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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
Dunelm's ‘gorgeous, high quality' coastal design armchair made for snuggling now has 20% off
Dunelm's 'gorgeous, high quality' coastal design armchair made for snuggling now has 20% off Snuggle with a book or relax in front of a movie with this popular, exclusively designed chair for less money Popular Beatrice Folkstone Stripe Snuggle Chair now down in price if you love the coastal vibe of the blue stripe (Image: Dunelm ) When the weather is a bit chilly and you fancy snuggling with a blanket or you're looking for a place to relax in a cosy armchair in a peaceful reading nook, this timeless and tasteful chair from Dunelm is potentially your perfect partner. The Beatrice Folkstone Stripe Snuggle Chair is a hardworking yet super stylish addition to any home, offering a comfortable place for you, you and a pet, or you and a friend - it's versatile as well as good-looking - and now the coastal-inspired blue and cream stripe version has been reduced on Dunelm's website. Called Folkstone Stripe Blue, this choice of chair usually retails for £399 but currently this colourway is reduced by 20% to £319.20. The chair is also available in olive stripe and mulberry stripe, both of these options at this moment are still being sold at the original price of £399. For more home and property content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here READ MORE: 'Gorgeous' bamboo style garden furniture set that 'looks more expensive than it is' reduced by over £100 YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Excellent value for money' patio heater less than £60 on Amazon Described as a 'cult' armchair after it sold out in summer 2024 (Image: Dunelm ) The Dunelm Beatrice chair has a history going back to summer, 2024, when, according to Ideal Home, it 'sold out in a matter of hours' and describes the item as Dunelm's 'cult snuggle chair'. The Beatrice range has also been extended to include a wider, more dominant stripe than the Folkstone version, see it here, that comes in stripes of coral, mushroom, black and olive. The Beatrice snuggle chair is a Dunelm exclusive, designed and developed by the company but there are alternatives out there, including the Hampshire Love Seat in green or natural from Dusk, currently dropped in price from £599 to £349 plus the Westley by Laura Ashley available from Next in a large choice of colours and a variety of patterns priced £1,000. Comes in three colourways but the blue stripe is currently reduced - the other options are olive or mulberry that are full priced (Image: Dunelm ) But many Dunelm customers are sticking with the Beatrice and the reviews reveal why, with one buyer saying, 'This chair is gorgeous. Really high-quality' and another adding, 'Beautiful chair, it is perfect for the space. It is very comfortable and can seat 1 or 2 people. It looks expensive; the material is very thick and good quality'. One buyer states the chair is easy to put together - screwing on the legs - and that they are impressed overall, saying, 'Looks amazing and very easy to put together. Comfy enough to curl up on with a good book'. However, one customer is unhappy that the company didn't offer a matching footstool and so gave the product a one star rating score. The fabric is 60% cotton and 40% polyester (Image: Dunelm ) For some customers the chair looked like an expensive alternative but at a more budget friendly level, with one unable to contain their joy, saying, 'I adore the chair. It's more like a small two seater couch and fits the space allotted like a glove. Can't believe the price. It looks like I spent several hundreds more than I did. I am soooooo, soooosooooo happy right now!!'. The Beatrice Folkstone Stripe Snuggle Chair measurements are 89cm high, 117cm wide and 90cm deep with an arm Height of 61cm. The item's frame is made from plywood, the legs are rubberwood, and the fabric is 60% cotton and 40% polyester, with 'foam and fibre filled cushions 'for a comfortable experience'. The legs, which you attached to the chair yourself, are made of rubberwood (Image: Dunelm ) Article continues below However, not every customer agrees with Dunelm's description on comfort, with one commenting, 'Not as comfortable as it looks - quite hard and material feel a bit on the tough side' but another expressing that, 'it is nice and comfy after a week or so. The only annoying thing is I find I have to plump the back cushion daily'. For more home content, including products, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Full list of Poundland closures this month as 200 stores at risk
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) POUNDLAND will have shut six locations by the end of the month - and hundreds more are at risk of closure. The bargain retailer has pulled the plug on five stores in the last couple of weeks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Last month, its parent company Pepco is said to have hired advisory firm Teneo to oversee the sale of the Poundland brand Credit: Getty This comes after a further 200 loss-making stores were identified as possible closures. 'As announced at the capital markets day on March 6, Pepco Group is moving away from fast-moving consumer goods to create a simpler business focused on higher-margin clothing and general merchandise and is actively exploring separation options for Poundland, including a potential sale, from the group,' a spokesperson for Poundland's parent company Pepco Group said. You can see the full list of closures this month below: Chiswick, High Road – closing May 28 Copdock Mill Interchange Ipswich, closed May 20. St George's Centre, Gravesend – closed last week Clapham Junction Station, London – closed May 2 Belle Vale Shopping Centre, Liverpool – closed May 6 Brackla, Wales – closed May 24 In March, Poundland was forced to shut its Belfast branch after the Connswater Shopping Centre was placed into receivership. The store closed its doors at the end of March, following a major closing-down sale. Back in October, residents of Maidenhead were similarly dismayed when their local Poundland branch closed. This came in addition to other closures, including its Sutton Coldfield store on October 5 and the Macclesfield branch last August, the latter closing due to the inability to secure a new lease agreement. WHAT IS GOING ON AT POUNDLAND? It follows reports that up to 200 stores could close as part of a rescue deal of the brand. Gordon Brothers, the ex-owner of Laura Ashley, has become the frontrunner to takeover the bargain chain, which recently announced a wave of store closures across the UK. Walkthrough Poundland's first £1million store Turnaround Investors were linked with a bid for Poundland. These firms specialise in buying up struggling businesses in the hopes of turning them around. Bidding for the business was expected to start this Tuesday. A source told The Sunday Times that Poundland would be priced at "effectively a pound." Several interested parties are reportedly looking at bidding on the UK budget retailer. Further store closures and job losses would come as a blow to the high street. Polish retail giant Pepco said it expects the sale of Poundland to complete by September. Last month, the parent firm is said have hired advisory firm Teneo to oversee the sale of the UK business. Poundland revenues dropped by 6.5% to 985 million euros (£830 million) for the six months to March, compared with a year earlier.
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Poundland issues update on sale of the business 'as 200 stores could close'
The latest reports on Poundland suggest a number of investment firms and private equity groups are interested in buying the business The owner of Poundland has said it expects the sale of the discount chain to complete by September. In a financial update this week, parent company Pepco Group told investors that the company "continues to actively explore separation options for Poundland business with an exit expected by end of FY25". This indicates that Poundland expects the deal to be done by the end of its current financial year, which closes in September. Reports suggest a number of investment firms and private equity groups are interested in buying the business. Laura Ashley owner Gordon Brothers is supposedly the frontrunner to strike a deal. Last week, the Telegraph reported that up to 200 Poundland stores could face closure as part of a rescue sale. It was revealed this week that Poundland revenues dropped by 6.5% to €985million (£830million) for the six months to March, compared with a year earlier. The brand suffered 'challenges across all categories' and had 18 net store closures over the period. Poundland is now due to deliver earnings of between 0 and €20million (£16.9 million) compared with previous guidance of €50million and €70million. The wider Poland-based Pepco Group saw total revenues grow by 4.3% to €3.34billion (£2.82billion) for the half-year. Stephan Borchert, chief executive of Pepco, said: 'At Poundland, trading remains challenging, which is reflected in a profit outturn below expectations for H1 and a weaker outlook for the full year. 'Barry Williams, who was reappointed as Poundland managing director in March 2025, and his team are actively driving a recovery plan to help turn around the business by refocusing on its traditional core strengths.' Pepco Group first confirmed it was going to sell Poundland in an update this March. The firm had already hired Alix Partners to carry out a strategic review of the brand at the start of this year. A spokesperson from Pepco Group told The Mirror: 'As stated at our capital markets day on March 6, we are actively exploring separation options, including a potential sale, for the Poundland business. We have started to work with advisers to support us with this process.' The company blamed a 'challenging' UK retail landscape, along with changes announced in the Budget, including higher National Insurance contributions for employers and an increase in the minimum wage. Poundland has more than 820 stores and employs more than 16,000 people across the UK, as well as in Ireland, where it is known as Dealz. It comes as Poundland is set to close another two stores. Its branch in Brackla, Wales, will close on May 24, and its Chiswick High Road branch will shut for good on May 28. The discount chain shit its Copdock Mill Interchange site in Ipswich on May 20. This followed its Clapham Poundland branch in London closing on May 2, while its Liverpool Belle Valle shopping centre store closed on May 6, followed by its store in St George's Centre in Gateshead, Kent, which pulled down the shutters on May 8.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I used Wegovy and Mounjaro. One of them saved my life
I've always been overweight, even as a child. Growing up in the 90s and early 2000s, I was surrounded by images of ultra-thin pop stars in low-rise jeans and crop tops. I remember being told, "That kind of outfit isn't for you". At 12, I was dressed more like a 40-year-old librarian than a teenager, thanks to my well-meaning dad shopping in Laura Ashley. The messaging was always the same: being thin meant being desirable, successful, lovable. And because I wasn't, I felt I didn't deserve those things. At sleepovers, friends would swap style magazines, and I'd sit quietly, knowing nothing in them applied to me. I was the 'funny' friend who made people laugh – because that's what you do when you feel invisible. My body image and confidence were already low before I hit my twenties. Then I developed a rare autoimmune condition that attacked my body every time I ovulated. I'd end up in hospital, unable to move from the pain. Eventually, I had a hysterectomy in 2017. But during the surgery, my bowel was perforated, leading to what's called a rectovaginal fistula – an abnormal passage, or opening between the rectum and vagina. I ended up with an ileostomy bag for over a year. I started binge eating for emotional comfort – ordering huge amounts of food, eating in secret, hiding the evidence… I had completely lost myself. It was isolating, distressing and humiliating. I felt unlovable. I'm an actor but I reached a point in my work where I just didn't want to be seen on camera. It was like, can you really call yourself a performer if you're hiding from every opportunity? But I just felt so fat and disgusting, I thought, nobody's going to hire me anyway. I was only being considered for roles where the character had to be overweight. You couldn't just be a person in a larger body living their life. By 2023, I was approaching 16 stone. At 5ft 6in, that gave me a BMI of 36, putting me in the clinically obese range and close to morbid obesity. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically. I remember one evening I couldn't physically pull myself up off the bed without getting into a particular position, and I just thought, 'what are you doing Jade?' I knew I needed help. I needed support. My GP, who has supported me through everything, agreed that I was a good candidate for weight-loss medication, and I started on Wegovy late in 2023, paying around £150 per month – I was told it wasn't available on the NHS at that time, so I went via Boots. The first week felt manageable. But by week two, I was vomiting yellow bile and had severe, uncontrollable diarrhoea. I lost two stone in three months, but I was scared to leave the house. I had multiple accidents in public, including in the back of cabs, and constantly feared losing control. It felt like Russian roulette every day — am I going to fart or am I going to s*** myself? That was my genuine fear leaving the house. It felt like Russian roulette every day — am I going to fart or am I going to s*** myself? That was my genuine fear leaving the house. Hosting events, performing, or even commuting became stressful and unpredictable. I couldn't trust my body. I took a break after three months, hoping to feel normal again. But almost immediately, the withdrawal was horrendous. Soon, the food obsession returned. I was back to bingeing in secret, hiding what I was eating, and obsessing over the next meal. It felt like all the progress I'd made had vanished overnight. In December 2024, I switched to Mounjaro. The experience was completely different. Mounjaro still suppressed my appetite, but without the chaos. I felt calm. There was no nausea, no diarrhoea, and no fear of accidents. The 'food noise' disappeared – the constant mental chatter about what I'd eat next, whether I should binge, or how to make up for it. I started saying things like, 'You don't need to eat that, Jade,' and listening to myself. I could eat a few squares of chocolate and feel done. I could order pizza and freeze the rest instead of inhaling the whole thing in one go. It felt like the first time I had real control without punishing myself. Mounjaro has saved my life — not just physically, but the trajectory my life was headed down because my food addiction was completely out of control. Mounjaro has saved my life — not just physically, but the trajectory my life was headed down because my food addiction was completely out of control. Over six months, I lost more than four stone – going from nearly 16 stone to 11st 7lb. My BMI dropped from 36.2 to 26.2. I still aim to lose another stone or two, but the transformation isn't just physical. For the first time in years, I saw someone in the mirror who didn't make me flinch. I did have side effects with Mounjaro, but they were manageable. A bit of nausea here and there, some constipation – I took sugar-free mints and mild laxatives when needed. Financially, it wasn't cheap. I paid just over £1,000 across six months, but it was worth every penny for me. I wasn't just paying to lose weight. What it gave me wasn't just a smaller body; it was a chance to feel human again. I was investing in my quality of life, in my ability to function, perform, and show up for myself. What it gave me wasn't just a smaller body; it was a chance to feel human again. I started going to SoulCycle – an indoor cycling studio – regularly in early 2024. The classes are dark, with no mirrors and no one watching – just you and the bike. Even when I was still heavier, I kept going. I was often the biggest in the room, but was moving, sweating, and showing up for myself. Now I go three or four times a week. For the first time, exercise isn't punishment. It's a release. It's joy. There's peace now. I still want to lose about two more stone to reach a healthy BMI, but I'm not rushing. I'm acting again. I'm dating. I'm visible. I'm taking up space without shame. The compliments are nice, but what's better is that I trust myself again. I'm not afraid of myself anymore, and that's the biggest change of all. Read more about weight: 8 ways you can manage your child's weight as obesity rates soar in the UK (Yahoo Life, 5-min read) Weight loss jabs sent through the post 'could help 15 million people and boost economic growth' (The Independent, 3-min read) What to know about weight-loss jabs as leading brands tested in head-to-head trial (Yahoo Life, 7-min read)
Metro
18-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Poundland ‘to be sold for £1' with hundreds of stores facing closure
Thousands of jobs could be cut as part of a rescue deal to save Poundland. The high street favourite brand has 850 stores employing more than 16,000 staff across the country. But hundreds of stores may have to be shuttered – regardless of whether a buyer is secured. Poundland's parent company revealed earlier this year it was considering 'all strategic options' to spin out the struggling chain from the wider group as it focuses on its more profitable Pepco brand. Reports suggest the work required to turn things around would lead to a nominal sales price, which would be 'effectively a pound'. Gordon Brothers, the former owner of Laura Ashley, has emerged as a frontrunner to take control of Poundland, a source close to the matter told The Sunday Times. Bids are expected to be made on Tuesday, they added. Among those interested are Modella Capital, which recently bought WH Smith's high street division; Alteri, owner of Bensons for Beds; and Hilco Capital, which owns Lakeland, according to Sky News. Back in January, Pepco said that recent trading at Poundland stores was challenging as the UK retail environment became tougher towards the end of 2024. Poundland revenues slid by 9.3% for the three months to December 31, with like-for-like sales down 7.3%, as it witnessed weaker clothing sales. Sales remained in negative territory over January and February, Pepco said in March. The company said then: 'Poundland is a strong brand that serves millions of customers every week and had around two billion euros (£1.67 billion) in annual turnover in financial year 2024, but it is also operating in an increasingly challenging UK retail landscape that is only intensifying. 'From April 2025, the UK Government's additional tax changes announced in the Budget will also add further pressure to Poundland's cost base. 'Therefore, the board is actively evaluating all strategic options to separate Poundland from group during financial year 2025, including a potential sale.' Retailers have been among the hardest hit by incoming measures announced in last October's Budget to increase national insurance contributions, on top on another hike in the minimum wage. Some 13,000 high street stores shut last year. Big names such as WHSmith, Morrisons, Poundland and NatWest have all lost stores. check our news page.
