Heating Oil Prices Jump £730 in Fortnight
UK households face sudden £1,322 heating oil charges as Middle East tensions disrupt supply chains, leaving customers with cancelled orders and soaring costs.
Category : Business
M&S womenswear revamp sparks backlash over Zara-like look
Marks & Spencer's major womenswear section overhaul at Oxford Street and nationwide stores faces mixed reactions, with customers criticizing the new layout as 'soulless' and too similar to Zara.
TV and Films Inspire Travel to Asia, New Research Shows
A new study finds that TV shows and films like Race Across the World and Squid Game are motivating 20% of Brits to visit Asia, with Gen Z heavily influenced by social media.
Octopus Energy Announces Bill Reductions from April
Energy giant Octopus Energy is contacting customers to inform them of significant bill reductions starting April 1, 2026, following government intervention that will save typical households £117 annually.
Queensmith Opens First Regional Showroom in Birmingham
Prestigious Hatton Garden jeweller Queensmith expands to Birmingham with a new showroom at 5 St Philip's Place, offering bespoke, appointment-led consultations for engagement rings and fine jewellery.
UK National Living Wage Rises to £12.71 from April
Millions of UK workers will see a 4.1% increase in the National Living Wage to £12.71 per hour from April 1, 2026, with full-time workers gaining up to £1,500 annually.
Tesco Tests New 2D Barcodes Replacing Old System
Tesco is introducing square 2D barcodes in select UK stores, starting with four items. The technology allows smartphone scanning for expiry dates, recipes, and allergen info, marking a major shift from traditional barcodes after 50 years.
Sky Broadband Customers Can Exit Contracts Over Price Hikes
Sky Broadband customers have the right to leave their contracts without penalty if unhappy with upcoming £3 monthly price increases from April 1. Experts warn time is running out to act and suggest switching to providers with price freezes.
Five Birmingham Homes Set for Auction This Month
Five family homes in south-west Birmingham, needing renovations, will be auctioned with low starting prices, including properties in Northfield and Kings Norton.
New Gigabit Broadband Address Checker Launched Nationwide
A new online address checker allows residents across England and Wales to verify eligibility for government-backed gigabit broadband upgrades, targeting rural connectivity gaps.
NatWest £1,000 Bonus for New Premier Account Customers
NatWest is providing up to £1,000 in incentives for customers switching to Premier accounts, including a £250 cash bonus and £750 interest payment for high deposits.
Lidl Easter Sunday Closure for All English Stores
Lidl will close all its stores in England for 24 hours on Easter Sunday, April 5, with reduced hours on Good Friday and Easter Monday. The discounter also announced ambitious new food waste reduction targets.
Claire's UK Enters Administration, Rescue Bid for 154 Stores
Major UK high street accessories chain Claire's has collapsed into administration for the second time in under a year, but a French jewellery entrepreneur is attempting a rescue that could preserve hundreds of jobs across its 154 British stores.
Sephora Opens 4 New UK Stores in Major Expansion
International beauty retailer Sephora has announced the opening of four new stores across the UK this summer, including two in Scotland and two in London, as part of a significant expansion of its high street presence.
Banair Acquires Powys Land for Military Bridge Testing
Defence company Banair has purchased two plots at Wyeside Enterprise Park in Powys from the Welsh Government to develop and test its lightweight aluminium vehicle bridging system, creating up to 30 jobs.
Parkdean Resorts £99 Three-Night Breaks at Six UK Parks
Parkdean Resorts is offering £99 three-night holidays at six of its UK parks, with deals on caravans, chalets, and more. Prices can drop to just £5.50 per person per night when shared among groups.
NatWest Offers Up to £1,000 for Account Switching
NatWest has launched a new promotion offering cash payments of up to £1,000 for customers who switch to their Premier accounts, with a £250 base payment available to all switchers.
McDonald's UK Loyalty Points Change: Higher Costs from March 17
McDonald's UK customers must use loyalty points by March 17 before a major shake-up increases points required for free food and drink rewards across all tiers.
JD.com Launches JoyBuy in UK to Rival Amazon and Argos
JD.com, China's largest retailer, launches its JoyBuy platform in the UK, offering next-day delivery and a wide product range to compete with major e-commerce players.
Michael Hayman Elected Chair of British Chambers of Commerce
Michael Hayman, co-founder of Seven Hills, has been unanimously elected as the new chair of the British Chambers of Commerce, succeeding Sarah Howard. He will guide the network's strategic direction for business expansion and international trade.
UK Manufacturing on Fragile Footing Amid Conflict and Costs
Make UK warns that rising oil prices above $100 and energy costs from the Middle East conflict threaten the sector's modest 2026 growth outlook of just under 1%.
UK Contactless Card Limit Lifted from March 19
The Financial Conduct Authority removes the £100 contactless limit, allowing customers to set their own spending caps or opt out entirely. Experts warn about budgeting implications.
Spain Issues Weather Warnings for UK Tourists in Balearics
The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET has activated yellow and orange weather warnings for strong winds and rough seas across six areas of Majorca and Menorca, impacting UK tourists.
Virgin Holidays Slammed Over Hotel Payment Advice After Iran War
Virgin Holidays faces backlash after advising stranded UK tourists to pay for hotels themselves following flight cancellations due to the Iran war, with the company later apologizing for miscommunication.
Menorca Emergency Plan as UK Tourists Face Danger Alert
Menorca has activated an emergency plan due to a rare red 'extraordinary danger' weather alert, with winds up to 140km/h and waves reaching 14m posing risks to residents and tourists.
DWP £3,000 Youth Job Bonuses for Universal Credit Recipients
The Department for Work and Pensions confirms £3,000 payments to businesses hiring young people on Universal Credit, addressing a 70% rise in health-related joblessness among 16-24 year olds.
Santander Mortgage Rate Increases Hit Birmingham Customers
Santander has raised mortgage rates by up to 0.35%, affecting first-time buyers and remortgagers in Birmingham. Brokers warn of a return to 2022-like market conditions.
UK Foreign Office Warns Against Travel to 14 Countries
The UK Foreign Office has placed 14 countries on its 'do not travel' list, urging British nationals to avoid or leave these high-risk destinations immediately due to security threats.
Foreign Office Changes Dubai and UAE Travel Advice
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel guidance for Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, advising against non-essential travel and pausing its flight registration scheme as regional tensions escalate.
India-North England Summit to Boost Trade as New Deal Nears
The India North England Opportunity Summit will celebrate growing business ties and mark a year since the Indian consulate opened in Manchester, urging exporters to seize opportunities under a new trade agreement.
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