England

A UK train station undergoing a multi-million renovation has revealed plans to open a new pub.

Carlisle’s train station upgrade is part of a wider £27million redevelopment called the Gateway Project.

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This includes a new public square, car park and entrance.

But recent plans suggest the train station’s current Grade-II listed waiting room could be turned into a pub.

Once used by first class passengers, it even welcomed Queen Victoria.

Currently used for storage, it will instead be converted with a new mezzanine floor.

Images revealed by Seed Architects show the restoration of some of the original 1880s interiors as well as a bar area and seating.

Network Rail said: “The platform 4 first class waiting room has remained largely in use since it opened in 1880, albeit with a number of changes in how it is operated.

“The most recent operation was as a public house, which unfortunately closed due to its poor commercial offering.

“A mezzanine level is to be added within the west end of the space, this will provide a new perspective to view the heritage features not seen before, enhancing the architectural space.

“This will bring a new aspect of the space allowing users to enjoy the room from a different perspective and introducing a modern element into this unique space.

“[But] without harming it and adding potential value to be translated economically, what will guarantee its continuity to be looked after properly.”

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Outdoor seating also hopes to be added as part of the restoration.

The £27million redevelopment hopes to start this year, and be completed by 2027.

Around £20million of the funding is backed by both the UK and Scottish Governments as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal

The ambitious project hopes to encourage “more visitors to the city”.

Cumberland Council Leader Mark Fryer added: “This is excellent news for Carlisle.”

Carlisle Station fist opened in 1847, costing £53,000 at the time – £4.6million in today’s money.

It no welcomes around two million passengers a year with trains to London and Manchester as well as Edinburgh, Liverpool and Newcastle.

A £160million new train station is set to open in the UK that will be the first of its kind in the country.

And here is another train station with its own pub.

Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world

Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.

Davos to Geneva, Switzerland

“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire

Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen

“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey

London to Paris by Eurostar

“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski

Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail

“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton

Beijing to Ulaanbatar

“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray

BRITS heading to Europe could soon find it much easier thanks to new plans allowing holidaymakers to use airport e-gates.

Since the UK left the EU, British tourists have faced huge queues at the airport across Europe after being forced to use the standard passport gates.

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However, the UK government has revealed plans of a deal that would allow UK holidaymakers to use the much faster e-gates when visiting Europe.

The talks, part of the UK-EU summit taking place today, suggest Brits would join other EU tourists in the shorter queues, The Guardian reports.

EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said he backed the potential rule change.

He told Sky News: “I would love to see you being able to go through the border more quickly in that way.

“That’s certainly something we’ve been pushing with the EU and I think that will be something that will be very helpful to British people.

“I think we can all agree that not being stuck in queues and having more time to spend, whether it’s on holiday or work trips, having more time to do what you want, would be a very sensible objective.”

Plans to allow Brits to use e-gates in European countries were put forward back in 2023 by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak although never came into fruition.

Last summer, some Brits even missed their flights when travelling through Spain due to long passport queues while waiting to get them stamped.

Another Brit wrote on Tripadvisor: “My lunchtime arrival at Oslo left me with an hour and a half wait to get through manual passport control.”

Another agreed: “The queue was horrendous, people couldn’t even get into the passport hall. Took just over 90 minutes to get through.”

However, the new rules could cause problems with passport stamping, which is still required from Brits entering and exiting Europe.

This is because of the new rules which only allow Brits to visit for 90 days in an 180 day period.

Anyone without an outgoing stamp could be mistakenly seen to have overstayed in Europe and even be banned from entering – which happened to a British tourist in Majorca back in 2022.

But it comes ahead of the constantly-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) which will scrap the need for passport stamping entirely.

First announced in 2016, it finally hopes to be rolled out from October this year.

Instead of manual passport stamping, new biometric checks will take place instead.

And next year will see the roll out of the ETIAS – a visa waiver that Brits will need to visit Europe.

Costing around €7 and lasting three years, it will be similar to the current ESTA Brits need when visiting the US.

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CARLOS BALEBA isn’t just here to make up the numbers, he’s chasing football’s ultimate individual prize and wants to leave an indelible mark on the game.

The 21-year-old Brighton midfielder is full confidence and charm as he reveals his dream of getting to the top of world football from his home in Hove after inviting me over for an interview.

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Baleba is dreaming of winning the Ballon d’Or, and says praise from Declan Rice and inspiration from Rodri’s success have convinced him it’s possible.

He told SunSport in an exclusive interview: “Declan Rice, Matheus Cunha, Joelinton, they’ve all told me I’ve got it in me.

“I want to win the Ballon d’Or like Rodri.

“I watched him during the Euros and before his injury I played against him and time I got the ball, he was right in front of me.

“It was my first game against Manchester City, and it was very difficult.

“He made it so hard to dribble or pass. That showed his class.

“His success has opened the door for midfielders like us to believe we can win the Ballon d’Or someday.”

Baleba is already making waves with his performances. The Cameroonian is the only midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues this season to register 30+ tackles, 30+ interceptions, 30+ clearances, 30+ take-ons, and 30+ aerial duels won, a stat line that shows just how complete his game is.

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His stock is rising fast, and he’s already been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City and Manchester United.

But for now, Baleba is focused on developing and not paying attention to the rumour mill.

He said: “Yes, I can get to the very top of world football.

“But I need to stay focused, stay calm, not rush, and not let what people write get in my head. If I keep working hard, I can be like Luka Modric or Toni Kroos, I just need to stay grounded.”

The Brighton star’s journey is nothing short of remarkable so far. Just three years ago, he was still in Cameroon, uncertain about his future. 

When he finally got his breakthrough move to Lille, tragedy struck, he lost his mother, he says it was sudden and quick. It’s a pain that still drives him.

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He revealed: “It was very difficult for me because I didn’t see my mum. I wanted her next to me, but when I signed for Brighton, she wasn’t here.

“That’s why the first season was really hard. I thought about her a lot. But I vowed that I would be the best version of myself and go as far as I can in my career.”

The Premier League is the dream destination for many young African players, but Baleba warns it’s not for the faint-hearted.

“The intensity,  if you don’t run, you cannot play in the Premier League. That’s the truth. You have to be willing to put in the hard work.”

What makes Baleba stand out isn’t just his football, it’s his effort to adapt to a new culture and language.

His English is still a work in progress, but he’s proud of the steps he’s taking to settle in,  even if the British weather isn’t always his cup of tea.

“I love it here, to be honest. My favourite English food is the English breakfast, if I’m allowed to say that!.

“But the weather is the only issue, it changes all the time.”

Brighton will be hoping Baleba can continue his meteoric rise, following in the footsteps of midfield stars like Alexis Mac Allister, Yves Bissouma, and Moises Caicedo.

All arrived as unknowns but left as stars. The Cameroonian might just be the next one off the Seagulls’ midfield conveyor belt, and if he keeps dreaming big, he could go even further.

RAIN is set to fall in just hours in parts of the UK, marking the end of the remarkably dry start to spring, the Met Office has forecast.

Some areas could even see thunder as the skies open up amid the driest start to the season in nearly six decades.

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The Environment Agency has also warned there could be a risk of a drought this summer without sustained rainfall, with millions of households told they may face water restrictions in the coming months.

As of Friday, just 80.6mm of rain has been recorded for the UK this spring – that’s almost 20mm less than the record low of 100.7mm, set in 1852 for the full season.

However, this could change imminently, as the Met Office has warned of showers landing in the north of the UK throughout Monday.

Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk explained showers hit across southern Scotland and northern England overnight on Sunday, with some reaching as far south as Wales.

Heading into Monday morning, there are expected to be “much-welcome” showers across the central belt of Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland.

Cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland could be washed out by the rainfall, as could Manchester in the north of England.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud added that Monday would see sunny spells in the west develop widely with a “few scattered showers developing across the north during the course of Monday afternoon”.

He added: “One or two of those could be heavy, potentially thundery, but most places are going to be warm and dry.”

However, from Tuesday onwards there could be “an increasing chance of showers across southern areas of the country,” Dan said.

“Then beyond that, Thursday and Friday are likely to become dry, fine and sunny again, with good deals of sunshine for much of the country.”

Conditions in the UK this spring had been “remarkably dry up until now”, Dan explained.

However, as we approach the final week of May, which is also when schools break for half-term, the weather is “looking increasingly changeable, with areas of cloud and rain arriving from the west”.

The Met Office explained the prolonged warm and very dry spell, which has seen Brits enjoy temperatures as high as 29C, was primarily caused by high pressure.

However, by Tuesday, changing conditions could see “occasional heavy and potentially thundery showers developing across parts of Wales and the Midlands, with one or two of those breaching into London“.

Discussing Wednesday’s forecast, Dan said: “It will be a bit of a chilly start across England and Wales with plenty of sunshine to kick the day off.

“But showers will develop across England and Wales, with some of those showers potentially heavy and thundery and breaching into the London area.”

MILLIONS of bank customers face being left stranded after a damning report revealed 6,000 branch closures over the past decade.

A whopping 13million customers used bank branches last year, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

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The data shows that most users remain “reliant on bank branches for essential services,” despite the move toward online banking.

The FCA report revealed that an eye-watering 9.7million people visited a specific site at least once a month.

Experts fear that the trend of branch closures will leave customers stranded with around 3.3million account holders never banked online.

Around 63 per cent of those are over the age of 85, which raises further concern, according to the FCA.

The report also found that people from low-income households – as well as those with cancer, multiple sclerosis, or HIV — were less likely to engage with digital banking.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The disappearance of face-to-face banking risks cutting a significant minority of the older population out of an essential service, making it difficult if not impossible for them to maintain their independence.”

The main reasons people avoided online banking were concerns about security and a preference for speaking to someone face-to-face.

A staggering 21 per cent of account holders surveyed said their regular bank branch had closed.

Consumer group, Which?, showed that more than 6,000 branches have shut in the past decade.

Jenny Ross, money editor at Which? said: “As the UK’s bank branch network continues to be cut to the bone, more people are finding it difficult to access banking services.”

 Former pensions minister Ros Altmann added: ‘Millions of British citizens cannot and do not use online or mobile banking, and indeed don’t even have a smartphone.

Despite the rising bank closures, Nationwide has committed to keeping all of its branches open until 2028.

The major bank has seen the number of customers rise by 4 per cent, which appears to be partly driven by other bank closures.

Which bank branches are closing in June?

Halifax:

• Bitterne: 400/402 Bitterne Road SO18 5RS – June 9
• Bournemouth: 335/337 Wimborne Road BH9 2EA – June 4
• Felixstowe: 85 Hamilton Road IP11 7BQ – June 2
• Fleetwood: 4 Poulton Street FY7 6LR – June 22
• Gainsborough: 32 Lord Street DN21 2DQ – June 2
• Launceston: 1 Southgate Street PL15 9DP – June 3
• Leek: 16 Derby Street ST13 5AB – June 4
• Letchworth: 1 Commerce Way SG6 3DN – June 3
• Littlehampton: 68 High Street BN17 5EA – June 23
• London (North West): 469 Kingsbury Road NW9 9ES – June 2

Bank of Scotland:

• Bathgate: 50 Hopetoun Street EH48 4EU – June 30
• Cowdenbeath: 349/351 High Street KY4 9QJ – June 24
• Linlithgow: Regent Centre Blackness Road EH49 7HU – June 23

Lloyds:

• Alcester: Stratford Road B49 5AX – June 25
• Ashbourne: Compton DE6 1DY – June 24
• Dorchester: 1-2 High West Street DT1 1UG – June 19
• Launceston: 13 Broad Street PL15 8AG – June 3
• Liverpool: 188-190 Breck Road L5 6PX – June 4

Over the rest of the year, another 40 branches are closing.

These include locations in Bristol, London, Bolton, Edinburgh and Coventry.

Here is the full list…

Halifax:

Barrow-in-Furness: 133-135 Dalton Road LA14 1HZ – September 10
Bexleyheath: 131 Broadway DA6 7HF – October 23
Blackpool: 283/287 Lytham Road FY4 1DP – October 29
Bolton: 23/27 Knowsley Street BL1 2DG – November 20
Brentwood: 12 High Street CM14 4AE – September 10
Bristol: 15 Kings Chase Shopping Centre BS15 8LP – October 8
Carmarthen: 121/122 Lammas Street SA31 3AE – October 6
Castleford: 68 Carlton Street WF10 1DB – September 8
Cirencester: 10/12 Cricklade Street GL7 1JH – September 25
Crewe: The Market Centre CW1 2HU – October 14
Derby: 39 East Street DE1 2BL – October 23
Epsom: 51-52 The Ashley Centre KT18 5DB – September 15
Erdington: 221 High Street B23 6SS – September 24
Folkestone: 70-72 Sandgate Road CT20 2AA – October 9
Hayes: 45/47 Station Road UB3 4HH – October 6
Hexham: 20 Priestpopple NE46 1XH – November 5
Hove: 86/87 George Street BN3 3YE – October 20
London (South East): 165/169 Eltham High Street SE9 1TT – October 29
London (South East): 9-13 Powis Street SE18 6HZ – October 1
London (South West): 6 St Johns Hill SW11 1RU – September 23

Bank of Scotland:

Edinburgh: 206 St John’s Road EH12 8SH – October 29

Lloyds:

Biggleswade: 35 High Street SG18 0JD – November 5
Blandford: 6 Market Place DT11 7EE – November 10
Bristol: 16 Highridge Road BS13 8HA – November 6
Bury: 45 The Rock BL9 0JP – October 21
Chard: 27 Fore Street TA20 1PS – November 11
Coventry: 531 Foleshill Road CV6 5JN – November 4
Dunstable: 12 High Street North LU6 1JY – November 4
East Grinstead: 1/3 London Road RH19 1AH – November 12
Fakenham: 27 Norwich Street NR21 9AH – July 1
Falmouth: 11-12 Killigrew Street TR11 3RA – November 13
Feltham: 40 The Centre TW13 4AX – November 4
Ferndown: 84 Victoria Road BH22 9JB – November 17
Hexham: Priestpopple NE46 1PA – November 5
Kidderminster: 1 Vicar Street DY10 1DE – October 16
Leeds: 1 Cross Gates Centre LS15 8ET – August 20
Leeds: 52 Town Street LS12 3AE – September 8
Leominster: 9 Corn Square HR6 8LT – November 18
London (East): 180 – 182 High Street E17 7JH – October 22
London (South West): 12 Mitcham Road SW17 9ND – October 8
Loughton: 11 The Broadway IG10 3SW – November 12
Manchester: 64 Old Church Street M40 2JF – November 5

Since June 2022, Lloyds Banking Group has shut 537 bank branches across its three brands.

It has previously said all workers at the affected branches will be offered jobs elsewhere in the company.

UK banks and building societies have closed about 6,293 branches since January 2015, according to research by Which?.

This works out as almost two branches shutting every day for the past decade.

Barclays is the individual bank that has reduced its network the most, with 1,227 branch closures.

What to do if your local bank is set to close

If your nearest branch is closing, you should still be able to access banking services without going to another town.

For example you could check if there is a Post Office near you.

Here you’ll be able to do basic banking tasks, although you won’t be able to open a new bank account or take out personal loans or mortgages.

You can find your nearest Post Office branch by visiting postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder.

Many banks also offer a mobile banking service where they bring a bus to your area that offers services you can usually get at a physical branch.

Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.

You may want to contact your bank to see what mobile services they have available.

Another option is to check if there’s a super ATM near you.

These have been rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services.

These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash.

Banking hubs are also being opened across the country with 250 set to be available by the end of 2025.

BRITAIN’S most unhealthy high street sandwiches have now been revealed.

Brits will be shocked to know that most of their favourite lunchtime meal deals have more saturated fat and sugar than fast food and desserts.

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Most of them also have more calories than McDonald’s cheeseburgers and a bar of DairyMilk chocolate.

Leading the list of unhealthy sandwiches, Pret’s Posh Cheddar & Pickle Baguette sandwich contains a whopping 643 calories.

That is more calories than two McDonald’s cheeseburgers combined, which come at 295 calories each.

Even a Big Mac has almost 150 fewer calories than Pret’s flagship lunchtime meal.

Meanewhile, Waitrose‘s No1 The Perfect Ploughman’s Cornish Cheddar Sandwich comes 13.1g of saturated fat – making it one of the unhealthiest items on the list.

This is again more than two McDonald’s Cheeseburgers combined, which come with just 5.4g of fat each, according to a DailyMail analysis.

Next comes M&S’s Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s sandwich with 11.3g of saturated fat.

To give some context, a Big Mac burger has just 8.8g of fat.

Both these sandwiches contain more than half of the NHS‘s daily saturated fat limit for women, which is 20g.

When it came to unhealthy sugar content, Sainsbury’s Brie Bacon & Chilli Chutney Sandwich topped the charts with 19.7g sugar.

To put that into perspective, one would need to have two KitKat chocolate bars with 10.3g of sugar in each to beat the Sainsbury’s sandwich.

M&S’s All Day Breakfast Sandwich – a popular choice of meal on the go – has almost 10.1g of sugar.

That’s slightly less than a Krispy Kreme Original Glazed Doughnut that comes with 12g of sugar.

NHS recommends that adults only consume a maximum of 30g of sugar each day to lead a healthy life.

Most of the sandwiches sold on Britain’s high streets are also far saltier than fast food.

For instance, Pret’s Ham & Grevé Baguette contained 3.85g of salt, making it saltier than four large portions of McDonald’s fries (0.82g of salt each).

And surprisingly, even M&S’s Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese Ploughman contained 1.78g – slightly more than two large McDonald’s fries.

Adults are advised to consume less than 6g of salt per day, according to the NHS.

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But as most of the supermarket sandwiches are unhealthy options for lunch, Brits can choose to swap them for healthier meals.

For example, a Cheese Ploughman’s sandwich from Boots comes at just 429 calories, making it the healthiest option so far.

And if you feel fancy, you can also try Itsu’s King Prawn Rice Box salad, which comes at just 407 calories.

It’s a filling option thanks to wholegrain brown rice, veggies, prawns and seeds.

Meanwhile, a Tuna Melt Panini from Starbucks packs in an impressive 28g of protein and has just 443 calories.

But if you are really conscious about your health and want to keep things below 400 calories, then Greggs‘ Pesto and Mozzarella Pasta can be your saviour.

This tasty option from Greggs is just  375 calories, even though its packed with cheese.

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AT the age of three, Phil Foden’s daughter might struggle to tell the time — but Daddy has already treated her to a £10,000 Rolex.

Little True was seen wearing the pricey watch in pictures posted on her Instagram page last week.

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England and Man City ace Phil, 24, and girlfriend Rebecca Cooke run the site, which has 22,400 followers.

True is also seen kitted out in a £160 Monnalisa designer dress, a £40 bag from Hookd and a Pandora charm bracelet.

Her Rolex is identical to one worn by Kylie Jenner’s daughter Stormi, six.

Phil’s own watch collection includes a Rolex Sky Dweller and a Day Date.

The midfielder, who came on as a sub in yesterday’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, loves spending his £200,000-a-week wages on his kids — Ronnie, five, True, and baby boy Phil Junior.

True was given a pony, Angus, at Christmas and is having riding lessons.

A source said: “True loves anything girly, sparkly — she loves fancy things. She is the little girl that wants for nothing.”

Phil recently moved the family to a mansion with a lake in the Cheshire countryside.

He was brought up on a council estate in nearby Edgeley, Stockport.

His mum, Claire, has revealed how much her son had changed recently.

She said: “The shocking thing is I hear him ordering salmon a lot now and he never used to eat that.”

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THE SECRET ingredients to the perfect Eurovision song have been revealed and it might be bad news for the UK’s act. 

As various European countries go head-to-head tonight, a leading betting company has revealed that winning Eurovision songs always have three key traits.

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Sport Betting Online found that the first of the three factors relates to whether the song is written in a minor or a major key; minor keys often sound sadder, where major keys tend to sound happier and more joyful.

80 per cent of the winning songs, including Nemo’s The Code and Loreen’s thrilling Tattoo, are written in a minor key. 

Most winning songs also have an average tempo of 106 beats per minute (BPM), with Maneskin’s Zitte e Broni having 103 BPM and Kalush Orchestra’s Stefania having 105 BPM.

The final factor relates to language, as ten of the last 15 winning songs were written in English.

Despite that advantage, the UK act has the odds stacked against them – according to exclusive information from Sports Betting online.

Remember Monday’s track is written in a major key and has an average BPM rate of 136.

A spokesperson from the betting company said: “Remember Monday’s entry brings a vibrant and relatable energy to Eurovision 2025.

“Their harmonious vocals and genre-blending style align with several successful trends.

“However, the song’s major key and humorous theme might set it apart from the emotionally intense entries that have recently won.

“If audiences are ready for something fun and feel-good, the UK may have a dark horse on its hands.”

Despite the track bucking several winning trends, Remember Monday’s song was well-received when they took to the stage on Thursday.

Fans could be heard cheering throughout the trio’s performance, while singing along to What the Hell Just Happened’s catchy lyrics.

Brits loved the track too, with one writing on social media: “Remember Monday could WIN THIS WHOLE THING. INCREDIBLE. Perfection in the arena!”

UK fans can only hope that its broad appeal – with country aesthetics being on trend and English being the language of most winning songs – will take the trio to a win.

Sports Betting Online also analysed the frontrunners at this year’s singing competition, though, and one group is set to take the contest by storm. 

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Sweden’s Bara Badu Batsu – performed by KAJ – has an average BPM of 106 and is written in the minor key, specifically A Minor. 

The track is sung in Swedish with Finnish phrases, which does buck the trend of winning songs being in English.

However, experts think this may work in the trio’s favour – just a singing in Italian took Maneskin to a win.

Following close behind is Austria’s JJ who will be singing a track entitled Wasted Love. 

This track has 133 BPM, which is much faster than the average winning BPM, but is written in a minor key. 

It is also sung in English, which normally broadens a song’s appeal at the competition. 

The final frontrunner is France’s Louane, whose track was recorded at 88 BPM and is sung in the singer’s native language. 

Her heartbreaking song is entitled Maman – the French word for “mother”.

With all of the data considered, the competition is Sweden’s to lose. 

The contest will kick off on May 13, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland, before ending on May 17.

Last year’s winning artist Nemo will be performing their track – entitled The Code – at the finale.

However, not every country in Europe will be appearing at the competition.

Russia has been banned from competing due to controversies surrounding the invasion of Ukraine.

Other countries, including Bulgaria and Romania, have pulled out due to funding problems.

Israel has confirmed that it will be competing at Eurovision 2025, despite an open letter – signed by several former winners – urging judges to ban the country from the contest.

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EUROVISION fever has swept the nation.

And if you’re looking for something to keep yourself entertained before finding out if England can earn something more than “nil points” in the final tonight, we’ve got just the puzzle for you.

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But it’s not easy, as only those with the sharpest eyes can spot all five of the hidden microphones in the chaotic brainteaser, supplied by Best New Bingo Sites.

If you’re struggling, try following these tips.

For the first, look up to the sky to spot the sneaky mic.

England might end up with a disappointing result on Saturday night, but see if you can see the hiding device by the Union Jack.

The second is near another flag, and you’ll be a real génie if you can catch a glimpse.

Crazy dance moves are part and parcel of the song contest, but the guy kicking his leg up might want to be careful, as there’s one of the microphones right next to him.

Talk about hiding in plain sight, but the fourth can be found being used by one of those hoping for victory.

And the final microphone can also be spotted by the same guy in the leopard-print shirt.

Maybe take a look behind him?

If you still can’t figure out where the microphones are, scroll down to find out exactly where they are.

Certain brainteasers and optical illusions, particularly those that involve patterns or sequences, can help strengthen both short-term and long-term memory. 

By working through puzzles on a regular basis, you will actively engage the brain’s memory systems and directly improve your future attempts at visual challenges. 

Many brainteasers, like this one, require challengers thinking outside the box. 

This improves creative problem-solving skills by encouraging the brain to come up with innovative solutions. 

It also translates to real-life situations where you might need to approach challenges in new and inventive ways.

If you’re after another brainteaser to challenge yourself, try this one – as apparently only those with a high IQ are able to find the heart hidden among the spring flowers.

Or you can have a go at figuring out the hidden message in this band’s cover art that has confused fans for years.

Lastly, puzzle fanatics have been left scratching their heads trying to find the lost feather in just 12 seconds.

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ANOTHER WHSmith store will shut its doors for the final time this weekend as the retailer continues its slow retreat from Britain’s high streets.

Shoppers in Stockton, County Durham, will say goodbye to their local branch on Saturday, May 17, as it becomes the latest casualty in the chain’s ongoing wave of closures.

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The move follows a string of recent shutdowns across the country, with WHSmith axing high street locations after being snapped up by Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital earlier this year in a £76million deal.

The dramatic shake-up means the WHSmith name will vanish from town centres altogether, although its stores in airports, train stations and hospitals will stay open.

Locals in Stockton have been left gutted, with many now forced to travel to travel hubs or shop online for books, stationery, and gifts.

The high street giant has a number of stores in recent months – and more are set to follow.

Branches in Halstead and Woolwich shut on April 12, while Halesowen and Diss followed on April 19.

Just a week later, stores in Newport and Haverhill also pulled down the shutters.

And there’s no sign of the cuts slowing.

Two more sites are due to close by the end of July:

• West Mall, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster – May 31
• Bedford, Bedfordshire – July 5

Many of the shutting stores are currently holding closing-down sales, with shoppers able to grab big bargains before they go.

Already gone

At least ten WHSmith branches have already vanished from high streets this year, including:

• Bournemouth (Old Christchurch Road), Dorset
• Luton, Bedfordshire
• March, Cambridgeshire
• Basingstoke, Hampshire
• Long Eaton
• Newtown, Powys
• Winton (Bournemouth), Dorset
• Rhyl, Denbighshire
• Bolton, Greater Manchester
• Accrington, Lancashire

The retailer, which first opened in 1792, has faced growing pressure from rising costs, online rivals and changing shopper habits.

The end of WHSmith on the high street

The closures mark the beginning of the end of a 233-year stint on the high street for WHSmith.

Earlier this year, it put its entire high street estate up for sale as it focuses instead on its more profitable travel arm.

As previously mentioned, its remaining 480 high street stores were snapped up by Modella Capital last month, and the move saved the jobs of roughly 5,000 employees.

However, the famous WHSmith name is set to be lost to the high street as the shops will be gradually rebranded to TGJones.

The brand opened its first shop in 1792 in Little Grosvenor Street, London, later becoming the UK’s main newspaper distributor.

High street struggles

WHSmith’s departure from the high street comes just a few years after rival Wilko collapsed, with the brand partially rescued by The Range.

Retailers that had once seemed resilient now appear to be buckling under recent pressures.

They have had to deal with rising inflation and costs, a move to online shopping, and customers having less money to spend amid the cost of living crisis.

SOME of London’s biggest festivals face an uncertain future after residents won a court battle to block a major park from hosting events. 

Backed by Oscar winning actor Mark Rylance, the campaign has ordered the council to confirm that events will be cancelled this summer.

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Brockwell Park in Lambeth has long been a popular site for some of the UK’s biggest festivals. 

Hundreds of thousands of Brits flock to the park every summer to attend events including Mighty Hoopla – which was set to host both Kesha and Jade Thirwall this year. 

However, residents decided to fight back against the festivals after the park was left in a state they described as a “mud-bath”. 

Rebekah Shaman, a member of the Protect Brockwell park group, successfully brought legal action against Lambath Council over the use of the area for events season – which kicks off on May 23. 

The High Court was told that the challenge was over the council’s decision to certify the use of the land as lawful, since a change of the park’s use is allowed for 28 days per year. 

Mr Justice Mold rule in Rebekah’s favour, since the park would be used as an event space for more than 28 days. 

Now, events such as Brockwell Live and the Mighty Hoopla could be banned from setting up in the park.

Rebekah and her lawyers wrote a letter addressed to the council which asked if the “event has been cancelled” and ordered them to clear any fencing or infrastructure. 

The draft letter from Goodenough Ring solicitors said that Brockwell Live does not have planning permission and cannot benefit from permitted development rights, and that a planning application could not be decided for at least three weeks.

The letter read: “It follows that not only do the Brockwell Live events not have planning permission, but permission cannot be obtained until after they are concluded.”

It continued: “As there is no planning permission for the Brockwell Live event, the event has to be cancelled.”

Goodenough Ring has asked for a response by 10am on May 19.

A Lambeth Council spokesperson responded by saying: “We are currently assessing the impact of this judgement and determining next steps.”

The court ruling recieved a cheer from Dunkirk actor Mark Rylance. 

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The Oscar nominated performer said: “Wonderful news. Brockwell park will be open to all for free again this summer. No walls. No trucks.

“The grass, and trees, and plants will have a chance to recover from the years of abuse.

“Now let’s help revive the beloved Lambeth country fair as it used to be, open to all. Congratulations to all who worked so devotedly to achieve this decision.

“Every small victory for nature makes a difference.”

However, the event’s cancellation is a blow to London’s beleaguered events industry. 

Critics of residents’ associations have said that noise complaints have led to the closure of several major London locations. 

However, in April, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was awarded increased powers to protect the capital’s pubs. 

The Mayor will be able to block councils and residents from shutting down late-night pub and club openings. 

The increased powers had support from Chancellor Rachel Reeves who said that “unnecessarily burdensome red tape” was choking London’s events industry.

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Shepherd, who has played 37 ODIs and 53 T20s, will be replaced in the squad by left-arm seamer Jediah Blades.

He has played four matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, including a 14-ball 53 not out in his most recent innings.

Rutherford has played in nine matches for current IPL leaders Gujarat Titans this season.

He will be replaced by top-order batter John Campbell for the Ireland leg of the tour while Shimron Hetmyer will take his place for the matches against England.

Hetmyer is another West Indies player at the IPL but his Rajasthan Royals side are already eliminated. He was originally left out of the Windies ODI squad after a poor run of form.

Seamer Shamar Joseph is at the IPL but has not featured for his side Lucknow Super Giants and remains in the West Indies squad.

The Windies play three ODIs in Ireland from 21 May before a three-match series in England from 29 May.

Three T20s against England follow from 6 June but the tourists are yet to name a squad for that contest.

IF ONE person knows where you can find the best beaches in the UK, it’s Quintin Lake.

For his new book The Perimeter, Quintin travelled for five years around the entire coastline of mainland Britain which covered 6800 miles and he was armed with nothing but hiking gear and a camera.

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Photographer Quintin travelled through Wales, up to Scotland and across England, finding beautiful coastal spots and he took 1,300 pictures.

Along the way, Quintin saw all sorts, including beaches that you wouldn’t believe were in the UK – and one that looked like it was in the Caribbean, was actually in Scotland.

Quintin told Sun Travel: “Achmelvich Bay in Scotland literally looks like it belongs being in the Bahamas because the sand is white.

“The sea looks turquoise, which you’ll see in the book. The water is a beautiful greeny blue – it doesn’t look like it belongs in this country at all.

“When I went, it was a sunny day and there were maybe six people there so it was heaven. I couldn’t believe it.

“All the northwestern and Sutherland beaches have white sand, and if you go off the beaten path you can easily find a hidden bay that you’ll have all to yourself.”

Quintin isn’t the only one to recognise Achmelvich Bay for its tropical beauty, in 2023, the beach was recognised as being one of the World’s Best Beaches.

It came in at number 45, and is the only UK beach to ever be placed in the top 50.

Scotland doesn’t just have beautiful beaches, it’s also known for its very striking landscape.

“Faraid Head in Scotland is beautiful too, especially with the dramatic cliffs that come down to the sea.”

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He continued: “Then on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula in Scotland there’s a single road where you’ll come to a volcano from thousands of years ago.

“The top has blown off and you wouldn’t even believe it’s in Britain, the beach is so remote and eagles fly overhead – it’s very dramatic.”

Quintin added: “I mean in northwest Scotland, it’s really easy to find a beach where there’s no one there for days on end.”

Applecross Beach in Scotland is a remote sandy stretch that visitors have sometimes referred to as being the ‘edge of the world’.

The area is known for its wild and untamed landscape, with rugged mountains, lochs, and beaches.

A recommendation from Quintin for any holidaymakers who want to avoid beach crowds this summer is Three Cliffs Bay in Wales.

The beach is on the Gower Peninsula and spans for 0.6 miles in low tide. In 2023, Three Cliffs Bay came ninth in Big Seven Travel‘s 50 Most Beautiful Places in the UK.

Quintin added: “It’s just beautiful, I mean, if you’re from Wales, it’s probably quite well-known but that beach was magical and it’s huge.

“It would be great for families because it’s not one of those places where everyone’s on top of each other all the time.”

Quintin’s book, The Perimeter is out now and available to buy here.

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STRUGGLING households in parts of the UK could get up to £500 in cost of living help – but you’ll need to meet strict rules.

The cash boost is part of the Household Support Fund (HSF), a £421million pot, which helps low-income families with food, energy bills, and essentials.

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But it’s only available if you live in Worcestershire – that includes the districts of Malvern, Worcester, Wychavon, Bromsgrove, Redditch or Wyre Forest.

To check if you qualify, go to gov.uk/find-local-council – Worcestershire County Council must be listed.

You’ll also need to meet income and vulnerability rules.

Who is eligible?

To qualify, your gross annual income must be:

• £24,570 or less (for a single adult with no children)
• £31,000 or less (for all other households)

You must also have no savings, unless you’re of state pension age – in which case you can have up to £5,000.

And at least one person in your household must meet ONE of the following:

• Be of state pension age
• Have a long-term diagnosed health condition or be registered disabled
• Have a child under four
• Be in receipt of DWP benefits like Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, PIP or Disability Living Allowance
• Be receiving support from services such as food banks, Citizens Advice, Age UK, mental health or housing support, or your GP’s social prescribing team

How much can I get?

The amount depends on your household:

• Up to £500 for homes with children under 18 or full-time students under 21
• Up to £300 for adult-only households aged 18–66
• Up to £300 for pensioner households

Payments can go straight to your energy provider, be credited via an online portal or come in the form of Post Office vouchers for prepayment meters.

You’ll need to supply:

• A recent energy or water bill (dated within 3 months) showing your name, address and account number
• Evidence of your vulnerability
• Extra documents if applying for help with energy debts or heating repairs

What else is covered?

Help is also available for:

• Repairing or replacing broken boilers
• Installing first-time heating systems
• Servicing and upgrading smart heating controls

You’ll need to complete a separate application if applying for these – but forms will be sent to you once your initial claim is made.

Where to send your evidence:

• Email digital copies to: [email protected]
• Post paper documents to:
  Act on Energy
  Unit 2, Lauriston Business Park
  Salford Priors
  Warwickshire WR11 8SN

Applications will be closed if evidence isn’t sent within 28 days – so act fast.

In other related benefit news, pension savers have been pocketing thousands in tax refunds after being overcharged — and now fresh HMRC changes could stop millions more being stung.

Over 15,000 people got an average refund of £2,881 between January and March this year after being overtaxed when they dipped into their pension pots.

In total, £44million was handed back in just three months, according to new figures — with hopes the amount overpaid will fall thanks to recent rule tweaks.

HMRC rolled out a new system this month, aimed at stopping retirees from being wrongly whacked with a sky-high emergency tax bill when making a withdrawal.

Other help you can claim

If you’re not eligible for the Household Support Fund, you might qualify for other forms of help to cover energy bills or food.

Support may vary depending on your local council – so even if you don’t live in Worcestershire, it’s worth checking what’s on offer in your area.

Several energy firms offer grants to households who are struggling to pay their energy bills worth up to £2,000.

This includes British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF.

New parents might also be eligible for free food worth up to £442 a year to cover the cost of healthy food and milk via the Healthy Start scheme.

Or, you can get an emergency food parcel from a Trussell Trust food bank.

You can find your nearest via www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank.

To get a food parcel, you need a voucher from a community organisation like Citizens Advice or your GP. You can then exchange this voucher for a food parcel at the food bank.

It’s also worth checking if you’re eligible for benefits if you haven’t already – billions of pounds’ worth is going unclaimed, according to Policy in Practice.

There are three free calculators you can use to see what you might be entitled to:

• Policy in Practice better off calculator
• entitledto benefits calculator
• Turn2us benefits calculator

MCDONALD’S has opened its biggest site in Europe in a major Brit holiday hotspot – and it’s come just in time for the summer holidays.

The fast-food giant has launched a huge location in the airport of sun-drenched Majorca – and it measures up at over 10,000 square feet.

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The big Maccies includes eight digital kiosks, eight production lines as well as table service and McCafé products.

The launch of the massive site marks the company’s largest on the entire continent.

Around 750,000 Brits travel to Majorca every summer, so the chain will be sure to endure its fair share of hungry Brit holidaymakers.

The enormous branch is located at Level P30, Module A Airside of Palma de Mallorca Airport in the Spanish island.

It measures up at a whopping 10,765 square feet.

The terminal has also recently undergone refurbishment work to improve passenger comfort and security, and retail space.

The new site is part of this extraordinary renovation in Module A.

And it is seemingly very exclusive to Brits – as the McDonald’s will only be available to non-Schengen countries, according to What’s The Jam.

This means most European countries won’t be able to access it – paving the way for Brits and other international visitors to raid the kiosks.

The incredible new branch has reportedly created 200 new jobs, on top of the 1,000 workers already employed in the Balearic Islands.

Chief Restaurant Officer of McDonald’s Spain Ángel Castillo said: “This opening represents a new milestone and another example of our commitment to the Balearic Islands.”

He called the region “an area of strategic interest for the company where we already have over 20 restaurants“.

The spokesperson continued: “We are thereby contributing to the Spanish economy and the creation of quality employment, fulfilling our mission of supporting the communities where we operate.”

There are already 43,500 McDonald’s locations in over 100 countries worldwide.

And the biggest McDonald’s on the entire planet is located in Orlando, Florida.

Known as the Epic McD, this behemoth fast-food chain measures in at a whopping 19,000 square feet.

Meanwhile, the UK’s biggest McDonald’s is a “Disneyland for fast food fans” with nearly 300 seats and unique features.

The giant restaurant, in Formby on Merseyside, showcases “the latest innovations from McDonald’s”.

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PARENTS know all too well that keeping kids entertained over the summer holidays can be pricey.

The cost of childcare alone can cost around £1,039 for the six weeks of the break, and that is not to mention days out and other activities.

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And many activity camps for children can be costly too, but that does not mean your child has to miss out.

There are loads of free classes available for families across countless areas in the UK.

Below we round up the best classes for kids this summer that cost nothing at all.

FREE FOOTBALL COACHING

McDonald’s runs free football classes for children aged 5 to 11 years old.

The programme lasts for 10 weeks and usually runs for an hour.

The event is hosted at local stadiums across the UK.

The sessions, which are open to all abilities, are running from March to July.

They are delivered by FA-qualified coaches at more than 1,600 locations nationwide.

You can find out more by visiting www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/football/fun-football-centres.

FREE COURSES FOR TEENAGERS

Islington Council runs a number of free courses for teenagers and young adults through its Summerversity scheme.

In the past, classes have included archery, football camp and photography lessons.

You can book a maximum of eight courses to keep your teenager entertained over the holidays.

You can sign up by visiting www.summerversity.co.uk/

Of course you will need to live in the London borough to get access to the scheme.

But if you don’t it may be worth ringing up your local council to see if it runs a similar event.

FREE BOXING CAMP

Sporting Aid in Waltham is running a free boxing camp for those aged 10-16.

The event is run every Saturday at 12:00pm at the Waltham Cross Playing Fields Car Park.

No prior experience is required so it may be a great way for your little one to be introduced to the sport.

You can sign up for the event by visiting www.eventbrite.co.uk.

FREE SUMMER CAMP

Music charity Vache Baroque runs a completely free summer camp for children in St Giles.

The event runs from  Monday 18 – Friday August 22 and includes a hot meal. It is for children aged 9–14.

Children will participate in a number of activities including singing, arts and crafts and circus skills

They can also take part in an optional performance with professional orchestra in its summer circus-opera on Sunday September 7.

You can find out more by visiting, vachebaroque.com.

A 125-year-old Jacobean-style mansion is hitting the auction block for just £288,000.

The catch? Prospective buyers can only view it from a distance.

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Shire Hall, in Llangefni on the island of Anglesey, north Wales, was built in 1899 and sits overlooking the Afon Cefni river.

It was originally constructed of stone at a cost of £4,453, with an extension added in 1912.

Once used as office space, the building is now derelict following a serious fire, and is considered unsafe to enter.

It’s set to be sold at auction between 20 and 22 May.

Viewings are restricted due to the building’s dangerous condition, including a collapsed roof and major structural damage.

Paul Fosh Auctions, which is handling the sale, says the site has planning permission in place for six riverside apartments.

However, they note that a more extensive development could be possible, depending on future discussions with the local council.

Gemma Vaughan from the auction house said: “The lot offers a most unusual and exciting opportunity for an investor/developer to acquire this historic building in the heart of Llangefni.”

Shire Hall stands on Glanhwfa Road, about a mile from the A55 expressway, which links the island to the rest of north Wales and Cheshire.

Anglesey is well known for its coastal walks and sandy beaches, although Shire Hall itself is far from the seaside charm – with only ruins remaining of its former grandeur.

The sale includes Shire Hall, along with around 90 other lots, in an online auction hosted by Paul Fosh Auctions, starting at 12 noon and running from May 20 to 22.

Another property has left Brits scratching their heads – not because of its price, but also because no one’s allowed inside.

Dubbed the “mansion you can’t go inside,” the eerie estate sits behind locked gates with no signs of life, yet manages to attract curious onlookers and conspiracy theories in equal measure.

Locals say the sprawling home has been sealed up for years, with perfectly manicured gardens but not a soul ever seen entering or leaving.

There’s no for-sale sign, no public records of recent ownership changes, and absolutely no explanation as to why the doors remain firmly shut.

Despite the mystery, the mansion has become an unlikely tourist magnet, with visitors travelling miles just to snap a photo at the gates.

It may not be Britain’s most expensive or oldest home, but it’s certainly one of the strangest, and its secrecy only adds to the eerie fascination.

This comes as Britain’s “loneliest house” went on the market for £250,000, but it comes with a huge catch.

Meanwhile, viewers of Britain’s Most Expensive Houses were left baffled by a rather unusual tactic used in a bid to sell a jaw-dropping £29m mansion.

Plus, the “UK’s smallest house“, measuring less than 2.5 metres wide, has hit the market for £200k – proving once again that when it comes to British property, size, access, and logic don’t always apply.

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KRISPY Kreme has delighted its fans by bring a sought-after flavour to the UK.

The American doughnut brand was hounded by its UK customers to introduce the Pistachio Overload flavour that had already hit stores in Australia.

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Krispy Kreme told The Sun that “Brits begged the brand to bring the new flavour to the UK after seeing the delicious nutty treat go viral in Australia last month.”

Not only has Krispy Kreme brought the flavour from Australia to the UK, it teamed up with a British company to produce the yummy taste.

The Pistachio Overload doughnut officially made it into stores on Monday (May 12), but was available at Krispy Kremes in Manchester a day earlier.

That was due to the fact Krispy Kreme had teamed up with the Mancunian brand, Blackmilk, to create the iconic dessert.

Blackmilk’s beloved Pistachio Cream spread is being used in the baking of the new doughnut flavour.

The green delight is topped with the Blackmilk cream, a white chocolate drizzle and candied pistachio nibs, while Krispy Kreme’s trademarked pistachio cream fills the doughnut.

Krispy Kreme confirmed to The Sun that Pistachio Overload will be available for £3.49 in all UK and Ireland stores until May 25.

It will land in Tesco UK branches on May 19 until May 25.

Krispy Kreme announced the doughnut’s arrival on social media and said it hoped the news would make up for the April Fools’ joke it had played on its followers.

On April 1, the brand posted a “message” from its managing director saying that after 87 years, it would be discontinuing its famous glazed doughnut.

The joke letter said the decision had been made in order to create space for the reintroduced, raspberry glazed doughnut.

The jam-filled treat was first discontinued in November 2024, causing a stir among sweet-toothed customers.

Even Alison Hammond begged the brand not to axe her favourite flavour on ITV’s This Morning.

The flavour is back by popular demand thanks to a nationwide public vote – dubbed “The Great Doughbate”.

This poll took place in Krispy Kreme shops and across social media between March 17 and 23.

Fans were given the opportunity to decide which discontinued favourite flavour to bring back.

The Glazed Raspberry was pitted against another fan favourite, Chocolate Custard.

However, the fruity flavour won out with the British public, receiving 66% of the total votes.

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A BELOVED department chain is preparing to shut its final store this month as it launches a “Rachel Reeves closing down sale.”

The famous shop will be shuttering forever after serving customers on the high street for 140 years.

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Beales in the Dolphin Centre in Poole will close on May 31 and is slashing the price of stock by 80 per cent in the meantime.

The historic chain was founded in Bournemouth in 1881 and offers a range of iconic products, including clothing, home goods, and more.

This particular Poole Beales branch was the last one standing when the company collapsed into administration in January 2020, leading to the closure of its 22 other stores.

Despite the stores resilience, the brutal budget introduced last year saw the hike of National Insurance which has forced countless shops to close.

To mark the occasions, the store’s Facebook page is advertising a “Rachel Reeves‘ Closing Down Sale,” featuring discounts of up to 80% and a caption cheekily thanking the Chancellor for “the help.”

It wrote in the caption: “Our closing sale is almost over (cheers for the help, Chancellor) – and we’ve just dropped hundreds of lines to 80% OFF or more!

“Grab a bargain before we vanish into the budget black hole. #FinalSale #80Off #LastChance #WhenItsGoneItsGone.”

Despite weathering the storm for the past five years, it seems the Chancellor’s latest Budget changes have delivered the final blow to the struggling chain.

Beales chief executive Tony Brown previously told The Telegraph the business had become “unviable” following the Chancellor’s announcement of increases to the minimum wage and national insurance contributions in the October Budget.

Announcing the closure, Mr Brown said: “This, combined with the risks and uncertainty of further tax increases in the coming years, has left us with no alternative.

“We have been working with the Dolphin Centre, who have been supportive, along with our investors to ensure an orderly exit.

“Our team has been informed, as have our suppliers.

“We will ensure the exit is managed and no one will be left with a financial loss.”

Shoppers were left heartbroken by the news of the store’s impending closure, with one commenting on the latest post: “I’ve loved shopping here over the years.”

Another wrote: “Sadly this is happening to many shops.”

Like many businesses, Beales now faces higher employer national insurance contributions, which have risen from 13.8% to 15%.

Additionally, the threshold at which these contributions must be paid has been lowered from £9,100 to £5,000.

These changes to the tax system were confirmed by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget last October and came into effect on 1 April.

At the same time, the national minimum wage saw a notable increase, rising to £12.21 per hour. For workers aged 18-20, the minimum wage increased by £1.40 to £10 per hour.

Founded in 1881, Beales once boasted a proud portfolio of 41 department stores in market towns across the UK, offering everything from furniture and fashion to toys and cosmetics.

The retailer’s decline has been gradual but unrelenting.

Its Southport store was shuttered last September, just three years after the site had reopened.

With the closure of the Poole branch, the last remaining link to the Beales name, a once-iconic fixture of the British high street, will vanish forever.

DEATH OF THE HIGH STREET

Retailers have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.

High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.

However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.

The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.

At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.

Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.

Professor Bamfield has 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.”