In January 2025, Barclays became the principal partner of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), owners of Lord’s Cricket Ground. The commitment expands as Barclays joins London Spirit – The Hundred franchise based at Lord’s – as principal partner. This partnership strengthens Barclays’ role across all levels of cricket at Lord’s, from elite competition to grassroots development. It also reflects the bank’s broader ambition to make sport accessible for everyone, building on its work in football and tennis. Formed in 2019, London Spirit represents a new era for cricket, blending tradition with innovation to attract diverse audiences. As a brand rooted in heritage and progress, Barclays’ support alongside co-owners MCC and US investment group, Tech Titans will help drive the team’s growth and inclusivity. London Spirit’s men’s and women’s teams play their home matches in The Hundred at Lord’s, the annual cricket tournament that takes place over 5 weeks every summer across the country. From established cricket fans and families to younger audiences watching a game for the first time, The Hundred’s unique entertainment value better connects with new audiences that haven’t had the opportunity to get involved with sport yet. Barclays is committed to creating equal opportunities in sport for everyone. London Spirit supports its men’s and women’s teams equally, ensuring both sets of players experience the same high-level preparation, expertise and experience when playing, making this the perfect partnership as the two organisations work to create a more inclusive sporting environment for players and fans alike. With the new sponsorship, Barclays will feature on the front of the London Spirit kit and merchandise for all matches as it strengthens its dedication to cricket at all levels, from grassroots to elite performance, as it has already shown across its football and tennis partnerships. Beyond elite cricket, Barclays continues to invest in grassroots programmes. Recent initiatives include: The Barclays Community Sport Fund – a £1.4m fund that supports grassroots sports. Since 2022, the fund has distributed over £4.4m of funding and helped more than 4,000 community groups to make sport more accessible. One of the largest donations to the MCC Foundation which funds free coaching for state-educated children and is expected to benefit over 10,000 young people by 2028. Barclays Knight-Stoke Cup – the first national hardball competition for state secondary schools with finals held at Lord’s, which has seen entries from one fifth of state secondary schools. From championing MCC’s cultural legacy to backing London Spirit’s future, Barclays is helping shape a more inclusive game and inspiring the next generation of players and fans. C.S Venkatakrishnan, Group Chief Executive of Barclays, said: “This marks another milestone for Barclays as we expand our presence at Lord’s by becoming principal partner of London Spirit. We are proud to broaden and deepen the fan base of the game through our partnerships with the MCC Foundation and Lord’s, the world’s most iconic cricket ground.” Julian Metherell, Chair of London Spirit said: “I am delighted that Barclays will be partnering with London Spirit. The bank has substantial experience in sports partnerships – testified by their success in football and tennis – and has developed a great relationship with MCC and Lord’s that is further strengthened by this agreement.” To find out more, visit here.

Urban Pubs & Bars, London’s largest independent pub company, comprising 66 sites, is delighted to announce its strongest Christmas trading performance on record, capping off an exceptional 2025 for the group. Trading throughout December was significantly ahead of last year, with excellent like-for-like sales growth of 14.5% and a 40% increase in total covers. Chris Hill, Managing Director of Urban Pubs & Bars, said: “We’ve delivered our best Christmas ever. The energy across the business continues to be fantastic, and this performance is a huge credit to our teams. Finishing the year so strongly puts us in a brilliant position as we head into the new year.” The record-breaking festive period builds on a year of sustained growth for Urban Pubs & Bars, supported by continued investment, an expanding portfolio, and a relentless focus on creating welcoming, high-quality neighbourhood pubs, bars, and restaurants This week, it was announced that Urban Pubs & Bars had acquired The Birdcage in East London from BrewDog, marking its sixth acquisition of 2026. The acquisition follows the recent completion of five premium hospitality venues in January, including The Prince Regent in Herne Hill and a package of four established sites from Brunning & Price. The Brunning & Price venues comprise The Roebuck and The Steam Packet in Chiswick, The Queens in Crouch End, and Coco Momo in Kensington. These recent deals follow the acquisition of Albion and East late in 2025 and represent another significant step in Urban Pubs & Bars’ targeted expansion strategy, as it continues to outperform the wider UK hospitality market. Founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring, Urban Pubs & Bars is backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual. Known for its innovative and customer-focused approach, Urban Pubs & Bars is dedicated to creating distinctive venues that celebrate London’s diverse food, drink, and social culture. For more information, visit here .

Thousands of beer lovers, who descended on St Austell Brewery’s much-loved Celtic Beer Festival in November last year, have helped raise £18,000 for charity. All funds raised will go directly to St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust, which supports vital causes across the South West. Since its launch in 2003, the Trust has donated over £1 million to charities and individuals in need across the region. In 2025 alone, the Trust supported projects ranging from youth mental health services and air ambulance operations, to providing essential care equipment for families and adaptive surf gear for charities. The day-long beer festival transformed the brewery’s historic Victorian cellars into a vibrant venue, with five bars serving more than 100 beers from over 50 UK breweries, which generously donated their beers. Live music filled the space throughout the day, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for beer lovers and the local community. A new Friday night event was introduced this year too – a pre-festival preview kicking off with a beer tasting, hosted by the Craft Beer Channel’s Jonny Garrett. Georgina Young, Brewing Director at St Austell Brewery, said: “The 24th Celtic Beer Festival was a true celebration of beer and community spirit, complete with a brilliant line-up of entertainment and music. It’s a chance for our brewers to show case their creativity and, most importantly, every pint poured helped us raise a huge amount of money, which will make a meaningful difference for charities, individuals and organisations here in the South West.” The Celtic Beer Festival remains St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust’s flagship fundraising event, alongside other initiatives including pub quizzes, sponsored walks and its annual charity gala, which raised £47,000 last year. Teams across the company’s 160+ pub estate also take part in challenges throughout the year, to boost fundraising efforts. The Trust accepts applications for grants year-round from Cornwall up to Somerset. For more information or to apply for a grant, visit here.

Specialist senior living developer Charterpoint has started off the New Year with the announcement of plans for two new care homes. The company has submitted planning applications for care homes in Gedling near Nottingham and for the north of Peterborough. Both schemes are for modern three-storey, 80-bed care homes with lounges, dining rooms, activity areas and other facilities. Charterpoint CEO Adrian Goose said: “As a specialist in the senior living and care home sector, Charterpoint is very pleased to have applied for planning permission for two additional care homes to add to our portfolio." “We have a strong track record of developing best in class care homes - identifying areas where there is demand for such facilities, designing attractive buildings, and securing planning permission for the developments." “We are delighted to have now submitted plans to Gedling Borough Council and to Peterborough City Council for two further care homes.” The Gedling proposals are for a site off Lambley Lane which has been identified for residential use within Gedling Borough Council's Local Plan. The care home plans include 80 ensuite bedrooms, along with lounges, dining areas, activity and hobby rooms, a café, and a hairdresser. Access would be via an improved existing access off Lambley Lane. The care home has been designed by KWL Architects. The Peterborough care home is located to the north of the city and also features en-suite bedrooms, along with residents’ lounges, dining areas, a cinema, a hair dresser, a café/bistro opening onto a terrace, activity room and other facilities. Designed by Anotherkind Architects, and to be accessed off Newborough Road, the development will include spacious gardens, patios and communal terraces on the first and second floors, plus 33 car parking spaces for staff and visitors. Charterpoint MD Giles Nursey said: “Our proposed new care home is in an area of Peterborough which is experiencing significant and rapid local growth, where a care home would be a tremendous asset to the community." “This care home would offer yet another best in class asset in an easily accessible and visible site, responding to this locally recognised need.” Charterpoint has worked with planning consultants P&DG on the Peterborough proposals. Charterpoint, which is based at Edwalton near Nottingham, specialises in developing first-class senior living accommodation, mixed-use and sustainable housing schemes, and primary care premises. For more information about the Charterpoint Group, visit here .

Dan Drogman and Tom Drogman, co-founders of Smart Spaces, have been made Freemen of the City of London, in recognition of their contribution to the City, innovation in the built environment, and international business leadership. The two brothers attended their ceremony at Guildhall. The Freedom of the City of London is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies in the UK, dating back to the 13th century, and is often given by the City of London Corporation to individuals who have made a significant contribution to London’s civic, commercial, or cultural life. Founded in 2010 in the City of London, Smart Spaces was born from the Drogman brothers’ shared vision to transform how people experience and manage workplaces. The company’s smart building software now powers over two million square feet of office space in the City of London, including 22 Bishopsgate, the tallest building in the City, and is deployed in more than 30 countries worldwide, supporting landlords, occupiers, and employees with more connected, efficient, and human-centric buildings. Born and raised in East London, Dan and Tom Drogman have long credited the City’s entrepreneurial spirit, diversity, and global outlook as foundational influences on their journey. From early beginnings building technology solutions locally, Smart Spaces has grown into an internationally recognised platform at the forefront of workplace and smart building innovation. “Being made Freemen of the City of London is a huge honour for us both,” said Dan Drogman, Co-Founder of Smart Spaces. “We started Smart Spaces here, we grew up just beyond the City’s boundaries in East London, and the City has played a defining role in our lives and our business.” “This recognition means a great deal to us personally,” added Tom Drogman, Co-Founder of Smart Spaces. “London is where our story began, and we’re incredibly proud to contribute technology that supports the City’s buildings, businesses, and global reputation for innovation.” James Tumbridge, of the City of London Corporation, stated: “Small and medium-sized enterprises are, essentially, the life blood of London. Having worked on the City of London Corporation’s SME strategy and seen at firsthand how Smart Spaces has evolved into a world-leading provider of smart building technology, I am delighted to support Dan and Tom Drogman’s nominations, which recognise their ingenuity, commitment, and hard work.” Recent notable recipients include two-time Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian, Cate Blanchett; leading trauma surgeon, Professor David Nott; one of the last surviving ‘Chindit’ soldiers from the Second World War’s Burma campaign, Sidney Machin; and former Shadow Home Secretary and Attorney General of England and Wales, Dominic Grieve. As Smart Spaces continues to expand globally, the Drogman brothers remain committed to London as the company’s spiritual and operational home, championing British innovation on the world stage.

Rudell The Jewellers is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in the brand’s story with the official unveiling of Rudells as a title sponsor of British racing talent Raef. This special partnership brings together two names united by shared values of precision, passion, and ambition, marking a meaningful collaboration. For Rudells, a family-run jeweller with Black Country roots dating back to 1938, supporting emerging talent has always been a natural extension of the brand’s ethos. Much like the meticulous artistry found in fine watchmaking and jewellery design, motorsport demands discipline, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence. These qualities are embodied in Raef Virdee, whose remarkable journey in competitive karting has already captured national attention. From a very young age, Raef has demonstrated extraordinary natural ability behind the wheel, earning recognition as one of Britain’s youngest racing drivers with aspirations firmly set on the pinnacle of the sport. His talent, confidence, and fearless approach on track reflect a maturity far beyond his years, while his enthusiasm and humility continue to inspire those who follow his progress. As a Birmingham-born racer, Raef’s story resonates strongly with Rudells’ own regional heritage, making the partnership all the more fitting. Throughout the upcoming season, Rudells will proudly support Raef as he continues to develop his racing career, providing encouragement on and off the circuit. This partnership symbolises Rudells’ commitment to nurturing ambition and investing in the future, championing individuals who reflect the same standards of excellence that have defined the jeweller for generations. Speaking on the announcement, Jon Weston, Managing Director of Rudell The Jewellers, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are incredibly proud to support Raef at such an exciting stage in his journey. As a jeweller with deep roots in the local community, we are always drawn to stories of ambition and passion. Raef embodies both of these qualities, and this partnership allows us to celebrate talent at its earliest stages while looking confidently toward the future.” As Raef’s racing career builds pace, this sponsorship signals the start of a partnership defined by ambition, inspiration, and shared achievement. United by a commitment to excellence and performance, Rudell The Jewellers and Raef demonstrate that passion and perseverance are values that resonate far beyond any single discipline. Always looking ahead, Rudell The Jewellers remains committed to supporting excellence in all its forms.

GAP Hire Solutions is delighted to announce the opening of its brand-new Milton Keynes Depot, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality hire solutions and outstanding customer service across the region.   Located at 2 Postley Road, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7BU, the depot consolidates GAP’s Milton Keynes Plant & Tools and Cambridge Survey depots, into one modern, strategically positioned site. Customers can expect the same trusted service and friendly team, now with improved accessibility and efficiency.   By bringing Plant, Tools and Survey divisions together under one roof, the Bedford depot offers a wider range of equipment and specialist expertise from a single location. This integrated approach ensures customers benefit from faster response times and comprehensive support for projects of all sizes.   Richard Dey, Managing Director – South, commented, “This fantastic new location not only gives our team a great working environment but also acts as a wonderful platform to take the business to the next level whilst supporting our customers in delivering their projects.” GAP Hire Solutions looks forward to welcoming customers to the new Milton Keynes depot and continuing to build strong partnerships through reliable hire solutions backed by an experienced and dedicated team.   For more information contact Milton Keynes Plant & Tools on 01908 646 691 or email miltonkeynes@gap-group.co.uk or contact Milton Keynes Survey on 01767 690 038 or email milton.keynessurvey@gap-group.co.uk

One of Scotland’s leading hotel groups, the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, has announced a landmark partnership with a trailblazing sleep and relaxation app, further strengthening its wellness offering across its portfolio. Founded by Scots Karen and Graeme Kerr, the partnership will see the introduction of the Tethered sleep and relaxation app in each of the Family’s hotels in Perthshire, the West Highlands, and Scottish borders. Inspired by Scotland’s landscapes, the app blends long form sleep stories, folklore, calming soundscapes and relaxing music into a soothing audio experience rooted in Scottish culture and connection. The move builds on the hotel group’s wellness heritage, which dates back to 1868, when Dr Thomas Meikle founded Crieff Hydro as the Strathearn Hydropathic Establishment - created to help guests cleanse, rest and rejuvenate. Guests staying at each hotel within the Crieff portfolio will be granted access to a ‘dreamscape’ bespoke to each property, carefully curated to promote deeper rest and relaxation, with the sounds of the surrounding nature, wildlife and distinctive atmosphere of each location. Production on the bespoke dreamscapes are now underway and are expected to be launched in early 2026. Charlie Leckie, Associate Director of Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, said: “This partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to wellbeing in its broadest sense. Crieff Hydro began life in 1868 as a hydropathic and this is a modern way of bringing that same spirit to guests across our hotels." “Rest, sleep and reconnection are incredibly important to our guests, and Tethered offers something genuinely distinctive in this space.    By working with a Scottish-founded brand that draws so deeply on our landscapes and stories, we are able to create experiences that feel authentic and aligned with who we are as a business." “Our hotels are set in some of the most remarkable locations in the country and this collaboration allows guests to not only carry that sense of place with them into the quiet moments of their stay, but when they return home, too.” Karen Kerr, co-founder of Tethered, added: “We created Tethered to help people slow down, switch off and reconnect, and there is no better setting for that than the places where the Crieff Hydro Family’s hotels are located." “Each dreamscape is being crafted to reflect the character, history and natural environment of each of the hotels, creating an experience that is both deeply calming and unmistakably Scottish." “We’re proud to be collaborating with a family business that shares our values and our belief in the restorative power of Scotland’s landscapes with a global audience.” As well as bespoke dreamscapes for each hotel, guests will also have unlimited access to a specially curated playlist designed to transport each listener back to the surrounding area of each venue. Karen added: “Even after guests return home, each track will allow them to revisit the feeling of being there.    It's about extending the experience beyond the stay itself, giving guests a way to reconnect with the sense of peace and place, even when they’ve returned to the pace of everyday life.” Guests staying at Crieff Hydro Hotel and the Murraypark Hotel in Perthshire, the Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Kingshouse Hotel and the Ballachulish Hotel in the West Highlands and Peebles Hydro Hotel and The Park Hotel in the Scottish Borders will enjoy unlimited access to the dreamscape of the property they have visited and the playlist, as well as one-month free access to the Tethered app. To learn more and explore the range of hotels within the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, and to book, visit here .

Thousands of Aldi colleagues are set to receive market-leading rates of pay as part of a £36 million investment in pay and benefits by the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket. From Sunday 1st March 2026, starting pay for Store Assistants will rise to £13.35 per hour nationally, and £14.71 per hour within the M25, rising to £14.30 per hour and £15.03 within the M25 based on length of service. Aldi is also increasing pay rates for Store Apprentices to £12.02 per hour outside the M25, and to £13.22 per hour inside the M25. These rates are significantly higher than the minimum wage for a first-year apprentice. Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Our colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. Their hard work and dedication is what allows us to offer customers the quality, value and service they expect from Aldi. That’s why we’re making such a significant investment in our promise to never be beaten on pay for our colleagues.” All Aldi colleagues will see their pay rise over the coming months, as well as receiving enhanced family-friendly benefits, with maternity pay extended to 26 weeks at full pay. Aldi also remains the only supermarket to offer paid breaks to all its store colleagues – a benefit worth up to £1,470 a year to store colleagues. Those interested in a career with Aldi can visit here  for more information.

Following its most successful year ever, Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) is inviting businesses to join it at this summer’s Farnborough International Airshow (FIA). It has booked a large stand and is able to open the offer to companies that are not members. FAC is a trade association representing companies in the aerospace, aviation, defence and space sectors as well as their supply chains. It has become a fixture at the biennial airshow and its members who have taken space at is stand in the past have often experienced large returns on investment. Alan Fisher, CEO of FAC, said: “Farnborough Airshow is so important that the Prime Minister usually attends. It brings together the most important businesses and individuals in the sector and billions of pounds worth of deals are done. Our members who have exhibited with us before believe it is of huge benefit and many now book their own stand." “This year – following our record-breaking 2025 – we have a large stand and it means we have some spaces left for non-members. There are various packages available and we also have also introduced a new associate membership option. The airshow is not just for the major multi-nationals but also for SMEs.” Andrew Barnett, managing director of Barnbrook Systems, which is headquartered in Fareham, Hants, said: “Exhibiting at FIA with FAC has been a game-changer. We have been part of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium stand for more than three decades and the visibility, networking and credibility it brings are unmatched. FIA is where global aerospace leaders meet, and being under the FAC banner has given us access to primes, decision-makers, and new opportunities we wouldn’t have had otherwise.” Jon Hoyle from Bright Engineering said: “Exhibiting at Farnborough Airshow with FAC has for several years proven to be a golden opportunity for us as an SME manufacturer. It provides us with a cost-effective approach to accessing vital aerospace contacts all under one roof and having a professional space to meet with key customers." “One of our top three customers was onboarded as a direct result of being at FIA and exhibiting with FAC. The FAC team understand the budget and time constraints SMEs are currently facing and always deliver a professional and value-for-money proposition that easily delivers a return on investment, and adds to the brand and reputational value of our company each time we attend. We are excited to return for FIA 2026.” While primarily focused in the south and south-east – the centre of the UK’s aerospace industry – FAC has members from across the country and around the world. FIA 2026 takes place at Farnborough Airport between July 20-24 and FAC will be in Hall1, UK Village, and is on Stand 1317. Photo: The FAC team at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2024

Aquapak, which specialises in developing high performance, environmentally safe materials that can do the job of conventional flexible plastics and improve recycling efficiency, is warning that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which came into effect in October 2025, could increase the annual grocery bill for the average family of four in the UK by £312 per year1. EPR is regulation designed to make the producer (or brand owner or importer) financially and operationally responsible for the packaging they put on the market and for the waste and recycling that follows, taking it away from local authorities and taxpayers. Now, brand owners will pay a fee per tonne, which varies depending on the material category. A red, amber, green (RAG) fee system defined under the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) will also be introduced. In short, the more recyclable the packaging, the lower the fee. The less recyclable, the higher the fee. In theory, this should encourage smarter packaging design, lighter materials, and less wasteful formats while easing pressure on public budgets. However, Aquapak has highlighted a lack of clarity because of definition changes, guidance shifts, and “illustrative fees” for those developing new, more sustainable solutions, such as converters, material innovators, and coating suppliers. DEFRA’s definition is compositional rather than performance based. For example, under the current EPR definitions, “paper” is packaging made from at least 95% fibre by weight. If a pack contains more than 5% non-fibre material, it’s automatically pushed into a new category called “fibre composites” which commands higher fees than the plastic packaging it is supposed to replace. Mark Lapping, Chief Executive Officer, Aquapak, said: “The intention of EPR is to make more producers and brands use more recyclable packaging. However, a lack of clarity and flawed definitions means that instead of pushing for better design, some are already choosing to simply absorb the fees and pass the cost on to consumers – even though the consumer is already paying council tax towards the cost of disposal." “A cost which was supposed to be a tax on the brand and instead the consumer will be paying for it twice at a time when the cost of living is still high. That’s hardly the outcome anyone wanted when EPR was first proposed.”

Aldi has recorded its best-ever Christmas, with sales of £1.65 billion (+3% vs. 2024) in the four weeks to Christmas Eve, as millions of shoppers turned to the UK’s lowest-priced supermarket to make their money go further during the festive season. The supermarket said that price had been the biggest priority for shoppers in 2025, with customers seeking ways to celebrate on a budget without compromising on quality. Ahead of the big day, Aldi committed to beating rivals on the price of a traditional Christmas dinner – part of a £325m investment to lower hundreds of prices throughout the year. The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket saw total sales increase by over 5% in the week leading up to Christmas, as customers spent around £500m with the discounter. Aldi said 22nd December marked its busiest trading day – as millions of customers flocked to stock up on seasonal items ahead of the big day. Aldi colleagues handled over 57m transactions over the four-week period to Christmas Eve, its highest ever number. Demand for its Specially Selected premium own-label range also increased by over 12%, showing that customers were still keen to treat themselves but in a way that offered better value for money. Popular products included award-winning festive lines such as Aldi’s Specially Selected The Ultimate Wagyu Fat Roast Potatoes, Specially Selected Double Wrapped Pigs in Blankets, as well as Specially Selected White Chocolate Ganache Pinecones. Shoppers also celebrated with a glass of fizz, with Aldi selling over 5.5m bottles, or 33m glasses, of sparkling wine over the festive period. Aldi also saw strong demand for home-grown produce, with sales of British-sourced meat and vegetables up as customers supported British during their Christmas shop at Aldi. As a result, shoppers bought 56 million potatoes, 37 million carrots, and half a million turkeys – all sourced from Aldi’s long-standing British supplier partners. Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “This Christmas proved once again that a great quality Christmas can still be affordable. We delivered a Christmas without compromise, offering customers award-winning British products at unbeatable prices." "We’re grateful that more people than ever chose Aldi for their Christmas shop and trusted us to deliver both quality and value during what remains a challenging time for many. I’m immensely proud of our amazing colleagues who, once again, went above and beyond to deliver a wonderful Christmas for our customers." “As we move into 2026, our focus remains unchanged – keeping prices low and quality high, so that every household in Britain can enjoy amazing food all year round.” Aldi has been named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket by consumer champion Which? for the past four years and also retained its Christmas Retailer of the Year crown at the Quality Food Awards 2025 for the sixth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Aldi also continued its partnership with Neighbourly to support those in need during the festive season, donating an estimated one million meals to local charities, food banks and community groups across the UK.