OHS (Online Home Shop Limited), the family-owned e-commerce homeware retailer based in Worsley, Greater Manchester, has reported record gross sales of £100 million for 2026. The milestone is a 68% year-on-year increase to 31 January 2026 and helped triple operating profit from £5m to £15.3m over the same period. This second consecutive record-breaking year is attributable to the growth of the OHS website, increasing customer base and repeat purchases and continued growth in key marketplaces. The company continues to grow its core business in home textiles and is continuing its expansion across recent new product categories, including garden, furniture, soft furnishings, and clothing. This growth journey is supported by the recent announcement of opening a new 327,000 sq. ft fulfilment centre in Trafford Park, Manchester. This will continue to help OHS enhance stock management, improve distribution efficiency, and better serve customers as demand continues to grow significantly. The company now employs more than 200 staff and with the continued expansion and new fulfilment centre, headcount is expected to double to over 400 staff in the current financial year. During the first half of the current financial year sales are up over 50% year-on-year, and this growth is forecast to continue for the remainder of the year. Moshe Cohen, CEO of Online Home Shop, said: "We are delighted to announce another strong set of results, reflecting the exceptional talent, commitment and hard work of everyone across OHS." "Our continued investment in our people and infrastructure has strengthened the business and positioned us for sustainable long-term growth. By attracting and developing the very best people, we continue to deliver high-quality, trend-led homeware products at unbeatable prices, while providing an outstanding shopping experience for our customers." "As we look ahead, we remain focused on building on this momentum and delivering the next phase of our growth.” Photo credit: B8RE.

Yorkshire Baking Co. has unveiled its fresh new look ahead of Yorkshire Day on 1st August 2026, aiming to both strengthen its presence and support the exciting next phase of the cake brand’s growth. Rolling out across the ever-popular MEGA Loaf Cake range, the refreshed packaging celebrates Yorkshire Baking Co.‘s heritage while creating a stronger, more contemporary presence on shelf. The new design features an illustrated landscape, a prominent “Yorkshire’s Finest Cakes” seal of approval and the new brand strapline, “Good Honest Cake,” reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality baking which will appeal strongly to shoppers nationwide. The re-brand has also been extended to one of Yorkshire Baking Co.‘s most loved varieties, Yorkshire Parkin, with a distinctive identity across the MEGA Loaf Cake, cakes slices and smaller formats. Heritage-inspired colours and messaging, including “Rooted in Tradition,” will inspire cake lovers to try one of Yorkshire’s finest. The new look MEGA Loaf Cake ranging comprises of Classic Madeira, Lemon Crunch, Double Choc Chunk, Deliciously Cherry, Juicy Sultana, Jam & Coconut, Sticky Toffee, and Yorkshire Parkin - with an exciting array of NPD on the horizon to further drive brand appeal. The new packaging has been developed to provide greater shelf impact while creating a flexible platform for exciting future product development, seasonal launches and collaborative brand partnerships. Arainn Cleland, Sales Director at Yorkshire Baking Co., said: “This is an important milestone for Yorkshire Baking Co. as we continue to invest in our much-loved and rapidly growing cake brand. Our new identity reflects our heritage, our values and delivers quality consumers expect from our products, ultimately appealing strongly to all shoppers seeking “good honest cake’’ “Our MEGA Loaf Cakes are already a firm favourite with shoppers nationwide, and we are confident that our fresh new look will strengthen engagement with existing consumers, attract new shoppers to the brand and create further opportunities for growth with our retail partners.”

One million tins of baked beans will be produced for people facing food insecurity this summer through an innovative partnership between Princes, Waitrose, Alliance Food Sourcing (AFS), and Felix (formerly The Felix Project and FareShare). The collaboration will see cans of Branston Baked Beans distributed through Felix's network of over 8,000 community organisations, schools, food banks and community kitchens, providing thousands of meals for people who need them most. Inspired by the legacy of The King’s Coronation Food Project, the project forms part of the wider work of Alliance Food Sourcing (AFS), a coalition that brings together leading UK food businesses to unlock surplus food and factory capabilities and turn it into meals for charities. Unlike traditional food redistribution programmes that rely solely on surplus items, the donation of baked beans has brought together manufacturing, retail and charity partners to start donating the British store cupboard staple over the coming months. By unlocking surplus factory capacity and supply-chain resources, the partnership has created a new way of getting more nutritious food to communities facing hunger. Princes is optimising its state-of-the-art facilities to produce additional volumes of beans during quieter periods throughout the year. The move represents a shift in how the food industry addresses food insecurity. With standard retail surplus donations being inconsistent, the project gives a vital boost to the food supplies distributed by charities. Waitrose is also currently trialling similar initiatives with its pasta supplier, Daybreak, and its fresh fruit supplier, Primafruit. Combined, the three initiatives are on track to divert the equivalent of over 1.9 million meals to Felix, the UK’s largest food rescue charity, by the end of the year. David McDiarmid, Corporate Relations Director at Princes Group, said: "Baked beans have been a cornerstone of the British kitchen for decades thanks to their versatility and long shelf life. We are delighted that our first successful venture with Alliance Food Sourcing is on Branston Baked Beans, as they provide an accessible and nutritious meal option, with one can containing over 24 grams of fibre." "We have partnered with FareShare for over a decade and donations of stock is a matter of routine and something all our colleagues are passionate about, so we are proud to go ’beyond surplus’ food and instead use our manufacturing capability to actively produce food for people who need it." Marija Rompani, Director of Ethics and Sustainability at Waitrose said: "This isn't just about donating surplus food; it's about exploring how we can work closely with our suppliers to rewrite the rules in our supply chain and unlock surplus that can make a real difference to our communities." Nicky Robinson, Director of Alliance Food Sourcing, said: "We're delighted to see Waitrose, Princes, Daybreak and Primafruit showing what can be achieved by working together. By adapting their supply chains, food businesses can redirect factory capacity or rescue edible food to help tackle UK hunger. Innovations like these mean millions more meals are already reaching people who need them - often through relatively simple changes." Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of Felix said: "Unfortunately the demand for food amongst the charities and organisations Felix supplies keeps rising. That is why projects like this are vital, it not only shows what partnerships and innovative thinking can achieve, it ensures Felix, which is the new name for merged charities FareShare and The Felix Project, receives a steady supply of a much sought after family favourite."

First Minister John Swinney joined community representatives from Kelso, including His Grace the Duke of Roxburghe, and conservation specialists from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) this afternoon (Friday 24 July) to celebrate the reopening of Kelso Abbey. The abbey has re-opened after five years following the completion of essential conservation work by HES, which manages the site. Kelso will celebrate its 900th anniversary in 2028, and HES is currently developing plans for anniversary celebrations in collaboration with stakeholders and local community groups. First Minister John Swinney said: "Kelso Abbey is one of Scotland’s most impressive historic buildings. To see it reopen its doors before its 900th anniversary in 2028 was a moment to savour. The abbey will draw thousands of visitors into the Borders, supporting jobs and benefiting businesses by boosting visitor spend throughout the region." "The Scottish Government’s Grant in Aid funding of Historic Environment Scotland enables their work to protect and conserve Scotland’s historic environment and Kelso Abbey shows exactly what that investment means in practice – not just for visitors, but for the communities who live alongside these remarkable places.” Kelso Abbey will be open daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Visitors can find out more about the abbey and plan their visit at historicenvironment.scot. Please check the website for the latest information before travelling. Photo: First Minister John Swinney Marks Re-opening of Kelso Abbey: His Grace The Duke of Roxburghe, First Minister John Swinney, Historic Environment Scotland CEO Katerina Brown, and Kelso Provost Gavin Horsburgh

Scotland's hospitality industry has rallied behind The Drinks Trust Chair Neil Barker as he embarks on his SIXTREME challenge, with senior figures and colleagues joining him on the road for the first stages of his epic six-day fundraising run. To mark the charity's 140th anniversary, Neil set off this morning from the Hendrick's Gin Palace in Girvan to begin six ultramarathons in six days, covering more than 170 miles across Scotland to raise vital funds and awareness for hospitality workers facing financial hardship, mental health and wellbeing challenges, and barriers to employment. Throughout the week, supporters from some of the country’s best-known businesses – including Turnberry, Buzzworks, Tennent's, Inverarity Morton, Scottish Rugby, Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts and Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - will run alongside Neil on different sections of the route, demonstrating the industry's united commitment to supporting hospitality workers across Scotland. As he sets off to run approximately 28 miles each day, Neil said: "I couldn't think of a better way to bring together colleagues, partners and friends from across the industry than through a unique endurance challenge that showcases some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery and iconic locations." "I believe that hospitality is one of the greatest industries and is one that I have had the pleasure of working in for nearly 40 years but the people who power it need support. This SIXTREME challenge is about giving something back." Beginning at the Hendrick's Gin Palace in Girvan, Neil will head north along the spectacular Ayrshire Coastal Path on the first two days of the challenge, taking in some of Scotland's most iconic coastal scenery, including Turnberry Lighthouse, before finishing day one in Troon and continuing on to Largs. The route then joins the John Muir Way, travelling from Helensburgh through Strathblane and on to Falkirk, before an epic fifth day sees Neil run from Falkirk to Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, where supporters from Scottish Rugby will welcome him as he nears the finish of the day's challenge. The final leg will take Neil along the East Lothian coastline to North Berwick, where he will cross the finish line at Fringe by the Sea, bringing six ultramarathons in six days to a close after more than 170 miles on foot. For more information or to support the campaign, visit here. Luxury stays at Gleneagles and Turnberry, VIP sporting experiences and other exclusive prizes are also up for grabs as part of The Drinks Trust’s SIXTREME charity auction. The auction is open and will close at 23:59 on Monday 3rd August. More information can be found here.

Property consultancy Vail Williams has welcomed the Government's announcement of a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues from next April, but says the latest relief highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the business rates system. The new measures, announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, are expected to benefit around 32,000 venues across England, with the Government estimating that the average pub will save around £1,100 a year. The changes form part of a wider £100 million package designed to support high streets and community venues, with further details expected ahead of the Autumn Budget. The Government has also confirmed that wider business rates reform will return to the agenda later this year. Adam Barnfield, Head of Business Rates at Vail Williams, said: "Any reduction in operating costs will be welcomed by businesses that have faced sustained financial pressure over recent years. Pubs, clubs and live music venues play a vital role in our town centres and local communities, so targeted support for those sectors is undoubtedly positive." "However, announcement inevitably raises questions for the wider hospitality sector. Hotels, restaurants, cafés and many other businesses continue to face the same cost pressures, yet at this stage remain outside the scope of the proposed relief." “Until we see the detailed eligibility criteria, many businesses will be wondering where they stand." While welcoming the immediate support, Adam believes the announcement reinforces the need for more fundamental reform rather than further sector-specific reliefs." He added: "Business rates have become increasingly reliant on temporary discounts, exemptions and relief schemes to address shortcomings in the system. While these measures provide welcome short-term support, they don't solve the underlying problem." "The business rates system has become overly complex, difficult for occupiers to understand and increasingly disconnected from the realities of today's economy. Every Budget seems to introduce another layer of relief rather than addressing the root cause." "What businesses need is certainty. A simpler, fairer and more transparent system would give occupiers the confidence to invest, plan for the future and grow, rather than waiting to see whether their sector qualifies for the latest relief." Adam added that the Autumn Budget now presents an important opportunity for Government to deliver on its commitment to wider reform. "The announcement is a positive first step, but it shouldn't be the end of the conversation. Businesses across all sectors will now be looking to the Autumn Budget for clarity on the future of business rates and, hopefully, the beginning of meaningful structural reform rather than another series of temporary fixes." Vail Williams' Business Rates team advises occupiers, investors, developers and public sector organisations across the UK, helping clients manage liabilities, challenge assessments and navigate an increasingly complex rating landscape.

Higher rates of top income tax in Scotland are driving high earners to consider commuting to well paid jobs from England, according to Rathbones Group, the largest wealth management firm in both the UK and Scotland. In a new analysis, Rathbones shows top earners could save more than £46,000 in income tax over five years by moving to England and commuting to their jobs, instead of remaining Scottish taxpayers. The cross-border commuter trend is emerging through conversations with Rathbones clients and prospective clients who work in Scotland but are increasingly questioning where they should live as the gap between Scottish and rest-of-UK income tax rates continues to widen. Rathbones’ analysis shows that someone earning £250,000 could pay around £8,900 less income tax in the first year alone if subject to the income tax rates that apply in England rather than Scotland. Assuming salary growth of 2% a year, the cumulative difference could exceed £46,000 over five years. The findings reflect the Scotland’s devolved income tax system. Scotland currently operates six income tax rates above the Personal Allowance, ranging from 19% to 48%, while England, Northern Ireland and Wales have three main rates of 20%, 40% and 45%. Rathbones recently warned that Scotland’s divergent income tax regime could hamper efforts to attract investment, entrepreneurs and skilled workers. Gordon Lawrie, Head of Rathbones’ Edinburgh office, says: “For higher earners, the tax map of the UK is becoming harder to ignore. A worker can live on one side of the border, work on the other and, depending on their tax residence, face a materially different income-tax bill." “High earners ask us a very simple question, namely can I save tax if I live in England and continue to work in Scotland? Someone earning £250,000, the difference could exceed £46,000 over five years, which is enough to make tax part of the conversation alongside housing, commuting and wider lifestyle considerations.” For someone earning £150,000, the potential difference is around £5,900 in the first year and more than £30,500 over five years. The potential five-year income tax difference ranges from approximately £12,300 for someone earning £80,000 to more than £46,000 for someone earning £250,000. The analysis also highlights the significant impact of the Personal Allowance taper. Between £100,000 and £125,140, taxpayers effectively face a marginal income tax rate of 60% in England. For Scottish taxpayers paying the 45% Advanced Rate, the equivalent effective marginal rate can rise to 67.5% while the Personal Allowance is being withdrawn. Rathbones, which has offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, argues that policymakers should place greater emphasis on Scotland’s long-term competitiveness through a simpler and more competitive tax system, in turn strengthening the country’s appeal as a place to live, work and do business. Adam Drummond, Head of Rathbones’ Glasgow office, says: “There is also a broader economic question for Scotland. If tax policy starts driving higher earners elsewhere policymakers should consider what that means for Scotland’s long-term competitiveness, its ability to retain and attract investment and entrepreneurs to drive growth.”

A spa resort on Windermere is playing host to an award-winning ‘artist in residence’ who will be available to talk to visitors and guests about his on-site exhibition. From 3-7 August, renowned North West artist Norman Long will be working in situ in the latest Art in the Atrium gallery at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa. The ‘Multitude’ titled display features a range of Norman’s recent works, including San Marco Flight, Beach Scenes and Twisting by the Pool. A large ‘work in progress’ triptych called ‘Frieze’ is the focal point of the Multitude exhibition and Norman will be working on this painting throughout the summer. During his week as ‘artist in residence’, Norman will be painting in the atrium or in the hotel grounds between 2pm and 5pm each afternoon. He will be available to talk to guests and visitors keen to find out more about his work, fine art techniques and handy tips for budding artists. The quarterly gallery exhibitions at Low Wood Bay have been established through a partnership between English Lakes Hotels and Gavagan Art. “Norman’s latest paintings include a number of large figurative compositions and smaller observational studies which capture the relationship between people in a range of public spaces and settings,” explains Mary Gavagan from Gavagan Art. “From the mingling of a townscape crowd to social interactions on the beach, his paintings recreate all the bustle and excitement of those situations, often focusing on one or two individuals within the larger group – just as we observe people in daily life.” Executive chairman of English Lakes Hotels Simon Berry says: “Our idea with the Art in the Atrium gallery is to make fine art more accessible and introduce some of the UK’s most talented contemporary artists to our guests and a wider audience in Cumbria." “The regular displays are now an established feature at the venue, not only for staying guests but also for local people to come and spend an hour or so browsing the exhibited works. An in-house art gallery within the hotel offers the immersive experience of curated exhibitions with our luxury accommodations and spa services too.” Norman Long’s accolades include the de Laszlo Award from the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. His paintings have been exhibited with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the New English Art Club. For further information, visit here. Photo: Norman Long showcases his work in the Art in the Atrium gallery at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa.

Visitors to the third annual South Coast Wine Festival at Highcliffe Castle (14-16 August) will have the opportunity to check out the latest and greatest premium all-terrain models in the Range Rover, Discovery, and Defender ranges, thanks to a new collaboration with Hendy Land Rover, one of the region’s leading automotive retailers. As well as providing essential funding to help organisers deliver the popular event, Hendy will showcase a selection of vehicles across the weekend, with a dedicated team of Hendy experts on hand across the weekend to help festival visitors learn more about each vehicle and become better acquainted with the Land Rover range. As one of the event’s main sponsors, Hendy will have four models on display in the castle grounds including the elegant Range Rover Sport SV and Range Rover D350 as well as the rugged Defender 110 and Defender OCTA. In the lead-up to the festival, Hendy’s collaboration with the event has included the filming of a docuseries profiling vineyards across the South Coast, with presenters using iconic off-roaders supplied by Hendy Land Rover to visit some of the amazing wine-producing businesses in the local area, such as The Hambledon Wine Estate. John Stone, Regional Director at Hendy Group, said: “The South Coast has a truly diverse range of long-standing wine producers and suppliers, and at 166 years young, we are proud to stand alongside many of them at this year’s festival. Hendy Land Rover and Highcliffe are a perfect pairing, and we look forward to meeting the many locals who make these regional events such a success." “Obviously, we can’t offer test drives at a wine festival, but we would encourage those curious about our cars to come and take a look around the products, ask any questions and book a test drive at our Southampton or Christchurch showrooms.” Further information is available at: Hendy Land Rover | New Land Rover Cars for sale in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire

Experts from a Surrey process filtration firm are set to showcase solutions that improve product quality and operator safety when they exhibit at a forthcoming global pharmaceuticals industry event in Singapore. Visitors to Amazon Filters’ stand 720 at the ISPE Singapore Conference and Exhibition, taking place from 18 to 21 August 2026, will be able to discuss the Camberley-based company's filtration technologies and learn how its products support critical pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. A key focus will be the 41-year-old firm’s SupaClean system, designed to improve health and safety and economics in catalyst capture and recovery, solvent recovery and general precipitate removal. Also on show will be Amazon Filters’ new range of SupaCap capsules with improved design features. This year’s exhibition builds on a record-breaking ISPE Singapore in 2025, which welcomed more than 2,600 attendees, a 30 per cent increase on the previous year. Delegates travelled from more than 30 countries, while over 110 sponsors and exhibitors took part, underlining the event's growing importance as a meeting place for the global pharmaceutical industry. Stand team member Mohamed Nizam Mohamed Hanifa, Asian Regional Business Development Manager at Amazon Filters, said: “ISPE Singapore has become one of the pharmaceutical industry's most important events in Asia, bringing together manufacturers, suppliers, researchers and regulatory professionals from across the region and beyond.” Amazon Filters will once again exhibit alongside regional pharmaceutical distributor BHF Technologies with its Associate Director Stuart Thompson available throughout the four-day event to discuss filtration challenges across pharmaceutical and API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) manufacturing. The Singapore exhibition is just one date on another busy international calendar of pharmaceutical industry events for Amazon Filters. Following ISPE Singapore, the company will exhibit at the ISPE Annual Conference in Washington DC, USA, from 18 to 21 October 2026, giving global customers a further opportunity to engage with its filtration specialists. Amazon Filters supplies filtration solutions for critical pharmaceutical processes worldwide, supporting applications ranging from API production and sterile manufacturing to pharmaceutical processing and final product filtration. ISPE is the acronym of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering. For more information about Amazon Filters’ pharmaceutical filtration solutions, visit here. For more information about ISPE Singapore, visit here.

Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame is proud to continue its long-standing partnership with the Faversham Hop Festival as principal sponsor for this year’s event. The annual festival, now in its 36th year, will bring live music and family entertainment to five main outdoor stages and Shepherd Neame’s nine Faversham pubs, as well as other venues throughout the town. Faversham, home to the historic Brewery since 1698, will once again be transformed into a bustling hive of bands and singers, Morris dancers, market stalls, street food, funfair rides and hop crowns on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6. The Brewery Stage in Court Street, hosted by Shepherd Neame, will see 13 acts perform over the weekend from 10.35am on the Saturday and 10am on the Sunday. Bands set to perform on the stage, located just outside the walls of Britain’s oldest brewer, include Taking Care of Vegas, Paragraph 1, Curb Pilots, FNKHAUS and Marylebone Jelly. There will also be a Hop Blessing ceremony on the Sunday morning to celebrate Faversham’s hop growing heritage and mark the end of the harvest. Several of Shepherd Neame’s vintage vehicles will feature in the morning parades through the town, which traditionally open each day of the festival, organised by not-for-profit company Community Heritage Events Ltd., on behalf of Swale Borough Council. Beer lovers will be delighted to hear that seasonal favourite Late Red (4.5%) will be on offer at selected pubs during the weekend, alongside this year’s limited edition green hop ale Hop Pocket (4.5%). Beer is usually brewed with dried hops, but Hop Pocket will be made using fresh green hops which go from bine to beer in a matter of hours, giving it a delicious aroma and earthy kick. The popular Brewery tours are also available both days, including the chance for families to visit, exclusively for the festival weekend. A family tour for two adults and up to four children costs £37.50, and a traditional tour is priced at £23.50 per person. Mini tours will also be available for £18.50 per person. Chief Executive Jonathan Neame said: “We are delighted to once again support the Faversham Hop Festival, one of the town’s biggest events and a much-loved celebration of our hop heritage." “The festival is a fantastic opportunity to not only showcase our beers, Brewery and pubs, but also for the local community to come together and sample the very best that Faversham has to offer. I can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the live music at our Brewery Stage!” For more information and a full line-up of bands at Shepherd Neame’s pubs, visit here. To book a brewery tour visit and click on Special Events.

Edinburgh and Glasgow | Rathbones, one of the UK’s leading wealth and asset management groups and one of the largest in Scotland, has called for a renewed focus on Scotland’s long-term economic competitiveness to attract investment, skilled professionals and entrepreneurs. Rathbones makes its intervention following Anas Sarwar’s appointment as Minister of State for Trade in Andy Burnham’s new UK Government. The wealth manager, which employs more than 400 people across its two offices in Scotland, said Sarwar’s role creates an opportunity to put investment and business in Scotland higher up the national agenda. Rathbones acts for a range of clients across Scotland, including professionals in key sectors such as energy, law and accounting, business owners, as well as charities and IFAs. The wealth manager highlighted Scotland’s devolved income tax regime as ripe for review. Scotland has six income tax bands, compared with three in England and Wales. Higher earners in Scotland pay 42% income tax from £43,663, compared to 40% elsewhere in the UK, while top earners face up to 48%. Rathbones said this complexity and divergence from the rest of the UK risks becoming a barrier when employers are trying to recruit experienced talent or persuade people to relocate north of the border. Gordon Lawrie, Head of Rathbones’ Edinburgh office, said: “Having a senior Scottish Labour figure at the heart of government in Westminster presents an opportunity to strengthen Scotland’s voice on the factors that will shape its long-term competitiveness. Across Scotland, we act for people in leading businesses and world-class universities and see the challenges they face in attracting and retaining skilled senior people.” “There is a clear tension between Scotland’s devolved income tax regime and wider UK growth ambitions. The current system is significantly more complex than elsewhere in the UK and places a materially higher burden on many professionals, business owners and senior executives. Our advisers see individuals who work in Edinburgh but choose, for tax reasons, to live south of the border and commute – this is not good for Scotland.” Rathbones said the new administration looking to drive growth across the UK should champion policies that strengthen competitiveness, encourage investment and support the attraction and retention of talent. Adam Drummond, Head of Rathbones’ Glasgow office, said: “The income tax regime may be a deliberate policy choice, but it has consequences. A more punitive and complex tax system risks weakening Scotland’s attractiveness as a destination for investment, entrepreneurship and skilled workers at a time when growth is the priority. “Ensuring Scotland remains an attractive place to live, work and build a business should be central to the UK’s growth agenda. A simpler, more competitive system would help Scotland benefit fully from the talent and investment it needs.”