Stafford-based commercial catering equipment specialists Barcare Supreme have become the first UK distributor for the Nordik DriPod glass dryer range. The dryer is a landmark product, with high-grade stainless steel to withstand rust and corrosion, a common issue in competitor products. The appliances also improve draught beverage quality, reduce energy costs and improve hygiene by ruling out the need for cloth drying. The agreement provides national sales, rental terms, and direct engineer support from Barcare Supreme. They will be joined by other distributors, yet to be announced by Nordik. Andy Wainwright, Managing Director at Barcare Supreme says: “We are delighted to have been selected for this contract, which enables us to give UK hospitality venues a reliable and durable solution built for real bar conditions." “Nordik is a prominent manufacturer of stainless steel products in the hospitality equipment sector, and they create appliances specifically to tackle hygiene and workflow bottlenecks in commercial bars and kitchens." “Commercial glasswashers discharge baskets at temperatures above 60°C to achieve thorough chemical sanitisation. Bar staff unwittingly break this hygienic chain by hand-polishing wet glassware with cotton towels. Reusing a single cloth across two hundred glasses transfers bacteria directly back onto clean surfaces.” He adds: “The DriPod removes manual cloth contact and lint residue completely. Internal energy-efficient high-speed fans force room-temperature air up into inverted glasses, cooling and drying an entire basket of glasses within minutes." "This prevents hand drying, improves hygiene, and, as a non-thermal glass drying system, it speeds up the rate at which cool, dry glasses can be re-used in busy bars and hospitality venues." “Each unit plugs into a standard 13A socket without requiring specialist electrical installation, hardwiring, or plumbing alterations, helping venues to control all-important costs.” He continues: “The stainless steel specification for these Nordik appliances is key. Across the sector, many other drying devices are made from coated mild steel, and are prone to corrosion and rust." "Corroded machines are often visible in a bar and do not promote customer confidence. Stainless steel means that these new dryers match commercial glasswasher standards, enabling them to resist chemical attack and rusting.” Commenting on the partnership, Nordik director Andrew Pittwood says: "We are pleased to announce BarCare Supreme as the first in a number of distribution partners to be appointed by us. Partnering with Barcare Supreme gives Nordik an established national partner with deep technical expertise." "They bring over thirty years of experience, in-house service engineers, and an outstanding reputation across the UK licensed trade. This agreement ensures that every DriPod unit comes backed by direct specialist support.” He adds: “We chose Barcare because their end-to-end service model matches our commitment to product longevity. Alongside our other future partners, we will set a new standard for hygiene, reliability, and beer quality in busy hospitality venues across the UK.” Andy Wainwright brings extensive sector experience, having worked in sales and servicing at dishwashing and glasswashing appliance manufacturer Classeq from the early 1990s until 2008. Barcare Supreme operates as an independent UK-wide family business in Staffordshire, employing full-time in-house service engineers, to maintain high first-time fix rates, which are vital to their trade customers. The DriPod 400 retails at £539.99 ex VAT (£647.99 inc VAT), while the DriPod 500 retails at £594.99 ex VAT (£713.99 inc VAT). Barcare Supreme offers both models with flexible all-inclusive rental options starting from £35 per month ex VAT. Product details are available here. Rental packages are available here. Direct enquiries: 01785 247 267.

British Airways unveils next phase of Heathrow lounge transformation with new Terminal 5 lounge British Airways has unveiled the next stage of its Heathrow lounge transformation, with this announcement marking the first phase of a wider programme that will see every lounge at Heathrow redesigned over the coming years. One of the airline’s largest-ever lounge investments, the programme includes a new lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 C Gates, a complete redevelopment of the Terminal 5 Arrivals lounge and, in collaboration with American Airlines, a new First check-in experience at Heathrow Terminal 3. The programme is part of the airline’s wider transformation of the customer experience, improving every stage of the journey from airport arrival to boarding and arrival at the destination. The announcement follows recent lounge openings and refurbishments across British Airways’ global network, including in Miami, Glasgow, Seattle and Washington. Work is underway in Boston and Newark, with Geneva and San Francisco due to be refreshed next year. Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “This investment is a major milestone in the evolution of our lounges and reflects our ambition to create a more connected and consistent customer journey." ‘These spaces will take our lounge design concept to the next step, building on Miami and creating a distinctive British Airways look and feel across key customer touchpoints, from First Wing and our lounges to the onboard experience." ‘By showcasing the best of British design, craftsmanship and hospitality, we will deliver a more premium, seamless experience for our customers. This is the first of many developments in the pipeline, and we look forward to sharing more as we transform the customer experience in the years ahead.” Brand-new lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 C Gates Central to the investment is a new lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 C Gates, set to be one of the airline’s largest and most ambitious lounge projects. With work already underway, and due to open at the end of 2028, the lounge will offer sweeping views of the airfield and terminal concourse area. Inspired by flight and British design, the lounge will combine the airline’s new lounge concept design with materials and finishes sourced from across the UK. British craftsmanship will feature throughout, from timber and glazing to intricate metalwork, textiles and bespoke furnishings. The lounge will have a light and open feel, and feature striking architectural elements inspired by the skies, alongside dedicated areas for dining, relaxation, work and pre-flight shower facilities. A 17-metre bar, expected to be among the world’s longest airport lounge bars, will provide a focal point for customers travelling through Terminal 5. A dedicated Concorde lounge will offer private concierge service, elevated dining and exclusive spaces with richer textures, darker materials and added privacy. The lounge will provide a relaxing space for customers to prepare for long-haul flights departing from C Gates. Reimagined Heathrow Arrivals lounge British Airways has also begun work on a completely redesigned Heathrow Arrivals lounge, the first arrivals space created under the airline’s new lounge concept. With refurbishment due to start in early 2027 and scheduled to open by the end of next year, the lounge is designed around the needs of today’s premium traveller, helping customers relax, refresh and prepare for the day after a long-haul flight. The lounge will include a coffee bar and deli, larger dining areas, quiet relaxation zones and dedicated work booths. It will also offer 59 shower rooms, premium shower suites and shared dressing and preparation areas. First customers will have access to a new Concorde Arrivals experience, with private cabanas, elegant dining areas and carefully curated interiors in the airline’s signature palette of blue, red and cream. Glass screens, architectural details and considered layouts will improve privacy and comfort throughout. Premium welcome at Terminal 3 British Airways and American Airlines will also introduce a new First check-in experience at Heathrow Terminal 3, set to open this winter. The dedicated facility will provide eligible customers with a relaxing start to their journey. Designed with a rich dark red colour palette inspired by British Airways’ First Wing at Terminal 5 and the airline’s global lounge concept, the space will offer customers a familiar look and feel, creating a distinctive welcome experience. The space reflects the airlines’ shared commitment to consistently delivering exceptional hospitality at every touch point, ensuring customers enjoy the same level of comfort, care and attention from check-in through to arrival. Further investment across its global lounge network Beyond Heathrow, lounge projects are underway in Boston and Newark, with plans for Geneva and San Francisco next in line next year. Elsewhere, the airline has invested in new aircraft, technology, and improved operational performance to become one of the best performing global airlines, all aimed at delivering a better experience for customers.  Most recently, the airline has announced its full A380 retrofit programme, with its first A380 aircraft set to take to the skies in the coming months with redesigned cabin interiors from nose to tail, including brand-new First, Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins. The retrofit programme is one of the most extensive cabin transformations undertaken by any airline, involving the installation of more than 35,000 individual parts being installed across each aircraft.

Almost nine in 10 (88%) UK charity leaders are concerned about the financial impact of potential tax rises or benefit cuts in the autumn Budget, according to research from Rathbones. More than eight in 10 (84%) believe such measures are highly likely to be announced. The study asked 100 senior charity executives, representing charities with a collective £5 billion invested in equities, about the biggest risks facing the sector. Beyond the potential impact of the Budget, the findings point to significant operational concerns, led by cyber threats and legal compliance. David Cox, Director of Charities at Rathbones, said: “Charities are navigating financial uncertainty alongside a growing range of operational risks. While the possible impact of tax rises or benefit cuts is understandably front of mind, resilience depends on more than funding alone." “Cyber security, legal compliance and succession planning may receive less attention, but weaknesses in these areas can have serious consequences for charities and their beneficiaries. Strong governance, secure infrastructure and robust operational processes are therefore increasingly important.” Looking ahead to the next 2 years, charity leaders identified operational risks as the most immediate threats to organisational continuity. A cyber-attack or data breach compromising donor, beneficiary or supporter data is the single biggest risk, cited by a third (34%) of respondents. This is followed by regulatory changes or compliance penalties, identified by 21% of charity executives. Frontline staff burnout and difficulty recruiting qualified workers are seen as the biggest risk by 18% of charity leaders. Insolvency driven by falling public donations and inflation is the top concern for 14%, followed by reputational damage from public scandals or negative media coverage, cited by 13%. While cyber risk leads charities’ forward-looking concerns, legal compliance is the area in which organisations have felt most exposed over the past year. The research also points to concerns around digital security and outdated IT infrastructure. More than half (56%) of charity leaders identified legal compliance — including employment law, safeguarding and GDPR — as an area of vulnerability over the past year. This was followed by digital security and outdated IT infrastructure, cited by 50%. Succession planning for leadership roles and trustee vacancies was identified by 45%, while 33% pointed to the loss of statutory contracts or central government funding streams. Biggest vulnerabilities faced by the charity sector over the past year Legal compliance e.g. employment law, safeguarding, GDPR 56% Digital security and outdated IT infrastructure 50% Succession planning for key leadership and trustee roles 45% Loss of statutory contracts or government funding streams 33% Public trust and maintaining a positive brand reputation 5% Biggest risks facing the charity sector over the next 2 years Cyberattacks or data breaches compromising donor or client information 34% Regulatory changes or compliance penalties from watchdog bodies 21% Frontline staff burnout and inability to recruit qualified workers 18% Financial insolvency due to falling donations and rising inflation 14% Reputational damage from a public scandal or negative media coverage 13%

NLM Building Consultancy has reported a record year, with turnover rising by 51%, as it launches a dedicated cost consultancy service and strengthens its senior team to expand its project management capability. Co-founder Neil MacDougall has been appointed Managing Director and will continue to work alongside fellow co-founder and Director Lesley Merritt. Established in 2020, NLM has built a UK-wide portfolio through its building surveying and project management expertise, most recently securing approval as a provider under the Scottish Government's Single Building Assessment legislation as part of the Cladding Remediation Programme. Between 31 August 2025 and 31 August 2026, turnover increased by 51% and client numbers grew by 12%. NLM has now formalised its capabilities across three dedicated service lines: building surveying, project management and cost consultancy. Cost consultancy expands the support available to clients, while the new structure brings greater focus to NLM's established building surveying and project management services. Gerard Smith has joined as Associate Director – Building Surveying, bringing more than 35 years of experience across commercial property and construction. A Chartered Building Surveyor, he specialises in building surveying, technical due diligence and project delivery. Gerry Bonham has been appointed Associate Director – Project Management, with a background in delivering and managing construction projects across a range of sectors. His appointment supports the development of project management as a distinct service line within NLM. Lee Barton has joined as Surveyor – Cost Consultancy, bringing quantity surveying and cost management experience to the new service. He provides in-house capability across cost planning, procurement, tendering, valuations and wider quantity surveying services. Alongside these appointments, NLM continues to invest in future talent. Building Surveyor Gianni De Marco joined the consultancy in March 2023, shortly after graduating from university. He has since gained substantial practical experience and is working towards his final assessment to become a Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Neil MacDougall, Managing Director and co-founder of NLM Building Consultancy, said: “This is an exciting stage in NLM's development. We have always been a building consultancy with building surveying at the heart of the business, alongside an increasing level of project management work as the practice has grown." "Formalising those areas into dedicated service lines, alongside the introduction of cost consultancy, gives us a much stronger platform for the future and allows us to provide complementary expertise across the lifecycle of our clients' property and construction projects." "The experience we have added to the team gives us greater depth across the business. Just as importantly, we are committed to supporting Gianni and future graduates as they develop their careers and progress towards chartership. Both are essential in continuing to grow NLM in a considered and sustainable way." Lesley Merritt, Director and co-founder of NLM Building Consultancy, said: "When Neil and I established NLM Building Consultancy six years ago, we wanted to build a sustainable business based on trusted relationships, practical advice and a genuinely personal approach. Those principles remain just as important to us today." "Our growing team combines considerable experience with fresh energy and expertise, strengthening both the services we have delivered since the business was established and the new capabilities we are now bringing to clients." "While our geographical reach and range of services have expanded significantly, the way we want to work has not changed. As NLM continues to grow organically, maintaining the quality of our work, remaining accessible to our clients, and protecting those longstanding relationships will continue to be our priority." NLM Building Consultancy supports commercial property and construction clients across the UK, with projects ranging from technical due diligence, dilapidations and building surveying commissions to refurbishment and development projects, project management and cost consultancy, and Single Building Assessments.

Readers in Cobham and the surrounding area are in for a treat this November, when acclaimed Canadian novelist Mary Lawson visits Cobham for a special evening hosted by The Cobham Bookshop. She will be celebrating the publication, that day, of her new novel Solace in Winter. Mary Lawson is the much-loved author of Crow Lake, The Other Side of the Bridge and Road Ends. Her beautifully observed novels explore family, community, relationships and the places we call home, and have earned her readers around the world. Join Mary for an intimate evening of conversation about her life and work, her approach to writing and the stories behind her acclaimed novels. She will be in conversation with Dana Morris, CEO of Wales Arts Review. There will also be an opportunity for audience questions and book signings of Solace in Winter. Thursday 19 November, 6.15pm Cobham Community Hub, Oakfield Road, Cobham, KT11 2LY Tickets: £5 This promises to be a wonderful evening for anyone who loves books, enjoys meeting authors or simply wants to discover one of Canada’s finest novelists and be amongst the first to read Mary Lawson’s hotly anticipated new novel Solace in Winter. Tickets are available from The Cobham Bookshop. Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.

A prominent office building in Reading has been sold for proposed residential development in a deal successfully concluded by property consultancy Vail Williams. The firm acted for Spire Healthcare over the disposal of centrally located 20,500 sq ft office building Regents Gate on Crown Street. The purchaser is a private buyer, and the terms of the freehold sale remain confidential. It is understood there is planning consent in place for residential conversion to 29 apartments. Andrew Baillie, associate, led the Vail Williams Thames Valley regional agency team, including partner Guy Parkes, working on the project. The team drew on knowledge of the Reading office market and network of local property investors and residential developers to formulate a targeted office disposal and marketing strategy and then promote the property to credible investors and developers. He said: “Previously occupied by Spire Healthcare’s administrative team, the offices had become surplus to requirement following their relocation to higher-quality space in Reading town centre." “Our role was to market Regents Gate to potential investors and developers and manage a robust, transparent disposal process that demonstrated best value for our client. The transaction achieved demonstrable best value for our client, meeting the governance and due-diligence requirements of a publicly listed healthcare company." “The deal was managed efficiently through to completion, delivering capital back into the business.” Kevin McGurk, group treasury manager at Spire Healthcare Group, said: “Vail Williams managed the disposal of Regents Gate through a thorough and well-structured process. Andrew, Guy and the team communicated clearly with us throughout, and the transaction was executed efficiently and professionally." “It was a pleasure working with them, and we were very pleased with the outcome achieved.” Regents Gate is arranged over three floors with generous on-site parking and occupying a central location close to Reading town centre. The buyer was represented by Hurst Warne. Vail Williams’ full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy.

Thousands of taxpayers are being urged to act as rules tighten around the roll-out of the government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) scheme. Tax experts at Hampshire accountancy and business advice firm HWB Chartered Accountants are calling on sole traders and landlords to check their position now regarding the requirements for registration. It follows a warning from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that the tax authority is beginning to sign up taxpayers who have yet to register for the new regime. Martin Back, HWB’s Tax Compliance Manager, said taxpayers should not assume that being contacted by HMRC means they can leave compliance until later. “Now is an important time for anyone who is required to use MTD but has not yet signed up for the scheme,” said Martin. “HMRC have said they are proactively signing people up, if they have not taken action themselves. Being signed up by HMRC means you lose the opportunity to take control of the process yourself." "By registering now, you can make sure your details are correct, choose appropriate HMRC-recognised software and give yourself time to understand what is required, rather than waiting for a letter from HMRC and then having to react to it.” MTD for Income Tax became mandatory in April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income of more than £50,000. The threshold will be lowered from April 2027, extending to those with qualifying income of more than £30,000. Under the scheme, those within scope must keep digital records and send HMRC quarterly updates through prescribed, compatible software. The quarterly updates are not tax returns, but they form an important part of the information used to establish the taxpayer’s final tax position. The existing self-assessment Tax Return and 31 January deadline remain in place. While HMRC has confirmed that no penalty points will be issued for late quarterly updates during the 2026/27 tax year, HWB is encouraging taxpayers not to treat the first year as a grace period. Martin said: “MTD has presented a steep learning curve for taxpayers including some of the smallest businesses in the south. The first quarter has brought challenges around registration, software, exemptions and the practicalities of making digital submissions, so the decision to waive penalties for late quarterly updates this year is welcome." "But the absence of penalties does not mean there are no consequences to delaying. Anyone who leaves their submissions until much later risks creating a significant administrative backlog. From April 2027, the points-based penalty regime will also apply, so taxpayers need to get into good habits now.” From 6 April 2027, taxpayers will receive a penalty point for each missed quarterly deadline, with a £200 fixed penalty applying once four points have been accumulated. HWB says taxpayers should take the opportunity to establish whether they are in scope, check whether an exemption applies, ensure they are using HMRC-recognised software and seek professional advice where necessary. “MTD is much more than simply downloading accounting software and pressing a button,” Martin added. “The information being submitted needs to be accurate, because those quarterly figures will feed into the end-of-year tax calculation. For anyone who is unsure whether they are in scope, what records they need to keep or whether their existing software is suitable, my advice is simple: speak to an accountant. Taking professional advice now can prevent problems later and can also help taxpayers make better use of the new system for tax planning and forecasting." "The move to more frequent digital reporting is a significant change, but there are positives. Done properly, MTD can give business owners much better visibility of their financial performance and potential tax liabilities throughout the year. That information can help people plan for their tax bills rather than being surprised by them.” Government figures show that more than 436,000 taxpayers nationally have submitted an initial MTD quarterly update for the 2026/27 tax year, while more than 570,000 have signed up to the scheme. At the same time however, almost half of those expected to comply - around 428,000 taxpayers - missed the first three-monthly filing deadline of 7 August. Chartered accountants HWB, based at Chandler’s Ford, near Southampton, provides business and tax advice. For more information on MTD compliance, visit here. Photo: Digital Roll-Out - Martin Back, Tax Compliance Manager at HWB Chartered Accountants.

Property consultancy Vail Williams has made a strategic appointment at associate level to bolster its Building Consultancy team in London as business continues to grow. Waseem Riaz, who has worked in various consultancy firms in London, including Carter Jonas recently, has lengthy experience across the residential, commercial and industrial property sectors. Based in the firm’s Soho Square office, he provides technical building surveying, project management and professional consultancy services to public and private sector clients throughout London and the wider South East. His project management experience includes the refurbishment of multi-occupancy residential buildings, as well as external maintenance and improvement projects for high-end residential and commercial properties. Waseem supports clients throughout the project lifecycle, from preparing specifications and appointing contractors to contract administration and completion. He also advises property owners, occupiers and investors on a range of professional building consultancy matters. His work includes pre-acquisition building surveys and technical property due diligence, planned maintenance schedules, dilapidations, party wall matters, reinstatement cost assessments and licences for alterations. He also has experience advising both corporate clients with property portfolios and private individuals. Waseem said: “I am excited to have been appointed by such a progressive and forward-looking consultancy as Vail Williams. The firm’s ethos that customer service comes above all else matches mine exactly." “I am determined to use my skills and experience to continue to drive ahead the quality work and standards for which the firm has rightly become renowned.” James Lacey, Vail Williams’ London regional managing partner, said: “We have ambitious growth plans across the board for our London region and to achieve success we must have the right people working for us." “Waseen fits into that category perfectly and I am expecting big things of him. He has already hit the ground running and become a valued member of both the Building Consultancy and wider regional team.” Vail Williams’ full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy. Photo: Property consultancy Vail Williams has appointed Waseem Riaz, second left, at associate level to bolster its Building Consultancy team in London. He is welcomed by office administrator Gen Gunn, London regional managing partner James Lacey and partner Richard Jones

Nearly 90% of rural family businesses have paused investment, and in some cases, are actively devaluing their businesses to avoid triggering tax bills they can’t afford, stark new polling by the CLA reveals. Respondents describe being forced to cancel the creation of holiday homes, put off buying new machinery, stop growing crops, delay building reservoirs needed to cope with drought, and even allow buildings and land to deteriorate. As one respondent says: “I am doing everything I can to devalue my business to reduce the tax burden for my children.” Of those who say they’ve cancelled investment, more than a third have shelved projects worth over £150K, while 64% have abandoned plans worth over £50K. While government says the updated £2.5 million relief allowance means most family businesses will not be affected, nearly 85% of respondents said the allowance is not enough to cover the value of their business, citing the rising cost of machinery, livestock and crops. Instead, the findings reveal family-run businesses, typically asset-rich but cash-poor – would be forced into a cycle of asset sales or debt to cover this tax, undermining the long-term viability of the rural economy, jobs and communities. Nearly 50% say they’d have to sell at least a quarter of their land to cover the bill, with one in four saying they’d have to sell over half. This comes as farmers face dwindling incomes after a string of poor harvests, with the average farm earning just £29,800 in 2025. Seven in ten now say they are worried their family business will not survive the next ten years, with 29% saying they are seriously considering leaving the farming industry in the next five years. As the budget looms, the CLA is calling on Burnham and Chancellor Healey to scrap inheritance tax reforms, warning that the current policy is forcing family businesses to shrink simply to survive and undermining growth and job opportunities across rural Britain. Gavin Lane, CLA President, said: “We’ve warned for years that the logic behind this tax is perverse and self-defeating. Now the data proves why. Families who’ve spent decades building up their businesses are being forced to shrink them down again just to keep hold of them. They are scaling back ambitions, letting buildings deteriorate, and stripping out value, all to pass on businesses that may no longer be profitable." “Burnham says he wants growth in every postcode. But this will be impossible until he reverses the tax actively destroying it. Family businesses want a leader who can help them invest and expand and drive forward the economy." At the next budget, Burnham has a chance to prove he’s more serious on growth than his predecessors. He must reverse the tax, deliver a proper rural reset, and get the countryside moving again.”

Cleanology has welcomed Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch MP to its headquarters in Vauxhall, South-West London, for a discussion on employment, economic growth and the contribution of businesses such as Cleanology to the UK economy. Mrs Badenoch was accompanied by Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary Helen Whately MP who met with Cleanology’s Chairman & Co-Founder Dominic Ponniah to discuss getting more young people into employment. During the visit, Mrs Badenoch and Ms Whately met members of the Cleanology team and heard about the company’s growth, its role as a major employer and the career opportunities available within the cleaning and facilities management sector. The discussion focused on some of the key issues facing employers today, including the cost of employing people, creating sustainable jobs and attracting people into the workforce. Cleanology, one of the UK’s leading commercial cleaning companies, also highlighted the wider economic importance of the facilities management sector, which supports businesses and organisations across almost every part of the UK economy. Dominic Ponniah, Chairman & Co-Founder of Cleanology, said: “Whatever your political persuasion, creating good jobs and building a strong economy should matter to everyone. As a business employing more than 1,000 people, we see first-hand the difference that employment can make – not simply in providing an income, but in giving people opportunity, skills, confidence and the chance to progress." Our industry provides an important route into employment and career progression. I want to see that contribution recognised much more widely and demonstrate that successful businesses like Cleanology can deliver both economic and social value.” Cleanology recently announced it had become what is thought to be the first UK commercial cleaning company to become B Corp certified and holder of an EcoVadis silver medal, affirming its position as one of the most sustainable cleaning businesses in the UK; and earlier this year, Cleanology won a Living Wage Champion Award in recognition of its commitment to fair pay, with its entire workforce now receiving the voluntary Real Living Wage or higher. Next month Cleanology is hosting its annual fundraising event – now in its sixth year – in aid of The Hygiene Bank. The successful fundraiser has established itself as an unmissable industry event, attracting almost 200 guests each year, and raising in excess of £151,000 in its first five years. This year the showpiece event is being held on Wednesday 11 November at the chic art deco-style Bloomsbury Hotel in Central London, just steps away from Tottenham Court Road station. Cleanology has led the way in sustainable, chemical-free cleaning for over 25 years, pioneering microfibre cloth and bio-enzyme products. Committed to achieving Net Zero by 2035, it prioritises eco-friendly purchasing, zero landfill, and plastic-free alternatives. It was the UK’s first cleaning company to introduce 100% sustainable uniforms with each one made from organic cotton and containing 2.5 plastic bottles. It has also invested in a fully electric van fleet saving 5,000 litres of diesel per year. For more information on Cleanology, visit here.

Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep has returned to Port Glasgow, where one lucky local shopper has raised £1,011.61 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) while also taking home the same value in Aldi favourites. Inspired by the iconic game show, the popular challenge arrived in Port Glasgow on 4 September, where competition winner Carol McGlynn was selected to take part in a five-minute trolley dash in support of CHAS. In addition to taking home a trolley full of goodies, Aldi Scotland matched the total value of Carol’s haul, donating all proceeds to CHAS to help support over 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2026 every penny raised through the initiative will go directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support. Jenn Stewart, Lead Nurse, Hospice Services, CHAS, said: "Every week in Scotland, families face the devastating reality of knowing their child may die young. Thanks to the generosity of Aldi, supermarket sweeps help raise vital funds so CHAS can continue to deliver expert palliative care, living well and experience opportunities and care around dying that families rely on, as well as emotional and bereavement support from our wider CHAS teams." “In the West of Scotland, CHAS currently supports 83 families, helping them make the most of every precious moment together. We are hugely grateful for Aldi's ongoing support and for everyone who takes part in these fantastic fundraising events." Tom Brearey, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland said: “Our Supermarket Sweep continues to be a highlight in the Aldi calendar, and we’re proud to partner with CHAS once again to support the incredible work they do. Congratulations to Carol for raising an incredible £1,011 for CHAS while enjoying a well-earned trolley full of Aldi favourites." “CHAS is a charity very close to our hearts which does invaluable work for families in Scotland. Through initiatives like Supermarket Sweep, we are pleased to help raise both funds and awareness so they can continue delivering care and support where it is needed most.” This April, CHAS launched its ‘More Than A Hospice’ appeal, seeking to raise £20 million to transform children’s palliative care across Scotland and ensure no family faces their child’s illness or end of life without the right care and support. The appeal aims to fund the crucial rebuilding and refreshing of CHAS’s hospices, as well as the expansion of care in homes, communities and hospitals, giving families real choice over where and how they are supported when they need it most. For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit here. To find your nearest Aldi, visit here.

Fresh from setting a new world land speed record of 406.320mph powered by its pioneering hydrogen technology, JCB is accelerating investment in its future, with major commitments to British manufacturing and new production capacity in the United States. The manufacturer is investing heavily in the transformation of its Staffordshire World HQ, while in the USA, JCB’s new factory in San Antonio, Texas - its largest in the world - opens next month, creating 1,500 jobs over the next five years. As JCB invests for its next chapter, George Bamford is to become Joint Chairman of the family company alongside his father, Lord Bamford. It is the first change at the top of JCB in more than 50 years, during which the business has grown from its Staffordshire roots into one of Britain’s largest privately owned manufacturers, with 23 factories and more than 20,000 employees worldwide. The announcement coincides with JCB reporting a resilient performance in 2025, despite mixed market conditions and geopolitical headwinds around the world. Sales turnover totalled £5.7 billion, profit before tax was £642 million and machine sales reached 113,498 units, while the business remained debt-free with no net borrowings. JCB also increased its global market share, despite flat demand in North America and a 12% market contraction in India. At the heart of JCB’s investment in Britain is the £100 million transformation of its Staffordshire headquarters – JCB’s home since 1950, when Joseph Cyril Bamford moved production into a former cheese factory in Rocester. A £60 million fully automated powder paint plant and a comprehensively modernised shop floor are part of the transformation, helping to secure the future of more than 8,000 UK jobs. In the USA, JCB’s new $1 billion factory in San Antonio, Texas – at one million square feet, JCB’s largest factory in the world – opens next month. It will build Loadall telescopic handlers and access equipment for North America, the world’s biggest construction equipment market. Investment in factories is being matched by investment in innovation. Hydrogen-powered machines are now in production following JCB’s £100 million programme to develop hydrogen combustion technology, making it the first construction equipment company in the world to bring a fully approved hydrogen-fuelled combustion engine to market. Last month, those engines powered JCB into the record books at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The JCB Hydromax, driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, recorded 406.320mph (653.909km/h) on the Salt Flats to become the fastest ever hydrogen-powered vehicle – more than doubling the previous hydrogen combustion record and beating JCB’s own Dieselmax diesel record, set 20 years earlier. JCB Hydromax was powered by two production-based hydrogen engines manufactured at JCB’s factory in Foston, Derbyshire, and went from idea to world record in just 18 months. Meanwhile, the JCB Academy, a pioneering project championed by Anthony Bamford to address the UK’s engineering skills shortage, goes from strength to strength. This year 708 students applied for 314 places available this September, maintaining the Academy’s long-standing reputation for being heavily oversubscribed. Since opening in 2010, it has educated around 3,750 young people and boasts a 100% record of leavers progressing into employment or further education. This month a total of 116 new apprentices, undergraduates and graduates, selected from more than 6,300 applicants, also joined JCB. JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said: “Last year JCB celebrated its 80th birthday and, as we look ahead, we are investing heavily in the future of the business – from the transformation of our Staffordshire headquarters and pioneering hydrogen technology, to our new factory in Texas. As part of that next chapter, I’m delighted that my son George will become Joint Chairman of JCB." "We have never been a company that stands still, and these investments will ensure JCB is well placed to seize the opportunities ahead.” George Bamford said: "From the day my grandfather founded JCB in 1945, innovation and investment in Great Britain has been at the heart of everything we do. JCB Hydromax showed the world what British engineering can achieve. That same spirit is in every machine we build." "While JCB has expanded globally over the years, our home has always been here, and the record investment we are making in our facilities and in new products is good news for Britain and good news for JCB." JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “While 2025 was a more challenging year with mixed market conditions around the world, JCB delivered a robust performance overall. Machine sales were down by around 5%, but turnover remained broadly stable due to a more favourable market and product mix." "Despite nil market growth in North America and a 12% market contraction in India – both important markets for JCB – we increased our global market share during 2025, which is an encouraging result. The overall outlook for 2026 is for moderate growth, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, and with new capacity coming on stream in Texas and Staffordshire we are well placed to take advantage of it."