Dr Martens in Northamptonshire takes steps towards recovery
The makers of the iconic Dr Martens footwear range said better sales in the US have signalled the start of the firm's recovery.The company, based in Wollaston, Northamptonshire, saw its turnover drop by just 3% over the last three months of 2024The figure for the last quarter of 2023 was 18%.Doc Martens' new chief executive said he had "great confidence" for the year ahead.
The Dr Martens design originated in Germany in the 1940s and production started in the UK in 1959 when the Northamptonshire-based Griggs Group bought patent rights.The familiar yellow-stitched boots, made at the factory in Cobbs Lane, Wollaston, have been bought by famous names from the Sex Pistols to the Dalai Lama.The Pope's Swiss Guard were provided with Dr Martens boots during the Pontificate of John Paul II.
The firm has seen revenues drop in recent years, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis.It has issued several profit warnings and replaced its chief executive.The company's US revenue over the festive quarter fell 4% year on year, compared with 20% in the previous quarter.
Falls in European revenue also eased, from 18% in the previous quarter to 4% in last three months of 2024.Dr Martens expects overall turnover for the full year to be down 9% compared with the previous year, at £599m.Ije Nwokorie became chief executive of the company earlier this month and said he had "great confidence" for the year ahead.He added that plans to reduce excess stock were "on track" and that the company continued to "actively manage our costs".He said: "The team and I are squarely focused on returning the business to sustainable and profitable growth."
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Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Premier League stadiums of the future with eight clubs splashing out £6BILLION on new grounds and major transformations
Scroll down to see how each club is planning on making major changes GROUND BREAKING Premier League stadiums of the future with eight clubs splashing out £6BILLION on new grounds and major transformations THE Premier League has become a dominant force in European football, attracting the best players, biggest viewing figures and making the most money. And as the league continues to grow - both financially and in reputation - clubs are trying to grow alongside it. Advertisement 36 Tottenham have set the standard for modern stadiums with their £1billion home Credit: EPA 36 Fulham have added a swimming pool to Craven Cottage Credit: Fulham FC Gone are the days of being able to get away with a warm pint and a cold pie at half time as fans try and cram into the terraces to sit on wooden seats. Now teams want architectural masterpieces as their homes with luxury hospitality areas, top tier food and drink, and a concourse that would make you debate even going back out to watch the second half. Tottenham have set the standard with their £1BILLION stadium built in 2019, fit with a retractable NFL pitch, in-house micro brewery and the perfect view from every seat. While other clubs have started to renovate their historic grounds, such as Fulham putting a SWIMMING POOL in their new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL BRAVE NEW WORLD Gary Lineker agrees deal with new broadcaster just a week after MOTD exit Nobody wants to be left behind in the new revolution of what a football ground can look like, with EIGHT Premier League clubs now working on plans to improve their facilities too. Here SunSport breaks down what those eight clubs are planning and just how much it could all cost... MANCHESTER UNITED Cost : £2billion : £2billion Opening date : 2030 : 2030 Capacity: 100,000 36 Manchester United unveiled plans to build a 100,000-seater stadium 36 Old Trafford will be demolished and new ground will be built on adjacent land Advertisement 36 The new ground promises to be the largest football stadium in England 36 United have vowed to build the fan experience zone of the future 36 Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes United should have the best stadium in the world Man Utd have the biggest club stadium in the UK, but they want it to be even bigger. Advertisement The Red Devils announced earlier this year that they are planning a £2BILLION project that will see them build the 'Wembley of the North'. United's execs, led by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are planning on making the stadium large enough to house 100,000 FANS. The club have put a rather ambitious five-year timeframe on the new stadium, especially given their dire financial straits at the moment. Architects at Foster and Partners, who will design the project, said the stadium would feature an umbrella design and a new public plaza that is "twice the size of Trafalgar Square". Advertisement Man Utd had explored the idea of expanding Old Trafford, but instead landed on the decision to create what will be the largest football stadium in the country - gazumping Wembley's 90,000-seat capacity. It won't just be an incredible stadium either, United have also confirmed the surrounding area will be regenerated as part of a joint venture with the the government and local council - including the addition of 17,000 new homes. As for the stadium itself, concept images tease a huge wraparound scoreboard, along with a three-storey museum and canal-side restaurants as part of a vast fan village. Things haven't got underway just yet, but when they do United will be able to continue playing at Old Trafford during the construction process, before demolishing the historic ground once they move into their new home. Advertisement Sir Jim Ratcliffe said of the incredible plans: "Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. "By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home." MANCHESTER CITY Cost : £300million : £300million Opening date : 2025/26 season : 2025/26 season Capacity: Over 60,000 Inside Man City's £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival Anfield 36 Manchester City are redeveloping the Etihad Stadium Credit: Man City 36 City are in the midst of an incredible redevelopment of the North Stand Credit: Man City Advertisement 36 The Etihad will have the largest safe-standing are in the Premier League after the redevelopment is complete Credit: Man City 36 The project will also add a fan park for supporters on matchdays Credit: Man City 36 Work has already started on expanding the North Stand Credit: Rex Just four miles down the road from United's Old Trafford is another stadium in the midst of a mega redevelopment. Advertisement Neighbours and rivals Manchester City have been investing their unlimited pot of cash into turning the Etihad Stadium into one of the best arenas in world football. At its current reduced capacity of 52,900, due to the ongoing work on a new expansion, the Etihad is only the seventh largest capacity football stadium in England - not particularly fitting for the best team in the country over the last seven years. Plans to redevelop and add more seats in the North Stand would likely see it become the fifth largest ground in the country, boasting a similar capacity to title rivals like Arsenal and Liverpool's grounds. The plans, which are due to be completed during the 2025/26 season, will reportedly add around 7,000 seats to the stadium. Advertisement But it's not just about more fans, it's also about increasing the noise and atmosphere in process. For City, that means adding a huge standing area of the Etihad crowd. That expansion will include 3,000 safe-standing rail seats, making it the Premier League's largest safe standing area. Away from adding more seats, City are also adding brand new hospitality area, which will house 800 guests and include a 500-seat food hall and a premium bar. Plus fans can look forward to an incredible Sky Bar with views overlooking the pitch and a stadium roof walk experience. Advertisement Work is also underway on the 'City Square fan zone', a 3,000- capacity fan zone that will offer up food and drink as well as screens for supporters to watch the match on the Etihad campus. A new club shop and a museum will also be added to the surrounding area to help improve on the matchday experience. And if you're wondering where you can stay nearby to be close to all the action then City have you covered - they're also building a 400-bed hotel. LEEDS UNITED Cost : £100million (estimated) : £100million (estimated) Opening date : Late 2030 : Late 2030 Capacity: 53,000 36 Leeds released mock-ups of their home ground renovation Advertisement 36 The stadium will see a significant increase in capacity Credit: X @LUFC 36 The estimated final capacity of Elland Road will be 53,000 Credit: X @LUFC 36 The plans are set to be completed in 2030 Credit: X @LUFC Leeds United secured a return to the Premier League thanks to their 100-point tally in the Championship this season. Advertisement And along with their promotion back into the top flight, Leeds have announced plans for a mega renovation of their iconic Elland Road stadium. The Yorkshire club have revealed plans to rake their current capacity of 37,645 up to an estimated 53,000 - making it one of the largest grounds in the country. Concept art released by Leeds shows a new look to the 128-year-old stadium. New stands will tower over the old brick of the ground and make for a combination of history and future for the club now owned by 49ers Enterprises - the ownership group in charge of the NFL franchise San Francisco 49ers. Advertisement An increase of nearly 20,000 seats - which will help burn through the club's 26,000-strong season ticket waiting list - will mean updates to the West and North Stands and a change to the South Stand. While there is no specific details of what additions will be made yet, Leeds have confirmed they will be making improvements to the general admission and hospitality facilities. A statement told that fans can expect 'diverse range of spaces and experiences' that will 'encourage early arrivals and extended stays'. Leeds have revealed that work will begin this September, but changes to the stands won't start until 2026. Advertisement However, the club have estimated that the renovation won't be completed until late 2030. At the moment there has been no estimated figure for how much the project could cost the club, but similar renovations have exceeded £100million. ASTON VILLA Cost : Over £100million : Over £100million Opening date : Second half of 2027 : Second half of 2027 Capacity: Over 50,000 36 Aston Villa announced plans to expand the North Stand at Villa Park Credit: Aston Villa FC 36 Villa want the stadium to breach the 50,000-seat mark Credit: Aston Villa FC Advertisement 36 The club have claimed there will be more space and faster service Credit: Aston Villa FC 36 A new club shop was opened earlier this season Credit: X @AVFCOfficial 36 Aston Villa to build Premier League's largest beer hall in 'The Warehouse' Credit: X @AVFCOfficial 36 A mockup image shows what the inside of 'The Warehouse' could look like Credit: X @AVFCOfficial Advertisement Villa Park is one of the Premier League's most iconic football grounds, standing in place since 1897 with its iconic red brick facade. But one issue with having such a long history as a ground is that things start to become outdated. Villa have now announced that they want to modernise their ground, changing the look and feel of the concourse and adding over 7,000 seats to the stadium. The Birmingham club want to breach the 50,000-seat mark, leaving their current 42,660-set offering in the past. Advertisement For Villa, it's not just about getting more bums on seats on a matchday, but also allowing them to be better hosts for the 2028 Euros. Villa Park is one of the host stadia for the tournament and will have a new look for the fans across Europe who come to visit. Mockups of the plans show a new modernised exterior, a brand new North Stand wrapping into the Trinity Stand and a two-story club shop. While there will also be the addition of a new multi-use space called 'The Warehouse' - which will include a new Fan Zone destination. Advertisement Villa plan on putting the Premier League's largest beer hall inside The Warehouse. LEICESTER CITY* Cost : Unknown : Unknown Opening date : Delayed, work to begin 2026 : Delayed, work to begin 2026 Capacity: 40,000 36 Leicester revealed plans to extend the King Power stadium in 2021 Credit: Leicester City Football Club 36 The club hope to increase the capacity to 40,000 Credit: Leicester City Football Club 36 The Foxes have had to delay the plans Credit: Leicester City Football Club Advertisement 36 The proposals also include plans for a hotel and indoor arena Credit: Leicester City Football Club Leicester may not be in the Premier League next season after their relegation this term, but they are strong contenders to bounce straight back up. Their plans for a stadium development of the King Power were announced all the way back in 2021, and have been delayed multiple times. The Foxes announced a project to increase the stadium capacity from 32,261 up to 40,000 - with a major change to the look of the ground too. Advertisement Initial plans showed a bubble-like look on the roof of the ground, a custom-built fanzone, a flasgship superstore and a 220-room hotel and business centre right next to the stadium. While the proposal also detailed a 6,000-capacity multi-purpose arena that would be side by side with the King Power, with plans to host concerts and indoor sporting events. However, the club were supposed to break ground in 2023, with an earliest expected completion date of late 2024. We're now in mid 2025 and no construction has begun, Leicester have been relegated from the Premier League twice and work starting on the ambitious plans have been delayed until at least 2026. Advertisement There is currently no estimate on how much the project could set back the Leicester owners. NOTTINGHAM FOREST Cost : £130million : £130million Opening date : Unknown, work estimated to begin in 2026 : Unknown, work estimated to begin in 2026 Capacity: 42,000 36 Nottingham Forest are set to renovate the City Ground Credit: Rex 36 In 2019, Nottingham Forest produced a computer-generated image of their potential new Peter Taylor Stand 36 Forest added hospitality pods made from shipping containers this season Credit: Alamy Advertisement Nottingham Forest are back in Europe, having secured a Conference League spot with their efforts under Nuno Espirito Santo this season. And the Tricky Trees are looking to make some changes to The City Ground that would make the stadium fit in alongside Europe's elite. The main focus of the project would be to increase the capacity by over 10,000 people to reach the 42,000 mark - a task that could cost around £130million. Forest want to do so by extending he Bridgford Stand and replacing the Peter Taylor Stand with a new two-tiered 10,000-seater structure. Advertisement The club shop and offices sit adjacent to the ground, and are set to be knocked down and replaced by a stunning 19-storey apartment block. This means the club shop will be moved and a museum showcasing the club's two European Cup triumphs will be added. The Reds also want to install solar panels on the Brian Clough Stand to generate their own power for matchdays. There will also be a "pedestrianised plaza" around the new City Ground. Advertisement Owner Evangelos Marinakis has his eye on eventually increasing the capacity to 50,000 should the initial changes prove a success. No date had been put in place for the plans to be completed, but internal documents have suggested work could begin in summer 2026. CRYSTAL PALACE Cost : £150million : £150million Opening date : 2027 : 2027 Capacity: 34,000 36 Crystal Palace are set to build a new main stand Credit: Crystal Palace/MDC 36 Construction work will begin at the end of this season Credit: Crystal Palace FC Advertisement 36 A new away changing room is currently being built Credit: Crystal Palace/MDC Newly crowned FA Cup winners Crystal Palace are yet another club with grand plans of expanding their ground. Selhurst Park currently holds around 26,000 supporters, but proposals have detailed ambitions to boost that to 34,000. The Eagles plan on doing it by building a new Main Stand, with construction set to begin this summer. Advertisement The new Main Stand will hold 13,500 supporters, compared to 5,200 currently housed in the stand that was built in 1924. While artist impressions show it will have a classy glass exterior adorned with a huge Eagle logo. Palace chairman Steve Parish said last summer he wants the club to have "a stadium the whole of South London can be proud of". As well as the new stand, Palace are also building a new club shop, a museum, a cafe, new dressing rooms and a fanpark. Advertisement It's thought that the project will total around £150million with a proposed completion date in 2027. NEWCASTLE UNITED Cost : Up to £3billion : Up to £3billion Opening date : 2031/2032 season : 2031/2032 season Capacity: Estimated at 70,000 Inside Newcastle's £3BILLION new stadium plans with St James' Park project to rival Old Trafford 36 Newcastle are facing a dilemma on whether to expand their iconic ground or find a new home Credit: Getty 36 The iconic stadium currently boasts a capacity of 52,304 Credit: Alamy 36 Advertisement 36 Although no official plans or pictures have been released by Newcastle just yet, the Magpies are planning on either renovating St James' Park or building a brand new stadium as they continue their development under the Saudi Public Investment Fund ownership. A world-class stadium would help Newcastle fit in with the teams they're trying to compete with – in a similar fashion to Tottenham's move to their state-of-the-art ground from White Hart Lane. Staying put would mean a huge redevelopment of the Gallowgate End, while leaving would mean building a brand new home elsewhere. Advertisement COO Brad Miller has promised a 'once-in-a-generation' investment into the redevelopment and that kind of cash will be needed to carry out what would be ambitious plans. The idea of a redevelopment would be to raise the capacity of the ground to around 60-65,000. While the idea of a new ground would mean that Newcastle could host around 70,000 fans, effectively increasing their capacity by almost 18,000 seats - that's more than both Brentford and Bournemouth can fit in their entire stadiums at the moment. The most likely place to move would be into the adjacent Leazes Park, however Newcastle are set to face legal hurdles and heavy resistance from members of the public who want to protect the Grade II listed park. Advertisement As a result their plans would see them use just a small section of the park with the rest of the new ground overlapping with St James' current footprint - plus a new parkland would be created where the current pitch is situated. A redevelopment of the Gallowgate has been mooted to cost anywhere up to £1BILLION, which is a crazy number in comparison to other expansion projects in recent times. Liverpool spent just £80m on their Anfield Road Stand expansion in 2024, and Fulham spent £120m on their Riverside Stand. But that kind of money may seem worth it when you learn that an entirely new stadium has been estimated at a cost of between £2BILLION and £3BILLION. Advertisement Reports have suggested that the club would be targeting the 2031/32 season for a brand new stadium, but would likely see an expansion completed in five years instead of seven.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
New Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air bag rules coming for Spain and Greece
The EU rule, which will apply to UK holidaymakers, will change the law on what you take onto a plane - and how much you pay The European Union is planning a change in the rules on carry-on bags on flights, which would cover planes flying between the UK and countries including Spain, Portugal, Greece, France and Italy. At the minute, some airlines charge passengers for each item they want to take aboard. Different airlines have different rules - meaning the size of the bag you can take aboard and how much it will cost you - is different each time. The new EU rule would set a specific size of bag you would be allowed to take on flights operated by companies like easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air. And the rule would stipulate that the take-on bag would be free, the airline would not be able to charge you extra to take a bag aboard the plane. The rule would change the confusion that see people being charged extra when they get to the airport for bags deemed too big, or too heavy. And people being charged for a bag by one airline but allowed to take it without additional fees by another. EU transport ministers this week proposed standardised sizing for free underseat baggage on EU airlines. It will become law if it is accepted by the European Parliament. The new rule would mean passengers are guaranteed one free personal item, measuring up to 40x30x15cm (including wheels and handles) - or which could reasonably fit under a plane seat. The rules would apply to EU-based airlines, including when they are carrying passengers from a non-EU country like the UK to an EU country and vice-versa. 11 years ago, an EU court ruled that hand baggage should not be subject to an additional fee so long as it is a reasonable size. But the ruling did not define 'reasonable'. Currently, Ryanair allows a free carry-on bag of 40x20x25cm, while easyJet's rules for a free bag are 45x36x20 cm, including wheels and handles. The new rule would cover under-seat bags, but does not currently mention bags you put in overhead lockers. In November, five airlines in Spain were fined £150million for 'abusive practices', including charging for hand luggage. Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry said it planned to ban charging extra for carry-on luggage. Ryanair told the BBC it fully complied with EU law. A spokesman said: "If airlines were forced to include additional carry-on bags as part of the basic fare, it would reduce choice and drive up air fares for all passengers, which would harm consumers." Industry group Airlines For Europe said charging different amounts depending on baggage "allows passengers to choose the exact services that best suits their needs". Travel consumer expert Jane Hawkes, told the BBC: "A one-size-fits-all kind of approach would make it a lot simpler for passengers."
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow bathroom supplies business is now employee-owned
Wetrooms International Group, founded by brothers Brian and Bill Crombie in 2005, employs almost 80 staff, including those working in its Ceiling2Floor branches in Anniesland, Govan, and Kirkintilloch. The Rutherglen-based business has now become Scotland's newest employee-owned company, with the brothers retaining a 26 per cent share in its transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Staff have celebrated being handed a greater stake in the firm's success as the business recorded a 20 per cent increase in turnover during the first quarter of 2025. Read more: Spider-Man 4 filming to take over Glasgow city centre this summer Brian said: "For us, this is about building a legacy for our team, recognising the loyalty of our staff. "Becoming an EOT was the logical step for us to take. "It makes sense for everyone. "Most of our staff have been with us for a long time and we have a great management team. "Becoming an EOT opens opportunities for our people to develop their careers, brings benefits to us and provides a level of comfort and confidence to the staff, suppliers and customers we work with that Bill and I are still here. "It's the ideal fit." Bill said: "The business is in a real period of growth with huge potential to expand significantly over the next five years. "We have the right team in place to achieve that." Trustees from the workforce will oversee the business as part of the new EOT structure. Wetrooms International was guided through the transition to employee ownership by Ownership Associates, with assistance from Reference Point Advisory and legal advice from Lindsays. Read more: Glasgow learning campus set to build 'stronger communities' thanks to grant Matthew McPhee, Anniesland branch manager at Ceiling2Floor, said: "Our transition to an EOT is a really positive step. "While it's business as usual for us and our customers, the change internally gives our management team greater involvement in the business operations, which is really exciting. "I'm looking forward to this new chapter." Nicholas Howie, a Glasgow-based partner in the corporate law team at Lindsays, said: "Brian and Bill's decision to transition to an EOT allows them to continue to play a key role in the future of the business while putting a legal and financial framework in place that creates a long-term legacy for their team. "It's the ideal fit for them." Carole Leslie, Ownership Associates director, said: "It's fantastic to see a growing business such as Wetrooms realise the positive impact of employee ownership, not least allowing the team who have helped deliver its success so far to retain control of its future and share the benefits."
