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Post-Christmas sales could be back in a bigger way for 2024 according to new research from PwC. PwC Promotions data, which gathers information from 200 UK online retailers, points towards more widespread discounting over Black Friday and the potential for some good deals in the Boxing Day sales. It suggests UK consumers are feeling the pinch and anticipated spending less on Black Friday and festive gifting and celebrations this year. But after a weak Autumn, marked by unseasonably warm then wet weather, retailers came out en masse and almost 90% discounted over Black Friday. This was similar to the level seen during the second national lockdown in 2020, when non-essential retailers were closed. Participation increased across all categories including some luxury and high end brands participating for the first time. Black Friday offers also started earlier with around 10% more retailers in promotion mode from early November. However, while more retailers held sales, the level of discounts was less generous than observed previously, and were typically targeted to specific brands or lines such as winter attire. As a result, some retailers may enter the run-up to Christmas with more stock than they had anticipated. With so many consumers leaving the majority of their present shopping until December, trading in the few weeks up till Christmas will be critical for retailers hoping to cash in on the Golden Quarter. With 7% of shoppers saying that they will do most of their present shopping in the week before Christmas, the tills will be ringing right up to Christmas Eve, particularly for men, who are more than twice as likely to leave their shopping until the week before the big day. PwC estimates that overall spending on presents and festivities will fall from £23bn to £20bn this year - down by 13% from 2022, with one in six planning to spend less this year. The £20bn figure amounts to roughly £400 per UK consumer - a drop of £40 per person spending from 2022. In addition, 6% more people say they do not intend to spend anything at all this year. While consumers say they expect to spend less this festive season, there is a good chance that people will spend more than they think. This would be a similar pattern to last year where people on average ended up spending around 15% more (£3bn) than anticipated. Lisa Hooker, PwC’s Consumer Markets Leader comments on trading for the festive season: “As we near Christmas Day it is all to play for as, whilst Christmas shopping started earlier this year, the majority of presents are still bought in December. But if shoppers are right and they do spend less, coupled with weaker Autumn sales and less interest in Black Friday, there could be deeper discounts as retailers clear seasonal stock after Boxing Day." "This will be particularly true in categories such as big-ticket, home, DIY, electricals, and toys, which consumers told us were less important to them this Christmas than in previous years. So will shoppers go all out to make Christmas extra special as we saw last year when they spent more than expected, or wait for a bargain post Christmas?”

Today, Marks & Spencer has announced it has donated 70 million meals to local charities with long-standing food redistribution partner Neighbourly. Since the launch of the surplus partnership in 2015, M&S have been working with Neighbourly to redistribute surplus food from store, which is too good to waste, to more than 3,000 local charities and community organisations. To date, the partnership has supported over 4.5 million individuals, with meal donations supporting families in need, young people and those with disabilities. Designed to tackle food waste in M&S’ stores, the partnership with Neighbourly has prevented over 30,000 tonnes of good quality food from going to waste. This contributes to M&S’ ‘target of 100% of edible surplus food to be redistributed by 2025, as part of its ‘Plan A’ roadmap to net zero. This year, as the cost-of-living continues to be top of mind with more people across the UK reliant on food charities to access good quality food, the partnership has seen over 13 million meals donated – the highest in the partnership to date. M&S is expecting to exceed the number of meals donated in the weeks leading up to Christmas; over 400,000 meals were donated in the first week of December– an increase of 100,000 from last year. Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food commented: “Doing the right thing for the people and communities we serve has always been important to M&S, and that’s one of the reasons we launched our partnership with Neighbourly back in 2015. I’m delighted that we have surpassed the milestone of 70 million meals donated because its enabled us not only to tackle food waste in our stores but also ensure our delicious food, which is too good to waste, can support those in need when they need it most. I want to thank our incredible store colleagues for their ongoing efforts to make this partnership such a success.” Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly commented: “M&S was one of Neighbourly's founding partners and was the first business to launch a nation-wide food redistribution scheme through the platform in 2015, alongside their local charity of the year programme." "The surplus scheme has gone from strength to strength over the past 8 years, with the launch of new technologies that have enabled more surplus food to get out into the communities where it's needed, building long-lasting relationships between store teams and neighbourhood charities whilst also having a tremendous positive environmental impact." "70 million meals is an incredible milestone and is down to the hard work of M&S colleagues, their charity partners and thousands of community volunteers. Sadly, the cost-of-living crisis means more families than ever are relying on local good causes for food and emergency aid – particularly in the run up to Christmas, and this food is a vital resource." Last month, M&S announced a new partnership with Fareshare, to redistribute surplus food from within its supply chain. Working with long-term supplier 2 Sisters Food Group, M&S is donating one million freshly prepared, nutritious ready meals in the 8 weeks leading up to Christmas.

Sainsbury’s is bringing its commitment to provide ‘Good food for all of us’ to the community of Mile End, Colchester with the arrival of its newest convenience store. Colleagues cut the ribbon on the purpose-built Sainsbury’s Local on Friday, making it the first grocery store to begin serving customers from within the new Northern Gateway Development. Now between 7am and 11pm every day, the new 3,000 sq ft store is part of a new local centre constructed by Sainsbury’s that also includes a Bright Horizons Nursery, which is set to open in 2024. Sainsbury’s Colchester Via Urbis Romane Local takes its name from the road that passes the development and will feature a carefully curated selection of Sainsbury’s great value, high-quality food and drink, as well as general merchandise. Providing everything from fresh bread and cakes baked daily in-store to delicious fruit and veg, meat, fish and a variety of meal solutions, the new store will bring more convenience and choice to customers in Mile End, however busy their daily lives. As well as a Costa Coffee machine, customers can to take advantage of a new Click & Collect service in the store, conveniently enabling them to order online from Sainsbury’s much-loved Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing brands for collection whilst picking up their groceries. Customers can also choose to shop and pay using Sainsbury’s SmartShop app on a mobile device, making the checkout process even easier and more convenient. Sainsbury’s investment in Colchester has enabled the retailer to create 20 new jobs in-store, and the retailer will help support good causes in the community, for example by redistributing surplus food from the store locally to those who need it most via its partnership with Neighbourly. Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “We’re passionate about bringing our tasty, well-sourced food within easier reach of our customers wherever we can and it was fantastic to launch our newest Sainsbury’s Local in Colchester on Friday." "We’re determined to help everyone make the most of their mealtimes and we hope that our new Sainsbury’s store will do just that for all the customers it will serve in the coming years.” Ellie Connolly, Sainsbury’s Colchester Via Urbis Romanae Store Manager, said: “My team and I are thrilled to be open for business, helping and serving the community in Mile End in our new store after months of work to get it ready for customers." "We’re all passionate about good food and we’re delighted to be able to bring Sainsbury’s tasty, great value products and helpful service closer to more people in Colchester – thanks to everyone who has supported us along the way.”

Shoppers are set to create record demand for no and low alcohol beer, wines and spirits this Christmas. That’s the prediction from Tesco after the supermarket saw its strongest ever sales in 2023 with high demand sustained across the year. Demand for no and low alcohol beer at the supermarket this year has soared by more than 20 per cent, while sales of no/low wine rose by nearly 15 per cent and demand for alternatives to spirits grew by nearly 10 per cent. To give some indication of how strong the thirst for no and low drinks has been throughout this year, during the first three weeks of the June heatwave, demand at Tesco was more than 25 per cent higher than it was for the first three weeks of Dry January. Another massive success has been pop star Kylie Minogue’s 0% Sparkling Rosé which launched in Tesco last year and which has now become the UK’s top selling premium no alcohol wine (Nielsen Total Coverage EPOS 12 weeks ending 4 Nov 2023). Now the supermarket is preparing itself for its strongest ever demand in December and has ordered in extra stock. Tesco says that the main reasons for the no and low alcohol boom are: New found shopper confidence in the quality of the drinks, often driven by recommendations from family and friends Greater interest in health and moderation An increase in product choice Ease of selection in its stores with all products sitting in their own fixture Tesco no and low alcohol wine buyer Joe Olding said: “Based on the huge demand throughout the year we are anticipating this festive season to not only be bigger than Dry January just gone, but to be the biggest Christmas ever for no and low drinks." “A few years ago no and low alcohol drinks might have been a consideration to have on hand for special occasions but, as our latest sales data, shows they’ve become mainstream and are now popular all year round." “We’ve also made it easier than ever for customers to find no and low alcohol drinks as they all sit alongside each in the same aisle.” Among the leading brands driving the no and low boom are Lucky Saint, Athletic Brewing and Guinness 0% in beer; Gordons 0% Alcohol Free Gin and the Clean Co brand in spirits; and Nozeco, Not Guilty and Kylie 0% Sparkling Rosé in wine. The rise in demand for Kylie Minogue’s no alcohol wine has been spectacular with demand rocketing throughout the year with one million bottles sold across all UK retailers. The drink uses a unique filtration process in order to make it less sweet and retain more of the original wine taste but without the alcohol. Kylie Minogue said: “When we launched our 0% Sparkling Rosé last year we knew health and wellbeing was becoming more and more important in people’s lives and so many of us are leaning in to more self-care.” Drinkaware, an independent UK alcohol education charity which helps people make better choices about their drinking was happy to hear the news. Karen Tyrell, CEO of the charity Drinkaware said: “It’s good to see that people across Britain are more open to trying no and low alcohol drinks this year." “Drinking lower strength and alcohol-free products can be a helpful way for people to moderate their drinking and stay within the low-risk guidelines of 14 units a week. If you are unsure about how much you’re drinking, take our simple Drinking Check on the Drinkaware website."

Supermarket Asda opened a record 81 new Asda Express stores in December in a bid to bring Asda value to even more communities ahead of Christmas. The conversions of its recent acquisition of Co-op and EG UK sites, alongside the opening of eight standalone Asda Express stores, brings the total number of Asda Express sites to 229 nationwide – with the rest of the 254 sites due to convert by the end of Q1 2024. The accelerated conversion process sets Asda on track to have 1000 stores across the UK and Northern Ireland by March 2024 – giving Asda its biggest estate in its 58-year history. The latest openings include Asda’s first convenience store in Manchester city centre and three new London stores in Romford, Acton and Ealing. Asda plans to open a further 11 Express stores in the capital next year, as it looks to grow it footprint in an area where it has traditionally been underrepresented. The new Asda Express stores stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label products to suit a broad range of customer needs including ‘top up’ shops for essential items such as milk and bread, grabbing lunch on the go or cooking dinner from scratch. Andy Perry, MD of Convenience at Asda, said: “It has been a Herculean effort by the teams involved in our Asda Express roll out to convert 81 stores in one month as part of our commitment to bringing Asda’s great value offer to even more communities." "Expansion into the growing convenience market is a key pillar of our long-term strategy to become the UK’s second largest supermarket retailer – and we know how important Asda’s great value is to families managing cost of living pressures – especially in the run up to Christmas." "As we head into 2024 it is incredibly exciting to see the continued roll out of Asda Express stores into more communities – meaning customers will be able to access Asda amazing value and quality in more locations than ever in its proud history.” Addressing Asda’s gap in the growing convenience market has been a key pillar of the retailer’s strategy since its acquisition by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital Ltd completed in 2021.

Manufacturers reported that output volumes were stable during the final three months of the year - the first time output hasn’t fallen since the quarter to July 2023, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect output to rise marginally in the first three months of 2024. Both total and export order books were reported as below normal in December, though they improved relative to the near-three year lows reached last month. Against a backdrop of subdued demand and improved supply conditions, expectations for future selling price inflation have fallen sharply over the course of 2023 and were in line with their long-run average in December. Key Findings: The survey, based on the responses of 237 manufacturers, found: Output volumes were unchanged in the three months to December (weighted balance of 0%, from -17% in the three months to November), the first time output hasn’t fallen since the quarter to July 2023. Output is expected to rise slightly in the three months to March (+5%). Output rose in 6 out of 17 sub-sectors in the three months to December, including the food, drink & tobacco; paper, printing & media; and electrical goods sub-sectors. Output fell in the chemicals, mechanical engineering and metal products sub-sectors. Total order books were reported as below “normal” in December, but improved relative to last month (-23% from -35%). The level of order books remained below the long-run average (-13%). Export order books were seen as below normal, but also improved relative to last month (-23% from -31%). This was also below the long-run average (-18%). Expectations for average selling price inflation were little changed in December (+7%, from +11% in the three months to November), and were on a par with the long-run average (+7%). Selling price expectations were the joint weakest since February 2021 (along with the October 2023 reading). Stocks of finished goods were seen as more than “adequate” in December (+11% from +3% in November). Anna Leach, CBI Deputy Chief Economist, said: “UK manufacturers appear to have ended the year on a stable footing. with December’s results only the second set this year to not show falling activity. Selling price expectations are the weakest they have been in two years, reflecting ongoing improvements in supply conditions and soft demand." “The environment for UK manufacturing is likely to remain challenging, with global growth set to remain weak in the year ahead. High interest rates will continue to weigh on household spending, while adding to business costs. And sticky domestic inflation and strong wage growth suggest cuts to UK interest rates are still some way off." “With an election looming, the broader policy environment is set to remain uncertain. Manufacturers welcomed the decision in the Autumn Statement to make full expensing permanent, which should provide a bit more impetus for investment plans. But tackling ongoing labour and skill shortages is still a top priority, starting with long-overdue reform of the Apprenticeship Levy.”

McLaren has revealed the new GTS, which joins the McLaren line-up as a replacement for the GT. The super-lightweight GTS is engineered to delight drivers who demand the dynamic excellence and driving excitement of a McLaren and the ride comfort, refinement and luggage space suited to routine drives and extended journeys. “The new McLaren GTS offers an unmatched blend of McLaren driving dynamics and performance, with refinement and practicality. When you want a true supercar driving experience, the GTS delivers that; when you want to relax on a longer journey or with luggage for a weekend away, the GTS is an ideal companion. This is a car that is true to McLaren’s racing DNA but with multiple layers of ability,” explains Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive. Retaining the core McLaren attractions of beautiful yet functional design, class-leading power-to-weight ratio – enabled by lightweight carbon fibre construction centred on a unique monocoque chassis – and unmatched driving dynamics, the new GTS is also visually even more powerful and offers increased choice of exterior and interior specification. The elegant exterior lines of the GT remain the basis of the car’s aerodynamic package and profile, but new visual enhancements mean that the GTS is even more assertive. At the front of the GTS, the ‘hammerhead’ signature styling has been updated with a new lower front bumper section. This area of the car features newly sculpted air intakes that are more pronounced, with wider intakes to channel more air into the car’s radiator system. The front intake air blades can be optioned in gloss visual carbon fibre, reflecting McLaren’s racing DNA and giving the GTS a more aggressive look. On the rear fenders, new, taller air scoops – also available in gloss visual carbon fibre - are sited on the car’s shoulders. Like the redesigned front end, the enhancements on the rear fenders are functional, enabling greater airflow into the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The muscular visuals and surfacing of the GTS include a large rear diffuser and dual exhausts – the latter also part of a package that delivers a raw supercar soundtrack on demand with the optional Sports Exhaust system. As standard, the GTS comes with a gloss black finish on the exhaust finisher, mirror caps and window surrounds, for a stealthy appearance by default. New GTS badging, including new side badges, can be tinted with a black finish by selecting the Stealth Badge Pack option. Visual carbon fibre options include an underbody carbon pack, which encompasses the front splitter, side skirts and rear bumper lower and diffuser. Exterior details such as the front air intake blades, the rear fender air intakes and mirror caps can also be finished in carbon fibre. The GTS is underpinned by the carbon fibre MonoCell II-T monocoque chassis, which boasts strong, ultra-lightweight construction and the rigidity demanded by a mid-engine McLaren supercar. The standard composite roof is made from recycled carbon fibre, one of many weight saving solutions within the construction of the GTS that contributes towards optimal vehicle performance and dynamics. These choices are instrumental in enabling the GTS to deliver a thrilling lightweight supercar driving experience, without deterioration in ride quality, or unnecessary noise, harshness and vibration. At just 1,520kg (DIN) the GTS is the lightest car in its class and has a segment best power-to-weight ratio of 418PS per-tonne. The power of the V8 M840TE 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine has been elevated to 635PS at 7,500rpm, the additional 15PS coming from increased crankshaft torque enabled by more aggressive combustion phasing and revised ignition timing. A launch-control function is standard; when enabled, the GTS hits 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in only 3.2 seconds and 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in just 8.9 seconds. The maximum speed of the GTS is 326km/h (203mph). The GTS has a seven-speed SSG transmission that provides smooth, seamless and rapid shifts in default-from-start-up Comfort mode, ensuring relaxing yet brisk acceleration. Beyond this, a driver can enhance their supercar experience with two further driving modes – Sport and Track – via the Active Dynamics Panel. Sport introduces heightened drama and urgency, with momentary ignition-spark-cut technology delivering faster and more aggressive gearshifts. Track mode takes this to a higher level still, maximising the performance of the gearbox with minimal loss of torque between shifts. Manual control of gearshifts is possible using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters in any of the drive modes. The tuning of the electro-hydraulic steering system, the standard-fit suspension featuring adaptive damping with proactive damping control, and the powerful carbon ceramic braking system are all unique to the GTS. These elements optimise the mid-mounted position of the V8 engine and the car’s lightweight construction for an authentic supercar driving experience, with balance and agility prioritised, but not at the expensive of comfort and ride quality when this is beneficial. The steering of the GTS delivers a level of feedback and feeling unmatched by rivals. Ultra-precise and accurate, the system automatically increases its level of assistance at low speeds, for ease-of-use during low-speed manoeuvres such as parallel or bay parking. The McLaren GTS is equipped with 390mm brake discs at the front and 380mm discs at the rear, all carbon ceramic. With lightweight six-piston aluminium calipers (four-piston at the rear), the braking system delivers immense feel and performance, capable of bringing the car to a halt from 62mph in just 32 metres. The continuously variable, twin-valve hydraulic dampers from McLaren Automotive’s Official Intelligent Suspension Supplier, Monroe, are a fundamental part of the lightweight, aluminium double-wishbone suspension. Featuring McLaren’s adaptive damper technology, Proactive Damper Control, suspension characteristics alter between the three Active Dynamics modes – Comfort, Sport and Track. This ranges from maximum compliance in Comfort, ideal for more relaxed driving, to much more robust damper control in Track mode, for dynamic drives. The GTS is also well within its comfort zone in urban environments. Visibility to the front is excellent, while the large glass tailgate, glazed C-pillars and large rear quarter windows ensure first-class rearward vision. Underbody ground clearance of 110mm can be increased to 130mm using the vehicle lift function. Enhanced over the GT’s system, the GTS vehicle lift can now raise or lower the nose in only four seconds – more than twice as fast as before. A carbon fibre rear upper structure within the monocoque chassis’ design allows for the creation of a large and versatile luggage space behind the passenger cell. 420 litres in capacity, the cargo area is accessed via a front-hinged, full-length glass tailgate that is electrically operated and incorporates a soft close function. The luggage space is complemented by a 150 litre storage within the nose of the car. The total cargo space of 570 litres makes the McLaren GTS the most practical new supercar on sale today. Aligned with the inherent practicality of the GTS is an interior designed to blend the car’s level of performance with a refined and luxurious space. It is a comfortable cabin for long distance journeys, while it also provides a platform from which the driver can take full advantage of the car’s outstanding dynamic capabilities. The refined, high-quality cabin uses a mixture of materials selected to deliver an ambience of performance and luxury. Machine polished and knurled aluminium switches and controls are placed around the interior, including for the steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles, alongside gloss black surrounds for the infotainment screen, gear-selector on the centre console, air vent housings and window switches. Optional visual carbon fibre packs include a satin carbon finish steering wheel clasp and extended gearshift paddles, and interior surrounds, along with sill finishers with McLaren branding. As standard, the Comfort seats of the GTS are upholstered with Nappa leather trim alongside a leather trimmed steering wheel. New Performance and TechLux interior schemes introduce a refreshed design. Performance trim is sporty, sharp and technical with seats upholstered in Softgrain Aniline leather and Alcantara© in Jet Black or Barolo, with contrasting piping. Performance also includes Power Adjust Heated Memory Comfort Seats. The new TechLux interior scheme epitomises classical elegance, albeit with a modern McLaren twist. A choice of Softgrain Aniline Leather interiors feature sophisticated colour highlights with a unique and newly introduced double piped pattern on the seats. The 10.25-inch digital instrument display, with its crisp and sharp graphics, provides a clear view of vital driver information such as speed, gear selection and engine revs, and integrates with the standard navigation system to provide turn-by-turn directions. The GTS also features a 7-inch central touchscreen infotainment system, portrait in orientation. Sharp and responsive thanks to its powerful 10-core processor, it’s easy to use, with its smartphone-style menu and input method. Satellite navigation with HERE® navigation mapping and real-time traffic information, Bluetooth telephone connectivity and media streaming, plus DAB digital radio reception is standard. A Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system comprising 12-speakers, along with carbon fibre sub-bass woofers and Kevlar mid-range drive units is optionally available. Interior illumination by way of hidden-until-lit six-colour ambient lighting is offered, while the natural light afforded by a glass panoramic roof is available with an electrochromic glazed panel, which replaces the standard carbon fibre composite gloss black roof. The panel allows a driver to select one of five light transmission levels at the touch of a button. In its darkest setting, the electrochromic roof provides a 0.6% light transmission level. Alongside an extended and refreshed palette of exterior paints including new options such as Mantis Green, Tanzanite Blue and Ice White, there is a new colour exclusive to the GTS from launch: Lava Grey. This metallic finish incorporates a shimmering red fleck that catches the light to create a distinctive effect that marks it out from other shades of grey. Further additions include a new 10-spoke Turbine lightweight forged alloy wheel, available in Silver, Gloss Black, Gloss Black with Diamond Cut effect, and Orum. The standard wheel for the GTS is a 10-twin-spoke forged alloy wheel, also offered in Silver, Gloss Black or Gloss Black Diamond Cut, alongside an exclusive Tungsten option. Both wheel designs can be combined with new optional titanium locking wheel bolts, which are 35% lighter than the standard bolts, reducing unsprung mass. McLaren’s technical partner Pirelli supplies P ZERO™ tyres developed specially for the GTS, offering high-performance and levels of grip, alongside refinement in equal measure. The McLaren GTS comes with a standard three-year vehicle warranty with unlimited mileage, as well as a three-year paint warranty and a ten-year anti-perforation warranty. The GTS is eligible for the McLaren Extended Warranty, which can be purchased in 12- or 24-month periods up to a total warranty of 12 years. Three years of vehicle servicing is included with the McLaren Service Plan. An accomplished and functional approach to a lightweight McLaren supercar, the new GTS takes its place in a McLaren line-up that will continue evolving in 2024 and beyond.

Passengers across London and the South East can now benefit from services operated by the three largest airlines in China, as China Southern joins Air China and China Eastern at London Gatwick. The airline – China’s largest – began operating from London Gatwick on Tuesday 12 December, with twice-weekly flights to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, on Boeing 787-8 aircraft. It is the only direct service between London and Zhengzhou. London Gatwick now has 16 flights per week to China, with two daily services to Shanghai already operating. The flights will provide an economic boost to the tourism industry across London and the South East, with Chinese visitors spending £1,937 per UK visit and £1.71 billion in total in 2019, according to Visit Britain. Stephanie Wear, VP Aviation Development, London Gatwick said: “We are delighted to welcome China Southern to London Gatwick. China is a hugely important market for us, our passengers, and the regional economy, so it’s fantastic news for London and the South East to have China’s three major airlines operating from Gatwick for the first time. “The new service to Zhengzhou will enable passengers to not only visit a fantastic city steeped in history and culture, but also visit family and friends, and connect to destinations across China and Asia.” Patricia Yates, Chief Executive, VisitBritain said: “China is an incredibly important inbound visitor market, our second most valuable in 2019 and we know the UK is high on the wish list of Chinese travellers. The new China Southern route into London Gatwick is fantastic news for holiday-makers and business visitors alike. We want to deliver a world-class welcome for visitors and boosting airline connectivity and seat capacity, making it easier to get to Britain, is crucial to our competitive tourism offer.” Zhengzhou is the capital of the Henan province with a population of more than 10 million, and home of the world’s largest iPhone factory. London Gatwick is investing in its long-term future and its planning application to bring the airport’s Northern Runway into regular use has recently been accepted for detailed examination by the Planning Inspectorate. This low-impact plan will improve resilience, reduce delays, and provide a significant boost to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism, and new jobs. Full details of the updates and the revised plans are available on gatwickairport.com/futureplans .

The UK’s largest independently owned furniture retailer, Furniture Village, is set to open an exciting new store in Staples Corner, North West London, on 26th December 2023, replacing its current space in Friern Barnet. The new store will offer customers a total of 16,920 sq ft of home inspiration set across two floors. The store merchandise has been tailored to the needs of the company’s North London clientele, taking into consideration the best-selling styles and ranges from Friern Barnet. Additionally, the store will offer creative home inspiration, Furniture Village’s latest collections and an unrivalled customer shopping experience. The configuration of the space has been modified to reflect the business’s latest store design, incorporating the new style of platform landings and access for customers to the mezzanine floor sales area. Charlie Harrison, Managing Director at Furniture Village, comments: “We are incredibly excited to open our newest Furniture Village store in Staples Corner Retail Park, a popular shopping destination for furniture and homeware in North West London. Our new store will showcase our beautiful and unique furniture and accessories for every room in the home, with each piece handpicked by our expert team of buyers and sourced from across the globe.’’ "We have invested significantly in enhancing the customer experience and I am delighted that the new location allows us to offer a more seamless shopping experience for the North London customer, with a more immersive store layout and a variety of creative roomsets making it the perfect destination for those seeking home inspiration and expert advice.” Featuring dedicated spaces from leading brands such as Calligaris, G-Plan, Harrison Spinks and Vispring, along with exclusive collections, quick delivery lines and a lowest price guarantee, the new retail space promises to inspire and delight with expert advice from the knowledgeable and friendly team. Charlie added, “We have a wonderful team in Friern Barnet and are delighted that they will be relocating with us to the new store. We all look forward to welcoming customers through the doors on Boxing Day.’’

Wakefield Council has been awarded an £88,000 grant for its libraries to create opportunities to volunteer and help tackle loneliness. The funding comes from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and has been distributed by Arts Council England (ACE) in partnership with national charity Libraries Connected. The Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) Project is designed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 areas across England. Councillor Michelle Collins, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, at Wakefield Council, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding which will enable us to reach out to those who are suffering from social isolation. We’ll be using this investment to also give people the opportunity to gain new skills and create new social networks through volunteering.” Isobel Hunter MBE, Chief Executive, Libraries Connected said: “Libraries Connected is thrilled to be a partner of the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, supporting the library services that have received funding in the 27 target areas" "Public libraries are at the heart of their communities and are uniquely placed to help local people participate in volunteering and connect with others. This important initiative will not only see exciting community projects in libraries across the country, it will also build a vital evidence base for scalable and sustainable interventions in the future.” Research has shown that volunteering can connect communities, help people learn new skills and improve social networks. The project runs until March 2025 across the Wakefield district. Residents will be able to take part in local projects which build their skills, improve their mental health and wellbeing, and create social networks. The aim is to develop an understanding of what works to improve wellbeing and pride in communities. The programme will also look at how people can be supported to volunteer and improve their social connections in the long term. The Council has begun to pilot social inclusion events and activities in libraries and community venues in Pontefract, Knottingley, South Elmsall and Horbury. Events such as a community coffee morning, chair Zumba, autumn crafts and a poppy project are already popular. Further volunteering opportunities, events and activities are available across all Wakefield libraries and the wider district from January 2024.

Two award-winning south Warwickshire drinks brands are celebrating a pivotal partnership thanks to the launch of a new special-edition gin. Warwickshire Gin Company in Leamington and Purity Brewing Company in Great Alne, have announced an exciting collaboration to create the 40% ABV Emperor Dry Hopped Gin, now available online and in store at whilst also being stocked exclusively at Purity’s Birmingham-based tap room PureCraft Bar and Kitchen. It’s the latest project of the Warwickshire Gin Company, whose collection comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to fully represent the county’s own unique story and bringing the range of hand-crafted flavours to life. These include Leamington on Parade, inspired by the true story of three elephants brought over from Sri Lanka to Leamington by circus elephant trainer Sam Lockhart in the 1880s; The Kingmaker – named after Richard Neville 16th Earl of Warwick and Peeping Tom – inspired by the legend of Coventry’s Lady Godiva. Dave Blick, who established Warwickshire Gin Company at Victoria Business Centre, in 2018, said of the new collaboration: “We first collaborated with Purity Brewing Co. during the Covid pandemic, at a time when we were selling other local produce on our website. We’re admirers of not just their beers, but also the company’s values, which are aligned with our own. We both include stories that inspire our drinks, making them bold and unique." “When we were asked to help develop a Hop-infused gin we jumped at the chance! We worked on several recipes with the hops and other botanicals that we thought would complement the Emperor. To add to the Roman theme we included the Italian exotic citrus, bergamot - which is a stunning fruit to use. Being able to bring Emperor Hop Dry Gin to life has been an exciting project.” It’s a particularly special recipe for the Purity team as it’s made with a new English hop variety named in memory of the company’s late co-founder Jim Minkin who, outside of brewing, enjoyed a passion for Roman history. Minkin established Purity, in Great Alne, in 2005 with Paul Hasley on a joint mission to ‘brew great beer without prejudice, with a conscience and a consistency and attention to detail.’ Paul Brazier, Head of Marketing at Purity, said: “Emperor hops resonated with Jim’s love for Roman history. In his time off he could be found wandering the local area looking for earthworks that would suggest Roman camps, buildings and roads." “Whilst experimenting with the wide variety of hops Purity use, it was decided Emperor hops in combination with the Mediterranean and ancient fruit Bergamot and Black Tea, deliver the best subtle citrus kick and complex flavour notes to create a unique, quality and exclusive handcrafted Gin." “We are delighted to be working with Warwickshire Gin Company whose twin passions are high-quality craft gin production and a love of local history. Emperor Gin is completed with branding design that stays loyal to that history theme, but with a nod to the hoppy, Purity twist.” Central to Purity’s ethos is a strong commitment to supporting the environment. Purity only uses natural ingredients; supports recycling programs and respects the local community and environment. Waste products are recycled through its unique wetland system. This sustainable ecosystem helps minimise carbon dioxide emissions, reduces energy consumption, and encourages wildlife diversity.

Bournemouth Athletic FC will be kicking off next year wearing new shirts sponsored by the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce (BCTC). The Pelhams-based outfit are currently flying high in Division 3 of the MA Hart Bournemouth Football League. The new shirts are emblazoned with the Chamber’s logo and will help increase the profile of the business membership organisation. Matt Maclean from BCTC said: “When we heard the first team was looking for a shirt sponsor, we felt it was a good fit. Bournemouth Athletic is the oldest non-league club in the area and the Chamber goes back more than a century. There is a lot of synergy between us." “The team plays in the Bournemouth leagues where our logo will receive lots of exposure. We are experiencing exciting times with the Chamber as lots of new businesses come on board." “It’s our goal to build the organisation to benefit all our members and the local economy – and we hope Bournemouth’s Athletic’s goals will help boost our presence in the town.” The team’s manager John McKay said: “We had been looking for a sponsor and were really pleased when the Chamber offered." “Having a decent set of shirts with all the players looking professional does really help our performances on the pitch, and it assists in forging a tight team unit.”