Latest news with #Stag
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'They told me I wouldn't survive in football but 14 years later I'm still here'
Husband and wife John and Carolyn Radford have nurtured one of English football's steadiest success stories - no Hollywood showbiz, no firing managers every five minutes, just putting unfashionable Mansfield Town on the map She is the first lady of Mansfield who has presided over two promotions, a Wembley play-off final and English football's fourth longest-serving manager. Now she is having a new stand, padel courts, bars and restaurants built at the One Call stadium. Soon it will be a ground fit for a Stag party every week. And as the Lionesses prepare for their defence of England's Euros crown in Switzerland, she remains a shining light for girl power in boardrooms where women are still hopelessly outnumbered by men in suits. When Carolyn Radford was appointed chief executive at Mansfield back in 2011 aged 29, social media's sneering court of public opinion dismissed her recruitment as a 'publicity stunt.' She laughs at the cheap shot now. 'Some publicity stunt,' giggled Radford on a Zoom call from Mansfield's windswept training ground. 'I wonder if they think running around after my three sons at home is a publicity stunt as well.' Apologies to double Olympic gold medallist and queen of the pool Rebecca Adlington, another proud daughter of the Nottinghamshire hinterlands, but Radford and her husband John, the owner and insurance tycoon who lifted his home-town club out of the non-League long grass, are making the biggest splash in Mansfield now. Like Oldham's Frank and Judith Rothwell, they are the husband-and-wife double act at the sharp end of an EFL operation. Sadly, Radford does not hear many more female voices in boardrooms than she first observed when Mansfield were on their uppers 15 years ago. These days, the barbs are not as direct as comedians Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse's reference point for sexists, the sketch with dinosaur pundits telling a female interviewer: 'Where's the bloke, love? Two sugars, please.' But apart from the likes of West Ham baroness Karen Brady, Bolton chairman Sharon Britton and Leicester CEO Susan Whelan, women at English football's top tables are still thin on the ground. 'Sometimes it's still a bit awkward, but we have come a long way in women's football, in terms of our visibility in the game,' she said. "It's been a male-dominated industry for 150 years and you have to learn to navigate your way through it. 'For a husband-and-wife team maybe it's a different dynamic. For us there's no separation. Business and family are always combined, I've got a voice here and if things go wrong it's always my fault! The Lionesses winning the Euros three years ago was massive and, without wanting to be the kiss of death, I wish them the very best of luck in Switzerland because of what they can do for women and girls in football as a whole. 'We need to celebrate the women who are out there driving the game forward, especially if they are juggling other parts of their lives, and we have each other's backs. I don't have a perfect recipe - there are days when one of the children is sick, for instance, and there aren't enough hours in the day to cope with it all. 'But I'm proud of the fact we have had the same manager for nearly five years. Nigel and his staff are so easy to work with, and continuity has its virtues. I'm glad we are not one of these clubs who sack the manager every few months because starting all over again means a new voice, a new culture, new methods… it must be like getting remarried.' Radford, now 43, has seen gates double at Field Mill on her watch and the fan zone, with its marquee, DJ, music and family atmosphere, has improved the matchday experience markedly. 'Mansfield is a close-knit community and I wanted to reflect that in our demographics on match days,' she said. 'You've got to be so careful when you are cultivating a football club because it matters to so many people. It's brilliant to put them on the map but a it's not a plaything. 'It takes over your whole life and consumes you, but you also have to enjoy it. But it's still a fantastic industry to work in. You keep smiling, you keep being resilient - there is no set formula, it's not like teaching GCSE maths.'
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Spanish island's bold message to Brits as notorious party town gets £4m overhaul
One of Spain's most infamous party regions is distancing itself from rowdy Brits through a series of brutal clampdowns, and a multi-million pound regeneration that has just completed its first phase A popular Spanish resort appears to be ditching its boozy reputation thanks to a major transformation. For years, Majorca's infamous town of Magaluf has become synonymous with rowdy, drunken Brits, cheap alcohol, and blaring nightclubs. The Magaluf Strip, officially known as Calle Punta Ballena, was the place for Stag and Hen Dos, as well as those wanting to get so drunk they'd forget all about the 'I HEART SPAIN' tattoo they had inked on their bum cheek the night before. However, as anti-tourist sentiment gains momentum across Spain and the Balearics - it seems Magaluf's party-mad status is about to change. The town has already cracked down on binge-drinking and anti-social behaviour through a series of brutal rules. This includes all-inclusive resorts capping alcoholic beverages to just six a day, while bar crawls and public drinking are both prohibited. The clamp-down has slowly altered Magaluf's questionable image, paving the way for a fresh start. This has recently been epitomised by a huge promenade refurbishment that was inaugurated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony last weekend (Sunday, June 22). The promenade, which is now called Paseo Marítimo having been renamed after the founder of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer Julià, has undergone a 'complete rearrangement and beautification' with all of its infrastructure and services being 'renewed'. This includes new lighting, sewage systems, street furniture, and an irrigation network. As previously reported, 650 metres of the promenade has been revamped in the initial phase, starting at the corner of the famous Nikki Beach and extending to Pirates Square. The work also includes the introduction of artificial sand dunes and palm trees grouped to form a 'small oasis area'. According to Daily Majorca Bulletin, the refurb has been funded thanks to a €4 million grant from the EU Next Generation funds as well as €1 million of tourist tax revenue (equating to around £4.28 million). It is believed the second phase, which is also being partly funded by tourist taxes, will commence later this year - as early as November. Mayor Juan Antonio Amengual, who attended the inaugural event, is said to have highlighted the 'importance' of the work that has been completed, arguing it is a further landmark in the 'transformation of Magaluf' which aims to bring about a 'change in image'. While the impact of British tourists wasn't explicitly mentioned, it's clear the town is trying to distance itself from its party-mad past. To mark the work being complete, the town hall is believed to have organised a 'special day of events'. This includes a Gastro Fair, beach sport games, and a folk dance, reports local media. Brits keen to check out Magaluf's new and improved image can fly directly from a slew of major UK airports, including London, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £28 in July. Accommodation in Magaluf is equally affordable, home to a slew of no-thrills apartments, hostels, and cheap hotels. For example, a week's stay (July 21-28) at the three-star HSM Don Juan will set you back £1,161. This is based on two people sharing. However, if you want a more luxurious week away in the sun, check out Sol Barbados. This beachfront hotel boasts its very own waterpark and outdoor pool, as well as kids' entertainment, modern rooms, and a 24-hour front desk. Staying here on the exact same dates costs £2,402. *Prices based on Skyscanner and listings at the time of writing.
Daily Mirror
15-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Spanish hotspot introduces £425 fines for tourists making dangerous mistake
As visitor numbers to the party-mad region of Benidorm continues to soar, officials are clamping down on tourists breaking a little-known rule when it comes to renting out mobility scooters Sun-worshipping Brits are being warned not to break a little-known rule that could land them with a hefty fine. Last year, a whopping 2.8 million tourists flocked to the party-mad resort of Benidorm, marking a 2.9 per cent jump compared to 2023. The boom has largely been attributed to UK holidaymakers - who have been flocking to the sunny hotspot as early as the 1950s. Lured in by golden sandy beaches and cobalt waters, Benidorm is famous for its vibrant nightlife and wild entertainment, which has long been popular with Stag and Hen Dos. It is the place to be if you want to drink yourself silly in a fancy dress costume, and sober up the next day with a huge English Breakfast. The Spanish city, located on the eastern coast of Valencia's iconic Costa Blanca, has a reputation for attracting elderly Brits who rely on mobility scooters to get from A to B - which has no doubt been perpetuated by the acclaimed TV series, Benidorm. But demand for these vehicles isn't just a stereotype, as there are more than a dozen mobility scooter shops in the region. However, many people do not realise that Benidorm Local Law explicitly states you must be aged over 55 years old or have a certified disability for walking in order to rent an electrical scooter. Renters will also take a cash deposit from customers and make them sign a contract laying out all of the strict rules they must abide by. This includes always carrying their rental contract with them, and avoiding slopes with an incline greater than five percent. Carrying multiple passengers on an individual scooter is also prohibited. "Never leave the key when going down the Scooter," warns Amigo24, a popular mobility scooter rental firm in Benidorm. "[You] will not be covered by your insurance in case of robbery." Following a rise in complaints over tourists renting vehicles for fun, and without proper insurance, the council has since emphasised that the use of mobility scooters is 'strictly limited' to those that genuinely need the aid. According to EuroNews, authorities are also cracking down on those driving around the city at 'dangerous speeds'. Violating any of these rules risks sky-high fines of up to €500 (approximately £425). "Mobility scooters are designed for those with walking difficulties," Lee Cartwright, mobility scooter specialist at Mobility Solutions Direct, told Bristol Live. "If you can walk safely without one and you don't have a permit for one, it is best not to ride a mobility scooter to avoid a fine." The expert urged those who do need to use a mobility scooter to stick to the speed limit, which is 4mph when on the pavement. Class three mobility scooters, which are intended to be driven on the roads, are allowed to go up to 8mph. "A majority of those using a scooter without permission are young British people who are using the vehicle to go clubbing rather than pay for a taxi," he added. "But this results in reckless driving, such as weaving through traffic, driving too closely to others, and failing to be aware of their surroundings. Riding a scooter while intoxicated is both hazardous and against the law, similar to driving a car under the influence."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Our local shuttered brewery tells the story of Labour's assault on small businesses
With the sunlight streaming into his office, Jonathan Price is doing his best to look cheerful. It's almost 20 years since he purchased Exmoor Ale, a brewery that sat at the peak of the little town of Wiveliscombe in west Somerset, just a few rolling hills away from our home. On top of the filing cabinets and on shelves are the results of his endeavours, bottles of Gold, Stag, Beast and, my favourite, original Exmoor ale, a gloriously smooth session beer. But today the steady wheel of the brewing cycle, the mashing, boiling, cooling and fermenting, is grinding to a halt. 'We've stopped brewing,' he tells me. 'The last beer is coming out of the tanks now and going into the casks.' The brewery is closing and the shutters will go up on an operation that has been in Wiveliscombe since 1979. Exmoor Ale is one of the gems of our local town, a brewing firm that hones the waters off the wilds of the moorlands of west Somerset and north Devon. I fell in love with this small town, known locally as Wivey, when we moved here some four years ago as, in spite of its small size, it held its own against the larger towns and cities of the South West maintaining a butcher's, a good pub, a restaurant, small hotel, a hardware store, a deli, a barber shop and a gun room. But many of these small businesses have struggled, fighting to stay afloat in the wake of Covid, social change and the latest threat, a Labour Government. The latter, specifically, raising the rate of employer National Insurance contributions, which came into effect some four weeks ago, from 13.8 to 15 per cent. Price sent a message on Wednesday this week to his customers. 'Sadly, like many breweries, we have faced some challenging times recently due to the knock-on effects of Covid-19, inflation, market changes and most recently, tax increases. This has meant we need to restructure and close the brewery.' I ask him about those tax increases. 'It's the final straw,' he replies. And indeed it's been the final straw for many other British breweries this year who similarly have had to give employees their P45s and let their vast brewing vats run dry. Recent figures from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) show that there were 1,715 independent breweries at the start of 2025, compared with 1,815 in January 2024. And, reports SIBA, the drop in overall brewery numbers over the last 12 months is much higher than in recent years. According to SIBA's chief executive Andy Slee, 'The issue for small independent breweries is lack of access to market and rising costs, making it incredibly difficult to remain profitable. Indie brewers can't sell into enough of their local pubs and make enough of a profit to remain viable.' It doesn't help, of course, that their customers are disappearing as pubs continue to close at an average rate of more than 34 each month. It's indicative of the crisis in the hospitality industry. Businesses are in peril. Many – restaurants, cafes and pubs – are still paying off debts from Covid, managing an ongoing staffing crisis and grappling with surging costs. And hospitality chiefs have been begging for help. Yet what was Labour's answer to their cries, their solution to assist the UK's third largest employer, responsible for the jobs of some three million people? In last year's autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves upped employer NICs and increased the national living wage. As trade body Hospitality UK's boss Kate Nicholls put it, the policies, 'left hospitality owners with a sleepless night as they came to terms with the enormous cost they will have to bear from April onwards.' She added: 'The new cost of employing core members of staff is eye-watering – an increase of at least £2,500 [which] is far, far beyond anyone's worst case scenario.' The Government also landed £154 million of extra annual costs on brewers with what's called EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), basically additional packaging charges. This adds 5p per bottle, another little stinger for struggling pubs whose closure, The British Beer and Pub Association points out, 'last year equated to more than 4,500 job losses'. Thus Labour's policies are now reaping what they sowed. Small businesses such as Exmoor Ale must sip the last drops of their kegs and lock the doors. The Socialist robots spew out their heads-in-the-sands mantras: 'fixing foundations… championing Britain as the best place to grow a business… going further and faster to tackle barriers to investment.' Yet their actual policies, as you would expect from Marxist huggers, swell the public sector and deter entrepreneurs. 'Existing and looming eye-watering business rates and taxes undermines growth and investment which hurts local jobs, communities, and the wider economy,' James Hawkins of the Beer and Pub Association tells me. Starmer, Reeves and Co can spout their disingenuous catchphrases but what they're actually doing is putting a sign above Britain that reads, 'Closing down soon'. As Jonathan Price chats in his office, behind him is a map of Britain with pins indicating the locations of his many customers. He assures me that all is not lost. 'We're going to work with a brewer, Hog's Back, in Surrey. It's an innovative solution to keep the brand alive.' Maybe, but I'm not convinced the water of Surrey is a patch on that of Exmoor. And if I'm going to have a p--s-up in a brewery, I'd rather it was in Wivey than Guildford. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. 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Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Our local shuttered brewery tells the story of Labour's assault on small businesses
With the sunlight streaming into his office, Jonathan Price is doing his best to look cheerful. It's almost 20 years since he purchased Exmoor Ale, a brewery that sat at the peak of the little town of Wiveliscombe in west Somerset, just a few rolling hills away from our home. On top of the filing cabinets and on shelves are the results of his endeavours, bottles of Gold, Stag, Beast and, my favourite, original Exmoor ale, a gloriously smooth session beer. But today the steady wheel of the brewing cycle, the mashing, boiling, cooling and fermenting, is grinding to a halt. 'We've stopped brewing,' he tells me. 'The last beer is coming out of the tanks now and going into the casks.' The brewery is closing and the shutters will go up on an operation that has been in Wiveliscombe since 1979. Exmoor Ale is one of the gems of our local town, a brewing firm that hones the waters off the wilds of the moorlands of west Somerset and north Devon. I fell in love with this small town, known locally as Wivey, when we moved here some four years ago as, in spite of its small size, it held its own against the larger towns and cities of the South West maintaining a butcher's, a good pub, a restaurant, small hotel, a hardware store, a deli, a barber shop and a gun room. But many of these small businesses have struggled, fighting to stay afloat in the wake of Covid, social change and the latest threat, a Labour Government. The latter, specifically, raising the rate of employer National Insurance contributions, which came into effect some four weeks ago, from 13.8 to 15 per cent. Price sent a message on Wednesday this week to his customers. 'Sadly, like many breweries, we have faced some challenging times recently due to the knock-on effects of Covid-19, inflation, market changes and most recently, tax increases. This has meant we need to restructure and close the brewery.' I ask him about those tax increases. 'It's the final straw,' he replies. And indeed it's been the final straw for many other British breweries this year who similarly have had to give employees their P45s and let their vast brewing vats run dry. Recent figures from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) show that there were 1,715 independent breweries at the start of 2025, compared with 1,815 in January 2024. And, reports SIBA, the drop in overall brewery numbers over the last 12 months is much higher than in recent years. According to SIBA's chief executive Andy Slee, 'The issue for small independent breweries is lack of access to market and rising costs, making it incredibly difficult to remain profitable. Indie brewers can't sell into enough of their local pubs and make enough of a profit to remain viable.' It doesn't help, of course, that their customers are disappearing as pubs continue to close at an average rate of more than 34 each month. It's indicative of the crisis in the hospitality industry. Businesses are in peril. Many – restaurants, cafes and pubs – are still paying off debts from Covid, managing an ongoing staffing crisis and grappling with surging costs. And hospitality chiefs have been begging for help. Yet what was Labour's answer to their cries, their solution to assist the UK's third largest employer, responsible for the jobs of some three million people? In last year's autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves upped employer NICs and increased the national living wage. As trade body Hospitality UK's boss Kate Nicholls put it, the policies, 'left hospitality owners with a sleepless night as they came to terms with the enormous cost they will have to bear from April onwards.' She added: 'The new cost of employing core members of staff is eye-watering – an increase of at least £2,500 [which] is far, far beyond anyone's worst case scenario.' The Government also landed £154 million of extra annual costs on brewers with what's called EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), basically additional packaging charges. This adds 5p per bottle, another little stinger for struggling pubs whose closure, The British Beer and Pub Association points out, 'last year equated to more than 4,500 job losses'. Thus Labour's policies are now reaping what they sowed. Small businesses such as Exmoor Ale must sip the last drops of their kegs and lock the doors. The Socialist robots spew out their heads-in-the-sands mantras: ' fixing foundations … championing Britain as the best place to grow a business… going further and faster to tackle barriers to investment.' Yet their actual policies, as you would expect from Marxist huggers, swell the public sector and deter entrepreneurs. 'Existing and looming eye-watering business rates and taxes undermines growth and investment which hurts local jobs, communities, and the wider economy,' James Hawkins of the Beer and Pub Association tells me. Starmer, Reeves and Co can spout their disingenuous catchphrases but what they're actually doing is putting a sign above Britain that reads, 'Closing down soon'. As Jonathan Price chats in his office, behind him is a map of Britain with pins indicating the locations of his many customers. He assures me that all is not lost. 'We're going to work with a brewer, Hog's Back, in Surrey. It's an innovative solution to keep the brand alive.'
