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A Montrose-based pottery and creative arts studio has invested in new equipment to expand its classes and improve production after securing £4,500 in grant funding from Angus Council, thanks to support from Business Gateway. Clay Half offers a dedicated space for pottery enthusiasts and creative minds in the heart of Montrose town centre. Owner Irene Hughes began teaching ceramics in 2016 at Springfield Creative Arts in Arbroath, after being invited to assist with weekly classes. The experience deepened her passion for the craft and for helping others discover the joy of working with clay. After years of honing her skills, she fulfilled a long-held ambition to bring art and creativity closer to home, launching The Clay Half in October 2022. Inspired by Montrose’s history, the studio takes its name from old town maps, where the western side of the main street was called the Clay Half. For Irene, a former Cartographic and Planning Technician, it was the perfect link between pottery and mapping. Housed in the former Blue Door Gallery, the space has been transformed into a mixed-use creative hub that offers a range of small, welcoming classes in pottery, painting, drawing, printmaking and more, adding to the area's growing creative movement and fostering connection and collaboration. With guidance from Business Gateway adviser Kate Clark and Invest in Angus, Irene successfully applied to the Angus Council SME Start and Grow Business Grant Scheme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The funding was used to purchase an 80-litre ceramic kiln and a new potter’s wheel, both of which are already making a transformative difference to the studio’s operations. Previously, the business relied on a small 45-litre kiln, which was in use up to four times a week and created bottlenecks in processing students’ work. The larger kiln has eased storage pressures, allowed a smoother flow of work, and reduced waiting times for finished pieces. The new potter’s wheel has also improved class continuity and ensured the studio can reliably meet demand. The increased capacity has already allowed Irene to introduce specialised children’s classes and holiday sessions, as well as trial a Friday afternoon “Mud Club” for teenagers. The Clay Half will also host seasonal workshops over Halloween and Christmas. Looking ahead, Irene plans to welcome guest tutors and professional creatives to deliver specialist classes, further growing the studio’s role as a cultural hub and encouraging more people in the region to get involved. In addition to grant funding, The Clay Half has also benefitted from tailored support through Business Gateway Tayside's Business Boost, Expert Help and Digital Boost programmes, which provided specialist advice and guidance to help Irene strengthen and grow her business. Irene Hughes, owner of Clay Half, said: “Kate encouraged me to apply for the grant at a time when I wasn’t sure I’d be eligible as a sole trader, and her support was invaluable throughout the application process. Without Business Gateway’s guidance, this simply wouldn’t have happened." “The new kiln and wheel are game changers, they’ve already improved the flow of work through the studio, freed up space, and given me the confidence to grow the business further.” Kate Clark, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Irene has created a fantastic space in Montrose that inspires creativity and community. The impact of the new equipment is already clear, allowing her to expand capacity, improve efficiency and enhance the student experience." “It’s been a pleasure to support Irene in securing the funding and to see how it is helping her realise her ambitions for The Clay Half.”

A football club set up more than a century ago is sporting a brand-new look – thanks to a £400 donation from JCB.   Leigh United Football Club, which meets at Church Leigh Recreation Ground, Parkhall Lane, Church Leigh, near Uttoxeter, dates back to 1921. The club, which was started by local farmers to bring sporting activities to the village, has just bought new kit for its men’s team with the digger giant’s sponsorship - and is now looking to attract new players and start a junior team.   Robert Mollatt, Leigh United FC Chairman, said: “We couldn’t be more grateful to JCB for providing the sponsorship to update our men’s home kit. It means we now have a modern, professional kit that we can be proud of. Having the JCB logo on our shirts is extra special as the team was originally founded by a large group of farmers. Over a century on we are proud of our agricultural background and will be honoured to wear the JCB logo on our shirts.” Leigh United Football Club currently has one team led by manager Zak Johnson and is looking to recruit additional players as well as explore options for further junior teams. The kit has been rebranded to include the original round-collar design of the first 1921 team shirt and also includes a new blue theme to complement the JCB yellow. With plans to expand, the FA Affiliated Club is now looking to raise money for replacement goals. Securing a £2,660 grant from the Football Foundation, the Club is looking to hold fundraising events and find further sponsors to make up the remaining £2,444.

Young people undergoing cancer treatment at Glasgow Children’s Hospital can continue to experience moments of joy and emotional support during their hospital stays, thanks to the work of Team Jak Foundation. Founded by 15-year-old Jak Trueman, the charity was inspired by his own experience of cancer before he sadly passed away. It operates across Scotland through Jak’s Den HQ in Livingston, Jak’s Den Aberdeen, and pop-up dens in Fife and Glasgow. Jak wanted to ensure no one felt alone on their cancer journey. In his memory, Team Jak provides emotional, social and practical care to children and young people with cancer and related illnesses, as well as their families, friends and those who are bereaved. In Glasgow, Team Jak’s staff visit the Schiehallion Ward at the city’s Children’s Hospital every week. They run pop-up den activities that offer a safe space for play, creativity and companionship, helping to reduce the fear and isolation that often comes with treatment. As well as helping young cancer patients, these sessions provide much-needed respite for parents and carers, allowing them to take a break and shake off the feeling of isolation from spending so much time on the ward. The charity’s work has been supported by a £1,000 donation from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust. Allison Barr, Chief Executive of Team Jak Foundation, described the impact of the donation, saying: “We're very grateful to the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for supporting our work in the Schiehallion Ward in Glasgow. This funding will help our team to create a fun element for children and young people in hospital receiving cancer treatment through crafts, games and play at the clinic, in day care, and on the ward - letting childhood happen despite the medical interventions, creating a safe space for play.” Gerry Facenna, founder and Chair of Allied Vehicles Group, said: “Every family is affected by cancer - my own included - and cancer treatment is something nobody should have to go through alone, especially at a very young age. We're proud to support Team Jak's fantastic work in making such difficult times a little bit brighter for young cancer patients and their families in Glasgow.”

Gordon & MacPhail, the Elgin based, family-owned whisky specialist, announces the appointment of Mark Geary as Chief Executive.   Mark has recently been serving as Interim Chief Executive and will now lead the key focus on driving strategic brand growth internationally and strengthening the company’s commercial and marketing capabilities across its portfolio, including The Cairn and Benromach.   With over 25 years’ experience in the global spirits industry, Mark brings a wealth of expertise in leadership, brand strategy, and international sales and marketing. His career includes senior roles at Edrington where he led global marketing, delivered major brand acquisitions, and drove commercial strategies across multiple markets. Mark has also worked as a consultant and advised leading drinks businesses on brand and business strategy, delivering sustainable growth and operational transformation.   Commenting on the appointment, Neil Urquhart, Chair at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to the Gordon & MacPhail team. His proven track record in developing global brands, combined with his experience leading multi-country teams and delivering strategic growth, makes him an ideal fit as we continue to expand our international footprint and invest in the long-term future of our business. I’m sure he will provide great leadership and support to our skilled and dedicated team as we deliver exceptional whiskies to our customers around the world”  Mark Geary added: “Gordon & MacPhail is a company with an exceptional heritage and an ambitious vision for the future. I am excited to be joining the team at such a pivotal time and look forward to contributing my experience to help unlock growth opportunities for its brands on a global scale, while supporting the development of its talented people.” The appointment of the new Chief Executive comes shortly after the company completed the multi-million-pound warehouse expansion at its Benromach Distillery site in Forres.   Mark’s appointment reflects Gordon & MacPhail’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its leadership team as the company accelerates brand development and international expansion for the long-term sustainability of the business.

GAP Hire Solutions, the UK’s largest independent hire company, is set to return to Plantworx 2025, the UK’s premier live construction equipment showcase, taking place at Newark Showground from 23–25 September. Visitors can find GAP at stands G-01 and G-03, where the company will present a complete site set-up, demonstrating the span of products and services from across its specialist divisions. The display will demonstrate how GAP delivers end-to-end hire solutions to support construction projects of every scale. A show highlight will be the unveiling of a brand-new addition to the GAP fleet. Designed to meet the evolving needs of modern construction sites, it reflects GAP’s ongoing commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. GAP’s team of experts will be on hand throughout the event to discuss equipment, site solutions, and tailored advice to help maximise efficiency and performance on-site. With Plantworx being the largest live construction equipment showcase of 2025, GAP Hire Solutions invites attendees to visit their stands, see the latest innovations, and discover how GAP can help keep your projects running smoothly.

A local bakery is behind the new Australian-inspired treat available now on the shelves of M&S stores across the UK. Based in Magherafelt, Genesis Bakery has been a trusted M&S supplier for over 15 years, delivering award-winning bakery products crafted from high-quality ingredients. The bakery currently produces a core range of 22 products for M&S, including the Mini Fruity Cupcake Selection, alongside special seasonal showstoppers for the retailer. Now, it has turned its attention to creating Australian-inspired lamingtons exclusively for M&S – the first lamingtons available on the UK high street. The new M&S Lamingtons are available in two indulgent flavours: Chocolate & Coconut – buttermilk-enriched chocolate sponge coated in chocolate sauce, rolled in coconut flakes, and topped with hand-piped jam and buttercream. Caramelised Biscuit – rich chocolate sponge coated in chocolate sauce, rolled in golden caramelised biscuit crumb, and finished with hand-piped buttercream and salted caramel sauce. Retailing at £4 for a pack of two, the Lamingtons showcase how M&S is drawing inspiration from global food trends to create fresh new products for its customers. It follows the launch of M&S’ Magic Coffee™, inspired by the Melbourne coffee scene, in 2023. Each Lamington is hand-finished by the skilled team at Genesis Bakery, combining craftsmanship with innovation to deliver an indulgent twist on an iconic Australian classic. JP Lyttle, Commercial & Product Development Director at Genesis Bakery, said: "We are incredibly proud to be producing these new Lamingtons for M&S. Our long-standing partnership has always been built on shared values of quality and innovation. Bringing this iconic treat to the UK high street is a testament to what we can achieve together, and we’re excited to continue investing in our people and our community here in Magherafelt." Alice Birch, Product Developer at M&S, added: "Lamingtons are the most iconic cake from down under, and it’s hugely exciting to be the first to bring our version of this beloved Aussie classic to the UK high street. It’s also fantastic to have them made here in Northern Ireland by Genesis Bakery - we knew the care the team put into every product would help deliver that touch of M&S magic!" "Our lamingtons are extra special – hand-finished with toppings and super indulgent thanks to the rich chocolate sponge and caramelised biscuit flavour. So, if you’re feeling like an Aussie-inspired adventure, make sure to give them a try at your local M&S store.” Genesis Bakery employs over 250 people at its Magherafelt site, and its collaboration with M&S continues to drive innovation and growth in Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector.

Argos proudly presents its highly anticipated Top Toys for Christmas 2025. The list, carefully curated by Argos's toy experts after months of analysis, features a mix of the 20 most innovative, exciting and sought-after toys of the year. “At Argos, we’re dedicated to bringing families the very best in toys, consistently monitoring the market to identify what truly captures children's imaginations,” says Chantal Pearce, Head of Toy Buying at Argos. “This year’s Top Toys reflect the dynamic landscape of play, bringing together world-famous brands, beloved movie characters and highlighting cutting-edge innovation. It’s also so important for us to tap into the latest play patterns, supporting children’s development through interactive fun and encouraging them to unleash their creativity too. With over 50 years in toys, we’re confident that families can rely on us to find the coolest toys to gift this Christmas, making it truly special for kids and adults alike.” Captivating toys that bring beloved TV and movie characters to life dominate this year's list. Predicted to be the number one bestseller this Christmas for pre-school aged kids, the Bluey Celebration Home Mega Bundle (£80) is the ultimate home for Bluey and her family, perfect for hours of imaginative play with the beloved pup. The Gaby's International Movie Dollhouse (£65) is also the perfect gift for fans of Gabby and her meow-mazing adventures, with the movie set to release in October. Anticipation is also high for the Wicked World Small Doll Multipack (£24), which will undoubtedly have kids playing for good. The force is strong with the new Star Wars Power Crysal Saber (£40), the innovative toy offers ultimate customisation as the first lightsaber toy with interchangeable kyber crystals. Also on the list is the new LEGO Star Wars Ewok Buildable Figure (£110), exclusively available at Argos. LEGO fans have plenty to celebrate, as the new LEGO Disney Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies (£20) also makes the top 20. Dinosaur enthusiasts will be thrilled by the Jurassic World Interactive Hatching Dino (£65), a robotic and interactive dino that hatches out of an egg for the ultimate unboxing experience. This year’s top picks also include a standout selection of tech-forward toys, combining interactivity and innovation to redefine playtime. After completely selling out last Christmas, the popular Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz (£140) is back exclusively at Argos to bring even more joy this Christmas for those that missed out the first time. Car enthusiasts will love the Hot Wheels Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter (£55) and for thrilling remote-control action, the Monster Jam Smash & Bash Gravedigger RC 1:15 (£50) showcases true innovation: it breaks apart when it crashes and then miraculously self-fixes with the press of a button! The new exclusive Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe (£30) continues the brand’s popularity with more charming interactive fun. The Bitzee Hamster Ball (£40), for those aged 5 and above introduces fresh innovation for the Bitzee brand, appealing to a younger audience with its unique interactive play. Finally, transform any space into a training ground with Soccer Dash (£50) the all-new interactive football trainer from the Strikesphere range to elevate your ball control and reaction skills with 6 high speed game modes. Argos experts also highlight a growing demand for toys that inspire kids to unleash their inner creators through hands-on design and imaginative play. The Instant Print Tablet (£130) is a new all-in-one instant-printing creative tablet that helps build new passions and Sticki Rolls have been trending within the Argos arts and crafts category. Sticki Rolluxe (£40) is new for the season with a secret surprise element and extra-large stickers, tapping into popular social media trends. In a brand new launch for Argos, children can also create their own cuddly companions with the Toy Build-a-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station (£35) and LEGO fans can get imaginative with the LEGO Fortnite Klombo Figure, Creative Building Toy Set (£90). Following its breakout success in the U.S., Argos is bringing the wildly popular slime trend to customers with the launch of Gui Gui. The Gui Gui Single Pack (£10) offers a surprise blind box packed with colourful, scented slime and collectible charms, inviting kids to “Beautify Your Slime!” and express their creativity in fun, sensory ways, the launch promises to be a hit among trend-savvy tweens. The list’s selection of educational toys turn development into a fun and exciting adventure. The Leapfrog Leapmove (£60) offers plug-and-play interactivity for the whole family, whilst the Toniebox 2 Blue with Creative Tonie (£100) continues to innovate in audio and learning and development. These brilliant toys exemplify Argos’s commitment to offering products that not only entertain but also enrich young minds, fostering a love for learning through play. This year's top toys and many more are all available to buy online at Argos.co.uk, and in selected Argos stores. Shopping with Argos has also never been easier, customers can benefit from Argos's Fast Track same-day and next-day delivery options which are available 7-days a week, allowing those that order by 5pm to receive their items by 10pm on the same day*. Shoppers can also get free delivery on small items over £100** and the retailer’s Click & Collect service lets customers collect from over 1,100 Sainsbury’s stores, Argos stores and collection points. For the full list of Argos’s Top 20 Toys for 2025, please see below: Bluey Toy House Playset Mega Bundle Family £80 AGE 3+ Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie £65 AGE 3+ Star Wars Power Crystal Lightsaber £40 AGE 3+ Jurassic World Interactive Hatching Dino £65 (SKU: 7737888) Launching in early September AGE 5+ LEGO Disney Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies Set £20 AGE 6+ LEGO Star Wars Wicket the Ewok Figure Building Toy 75430 £110 AGE 12+ Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories £24 AGE 4+ Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz £140 AGE 3+ Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter Toy £55 AGE 4+ Monster Jam Smash & Bash Gravedigger £50 (SKU: 7678239) – Launching in mid-September AGE 4+ Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi £30 AGE 4+ Bitzee Hamster Ball £40 AGE 5+ Soccer Dash £50 (SKU: 7763072) - Launching in early September, AGE 6+ Instant Print Tablet £130 (SKU: 7481529) - Launching in early September AGE 8+ Sticki Rolls Sticki Rolluxe £40 (SKU: 7666430) - Launching in mid-September AGE 5+ Toy Build-a-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station £35 (SKU: 7465277) Launching in early September AGE 3+ Gui Gui Create And Collect Slime £10 AGE 6+ LEGO Fortnite Klombo Figure, Creative Building Toy Set £90 AGE 10+ Leapfrog Leapmove Electronic Game £60 AGE 4+ Toniebox 2 with Creative Tonie, £100- Launching on the 15th of September but available for pre order now AGE 1+

The University of Dundee has cemented its position as the definitive destination for the next generation of entrepreneurs after securing its third major award in a year. The University’s Centre of Entrepreneurship secured the Entrepreneurship Catalyst title at the 2025 UK National Enterprise Educators Awards. The hotly contested prize was awarded to the Dundee team in recognition of its work in delivering exceptional entrepreneurship education to students and staff outside of the curriculum. The honour follows on from being named Innovative & Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the European Triple E Awards last September, and Outstanding Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards. Dr David McBeth, Vice-Principal Enterprise & Economic Transformation, said, “This is another tremendous success for the University and further enhances our reputation as the leading higher education destination for budding entrepreneurs." “This accolade is particularly significant as it specifically recognises the dedication and hard work of the team from our Centre for Entrepreneurship. For many years they have championed the entrepreneurial spirit throughout our campus, supporting and advising staff and students, helping them to turn business dreams into reality." “The skills and knowledge of the team really help fulfil the personal ambitions of our entrepreneurs – across staff, students and alumni of the University. The Centre and its work is crucial in developing the pipeline of enterprise talent that is crucial to future of both the local and wider economy.” Brian McNicoll, the University’s Head of Entrepreneurship, added, “To win a third prestigious award in under a year is not only a huge honour, but also proof beyond doubt that Dundee is outstanding at entrepreneurship. “For a university of our size and location to achieve this repeatedly is nothing short of remarkable. This momentum has been built over a ten-year period, through the vision, passion and hard work of colleagues across the institution. It shows what can be achieved within a university when entrepreneurship is a key strategic pillar and we hope this provides inspiration to other universities who are embarking on a similar journey.”

A ground-breaking avocado scanner that will help shoppers assess the ripeness of the fruit in stores and cut down on waste at home is to be trialled by Tesco this week. By using the scanner customers can find out if their chosen avocado is best used for slicing into a salad or is ripe enough to be smashed and eaten on toast. The Tesco stores trialling the scanner will be Cheshunt Extra and Colchester Superstore in Essex, Stratford upon Avon Superstore in Warwickshire, Wokingham Superstore in Berkshire and Salisbury Extra in Wiltshire. The One Third Avocado Scanner – named after the Dutch company which invented it - can measure the ripeness of an avocado in seconds. It works by using infrared technology to read exactly what the fruit looks like inside. All shoppers need to do is hold the avocado in front of the scanner and a reading on the scanner then reveals one of two settings – if the avocado is immediately ready for smashing or whether it is better used to be sliced in a salad. Avocados have never been more popular and in the last year the supermarket sold nearly 15 million more avocados than it did in the previous 52 weeks. In recent years, there has also been a major trend for people eating smashed avocado on sourdough as either a breakfast treat or daytime snack. This is made by scooping out a very ripe avocado, smashing it and then adding the ‘smashed’ fruit to sour dough or other toasted bread. Tesco avocado buyer Lisa Lawrence said: “The scanner will enable shoppers to choose the avocado that is right for them and which therefore can help them plan their usage and desired shelf life, thereby cutting down on waste." "It encourages shoppers to check ripeness without squeezing, helping protect avocados on shelf from damage, reducing waste, and keeping produce fresher in store." “Smashed avocado on sourdough continues to be one of the trendiest snacks at the moment, with recipes ideas garnering millions of views on social media sites, so we think the scanner will be really popular with shoppers.” Tesco has worked with global avocado supplier and experts, Westfalia Fruit, who are based in Spalding, Lincolnshire, on the project. Westfalia Fruit’s Head of Retail, Tom Kearns said: “Launching the One Third Avocado Scanner with Tesco is an exciting innovation that not only aligns with long-term sustainability goals but also enhances the shoppers’ experience – helping customers choose the perfect avocado ripeness for their needs, whether that’s ready to slice or smash." “The One Third Avocado Scanner is just one of many initiatives we’ve worked on over the past year, from trialing lasered barcodes on Avocados that removes the plastic label from Tesco’s Loose Avocado lines, to rolling out cardboard and paper packaging across all of Tesco’s Avocado Pre-packed lines, saving 20 million pieces of plastic a year.”

Britain’s manufacturers have seen a sharp rebound in activity in the third quarter of the year, with signs that pent up investment demand has been released, while recruitment intentions have also risen sharply. However, new analysis by Make UK shows the inability to fill the current 46,000 vacancies in manufacturing is now costing the sector £4bn in lost output every year. According to the Make UK/BDO Q3 Manufacturing Outlook survey, all indicators in the survey have improved following a series of weak quarters, with export growth in particular leading to greater demand. Furthermore, the United States has recovered its position as the second most favoured market for growth prospects, having dropped out of the top three global blocs in Q2 for the first time in the history of the survey in response to tariff uncertainty earlier in the year. However, despite more positive news, the survey also shows that almost three quarters of companies (70%) expect further increases in costs in the forthcoming Budget at a time when cost pressures are already severe, with more than two thirds of companies (68%) saying their costs have increased more than expected in the last six months. As a result, more than half of companies (58%) have already raised prices this year, while a similar number (53%) intend to do so in the next six months, highlighting that inflationary pressures for manufacturers remain in the pipeline. Despite the sharp rebound in activity this quarter Make UK also cautioned against the survey kick starting a period of stronger trading, as growth forecasts for the sector remain weak with output still forecast to fall by -0.1% this year and -0.6% in 2026. Commenting, Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive at Make UK, said: “After a period of considerable uncertainty in global markets, these figures are an encouraging sign that manufacturers’ confidence is improving and, more importantly, being translated into growth and investment. However, one swallow doesn’t make a summer, and with UK and European markets in particular remaining anaemic it wouldn’t take much to knock prospects for further growth." “It’s therefore essential that manufacturers’ fears of further costs as a result of the forthcoming Budget aren’t realised. Government has made great strides in backing manufacturing with its industrial strategy and it must avoid imposing any further cost burdens which will hamper its number one mission of boosting economic growth.” Richard Austin, Head of Manufacturing at BDO, said: “'These latest findings offer a glimmer of hope for the manufacturing sector. Despite what has been a relentless year by all accounts, manufacturers have somehow boosted their output and doubled down on their investments to match." “But this reprieve could be short lived. The spectre of the upcoming Budget looms and the sector will need robust signalling from the government that their investments are worth the risk." "All eyes will be on the Autumn Budget and it’s vital that the government seizes this opportunity to prove their commitment to the sector and to the promises made in the Industrial Strategy.” According to the Manufacturing Outlook survey, the balance on output increased to +25% from +9% in the last quarter, with total orders following a similar pattern up to 16% from -2% in Q2. Export orders have resumed the pattern of driving growth, increasing to +23% from +7%, while UK orders recovered to +12% from -1% last quarter. Recruitment intentions improved significantly to +15% from +1% (-3% in Q1) while investment intentions increased sharply to +25% from +2%. This would indicate that pent up investment demand has been released given the balance in Q1 was similarly weak to Q2 at just +5%. The survey provides encouraging evidence of where investment is being spent with almost three quarters of companies (70%) saying they plan to invest in technology and automation.

Lidl GB has revealed it has surpassed its original 2025 target of a 400% increase in meat-free and alternative milk sales, achieving a staggering 694%. This milestone forms part of the retailer’s broader commitment to increasing the proportion of plant-based protein to 25% of total protein sold by 2030, in alignment with the Planetary Health Diet by 2050. With the Vemondo Plant! range at the forefront, the discounter reveals that sales of plant-based products outperformed meat-style alternatives by almost 20% when comparing the top 3 veggie products to the best-selling meat replacements. Lidl is responding to this market trend by evolving its product mix to better meet the needs of flexitarians, vegans and vegetarians, by offering tailored options that suit all shoppers. This week Lidl launched more than 20 new own-label products to its Vemondo Plant! range, including multiple varieties of marinated tofu, falafel and tortellini. Shoppers can also find meat-free alternatives such as plant-based meat free mince and burgers, with prices starting from £1.49. Driven by its dedication to plant-based innovation, Lidl is committed to having its entire Vemondo Plant! range certified by The Vegetarian Society. Amali Bunter, Head of Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trade at Lidl GB, said: "Surpassing our 2025 meat-free and milk-alternative sales target marks a significant milestone in our wider healthy and sustainable diets agenda and supports our long-term goal of aligning with the Planetary Health Diet by 2050, a vital lever in the net-zero transition." “We’re proud to be leading the industry with our protein transition goal of ensuring that plant-based protein sales (by tonnage) account for 25% of our total protein sales by 2030. Alongside this we are continuing to work closely with our farming partners on the sustainability credentials of our animal-based protein products, providing our customers with a full offering of sustainable choices when they visit our stores.” The success of the range is supported by growing demand for wider plant-based protein categories. Since the start of the year, the discounter has sold over 1,400 tonnes of pulses, seeds and grains2 - cementing its industry leading position in making plant-based products accessible to more shoppers

Young persons’ membership has experienced a surge over the last financial year (March 2024 – February 2025), with over 40,000 new members, suggesting young people are prepared to spend their money and time on immersion in nature, history and beautiful surroundings. Initial insight from the current financial year shows that this trend is set to continue. Overall, young membership of the National Trust has continued to grow, increasing by 16% from start of March to end of July 2025. Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust said: “It’s heartening and humbling to see more young people choosing to become National Trust members, despite the financial pressures faced by so many. This generation cares deeply about nature and their heritage, and their support give us real hope for the future." "We want the National Trust to be here for future generations. We’re working hard to meet the needs of younger and newer audiences - whether it’s a place to recharge, connect with nature, explore heritage, or take action on the climate and biodiversity crises.” Recent research has demonstrated that young people’s interest in history and heritage is as strong, if not stronger, than older adults. A research report by the National Trust and Public First, released in May, showed the deep cultural and emotional connection people across the UK have with their historic landmarks. In-person experiences such as visiting heritage sites and participating in local events, were cited as being crucial for learning about and engaging with local history. Notably, younger people (aged 18-44) were more likely to visit heritage sites, landscape, and culture than older generations. Research carried out by Historic Houses around the same time confirmed that a majority of today’s young people are interested in visiting historic sites. It also found that cost and getting there are the biggest barriers to doing so: 58% cited high entry fees as their reason for not visiting. However, the growth in young person’s membership at the National Trust demonstrates that young people are prepared to spend money on visiting green spaces and historic places when they can. The importance of nature and time spent outside in green spaces to people’s physical and mental health is well-documented. Mya-Rose Craig one of the National Trust’s Ambassadors, is a 23-year-old British-Bangladeshi birder, conservationist and environmentalist. Mya-Rose said: “It’s wonderful to see more young people joining the National Trust. Nature has always been a huge part of my life, and I know how powerful it can be – whether it helps you feel grounded, inspired, or simply gives you space to breathe. Seeing more young people choosing to connect with nature and heritage in this way gives me real hope for the future. It shows they care, and that they want to help protect these places for everyone.” The National Trust’s Regeneration Challenge group is the charity’s youth network, made up of staff and volunteers aged 16–30. The network acts as the voice of young people in the in the charity and collaborates with like-minded organisations to ensure they’re represented within the wider sector. Corinne Whiteley and Lillie Mason, Co-Chairs of the National Trust’s Re-Generation Challenge Group said: “It’s clear that today’s young people are passionate about the natural world and our shared history. Life and our future feel fragile – growing pressures from the cost-of-living crisis, climate anxiety and the influence of social media – but nature and heritage spaces bring a sense of calm, safety and connection." "Conservation charities like the National Trust are uniquely placed to provide those spaces. Through greater collaboration with and representation of young people in our work, we are seeing our charitable purpose resonate more and more with our generation, which is fantastic to see.” Young persons membership at the National Trust costs £4 a month or £48 a year. Currently, new young members choosing to pay by annual Direct Debit can bring a friend for free for one of their visits. Overall, visitors to pay-for-entry places in the National Trust’s care grew by 2% year-on-year compared with the previous financial year. Membership held relatively stable at 5.35 million (compared with 5.38 million in 2023-24) whereas paying visitor figures increased by 5%, continuing a trend seen last year, where cost pressures meant that visitors were more likely to ‘pay on the day’. More details on the charity’s 2024-25 financial year can be found in the National Trust’s Annual Report. Photo: Visitors on Lady Lucy's Walk at Wentworth Castle Gardens