Trending

Virgin Media apologises after more than 50,000 customers experienced ‘repeat’ broadband outages

The company apologised for to customers for "any inconvenience caused".

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 5th April 2023

Virgin Media has apologised after tens of thousands of customers across the UK experienced several broadband outages yesterday.

The first outage was reported in the earlier hours of yesterday (Tuesday 4 April) morning at around 2am, with the firm confirming just after 8am that it was “aware of an issue that is affecting broadband services” for both customers and contact centres.

It said teams were “currently working to identify and fix the problem as quickly as possible”.

This initial issue was resolved by around 11:30am, with Virgin Media assuring customers it was “closely monitoring the situation”.

However, disruption was reported once again at 4pm by Downdetector – which is an online platform that provides users with real-time information about the status of their broadband services – and Virgin Media was forced to address the situation once again by explaining that engineers were “continuing to investigate”.

ADVERTISEMENT

With around 55,000 people thought to be affected by the outages nationwide, the company took to social media to “apologise for any inconvenience caused” while work to restore services was being carried out once again.

The company said its engineers were working “flat out” to resolve the issue.

ADVERTISEMENT

In a statement on Twitter at 5:25pm yesterday, Virgin Media said: “Unfortunately we have seen a repeat of an earlier issue which is causing intermittent broadband connectivity problems for some Virgin Media customers.

“We apologise again to those impacted, our teams are continuing to work flat out to find the root cause of the problem and fix it.”

While these repeat broadband outages were said to have been reported by around 55,000 people, one fifth of those who reported it said they were suffering from a total blackout – which has inevitably lead to some aggravated customers demanding a refund.

ADVERTISEMENT

Several called the company out for the fact these disruptions and outages are being followed by a hike in price for their services.

Virgin Media apologises after more than 50,000 customers experienced ‘repeat’ broadband outages / Credit: Kaitlyn Baker (via Unsplash)

“Some cheek telling us our bills are going up 13% whilst our internet isn’t even working,” one customer said on Twitter.

Another customer said: “There’s an honesty about Virgin Media. In response to widespread outages, they take their help pages down and ignore Twitter. Nothing says “switch your broadband, we don’t know what we’re doing” more effectively than that.”

One customer added on Twitter that he believes all customers should “receive compensation in the amount of one month free internet”.

Another customer seeking a refund said on Twitter: “Hi Virgin Media, thanks for warning us. I’ve been running multiple devices off my phone all day. Can I get a refund for your 17% price hike? Above inflation?”

ADVERTISEMENT

“Virgin Media need to refund my bill this month,” another angry customer claimed.

Read more:

“Hope I get some sort of refund,” another said on Twitter.

“You have the cheek to raise prices without improving services. And now a nice 7 hour outage? As long as that profit line stays on the up eh? You clowns.”

Featured Image – Virgin Media

Trending

Inside the Grade I-listed Cheshire mansion currently on the market for an eye-watering £11.4m

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A Grade-I listed manor house has gone on the market over in Cheshire, and to say it’s absolutely stunning is a serious understatement.

Oh… but you will need a spare £11.4 million to fork out on it though.

Of course, it goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article right now won’t see a sum of £11.4 million ever in their lifetimes, and properties of this size and stature are not the kind we’ll ever get to call home, so the next best thing we can do is just snoop around on good old Rightmove and have a nosey at all the jaw-dropping pictures instead.

Like us, if you’ve got no shame in admitting that one of your favourite internet pastimes is looking up houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never visit, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beast of a mansion in Cheshire.

We’re talking a Grade I-listed, 10-bedroom, has its own library, lake, tennis courts, self-contained lodges, a venue for hosting weddings and corporate events, and is sat in extensive farmland kind of ‘beast’.

This is Dorford Hall, in the Nantwich area of south Cheshire / Credit: Savills

This is Dorford Hall.

Nestled in a secluded, yet still very easily-accessible corner of Nantwich in south Cheshire, the expansive Dorfold Hall Estate boasts a seriously-stunning Grade I-listed Jacobean manor house surrounded by breathtaking Victorian gardens that’s been immaculately-restored and renovated by the current owners over several years to now offer accommodation for modern living within a historic setting.

While the estate may now serve the dual purpose of being a cherished family home, and a picturesque venue for weddings and corporate events, that’s now how it started life in the 17th century.

Built in 1616 and designed in the characteristic Jacobean style, the Grade I-listed Hall is steeped in local historical and architectural significance – with rumours claiming its construction was even expedited to host King James I during a royal visit.

It’s a Grade I-listed manor estate rumoured to have been built for King James I to stay in during the 17th century / Credit: Savills

Now, estate agents Savills call it a “fine example of Jacobean architecture”, all thanks to its symmetrical design, red and blue brick diapering, stone detailing, slate roofing, large mullioned windows, ornate chimneys, and gables.

Accommodation is arranged over three floors, with the spacious reception rooms, bespoke kitchen and dining room, library, billiards room, and the separate lodges, cottages, and apartments for housekeepers, being just a few of the stand-out features it has to offer.

And the wow-factor doesn’t stop with indoors either, as the outside is arguably even more impressive.

It’s currently on the market for £11.4 million / Credit: Savills

Once you’ve entered the estates grounds through the electric gates and make your way down the impressive tree-lined drive, you’ll find acres of mature and historic gardens, new lawn and garden irrigation systems, several outbuildings, and even an enviably-beautiful walled garden with its very-own wildflower meadow, lake.

As mentioned there’s even tennis court within the grounds too, as well as a restored Clock Tower, and the small matter of a RIBA award-winning avant-garde event space and Coach House that’s licensed to hold civil ceremonies.

We know we’ve used the word ‘impressive’ quite a few times throughout this, but what’s one more… it’s all pretty impressive, right?

Read more:

Dorford Hall is currently on the market with Savills for a whopping £11.4 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the property company to arrange a viewing.

Or take the cheaper route instead and just have a nosey at the Rightmove link here.

Featured Image – Savills

Trending

New narrators to take over from Sir David Attenborough for special episode of Planet Earth III

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The BBC has announced that some new narrators will be taking over from Sir David Attenborough for a special episode of Planet Earth III.

Sir David Attenborough is one of the most beloved British public figures of all time.

The BBC stalwart has been narrating nature documentaries for over 70 years now, and is known all across the world as the voice of nature – but, as our natural world faces even greater challenges than ever before, the broadcaster has claimed that “one voice alone is not enough to speak up on behalf of planet Earth”.

This is why, especially to mark Earth Day yesterday (22 April), the massively critically-acclaimed documentary series, Planet Earth III, decided to collaborate with BBC Children in Need for a one-off episode of the show.

New narrators are taking over from Sir David Attenborough for a special episode of Planet Earth III / Credit: BBC

But what exactly is it that makes this episode so “special”? Well, that’s because it’s uniquely narrated by dozens of schoolchildren.

The children – who are each aged between nine and 13, and are all said to be “budding naturalists” – can be heard reading from Sir David Attenborough’s original scripts in a bid to both “champion the power of youth voices” and, ultimately, “speak up for the planet”.

The BBC explained that the 50 student narrators were chosen from schools selected by BBC Children in Need as some of the most engaged fundraisers for the charity across the UK in recent years.

Alongside the airing of the special episode, the BBC also gave tens of thousands of children nationwide the chance to tune into a virtual assembly hosted by wildlife biologist, explorer, and presenter Lizzie Daly, as well as take part in a Q&A with the producers of the popular documentary series.

Clips from Planet Earth III were also made available so curious kids could have a go at narrating for themselves.

Read more:

The special episode of Planet Earth III narrated by the schoolchildren is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer here, but it will also be airing on BBC One on Monday 6 May too.

Featured Image – Mark Harrison (via BBC)

More Trending

Business

Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings

Antony celebrations controversy FA Cup semi-final Coventry City penalty shootout

Sport

Antony labelled ‘classless’ and ’embarrassing’ for celebrations after Man United’s penalty shootout win against Coventry

Business

‘Not just for mums’ – Iceland drops iconic slogan after more than 50 years

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches