Viewpoint: Is Gen Z leading the charge back to the office?
Viewpoint: Is Gen Z leading the charge back to the office?
Vish Gain and
Emma Hanrahan
12:36
The Business Post asked business leaders if they noticed this trend among younger workers, and if the Covid-19 pandemic may have driven a desire for more in-person contact.
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The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Abandoned golf course where Justin Rose won his first tournament goes up for sale for £3.75m after closing down
THE prestigious golf course that Justin Rose won his maiden tournament on is up for sale for £3.75m. Patshull Park Hotel Golf and Country Club in the Midlands is ready to be brought back to life after previously closing down during the Covid-19 pandemic. Advertisement 12 Patshull Park Hotel Golf and Country Club is up for sale Credit: SWNS 12 The abandoned course is available for £3.75m Credit: SWNS 12 The property has some stunning views Credit: SWNS 12 The property includes a 49-room hotel Credit: SWNS 12 There is a Grade Two listed building on site Credit: SWNS 12 Golf star Justin Rose won his first ever tournament at Patshull Park Credit: Getty The 6,412-yard course is well known for the part it played in major champion Rose, 44, secured his first ever tournament victory on the Patshull Park greens when he won the Golf Foundation U14s Championship back in 1993. Now he is a US Open champion, Ryder Cup hero, 11-time PGA Tour event winner and previous world No1. Perhaps Rose could dig into his pockets and splash out for the course that started his journey with some of the £50million+ he has banked on the PGA Tour over the past 20 years. Advertisement READ MORE ON GOLF Whoever does fork out the cash for the "redundant" course will gain a Grade Two listed building dating back to the early 1700s, a 49-room hotel and over 200 acres of land on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border. The property also features a fishing lodge and picturesque lakes on its grounds. The course and hotel shut down in 2020 and staff were made redundant after the company went into liquidation. It was soon purchased by Staffordshire-based family business Mercer Farming who planned to use the land to farm sustainably. Advertisement Most read in Golf 12 The hotel was shut down in 2020 with staff made redundant Credit: SWNS 12 The course still remains intact after the closure Credit: SWNS 12 Areas of the grounds are overgrown and in need of some attention Credit: SWNS CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Advertisement But the family have now listed the land for sale after claiming the hotel and golf course are "surplus to requirements". However, the future of the course could yet be in doubt as estate agents Fisher German outlined a vision that could see a potential buyer use the land as a residential redevelopment. The secret underground tunnel where Open golfers hide from thunderstorms but only certain stars can use it at Portrush Stuart Flint, Partner at Fisher German, said: "The redundant hotel is substantial and offers a spectacular lakeside redevelopment or refurbishment opportunity. "Patshull Park is an outstanding property with a fascinating history and an abundance of potential uses and redevelopment opportunities. Advertisement "Set amidst unspoiled archetypal English countryside, the property is located within easy reach of local amenities and is less than seven miles from the nearest junction of the M54, making it the perfect setting for any redevelopment." 12 The future of the golf course could yet be in jeopardy Credit: SWNS 12 Picturesque lakes are dotted around the grounds Credit: SWNS 12 Estate agents Fisher German outlined a vision that could see a potential buyer use the land as a residential redevelopment Credit: SWNS Advertisement
The Journal
19 hours ago
- The Journal
EU unveils €2 trillion budget but Irish farmers say cuts to support payments are ‘hammer blow'
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION has proposed €2 trillion budget focused on tackling overseas competition and Russian aggression at Europe's borders – at the risk of a new showdown with farmers. Presenting the €2 trillion budget blueprint for 2028-2034 to reporters in Brussels, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said it 'will be the most ambitious ever proposed'. The plans seek to bolster Europe's security and ramp up its competitiveness, while paying off debts from a massive Covid-era loan as of 2028 – against a backdrop of soaring trade tensions with the bloc's biggest commercial partner, the United States. The European Commission put €451 billion on the table under a broad 'competitiveness' tag that encompasses defence and space. The budget plan earmarks up to €86 billion for the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine – as well as substantial new 'flexibility' funds kept available in event of crises. But Brussels came under heavy criticism by EU lawmakers who accused it of not leaving sufficient funds for priorities including climate adaptation and the agriculture subsidies that currently make up the biggest share of the EU's budget. Budget commissioner Piotr Serafin said under the commission's plans, €300 billion would remain ring-fenced to support farmers. However, this is a 22% reduction when compared to the €387 billion of support payments under the current seven-year budget. CAP The European Commission says the difference reflects an overhaul of the massive subsidies known as the common agricultural policy (CAP) - with some funding moved to other budget columns. But the future of the CAP is headed for a fight, with farmers warning against cuts to their slice of the EU pie – and marching today in Brussels to show their resolve. Hundreds of European farmers joined a protest outside the commission building in Brussels organised by a pan-European agriculture lobby group, Copa-Cogeca. The group described it as a 'Black Wednesday' for farmers, accusing Brussels of having 'effectively decided to dismantle the 'common' nature of the CAP through concealed budget cuts'. The warning raised the spectre of another confrontation after last year's protests across Europe by farmers upset at cheap imports, low margins and the burden of environmental rules. 'Lead to food price inflation' Speaking from Brussels, Irish Farmers' Association president Francie Gorman described the proposals as a 'hammer blow' for the sector. 'The only definitive figure for farming supports is 20% lower than the current budget,' said Gorman. He said the Commission is 'more interested in finding ways to cut payments to individual farmers rather than support them'. Gorman also warned that cutting CAP funding will 'reduce food production and lead to food price inflation'. Advertisement He called on the Irish government to secure the 'maximum funding for Irish farmers to encourage the next generation to consider farming as a career'. 'Complex' Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon described the proposals as 'complex' and remarked that the 'major changes' will be studied in detail to 'better understand the impact on Ireland'. Detailed legislative proposals are expected to be published tomorrow. He added that these proposals will form a 'key focus' when Ireland assumed the EU presidency next year. Minister Heydon will host the first meeting of Ireland's CAP Consultative Committee tomorrow on the proposals. Heydon said this Committee will play a 'crucial role in ensuring that the CAP reform process is transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of various stakeholders within the agricultural and rural community.' Meanwhile, Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary remarked that CAP 'critically supports the economic, social and environmental performance of rural Ireland'. He added that its development post-2027 is a 'matter of significant importance for my department' and that he will engage closely with colleagues both in Ireland and the European Parliament to 'ensure rural Ireland is kept front and centre in all negotiations'. Elsewhere, MEP Maria Walsh said the proposed changes would 'harm our farmers and the development of rural Ireland'. 'The CAP is a lifeline to farmers across Ireland and the EU, yet this fact has been ignored by Commissioner for Budget Piotr Serafin,' said Walsh. She added that the 'fight is far from over' and that the 'real battle will play out within the Parliament's Agriculture Committee and the EU Council over the coming months.' 'Crucially, the final negotiations will take place during the Irish Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2026 meaning that Irish Ministers and MEPs will play a leading role in defining the final structure of the CAP,' said Walsh. Battle lines drawn The announcement sets the stage for two years of fraught negotiations between the European Parliament and 27 member states. Already stretched thin, some states are unwilling to contribute more to the common pot. Unlike in the previous budget, the EU has debts due from the Covid pandemic, when states teamed up to borrow €800 billion to support the bloc's economy. These are estimated to cost €25-30 billion a year from 2028. The previous 2021-2027 budget was worth around €1.2 trillion and made up from national contributions and money collected by the EU such as customs duties. National contributions will grow slightly, from 1.13% of member states' gross national income to 1.15%, plus 0.11% devoted to repaying the Covid loan. The commission will also seek to raise about €58 billion a year collecting money directly through five instruments, including its carbon border tax and a levy on electronic waste. -With additional reporting from © AFP 2025 Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
English beach resort town is getting direct train line to UK's capital again in ‘huge victory'
A RAIL service between a popular beach resort town and London is being brought back this year. Govia Thameslink Railway 2 The operator says the pandemic had a 'devastating impact' on rail Credit: Alamy 2 Hotels overlooking the seafront promenade at Eastbourne Credit: Alamy But the rail operator has announced that A direct service will run in the morning and return to the seaside town in the evening. It will run from Monday to Thursday, and the operator said it Prior to this, Eastbourne only had direct trains to London Victoria. read more in travel A 'HUGE VICTORY ' The news comes following calls from passengers to reinstate the transport link. The town's MP Josh Babarinde was part of the campaign to restore the service. He previously took a giant ticket-shaped petition The MP called the link's restoration a "huge victory" that would have a "positive impact" on the town. Most read in News Travel He said: "After months of campaigning including writing to rail bosses, pressing Ministers in the House of Commons, and gathering thousands of signatures from Eastbournians, I'm delighted that we've managed to restore our direct London Bridge rail service." "I look forward to seeing commuters on 15 December for the first journey up to London Bridge," he added. Picturesque English town is getting new £27m train line for first time in 60 years – & will cut journey times by an hour RESTORED SERVICE The operator has said the Covid pandemic had a "devastating impact" on the rail industry. Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "The pandemic had a devastating impact on everyone, not least the rail industry, and our weekday commuter numbers are still reduced but recovering. "We're doing everything we can to encourage people back to rail, which is the most sustainable form of public transport. "The innovative new timetable we introduced along the east coastway two years ago did just that, boosting passenger numbers by giving people better services and easier connections. "We think this timetable improvement will build on that success and are pleased to have worked with local stakeholders to make the case for its introduction." The restored service will depart Eastbourne at 6:48am and arrive at London Bridge for 8:25am. In the evening, it will start back from the capital at 5.03pm and reach Eastbourne for 6.34pm.
