An inspiring new addition to the Windermere shoreline is honouring the memory of Olympic swimmer, teacher and mother of two Helen Smart. Helen sadly and unexpectedly passed away in 2023 at the age of 42 whilst on holiday with all her family in the Lake District. Her husband Craig Smart wanted to honour Helen’s incredible life and the place she loved so much by creating a memorial at Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa in the Lake District, where the couple tied the knot in 2015. Craig contacted the spa resort’s wedding team to explain his idea, which led to discussions with English Lakes Hotels estates director Tim Berry and the hotel group’s resident local sculptor and stone mason Shawn Williamson. The result is the creation of ‘Helen’s Seat’, a Lakeland slate boulder carved as a memorial and a place to sit on the edge of Windermere with sweeping views of the Langdale Pikes and surrounding fells. Craig says: “The idea was to create a place where Helen’s spirit can be felt and her memory celebrated. Helen was a remarkable woman: an Olympian, an inspirational educator, a talented musician, and above all, a deeply loved wife, mother, daughter and friend. Her career was marked by incredible dedication, discipline and belief in herself." “Helen’s favourite place in the world was the Lake District, where she found peace, happiness, and shared many treasured memories with her family. Our wedding at Low Wood Bay was the most amazing day and every year, we returned on our anniversary." “A huge and heartfelt thank you to Tim Berry, Shawn Williamson and the rest of the Low Wood Bay team for creating this amazing memorial for Helen. It is absolutely perfect - a peaceful, loving space where all of Helen’s family and friends can come, sit, reflect, and remember the amazing person she was. Helen was a true champion - on the world stage, in the classroom, and in our hearts.” As a world-class backstroke swimmer, Helen proudly represented Great Britain in the 200m backstroke at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She earned a bronze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, and silver medals at the 1999 World Short Course Championships and the European Championships, setting numerous British records and winning national titles along the way. Following her retirement from competitive swimming, Helen devoted herself to teaching. As Headteacher of Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School in Wigan, she continued to inspire with her passion, warmth, and commitment to every child’s future. Her school motto was “learn like champions”. She was also a proud playing member of the Pemberton Old Wigan DW Brass Band, where her joy for music shone brightly. English Lakes Hotels estates director Tim Berry says: “From speaking to Craig from the moment he got in touch with us, we were keen to help. It’s clear that Helen achieved so much, not only through her exemplary careers in top flight sport and education, but also in the inspirational way she lived her life." “We put Craig in touch with Shawn to develop the idea of the stone memorial and organise its installation here. We wanted something natural and that children and adults alike would enjoy for years to come." “The boulder originally came down the fell from behind Low Wood Bay and was dropped here by a glacier, so it’s fitting that it should still remain here on site and is now in a location where we are helping to restore the shoreline and regenerate the natural reed bed.”

Staff at a country estate in the Lake District have taken to beekeeping in a drive to help nurture its surrounding woodlands and wildflowers. Wild Boar Estate near Windermere is now home to three burgeoning beehives which are allowing the rural estate venue to produce its own honey for guests to enjoy at breakfast or purchase to take home as a tasty memento of their stay. The beehives have been carefully stationed in the estate’s private woodlands to give the bees the best chance to flourish on the its 72 acres of rural land. At the peak of summer, each beehive will contain up to 60,000 bees committed to the welfare of their queen and the colony as a whole. Wild Boar Estate gives the bees acres of high quality rural landscape in which to roam and forage, with good sources for a continual supply of food and water throughout the spring, summer and autumn months. The busiest time for the budding beekeeping team is late spring and into the early summer when they are routinely checking on the hives and the welfare of the bees. This is important to prevent swarming, to monitor their health and to ensure there is enough space for them to store their honey. In the winter, the team will simply need to keep a check on the hives to ensure the bees have enough stored food and remain healthy. General manager of Wild Boar Estate Adam Bujok says: “This is a wonderful project to get involved in and a chance for us to give nature and sustainability a helping hand. Our seasonal countryside cycles and natural rhythms would be broken without the humble worker bees. As major pollinators, we simply couldn’t live without them." “So it’s fantastic for us to see them buzzing around from flower to flower and meandering through our woodland glades and meadows. Then there’s the added benefit of harvesting their honey here on site for our guests to enjoy. We are even planning to use the honey in the microbrewery for the production of small batches of mead which visitors no doubt will be keen to sample.” English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues has been working with experienced apiarist Jackie Kerr to install the hives and teach members of the Wild Boar Estate team the basics of beekeeping. Jackie adds: “It’s been a pleasure to be involved in setting up the Wild Boar Estate apiary which continues to flourish and grow." “With last year’s very wet weather, it was difficult for bees to gather nectar and many colonies languished until late summer. But the spring dry spell has given the season a real kick-start and the beautiful Wild Boar woodlands are now alive with some very busy bees." “The estate team’s enthusiasm and commitment to protecting pollinators is both inspiring and wonderful to see.” With its own open kitchen grill restaurant, on-site smokehouse and microbrewery, Wild Boar Estate hosts a range of fun outdoor activities and adventures in its extensive surrounding grounds. For further information, visit here .

England Rugby stars Abby Dow and Tatyana Heard have today called upon the nation to show its support of the Red Roses as they aim for World Cup glory on home soil this summer. Dow and Heard are leading a creative initiative inviting youngsters to get into rugby union and back the England team by contributing to spectacular Red Rose yarn art takeovers across the country. A sea of knitted and crochet rugby themed artwork is expected to be displayed across community rugby clubs, host cities, and local communities, and Red Roses winger Dow is encouraging the nation to get involved with their local project. “Whether you are a lifelong rugby fan, a dedicated crafter, or someone who just wants to play a part in something special, we are encouraging fans across England to get creative and show their support this summer,” Dow said. “Crochet is a mindful hobby that we use as a squad to bond and create meaningful connections. We want fans new and old to connect with our sport through rugby crochet and knitting, while being part of an inspiring national movement." “We are in a golden age of women’s sport and we feel a responsibility to maximise this incredible opportunity to inspire the next generation of female players and fans across the summer.” Inspired by the Red Roses love of crochet as a team bonding activity, the yarn art takeovers form part of the RFU’s engagement activities designed to inspire female players and deliver a lasting legacy for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Fans wishing to get involved and contribute to displays across their local communities, clubs and cities can download crochet patterns via the England Rugby website. The patterns available are a red rose, bunting and a rugby ball square. Full details of national display points and submission deadlines will be available via the RFU website HERE .

Manufacturers’ opinion of the United States (US) as a growth market for exports have fallen sharply, with the US slipping out of the top three global regions for the first time according to a major survey published today. The findings come on the back of official data published last Thursday showing exports to the US fell £2 billion in April, the steepest monthly decline since records began in 1997. According to the Make UK/BDO Q2 Manufacturing Outlook survey, the US has slipped to fourth place as a growth market for UK manufacturers, with preference now shown to Asia/Oceania and the Middle East as companies respond to tariffs and increased uncertainty. This is the first time the US has not been the second most favoured destination for export growth for UK manufacturers, behind the EU, in the history of the survey. Six in ten companies expect to see exports to US impacted by tariffs Key Findings: Output volumes grow following a contraction last quarter Domestic orders negative while export orders recover 6 in 10 companies expect impact on their exports to the US from tariffs Employment levels remain stable, but investment trending sharply downwards Manufacturing growth forecast cut sharply for 2026, already negative for 2025   Separate data from a survey on the impact of tariffs conducted by Make UK shows that six in ten companies expect their export volumes to the US to be hit, while a similar number (63%) expect their business overall to be negatively impacted. Furthermore, almost a third (30%) of companies are assessing changes to their supply chains in terms of where they source from, while just 4% say they will consider setting up manufacturing facilities in the US. Make UK also referred to figures from the Q2 survey carried out by its American counterpart, the National Association of Manufacturers, which showed that US manufacturers’ optimism has dropped to the lowest level since the pandemic. Trade uncertainty was cited as the biggest factor, reported by more than three quarters of companies (77%). The survey also reveals worsening prospects for UK manufacturers ahead, with the growth forecast for manufacturing in 2026 slashed from a previous +1% to -0.5% in the face of a weak domestic economy and tariffs. Given the growth forecast is also negative for this year (-0.2%) off the back of a flat year in 2024, this presents a worrying trend. In response to the significant downgrading of growth prospects for manufacturing, Make UK warned that the forthcoming industrial strategy must address the UK’s crippling industrial energy costs. Commenting, Seamus Nevin, Chief Economist at Make UK, said: “While at first glance the headline numbers may not look too bad, manufacturers are facing a gathering storm of huge uncertainty in one of their major markets, a skills crisis and eye watering energy costs which are providing a harsh reality for many." "In response, it’s absolutely essential that the forthcoming industrial strategy takes bold measures to bring down the cost of energy and takes equally radical action to ensure companies can access the people they need to take advantage of a more competitive landscape. If these two issues are not addressed, then we will face the serious prospect of the UK accelerating into de-industrialisation.” Richard Austin, Head of Manufacturing at BDO, said “This quarter’s results are a testament to the increasingly challenging landscape our British manufacturers are operating in. The forecasted decline in growth is concerning and the delayed industrial strategy won’t help to assuage uncertainty in the sector. That said, there remains pockets of positivity." "Growing output levels are proof of manufacturer’s resilience and last month’s trade deals should remove barriers as UK companies seek new trading partners and opportunities for growth. As always, they need urgent clarity and targeted investment from the government if this recovery is to continue into next quarter.” According to the Manufacturing Outlook survey, the balance on output recovered from -1% in Q1 to +9% in the last quarter, with total orders following a similar pattern up to -2% from -6% in Q1. Export orders have resumed the pattern of shielding a weak domestic market, increasing to +7% from +1%, while UK orders remained negative at -1% (-7% in Q1). Looking forward, the survey shows prospects appear to be slightly brighter with output forecast to increase slightly to +11% and total orders to +13% in Q3. The recovery in exports also appears to be much firmer after the global turmoil of the first half of the year, increasing to a balance of +22% which is above long-term averages. Recruitment intentions remained fairly flat at +1% (-3% in Q1) while investment intentions continued on a sharply downward trend from the last quarter of 2024, barely remaining positive at +2% (+5% in Q1 and +10% in Q4 2024). Make UK warned that if this downward trend continued it would be highly likely that investment intentions will turn negative in the second half of the year.

Responding to the Spending Review on 11 June 2025, Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The key question is whether or not the Chancellor has done enough to secure consistent investment so as to unlock business confidence and opportunities for growth. We of course welcome the headline commitment to invest in skills and critical infrastructure but this comes against a backdrop of extremely low business confidence." “Business performance needs to pick up quickly and substantially in order to generate the wealth and tax receipts that will enable that wider investment to happen. It remains a challenging time of cost pressures for too many firms and so if the economy does not perform in the coming months we could face the prospect of more tax rises come the autumn." “We would have liked to see much more government support announced now to open up supply chain opportunities and enable our SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to win procurement contracts. That remains a major challenge for many. At the same time, we are looking at a reduced budget at the Department for Business and Trade over the next three years which is not good news." “Portsmouth was the only location mentioned south of Swindon in the Chancellor’s speech. It was overly focused on the north and other parts of the UK rather than Hampshire and the south east. That said, her commitment to boost spending on defence capability, security and intelligence, energy, life sciences, home-grown AI and green tech is brilliant for our region. Given our strengths in all these areas, Hampshire is ideally placed as a driver for positive change. We are already an industrial ‘superpower’ for defence industries." “We also welcome the 350 or so ring-fenced pots of money she announced for local investment coupled with the commitment to address gaps in training provision through Local Skills Improvement Plans and Skills England. If we are going to rebuild communities through new affordable homes, hospitals and so on, we’re going to need many more skilled construction workers to do the job." “Across Hampshire’s business community, we continue to stand ready to work with government to progress the industrial strategy and unlock growth, but government must likewise work with us to restore and build confidence.” Photo: Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of Hampshire Chamber

Coventry and Warwickshire solicitors Alsters Kelley have announced the acquisition of Banbury-based Aplins Solicitors, further extending its presence into Oxfordshire and bringing its total number of offices to six. It is an exciting development for the Legal 500 firm which already operates in Coventry, Nuneaton, Leamington Spa, Southam and Stratford-upon-Avon and it is their second acquisition in the last five years. The move has resulted in Alsters Kelley becoming one of the largest solicitor’s firms in the region and will significantly increase their turnover. Fourteen members of staff at Aplins, plus the three current partners will remain at the firm, taking the total Alsters Kelley workforce to 100. Aplins, which is situated in West Bar, Banbury was established in 1739 and has a long history. It currently offers services in Private Client and Conveyancing. The deal will allow the firm, which will become known as Alsters Kelley incorporating Aplins, to extend its range of services throughout Banbury and the surrounding areas, whilst continuing to provide a high level of personal service for which it has always been renowned. Cathy Wahlberg, Managing Director at Alsters Kelley, said: “The acquisition of Aplins marks the start of an exciting new chapter for both firms. Aplins boasts an impressive pedigree and has a highly talented and experienced workforce. It has an excellent reputation throughout the Banbury area and the acquisition seemed like the next natural step in Alsters Kelley’s own journey." “It provides us with an excellent platform for growth and we look forward to welcoming every member of the workforce to our team and developing the business in the years to come for the benefit of both the staff and our clients.” Both firms pride themselves on their friendly, approachable service combined with expert legal advice with Alsters Kelley operating on the mantra of being kind, helpful and excellent in the delivery of its service at all times. Indeed, it was this ethos which attracted partners Philip Waters, Miranda Tarrant and Robert Henshaw and gave them the confidence that it was the right fit for both the firm and its clients. Philip Waters, Senior Partner at Aplins commented: “After years of operating as a small practice, the time had come for us to seek new opportunities. The legal landscape has changed significantly during that time, becoming a great deal more complex with the requirement for increased technology." “It was however important that we shared the same professional ethics. In a practice such as ours consistency and continuity are essential. Equally important however was Alsters Kelley’s ability to introduce new technologies and increased expertise which will serve as a major boost to the firm and mark a new era for the business." “The future looks very exciting and we are all very much looking forward to working with the Alsters Kelley team.”

There’s something timelessly elegant about a well-poured gin and tonic. The clink of ice, the scent of fresh citrus, the gentle bitterness of quinine lifting the crisp bite of juniper—together, they conjure not just a drink, but an experience. On World Gin Day, held annually on the second Saturday of June, this beloved spirit is celebrated across the globe with gusto, particularly in the country that helped make it a cultural icon: the United Kingdom. World Gin Day began in 2009 as a small gathering of enthusiasts in Birmingham, spearheaded by gin aficionado Neil Houston. It has since grown into an international event marked by tastings, distillery tours, masterclasses, and cocktail soirées, both virtual and in person. Its mission is refreshingly simple: to get more people enjoying gin, whether they're seasoned connoisseurs or curious newcomers. Britain’s long-standing love affair with gin is the stuff of both legend and lore. From its dark beginnings during the "Gin Craze" of the 18th century—when it was dubbed "mother’s ruin" for its role in social decline—to its reinvention as the drink of choice in fashionable London bars, gin has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, it stands proudly as a symbol of British craftsmanship, heritage, and flair. Modern British gin has embraced both tradition and innovation. The classic London Dry remains a staple, known for its crisp juniper-forward flavour and dry finish, ideal for traditionalists and purists alike. But in recent years, the UK’s gin scene has exploded with creativity. Distillers from Cornwall to the Highlands have begun experimenting with local botanicals—seaweed, heather, rhubarb, lavender—to create gins that reflect their unique landscapes. As a result, there are now hundreds of distinct British gins on the market, each offering its own twist on the classic recipe. World Gin Day provides the perfect opportunity to explore this diversity. Across the UK, events spring to life in honour of the day. London’s gin palaces and hidden speakeasies roll out special menus; distilleries throw open their doors for behind-the-scenes peeks at copper stills and infusion tanks; and mixologists compete to craft the most inventive new serves. Even those celebrating from the comfort of home can join in, with virtual tastings, cocktail tutorials, and gin subscription boxes bringing the party to the doorstep. Yet, for all the fanfare, the beauty of gin lies in its simplicity. Whether you take it with a splash of tonic, a twist of lime, or stirred into a Negroni, it’s a drink that rewards experimentation but never demands it. Its versatility is part of its charm—and part of why it has endured. As World Gin Day returns this June, it’s a chance not only to indulge but to reflect on the story behind the spirit. Gin has weathered centuries of change, adapted to tastes, survived prohibition, and reinvented itself in the face of shifting fashions. Today, it’s more than just a drink—it’s a cultural phenomenon. So whether you're toasting with a delicate cucumber-infused number or sipping a robust navy strength blend, let this World Gin Day be a celebration of all that gin represents: history, innovation, craftsmanship, and the simple pleasure of a well-made drink.

Ealing Trailfinders are pleased to announce that Abi Burton has signed a new contract with Trailfinders Women. The England forward has gone from strength-to-strength since joining Trailfinders Women in their inaugural year and has developed into a key member of the playing group. Having previously represented Great Britain in rugby sevens at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, Burton’s explosive power, determination and work rate have made her a standout player. After receiving a call up to the Red Roses squad for the tournament, she made a significant impact at this year’s Six Nations, demonstrated perfectly when she scored two tries in England’s 67-12 win against Wales. Burton has recently also been named in the Red Roses’ training squad for the Rugby World Cup taking place in England later this year. On extending her time at the club, Burton said: “I’m super excited to extend my contract with Trailfinders Women. I’ve been here from the start, I want to see the club do great things, and I’m going to stay here until that happens." “It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m excited to continue working with this fantastic team. I’m looking forward to what the future holds.” Burton will also reprise her role as Head Coach of Brunel Rugby women’s side, assisted by fellow Trailfinders Women stars Kate Zachary, Ella Amory, and Meg Jones. On her role with Brunel, Burton added: “My role at Brunel is massive for the development of the Club. We want to develop young players to go on and play in the Premiership." “To have players there, like Kate [Zachary], like Ella [Amory], and Meg [Jones] this year, that play internationally and that are these incredible calibre of athlete… it lets the girls see that they can be it, which is really important ahead of a first season in BUCS Super Rugby next year.” Speaking on Burton’s extension, Barney Maddison, Trailfinders Women Head Coach, commented: “Abi is one of the hardest-working players we have. Her explosive ability to break through defences, her determination and her high level of fitness make her a consistent threat on the field." “We’re thrilled that she’s extending her time with us.”

Leading Scottish hospitality group Buzzworks has officially become the first multi-venue hospitality business in Scotland to achieve B Corporation certification. Joining a global movement of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability to balance profit and purpose, Buzzworks earned its certification following an in-depth evaluation by B Lab, the nonprofit organisation behind the B Corp movement. Buzzworks Managing Director, Kenny Blair, who has been instrumental in leading the business through the rigorous certification process, said: “Achieving B Corp Certification has been one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys we’ve undertaken as a business. With our scale, it was no small task, but we were absolutely determined to make it happen." “At Buzzworks, we’ve always believed in doing the right thing for our people, through industry-leading training and development initiatives, for the communities we operate in, by creating jobs and supporting local charities, and for the planet. Becoming a Certified B Corporation is a major step forward in our commitment to all three." “We are incredibly proud of this achievement. It’s a testament to the collective effort of our team and the values we live by every day at Buzzworks.” This certification reflects Buzzworks’ long-standing commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical business practices. The company continues to work closely with a range of charities and community partners, while also taking significant steps to address its environmental impact - including a commitment to reduce waste and energy consumption. These efforts are underpinned by ongoing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) tracking to measure Buzzworks’ progress and ensure continued accountability. The recognition comes on the back of another successful year for the family-owned business, with turnover rising 18% from £29.9m to £34.8m in 2024. This follows a major win at the prestigious Publican Awards — another first for a Scottish operator — and continued investment in growing its portfolio across Scotland. Buzzworks has ambitious plans to double the size of the business, bringing its award-winning culture and values to even more communities. Its three core values — Care with Flair, Grow Forward Together, and Value Every Voice — have shaped its B Corp journey and will continue to guide the company’s future. Renowned for its industry-leading employee benefits, training and development, flexible working options, and wellbeing initiatives, Buzzworks remains committed to being a great place to work and grow.

Unilever has announced an £80 million investment to build in-house fragrance capabilities in the UK, including plans to build a new state-of-the-art fragrance facility in Port Sunlight, develop leading-edge digital capabilities and to recruit and partner for the very best fragrance talent and expertise. An artist’s impression of a modern office building with a glass facade and vertical white slats. The Unilever logo is visible in the top left corner. Several people are walking or standing near the entrance, which features revolving doors. The surrounding area has landscaped greenery and flowers. Fragrance plays a critical role in elevating the consumer experience and performance of everyday products, from shampoos and conditioners to skin moisturisers, body washes and deodorants, and in laundry and home cleaning. The new facility will be a significant step in Unilever’s global investment to build world-class in-house fragrance capabilities, accelerating growth and productivity through fragrance design and ingredient buying, whilst continuing to work closely with key global fragrance house partners. The facility includes a fragrance research and innovation lab, a compounding facility where new fragrances are blended and developed, and evaluation suites where products are tested to assess performance and preference. The site will be digitally enabled end-to-end, including robotics to blend fragrance oils and real time data capture, enabling digital modelling, analytics and the use of AI to drive fragrance development. The proposal is to build on the doorstep of Unilever’s world-class R&D facilities and factories in Port Sunlight, subject to planning permission, and for the new facility to integrate fragrance capabilities with consumer insights and product development processes. This will enable Unilever to bring fragrance innovation to their Home Care, Personal Care, and Beauty & Wellbeing brands, including Persil, Dove, Rexona (Sure in the UK) and TRESemmé, with greater speed and efficiency. Unilever is also investing in talent recruitment, hiring industry-leading perfumers with cross-category expertise from fragrance houses around the world. The specialist team will also include fragrance evaluators, who are trained to smell and assess fragrances, and ingredient technologists who will work on Unilever’s long-term technology programme to deliver pioneering fragrance innovations. Richard Slater, Chief R&D Officer at Unilever, said: “We are delighted to announce this significant investment to build a world-class fragrance house within Unilever. The investment includes a new state-of-the-art facility in Port Sunlight which further expands our leading-edge R&D capabilities in the UK and drives our ambitious plans to build expertise, partnerships and innovation at scale." “Our new fragrance facility and expert perfumers will enable us to bring fragrance insight and innovation to our brands at speed and, working with our partners, to reinvent how fragrances are created for consumer products, leveraging cutting-edge science along with AI and robotics.” Minister for Investment Baroness (Poppy) Gustafsson CBE said: “The UK is a top investment destination and Unilever’s major plan is the latest vote of confidence in our economy, which will boost the UK’s thriving R&D sector, supporting our Plan for Change." "With digital and technologies being identified as a key growth sector in our upcoming Industrial Strategy, we're not only helping to attract and secure investment, but delivering long-term growth that supports skilled jobs and raises living standards across the UK." This is the latest in a wider £300 million investment by Unilever in the UK across offices, R&D sites and factories in the next two years. Port Sunlight in the North West is Unilever’s largest innovation site in the UK, where alongside two factories and two R&D labs, Unilever has also opened an Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) and the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), which was built in collaboration with the University of Liverpool.

Sentiment amongst retailers fell at the sharpest rate in five years in May, with the net balance of firms expecting their business situation to deteriorate over the coming quarter, according to the CBI’s latest quarterly Distributive Trades Survey. Year-on-year retail sales volumes fell in May, a decline expected to accelerate next month. However, online sales fared better, with volumes rising in the year to May, following six consecutive months of falling or flat sales. Against a backdrop of subdued demand, retailers plan to reduce investment and headcount. Retailers are expecting to significantly scale back capital expenditure in the next 12 months compared to the last 12. This cautious outlook shows only modest improvement on February's reading, which marked its weakest point since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. Total employment fell in May compared to a year ago, with the pace of decline expected to accelerate in June. Key findings included: Year-on-year retail sales fell in May (weighted balance of -27% from -8% in April). Sales are expected to decline at a faster rate next month (-37%). Retail sales for the time of year were judged to be “poor” in May, but to a lesser extent than in April (19% from -31% in April). June sales are set to remain below seasonal norms (-21%). Sentiment amongst retailers plummeted in May at the sharpest rate in five years, with a net balance of firms expecting their business situation to worsen over the coming quarter (-29% from -19% in February). Retailers expect to scale back investment plans in the next 12 months (compared to the previous 12) to a significant extent (-47% from -56% in February). Employment in retail declined at a broadly steady rate in the year to May, compared to the previous quarter (-15% from -13% in February). Headcount is expected to fall at a quicker pace next month (-20%). Retail selling price inflation picked up in the year to May but remained below the long-run average for the fifth consecutive quarterly survey (+35% from +25% in February; long-run average +41%). Retailers anticipate selling prices to increase at an accelerated rate next month (+57%). Total distribution sales volumes (including retail, wholesale, and motor trades) declined in the year to May at the joint-fastest rate since January 2021 (-43% from -26% in April). Businesses anticipate another strong decline in sales for June, albeit at a slower pace (-38%). Ben Jones, Lead Economist, CBI, said: “This was a fairly downbeat survey and highlights some of the challenges facing the retail and wider distribution sector. In contrast to other recent retail data, this survey suggests parts of the sector are still struggling with fragile consumer demand, though online sales seem to be holding up better." “Firms are also feeling the impact of higher NICs and the National Living Wage increase. Our quarterly survey suggests that retailers are cutting back on hiring, scaling back investment and expect to increase selling prices at the fastest pace for over a year." “With the Spending Review on the horizon, the government has an opportunity to kickstart growth and incentivise investment, whether by reforming business rates, simplifying skills investment through the Apprenticeship Levy reform or expanding the Made Smarter Programme, further enabling digital adoption.” In addition, data from the survey showed: Retail orders placed upon suppliers declined at an accelerated rate in the year to May (-41% from -24% in April). Retailers expect to cut back on orders at a steady pace in June (-42%). Retailers reported that stock volumes in relation to expected demand dipped below the long-run average in May (+12% from +21% in April; long-run average +17%). Stock positions are expected to ease further next month (+9%). Online retail sales volumes grew at a strong rate in the year to May, following six consecutive months of falling or flat sales (+37% from -1% in April). Retailers expect online sales to grow again next month, but at a moderate rate (+17%). Wholesale annual sales volumes fell in May at the fastest rate since June 2020 (-48% from -33% in April). Wholesalers expect the sales decline to slow next month (-30%). Motor trades annual sales volumes contracted in May at the joint-quickest rate since October 2022 (-65% from -50% in April). Motor traders expect sales to decline at the same pace in June (-65%).

Almost 900 miles of coastline in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are now protected for the nation thanks to the generosity of the UK public, the National Trust has announced. As a result of new detailed mapping, the charity can reveal that it looks after 896 miles of coast, over 10% of the total coastline of the three countries, on behalf of the nation. The news comes on the 60th anniversary of the Trust's major coast campaign, Enterprise Neptune, which is one of the longest-running environmental campaigns in Europe, and regarded as among the most successful endeavours in the charity's 130-year history. Since its inception in 1965 to address the rising threat of overdevelopment of the coast, the campaign has raised over £114m through donations, many of which have been left as gifts in people’s wills. Three quarters of the 896 miles cared for by the Trust since its founding in 1895 have been acquired through Enterprise Neptune. The Trust is also marking the anniversary by announcing its latest coastal acquisition – a stretch of grassland in Swanage, Dorset, which fills the final 'gap' in an important length of coastline cared for by the charity. Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: "This extraordinary coming together of public generosity over 60 years means the UK coast is one of the best protected in the world. To reach 900 miles - or almost! - is testament to everyone who has been part of this enduring campaign." "Generations of people have left gifts in their wills, or given money in memory of a loved one, or simply wanted to protect a place they love. Every donation has a reason behind it, and together they tell an incredible story about the UK public's affinity with its coastline." "It's because of this shared endeavour that we can all freely access and enjoy the White Cliffs of Dover, the inlets of Cornwall and the North Antrim coast, and our Pembrokeshire headlands. In fact, it is hard to imagine what our coastline would look like without Neptune.” Recent acquisitions made by the National Trust include a former coastal golf course in Lincolnshire (2020) and a picturesque stretch of cliffs at Tintagel in Cornwall (2023). Other landmark sites saved include fields atop the White Cliffs of Dover, which were bought after an appeal backed by Dame Vera Lynn in 2017 raised £1m in just a few weeks. In recent years, the Neptune campaign has focussed on conservation, including responding to the challenges posed by climate change, such as sea level rise and extreme storms. Projects have included a major coastal adaptation scheme on Northey Island in Essex, where the creation of saltmarsh is protecting rare bird habitats from rising sea levels. However, the Trust continues to acquire areas of coast where it can make a significant contribution to restoring nature and provide access and enjoyment for people. Its latest acquisition is a 26-hectare strip of coastal grassland in Swanage, Purbeck. The site lies between two farms already looked after by the Trust, and is the final piece of the jigsaw in a continuous five-mile stretch in the charity’s care. It will be grazed by livestock and provide room for wildlife, including rare wildflowers such as early spider orchids, and butterflies like the Lulworth skipper. The Trust will also improve the area for walkers, including widening the South West Coast Path to make it safer and easier. Hilary continued: "As today's news shows, Neptune is still going strong. In fact, the current threats facing our coastline, such as rising sea levels and more extreme weather events, mean Neptune is needed as much as ever. So if people want to be involved in the next chapter of this historic campaign, we would love to talk to them.” Enterprise Neptune began in May 1965 when geography professor Dr John Whittow and a group of 33 students and three fellow lecturers from Reading University set out to survey the entire coastline of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. With limited technology available, the students trekked around the coast, camping in tents and painstakingly colouring-in hundreds of Ordnance Survey maps. On analysing the data, Dr Whittow found that a third of the total coastline was in pristine condition but in need of protection from encroaching development and overtourism. The National Trust launched the campaign that same year, acquiring Whiteford Burrows on the Gower Peninsula as its first purchase with Neptune funds. Back then, the site had been earmarked for landfill; today it is one of the best dune systems in Britain, supporting a range of rare and important species. Eight years later, in 1973, the campaign had reached its original £2m target and had saved over 300 miles of coast. Some stretches of coastline that were deemed ‘beyond redemption’ in the 1965 survey have since been bought by the Trust, with several having undergone a remarkable transformation. Stretches of the County Durham coastline (purchased 1988-90), once black with coal waste, are now home to wildflower meadows. The peninsula of Orford Ness in Suffolk (1993) was a military testing ground in the mid-20th century – today it’s a thriving nature reserve filled with birds, and most recently, a colony of grey seals. In 2014, the University of Leicester repeated the original survey – albeit digitally this time – to understand how land along the coast had changed since 1965. The data revealed that of the 3,442 miles of coastline deemed ‘pristine’ in the original survey, 94% was now protected either by the Trust or by statutory designations. Dr John Whittow, who led the 1965 survey and recommended the Trust acquire 900 miles of coast, said: “Before the monumental coastal survey of some 8,000 miles could begin, it was imperative that a pilot survey should take place to acquaint my 30 students, post-grads and staff from Reading University with my newly devised methodology. What better place than Dorset’s Purbeck coast which we “invaded” in May 1965." “This was long before it rejoiced in the title “the Jurassic Coast”, a World Heritage Site, and I hope that I wasn’t swayed by its scenic beauty and its geological attraction. Because the survey was intended to be an objective exercise in order to highlight those coastlines already lost to earlier development and those likely to be under future threat, I emphasised that there should be no personal opinions. I was asked to demonstrate the location of those pristine shores where the NT could further explore to make their future acquisitions and I recommended a total of 900 miles." “Returning to think about the Purbeck coast, I remember how Neptune’s Patron, HRH Prince Philip later told me how much he esteemed those very coasts of South West England, where so many of the Trust properties may be found, held in perpetuity and with access for the nation. I felt very privileged to have been part of what a former Director-General, Dame Fiona Reynolds, has called “arguably the Trust’s greatest achievement: Enterprise Neptune”.” Sean Fletcher, TV presenter and National Trust Ambassador, said: “I’ve visited coastal sites around the globe, and I’m always struck by how the UK’s coastline stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best. The Trust’s Neptune campaign to protect our coastline has preserved some wonderful natural gems, which we can all enjoy.” The charity is encouraging people to donate to its 60-year coastal campaign by going to the webpage here and selecting ‘coast’.