Author: Lucy Contrino

Commuting is getting pricier across the UK, and some areas are feeling the pinch more than others. New research from price comparison site WhatPrice.co.uk reveals just how much location can affect your travel costs, with fuel prices, journey lengths, and access to petrol stations all playing a role. East Hertfordshire tops the list, where a combination of high fuel prices and long daily drives makes it the costliest place to commute in the country. The research analysed commuting expenses across the UK by examining five key factors: E10 petrol prices, B7 diesel prices, average travel distance to work, and the number of fuel stations per…

Essex-based Film Maker’s Blatella Films feature award-winning documentary film ‘Our Journey to Pride,’ captures the incredible story of how Thurrock came together to host its first-ever Pride, celebrating diversity, and community. The film’s success continues across the globe with the announcement that having already being awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award for Best LGBT Film at the Silver Wings International Film Festival in India; the top award of ‘Best Featured Film’ at the Lavender Riot Film Festival in Tennessee at the end of 2024; Best LGBT Film at the Indo Dubai International Film Festival; and a screening at the East London LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the film has now been selected…

Brits planning European road trips risk fines of up to £21,000 for using – or even just possessing – dash cams that violate privacy laws in four European countries. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator PRO S.L., warns drivers that Portugal has joined Switzerland, Austria, and Luxembourg in banning dash cams, with authorities treating in-vehicle recording as illegal surveillance. “It’s normal for tourists not to know every rule when visiting a country for a short visit, but there are certain laws they must be aware of. Unlike the UK, where dash cams are legal and widely used, these four…

The Mall, Clifton, officially reopened this spring following an extensive 3-week refurbishment, giving the iconic pub an exciting new look. The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside. Changes include cocktails stations being fitted in both bars, new furnishings and art work throughout as well as additional seating being added to the garden area. The Mall is renowned for its mouthwatering Sunday roasts, offering a choice of three succulent meats, a delicious vegetarian option, and a special roast for children—all served with incredible homemade Yorkshire puddings. Guests can also tuck into all the…

43 UK breweries have become insolvent in the last year*, says national accountancy group UHY Hacker Young. The 43 breweries that have become insolvent include names like Fourpure (location of a famous photo shoot for Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak), By The Horns, Magic Rock Brewery, Burton Town Brewery and Wild Weather Ales. Many of which are small, independent craft beer producers facing mounting cost pressures. Brian Johnson, Partner at UHY Hacker Young, says: “The craft beer boom was one of the most exciting recent trends in food and drink. Unfortunately, it is a sector that attracted too many entrepreneurs…

With summer holidays on the horizon, millions of Brits have admitted feeling like bad pet parents if they’re away too long. Among Gen Z, that guilt is shaping entire travel habits, with almost half (48%) avoiding flying because of their pet. They’re also twice as likely as over-65s to plan holidays around pet-friendly accommodation (63% vs. 31%), showing that pets aren’t an afterthought for many young people – they’re the starting point. A new study of 2,000 UK pet owners by TrustedHousesitters reveals just how deeply the bond with pets runs: over half (52%) of owners saying they feel like a “bad…

Boodil, a pioneering payments fintech, has forged an exciting partnership with Aquilium Travel, a premier luxury travel agency based in Cheshire, renowned for its bespoke and personalised travel experiences. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Boodil’s mission to transform payment processing for the travel industry through its innovative open banking platform. Boodil’s travel payments platform, launched last year is designed to meet the unique needs of travel merchants. The platform leverages Open Banking technology to offer a cost-effective, secure, and efficient alternative to traditional card payments. Boodil has already gained traction in the industry, securing partnerships with prominent organisations…

English Wine Week returns for 2025 from 21st – 29th June and what better way to celebrate than with the pioneers of English sparkling wine, Nyetimber. From booking an Open Weekend at the Nyetimber estate for a Tour and Tasting, to celebrating on a Nyetimber terrace in London, or reading the Nyetimber coffee table book at home with a glass of sparkling wine, there are many ways to celebrate with Nyetimber this English Wine Week. Tours and Tastings at the Nyetimber Estate This experience offers guests the opportunity to stroll through Nyetimber’s historic vineyards set amidst the rolling hills of the South…

As summer holidays approach, parents face growing concerns over screen time, online safety, and digital resilience. SWIPE: mastering the art of handling trolls and protecting your peace provides the ultimate solution, empowering families to navigate the internet with confidence. With school holidays just around the corner, parents are bracing for the dual challenge of keeping children entertained while protecting them from the darker side of the internet, online trolling, cyberbullying, and digital overwhelm. SSWIPE: mastering the art of handling trolls and protecting your peace offers a timely lifeline, equipping parents with tools to foster resilience, assert boundaries, and turn digital…

Pet accessories shop Fur King can reveal that dog owners could save a whopping £1,800 with the new pet passport, which was announced in the UK-EU trade deal on Tuesday 20th May. Keir Starmer announced two deals that would make it easier for Brits to enter the EU, with the first being that UK citizens will be able to use EU passport gates again, and the second being the reintroduction of pet passports. Currently, pet owners in the UK must obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) from a vet each time they travel to countries within the EU and Northern…