British supermarket chain; employee-owned John Lewis Partnership member
English wine is expanding in volume and variety, with higher production driving prices down. The Guardian and other outlets highlight new vintages, ready-to-drink styles, and accessible options across major retailers.
Independent reports Aldi is launching a 1.5-litre magnum of Le Grand Poulet rosé, signalling strong value in supermarket wine. The bottle goes on sale nationwide on July 6, priced at £11.99, with early reviews noting fresh strawberry, raspberry and peach notes and a softer, less dry finish than La Vieille Ferme rosé.
Nolan has secured the scale and tech to adapt Homer’s Odyssey, with Matt Damon leading a star-studded cast. The film is shot entirely on IMAX film and follows Odysseus’s ten-year journey home, with Penelope and Telemachus in supporting roles. Releases are imminent as studios push the project toward premiere.
Civil service pension delays after Capita's takeover have left thousands waiting on payments, with some facing rent arrears and food-bank use. The government vows to insource the scheme and enforce improvements as auditors review Capita’s systems.
The rising cost of ice cream in Britain has become a flashpoint between luxury indulgence and everyday treat. Prices for scoops and tubs vary widely, with premium parlours expanding while traditional ice-cream vans shrink. The sector has grown in the 2020s, yet operators face high fuel, insurance and maintenance costs.
Public demand for traditional winter meals has risen as heat alerts persist, with cottage pies and red wine showing double‑digit gains. Waitrose recipe searches for classic dishes have jumped as shoppers seek grounding options while July trends underscore unusually dry weather.
A coalition including supermarkets, charities and farming bodies warns the UK food system faces future shocks as production falls and imports rise. They call for a legally binding Good Food Bill to improve national food security, nutrition and resilience, citing higher prices, climate risks and biodiversity loss.
A total solar eclipse has swept from the Arctic through Greenland and Iceland to parts of Spain and a sliver of Portugal, while much of western Europe has seen a deep partial eclipse. Crowds and tourists have flocked to the path of totality, scientific teams have livestreamed observations, and Spain has reported heavy visitor numbers and local economic benefits.
UK farmers warn of a strained harvest as a dry, hot July tests crops; while growers embrace warmer English summers for wine, pressures on supplies and pricing rise. Wildfires in France threaten rosé quality; vineyards test batches and some produce may be unsellable. Across Europe, heat waves drive shifts in farming and food supply.
The CMA has provisionalised rules to stop big grocers from blocking rival stores. Aldi and Lidl are now included in the land-use restrictions, alongside Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. Final decision expected in October.
Japanese milk buns have become a viral staple, driving a surge in softened bread products and influencing supermarket offerings across the UK, with Waitrose and other chains reporting rising sales and social-media demand.
A series of UK meadow projects shows biodiversity recovering where farmers cut hay annually rather than reseeding or ploughing. From Norfolk to the Cotswolds, fields host diverse wildflowers, insects and birds, highlighting nature-friendly farming as a viable path for resilience.
Meera Syal has publicly detailed how two traumatic encounters in the 1980s and 1990s shaped her career. The actress describes casting-room coercion and assault, the decision not to report, and how she found solidarity with South Asian women’s groups that helped steer her path toward writing and performance.
Major brands and some supermarkets have shifted canned mackerel from Atlantic (true) mackerel to cheaper, MSC‑certified Chilean jack mackerel. Producers say sustainability and supply constraints drove the change; consumer groups and reviewers say the replacement has lower omega‑3, different taste and texture and risks "skimpflation." Retailers say the species is labelled and sourcing follows standards.
The PB&J has evolved from a wealthy-tea-time snack to a nationwide staple. Since its first documented recipe in 1901, the sandwich has adapted to allergies, regional tastes, and new ingredients, with diners and restaurants continuing to experiment.
Cabernet Sauvignon remains vital even as tastes shift, with critics arguing its best expressions lie beyond the heavy, oaky style of the past. The grape’s enduring appeal is rooted in versatility and a renewed emphasis on balance and terroir.
The John Lewis Partnership has reported a pre-tax loss of £124m for the six months to August 1, widening from £88m the previous year, while Waitrose sales rise and department stores dip. The group cites a challenging trading environment, transformation costs, and higher national insurance as key factors, with caution on the second half ahead of peak Christmas trading.
The English wine sector has benefited from a hot summer, with record early harvests and rising interest from international investors. Essex’s Crouch Valley and other regions are expanding, while producers anticipate higher sugars and potential diversification into red wines. A string of reports across major outlets highlight growing confidence in England as a wine producer.