Latest news with #LauraMcGuire
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major pub and restaurant chain with over 200 sites suddenly closes branch in shopping centre
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. LAST ORDERS Major pub and restaurant chain with over 200 sites suddenly closes branch in shopping centre Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR pub and restaurant chain has closed one of its branches in a blow to loyal locals. The Harvester restaurant in Bristol wrapped up business this week - with the chain claiming its closure is to 'make way for something new and exciting'. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 A popular Harvester restaurant in Bristol shut its doors on Sunday Credit: Google Maps 3 The restaurant was Bradley Stoke's Willow Brook Centre Credit: Alamy Situated in Bradley Stoke's Willow Brook Centre, the restaurant served locals for years. The team announced in a post on Facebook last Sunday: "Today we close our doors for the last time at Harvester Willow Brook. "It's a sad day for all the team involved. "We would like to thank all team, guests, friends and family for their support this week and always." One diner commented: "Thank you team Harvester for serving Bradley Stoke and surrounds over the years. "I hope you have all found jobs to go to." Another person wrote: "Good luck to all the team for the future. It is a sad day. Love to you all." One user wrote: "Hopefully it's made into a Spoons instead." The Harvester website displays a message which reads: "This restaurant is now closed. "We have now closed our doors as a Harvester restaurant to make way for something new and exciting. You can find your nearest Harvester by using our Find a Harvester page." It is not yet known what will replace the restaurant. Major UK pub chain announces sweeping closures & job losses What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans It comes as a beloved bar chain with more than 30 locations in the UK announced it closed one of its shopping centre venues after nine years of trading. The Cosy Club at Ipswich's Buttermarket Shopping Centre announced it made the "very difficult decision" to close its doors on May 31. Managing Director Lucy Knowles revealed it was no longer "financially viable" for the popular restaurant to stay open. "We're very disappointed that, after nine years trading, we have taken the very difficult decision to close Cosy Club Ipswich," Lucy said. She added: "This is only the second Cosy Club we've ever closed but, unfortunately, it wasn't financially viable for us to continue trading there. "We would like to thank all of our team for their spirit, professionalism, and hard work and all our fabulous customers for their support over the years." Despite the closure, food lovers in Ipswich can still dine at Loungers - which operates Cosy Club - after confirming that Marinero Lounger is still set to open. The new bar and restaurant will open on July 2 at the Waterfront, in the former Burton and Sons warehouse.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I visited a little-known supermarket where you can buy McDonald's and M&S surplus stock but it costs HALF the price
I got £30 worth of groceries for under £10 - see all the pictures of items you can buy from my visit to the shop CHECK IT OUT I visited a little-known supermarket where you can buy McDonald's and M&S surplus stock but it costs HALF the price Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EVERYONE is feeling the pinch at the supermarket checkout - but there's one retailer that is helping shoppers with bargain prices. I got nearly £30 worth of food for just £10 when I visited The Company Shop branch in Southampton. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 The Sun's Laura McGuire visited Southampton's Company Shop to see how much she could save on her grocery shop 9 The till was loaded with loads of pricey branded goods - including McCains oven chips and a posh M&S pork loin - but the total came in at under a £10 9 Company Shop is packed with loads of popular treats like Twix bars - but they are packaged differently and often sold in bulk Credit: Solent 9 Company Shop stocks well known brands customers are familiar with such as Heniz Beanz Credit: Solent The retailer, which has 13 branches around the UK, has gone viral on TikTok for selling food from big name brands like Tesco, M&S, Asda and even McDonald's at mega cheap prices. The retailer buys up surplus stock - from well-known suppliers - that would otherwise be going to waste and sell it back to shoppers at a low price. Sometimes, products may also be sold in damaged packaging or broken slightly but the goods are completely safe to eat. Customers need to register for a free membership card to get inside the store and spend. To qualify, you need to be claiming means tested benefits - such as Pension Credit - or work in sectors such as the NHS or fire brigade. Locations include shops in Grimsby, Bradford, St Helens and Corby. The first thing I saw as I headed into the shop was a row of shelves stocking popular seasoning kits and sauces made by Tesco and Sainsbury's. These are a staple in my house, so you can imagine my joy when I spotted a Tesco Thai Style Red Curry Rice Bake Flavour Kit for 95p. These typically cost £1.85, so that is a saving of 90p. I made a weeks worth of sandwiches for just 30p - my hack means I have my lunch sorted whenever I need it, people think it's revolting but it saves me money I was impressed with all the meat on offer, even though I'm a veggie, I know how expensive adding protein to your shopping bill can be and I spotted loads of offers. A giant 2.27kg smoked catering bacon was scanning for £9, when I have seen it priced for £16 elsewhere. A litre of Yeo Valley milk normally costs over £2 but at Company shop it cost just 80p. The fruit and veg aisle was also stacked with fresh produce and M&S bread was available to buy for just 40p. What I bought when I visited The Company Shop HERE's what I bought versus how much they would've cost at my local supermarket: McCain's Home Chips Straight £2 instead of £4.30 Clementine 600g - £0.50 instead of £1.34 Mini Watermelon - £0.50 instead of £2.30 Gü Cookies N Cream Dessert - £1.75 instead of £3.75 M&S Pepper Crust Pork - £2.75 instead of £5 M&S Petit Pois and Carrots - £0.75 instead of £3.50 M&S New Potatoes Vegetables - £0.35 instead of £3.20 Yorkie Original 3x46 - £0.75 instead of £2.25 Custard Creams 600g - £0.50 instead of 65p Total saving: £16.44 TASTY TREATS No grocery shop is complete without adding a few sweet treats to your basket, so I was very eager to see what Company Shop had to offer. My eyes were immediately drawn to the massive 600g bags of orange flavoured Kit Kat's scanning for just £2. The Nestle chocolate is not in the typical red packaging you expect, but instead clear plastic bags. COMPANY SHOP LOCATIONS Bradford Corby Darlington Dudley Grimsby Leicester Long Eaton Middleton Renfrew Southampton Washington Wentworth (Barnsley) That's because a few in the package may be broken, but the snack is still completely safe to eat. You can't deny the saving too. Typically, a 160g multipack of the bars cost £2.20. But here, you get an extra 440g of food for 20p less. MCDONALD'S FREEZER FOOD Heading over the freezer aisle, I was so impressed to see McCains Home Cut chips scanning for just £2. These were once a favourite of mine, but the price has rocketed to over £4 at my local supermarket so I have steered clear of the crispy delight for a while. But there was one thing on my mind as I approached the frozen section of the store. Prior to my visit to Company Shop I heard rumours stores sold huge bags of frozen McDonald's food, like chips, nuggets and even the limited edition McRib. So I knew I needed to check for myself and see if it was true. To my surprise, I found a massive 1kg bag of Garlic Cheese bites for just £5. Sparks food at a budget price By Laura McGuire JANE WATTS, 67, is a retired NHS worker who has been shopping at the branch since it opened back in 2021. She tells The Sun she likes to visit the store about two or three times a week and finds it a great place to nab cheap washing powder and soap. One of her favourite shops is M&S and she finds the store is a great place to find Sparks food at a budget price. It is not only Jane who has been making a saving, over 13,000 people in the area have a membership with Company Shop. Better yet, the stores across the promises to sell food for at least 50% off what you would pay in store. The delicious side has not been on Maccie's menu for months so it was a surprise to see. McDonald's began its relationship with The Company Shop during the pandemic and gives food that would be going to waste to the retailer. In the past, customers have even spotted rare limited edition menu items in the stores long after it had been pulled from the fast food chain. That includes the famous McRib patties which were being sold for £2.50 per 1kg. If you live nearby a Company Shop and you're eligible to join, it seems like a no-brainer. But the only thing I worried about was whether I'd have enough freezer and cupboard space to stash items on a regular basis. Most of the produce is sold in bulk - but you could split it with a friend if you were worried about not having enough storage. The Sun has been told there are no current plans to open more Company Shops in the coming months. But the group also runs a sister organisation known as Community Shop, which run a further 14 locations across the UK. These stores are exclusively for people claiming means tested benefits and offers the chance to buy a grocery shop for a third of the price. Unlike, the Company Shop it also offers other services such as training and personal development and cafe serving discounted meals for the community. 9 A big bag of Kit Kat orange chocolate, some of the pieces may be broken but the treat tastes the same Credit: Solent 9 Yeo Valley milk scanning for 80p, a product that costs £1.95 at Waitrose Credit: Solent 9 Expect to see fancy meats - like this Morrisons slow cooked pork belly - in the chilled aisle. Credit: Solent 9 McDonald's gives food that would otherwise be going to waste to Company Shop, giving customers a chance to find frozen goodies from the Golden Arches Credit: Solent 9 Plenty of posh M&S grub to be found in the frozen aisle, including these Yorkshire Puddings for half off Credit: Solent
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Award-winning restaurant shuts with NO explanation in heart of seaside town leaving customers ‘absolutely gutted'
AN AWARD-WINNING restaurant has suddenly closed its doors after giving no prior notice. The luxury eatery first opened up in 2020 and quickly earned very prestigious accolade. Advertisement 3 The restaurant served a wide variety of Greek food Credit: Getty 3 The Proper Greek in Cornwall had served customers for just over five years Credit: Tripadvisor 3 The restaurant had opened up at the Bird in Hand Pub Credit: Google The Proper Greek was based in Hayle, Cornwall, and has most recently opened up in The Bird in Hand pub. It was a major hit with diners, who flocked to the Greek restaurant and gave it a 4.8 score on TripAdvisor. However, the restaurant - which had won an award for the best Greek food in Cornwall - suddenly closed without warning on May 20. In an update to fans on Facebook, a spokesperson thanked its customers for their support. Advertisement The post read: 'We are sorry to announce that Proper Greek is now closed and won't be opening again. This was a hard decision that was not taken lightly. 'All of us at Proper Greek would like to thank Nick S Reynolds and the Bird in Hand for hosting us for the last few years. We had some really good times over there and shared lovely moments with all of you. 'We would also like to thank all our lovely customers for supporting us. We would not have achieved the Best Greek Food in Cornwall award without you. 'It has been a hell of a ride! Advertisement 'Proper Greek out.' Underneath the post, one devastated fan commented: 'Oh no!!! Why are so many pubs and bars closing? 'What about one last blast and we can have a Greek party. All your lovely customers to give you a big send off. 'Absolutely gutted!! Advertisement 'All the best for the future guys. You will be greatly missed. 'Yamas!!!!' What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans. Another wished them luck for the future by posting: 'sorry to hear this - i hope your family is well and that there is something wonderful in store for you all.' The spokesperson replied to the outpouring of love from fans - in a comment underneath the post. Advertisement The comment read: 'thank you all for your lovely messages. it means a lot' Proper Greek's closure comes after a devastating year for restaurants on the high street. Many Michelin-starred restaurants have been forced to close as the price of renting soars and inflation grows. Some restaurants blamed the Chancellor's decision to raise national insurance contributions for employers, but Rachel Reeves has said that her actions were necessary to stabilise the economy she had inherited. Advertisement The economy grew by 0.7 per cent between January and March, as investment in the UK soared due to anxieties over Trump's tariff war. Other eateries, like La Goccia in Covent Garden, instead blamed 'covid' and 'Brexit' - saying that both events had made it more difficult to hire qualified staff.
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Unique pub closes after just two years as devastated owner says they are shutting venue with ‘heavy hearts'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN AWARD-WINNING pub has been forced to close after opening its doors just two years ago. The luxury eatery was voted as the best pub in the Midlands and even were finalists for the best Desi grill of the year 2024. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Emerald Pub in Nottingham is closing its doors after just two years Credit: Google Maps 2 The Emerald served a range of delicious Indian meals The Emerald in Nottingham offered a huge range of Indian dishes and had become a thriving community hub. The pub doubled as a sports bar, attracting both hungry diners and football fans - in what the owners have described as a 'cultural space' and a 'labour of love'. However, after being open for just two years, The Emerald has been forced to shut its doors for good. The eatery has battled with soaring costs, as well as crushing internal pressures. Announcing its closure on Facebook, The Emerald issued a lengthy and emotional post in which it thanked its loyal fan base. A spokesperson for the pub said: 'The Emerald was always more than just a pub—it was an Indian pub, a cultural space, and a labour of love that aimed to bring something different to our community. 'We will forever hold dear the memories, the celebrations, and the friendships that were forged within its walls. 'Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your unwavering support. It has meant everything to us.' Fans flooded the comment section of the post, sharing their incredible stories and experiences from their trips to the pub. One Facebook user wrote: 'Very saddned to hear this and we always loved Emerald, it was more like home for us and will be missed. Why are so many pubs and bars closing? 'Thank you for all the lovely food and memories we have created at Emerald specially watching cricket and more importantly India winning the world cup. 'All the very best team Emerald for future!!' Another shared: 'Such sad news always made me and my family very welcome thank you for what you have tried to do.' However, in its Facebook post, The Emerald detailed internal pressures which had contributed to its closure - which is scheduled to take place on May 31. A spokesperson for the pub detailed how the departure of a business partner had created 'emotional, financial and operational" strain which affected the 'day-to-day running of the pub'. What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans. The spokesperson also pointed to soaring costs as a major factor behind the closure of the pub. They wrote: 'Rising costs—including a significant increase in barrel prices, rent, and business rates—have placed a substantial financial burden on us, ultimately making the business unsustainable. 'Although we explored the possibility of selling the business to enable someone else to carry on what we began, we were unable to move forward due to conditions and restrictions that were beyond our control. 'More broadly, the current economic climate and policy environment have created immense pressures for small businesses, making it increasingly difficult for independent establishments like ours to survive.' Many other businesses have faced closure, just like The Emerald. Some businesses have laid the blame at the door of Rachel Reeves - arguing that her decision to increase National Insurance contributions and minimum wage have raised the cost of running a business. However, The Chancellor has argued that her decisions were necessary to stabilise the economy that she inherited from the Conservatives. In April 2025, the economy grew by 0.5% though Labour have said that they want to go even further with boosting economic growth. Other businesses, including the luxury restaurant La Goccia, have blamed 'Covid' and 'Brexit' for leading to their closure. The business told the Telegraph that they were unable to 'recruit people with the right experience and skills' after Britain left the EU.
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major bar & restaurant chain to shut its first ever branch in heart of seaside resort after more than 50 years
Customers described the service as 'faultless' and the food as 'impeccable' SEA YOU LATER Major bar & restaurant chain to shut its first ever branch in heart of seaside resort after more than 50 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR restaurant chain is set to shut its first ever branch in the heart of a seaside resort after more than 50 years. The firm is known for its classically British menu with seasonal creations, afternoon teas, and traditional roasts on Sundays. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The popular restaurant opened in 1973 and was the company's first branch Credit: ALAMY Browns Bar and Brasserie on Duke Street has confirmed it will be closing its Brighton branch. The restaurant, nestled in the heart of The Lanes, was the first of Browns' fleet to open over 50 years ago. A closure date is yet to be confirmed. However, customers are unable to book beyond May 10 on the company's website. On TripAdvisor, the manager of the restaurant confirmed the closure, saying: "Yes, it's sad news for all of our team and guests. "The closure affects only the Brighton branch, the rest of our branches across the UK are operating as usual." Now, the chain has 26 venues across the country including in London, Bristol, and Cambridge. When Browns first opened it claimed to have been the pioneer of casual dining. The restaurant is open all day from breakfast through to dinner. In 2013, the restaurant celebrated its 40th anniversary, throwing a big birthday party complete with a giant birthday cake supplied by Choccywoccydoodah. Beloved Italian restaurant chain abruptly closes 4 locations after going bankrupt for third time and fans 'so sad' They also launched an anniversary book which looked back at the restaurant's history and shared anecdotes from past and present staff and guests. Browns Brighton has earned some gleaming Google reviews over the years. One person said: "Had a lovely brunch today at Browns. It never disappoints and we've been there quite a few times." Followed by a second: "Had a fabulous Christmas Day lunch at Brown's Brighton. "The team were welcoming and spot on in terms of helping with every part of the meal and drinks. "Great wines, canapés, starters, mains and dessert." Meanwhile, a third said: "This was a beautiful night out for my little sisters birthday. What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans. "The service was faultless and the food was impeccable. Will definitely be returning! "Have always loved Browns, first time in the Brighton one. "Nice atmosphere and great service, special mention to Aleksandra who was very attentive and shared my partners belief that 'desserts are not for sharing.'" Browns has been approached for comment on the closure.
