News

The heat has been turned up in the kitchen of the new BBC Two series of ‘Great British Menu’, as more chefs than ever before compete for the chance to cook for famous names from the literary world. A total of 32 chefs will be curating literary-based menus, in the …

Lakeland announced the temporary closure of all of its stores nationwide yesterday (Sunday March 22). The housewares chain’s ceo Catherine Nunn said in a statement: “I am sure that you have all been closely following the latest updates on the coronavirus situation and there’s no doubt we find ourselves in …

From today (Monday March 23), Waitrose & Partners will set aside a proportion of ‘hard-to-find’ and essential stock exclusively for NHS workers from every delivery that arrives into its supermarkets. On production of an NHS card, NHS staff will also receive priority checkout treatment in all Waitrose branches, either through …

Starting tonight (Monday March 23) on Channel 4, Jamie Oliver is set to show the nation some easy-to-follow recipes, tips and hacks, specifically tailored for the unique times we’re living in with so many people staying at home. In ‘Jamie: Keep Cooking and Carry On’, the celebrity cook will advise …

The Government’s latest raft of emergency measures to save jobs and businesses amidst the coronavirus crisis is being backed by Bira (British Independent Retailers Association). Yesterday (Friday March 20), Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced a new scheme of measures to protect workers. They include: coverage for 80% of …

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) announced today (Saturday March 21) that it has ‘taken the difficult decision’ to temporarily close all of its 50 John Lewis shops at close of business on Monday (March 23) as a result of the impact of coronavirus. Johnlewis.com will continue to operate as normal, …

Kelly Grant, the event director of summer trade show Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in the North Yorkshire town of Harrogate, issued a statement yesterday (Thursday March 19) on plans for the 2020 event. Kelly said: “Home & Gift Harrogate has been a key date in the retail calendar for …

The Welsh Government’s plan to temporarily reduce – or abolish – rates for some small businesses has been welcomed by The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). The move – worth £200 million – has been announced to help limit the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses. Shops, leisure and hospitality …

IKEA UK & Ireland announced today (Thursday March 19) that, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing risk of COVID-19, it will temporarily close its stores to customers at 6pm on Friday (March 20). IKEA country retail manager and chief sustainability officer Peter Jelkeby said: “These are extraordinary times, and …

Catherine Nunn, ceo of housewares chain Lakeland, issued a message to customers today (Thursday March 19). Headlined ‘We’re here for you’, the message reads: “For over 50 years our colleagues and customers have been at the very heart of everything we do, and never has this been more true than …