43 h. ago Major bargain chain is forced to shut superstore over ‘severe RAT infestation’

A POPULAR UK retailer has closed a city store following a 'severe rat infestation'. The brand, which has more than 200 UK stores altogether, received a £250,000 fine. Environmental health officers made the discovery at The Range in Enfield's Suez Road store. There was reportedly strong smell of urine and faeces in the shop, along...

Politics

50 h. ago Queues of people snake around shopping centre in manic scenes as new Sephora store opens in city centre

The number of people queuing is thought to have reached around 800 as the beauty giant officially opens in the capital

Economics

54 h. ago A train tour of Europe’s cool northern capitals: from London to Vilnius, via Berlin and Warsaw

My epic rail journey to some of the continent’s most creative and edgy cities mimics a cruise – I hop on and off, eat too much and soak up the cultureThe people queueing for the Eurostar at London St Pancras station, rushing in from the rain in hoodies, look noticeably less enthusiastic than the usual holiday crowds. But then, we aren’t heading to the usual hot, heady holiday destinations of Spain or the south of France, but boarding a train to north-east Europe. For me, it will be a journey of more than 1,000 miles – via Amsterdam, Berlin and Warsaw to Vilnius – visiting some of the coolest capitals in the north. At least in terms of temperature.As England sweltered this summer, and Spain reached a hellish 46C, it made sense to head away from the heat on what is now fashionably being called a “coolcation”. I left in August, with a suitcase full of jumpers. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago A waiting list of thousands, and just five new homes for social rent: this city shows the depth of Britain’s housing crisis | John Harris

Liverpool was once praised for its tolerance, but housing shortages are driving fearful, unsettling behaviours – and people are blaming outsidersHere is the dream, if you can afford it: gleaming apartments, close to Liverpool’s waterfront, complete with penthouse swimming pools with views of the north Wales mountains, and sumptuous rooftop gardens. They are mostly bought by investors who then rent them to local professionals: three years ago, a report on early sales of flats in one development said that 40% of early buyers were from Australia, China or Singapore.Ten minutes’ walk away, you can witness a very different spectacle. Every Monday night, a charity called Liverpool In Arms hands out food in the city centre, to queues of people. Some are homeless; others have a house or flat to live in, but can’t afford to eat. While I was reporting on the city’s housing crisis for the Guardian’s video series Anywhere But Westminster, I watched its volunteers in action for the best part of ...

Society

9 d. ago I joined the queues of people walking up a stunning part of Wales and three things are ruining it

I’d come for the sunrise, but I quickly discovered three things that can ruin even the most epic mountain moment:

Politics

1 week ago Ed Sheeran fans 'swarm' star as they spot him in shopping centre – but then realise truth

Swarms of people queued up and followed a red-headed man in a Manchester shopping centre over the weekend, insisting it was Ed Sheeran and took photographs, until they realise the truth

Economics

2 w. ago 'I love Greggs but one thing stops me from buying sandwiches there'

Greggs always boasts enormous queues at lunch, with people lining up to buy a sandwich or a hot pastry, but even die-hard fans have claimed one ingredient is putting them off certain items

Politics

2 w. ago 'I can't get enough of Greggs but there's one thing I will never order'

Greggs always attracts queues at lunchtimes full of people ready to pick up a sandwich or a hot pastry, but some customers have claimed one ingredient is putting them off ordering certain items

Politics

2 w. ago Huge new superstore at Trafford shopping centre 'on hold' as owner issues 'heartbreaking' update

P.Louise City is due to now open next year with its owner saying the delay is 'heartbreaking for me to say out loud'

Economics

3 w. ago Marks & Spencer closes flagship city centre store after 100 years as gutted shoppers say ‘it’s just so sad’

MARKS & Spencer has closed a flagship city centre store after 100 years of trading in a crushing blow for the high street. Devastated shoppers have said "it's just so sad" after the store officially closed for good on Saturday afternoon. This comes after it was revealed that the store on Dudley Street, Wolverhampton, had...

Politics

4 w. ago Major high street retailer to close store in another UK city

A New Look store in Leicestershire will close next month, the retailer has confirmed - bringing the total number of UK store closures to 14.

Politics