News

Pubs set to stay open late to mark King Charles III’s coronation

Big bank holiday en route.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 19th December 2022

Pubs, clubs and bars across the UK may be able to extend their opening hours in honour of the king’s coronation this spring.

A bank holiday weekend has been confirmed for 5, 6 and 7 May to mark King Charles III’s coronation.

And the celebrations might now spill into extra hours in the pub, with the Home Office considering giving a ‘boost to local businesses’.

There are laws that allow the operating hours to be extended to mark occasions of ‘exceptional national significance’.

The Home Office said the change will give “an opportunity for our communities to come together and celebrate this historic moment, and support our hospitality industry”.

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A similar extension was granted to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee earlier this summer.

Pubs may be able to stay open late for the coronation weekend. Credit: Unsplash, Josh Olalde

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “His Majesty the King’s coronation will be a historic moment that will see our great nation and the entire Commonwealth joined together in celebration.

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“Our country, and in particular our hospitality industry, has faced many challenges in recent years and the King’s coronation is an opportunity to give a boost to our local businesses, and celebrate with our local communities.

“Over the Bank Holiday weekend we can raise a glass to our new monarch, and with our friends and families wish him a long and successful reign.”

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King Charles III will be coronated at Westminster Abbey, accompanied by foreign heads of state, peers, and members of parliament.

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It’s expected that the monarch will travel from Buckingham Palace to the historic site with Queen Consort Camilla.

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons

News

Full list of road closures announced as IRONMAN 2026 takes over Bolton next weekend

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The official route and full list of road closures have been announced, as Bolton prepares to host the IRONMAN next weekend.

Bolton has been the proud home of the UK’s IRONMAN race since 2009, and the world-renowned triathlon is all set to take over the Greater Manchester town once again in a couple of weeks time – with participants and spectators in thousands all preparing to flock to all four corners of the borough to the catch the action.

People of all ages and abilities – even including kids – are training to take part in three different events across the weekend.

And, as is always the case, residents and road users are being urged to plan ahead.

Bolton Council says a series of temporary road closures are needed to ‘ensure the safety’ of competitors and spectators.

Road closures are set to be the same as last year and will be in place for Night Run Bolton on Friday 5 June and IRONKIDS Bolton on Saturday June 6, before IRONMAN 70.3 then officially arrives on Sunday 7 June, extending from Pennington Flash in Leigh to Bolton, where Chorley New Road and the town centre will be most affected.

The town centre and Middlebrook retail park will be open as normal all weekend, but anyone driving into the town centre is advised to park at one of the car parks – which will be open as normal – rather than elsewhere or in the surrounding areas.

Anyone heading to Middlebrook from Bolton is advised to use Wigan Road (A676 / A58), to Manchester Road / Chorley Road (A6), and then use De Havilland Way (A6027) to reach the retail park.

Full list of road closures for IRONMAN 2026

All weekend:

Le Mans Crescent, Howell Croft North, and Howell Croft South will be closed from 6am on Friday 6 June to 9am on Monday 9 June, due to the course set up and build for the weekend events.

Friday 28 June – Night Run:

  • Moor Lane, Deansgate, Knowsley Street, Chorley Street, Spa Road (eastbound), St Edmund Street, Helena Road, and Bridge Street will all be closed from 5:30-9pm.

Saturday 29 June – IRONKIDS:

  • Le Mans Crescent will be closed all day
  • Deansgate will be closed from 6am-5pm

Sunday 30 June 30 – IRONMAN 70.3:

  • St Helen’s Road, Sandy Lane, Byrom Lane, Slag Lane, and Lowton Road will be closed from 6-10am
  • Wigan Road/Warrington Road (A573) will be closed from 6-10am
  • Bickershaw Lane, a short section of the A578, Nel Pan Lane, and Westleigh Lane will be closed from 6-10:45am
  • Atherleigh Way (A579) between St Helen’s Road and Kirkhall Lane, will be closed northbound only from 6-9:45am, and between Kirkhall Lane and the Talbot roundabout from 6-10:45am
  • Gibfield Park Way and Gibfield Park Avenue will be closed from 6-11am
  • North Road from the junction with Gibfield Park Avenue, Platt Lane and the A58 from Platt Lane to the Chequerbent roundabout will be closed from 6:30-11am
  • Park Road and Manchester Road (A6) will be closed westbound only from 7-11am
  • Chew Moor Lane / Tempest Road to Regent Road, and Regent Road to Chorley New Road, will be closed from 7-11:15am
  • De Havilland Way will be closed northbound from 7am-1pm
  • Victoria Road (A58) and Old Kiln Lane will be closed from 7am-1pm
  • Chorley New Road, from Beaumont Road to the Beehive Roundabout, will be closed eastbound from 7am-1pm but there will be access westbound throughout the day.
  • Chorley New Road, from Beaumont Road to Waterslea Drive, will be closed from 7am-1:30pm
  • Chorley New Road, from Waterslea Drive to St George’s Road (B6226), will be closed 7am-5:30pm
  • Chew Moor Lane, St John’s Road, Tempest Road, and Regent Road will be closed from 7-11:15am
  • Chorley Street, Bark Street, St Helena’s Road, Blackhorse Street, and Queen Street will be closed from 7am-3:30pm
  • Spa Road will be closed from 6am-6pm

“Facilitating events of this scale is not easy,” a spokesperson for Bolton Council explained ahead of the events arriving next weekend, “and it’s essential we put the health and safety of the participants and spectators as a priority.

“To ensure this requirement is met, temporary road closures will be put in place across the town, so we strongly urge residents and visitors to plan their trips with this in mind.”

Read more:

More information on the course and diversions to avoid road closures – including maps and timings – can be found on the IRONMAN website here.

Featured Image – David J H Sun (Wikimedia Commons)

News

The full list of 125 ‘everyday essentials’ you’ll soon be able to get for cheaper in the UK

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Crisps, biscuits, avocado, and chewing gum are just a few of the items that are soon set to be available for cheaper in the UK.

First announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week, the Government has now published a list of more than 100 of key items that are set to see targeted cuts to tariffs, alongside uprating mileage rates for the first time in 15 years and reducing VAT.

It covers a wide range of ‘everyday essentials’ – from fresh fruit and vegetables, oil and baked goods, to chocolate, sauces, and soft drinks.

“The war in Iran isn’t our war, but one we will need to respond to,” Chancellor Reeves commented.

“My priority is keeping prices down for households and businesses. That’s why we’re freezing fuel duty, increasing the mileage rate for the first time in 15 years and slashed VAT temporarily this summer to help reduce the cost of days out.”

Full list of 125 ‘everyday essentials’

  • Garlic
  • Gherkins
  • Aubergines
  • Sweet peppers
  • Other peppers (capsicum/pimenta)
  • Olives (fresh/chilled)
  • Olives (for oil production)
  • Olives (frozen)
  • Plantains (fresh and dried)
  • Bananas (fresh and dried)
  • Limes
  • Citrus fruits (various)
  • Avocados
  • Fresh figs
  • Dried figs
  • Other fresh fruits
  • Frozen fruits
  • Dried apricots
  • Dried apples
  • Dried peaches/nectarines
  • Dried pears
  • Dried papaya
  • Mixed dried fruit
  • Mixed nuts
  • Mixed fruit and nuts
  • Green tea
  • Buckwheat
  • Fonio
  • Quinoa
  • Olive oil (extra virgin)
  • Olive oil (virgin)
  • Olive oil (other)
  • Margarine
  • Mixed fats and oils
  • Vegetable oils
  • Chewing gum
  • Liquorice products
  • White chocolate
  • Marzipan and pastes
  • Throat pastilles
  • Sugar confectionery
  • Boiled sweets
  • Toffees and caramels
  • Sugar tablets
  • Cocoa paste
  • Cocoa powder
  • Chocolate (bulk and retail)
  • Chocolate bars
  • Chocolate with fruit, nuts or cereal
  • Chocolate spreads
  • Chocolate drink preparations
  • Couscous
  • Crispbread
  • Gingerbread
  • Biscuits
  • Waffles and wafers
  • Rusks
  • Toasted bread products
  • Bread
  • Pizzas and quiches
  • Pickled peppers
  • Prepared vegetables
  • Crisps
  • Processed potatoes
  • Baked beans
  • Preserved beans
  • Preserved vegetables
  • Preserved tropical fruit
  • Candied fruit
  • Jams and marmalades
  • Preserved citrus fruits
  • Mixed preserved fruit and nuts
  • Tomato ketchup
  • Tomato sauces
  • Soups and broths
  • Non-alcoholic beverages
  • Plant-based drinks
Pub group launches 'bottomless crunch' menu where you can eat unlimited crisps
Fresh fruit
Crisps and fresh fruit are two of the items set to see targeted tariff cuts / Credit: Esperanza Doronila | Jonas Kakaroto (via Unsplash)

The Government says these cuts support the action it has already taken to reduce the cost of living – including freezing prescription charges, protecting motorists from fuel duty increases, and raising the minimum wage.

The list of everyday essentials set to see targeted cuts to tariffs comes after the Great British Summer Savings initiative was announced last week.

Read more:

This means that, from 25 June through to 1 September 2026, a temporary reduced rate of VAT – down from 20% to 5% – will be introduced on children’s meals in restaurants and family leisure activities over the summer period.

Featured Image – Aldi

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