, notably the RMS Oceanic, launched in 1899, later used during the First World War, and wrecked just three miles east of the island.

Those who prefer to stay on dry land can join guided walks run by the Foula Ranger Service, or explore independently using maps provided by Foula Heritage.

The island can be reached by ferry or flight from the Shetland Mainland, with ferries running three times a week and taking about two hours, while visitors stay in self-catering accommodation and must bring all supplies.

Two other little-known islands to visit in the UK

HERE are two other little-known islands to visit in the UK.

The Isle of Erraid, Scotland

The tiny Inner Hebridean Isle of Erraid is a tidal island, just off the tip of the Ross of Mull.

For an hour or two either side of low tide, the Isle of Erraid is linked to the mainland by a broad expanse of sand that you can cross.

But Erraid’s major claim to fame is its inspiration for the famous novel Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Erraid is one of the driest and sunniest places in Scotland, with less than 1,000 millimetres of rain and 1,350 hours of sunshine annually, so you’re virtually guaranteed great days out on the beach.

Unst, Scotland

Unst is roughly 178 miles away from the Scottish mainland.

There are thought to be just 600 people living on the tiny island, making it the most northerly inhabited place in the UK.

Unst has just one pub, one hotel, one school, three shops and a lone bus route.

Skaw Beach, the most northerly in the UK, is packed with golden sand, and it’s backed by a meadow that’s home to an array of wild flowers in the spring and summer.

Because of its shape, the beach is fairly sheltered from the winds.

There are limited facilities at the beach, so holidaymakers should aim to pack everything they need before visiting.

Despite its remote location, around 100 people have reviewed the beach on Google, with one person writing: “Wild and wooly, with nobody around. The water was freezing, as you would expect.”

It’s also a haven for birds including corncrake, lapwing, peregrine, hen harriers and sandpipers and you’ll also see plenty of deer, hedgehogs and Black Face sheep.

BUSY trains are being axed over a driver shortage, causing Christmas chaos.

Passengers planning to travel on Cross Country trains are today facing major disruption over the dwindling staff numbers – amid warnings from the operator.

A number of services between Manchester and Birmingham were cancelled on Sunday afternoon, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

It comes after a series of planned strikes by railway workers on CrossCountry Trains were called off.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were due to walk out for the next four Saturdays in a dispute over pay and staffing issues.

The train operator had warned of significant disruption on all its routes if the strikes had gone ahead.

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However, the union has announced that the dispute has been resolved.

An RMT spokesperson said: “We have resolved the dispute with the employer and no strike action will now take place.”

RMT members previously walked out on December 6 and 13.

Shiona Rolfe, Managing Director at CrossCountry previously told The Sun, prior to the U-turn they were “disappointed for our customers” over the initial decision to strike.

Network Rail warned passengers to expect delays through Christmas and the New Year ahead of major £130 million works.

The disruption is set to last for a total of a month over the festive period, while crucial work is carried out.

Announcing a raft of festive network upgrades, Network Rail boss Helen Hamlin said: “The period between Christmas and New Year is the quietest on the railway and it’s the best time for us to do the major projects that will take longer than a night or a weekend to complete.

“That’s especially the case this year as we have some very big plans for improving the railway that will mean people may have to travel home on different routes after Christmas than the way they travelled out. 

“Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding and for planning ahead.”

Dover delays

Meanwhile, families getting away for Christmas yesterday were hit with long delays as a massive IT glitch continued to cause chaos at Dover.

The technical issue at the French border control resulted in motorists being trapped in their cars for hours and missing their ferries.

The delays continued today, with ferry passengers grinding to a halt on the approach to the Kent port this morning as nearly 30,000 cars were estimated to embark on outbound sailings during the festive period.

Peak traffic at the port will be between 6am and 1pm, when P&O Ferries, which operates some sailings from the port, urged customers to allow extra time for their journey.

Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, said: “To help ensure a smooth departure, we kindly ask all customers travelling with our ferry partners not to arrive any earlier than two hours before their scheduled sailing, just as you would if departing from a UK airport, and greatly appreciate everyone’s patience should there be any additional waiting time due to the high volumes of traffic.”

Sunday was forecast to be quieter than Saturday on the roads, but motorists were still facing delays on the M25 clockwise from Junction 15 to Junction 19 this morning.

A total of 3.5 million car journeys are expected on Sunday, according to RAC research, but motorists planning last-minute travel could face heavy traffic as 4.2 million getaways are predicted on Christmas Eve, which would make it the single busiest day over the period.

Drivers are being warned the worst hold-ups on December 24 will be between 11am and 7pm.

RAC figures suggest it could be the busiest Christmas getaway on record, with a total of 37.5 million leisure trips between Wednesday and Christmas Eve – the most in the week before Christmas Day since the company began recording the data in 2013.

A POPULAR safari park and celeb hotspot got the green light to build accommodation overlooking its lion enclosure.

Construction of the 12 all-weather luxury “Lion Lookout” pods at the much-loved menagerie could begin as early as next year.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) has approved the plans for the Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve, near Hythe, Kent, which will offer guests a safari-style overnight experience.

Port Lympne already features the £1,800-a-night Lion Lodge, known for hosting stars including Amanda Holden, Alison Hammond and Kelly Brook.

Guests will enjoy uninterrupted views of the big cats including daddy lion Hunter and mummy lion Oudrika, as well as their five cute cubs.

Managing director of Howletts and Port Lympne Estates, Tony Kelly, said: “I’m incredibly pleased we have been granted planning permission for our Lion Lookout plans.

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“Nestled alongside the largest lion enclosure in Europe and our pride of seven lions, this unique offer will extend our accommodation offering to our guests with uninterrupted close-up views of these magnificent animals.

“The accommodation will be aimed at a family audience and add to our already award-winning offerings.

“Whilst planning has been granted, there are several pre-commencement conditions to fulfil, but we would hope to start the project in late 2026.”

The site will be connected by a newly built timber walkway and designed to keep environmental impact to a minimum.

Each tent will will stand on a raised platform, including a veranda and private viewing area, carefully positioned among the trees so the landscape remains largely unchanged.

Bosses say the new development will complement Port Lympne’s existing luxury overnight stays, which attracted 82,000 visitors last year.

Other famous faces who visited the wildlife park include Emily Atack, Westlife’s Mark Feehily and Rio Ferdinand.

A UK Safari Park is set to open eight new lodges where guests can sleep amongst the giraffes, following “overwhelming demand.”

Riding high on the success of its current lodges, the Safari Park near Bewdley in Worcestershire is set to raise the bar with four new Giraffe Lodges, and four brand-new Rhino Lodges.

The expansion will let guests wake up nose-to-nose with some of their favourite animals, a stay that’s truly un-herd of.

Guests can peer out of their lodges at West Midlands Safari Park to views of the animals.

The site currently features four lodges with views of the giraffes and four of the rhinos, with more being added to meet growing demand.

The new Giraffe Lodges will sleep six people, allowing animal lovers to come eye-to-eye with the eight giraffes from the balcony on the upper floor.

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Keen-eyed guests may even be able to spot zebras, antelope and buffalo from their lodgings.

The new two-storey Rhino Lodges will be set in a brand-new area of the park, giving guests a fresh perspective and a closer look at the park’s white rhinos.

Visitors can unwind on private balconies as the animals roam just beyond their windows.

Each lodge boasts modern comfort with a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience, with elegant interiors, spacious living areas, and panoramic views.

One guest raved about the experience on TripAdvisor: “Couldn’t fault it at the Giraffe Lodge.  

“We were so close we could even hear the giraffes humming after the park closed and it was quieter.”

Stays also include a three-course dinner and breakfast, along with exclusive after-hours access to select areas of the West Midlands site.

The park also offers lodges overlooking the cheetahs, elephants, red pandas, tigers, lions, hippos and white lions.

Work is already underway to expand the venue’s award-winning luxury accommodation, increasing the total number of lodges to 38.

Safari Lodges manager, Nolan Armstrong, said: “Our Giraffe Safari Lodges have been incredibly popular since they opened, so we’re thrilled to be adding four more to meet demand.

“They are definitely a guest favourite and continue to sell out.

“We’re equally excited to introduce our new Rhino Safari Lodges in a brand-new area, giving guests another incredible opportunity to get up close to these magnificent African animals.”

The new Giraffe Lodges are expected to open in Spring, while the Rhino Lodges will be available later in the year, with bookings already open.

Giraffe Lodges are available from £509 per night for two guests, and the Rhino Lodges start at £449.

FROM snowy countrysides to festive city spots, Christmas movies have taken inspiration from a variety of UK locations.

And while the North Pole may be far out of the way, you can get into the spirit by visiting these iconic film spots a little closer to home.

Before you snuggle up to watch your go-to Christmas classics, why not go one step further and visit the exact spot where it was filmed this festive season?

A variety of festive favourites were shot on-site here in the UK, from the star-studded Love Actually to Christmas comedy Nativity!

If you find yourself near any of these famous film locations, celebrate the Christmas season by stepping into the shoes of your favourite festive characters.

Shere, Surrey

This picturesque village hit the big screen when it was featured in The Holiday back in 2006.

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The quaint area consists of historic timber-framed buildings and medieval charm, nestled in the idyllic Tillingbourne Valley.

It played home to Kate Winslet’s Iris who famously swaps homes with Los Angeles resident Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz.

Shere provides the romantic backdrop for Diaz as she finds love with Jude Law during her festive getaway.

And the village also featured in the Bridget Jones franchise, which is often considered another Christmas classic for Brits.

Snowshill, Cotswolds

The quintessential Cotswolds village also featured in Bridget Jones Diary, the first installment of the hit series.

In fact, the film and the entire franchise opens with with Bridget turning up at her parent’s house in Snowshill on a wintry New Year’s Day.

And it is in the same town where the quirky protagonist has her first on-screen encounter with her eventual husband Mark Darcy.

Due to the film’s success and the idyllic scenery, many people now stop for a photo outside the village church or one of the quaint houses that appear in the film.

As a result, Snowshill has established itself as one of Britain’s most popular Christmas film locations.

Brighton Pier

While the iconic seaside attraction may be associated with summer fun, it also has ties to the festive season.

Fans of the animated film The Snowman may recognise the historic pier from the famous Walking In The Air scene.

The main characters can be seen flying over the historic pier as they make their way to the North Pole.

While the sequence may be brief, it is perhaps one of the most famous associated with the beloved classic.

Hogwarts Great Hall

Another children’s classic is of course Harry Potter, a film series often associated with and watched around Christmas.

And while witches and wizards may be akin Halloween characters, the cosy grounds of Hogwarts are perhaps the most enticing when they are decked out for the festive season.

Now fans of the film can step into the magic by visiting the Warner Brothers Studio in Watford.

A quick trip from London, this studio tour offers a stunningly detailed look into the making of the movies, and what better time to visit than in the lead up to Christmas when the Great Hall set is adorned with decorations?

Covent Garden

And in the heart of London is of course the famous Covent Garden, which many argue is the home to the city’s best Christmas tree.

While it is already on most tourist lists, the festive season marks the best time to visit this popular spot.

With a famous Christmas market and choir performances, there’s plenty to get you in the spirit at this time of year.

And fans of the 2019 rom-com Last Christmas are sure to spot many filming spots inside this famous square, which feature heavily in the film.

Emilia Clarke’s Kate works as an Elf in a fictional year-round Christmas shop at this location, while the famous karaoke scene was shot at nearby pub The Harp.

St Luke’s Mews, Notting Hill

And if you’re a fan of Christmas rom-coms, you’ll want to pop over to Notting Hill too.

The beautiful cobbled street of St Luke’s Mews plays the backdrop to arguably the most famous scene from the festive flick Love Actually.

Whether you lap up Mark’s (Andrew Lincoln) cue card love confession to his friend’s new wife, played by Kiera Knightly, or cringe at the iconic scene, you’re sure to recognise this famous street.

While this street it located just off Portobello Road, home to the world’s largest antique market, it is still a residential area so remember to be respectful when visiting.

Coventry Cathedral Ruins

Another British Christmas classic is of course Nativity!, which primary school teacher Mr Maddens, played by Martin Freeman, as he attempts to stage a production of the Nativity.

After telling a white lie to impress his ex, Maddens soon finds himself in the midst of a media storm surrounding the school play.

The mayor even allows the class to perform the highly-anticipated show at the historic ruins of Coventry cathedral in an atmospheric climax to the film.

Paddington Station

And who can talk about beloved British festive flicks without mentioning Paddington?

The iconic bear famously made his way from Peru to the Paddington area of London, after which he was named.

Visitors can visit a statue of the bear at his namesake station, which provided the backdrop for one of the most important scenes in the 2014 film.

Elm Hill, Norwich

The picturesque area of Elm Hill in Norwich features heavily in Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.

Snowy scenery provides a backdrop for the adventure of an old toy maker and his granddaughter.

The cobbled streets, multi-coloured houses, and quaint shops of the town provide the perfect setting for movie magic.

And they also ensure the perfect shot on Instagram, whether you’re a fan of the film or not.

Birdsall House

And finally, this Malton mansion plays home to the Christmas family in 2021’s Father Christmas Is Back.

Kelsey Grammer plays James, the father of Joanna, played by Elizabeth Hurley, who he abandoned years ago.

The festive family flick follows them as they attempt to navigate Christmas together, with many scenes set at the stunning Birdsall House.

This beautiful country house is surrounded by glorious Yorkshire countryside and is a popular wedding venue, with private guided tours of the property are available.

WICKED: For Good, the blockbuster musical sequel, recorded the second-biggest box office opening weekend of 2025, amassing £170million worldwide.

Google Trends data shows interest in the film surged ahead of its
release on November 21 before dropping sharply in the weeks that followed.

Searches for the film climbed steadily through October, peaking in November as hype around Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo reached its highest point.

The days just before the film’s release recorded the strongest search activity, with Google Trends showing a clear spike as fans hunted for new clips, early reviews and last-minute tickets.

But the data also reveals what happened once the spoiler-free rush was over. By the beginning of December, searches for “Wicked: For Good” had begun to fall fast.

The decline suggests the film’s online buzz was already settling, even though it launched during peak cinema-going season and arrived with one of the biggest fanbases in modern musical history.

Within the data, Google Trends shows that interest wasn’t just limited to the leads.

Bethany Weaver, a standout supporting cast member, saw a spike in searches immediately after release, indicating that audiences were curious about her role and keen to learn more about the rising star.

Fans flocked online to read interviews, explore her career and performance, giving Weaver her own moment in the spotlight.

The film’s soundtrack proved equally magnetic.

Searches for “Wicked songs” surged following the premiere, as viewers streamed iconic numbers, from soaring duets to emotional solos.

According to Google Trends, the soundtrack maintained high interest for several days after the release, showing that the music continued to engage fans even as searches for the film itself tapered off.

When the first Wicked movie hit UK cinemas in November 2024, its Google Trends curve showed a longer-lasting surge, with searches remaining elevated for weeks after release.

That film not only dominated box office charts in 2024, but also sparked a renewed and sustained interest in the stage musical and soundtrack.

Wicked: For Good, however, has dropped off much quicker.

While interest shot up immediately before and at the time of release, search volumes for the film itself had plunged by early December, indicating fans were moving on.

Only specific elements of the sequel, such as its soundtrack and cast members, continue to draw attention.

Where the original Wicked enjoyed a sustained afterlife, Wicked: For Good’s buzz seems to have been more short-lived.

Strong at first, the trend is declining, even as fragments of interest survive around music and memory‑making moments.

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TRAVELLERS will soon be able to relax in a brand new airplane which is poised to take off within days.

American Airlines is set to launch its new Airbus A321XLR which has a focus on comfort.

It is due to take off on December 18.

Initially is will be a transcontinental service from New York’s JFK airport to LAX on the West Coast but the aim is to then expand to a number of transcontinental routes along with transatlantic destinations and routes to South America.

The airline aims to have 40 XLRs in service by 2030.

American’s chief commercial officer Nat Pieper told USA Today that the new aircraft is part of the carrier’s plans to make American Airlines experience more streamlined and predictable, both on the ground and in the air as well as to try to encourage return customers.

Mr Pieper said: “I don’t view it as an event in isolation. We had a coffee announcement and a champagne announcement. Now an airplane, that’s obviously bigger.

“The investments that AA’s making, not just in ’26, but really, it’s now something you’re going to see going forward.”

On board, passengers can relax in new seats in all classes of service.

In business class, the XLR features all-new lie-flat suites with doors.

However, the doors are not yet certified and will have to remain open until the Federal Aviation Administration makes its final approval for use.

The business-class cabins have one seat on each side of the aisle, so every lie-flat suite has aisle access and a window.

As a nice touch, a little drink-size tray table pops up when the seat is put in bed mode.

The new plane is also American’s first single-aisle aircraft which features international-style premium economy seating, arranged with two seats on each side of the aisle in every row.

All premium economy seats come with a footrest and a legrest, along with privacy wings set at head height.

It is similar to a domestic first-class seat and features a large in-flight entertainment screen as well as plenty of storage space.

Behind the premium economy, there are two rows which have extra legroom in economy in the exit rows and then a large cabin of traditional six-across economy seats.

The economy seats come with large in-flight entertainment screens as well as both USB-A and C ports.

All the entertainment systems in all classes allow for Bluetooth headphone connections.

Initially, the A321XLR will start on the JFK-LAX route on December 18 and then start flights from JFK to Edinburgh, Scotland, in March.

Then the planes will fly numerous transcontinental routes from both JFK and Boston-Los Angeles.

In the longer term, it is hoped American will use the planes for additional European markets as well as South American and some African destinations.

Mr Pieper said though the exact routes will be determined by customer demand.

As American’s fleet of the XLR grows, it will weigh up where is best to deploy them.

Mr Pieper said: “Guests will tell us with their wallets and with their comments and preferences where they would truly value it.”

As American increases its fleet of the A321XLR it will retire its older aircraft or move them onto less premium routes.

A FAMOUS hotel chain known for serving free desserts every day is opening its first ever UK location.

Mövenpick Hotels has locations across multiple continents and became famous for its guests getting to eat free desserts for 60 minutes daily.

The hotel will be located at the Old Thorns Estate in Liphook, Hampshire, and is expected to open in late 2027.

Graham Dodd, VP development for UK & Ireland, premium, midscale and economy brands at Accor, said: “Bringing Mövenpick to the UK marks an important step in strengthening our premium brand portfolio and reinforcing our growth commitment for this important market.

“Mövenpick is a world-renowned brand that is recognised for its culinary excellence and environmental responsibility, which align perfectly with the expectations of UK guests.

“The Old Thorns estate provides an exceptional backdrop to introduce the brand in this incredibly important destination for Accor.”

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Mövenpick, a Swiss hospitality brand, will be running the property in Hampshire which was acquired by a Dubai-based real estate firm, Select Group, earlier this year.

Mövenpick, which is known for their wide range of ice-cream flavours, offers guests a free “dessert” for an hour every day.

Guests staying at any of the hotels can enjoy Chocolate Hour all kinds of treats such as éclairs, brownies, truffles, chocolate fountains and other snacks which change on a regular basis.

In-house chefs also host live demonstrations and experiences which include rolling truffles to icing cupcakes during the hour.

The Old Thorns Estate will be transformed into a 194-bedroom hotel and resort.

The improvements will include a championship golf course, 2,500 sq m of conference and meeting spaces, four restaurants, a wellness centre with spa, and a ballroom accommodating over 500 guests.

Renovations of the 30 acres property are expected to take place over the next two years.

Mövenpick was founded in 1948 by Swiss restaurateur Ueli Prager and has since grown into a portfolio of over 120 hotels globally in over 35 countries.

Its ice cream business was acquired by Nestlé in 2003.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts was bought by Accor 2018 and is now part of its premium brand portfolio.

The brand offers its culinary experiences in countries like Germany, Switzerland, Egypt, and many others across the world.

Israr Liaqat, group chief executive of Select Group, added: “Together with our trusted and established partner Accor, we will elevate this iconic property into a world-class resort destination, blending heritage with the sophistication of the Mövenpick brand.”

Mövenpick Hampshire – Old Thorns will join Accor’s existing portfolio of more than 5,700 hotels across 110 countries.

A POPULAR seaside resort has secured a massive £20million in funding ahead of a decade-long transformation.

The coastal resort, which has been ranked the “best for a short break” in the UK, will undergo a series of upgrades, including the revamping of community spaces.

The Victorian town of Hastings, which was previously praised as an overlooked holiday hotspot, confirmed the ambitious plans this week.

As part of the government’s Pride in Place programme, the project will “spark civic pride and breathe new life into the town”.

Planned works

Safer streets and revamped public areas are prioritised in the new works, as well as improvements to sports, leisure, and play facilities.

And heritage sites across the town will also be set for restoration as part of the plan to create “a Hastings for everyone”.

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Deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council Julia Hilton said the upgrades will be shaped “in collaboration with local people”, while Local MP Helena Dollimore praised the project for making Hastings “an even better place to live”.

Toursim

Hastings has received mixed reviews over the years, once vote the worst seaside town for a weekend to stay by Which?, it is now widely regarded as an underrated treasure.

While visitors have marked it down on value for money, and ease of getting around, artists and writers continue to flock to the town, turning it into one of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming holiday destinations.

And from the old town to the stunning scenery, there’s something for everyone in this historic area.

The old town itself is rated number one on TripAdvisor, scoring 4/5 from more than 2,700 reviews, with visitors praising its independent shops, cafés, and buzzing character.

Tourists can walk the cobbled streets, enjoying vintage shops, a Tudor-looking pub, and five-star chippies and restaurants.

Hastings also boasts a number of music events, including the annual Hastings Beer and Music Festival, as well as playing host to well-known restaurants such as Yaaze Cafe Bistro & Meze Bar.

Music fans will also want to visit the Jenny Lind, which offers live performances and flamboyant local characters.

And Hastings Contemporary gallery is just around the corner – a nod to the town’s burgeoning art scene, with many tipping it to be the next Margate.

There are also pagan vibes in the area, with Jack on the Green festival ushering in the summer with incredible costumes, dancing, and music paraded through the streets.

To top off the unique experience, a huge puppet is then set alight on the West Hill.