Latest news with #George's

Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
I've lived in Florida for over 25 years. These 6 small towns probably aren't on your radar — but should be
Mount Dora feels like a storybook escape. If you love small towns with character, Mount Dora is a dream destination. This Central Florida gem, located about 40 minutes north of Orlando, is known for its antique shops and beautiful waterfront views. Take a scenic boat tour, browse the charming boutiques downtown, or grab a bite at one of the many locally owned restaurants. In my opinion, the town also hosts some of the best festivals in the state, like the Mount Dora Arts Festival and the annual Christmas Light Festival, which transforms the entire downtown area into a sparkling, magical wonderland. Cedar Key is the perfect spot for a quiet getaway. If you're looking for a quiet, unspoiled coastal getaway, Cedar Key is a great option. In my opinion, this tiny island town on Florida's Gulf Coast is like a smaller, less touristy version of Key West. Colorful stilt houses line the waterfront, many restaurants offer fresh seafood, and the sunsets are unreal. There isn't much in the way of nightlife or attractions, but in my opinion, that's part of the charm. It is a place to relax, kayak through mangroves, and soak in the simple beauty of Florida's Nature Coast. Alys Beach feels like a Mediterranean destination. Alys Beach feels like a slice of the Mediterranean on Florida's Gulf Coast. With its unique white architecture and upscale luxury vibes, this coastal town looks like it belongs in Europe instead of Florida. Located on scenic County Road 30A on Florida's panhandle, Alys Beach known for its upscale boutiques, great restaurants, and an exclusive, peaceful atmosphere. I recommend strolling through the town and grabbing dinner at George's. Afterward, head to the top deck for a drink with beautiful views. Seaside is a stunning beach town on the panhandle. Seaside offers a nostalgic, small-town feel filled with charm and beautiful beaches. Famous for being the filming location for "The Truman Show," Seaside is a picture-perfect beach town along the Florida panhandle. With its pastel-colored homes, white picket fences, and town center filled with food trucks and local shops, it's a great spot for a getaway. Tarpon Springs is full of Greek culture. Known for its Greek culture and sponge-diving industry, Tarpon Springs is an experience unlike any other in Florida. Located just north of Clearwater, this town is a must-visit for foodies. Enjoy authentic Greek food along the sponge docks, learn about the town's history, and explore unique shops selling natural sea sponges and Mediterranean imports. I recommend taking a boat tour to see the sponge divers in action. Fernandina Beach has so much to offer. Located on Amelia Island in Northeast Florida, Fernandina Beach is a small town with a blend of history, beautiful beaches, and a lively downtown area. It's also known as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry, so the seafood here always tastes fresh. The town's historic district features 19th-century architecture, charming little stores, and great restaurants.


Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
St George's Day beers and where in the UK is offering free pints for 24 hours
Pubs across the UK will be offering a free pint to punters over the next 24 hours on St George's Day for those people who celebrate England's legendary patron saint today Millions of Englishmen and women will be celebrating St George's Day in a way that would surely make England's patron saint proud - by going to the pub. And in news that will bring joy to the nation, free pints being offered to punters. Proper Pubs, an award-winning community operator and division of Admiral Taverns, announced that it would be offering a free pint in all of its pubs in England. The operator has more than 200 pubs overall across England, Scotland and Wales. In order to take advantage of the free offer, punters will need to log onto the WiFi in one of the group's pubs in England and they could find a voucher for a free pint of John Smiths. Proper Pubs announced there would be 2,000 free pints that would be handed our at participating pubs today. Proper Pubs managing director Mark Brooke told The Mirror: "St George's Day is a brilliant opportunity to bring people together and celebrate all that's great communities across England." He added: "Our pubs sit at the heart of these communities and it's moments like this that show how important they are, acting as welcoming social hubs that bring local communities to life. "We're delighted to mark the occasion in true Proper Pubs style, offering customers the chance to enjoy a free pint of John Smiths and we look forward to welcoming everyone in to celebrate with us." The move is part of England's celebration of its patron saint. St George's Day celebrates the legend of the early Christian martyr who, according to church tradition, was a soldier in the Roman army and was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his faith. Legends also tell of how he killed a dragon that was extorting tribute from villagers. While St George's Day will be celebrated today by millions of people in England, the Church of England has put back its own celebrations to Monday, April 28 in a break from tradition. There have previously been calls for St George's Day to be made into a bank holiday, a cause championed by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. And Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced his concerns about the far-right claiming ownership of the St George's flag during a reception at Downing Street to mark England's patron Saint. On Tuesday, Sir Keir praised England and its diversity. He added: "While this is a day for celebration, we cannot be under any illusions that there is a never-ending fight for our flag and what it represents. "I'll put it this way, when I was standing in the old Wembley in 1996 – not many people sat down that day, it felt like that whole tournament embodied the best of our country. Yet now – there are people trying to sow division in our communities, people taking the red and white of our flag, like the bunting downstairs, with them, as they throw bricks at businesses."
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ryan Giggs suffers huge setback as business venture folds unexpectedly
Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs' restaurant, George's Dining Room and Bar, has been forced to shut down with immediate effect after amassing debts of £563,600. The business, co-founded by Giggs and his school friends Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor, was formally liquidated earlier this month. Employees of George's were blindsided by the abrupt shutdown, with many expecting to work their usual shifts. Text messages sent to staff announced that the business had 'no alternative but to close George's effective immediately,' citing a decline in trade, rising operational costs, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. A former staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, described the situation as a complete surprise. 'It came totally out of the blue,' they said. 'We were all supposed to be working today, then we got the text messages through. We are all stunned.' Workers were informed they would receive outstanding wages and redundancy payments 'in due course.' The collapse of George's comes at a challenging time for the UK hospitality sector. Rising business costs, including the recent increase in minimum wage and national insurance contributions, have put significant pressure on restaurants and pubs. Giggs and his former United teammate Gary Neville have been active in the hospitality industry, with varying levels of success. The duo launched the GG Hospitality Group, which operates Hotel Football near Old Trafford and the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre. Their London-based restaurant, Café Football, located near West Ham United's Olympic Stadium, shut down in 2019 after customers criticised it for being overpriced. Giggs and his childhood friends opened George's Dining Room and Bar with aspirations of turning Worsley into a 'foodie destination.' At the time of its launch, Giggs expressed excitement about creating something special in his hometown. 'We've known each other for 30 years and always said it would be great to do something like this together,' he said. The restaurant was well-received in its early years and attracted high-profile guests, including Giggs' former United teammates Bryan Robson, Nicky Butt, and Neville. However, despite its initial success, it ultimately succumbed to the financial pressures plaguing many establishments in the hospitality sector. Follow us on Bluesky: @
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Domino's' 'best ever' pizza has fans obsessed – but there's one big 'problem'
Fans of Domino's are desperate to try a viral new pizza flavour dubbed the "best ever" but many can't - several key ingredients aren't available on UK menus. Pizza remains an incredibly popular choice for food lovers, and chains like Domino's enjoy a steadfast following throughout the nation, boasting more than 1,200 Domino's outlets in the UK. Tracing its origins back to Naples between the 16th and mid-18th centuries, the modern pizza we adore today evolved from similar flatbreads. The inviting trio of tomato sauce, cheese, and varied toppings on bread has proved to be a popular, lasting recipe that has captured the hearts and taste buds of countless diners worldwide. READ MORE: 'I went to the UK's best artisan bakery - this is what I got for £30 before it all sold out' READ MORE: Owners respond to complaints after closure of Ryan Giggs' Worsley restaurant George's While many have their favourite top picks for pizza toppings, the adventure of trying new combos is part of what makes pizza such a beloved, enduring dish. Unfortunately for UK fans, a viral Domino's creation featured online is only available in the US, leaving many of them frustrated. TikTok creator Sarah Margaret, known for her dedication to exploring viral food sensations, caused a stir when she reviewed the Domino's pizza online. The social media influencer, who shares content under the handle @sarahmargareteats, has cultivated a devoted audience keen to hear her culinary judgement. In the popular video, she ordered the much talked-about Domino's pizza and enthused over it, branding it the "best" she's ever tasted from the franchise, much to the delight of her sizable following of 245,000. Addressing her audience directly, she said: "Let's try the viral Domino's pizza order I've been seeing all over my page - and yes, this is the best pizza order I've ever had from Domino's." It's not a standard menu item at Domino's but rather a customised creation. Sarah detailed the ordering process: "Okay, here's how you're going to want to order it. "Start by ordering a handmade pan pizza, you're going to want to get extra garlic parmesan sauce, extra cheddar cheese blend, Philly steak and bacon, and that's it. Actually amazing." She urged her followers to "run and try" the pizza "immediately", but unfortunately for UK fans, these specific ingredients aren't available options. This revelation led to a wave of disappointment among British viewers, who voiced their frustrations in the comments section. One user lamented: "Anyone else heartbroken they can't order most of the ingredients on this pizza (uk)". Another hopeful pizza fan simply asked: "Is it in the UK"? And another disgruntled commenter tagged Domino's UK, criticising the limited offerings: "Someone tag Dominos UK here. Overpriced rubbish we get". One person even joked about hopping on a flight to America just so they could try the pizza. However, a Domino's employee offered a different perspective, sharing: "I work at Domino's and we all hate making the pizza lol glad you guys like it, boost week was a pain".
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Real excitement' as GAIL's finally opens in Prestwich following controversial start
It's 10am and by first assumptions, the arrival of GAIL's in Prestwich this morning (Friday, February 7) has gone without much fanfare. There's no queues outside, there's little noise on the streets and people are easy to idly pass by without even a second glance. But inside, it's a very different story. Each table is packed out and as soon as one is cleared, another is immediately snapped up by families, co-workers and even Prestwich's mayor as they all enjoy a freshly brewed coffee and a pastry. Taking over the former NatWest bank on Bury New Road, the arrival of the artisan chain - its first north Manchester bakery - has not been without its controversy. Independent businesses owners feared it would impact on local trade, and then there was the whole awkward blunder of forgetting the T in Prestwich. READ MORE: Owners respond to complaints after closure of Ryan Giggs' Worsley restaurant George's READ MORE: 'After 11 years, we're unfortunately joining the independent businesses calling it a day' But it's a new day, it's a new year and, however you look at it, Prestwich now has a GAIL's. But there's certainly an electric atmosphere within the café with croissants - savoury or sweet - as well as cakes, sandwiches, salads and iced coffees all being scooped up just as quickly as the tables. 'I didn't imagine it'd be this busy,' one worker tells a woman in line. 'We're almost running out of food,' she jokes before a chef arrives with a huge tray full of freshly-baked almond croissants ready to restock the counter. The new site has been given a light and breezy aesthetic, expanding out its former bank layout but retaining its original 4.5m high ceilings. Taking inspiration from the 'diverse economic and architectural elements which characterise the surrounding areas', there are many nods to the town's weaving manufacturing history. Using a 'simple' palette, the space also features steel cladding, scaffolding poles and task lights to further pay into the industrial roots of Prestwich and its significance in the Victorian era. 'I think it looks brilliant,' local resident Rebecca Hughes tells the M.E.N as she waits in line to order a mid-morning treat for herself and her mum. 'I really love what they've done with the place, they've really opened it out.' She adds: 'It just fell into convenience that we're here on the first day, but we are both very excited to have a GAIL's here in Prestwich. There is a lot of hope around here that it will bring more people to the area which will also help the other amazing businesses here. I think it's great for Prestwich.' On the menu side of things, there is much to recognise and enjoy if you have ever been to GAIL's before. The morning rotation includes cinnamon buns, cheese straws, sausage rolls and ham and cheese croissants, whilst lunchtime service includes focaccia sandwiches, parmesan chicken buns, beetroot, lentil and goat's cheese salad pots, and a very delightful and comforting chicken, tarragon and ham pie slice. There's also flourless chocolate cakes, cookies, the very decadent sea salt caramel, banana and pecan cake, and Soho buns - a type of small cream-filled delight laced with dark chocolate. There's, of course, plenty of coffee as well as matcha, tea, and juices to drink up too. In addition to its in-store options, which can be ordered to dine-in or take-out, there's also a mini shop featuring loaf cakes, cheese biscuits, crackers, jams, honey and coffee all packaged up and ready to be bought to take home too. The chain, which first started life in London in the early 1990s, is now part of more than 140 different neighbourhoods across the UK, including sites in the city centre, Altrincham, Didsbury and Wilmslow. The proof will be in the pudding as to how GAIL's manages to fit into the diverse and lively neighbourhood of Prestwich, but its first open morning is already a strong indication that residents are prepared to welcome it in. GAIL's is on 463 Bury New Road, Prestwich, M25 1AB.