Latest news with #SimonRoberts
Telegraph
01-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
How to fix the Eden Project – and Cornwall
From days out with the family to music concerts, the Eden Project has served as a hub of fond memories for Telegraph readers. However, on Tuesday, Greg Dickinson reported on how the Eden Project, Cornwall's flagship tourist attraction, is fighting for survival 25 years after first opening its doors. In January 2025, the Eden Project culled a fifth of its workforce due to declining visitor numbers and rising costs. With the horticultural project facing its biggest challenges to date, readers have outlined the changes they think are needed in order to keep its doors open. Many also highlighted how Cornwall has struggled with wider tourism issues since the pandemic. From reducing entry fees to ending the war on holidaymakers, here's your manifesto on how to fix tourism to the Eden Project and Cornwall. 'Reduce the entry price' General tickets to the Eden Project cost £38 when purchased online, increasing to £42 when bought on the door. These tickets grant a visitor access for an entire year, but readers still feel that the price does not justify the experience. While reader Simon Roberts believes that the project is 'a brilliant concept perfectly executed,' he believes that the cost is 'a big outlay'. He says: 'I appreciate that you can visit as many times as you want for a year, but it's off-putting and the reality is that most will visit during their holidays and won't be back in the area for some time. 'Reduce the entrance prices to get people in and then try and upsell optional food, gifts and items to people once there.' Chris Jeans, who holidays in Cornwall every year, asserts: 'Not enough consideration is given to non-locals.' Instead, Mr Jeans suggests offering 'a 10 per cent reduction in price for each subsequent visit'. 'That way, even after many visits and therefore a low admission, the Eden Project would still make money out of a visit through its shops, restaurants and enthusiastic regulars.' Likewise, Stephen Jakeman doesn't view year-long tickets as 'much use when you live over 100 miles away'. Mr Jakeman calls upon the project to 'have the bottle to drop prices considerably for a day visit'. Andrew Brown argues that the project is not 'value for money'. He says: 'Drop the entrance fee while increasing the plants available to purchase but from a separate on-site location, prioritising the main location for more creative sales opportunities.' 'Make the site worth coming back to see again' Reader Catherine Guild recently visited the project for the second time after first going around five years ago and felt dejected when seeing 'nothing had changed'. She believes the slashing of the project's workforce in January has affected its appearance and could deter others from revisiting. 'It looked unkempt, which annoyed me given the amount of cash they took for the experience,' she shares. Another repeat visitor is Helen Brown who went as a child over 20 years ago and again as an adult in 2021. Despite the vast amount of time between visits, Ms. Brown shares her shock to see some of the material from her first visit still on display. She says: 'A lot of the information boards outside were original and sun-bleached. There was a lot of inside space that had no exhibits and was empty. Apart from the biomes, there is nothing to see there.' In offering a solution, Ms. Brown suggests the project should 'look at how they can maximise their estate and make more of the site worth coming back to see again'. In a similar vein, one-time visitor Ann Stokell says that while she admires the original idea for the project, she feels that 'there is no investment and planning for the future'. 'During Covid, the Cornish ripped off people terribly' Meanwhile, other readers discuss what they deem to be the poor treatment of visitors to Cornwall. The post-pandemic influx of holidaymakers and second homers pushed up prices for residents, fomenting resentment. Reader George Williams lives in Devon and believes that the rising costs of hotels in Devon and Cornwall during and after Covid may have deterred tourists from returning to the area. He says: 'Our local pub was charging over £250 a night for a room and they wonder why people who visited did not come back?' He adds: 'The Cornish ripped off people terribly when they could not go abroad. They now know it is much cheaper to go abroad and much quicker if you live in London.' Dominic Evans, a regular visitor to Cornwall, supports this belief by stating that if 'accommodation was more reasonable, money would be available for attractions,' such as the Eden Project. Reader Richard Watson urges 'the Cornish powers that be' to call for an end to their 'war' on holiday let and second-home owners, thereby encouraging people to visit the area. 'Cornwall is seriously out of the way for most in the UK' Other readers explained that tempting tourists back to the area – and the project – could prove difficult purely based on its location and poor accessibility. Due to Cornwall being 'seriously out of the way for most in the UK,' one reader renders the concept of an annual pass to the Eden Project as useless. He says: 'I disagree with this broad viewpoint of the annual pass meaning you can come in as many times as you want for the rest of the year. Realistically the chance of coming in many times is nonsensical.' Another reader, Peter Wakeman, suggests that 'poor' road links into Cornwall could also be another reason people are deterred from visiting the area. He argues that journeys are turned into 'marathon treks for the relatively short distances involved' and that this is an issue which affects much of the West Country. Reader David Lee believes that Britain should 'put customers first for once by improving the country's infrastructure in order to prevent the country from grinding to a standstill'.
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Sainsbury's issues major update on closure of patisserie and hot food counters after shutting 61 in-store cafes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SAINSBURY'S has issued a major update on the closure of all remaining patisserie, hot food and pizza counters in its larger stores. One of the UK's biggest supermarkets has shut the counters as part of a major shake-up of its store estate. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Sainsbury's has closed a number of patisserie and hot food counters in larger stores Credit: Getty It is not clear when the pizza counters closed while is understood the patisserie and hot food counters shuttered last month. It comes after Sainsbury's said they would close "by early summer" in its financial results published last month. The most popular items previously sold at the patisserie and pizza counters are being moved to shelves elsewhere in stores. It means shoppers will still be able to get hold of certain bakery items while new self-service bread slicing machines are being phased in. A Sainsbury's insider previously said the freed-up counter spaces would be replaced with areas selling gluten-free and dairy-free produce. The closures come as part of a wide-ranging update of Sainsbury's' store estate which also saw 61 in-store cafes shut on April 11. The cafe spaces are likely to be replaced with restaurants run by franchises such as Starbucks and Gourmet Burger Kitchen. The supermarket said its hybrid cafe and food halls were becoming popular among shoppers. Sainsbury's first announced the store overhaul in January, as it revealed 3,000 head office staff would also lose their jobs in a senior team shake-up. At the time, chief executive Simon Roberts said the changes would "ensure we continue to drive forward our momentum". It is not clear when the 3,000 staff will lose their jobs, with the cohort making up around 20% of senior management roles. Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains The major update at the start of the year came after Sainsbury's toasted its "biggest ever" Christmas trading period. But the supermarket is also trying to cut costs by £1 billion-a-year, and last year it cut about 1,500 roles. In late 2024, the company said tax increases from the October Budget would add an extra £140million to costs. Last month, employer National Insurance contributions were hiked from 13.8% to 15% and the threshold at which they are paid lowered from £9,100 to £5,000. All 61 cafes shut by Sainsbury's Fosse Park Pontypridd Rustington Scarborough Penzance Denton Wrexham Longwater Ely Pontllanfraith Emersons Green Nantwich Pinhoe Road Pepper Hill - Northfleet Marshall Lake Rhyl Lincoln Bridgemead Larkfield Whitchurch Bargates Sedlescombe Road Barnstaple Dewsbury Kings Lynn Hardwick Truro Warren Heath Godalming Hereford Chichester Bognor Regis Newport Talbot Heath Rugby Cannock Leek Winterstoke Road Hazel Grove Morecambe Darlington Monks Cross Marsh Mills Springfield Durham Bamber Bridge Weedon Road Hempstead Valley Hedge End Bury St Edmunds Thanet Westwood Cross Stanway Castle Point Isle of Wight Keighley Swadlincote Leicester North Wakefield Marsh Way Torquay Waterlooville Macclesfield Harrogate Cheadle Meanwhile, the national minimum wage was also increased in a double whammy for businesses. SUPERMARKETS AXING SECTIONS Sainsbury's is not the first supermarket to announce a major overhaul of its stores, with Tesco ditching delis and hot food counters in 2023. The move came after the retailer said it had seen a big drop in demand for the use of its counters in the preceding years. Tesco said all staff working across the sections would be offered new roles in the business. The move to close the underused counters started in 2019, when Tesco also said it would axe 9,000 jobs. In March, Morrisons said it would shut 52 cafes and 17 stores and axe a number of in-store services. Rami Baitiéh, chief executive, said the plans would allow the supermarket to invest in other areas of the business. The 17 Daily convenience stores have now all closed, with the last branch shutting on May 14. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sainsbury's issues major update on closure of patisserie and hot food counters after shutting 61 cafes in store shake-up
SAINSBURY'S has issued a major update on the closure of all remaining patisserie, hot food and pizza counters in its larger stores. One of the UK's biggest supermarkets has shut the counters as part of a major shake-up of its store estate. 1 It is not clear when the pizza counters closed while is understood the patisserie and hot food counters shuttered last month. It comes after Sainsbury's said they would close "by early summer" in its financial results published last month. The most popular items previously sold at the patisserie and pizza counters are being moved to shelves elsewhere in stores. It means shoppers will still be able to get hold of certain bakery items while new self-service bread slicing machines are being phased in. A Sainsbury's insider previously said the freed-up counter spaces would be replaced with areas selling gluten-free and dairy-free produce. The closures come as part of a wide-ranging update of Sainsbury's' store estate which also saw 61 in-store cafes shut on April 11. The cafe spaces are likely to be replaced with restaurants run by franchises such as Starbucks and Gourmet Burger Kitchen. The supermarket said its hybrid cafe and food halls were becoming popular among shoppers. Sainsbury's first announced the store overhaul in January, as it revealed 3,000 head office staff would also lose their jobs in a senior team shake-up. At the time, chief executive Simon Roberts said the changes would "ensure we continue to drive forward our momentum". It is not clear when the 3,000 staff will lose their jobs, with the cohort making up around 20% of senior management roles. Shopping discounts - How to make savings and find the best bargains The major update at the start of the year came after Sainsbury's toasted its "biggest ever" Christmas trading period. But the supermarket is also trying to cut costs by £1 billion-a-year, and last year it cut about 1,500 roles. In late 2024, the company said tax increases from the October Budget would add an extra £140million to costs. Last month, employer National Insurance contributions were hiked from 13.8% to 15% and the threshold at which they are paid lowered from £9,100 to £5,000. All 61 cafes shut by Sainsbury's Fosse Park Pontypridd Rustington Scarborough Penzance Denton Wrexham Longwater Ely Pontllanfraith Emersons Green Nantwich Pinhoe Road Pepper Hill - Northfleet Marshall Lake Rhyl Lincoln Bridgemead Larkfield Whitchurch Bargates Sedlescombe Road Barnstaple Dewsbury Kings Lynn Hardwick Truro Warren Heath Godalming Hereford Chichester Bognor Regis Newport Talbot Heath Rugby Cannock Leek Winterstoke Road Hazel Grove Morecambe Darlington Monks Cross Marsh Mills Springfield Durham Bamber Bridge Weedon Road Hempstead Valley Hedge End Bury St Edmunds Thanet Westwood Cross Stanway Castle Point Isle of Wight Keighley Swadlincote Leicester North Wakefield Marsh Way Torquay Waterlooville Macclesfield Harrogate Cheadle Meanwhile, the national minimum wage was also increased in a double whammy for businesses. SUPERMARKETS AXING SECTIONS Sainsbury's is not the first supermarket to announce a major overhaul of its stores, with Tesco ditching delis and hot food counters in 2023. The move came after the retailer said it had seen a big drop in demand for the use of its counters in the preceding years. Tesco said all staff working across the sections would be offered new roles in the business. The move to close the underused counters started in 2019, when Tesco also said it would axe 9,000 jobs. In March, Morrisons said it would shut 52 cafes and 17 stores and axe a number of in-store services. Rami Baitiéh, chief executive, said the plans would allow the supermarket to invest in other areas of the business. The 17 Daily convenience stores have now all closed, with the last branch shutting on May 14. .
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sainsbury's axes key feature in stores as shoppers say 'please put it back!'
The change means Sainsbury's shoppers need to try on items from its TU clothing range at home Sainsbury's has closed all its in-store changing rooms - meaning shoppers need to try on items from its TU clothing range at home. The change was said to have been slowly introduced last September. One shopper said: 'Why on earth do you have a clothing department but no changing rooms? A staff member has just told me they have been removed from all stores?' A second added: 'What is the point selling clothes if you shut the changing rooms. First Kingsgate and now Hamilton. What a waste of my time.' A third posted: 'Why have you got rid of changing rooms? I don't want to have to buy 6 pairs of jeans to have to return 5.' Another shopper said: 'Please put back changing rooms! At least one! I went into a Sainsbury's the other day & me & another lady were doin [sic] our best in front of a mirror on the shop floor. Couldn't try trousers on so didn't bother buying them.' A Sainsbury's spokesperson told The Sun: "Customers are increasingly choosing to try on items at home and last year we reviewed how we use our fitting room space differently to offer the best possible experience when they shop with us. Customers can return any unsuitable or faulty items during their store visits." It comes after Sainsbury's closed its remaining 61 in-store cafes last month, in another major blow for shoppers. The grocer also unveiled plans to shut its remaining patisserie, hot food and pizza counters, and head office job redundancies. At the time, Sainsbury's said all these changes combined will result in more than 3,000 jobs being cut. Simon Roberts, Sainsbury's chief executive, said: 'As we accelerate into year two and beyond of our strategy, we are facing into a particularly challenging cost environment which means we have had to make tough choices about where we can afford to invest and where we need to do things differently to make our business more efficient and effective. 'The decisions we are announcing today are essential to ensure we continue to drive forward our momentum but have also meant some difficult choices impacting our dedicated colleagues in a number of parts of our business. We'll be doing everything we can to support anyone impacted by today's announcements.' Sainsbury's warned that tax increases from the October Budget would hit it with an extra £140million in costs and lead to higher prices for customers. The rate of National Insurance paid by employers has risen from 13.8% to 15%, while the earnings threshold has been lowered from £9,100 per year to £5,000. On top of this, minimum wage has also gone up. The minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over has risen from £11.44 an hour to £12.21 an hour, from £8.60 an hour to £10 an hour for those aged 18 to 20, and from £6.40 an hour to £7.55 an hour for under-18s and apprentices.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Major UK supermarkets launch new payment option for checkout customers
The 'Let's make a meal of it' campaign will run in Waitrose and Morrisons online - and in Tesco and Sainsbury's online and in stores. Here's how it will work Four of the UK's leading supermarkets are teaming up for a unique campaign, offering customers a new way to pay it forward at the checkout. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Waitrose are giving shoppers the opportunity to round-up their bill to support the 'Let's make a meal of it' initiative over the next fortnight. The charitable drive will be available online at Waitrose and Morrisons, and both online and in-store at Tesco and Sainsbury's. This innovative scheme is set to combat hunger, with shocking statistics revealing that one in seven Brits struggle with food insecurity. All contributions made at the tills will go directly to FareShare, the nation's foremost organisation dedicated to redistributing food, where every pound donated can provide five meals to those in need. The funds raised will help serve hot meals to children at youth clubs during school breaks and offer communal dining experiences for individuals battling isolation. Launching yesterday, May 19, the campaign will be active across the participating supermarkets for a period ranging from one to two weeks, reports the Manchester Evening News. This collaborative effort follows His Majesty's call to action on his 75th birthday, urging the food sector to bridge the gap between surplus food and hunger. Sainsbury's CEO and IGD President Simon Roberts said: "At Sainsbury's we believe everyone should have access to good food." Industry giants have come together in an unprecedented alliance to help fight food poverty across the UK, with major supermarkets like Tesco and Morrisons leading the charge. Matthew Barnes, UK CEO of Tesco, said: "We are excited to support the Let's make a meal of it campaign and strengthen our partnership with FareShare." He continued: "Collaboration is key to addressing food insecurity, and we are happy to partner on this with the other retailers." Rami Baitiéh, CEO of Morrisons, said: "As a food retailer and manufacturer, we are committed to tackling food waste from field to fork." Further to his commitment, Baitiéh added: "We want to help eradicate food poverty and are delighted to play our part in this industry initiative to redistribute surplus food to people in need." The advocacy has led to the formation of the Alliance Food Sourcing coalition, aiming to synergise efforts between various sectors such as supermarkets, suppliers, logistics providers, and charities devoted to reducing food waste. The move comes after studies revealed a staggering 4.6 million tonnes of edible food is thrown away annually within the supply chain. The Alliance aims to salvage food slated for disposal, transforming potential waste like vegetable trimmings into hearty soups, repackaging unused sauce for community use, and converting excess baking ingredients into tasty biscuits for those struggling with food scarcity. "We are excited to support the Let's make a meal of it campaign and strengthen our partnership with FareShare. Collaboration is key to addressing food insecurity, and we are happy to partner on this with the other retailers. "As a food retailer and manufacturer, we are committed to tackling food waste from field to fork. "We want to help eradicate food poverty and are delighted to play our part in this industry initiative to redistribute surplus food to people in need." James Bailey, managing director of Waitrose and Partners, said: "We are proud to be part of Alliance Food Sourcing to reduce food waste while tackling food insecurity. "Working with our suppliers, we're helping to divert surplus from our supply chain that would otherwise be wasted, to get good, nutritious food to people in need." Customers keen to contribute can round up their shopping bill at the checkout or make a donation via the FareShare website.
