Latest news with #EasterBankHoliday
Metro
12-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
M&S is back after online shopping was paused following cyber attack
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Marks and Spencer paused its online orders for months amid the cyber attack. While you could still head to stores and shop IRL, stock was limited and you couldn't always find the pieces you had seen online. Every week since the end of April when the cyber attack happened following the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, we have been refreshing the site to see if it is back in full swing, but to no avail. To be totally honest, we didn't know what the future of online shopping at M&S was going to look like. Thankfully, M&S has today announced the freeze on online orders is finally over, and we couldn't be happier – don't think our bank account can say the same. In an Instagram post, penned by M&S' Managing Director for Fashion, Home and Beauty, John, it read: 'We are bringing back online shopping this week. A selection of our bestselling fashion ranges will be available for home delivery to England, Scotland and Wales. More of our fashion, home and beauty products will be added every day and we will resume deliveries to Northern Ireland and Click and Collect in the coming weeks. Thank you sincerely for your support and for shopping with us.' Over the last few weeks we have been saving a few staples to our digital wishlist so when M&S opens its virtual checkout we are ready to hit 'Pay Now'. From dresses to shorts, shirts, skirts and shoes, here is everything in our basket now. From the shirred bust, the subtle ruffle on the edge of the straps and billowy A-line maxi skirt, these features are reminiscent of Dôen designs, but for less. Crafted from 100% cotton, this one and done dress is lightweight, breathable and fuss-free, which is exactly what we want in a summer heatwave. Available in petite, regular and tall, ranging from UK dress size 6 to 18, as well as a black colourway. BUY NOW FOR £35 Whether you are heading to a summer party, a city break, beach break, or a destination wedding, this versatile dress can be styled for more formal events and off duty casual occasions. The buttermilk shade is hugely popular, as is the minuscule polka dot print, so this design nails two trends in one. BUY NOW FOR £99 We live in wide leg jeans, and are desperate to slip this relaxed fit pair a high waist, straight leg that skims the legs from the waist down, these jeans promise comfort and style. Crafted from gentle cotton with 1% elastane that provides just enough stretch to hug the body without gaping. While the jeans are available in six washes, stock is limited. BUY NOW FOR £35 If you have a holiday on the horizon, or are preparing for the UK's heatwave, a pair of loose fit and lightweight linen shorts are a must have. This pair are longer in length than hot pants (thank goodness), but not too long they resemble men's surf shorts. The relaxed fit contrasts the elasticated waist, which can be cinched in with the drawstring for a secure fit. Available in five colours. BUY NOW FOR £22.50 I have been waiting months to get my hands on the sell-out Leather Loafers. I patiently waited and waited for these to restock, and when they did the cyber attack took place and I have not been able to get my hands on the versatile loafer. The timeless smart shoe has been crafted from leather with M&S' signature Insolia Flex interior that provides necessary cushioning on the soles of your feet, which is key when pounding the pavement in a pair of flats. BUY NOW FOR £55 I love a denim jacket in the summer, and a shacket in the transitional seasons. Combine the two and it may just be the solution to all my needs. Crafted from cotton denim fabric, which is comfortable and breathable to wear almost all year long. The boxy fit, hip-length and dropped shoulder, makes this a relaxed staple to throw on over dresses, tanks and tees paired with jeans or shorts. BUY NOW FOR £29.50 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: From Space NK to Mango – here's 23 items our shopping expert is buying this weekend MORE: I tried Molly-Mae Hague's holiday makeup routine – and I'm never going back MORE: This skincare product completely transformed my skin – I get everyone to use it!
Scottish Sun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
End-of-terrace house looks normal from the outside but hides bizarre secret in sprawling basement – would YOU move in?
The house has nine en-suite bathrooms SECRETS BENEATH End-of-terrace house looks normal from the outside but hides bizarre secret in sprawling basement – would YOU move in? A BLACKPOOL guest house has undergone a jaw-dropping transformation and now contains a private nightclub, cinema room, and space for 24 guests. Wayne and Katie Anne Mylroie have spent nearly two years converting the modest semi-detached property into a high-spec holiday home. 7 Wayne and Katie Anne Mylroie turned the Blackpool guesthouse into a private nightclub Credit: Facebook 7 The house has a cinema room, pool table, hot tub room and private basement nightclub Credit: Facebook Just a short walk from the promenade, the couple named the property The Fun House. Announcing the launch on Facebook, the couple said: "After almost two years in the making, we're finally live and we have had our first guests." Described by the owners as "the perfect party house", the property boasts a "large sociable lounge with custom seating and pool table, a cinema room, a hot tub room and your very own exclusive private basement nightclub." Inside, the house features nine en-suite bedrooms with 15 beds, offering space for large groups looking to celebrate in style. "The Fun House has 9 bedrooms all en-suite with 15 beds that sleeps 24 guests," the post reads. One standout feature is a uniquely designed bedroom with dramatic lighting effects: "It also has the coolest kids/adult room with a light-up lightening clouded ceiling." Every inch of the property has been carefully designed and finished to an exceptionally high standard. "It has been completed to the highest standard so you would never want to leave!" the Mylroies added. With its bold interior, private nightclub and close proximity to Blackpool's attractions, The Fun House is already turning heads as one of the seaside town's most striking new holiday rentals. The couple might have their work cut out to win the locals over though who claim Airbnbs and short term lets are "ruining" the town. People living in Blackpool, Lancs, say their lives are being blighted by anti-social behaviour. They raised their concerns as tens of thousands of holiday-makers are set to flood Britain's resorts and tourist hot spots for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. In England, the short-term let sector is unregulated, except in London where there's a 90-day per year cap on letting out properties. Blackpool City Council says it's received just one complaint about short-term lets since 2019 – but the council doesn't know how many are in the area. A total of 16 planning enforcement notices have been issued in the same period. Residents of the seaside resort town, known for its traditional B&Bs, tell a different story. One resident said she has operated three hotels in Blackpool's town centre for eight years. She says the proliferation of Airbnbs and other short-term lets, where owners are not present, have brought the character of the street down – with rooms being used for parties until the early hours of the morning and even prostitution. She said: 'The ones now, there's nobody there. If somebody's booked a double room, they know the code. 'If they meet friends with a girl, they use that code, go in, use the room, and go out. 'It's like one person's booked the room, a couple who's out for the night and give the code to another couple. 'They use the room and just go out after an hour.' B&B owners Sandra Spriggs, 52, and husband John, 69, have owned the Bianca Guesthouse on Blackpool's Palatine Road for 20 years. The couple says they have heard loud stag and hen parties inside unattended AirBNBs. Sandra said: 'My friend lives next door to an AirBNB. It's bloody noisy, especially in the summer – she actually goes to her daughter's for the weekend so she hasn't got to put up with the noise.' 7 There is a hot tub room with bright green LED lighting Credit: 7 The cinema room offers up a variety of films for guests to watch Credit: 7 Katie Anne said that the house had taken the couple two years Credit: 7 The couple said it had been finished to the 'highest standard' Credit: Facebook
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Heist film starring British acting royalty now streaming on Prime but fans all say the same thing
Although the movie's cast is dotted with acting royalty as well as thrilling source material, the film failed to make an impact — both commercially and critically. Directed by James March, King of Thieves is a 2018 British heist film based on a true story. Co-written by Joe Penhall, Duncan Campbell, and Mark Seal, the movie depicts the real-life events of the Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary — a heist that was executed over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in April 2015 by a group of experienced elderly thieves. Starring acting heavyweights like Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Francesca Annis, Charlie Cox, Jim Broadbent, Paul Whitehouse and Ray Winstone — the true crime movie follows a gang of retired criminals (and one young-blooded alarms expert). The group plans and executes a daring robbery in London's jewellery district during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. However, greed quickly turns their last hurrah into a collapsing nightmare. Although the movie's cast is dotted with acting royalty as well as thrilling source material, King of Thieves failed to make an impact — both commercially and critically. According to Box Office Mojo, the film garnered only $7,518 domestically in the United States and Canada, of which $3,502 was earned during the opening weekend. The movie grossed approximately $11.5 million at the worldwide box-office. Most of its scenes were filmed in central London and around Margate in Kent, featuring locations such as the Wig and Pen Pub, the Nayland Rock Hotel, Harbour Arm, the area outside Turner Contemporary, and Margate railway station. Abbott's Cliff in Dover is also visible in the train scene where Brian Reader (Michael Caine) travels to Margate. With a 31 per cent review rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie didn't manage to make too many waves. Critics and audiences were left unimpressed with the film's execution, with one reviewer writing: 'The Hatton Gardens heist was a ballsy operation. You can't say the same about King of Thieves.' Another critic said: 'King of Thieves really should have delivered way more cinematic swag than it does.' While one wrote: 'Torn between jaunty genre hijinks and a bleaker streak of realism, it's a strangely stiff, lethargic account of a cracking tale.' A harsh critical review of the film said: 'There is one joke in King of Thieves, and it's that the thieves are old. That's it—that's the whole movie,' while another one said: 'Marsh had his hands on some very fancy jewels. What he didn't have, sadly, was the script to make them gleam.' Audiences were left disappointed as well, with one viewer saying: 'Passes the time but little else. Tries hard to be both a comedy and a thriller but doesn't really succeed at either. For such a daring burglary, this could have surely been done a lot better.' Another audience review compared the film to the botched heist and wrote: 'Based on a real account of a robbery in London and featuring a superb all British cast. Very much like the botched heist, the plot here is in shambles all over the place.' Yet another viewer couldn't hide their disappointment and said: 'It's poorly written. The heist isn't that exciting. The humour isn't funny.' While one viewer added: 'Not a gripping tale. At times the audience were laughing - was this supposed to be a comedy??? Difficult to remember the names of the was who?" They further said: "Undoubtedly the royalty of British male actors but the story was weak. It could have been much better if there was character and story development of the Police activity pitted against the perpetrators. Shame - not worth a look.'
Edinburgh Live
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Heist film starring acting royalty now on Amazon Prime but fans say same thing
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Directed by James March, King of Thieves is a 2018 British crime film inspired by true events. The screenplay, penned by Joe Penhall, Duncan Campbell, and Mark Seal, brings to life the notorious Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary - a heist carried out over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend in April 2015 by a band of seasoned elderly criminals. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Francesca Annis, Charlie Cox, Jim Broadbent, Paul Whitehouse and Ray Winstone. It tells the tale of a group of retired crooks (and one young alarms expert) who plan and pull off a daring robbery in London's jewellery quarter during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. However, their final big score quickly descends into chaos as greed takes hold. Despite its stellar cast and gripping real-life story, King of Thieves failed to make a significant impact either commercially or critically. Box Office Mojo reports that the film only raked in $7,518 domestically in the United States and Canada, with just $3,502 earned during its opening weekend. Globally, the film grossed around $11.5 million at the box office, reports the Daily Record. The film's scenes were predominantly shot in central London and around Margate in Kent, showcasing venues like the Wig and Pen Pub, the Nayland Rock Hotel, Harbour Arm, outside Turner Contemporary, and Margate railway station. Additionally, one can spot Abbott's Cliff in Dover during the train sequence when Brian Reader (played by Michael Caine) heads to Margate. (Image: Publicity Picture) Despite its cinematic setting, the movie didn't quite stir up a storm, settling for a 31 per cent review score on Rotten Tomatoes. Both critics and audiences seemed underwhelmed by how the film was brought to life. Echoing the sentiment, a critic wrote: "The Hatton Gardens heist was a ballsy operation. You can't say the same about King of Thieves." Another reviewer pointed out: "King of Thieves really should have delivered way more cinematic swag than it does." Meanwhile, a commentator dissected the film's tone: "Torn between jaunty genre hijinks and a bleaker streak of realism, it's a strangely stiff, lethargic account of a cracking tale." The stinging critiques continued with a reviewer saying: "There is one joke in King of Thieves, and it's that the thieves are old. That's it-that's the whole movie," while another lamented: "Marsh had his hands on some very fancy jewels. What he didn't have, sadly, was the script to make them gleam." The audience feedback was similarly tepid, with one viewer saying: "Passes the time but little else. Tries hard to be both a comedy and a thriller but doesn't really succeed at either. For such a daring burglary, this could have surely been done a lot better." Another cinema-goer likened the film to the bungled robbery it portrays, adding: "Based on a real account of a robbery in London and featuring a superb all British cast. Very much like the botched heist, the plot here is in shambles all over the place." A different viewer didn't mince their words expressing their disappointment, saying: "It's poorly written. The heist isn't that exciting. The humour isn't funny." Meanwhile, another audience member remarked: "Not a gripping tale. At times the audience were laughing - was this supposed to be a comedy? ? ? Difficult to remember the names of the was who? "Undoubtedly the royalty of British male actors but the story was weak. It could have been much better if there was character and story development of the Police activity pitted against the perpetrators. Shame - not worth a look."
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
How to tell the difference between hay fever a cold or Covid
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. These are the common symptoms of each that you should know about 🤧 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A leading pharmacist has urged people not to ignore symptoms of hay fever. Symptoms of hay fever are similar to both summer colds and Covid. Covid cases have been rising since the Easter Bank Holiday. Well Pharmacy outlines the key symptoms and how to tell the difference. A leading pharmacist is urging people not to ignore these common symptoms of hay fever - because they could be early signs of something much worse. With the UK enjoying a week-long warm spell, the rising temperatures combined with increased pollen has caused misery for the estimated 16 million of us who live with hay fever. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Common symptoms can include a blocked nose, often accompanied with sneezing and a sore throat. But, while antihistamines can help keep the worst of hay fever at bay, these symptoms are similar to that of summer colds and Covid, Covid cases have been rising since the Easter bank holiday, with NHS England reporting 1,233 cases up to April 29, up 5.5% or 64 cases on the previous week. There were also 61 deaths associated with Covid, up 10, over the same period. The percentage of people testing positive for Covid was at 5.74% up to May 2, more than double the 2.32% recorded on January 1 this year. The common symptoms that could be a sign of hay fever, a cold or even Covid as cases continue to rise. | Pexels, Brandon Nickerson Well Pharmacy's Deputy Superintendent George Sandhu says it is important for people to distinguish between the three conditions so they can seek out the best treatment to help them feel better. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He said: 'Over spring and summer as people mix more frequently with friends, there is the possibility that colds and Covid spread more easily. 'Hay fever will always affect people however if they take their allergy medication just a week before pollen increases, they could feel a marked improvement in their symptoms. 'Well Pharmacy can help those suffering with a cold through the use of decongestants and a variety of products that ensure patients are feeling back to their best as soon as possible. Our pharmacists are trained to ensure that they can help patients no matter their medical issue be it Covid, the common cold or hay fever.' What are the symptoms of Covid? If you have a blocked nose, continuous cough and chills, it could be Covid. Similar to hay fever, early symptoms can include a runny or blocked nose or a sore throat. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Covid can be detected using Covid tests, which have remained in use since the pandemic brought the world to a halt in 2020. But, if relying on a home test, it is important to check if it is still in date. When suffering from Covid it is recommended that patients get lots of rest and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. If the cough becomes severe and painful, the NHS recommends having a teaspoon of honey to soothe the throat. It is also advised to open a window to help with breathlessness. Covid spring boosters are still available through the spring booster vaccine programme for those who are aged over 75 or those who are immunosuppressed. As of last week, more than three million people in England had received a spring Covid booster - 2.4 million of those were pensioners aged over 75. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the symptoms of hay fever? If you have puffy itchy eyes, a blocked or runny nose and sneezing, this means it could be hay fever. Hay fever affects one in four Brits, leaving sufferers with coughs, sneezes and puffy eyes. It is an inflammation of the nasal lining caused by an allergic reaction to allergens in the air, including pollen, dust and pet hair. Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes although it is advised to avoid itching the eye area because this increases the need to be scratched. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the symptoms of a cold? If you have a blocked or runny nose, a phlegm producing cough and a hoarse voice, this means it could be a cold. A common cold presents itself with the same early symptoms of hay fever and Covid. Over a period of two or three days, symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose and cough, alongside feeling generally unwell are to be expected. Some people may also begin to notice their voice going hoarse. While a cold differs from Covid, the recommendation for rest and hydration is the same as well as ensuring to soothe the throat using honey. If patients suffer from a blocked nose, it is recommended to breathe in steam to ease the tension - this can be done by sitting in the bathroom with a hot shower running. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Products such as decongestant nasal sprays can be used alongside medicines like paracetamol and ibuprofen to help ease aches and lower a potential temperature. 🧪 Boots COVID-19 Test Kits While free testing is no longer widely available, Boots continues to offer a range of COVID-19 lateral flow kits for home use, with results in under 30 minutes. They're available individually or in multipacks, with options for general use, travel, or workplace settings.
