While there's light at the end of the tunnel for many British businesses after months of lockdown, there's some familiar favourites that will never return to the High Street. Many businesses have been told they could reopen on April 12 if the government reaches its Covid vaccination target, as part of Boris Johnson's plan to get the country out of restrictions. Hairdressers, salons, clothing outlets and many small, local businesses such as florists will be able to trade again after more than three months of closures. But for many towns and communities, the high street will never be the same again as one by one big chains that have been part of Britain's culture have fallen under the pressure of the pandemic. Some struggling brands will return to the high street but others will now operate online-only. Paperchase is closing 27 stores while Jaeger, John Lewis, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Bonmarché, Hays Travel and Prezzo will reduce their store counts. Sir Philip Green's … [Read more...] about High street favourites that won’t re-open in April as Covid closes iconic chains forever
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COVID-19: UK alert level downgraded as threat of NHS being overwhelmed recedes
The UK's COVID-19 alert level has been downgraded, with the threat of the NHS being overwhelmed receding. The UK's chief medical officers say the alert level should move from 5 to 4 as the numbers of patients in hospital are "consistently declining and the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded". Level 4 means transmission of COVID-19 is now "high or rising exponentially" compared with level 5 where there was "a risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed". What is the UK's 'COVID alert level' and what does it mean? The UK has been on level 5 since the beginning of January when it was moved from level 4 as it went back into lockdown after Christmas. In a joint statement, the four UK chief medical officers and NHS England's national medical director said they agreed the level should be downgraded following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre "and in light of the most recent data". … [Read more...] about COVID-19: UK alert level downgraded as threat of NHS being overwhelmed recedes
Inside Mrs Hinch’s enviable garden with B&M’s hanging egg chair, stylish BBQ area and a teepee for Ronnie
MRS Hinch may be known for her stylish grey home, but her garden is sure to give you some serious envy this sunny lockdown weekend. Sophie Hinchliffe , who has 3.5 million followers on her popular home account, has been lovingly transforming the Essex pad she owns with husband Jamie - and the outdoor space is no exception. The 30-year-old cleanfluencer posts regular updates on Instagram about her garden - which she's kitted out with a teepee for son Ronnie, nearly one, and B&M's popular egg chair. Sophie bought the chair for £150 last summer - raving that she was "so chuffed" - and accessorised it with B&M fairy lights and fake ivy from The Range. The groomed garden features rattan furniture, potted plants, a walled flower patch, a stylish patio area and a spacious grassy area for dog Henry to enjoy. The greenfingered gal, who has a mixture of fake and real plants, previously admitted she had "no clue what I'm doing" when it came to gardening - but has since … [Read more...] about Inside Mrs Hinch’s enviable garden with B&M’s hanging egg chair, stylish BBQ area and a teepee for Ronnie
BBC sends 30 staff on a course on how to drink WATER
THIRTY BBC staff lapped up an online guide to drinking water funded by taxpayers. Critics blasted the hour-long webinar, titled Hydration, as “pointless and patronising”. The event was among several courses aimed at supporting workers’ mental and physical health. A description emailed to staff said: “Attending this webinar will help you identify the importance of being fully hydrated and find practical ways to achieve this state every day. “It will help you understand how being fully hydrated will improve health, wellbeing and performance.” A Freedom of Information request revealed 30 staff took part but the BBC did not divulge the cost of the course. 'UTTERLY POINTLESS' Critic Robin Aitken, who worked for the BBC for 25 years, said: “It’s absolute madness, utterly pointless and incredibly patronising.” John O’Connell, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “The BBC has been caught pouring taxpayers’ money down the drain yet again.” The Sun revealed last month … [Read more...] about BBC sends 30 staff on a course on how to drink WATER
Mum ‘ditches the iron’ for three-ingredient spray that gets rid of creases in no time
Ironing is one of those chores that no one likes to do - it's tedious and time-consuming. But one mum has shared her secret recipe for a DIY spray that's enabled her to "ditch her iron" forever. Chantel Mila created what she calls her "wrinkle release" spray using just three ingredients, that most of us will already have in our kitchen cupboards. Whether you're running late and need to dash out the door or you're on holiday and have a suitcase full of crinkled clothes - Chantel has you covered. Sharing the hack to her Instagram under the username @mama_mila_au , she explained that all you'll need is two cups of water, one tablespoon of white vinegar (which softens the clothes) and one tablespoon of hair conditioner (to relax clothes fibres). She mixes all of the ingredients together in a spray bottle before she sprays it on the creased item. Once applied, Chantel gently flattens the material before leaving it to hang for five minutes. And in the time it takes you to … [Read more...] about Mum ‘ditches the iron’ for three-ingredient spray that gets rid of creases in no time