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BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Lincoln Beer Festival downsizes amid shift in drinking habits
A city's beer festival has moved to a smaller venue blaming falling attendances and a major shift in drinking Lincoln Beer Festival has relocated to Southside, a former church on Colegrave Street, for its 43rd year and will run from Thursday until Mark Richards said the change reflected the shift in drinking behaviours, with people going out earlier and fewer younger people socialising since the pandemic."The younger generations in their 20s aren't really going out late at night so there is a lack of footfall in pubs and venues throughout the country in that," he said. The three-day event, offering beers, real ales and alcohol-free options, was previously held at The Drill on Free School Richards said it was "a great shame to leave" but said the festival had to "adjust" to changes in society."We've had to make the decision [to change venues] because our footfall reduced as a result of that," he said. Michael Thurlby, who owns three pubs in Stamford, had also noticed a change in people's drinking habits. "We've had to adapt the hours and the style of our businesses to offer what people want today and not what they wanted 20 years ago," he pub landlord added people were opting for a healthier living by going out earlier with family and drinking more alcohol-free believed attitudes shifted as a result of the 2007 smoking ban and the coronavirus pandemic. The BBC spoke to members of the public about their drinking habits. Bowen Jones, 19, was sat in a pub with a pint of apple juice. He said: "I've never drank, I just don't like the taste of alcohol."Mr Jones said he went out the night before until 04:00 BST, did not drink alcohol, then drove home. "People don't go to the pub so much like my parents used to do," he Jones' friend, Oliver De'ath, 18, said he only drinks on special occasions."I don't really see the enjoyment in it. Sometimes we go out for food instead, I go to the gym. I think it is more socially acceptable [not to drink]," Mr De'ath said. By starting at noon and offering alcohol-free options, organisers hoped to reflect changing drinking event, sponsored by Lincoln CAMRA, will run until 23:00 BST on Thursday and Friday and until 21:00 BST on Saturday. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Business Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Grand Banks Yachts Q3 profit falls 42.4% to S$2.3 million on weaker margins, higher costs
[SINGAPORE] Grand Banks Yachts posted a 42.4 per cent drop in net profit to S$2.3 million for the third quarter ended Mar 31, from about S$4.0 million in the corresponding quarter in the year before. This decline came mainly from its having sold more lower-margin trade-in boats, along with higher costs from product enhancements, the mainboard-listed luxury recreational motor yacht manufacturer said in a regulatory filing on Monday (May 19). The company's net profit for the first nine months of FY2025 dropped 9.7 per cent to $9.9 million, from S$10.9 million in the same period last year. Revenue for the third quarter rose 37.8 per cent to S$40.1 million, from S$29.1 million the year before. For the first nine months of FY2025, revenue grew by 14 per cent to S$107.3 million, up from S$94.1 million recorded in the same period last year. Grand Banks attributed this growth to an increase in boat-building activity. Grand Banks secured 11 new boat orders in the latest quarter, comprising seven build-to-order units, two trade-ins, one pre-owned vessel, and one stock boat. This brings total orders for the first nine months of FY2025 to 26. Its net order book stood at S$119.5 million as at end-March, up 8.8 per cent from S$109.8 million at end-December 2024. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Grand Banks said its balance sheet remains healthy, with cash on hand rising 24.2 per cent to S$51.4 million as at Mar 31, up from S$41.4 million at end-December last year. Looking ahead, Grand Banks said it is monitoring the implications of the reciprocal tariffs from the US, and its potential impact on business. Notwithstanding the current geopolitical and economic challenges, Basil Chan, chairman of Grand Banks, said the company continues to implement growth initiatives and invest for the longer term; he expressed confidence that it can deliver long-term shareholder value. For instance, to capitalise on the growing demand for its boats, Grand Banks unveiled a new composite manufacturing facility in Pasir Gudang in Johor in March to support the construction of larger, sleeker, and more energy-efficient yachts, and to cut waiting time for its customers. Grand Banks has also proposed acquiring two properties in Newport, Rhode Island – a premier US boating destination and its largest market – to enhance customer experience and bolster the company's sales and after-sales capabilities in the US' north-east. An extraordinary general meeting will be held in June to seek shareholders' approval for these acquistions. Grand Bank's chief executive officer Mark Richards added that these investments 'will lay the groundwork to meet future demand'. Shares of Grand Bank Yachts closed 6.5 per cent or S$0.035 lower at S$0.50 on Monday.
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
One man and his inspirational guide dog are highlight of West Lothian annual fundraising event
Make Every Cuppa Count was held at Chain Runner in Livingston A fundraising event for a Guide Dogs group in West Lothian featured a fantastic demonstration on the outstanding abilities of the canine companions. Guide Dogs West Lothian Fundraising Group held its now annual a coffee morning on Friday, April 11 at Chain Runner in Livingston as part of their annual Make Every Cuppa Count event. Guide Dogs Staff, volunteers, and guests had a lovely morning with the highlight being the demonstration by Events Demonstration Team Leader Mark Richards and his dog Laney. Mark and Laney are part of a team who help deliver a programme of creative demonstrations that engage and inspire audiences across the UK. The Events Demonstration Team attend flagship and high profile events such as Crufts, Goodwood and National Corporate partners days. The coffee morning was held to raise vital funds for training dogs and also provide a better understanding of the services available to people with a visual impairment. Chris Collier, group coordinator of Guide Dogs West Lothian Fundraising Group, said: 'We had guests interested in becoming puppy raisers as well as volunteering. It was a lovely, sunny occasion and thanks to our supporters we raised £242.26. 'Our thanks to everyone who came along, and to manager Steven and staff at the Chain Runner for their continual support. If you would like further information on our services, or how you can offer support, then please go to '.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hickory dad plans to pay for son's college education with lottery win
A father from Catawba County says he will use the money he won in the North Carolina Education Lottery to pay for his son's college tuition. Mark Richards of Hickory won $320,722 in the Cash 5 jackpot. He bought his lucky $1 Quick Pick ticket from Total Convenience Market on U.S. 70 SW. 'This is very good timing for us,' Richards told lottery officials. 'It's funny, I actually stopped at a store I've never been to before.' Woman wins $250K lottery prize, celebrates at local gas station Richards described winning as surreal. 'This is important for our family,' he said. 'I guess it's just one of those things that can happen at any time.' Richards claimed his winnings at lottery headquarters on Wednesday and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $230,119. VIDEO: 'Like winning the lottery': You may have money just sitting there with your name on it
