Did you know that blasting explicit music while driving could land you with a hefty fine?
No, neither did we… but it turns out that it’s completely true, as motoring experts are warning drivers to be mindful of the rules when it comes to playing high-volume music from their cars with the windows down – especially if the tunes you choose to proudly play for all to hear contain swear words or inappropriate language.
Now that we’ve had a taste of the warmer weather, and summer is really not that far away, driving with the windows rolled down is common to let a breeze flow through.
But this simple action could cost you.
“There isn’t a specific offence for playing music with swearing or explicit lyrics in the comfort of your own vehicle, however context does matter,” explains Graham Conway, who is the Managing Director of Select Car Leasing.
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Motorists can be fined £1,000 for blasting music with swear words while driving / Credit: David Emrich (via Unplash)
“For example, if you’re playing music containing swear words in a public place, such as while stopped in traffic, driving past a school, or through a busy pedestrian area, and someone nearby feels alarmed, distressed, or harassed, then you could be committing a Section 5 offence of the Public Order Act of 1986.”
The maximum penalty for this type of offence is a fine of up to £1,000, and even a possible prosecution.
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Graham added: “While it’s relatively rare, it can happen in more serious or repeated cases where members of the public have raised concerns.”
As well as fines being issued by police, local authorities also have the power to control noise from loud cars if they’re parked in the street or on private property, as an Abatement Notice can be served under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act, and unfortunately, fines for this can rise up to £5,000 if the case is taken to court.
Drivers are being warned to be mindful as the weather gets warmer / Credit: RawPixel
“Excessively loud music isn’t just a nuisance, it also poses a significant safety risk,” Graham continued.
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“It’s crucial that drivers can hear important road sounds, such as emergency vehicle sirens, car horns, and other audio clues that warn of potential hazards, but with your music blaring, you might miss those vital audible signs.
“Being able to respond quickly to changing circumstances is a key part of staying safe on the road.”
Certain police forces have also been trialling the use of noise-detecting cameras, which use microphones, cameras, and number plate recognition technology to identify vehicles emitting noise above a certain decibel limit – with immediate £100 fines if caught.
Featured Image – Darwin Vegher (via Unsplash)
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Data reveals Manchester hotel prices have ALREADY surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates
Emily Sergeant
Manchester hotel prices have apparently already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates, some new data has revealed.
Of course, absolutely nothing is set in stone yet and we are still yet to receive any form of announcement.
But with rumours having been swirling for months now that Oasis will be touring again in 2027, and several videos shared on the band’s social media platforms this week also hinting at that, it’s been revealed that searches for ‘when are Oasis tickets going on sale?’ have soared by 5,000% in the last seven days alone.
After recent data has pointed towards soaring searches for tickets, the experts at SeatPick decided to analyse the average cost of accommodation in Manchester on the suspected concert nights in June 2027 to uncover if prices have surged along with the searches.
Data reveals that Manchester hotel prices have already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Press Picture)
And lo and behold, it appears that they have.
The ticketing platform has revealed that hotel prices have surged by up to 462% during Oasis’ rumoured concert nights in Manchester.
The rumoured weekend date of 19 and 20 June has experienced the most noticeable price surge – with a two-star hotel costing an average of £216 for just one overnight stay.
The data also reveals that the rumoured finale on the 27 June has just a £95 difference between two-star hotels (£200) and five-star hotels (£295).
“Our analysis uncovered an enormous markup for local accommodation on nights that Oasis is rumoured to perform in Manchester,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO at ticket platform SeatPick.
“Being aware of these accommodation costs and additional expenses can help fans plan and avoid being caught off guard by inflated prices on concert nights.
“To find the best deals on hotels, concertgoers should scan budget chains in the city or look slightly outside of the centre in hotspots served by local bus routes or regional trains, such as Salford and Trafford.
“Booking early might also be beneficial for fans dedicated to seeing the band perform.
“You can opt for free cancellation options, in case rumoured dates change, or you’re no longer able to attend.”
Featured Image – Point3D (via Unsplash)
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Aldi confirms ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has announced that it’ll, once again, be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK – but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues ‘for all their hard work’ throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That’s not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to ‘ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day’
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
“Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
“We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th April 2025 
