Latest news with #MountainWarehouse
Scotsman
a day ago
- General
- Scotsman
Best-value UK festival kit 2025 – tents, torches and more
Our pick of the top 10 UK festival lifesavers for 2025 – from power banks to pop-up tents, all selected for value and practicality. | National World This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. From waterproof speakers to instant-pitch tents, these 10 affordable buys will make your 2025 UK festival experience smoother, cleaner and better equipped. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... If you're heading to a UK festival this summer, chances are you've already seen the price of a pint and mentally prepared yourself for four days of queueing, mud and questionable decisions. But when it comes to your kit, spending smart doesn't have to mean spending big. We've pulled together ten of the most useful, best-value bits of festival gear you can pack – whether it's your first time in a field or you're a veteran of Glasto, Boomtown or Kendal Calling. All are available from trusted UK retailers, and many have been road-tested by festival regulars. Here are our 2025 festival lifesavers – from pop-up tents to wet wipes that won't leave you feeling like you've washed in bin juice. 1. Quechua 2 Second Pop-Up Tent – £139.99 This is the ultimate tent for people who hate pitching tents. It genuinely takes seconds to set up, thanks to its automatic pop-up frame, and folds away into a flat disc that fits easily in a trolley or on your back. It's roomy enough for two or snug for three, ventilated to reduce condensation, and has water-repellent outer fabric to handle light showers. Plus, it's one of the few budget tents that doesn't feel flimsy. 2. Mountain Warehouse Traveller 50 Sleeping Bag – £19.99 When temperatures dip at night, having a proper sleeping bag makes all the difference. This one from Mountain Warehouse is designed for summer use – it's thin, lightweight and folds up small, making it ideal for travel. It comes in bright colours for easy identification and is made with breathable fabric that helps prevent overheating after a day in the sun (or the beer tent). 3. Lifesystems Intensity 300 LED Head Torch – £30 No one wants to be fumbling with a phone torch at 2am while trying to find their way back from the loos. This USB-rechargeable head torch keeps your hands free and throws out up to 300 lumens of clear, wide-angle light. It's water-resistant, compact, and has multiple brightness settings – great for everything from reading in your tent to navigating muddy tracks. 4. Belkin 20,000mAh Portable Power Bank – £22.99 Your phone is your ticket, camera, group chat lifeline and flashlight, so keeping it charged is non-negotiable. This high-capacity Belkin power bank can deliver up to three full charges, with two USB ports and a sleek rose gold finish that makes it easy to spot in your bag. It's robust, compact, and great value for a 20,000mAh model. This no-water-needed wash kit from Pits & Bits is a festival staple – perfect for staying fresh without facing the shower queues. | Superdrug 5. Pits & Bits Filthy Festival Wash Kit – £9.99 Let's be honest: the festival shower is rarely worth the queue. This hygiene kit from Superdrug is a game changer. It includes towel-off body wash, shampoo, and biodegradable wipes in a resealable bag. Designed specifically for festivals, it's light, effective, and lets you stay semi-presentable without braving the communal cubicles. 6. Soltan Kids Once Sunscreen SPF50+ – £13 You'll be out in the sun for hours, often without realising just how strong it is. This long-lasting SPF 50+ cream from Boots is ideal for all skin types, even sensitive. It's water-resistant, easy to apply, and doesn't leave that sticky white residue that clings to your clothes. One application lasts up to eight hours, even with dancing and sweat involved. 7. Peter Storm Packable Waterproof Jacket – £38 Festival weather is unpredictable at best. This lightweight waterproof from Millets folds neatly into its own pouch, making it ideal for throwing into your daypack. It's breathable, fully taped, and comes in a range of colours. The perfect shield from sudden downpours without weighing you down when the sun comes back out. Two campsite essentials: a powerful head torch for hands-free night missions and a waterproof speaker to keep the music going between sets. | National World 8. Eurohike Folding Festival Trolley – £75 You'll thank yourself for this within minutes of arriving. Designed to handle grass, gravel and festival tracks, this sturdy folding trolley makes it easy to lug your tent, backpack, crates and sleeping bag from the car park to your pitch in one go. It collapses flat for storage and even has a handle with a good grip – crucial when you're half-asleep on Monday morning and trying to pack up in a rush. 9. Three Rivers 3-in-1 Seat Cooler – £29 This clever bit of kit is part folding stool, part cooler bag, and part backpack. It's strong enough to support a seated adult, folds up in seconds, and keeps drinks cold for hours. If you don't fancy sitting on damp grass or queuing at overpriced bars all day, this is a very savvy buy. 10. JBL Go 4 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – £39.99 This small but mighty Bluetooth speaker is perfect for campsite hangouts. The new Go 4 model delivers upgraded sound and up to 7 hours of battery life, plus it's waterproof, dustproof and comes in a punchy colour range. Whether you're chilling between sets or hosting a tent party, it's a guaranteed mood-lifter. If you're shopping for festival kit on a budget, it's also worth checking out second-hand listings on Vinted or Facebook Marketplace – especially for one-use items like pop-up tents or camping chairs. Just remember to check everything works before you set off. Butlins just opened its biggest-ever Soft Play – and your kids will go wild Looking for a family getaway that delivers maximum kid-energy burn-off and a bit of peace for the grown-ups? 🎉 Butlins has just opened its biggest-ever Soft Play centre – and it's a whopper. 🧸 Four storeys tall, 3,000 square feet wide, and filled with colourful themed zones inspired by the Skyline Gang – it's all included in the price of your day pass or break. 👟 Ready to dive in? Click here to let the little ones loose 🌈
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Best-value UK festival kit 2025 – tents, torches and more
Our pick of the top 10 UK festival lifesavers for 2025 – from power banks to pop-up tents, all selected for value and practicality. | National World This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. From waterproof speakers to instant-pitch tents, these 10 affordable buys will make your 2025 UK festival experience smoother, cleaner and better equipped. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... If you're heading to a UK festival this summer, chances are you've already seen the price of a pint and mentally prepared yourself for four days of queueing, mud and questionable decisions. But when it comes to your kit, spending smart doesn't have to mean spending big. We've pulled together ten of the most useful, best-value bits of festival gear you can pack – whether it's your first time in a field or you're a veteran of Glasto, Boomtown or Kendal Calling. All are available from trusted UK retailers, and many have been road-tested by festival regulars. Here are our 2025 festival lifesavers – from pop-up tents to wet wipes that won't leave you feeling like you've washed in bin juice. 1. Quechua 2 Second Pop-Up Tent – £139.99 This is the ultimate tent for people who hate pitching tents. It genuinely takes seconds to set up, thanks to its automatic pop-up frame, and folds away into a flat disc that fits easily in a trolley or on your back. It's roomy enough for two or snug for three, ventilated to reduce condensation, and has water-repellent outer fabric to handle light showers. Plus, it's one of the few budget tents that doesn't feel flimsy. 2. Mountain Warehouse Traveller 50 Sleeping Bag – £19.99 When temperatures dip at night, having a proper sleeping bag makes all the difference. This one from Mountain Warehouse is designed for summer use – it's thin, lightweight and folds up small, making it ideal for travel. It comes in bright colours for easy identification and is made with breathable fabric that helps prevent overheating after a day in the sun (or the beer tent). 3. Lifesystems Intensity 300 LED Head Torch – £30 No one wants to be fumbling with a phone torch at 2am while trying to find their way back from the loos. This USB-rechargeable head torch keeps your hands free and throws out up to 300 lumens of clear, wide-angle light. It's water-resistant, compact, and has multiple brightness settings – great for everything from reading in your tent to navigating muddy tracks. 4. Belkin 20,000mAh Portable Power Bank – £22.99 Your phone is your ticket, camera, group chat lifeline and flashlight, so keeping it charged is non-negotiable. This high-capacity Belkin power bank can deliver up to three full charges, with two USB ports and a sleek rose gold finish that makes it easy to spot in your bag. It's robust, compact, and great value for a 20,000mAh model. This no-water-needed wash kit from Pits & Bits is a festival staple – perfect for staying fresh without facing the shower queues. | Superdrug 5. Pits & Bits Filthy Festival Wash Kit – £9.99 Let's be honest: the festival shower is rarely worth the queue. This hygiene kit from Superdrug is a game changer. It includes towel-off body wash, shampoo, and biodegradable wipes in a resealable bag. Designed specifically for festivals, it's light, effective, and lets you stay semi-presentable without braving the communal cubicles. 6. Soltan Kids Once Sunscreen SPF50+ – £13 You'll be out in the sun for hours, often without realising just how strong it is. This long-lasting SPF 50+ cream from Boots is ideal for all skin types, even sensitive. It's water-resistant, easy to apply, and doesn't leave that sticky white residue that clings to your clothes. One application lasts up to eight hours, even with dancing and sweat involved. 7. Peter Storm Packable Waterproof Jacket – £38 Festival weather is unpredictable at best. This lightweight waterproof from Millets folds neatly into its own pouch, making it ideal for throwing into your daypack. It's breathable, fully taped, and comes in a range of colours. The perfect shield from sudden downpours without weighing you down when the sun comes back out. Two campsite essentials: a powerful head torch for hands-free night missions and a waterproof speaker to keep the music going between sets. | National World 8. Eurohike Folding Festival Trolley – £75 You'll thank yourself for this within minutes of arriving. Designed to handle grass, gravel and festival tracks, this sturdy folding trolley makes it easy to lug your tent, backpack, crates and sleeping bag from the car park to your pitch in one go. It collapses flat for storage and even has a handle with a good grip – crucial when you're half-asleep on Monday morning and trying to pack up in a rush. 9. Three Rivers 3-in-1 Seat Cooler – £29 This clever bit of kit is part folding stool, part cooler bag, and part backpack. It's strong enough to support a seated adult, folds up in seconds, and keeps drinks cold for hours. If you don't fancy sitting on damp grass or queuing at overpriced bars all day, this is a very savvy buy. 10. JBL Go 4 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – £39.99 This small but mighty Bluetooth speaker is perfect for campsite hangouts. The new Go 4 model delivers upgraded sound and up to 7 hours of battery life, plus it's waterproof, dustproof and comes in a punchy colour range. Whether you're chilling between sets or hosting a tent party, it's a guaranteed mood-lifter. If you're shopping for festival kit on a budget, it's also worth checking out second-hand listings on Vinted or Facebook Marketplace – especially for one-use items like pop-up tents or camping chairs. Just remember to check everything works before you set off. Butlins just opened its biggest-ever Soft Play – and your kids will go wild Looking for a family getaway that delivers maximum kid-energy burn-off and a bit of peace for the grown-ups? 🎉 Butlins has just opened its biggest-ever Soft Play centre – and it's a whopper. 🧸 Four storeys tall, 3,000 square feet wide, and filled with colourful themed zones inspired by the Skyline Gang – it's all included in the price of your day pass or break.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
High street retailer with 263 stores to shut shop in weeks – and it's launched HUGE closing down sale
It's not the only store closing this month SHUTTERS DOWN High street retailer with 263 stores to shut shop in weeks – and it's launched HUGE closing down sale Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR high street name is pulling the plug on one of its stores in just two weeks. It's already slashing prices by up to 70% to clear the shelves. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Mountain Warehouse has confirmed the closure of its London Street branch Credit: Alamy Outdoor clothing and gear giant Mountain Warehouse has confirmed its Norwich branch on London Street will shut for good, marking the end of over a year of speculation surrounding its future. The store said its last day of trading will be on June 15, meaning shoppers have just under two weeks to visit the shop. The writing has reportedly been on the wall since October last year, when 'Closing Down' signs first appeared in the windows. But months dragged on with no firm date in sight until now. Shoppers can now cash in on huge savings as the store kicks off a massive clearance sale ahead of the final day of trading. Any leftover stock will be sent to other stores, including the nearby Haymarket branch, which is staying open. The closure comes almost two years after Mountain Warehouse opened the much larger Haymarket site, just one street away. At the time, bosses insisted both would continue trading, but locals say they always expected the smaller shop to get the axe. Posting on Facebook, one Norwich shopper said: 'It was only a matter of time – you can't have two stores that close together and expect them both to survive.' Another added: 'Sad to see it go, but I guess Haymarket makes more sense. Still going to miss it.' Popular retailer to RETURN 13 years after collapsing into administration and shutting 236 stores It's not the only Mountain Warehouse site to shut its doors. Previously the retailer closed stores in Isle of Wight, Gainsborough, Basingstoke and Swindon. The news comes as Britain's high streets face another wave of store shutdowns, with several big-name chains reviewing their property portfolios. Retailers have been hammered by rising rent, energy bills, and staffing costs, especially after government Budget changes hiked employer National Insurance contributions. With footfall down in many city centres, brands are being forced to rethink expansion plans, trim their store counts, or shift focus to retail parks and online. Here is a full list of the shops we know are shutting in June 2025. They include, but aren't limited to, The Original Factory Shop, Poundland, and The Works. However, store closures don't always mean doom and gloom. Businesses often shut one branch in favour of another nearby that's pulling in more trade, which is exactly what appears to have happened in Norwich. Mountain Warehouse has been approached for comment.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
High street retailer with 263 stores to shut shop in weeks – and it's launched HUGE closing down sale
A MAJOR high street name is pulling the plug on one of its stores in just two weeks. It's already slashing prices by up to 70% to clear the shelves. 1 Outdoor clothing and gear giant Mountain Warehouse has confirmed its Norwich branch on London Street will shut for good, marking the end of over a year of speculation surrounding its future. The store said its last day of trading will be on June 15, meaning shoppers have just under two weeks to visit the shop. The writing has reportedly been on the wall since October last year, when 'Closing Down' signs first appeared in the windows. But months dragged on with no firm date in sight until now. Shoppers can now cash in on huge savings as the store kicks off a massive clearance sale ahead of the final day of trading. Any leftover stock will be sent to other stores, including the nearby Haymarket branch, which is staying open. The closure comes almost two years after Mountain Warehouse opened the much larger Haymarket site, just one street away. At the time, bosses insisted both would continue trading, but locals say they always expected the smaller shop to get the axe. Posting on Facebook, one Norwich shopper said: 'It was only a matter of time – you can't have two stores that close together and expect them both to survive.' Another added: 'Sad to see it go, but I guess Haymarket makes more sense. Still going to miss it.' Popular retailer to RETURN 13 years after collapsing into administration and shutting 236 stores It's not the only Mountain Warehouse site to shut its doors. Previously the retailer closed stores in Isle of Wight, Gainsborough, Basingstoke and Swindon. The news comes as Britain's high streets face another wave of store shutdowns, with several big-name chains reviewing their property portfolios. Retailers have been hammered by rising rent, energy bills, and staffing costs, especially after government Budget changes hiked employer National Insurance contributions. With footfall down in many city centres, brands are being forced to rethink expansion plans, trim their store counts, or shift focus to retail parks and online. Here is a full list of the shops we know are shutting in June 2025. They include, but aren't limited to, The Original Factory Shop, Poundland, and The Works. However, store closures don't always mean doom and gloom. Businesses often shut one branch in favour of another nearby that's pulling in more trade, which is exactly what appears to have happened in Norwich. Mountain Warehouse has been approached for comment. RETAIL PAIN IN 2025 The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April. A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024. Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Six-person family tent with built-in tunnel 'withstands heavy winds'
Six-person family tent with built-in tunnel 'withstands heavy winds' - on sale The Pro Action spacious tent has three sleeping rooms and two windows This large tent is ideal for family camping trips and is on sale (Image: Argos ) Many families, especially those who love the great outdoors, go on camping trips during the summer holidays. Wales has plenty of idyllic camping destinations, including adventurous spots in Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. Going on a camping trip can be cheaper than an overseas holiday, especially for larger families, but buying the equipment required can be costly. However, Argos has reduced the price of a large tent, which has high ratings and more than 300 customer reviews. The Pro Action tent sleeps up to six people and has a built-in tunnel connecting each of the rooms. It's on sale for £86.25, knocked down from £115. The red, six-person tent has a mosquito net, a separate groundsheet and also comes with the tent pegs and guy ropes needed to assemble and secure it. The family-size tent has three rooms, two windows and three lantern hanging points. Pro Action says it takes two people to assemble. READ MORE: IBS sufferers say new daily sachets have 'completely changed' their lives READ MORE: 'Easy to pitch' family tent now less than £70 at retailer cheaper than Amazon Elsewhere, shoppers looking for a four-person tent can buy an Amazon Basics tent for £57.70, down from £67.77. It has a removable rainfly and an interior mesh storage pocket. Amazon is also selling a camping cookware kit (£35.99) that comes complete with a pot, frying pan, a little kettle, stainless steel cups and plates, and utensils. The Amazon Basics tent also comes in a six-person option for £89.95. Meanwhile, Mountain Warehouse has a significant reduction on its Holiday 6-Man Tent, now £159.99 from £259.99. The blue tent has three large sleeping areas and a spacious standing-height socialising area. It is designed with a familiar dome-style shape, ventilation, flysheet doors, and a small PVC window. Argos launches offer on six-person tent £115 £86.25 Argos Buy Now on Argos Product Description Pro Action 6-Person tent The Pro Action six-person tent from Argos has an overall customer satisfaction rating of 4.5 and 246 five-star reviews. One buyer said: "I bought it for a friend, and they say it is really steady. It doesn't let any water in and withstands heavy winds—absolutely amazing. He rated it a 10 for him and his family and says it's a very cheap way to spend a holiday." A second customer said it was too hot inside, writing: "Good value for money, however, there's no sealed floor or bug net on the middle room and the smaller rooms attract too much heat in the day and can get damp." A third commented: "I am very impressed with this tent. Good value for money, easy to assemble and very comfy once done. Spacious and strong. We enjoyed our camping, thank you so much." Article continues below A fourth Argos buyer wrote: "This is a great family starter tent. Spacious and plenty of seating space in the middle for those damp days. I did a solo test pitch in my garden, which took me just under 15 minutes. One recommendation I have is that you would possibly want to upgrade your pegs." A fifth buyer concluded: "I bought this in August for a camping trip and couldn't be happier. The tent was easy to assemble and was comfortable and spacious."
