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Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Daily Record
Scotland's best places to retire named as 'beautiful' destination tops list
One retirement hotspot was praised for its museums and cafés. Scotland's "best places to retire" have been named. Two destinations have been singled out as top locations to settle down for retirees. When deciding on a place to retire, there are many things to think about. Affordability, the abundance of green space, and the number of cafés and restaurants are among the factors to consider. Travel experts at Rest Less have shared a list of "14 of the best places to retire in the UK". They considered factors such as property prices, crime rates, amenities, and entertainment when putting together their list. Coming in at number one for Scotland is Edinburgh. The Scottish capital also placed at number 11 on the UK-wide list. Rest Less praised Edinburgh for its many historic sites and museums. Among the top attractions in the city for those with an interest in history are Edinburgh Castle and The Real Mary King's Close. The experts also described the Scottish capital as a top destination for food. As well as multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, the city has a wealth of beloved and hidden-gem eateries around every corner. However, Rest Less noted that property in the city is significantly more expensive when compared to elsewhere in Scotland. According to the experts, the average price of a house in Edinburgh is £338,307. Rest Less commented: "This beautiful and cosmopolitan town has plenty going for it, with dozens of historic sites, museums, and attractions—not to mention hundreds of cafes and pubs! The Edinburgh Fringe is also the world's biggest arts festival, and there's always something creative going on here." Meanwhile, the other Scottish destination to be featured on the list of the top places to retire is Glasgow. Scotland's largest city came in at number 13 on the overall list. Rest Less singled out Glasgow for being a more affordable alternative to Edinburgh when it comes to property. The average house price in the city was found to be £229,959. Glasgow was also noted for its central location. Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, and more are all easily reached by rail and bus. The experts described the city as a "national hub of culture". It is home to the Scottish Opera, the Scottish Ballet, the National Theatre of Scotland, and more. Glasgow is also a top destination for golf enthusiasts according to Rest Less. The city features approximately 90 golf courses in a 30-minute radius. The experts stated: "Though Glasgow traditionally had a reputation for being rather gritty, these days it's a national hub of culture. Home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, and National Theatre of Scotland, if you like attending a good show, you'll be spoilt for choice. "Glasgow also has an unusually high number of golf courses, with around 90 within an hour of the city." Elsewhere, topping the overall list as the best place to retire in the UK is Plymouth. The experts praised the English city for its seaside cafés and restaurants and historic pubs. See below for the full list of the 14 best places to retire in the UK. More information about each one can be found on the Rest Less website. 14 of the best places to retire in the UK Plymouth York Swansea Sussex Cornwall Belfast The Lake District Norfolk Bristol Cardiff Edinburgh Newcastle-upon-Tyne Glasgow Lincolnshire
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Top places to retire in Scotland revealed as two locations named among best in UK
The research looks at a number of factors including affordability and entertainment LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN Top places to retire in Scotland revealed as two locations named among best in UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO locations in Scotland have been recognised as some of the best places for retiring pensioners, according to new data. The over-50s members' site, Rest Less, investigated which destinations are best suited for an ageing population. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Glasgow is one of the best places to retire according to new data Credit: Getty 3 Edinburgh was also ranked on the list Credit: Getty The research, conducted by the estate agent comparison site analysed areas with the highest proportion of retirement properties for sale, as well as the ratio of homes sold to available stock. Various factors were considered, including property prices, crime rates, amenities, and entertainment options. Out of the entire UK, Glasgow and Edinburgh were the only Scottish cities featured in the top 14 list compiled by the website. Edinburgh ranked eleventh overall across the UK for retirees. The Scottish capital has consistently been regarded as one of the most desirable retirement locations in the country and even secured the top spot in 2019. Both cities in Scotland's central belt were commended for their cultural significance. With dozens of historic sites, museums, and attractions, as well as the world's largest arts festival, "cosmopolitan" Edinburgh has plenty for those looking to be kept busy in their golden era. But "attractive points" meant house prices in Auld Reekie are way higher than the Scottish average, at around £338,307. Glasgow was celebrated as a cheaper alternative, coming in number 13 on the top list. The city is home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, with plenty to see and do for the older generation. Scottish State Pensioners to Receive Winter Fuel Payment Boost in 2025 Last year, Glasgow was named one of the best cities to retire to because of "key factors" like its cost of living and the amenities on offer. But punters were warned that Glasgow is the "least peaceful" of all the major cities listed. Instead, villages were also recommended to retire to, like Bishopton, Bridge of Weir, Lochwinnoch, or Houston - all within an hour of Scotland's largest city. Elsewhere, topping the overall UK-wide list as the number one city to retire is Plymouth in England's south Devon coast. Here, you'll find harbour side cafes and restaurants, historic pubs, with 50 parks and churches, and plenty of cinemas and sports clubs. York, Swansea and Sussex also got a mention in the top five.
The Guardian
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘Still some fuel in the tank': the perks and perils of launching a business after 60
Kari Johnston felt ready to retire after 45 years in nursing when, at 63 years old, she decided to launch her own business – a professional decluttering and organising service. She had read about decluttering and, fascinated, quickly created a website and advertised. Her first clients were friends. Three-and-a-half years later, Johnston, from St Monans in Fife, is now fully retired from nursing, and feels delighted with the success of her new venture. 'It's something I really enjoy doing,' she said. 'I charge £30 an hour, with most jobs lasting at least four hours. I can fit my working sessions around my life, walking our dog, caring for our granddaughter, going on holiday and visiting family.' Johnston was among the Britons who shared with the Guardian why they had set up their own businesses after passing the big 60. The number of self-employed individuals aged 60 and older hit a record 991,432 in 2023, according to analysis of Office for National Statistics data by the digital community Rest Less, and 35% of new businesses in the UK are now started by people aged 50 and above, according to Enterprise Nation. Many respondents said they had launched their own businesses to pursue creative passions or a better lifestyle, often after decades in unsatisfactory or highly stressful employment. Others said they had simply seen no other option after either becoming too frail for regular employment or having been unable to find work close to state retirement age, with several complaining of age discrimination. While many said they had to keep working to stay financially afloat, others said it had been their choice to stay active and seek fulfilment through entrepreneurship. Johnston was among various people who said that spending more time with people was a main motivator in setting up shop at an age when many of their peers were readying themselves to exit the workforce. 'I like meeting the varied people who contact me for help,' she said. 'I thought decluttering would feel completely different to nursing, but I actually provide some kind of therapy. It's never about the teacups, it's about how people feel about their stuff. 'Some have hoarding tendencies, but you need to care, not judge. I possibly get more satisfaction from what I do now than I did from nursing.' Geoff Carss, 63, from Wedmore, Somerset, initially trained as a geologist and had worked in software engineering and corporate sales. One of his big passions, however, has always been biodiversity. Dismayed over increasing biodiversity loss, but also a general lack of accuracy in reports on the topic, Carss began to think about better ways of measuring levels of biodiversity around the world. 'It had to be easy to use, it had to work anywhere, and be scalable,' he said. In 2022, after much research, Carss decided to launch a tech company and, with the help of his business partner, Lorenzo Trojan, developed a way to use sound and AI to measure biodiversity. 'The aim is to provide land managers, ecologists, nature-based NGOs and others with a better understanding of the impact they are having on biodiversity by automatically analysing vast quantities of audio captured by mini recorders. An AI checks the recording every three seconds and then identifies what has made a sound – a robin, say.' Interest in his venture, Wilder Sensing, Carss said, had been 'huge', and the company is now in the process of hiring additional software engineers and business developers. 'This has been a revelation to me, I've never done anything like this before. It's been deeply satisfying to set up and lead a tech startup aged over 60. It's crazy, but good crazy. Just wonderful, and deeply purpose-driven.' A desire to be creative pushed Sibylle Hyde, 62, from west London, to launch her own business after retiring from teaching economics last year. 'I am a qualified upholsterer – I had taken classes since the 1990s. Since I enjoy making curtains, blinds, and upholstery, as well as cycling, I thought: 'Why don't I become a cycling curtain-maker?'' Hyde set up her local curtain-making business in May, dropped some leaflets in her neighbourhood and made a website. 'I have a garage and a small workshop at home, and I've only spent around £1,200 so far on tools: a trailer for my bike, and some Ikea table tops I clip together for very long curtains,' she said. 'It's picking up slowly, thanks to recommendations and some repeat business. I've been having around £250 worth of business a week, enough for now. But if possible, I will 100% expand and hire staff.' Despite the long hours it takes to make custom Roman blinds from scratch, Hyde is very happy with her new venture. 'You need to be careful that the work doesn't impact your health, but for me, it's perfect, I love it. Cycling keeps me fit, and I like creative problem solving. 'I'm too young for going from 100 to zero. I'll do this for as long as I'll be able to, and am thinking of offering upholstery workshops for kids.' Doing something useful in retirement also motivated Andrew Hall, 70, from Hexham, Northumberland, when his laboratory research career at Newcastle University ended in 2016. 'I had been exploring the reasons why some children with cancer become resistant to treatment,' he said. 'When I retired from the university I felt I still had some fuel in the tank and wanted to provide patients with rare forms of cancer the option of being linked up with academic research groups and pharmaceutical companies with new ideas that may help with their treatment..' Originally conceived as a charity, Hall decided that it would be better to fund his service by charging companies to find patients for clinical trials. With three colleagues and financial support from family, friends and angel investors, Hall launched his company, RareCan, in 2020. Today, the platform provides a free trial matching service for nearly 2,000 registered patients, who are found with targeted advertising on social media and Google, and by working with charities. Setting up shop so late in life has been 'fascinating', Hall said. 'This work is full-time, though more flexible than a nine to five job. I feel very motivated and I am, at long last, working to my own agenda.' After a decades-long career as an IT systems specialist, Kath, now 64, had had enough of the corporate rat race. In 2022, she moved from Yorkshire to Blairgowrie, Perthshire, where she established a sourdough bakery in her own home to help pay the bills. 'Since they changed the state pension age I have no choice but to keep working and need something which fits around my six-year-old twins [at time of interview] and their home education. Bread making is flexible, I decide when I make it, and get up at five o'clock to bake, to get it to the local shop at nine o'clock.' Lacking capital and support for older people starting a business, Kath has been unable to rent business premises. 'The grants are aimed at younger people, and up here in Scotland nobody is providing small workshop spaces. 'Without bigger ovens, working at scale is very difficult. I bake about 70 to 80 loaves a week, and am selling them for £4 each. If I make a few hundred pounds a month, I'm doing well, which is the difference between surviving and not surviving.' Despite enjoying bread-making, working in a physical job is taking its toll, Kath said. 'It's a constant struggle, but on the flip side you don't get bullied by bosses and colleagues. 'I'd always wanted to be a baker and it's very satisfying work, but I do this primarily to bridge the time until state pension age. 'You're not allowed to stop, and so the oldies, many of us are having second lives.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zero-hours contracts: What are they as research shows an increase in over-50s on them?
More than 300,000 workers over the age of 50 are employed on zero-hours contracts, according to new research. An analysis of official figures by campaign group Rest Less found that the total number had increased from 190,000 a decade ago. It said people aged 50 or over make up 26% of the entire zero-hour contract workforce. Combined, the under-25s and over-50s make up 66% of the total zero-hour contracts workforce, it added. Stuart Lewis, chief executive of Rest Less, said: 'Ahead of significant proposed changes to the structure of zero-hours contracts, our analysis paints a picture of the growing prevalence of insecure work amongst older workers. 'The fact that we've seen a 58% increase in over-50s on zero-hour contracts over the past decade reflects both the changing nature of work and the increasing pressure on older workers to accept less secure employment arrangements. 'We know that for some, zero-hour contracts can offer highly flexible working arrangements that enable people to fit work around other life commitments. For others, they are the only option available to older workers who can find themselves shut out of standard employment opportunities due to age discrimination." He said they were concerned that some older workers currently on zero-hours contracts could be at risk of unintended consequences from the policy change, adding: 'We are concerned that some employers will stop offering zero-hours contracts entirely which could make it more difficult for older workers to find flexible work in the future, potentially forcing them into other shadow employment arrangements with even less protection.' The government website says: "Zero-hours contracts are also known as casual contracts. Zero-hours contracts are usually for 'piece work' or 'on call' work, for example for interpreters." It adds that this means workers are "on call when you need them", that you "do not have to give them work", and that they "do not have to do work when asked". The Acas website says zero-hours contracts can be: "a flexible option for both employers and workers", adding, "For example, if the work is not constant or is 'as and when'." The general understanding is that an employer doesn't have to provide minimum working hours, but equally the employee doesn't have to take work offered if they don't want to. Acas gives examples as bank work in the NHS, care work, delivery driving, gig economy work, hospitality work and warehouse work. Zero-hours workers are entitled to statutory annual leave and the National Minimum Wage in the same way as regular workers, the government website says. Employers can't stop an zero-hours worker from getting work elsewhere, and workers can ignore a clause in their contract if it bans them from looking for work or accepting work from another employer. Campaigners are concerned that zero-hours contracts offer little job security or guaranteed income, predictable income, leading to difficulty accessing benefits and other impacts on the worker's personal life. The system is thought by many to create a power imbalance, with workers feeling pressured to accept shifts amid fear of losing them in the future, and the potential for employers to exploit workers. The government's Employment Rights Bill proposes changes to zero-hours contracts that are hoped to make them fairer, including guaranteed hours, notice perios and compensation if shifts are cancelled or changed at short notice. The bill was published in October 2024 but may not come into effect until 2026 or later. In the wake of the report from Rest Less, a Bus and Trade Department spokesperson said: 'Our Employment Rights Bill will ensure workers can have flexibility that suits them as well as their employer by giving people the right to a guaranteed hours contract. Those who want to remain on their current arrangement can do so. 'These measures are not about restricting choice, they are seeking to end exploitative zero-hour contracts. We are committed to ending one-sided flexibility to ensure workers who want to have more predictability are able to.'
