Poll finds one-third of over-50s go to more festivals now than they did in their youth, as lineups also get olderMore than one-third of people over the age of 50 go to more music festivals now compared with when they were younger, a study had found.Older music lovers in the UK have caught the so-called “festival bug”, data from Saga shows. Continue reading...

14 Jul 2023 12:53 ✍️ RSS THE GUARDIAN

ScottishPower expects Hagshaw Hill to produce five times as much energy with half the turbines by early 2025Hornsea Four offshore windfarm given green light after five-month delayOne of Britain’s oldest onshore windfarms will soon be “repowered” so it can generate five times as much green electricity as it did in 1995 – with almost half as many turbines.The owner of the Hagshaw Hill windfarm, ScottishPower, began dismantling 26 turbines on its site in rural South Lanarkshire on Wednesday. Continue reading...

13 Jul 2023 05:00 ✍️ RSS THE GUARDIAN

Shoppers snap up barbecue food, swimwear, beach towels, outdoor games and garden furniture in June Britain’s retailers recorded a sharp rise in spending in June as hot weather prompted consumers to buy summer clothing and outdoor goods, despite growing pressure on budgets from the cost of living crisis.The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said sales increased by 4.9% in June, above the annual average growth rate, as shoppers hit the high street to buy swimwear, beach towels, outdoor games, garden furniture and barbecue food. Continue reading...

10 Jul 2023 23:01 ✍️ RSS THE GUARDIAN

Brick brand says it does not not expect problems with Christmas stock despite global supply crisisLego profits more than doubled in the first six months of the year as brick fans stayed home to build Star Wars and Harry Potter models even after the Covid-19 lockdown ended.The Danish toymaker was one of the winners from Covid restrictions as children and adults turned to its model kits to occupy themselves – and that trend has continued. Sales jumped 43% to DKr23bn (£2.6bn) in the first six months of 2021 while net profits surged 140% to DKr6.3bn. Continue reading...

28 Sep 2021 11:38 ✍️ RSS THE GUARDIAN

Britons opting not to fly abroad and holiday at home during the pandemic have ushered in new self-belief at the Norfolk resortStrolling in the September sun, eating ice-creams and sitting on the golden sand, visitors to Great Yarmouth’s “Golden Mile” promenade basked in a late burst of good weather.The second pandemic summer delivered a booming tourist season to the Norfolk resort on England’s east coast, and domestic visitors have continued to arrive well after the end of the school holidays. Continue reading...

24 Sep 2021 16:12 ✍️ RSS THE GUARDIAN

From funding a startup to its name and tackling the red tape, experts and entrepreneurs give tipsMaybe the pandemic made you reassess your lifestyle and work, or maybe you already had considered going it alone and have been waiting to take the plunge. Either way, if you have decided to start your own business you should be prepared for a challenging time as you get to know your market, find out about funding and gather new skills. We spoke to entrepreneurs and experts for their tips on how to get a new business off to a great start. Continue reading...

11 Sep 2021 10:00 ✍️ RSS THE GUARDIAN

Clamour for salon appointments comes as uncertainty remains over new rules on shorter, basic treatmentsLike many people in the beauty industry, Dennie Smith’s phone has been ringing off the hook as people clamour for appointments when salons reopen in England on Monday.Her Vintage 62 unisex hair salon in south Croydon had just two 45-minute slots left for the rest of April, and May is nearly all booked up too. “We have been inundated, my phone is literally going 24/7,” said Smith, who has spent the last few days completely redecorating the salon in time for the big reopening. “I’ve spoken to hundreds of people and they’re all excited to come back.” Continue reading...

11 Apr 2021 09:40 ✍️ RSS THE GUARDIAN