Lidl GB has announced it’s set to open 19 stores in just 8 weeks as part of its continued expansion across the country. The discounter is also investing over £40million in modernising more than 70 existing stores, bringing more value, choice, and jobs to communities nationwide. Equating to one store opening every other day, Lidl will be creating up to 640 new roles nationwide. The store openings will expand the discounter’s presence into new parts of Great Britain, including locations in Calne, Wiltshire, to Brough, Yorkshire. On each opening day, shoppers can look forward to complimentary food sampling as well as some special Lidl prizes up for grabs. These openings mark a continued period of rapid growth, as the retailer strengthens its position as the UK’s fastest-growing bricks and mortar retailer1. Lidl reaches over 60% of British households and contributed £14.5bn in Gross Value Added (GVA)2 to the British economy in FY24. In addition, Lidl has announced plans to refurbish over 70 existing stores from Dundee to the Isle of Wight, ensuring customers benefit from the same high standards wherever they shop. The £43million investment will enhance these much-loved stores for the communities they serve with changes including new tills and larger freezers to offer a greater range of products. The discounter is also introducing energy-saving features as part of the modernisation like chillers that use natural refrigerants and smart lighting systems that reduce electricity use. These improvements will help lower the environmental impact and support Lidl GB’s journey toward Net Zero. Richard Taylor, Chief Real Estate Officer at Lidl GB, said: “We’re starting the new year as we mean to go on, with a major investment that reinforces our commitment to delivering the best experience for customers and creating a positive impact for the communities we serve. With this push, we’re set on winning more shoppers across the nation and claiming an even bigger share of the market.” These investments build on what Lidl describes as ‘the Lidl Effect’, where the benefits of its growth extend beyond the shop floor and into the communities it serves. New stores will also benefit from the retailer’s community investments from day one. Through its surplus food donation scheme, Feed it Back - delivered with charity partner, Neighbourly – Lidl provided 18.5 million meals last year, supporting 6.8 million people across Great Britain. 1 Worldpanel by Numerator, 52 w/e 28 December 2025 2 The Lidl Effect: Lidl GB Socioeconomic Impact Report Store openings Basildon, Laindon Birmingham, Kingstanding Brough, Welton Road Burntwood Calne Chester, Caldy Valley Rd Dereham Havant, Purbrook Way Hereford, Belmont Road Horley Hucknall, Watnall Rd London, Stamford Hill London, Walworth Road Reading, Tilehurst Royal Wootton Bassett Salisbury, Churchill Way West Sandford Sutton High Street Tring

A young entrepreneur and autism advocate is celebrating his latest accolade after being voted Best Wedding Magician in The Cotswolds Awards. Angus Baskerville’s latest award recognises his inspirational story of how magic ‘saved his life,’ and his ongoing mission to advocate for autism and mental health. It also acknowledges his unique expertise as an outstanding close-up wedding magician, bringing a compelling stage presence and skilful mix of mind-bending illusions and trickery. The news also follows the launch of Angus’s first book, ‘Naughty or Neurodiverse: An Aspie’s Road To Magic’ following his journey from misunderstood child to professional magician, thanks to a new passion he discovered while holidaying with family as a teenager. Bullied, excluded, expelled from three schools, Angus grew up feeling like he didn’t belong. Diagnosed with Asperger’s and ADHD at 15, he finally had a name for the chaos he had always felt. Now he is enjoying huge national success with a magic career that includes a return to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival throughout August, on the back of a sell-out summer one-man show, Hidden Powers, and series of big ticket event performances. He is also the proud recipient of a clutch of national awards, including last year, The Prestige Award, Ladies First Inspirational Awards and The Derek Award for standout acts at The Fringe. Of his latest award, the 29-year-old from Warwickshire, said: “ I truly believe that hidden powers such as those I’ve found in me, exist in all of us. To be recognised for what I do in adding magic to weddings, the most special day in a couple’s life, is both humbling and hugely appreciated." “What make the awards all the more special is that they are 100% independent, every nomination and vote coming from members of the public. Thank you so much to everyone who supported me.” As a Christmas gift in 2014 Angus’ parents Neil and Kate enrolled him on a magic course at the famous Davenport’s in London, bolstered by which he went on to compete in – and win - his sixth form talent contest. He earned money through his talent for the first time, performing tricks for tips in his local pub. At 19, Angus joined Leamington and Warwick Magic Society and, in 2020 he was accepted as a member of the prestigious Magic Circle. Today, he is in high demand among the magic and public speaking circuits, performing to a who’s who list of rich and famous at prestigious venues across the country, including Windsor Castle, The Grosvenor Hotel Park Lane and Greenwich Theatre in London. Despite a packed schedule these days, Angus is still finding time to stay true to his pledge to ‘pay it forward’ by helping others overcome the challenges of neurodiversity through workshops, holiday camps, mentoring and public speaking. He is also a regular keynote speaker at autism conferences, conventions and workshops around the country, and a proud neurodiversity ambassador for numerous charities and bodies. He added: “Life on the spectrum can be tough but with support, self-awareness and the right environment, it can also be joyful, meaningful and full of magic. I think if I had been diagnosed earlier things would have been different. I just felt like I was a bad person and the whole world was against me. I just didn’t want to be here." “But I've learned so much about mental health and other people and about autism and how you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. There's always hope.”   The Cotswolds Awards recognise the best businesses in a host of categories across industry sectors, from hospitality and food and drink producers through to retail and professional services.   They were created by Mette Lacey, founder of Cotswolds Concierge. Established in 2011, the online magazine now reaches more than 80k readers who all benefit from its definitive guides and directory spotlighting and connecting local businesses and suppliers. Mette said:  “We created The Cotswolds Awards to shine a light on the extraordinary businesses, experiences and people who make this region so special. Although the Awards are run by us at Cotswolds Concierge, they are driven entirely by public nominations and votes. They’re completely free to enter, fully independent, and designed to give every business a fair and equal chance. Congratulations to Angus for this well deserved award.” ‘Naughty Or Neurodiverse: An Aspie’s Road To Magic’ is available as a Kindle edition or in paperback from Amazon. For further details and to order visit here . Visit: Angus Baskerville Magic here. Photo: by Brian Irvine.

Geospatial data and managed services provider ODCGIS has launched an analysis data package to help the UK’s property professionals manage housing and land assets. Asset, sustainability, environmental and risk managers, plus surveyors, developers and landowners, are among those set to benefit from ODCGIS Property Insights. The Bampton, Oxfordshire, firm has built the system in partnership with industry experts in property and land data, designing it as a single combined and analysed output readily accessible through spreadsheet or GIS data formats. ODCGIS Property Insights combines the most accurate and up-to-date national base datasets with ODCGIS analytics. The aim is to equip users, who need no GIS knowledge or skills, with a simple way to analyse the condition and spatial context of assets, make decisions on repairs, maintenance and investments, assess flood, subsidence, radon and other insurance risks and optimise contractor management. Craig Godwin, ODCGIS Managing Director, said: “By its very nature the land and property market is a key area of data activity. However, sourcing the most appropriate data is no longer the main issue for most users. The challenge is how to analyse it effectively - in other words, how to turn data into useful intelligence. That’s exactly what ODCGIS Property Insights enables." “By hosting, processing and contextualising essential datasets and combining them with analysis through ODCGIS Property Insights, we can help customers embed location intelligence in their business information." “This means they can make more informed and operationally sound decisions on all kinds of property-related costs, investment potential, risk management and strategic planning. ODCGIS Property Insights is for any professional involved in property management.” Users can: fill data gaps with Ordnance Survey NGD data such as building heights, number of floors, construction type, build year, roof type, solar presence, basement presence evaluate the risk of flooding with Twinn by Haskoning climate data assess the risk of trees affecting properties with Bluesky National Tree Map data analyse biodiversity, and heat, wildfire and drought risks, with data from Map Impact understand ownership responsibilities through Land Registry ownership data assess radon risk using BGS (British Geological Survey) radon data analyse open data added such as indices of multiple deprivation ranks, boundary information, subsistence risk, coal mining areas, conservation areas, proximity to fire stations and hospitals, gas and water lines Rick Thompson, Director of Operations at ODCGIS, said: “We know from years of experience that customers truly value data but, equally, they often need help to unlock it and ensure it is easily accessible. A key consideration in developing and trialling ODCGIS Property Insights was that the solution should be as easy to use as possible by people without prior specialist knowledge of how to source or manipulate digital map data on screen." “All the data sources and analysis are combined into one output, one product, for the client, so they don’t have to do any legwork. From the user perspective, the granular analysis it enables will help fill gaps in asset management data showing, for example, that a particular property is mid-terrace as opposed to end-terrace." “The level of detail you can analyse seamlessly is totally scalable, from the outlines of buildings and green spaces to the risk of flood, subsidence or radon, and how EPC ratings will feed into environmental reports.” ODCGIS Property Insights is the latest enhancement to the ODCGIS solutions portfolio which provides access to digital geographic content through managed services, data capture and provision and GIS consultancy. Customers, partners, integrators and suppliers use ODCGIS to source mapping, aerial photography, addressing, height data, historical maps and environmental reports. *ODCGIS Property Insights is a key theme of ODCGIS’s presence at the forthcoming Housing Innovation Show, taking place at the ICC Birmingham on 4 and 5 February 2026. As well as exhibiting the solution on stand 32, ODCGIS Director of Operations Rick Thompson will discuss its benefits for asset management and analysis in a conference presentation.

A home-based food business in Perthshire is carving out a name in the local takeaway sector after receiving support from Business Gateway. Tuktuk Thai Taste was founded by Lanya Sermsuktawee in November 2024. The business offers authentic Thai cuisine to local customers, blending traditional flavours with modern takeaway convenience. From the beginning, the business has focused on delivering quality, while responding to growing demand in the area. Lanya’s husband was the one who encouraged her to start the business because he always loved her cooking. She created a menu of her favourite dishes and launched the business through a Facebook page. She has had a fantastic response from customers, with many praising the restaurant-quality standard of her food. Lanya, who moved to Scotland from Thailand in 2022, runs the takeaway from her two-bedroom home using only basic kitchen tools, but this does not affect the quality of her authentic Thai dishes. She is planning to expand operations with a commercial kitchen to help the business grow. Since launching, Tuktuk Thai Taste has continued to refine its kitchen processes to meet rising customer demand without extending hours. To help spread the word about Tuktuk Thai Taste, Lanya has received tailored guidance from Business Gateway adviser Michelle Maddox, including support with developing a business plan, cash flow projections and marketing strategies to raise the business’s local profile. This work has been supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Lanya received advice on the food and drink sector, including seasonal trends, takeaway operations and strategies to expand into local events and festivals. Business Gateway also helped Lanya explore opportunities for sustainable growth, including digital development such as social media and website engagement. Additional guidance and financial support were provided via Perth and Kinross Council, helping the business make informed decisions about its expansion plans and providing essential support. Lanya Sermsuktawee, founder of Tuktuk Thai Taste, said: “I’ve had an incredible start to my business journey. Business Gateway has been invaluable - Michelle’s support has helped me turn my ideas into a real, growing business. With the advice and guidance I’ve received, I’m planning to expand into a commercial kitchen and I’m excited to see what the future holds.” Michelle Maddox, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Lanya has shown real dedication and creativity in growing Tuktuk Thai Taste. It’s been a pleasure to provide support on everything from planning and finances to marketing and sector insight. I’m looking forward to seeing the business thrive as it expands its presence in Perth and Kinross.” To find out more about Business Gateway and how they can help your business grow and succeed, visit here.

Property consultancy Vail Williams has welcomed a Government U-turn on marinas being excluded from lower rate multipliers in the forthcoming business rates revaluation as a ‘victory for common sense’. The firm, which acts for a number of the UK’s top marina operators covering multiple sites, is now conveying the news to clients. This move brings marinas into the same category as retail and leisure businesses such as pubs and restaurants. Business rates will continue to be administered by local authorities. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) updated the rateable values of all commercial, and other non-domestic, properties in England and Wales which take effect from 1 April. The Government announced that from 2026/27, existing business rate relief for retail, hospitality or leisure (RHL) properties would be replaced by a lower rates multiplier to calculate the business rates payable on those properties. However, marinas were specifically excluded from the RHL lower rates multiplier and faced being subjected to the standard business rates multiplier which applies to non-RHL business properties. Following a campaign backed by industry body British Marine, the Government has announced a refinement in the Statutory Instrument (SI) defining which properties would be eligible for the new RHL business rates multipliers that will be coming into effect in April. Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury announced the change in a letter to British Marine CEO Lesley Robinson. He said: “I recognise that marinas are distinct from transport properties and that they form part of the infrastructure of leisure activity. Furthermore, the intention has always been for the scope of the new multipliers to broadly reflect the scope of the current RHL relief. Thank you for bringing to my attention that local authorities are currently awarding RHL relief to marinas." “The Government will therefore be amending the SI ahead of the policy coming into force on 1 April to remove marinas from Schedule 1. This means that marinas with rateable values below £500,000 and that are wholly or mainly used for leisure/recreational purposes will be eligible for the lower business rates multipliers.” “Ahead of then, the online guidance will be updated, and local authorities will be made aware of the upcoming amendment.” The reversal means that qualifying marinas will benefit from the 43 pence RHL rate, rather than the standard 48 pence rate. Vail Williams partner and head of business rates Adam Barnfield said: “This U-turn can be considered to be a victory for common sense and will benefit the vast majority of marinas which qualify for the lower business rates multipliers." “However, there have been significant increases in the VOA assessments of the rateable value applied to marinas, with an average 23% increase in values and an additional £5.8 million of rateable value” – which equates to approximately £2.5m in additional revenue for the treasury.” “Although this is obviously a welcome change in stance from Government, the increase in RV and the removal of the existing retail, hospitality and leisure relief will still have a significant impact on business rates liabilities.” Ian Froome, Vail Williams partner and head of marine & leisure, added that the upcoming amendment regarding lower rates measures would be welcomed by marina operators as a silver lining, but there would certainly be increased costs all around. “We cannot say there will be euphoria regarding this refinement in the revaluation process, but it is a cushioning of the significant increases faced by marina operators and should be accepted as such.” Business rates revaluation 2026 .

A female industry leader, who was behind one of Harrods’ most successful marketing campaigns, is setting her sights on expansion after completing a £2m investment drive. Big Bear Plastics’ Managing Director Emma Hockley is looking to maximise installation of two CNCs, a new robot and a waterjet machine to cement its position as one of the UK’s leading vacuum forming and compression moulding specialists. She is targeting new opportunities in point-of-sale retail and the defence sector to complement existing high-profile contracts within the agricultural, construction and leisure industries. A focus on big service, big reliability and rapid response times will be driving the growth beyond £10m by 2027, with the new ERP system helping to optimise manufacturing processes and new product introductions. “There’s been a lot of change and consolidation in the plastics sector and that represents a big opportunity for us,” explained Emma, who marked five years at the helm this month. “We’ve invested heavily in new technology and getting experienced manufacturing specialists in place and feel we have the platform and capability now to overcome some of industry’s pain points, including speed of response, material innovation and achieving world class quality in both low and higher volumes.” She went on to add: “These are already delivering solutions for OEMs in automotive, agriculture and mobile home providers and we believe there are plenty of opportunities where we can deliver products to retail, as well as maximising a renewed focus on defence.” Big Bear Plastics was founded in 1998 by Emma’s father Gerald Bloom, who previously launched and developed major tier 1 automotive supplier Midland Industrial Plastics. Located in a 75,000 sq ft factory in Droitwich, the company has evolved from vacuum forming and trimming of plastic parts to offering customers access to high quality compression moulding and waterjet cutting of lightweight interior trim products. The firm delivers a full-service solution from initial design, development and tooling to the manufacture of medium to high volume moulded parts up to 3.5m x 2.5m. It works with a wide range of thermoplastic materials, including ABS, PMMA-ABS, HDPE, HIPS, PC and PE in a variety of colours, finishes and thicknesses. Emma, a recent inductee of the Great 100 campaign by the Made Group, concluded: “Our sales are growing steadily, and I genuinely believe we can achieve and sustain sales of £10m+ by 2027. “We’ve got the capacity, we’ve got the technology, we’ve got the experience and we’ve got a strong sales pipeline, featuring exciting opportunities in new markets. As we move towards our goal, I believe we’ll be able to create more than 20 jobs during this time, taking our total workforce to 100 people." “Thermoforming allies itself to multiple sectors and we’re starting to explore more of these. For instance, we’re producing parts ranging from children’s play equipment to highly technical panels for vehicle modifications and aerospace applications…we’re also in discussions with military and defence specialists.” She concluded: “Manufacturing is completely different to what I was used to as Perfumery & Cosmetics Buyer at Harrods, arguably the world’s biggest and most luxury retailer." “Here I came up with the Perfume Diaries, an exhibition charting the history of perfume, which generated more than £2m of press coverage and significant sales results. It’s this eye for ‘telling a story’ I want to bring into the world of industry; it will just need to focus on the benefits of vacuum forming plastics rather than high-end fragrance brands!” Big Bear Plastics, which is accredited to ISO 9001 and is recommended for certification to the ISO 14001 environmental standard, has started work towards being part of the JOSCAR register, a collaborative online platform for the UK aerospace, defence and security sectors. For further information, please visit here .

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame is to reopen landmark Farringdon pub The Hoop and Grapes in February following a £1.8m transformation.   The historic Grade II-listed site, a few minutes’ walk from Fleet Street, has been closed since 2019 during redevelopment of the surrounding area. Shepherd Neame began a comprehensive restoration in October, carefully designed to enhance the pub’s appeal while celebrating its rich heritage.   Housed within a five-storey building, the renewed Hoop and Grapes will offer three distinct experiences. The ground floor will retain the atmosphere of a classic London pub, centred around its original long bar, with bi-fold doors opening on to a charming courtyard garden. The first floor will provide relaxed seating leading to a fully covered, heated terrace, designed to be enjoyed all year round. On the third floor, an intimate piano room will offer a private and elegant retreat, perfect for dining or special gatherings.   Built in 1721 on land that once formed part of St Bride’s Church burial ground, the Hoop and Grapes gained notoriety as a venue for illicit ‘Fleet Marriages’—clandestine ceremonies associated with nearby Fleet Prison in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This colourful history is celebrated with a bespoke swing sign depicting a wedding scene from the period. Traditional hand-painted external signwriting will further enhance the building’s restored façade.   The refurbishment includes relocating the kitchen from the cellar to the second floor, allowing for the creation of new customer facilities below. In line with Shepherd Neame’s commitment to sustainability, the project incorporates energy-efficient fridges, smart cellar technology and LED lighting throughout.   A refined new menu will showcase locally sourced, seasonal produce with an emphasis on relaxed, shareable dishes. Oysters will be a speciality, served freshly shucked with garnish or grilled in the pub’s take on Oysters Rockefeller, featuring bacon, spinach, shallots, Ricard, Tabasco, cream and Parmesan. Small plates will include miso-glazed aubergine with sweet tahini yoghurt, creamy burrata, and grilled lamb koftas with smoky baba ganoush. Larger dishes will range from Whitstable Bay beer-battered haddock and chips to tandoori chicken skewers with warm quinoa salad, alongside a 5oz grilled sirloin finished with Parmesan and garlic butter.   The drinks offering has been completely reimagined, with a strong focus on quality and provenance. Guests will be able to enjoy an extensive range of Shepherd Neame’s award-winning Kentish ales and lagers, alongside premium English wines, including from Champagne Taittinger’s Domaine Evremond vineyard in Chilham, close to the historic Faversham Brewery. A curated cocktail list will complete the experience.   It is part of the Kent-based brewer’s ongoing investment in its premium London pubs, following recent major refurbishments at the Tom Cribb, Westminster Arms and White Horse and Bower, as well as the freehold acquisition of the Bishops Finger in Smithfield.   Operations Manager Ryan Torrie said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming customers back to the Hoop and Grapes after more than four years. As Farringdon continues its evolution, we have taken care to ensure our transformation celebrates the pub’s unique heritage while offering a refined, contemporary experience.”

Businesses in and around Dorset can now explore, test drive and purchase new Kia vans, as well as used vans from a range of other manufacturers, as Hendy opens the doors to its dedicated Van Centre. The Hendy Van Centre is located just off the A31 on Ringwood Road, on the site previously known as the Hendy Used Car and Van Store. The repurposed showroom will initially represent Kia’s ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ (PBV) range of electric light commercial vehicles, including the all-electric Kia PV5, recently recognised as the 2026 International Van of the Year. PBV refers to Kia’s range of functional vehicles, all of which are built on the same innovative platform – the vehicle’s ‘base’ – with different modular structures on top. This means that the PBV range will ultimately cover a variety of applications, from family-friendly people carriers, taxis, refrigerated cargo vans and food trucks to Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), and more. Later in Q1, the Hendy Van Centre will expand to offer new vans from Nissan, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, and Fiat, making Hendy the only multi-brand light commercial vehicle showroom in the area. Hendy’s team of van experts will be available to offer guidance and expert advice to visiting businesses and sole traders in Dorset, Wareham, Christchurch, Bournemouth and beyond. All used vehicles purchased at the Hendy Van Centre will come with a standard three-month warranty, 90-point quality check and are available with national UK delivery. John Stone, Regional Director for the West at Hendy Group, comments: “We’ve opened this site in response to demand from local tradespeople who are time poor and want to explore a diverse selection of vans and light commercial vehicles all under one roof. Our new Van Centre allows us to showcase some exciting new brands which haven’t previously been available locally." "This site will be a one-stop shop for traders and businesses based in and around Dorset, providing new and used stock, high-quality sales support and advice from our team of enthusiastic, van-savvy Hendy colleagues.” To find out more about Hendy’s Van Centre, visit here .

Front Line Sales Consultancy highlights red flags in fake HMRC and DVLA calls as scammers deploy voice cloning, spoofed numbers and urgent payment tactics. Telemarketing experts at FLSC are warning UK households and businesses to stay alert as a new generation of telephone scams targets consumers in the run-up to the 31 January self-assessment tax deadline. According to FLSC, fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated voice cloning, highly polished scripts and spoofed phone numbers to impersonate trusted organisations such as HM Revenue & Customs and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, making scam calls harder than ever to detect. “Traditional scam calls were easy to spot — robotic voices, poor audio quality and obvious pressure tactics,” said a spokesperson for Front Line Sales Consultancy. “In 2026, that’s no longer the case. We’re seeing calls that sound calm, professional and convincingly human, sometimes even mimicking official tones or familiar voices. That’s what makes these scams so dangerous.” AI voice cloning is changing the scam playbook FLSC warns that scammers now need only a short audio sample — often taken from social media videos, voicemail greetings or leaked data — to generate realistic voice clones. These calls may include natural pauses, emotional language and confident responses designed to disarm scepticism. “In some cases, people are being told they owe tax, face licence suspension, or must act immediately to avoid penalties,” the spokesperson added. “The urgency is deliberate. Scammers rely on panic rather than logic.” Common scam scenarios reported in early 2026 Front Line Sales Consultancy highlights a rise in the following tactics: Fake HMRC calls claiming unpaid tax, missed filings or legal action unless immediate payment is made Bogus DVLA calls or messages threatening fines, licence suspension or vehicle seizure Caller ID spoofing, where the number appears to match a legitimate government helpline Follow-up texts or emails sent after a call to add credibility and push victims to click links or share details FLSC stresses that HMRC and the DVLA do not demand payment, personal data or banking details via unsolicited phone calls. Red flags that indicate a scam call Telemarketing professionals at FLSC advise the public to watch for these warning signs: Pressure to act immediately, especially around deadlines or penalties Requests for payment or personal information over the phone Threatening or fear-based language, including legal action or account suspension Resistance to verification, such as discouraging you from hanging up and calling back Over-polished or scripted responses that fail when challenged with unexpected questions “Caller ID alone means nothing anymore,” the FLSC spokesperson said. “If a call feels urgent, emotional or pushy, that’s usually your cue to stop and verify independently.” How to protect yourself FLSC recommends the following steps: Hang up and contact organisations directly using official numbers from trusted websites Never share bank details, passwords or one-time codes on unsolicited calls Be cautious of follow-up messages that reference a recent phone conversation Speak to friends, family or advisors before taking action if you’re unsure “As the tax deadline approaches, scammers know people are already stressed,” the spokesperson added. “A moment of caution can prevent serious financial loss.” Why this matters now With the 31 January deadline approaching, Front Line Sales Consultancy expects scam activity to peak, particularly targeting self-employed individuals, contractors and small business owners. “These scams evolve every year,” the spokesperson said. “In 2026, AI has tipped the balance. Awareness is now the strongest defence.” About Front Line Sales Consultancy Front Line Sales Consultancy (FLSC) is a UK-based telemarketing and sales consultancy specialising in compliant outbound calling, customer engagement and sales strategy. Working on the front line of consumer communications, FLSC provides expert insight into emerging calling trends, fraud risks and best practices for ethical telemarketing.

A new initiative to bring people together through the power of football, connection, and shared experience is set to launch in Sheffield later this month. One Bench, One Match – A Whole New Ball Game is delivered by Speakeasy Club in partnership with the Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme and the Campaign to End Loneliness at Sheffield Hallam University. The project creates a safe, welcoming space for anyone who loves football but doesn’t always have someone to go with. One Bench, One Match brings together like-minded fans with similar experiences including those who feel lonely, have lost a loved one, are new to the area or suffer with social anxiety. The first official meet up will be held from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 31 January at Hillsborough Stadium as Sheffield Wednesday face Wrexham in the Championship. The ‘bench’, which is permanently situated outside the club shop and always available to fans, will be the meeting point for the event from 11am until kick off at 12.30pm. Anyone can sign up on the Speakeasy website and everyone who signs up will receive a free match ticket. Loneliness is rising in every age group, and the winter period and post-Christmas blues can heighten loneliness for many. Intergenerational relationships help to strengthen belonging, empathy, mental health and trust. Football is an ideal place to foster relationships across all ages.   The Campaign to End Loneliness has consistently highlighted loneliness as a public health issue with links to heart disease, dementia, depression and early mortality.   The Campaign to End Loneliness was established in 2011 to ensure that people most at risk of chronic loneliness are supported by organisations, services and policy. It moved to Sheffield Hallam University in 2024 to sit alongside the Centre for Loneliness Studies which carries out world-leading research on loneliness.   Professor Andrea Wigfield, Director of the Centre for Loneliness Studies and the Campaign to End Loneliness, said: “We are proud and pleased to join forces with the Speakeasy Club and Sheffield Wednesday Football Club to launch this new initiative, ‘one bench, one match’. We know from our research how devastating loneliness can be for both our mental and physical health. Football is a great opportunity to bring people together, forge social connections and a sense of belonging." "The shared interest in your club, the communal chanting, the sharing of the club’s colours all help to foster a community spirit which means that you can attend a match alone without knowing anyone and yet not feel alone.”   Speakeasy Club is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2022, with a mission to use the power of sport to save lives by empowering, educating, and supporting individuals before they reach a point of crisis.   Simon Clarke, Founder of the Speakeasy Club, said: “One Bench, One Match, A Whole New Ball Game is about working together to create simple, welcoming spaces where conversations can start naturally." "Football has an incredible power to bring people together, and by partnering with the Campaign to End Loneliness and the Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, we’re using that shared love of the game to help people connect — reminding them that they’re not on their own and having a good laugh in the process.” Sean Graves, Health Manager Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme, said: “It’s great to be a part of this programme and hoping we can really make a change in the community and tackle mental health issues and loneliness.” The initiative is supported by the Postcode Lottery Trust, LENSGO Visual Media and Goose Creative, and the Campaign to End Loneliness.

Thanks to players of The Health Lottery, £1.5 million has been distributed to health and wellbeing charities and community organisations across Great Britain in 2025.The funding, awarded by The Health Lottery Foundation, backs projects addressing a broad range of needs, including mental health, disability support, food poverty, youth services and community-led wellbeing initiatives. The Health Lottery Foundation recently published its 2025 grants list, highlighting the scale and reach of support made possible by players. National charities and local groups are among those receiving funding, including Epilepsy Scotland, Everton in the Community, Grassroots Suicide Prevention, Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, St. Andrew’s Hospice, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, The National Kidney Federation and many more organisations delivering practical help in their communities. 2025 funding highlights include: ● 75 grants given, benefiting communities in England, Scotland and Wales ● 45 of the 75 grants were awarded to projects specifically focusing on young people such as Boxing Futures, Read for Good, The Honeypot Children’s Charity and Youth Adventure Trust ● Four £75,000 grants awarded to FoodCycle, Beauty Banks, Crisis and Dreams Come True ● Awards given have been between £500 and £75,000 supporting both national and local organisations. All funding from The Health Lottery Foundation comes directly from The Health Lottery ticket sales, with a share of every game played supporting good causes that improve health, wellbeing and quality of life across Great Britain. Martin Ellice, Managing Director of The Health Lottery, said: “Our players make this possible. Every time someone plays, they are helping charities and community groups deliver practical support that improves lives across Great Britain. This £1.5 million in 2025 alone shows the collective impact of that support in action and we’re excited about 2026 and continuing the ongoing work of The Health Lottery Foundation.” In total, and since launch, more than £136 million has been raised through The Health Lottery, supporting charities across Great Britain. Learn more here .

Aldi is set to continue its expansion in Scotland, with plans to invest more than £43m over the next two years, opening two new stores in Bishopbriggs and Dumbarton in 2026.     The investment supports the retailer’s growth ambitions north of the border and meet the increasing consumer demand.   Earlier this year, Aldi became Scotland’s second largest supermarket by volume according to Worldpanel data* as it welcomed 60 million trips through its Scottish stores.     In addition to the new store locations, Aldi has also committed to extending its Greenock, Perth, Linlithgow, Paisley and Stirling stores, with changes including increased space for chilled food, as well as additional room for Specialbuys and re-designed health and beauty and bakery sections.   Much of Aldi’s success in Scotland can be attested to its commitment to championing locally produced food and drink, with the retailer currently working with more than 90 Scottish suppliers and stocking over 450 Scottish products. Aldi was also commended at the Scotland Food and Drink Awards 2025, having been awarded ‘Best for Scottish Sourcing’ for the fourth time.   Aldi was recognised as Scotland’s leading supermarket for local sourcing by NFU Scotland with 41% of the products on its shelves sourced directly from Scotland. This represents a contribution of over £300 million in sales from Scottish-sourced products and suppliers, underscoring Aldi’s strong commitment to supporting local producers and communities.   In addition, throughout 2025, Aldi contributed over £50,000 to amateur sports clubs through its Scottish Sports Fund, demonstrating its dedication to promoting grassroots sports across the country. Through its tenth anniversary Supermarket Sweep initiative, Aldi donated £10,000 to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), helping to provide vital hospice care services for children and families throughout Scotland.   Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “I’m incredibly proud to reflect on another outstanding year for Aldi in Scotland. In 2025, we’ve continued to strengthen our investment across the country, welcoming more customers than ever before to our Scottish stores and providing greater access to affordable groceries. "  “Our ongoing commitment to Scottish provenance and our close relationships with local suppliers remain at the heart of our success. We’re proud to champion the very best of Scotland’s produce, ensuring that high-quality, locally sourced products continue to reach more customers."   “This year also marked the beginning of our new national charity partnership with CHAS, an organisation that makes an extraordinary difference to children and families across Scotland. We’re honoured to support its vital work as part of our wider commitment to the communities we serve."     “As we look ahead, our focus remains on continued investment, expanding our store network and deepening our partnerships with Scottish suppliers, all while delivering even greater value and choice to our customers.”    *Worldpanel by Numerator, 12 w/e 15th June 2025, Total Grocery, Volume (Packs) Share of the Market