A much quieter high street could make Screwfix even busier, so make sure you get there in time before the crowds snap everything up.
What are the bank holidays in 2025?
There are several bank holidays still to come in 2025, meaning Brits can look forward to even more time off.
Northern Ireland has the most time off, with another nine bank holidays lined up, and Scotland comes in second place with eight bank holidays.
England and Wales only have seven left but many of them fall when the weather is at its best.
England and Wales
April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
April 21, 2025 – Easter Monday
May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Scotland
April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
August 4, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
December 1, 2025 – St Andrew’s Day
December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Northern Ireland
April 18, 2025 – Good Friday
April 21, 2025 – Easter Monday
May 5, 2025 – Early May bank holiday
May 26, 2025 – Spring bank holiday
July 14, 2025 – Battle of the Boyne
August 25, 2025 – Summer bank holiday
December 25, 2025 – Christmas Day
December 26, 2025 – Boxing Day
Easter Sunday 2025 - Shop opening times
Most supermarkets will be operating reduced hours over the Easter period.
Supermarkets including Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and M&S will all be closing on Easter Sunday but will run limited hours on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
10 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Brits are irritated by ‘chocflation’ – where Easter eggs have shrunk in size yet cost more
BRITS are irritated by ‘chocflation’ – where Easter eggs have shrunk in size yet cost more than ever.
According to a poll of 2,000 adults, 85 per cent believe shrinkflation has affected the size of the chocolate treats – with 68 per cent bothered by the change.
Doug Peters/PinPepA poll found 68 per cent of adults were frustrated at chocolates shrinking in size but increasing in price[/caption]
Half have bought an egg for a loved one – only for the recipient to be underwhelmed by the size of the egg inside the box.
While 85 per cent were irked by how brands ‘hide’ the size of an egg with the packaging, with 71 per cent feeling shortchanged by its size.
The research was commissioned by SMARTY Mobile, which has teamed up with Pete Wicks to hand out huge Easter Eggs, 80 per cent larger than a standard egg, to ensure no one is disappointed.
Pete, speaking in partnership with the SIM only provider, which avoids annual price hikes commonly seen by other brands in April, said: “As the research shows, chocolate Easter eggs have been shrinking whilst prices have been increasing, so today we wanted to do our bit to give back to the British public.
“Did I need to be dressed as an Easter bunny to do this? No.
“But I am very happy to put a smile on people’s faces this Easter, who doesn’t want a free chocolate egg?”
It also emerged 87 per cent estimate eggs are generally smaller than they were only five years ago – and as a result, 24 per cent are frequently checking the weight of their potential purchase.
And 51 per cent believe the chocolate is thinner than it used to be.
Yet, Brits are willing to spend an average of £5.70 on the average branded egg.
However, 73 per cent haven’t bothered buying an Easter egg because they simply thought it was too small for the price.
As a result, 62 per cent have bought another confectionery product entirely because they felt it offered better value than the traditional offerings.
While 79 per cent would be more likely to buy an egg if a brand made a point of making them bigger than they were in the past.
Sayed Hajamaideen at SMARTY Mobile, which is offering 80GB for £10, said: “Year after year, customers are hit with hidden price increases on everyday purchases, from household bills to even Easter eggs.
“Life shouldn’t come with sneaky charges.
“That’s why we keep things simple—no unexpected price hikes, just great value.
“And to prove it, we’re giving out Easter eggs the way they should be: generous in size, because the only surprise at Easter should be the extra treats found in your egg.”
Doug Peters/PinPepThe poll also found 73 per cent of people had not bothered to buy an Easter egg because they thought it would be too small for its price[/caption]
10 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Popular British retailer RETURNS to high street five years after collapsing into administration and shutting 66 stores
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Cath Kidston teased the return on Instagram with images of the hoardings branded with its familiar florals.
In the post, it said: “Why yes. Yes, you guessed right.
“We do indeed we have a new home opening soon. Can anyone tell where in London we’ll be opening our doors?”
Reacting to the post, one shopper said: “I was heartbroken when the stores closed!
“I am so happy to hear this.”
Another said: “Really missed your shops! Can’t wait to go to Westfield White City.”
However, despite these opening showing a glimmer of hope for the high street, many companies, such as Morrisons and Select, continue to close stores.
10 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Popular shop with 150 stores UK-wide to SHUT after 2 years with closing sale offering ‘ridiculous prices’ before it goes
A POPULAR charity shop is set to close after its landlord decided to lease the building to another business.
The YMCA store on St Stephens Street in Norwich first opened in 2023, taking over the old Shoe Zone site in the city centre.
GoogleYMCA in St Stephens Street has been praised for its community spirit over the last two years[/caption]
YMCA is one of the UK’s oldest and largest youth charities, working to support young people through housing, education, training, and wellbeing services.
The organisation helps individuals facing homelessness, unemployment, mental health struggles, and other challenges by offering safe accommodation, life skills support, and community programmes.
In 2024, YMCA Norfolk was named YMCA of the Year, after helping more than 21,500 people in just 12 months across the region.
Now, it’s preparing to shut down for good.
It will officially shut on April 11, but not before holding a blowout closing sale with “ridiculous prices.”
Shoppers can bag items for £2 or less, and children’s clothes from as little as 50p.
The branch has been praised for its community spirit over the last two years.
In a statement, a spokesperson said:
“We are deeply saddened to announce that unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are having to close.
“Our store has been a great hive for community spirit in these two years.
“We want to thank each and every one of you for filling our daily lives with fun, laughter and good chats.”
Until new premises are found, staff from St Stephens Street will merge after YMCA’s Castle Quarter branch after Easter.
Major chains have been shutting shops at pace.
Shoe Zone, which previously occupied the same building in Norwich, has already closed stores in Boscombe, Bournemouth, and Burgess Hill.
Morrisons is axing 52 cafés and 17 stores as part of a cost-cutting drive, while fashion retailer New Look plans to shut dozens of branches this year.
In 2024 alone, 13,479 stores shut permanently across the UK — that’s 37 a day, according to the Centre for Retail Research.
Over half of those closures were due to businesses entering debt or administration.
Retailers also face new pressure in 2025 as employer National Insurance contributions rise, and the minimum wage jumps to £12.21 an hour.
Experts warn this could trigger further closures, with up to 202,000 retail jobs at risk in the year ahead.
Professor Joshua Bamfield of the CRR said:
“Although 2024 wasn’t as bad as the height of the pandemic, store closures remain disconcerting — and worse may be coming in 2025.”
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”The beloved budget supermarket will be scrapping 52 cafes and 17 stores in a cost-cutting shake-up.
GettyUntil new pemises are found, staff from St Stephens Street will merge after YMCA’s Castle Quarter branch after Easter[/caption]
10 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Future Moon base could be powered by lunar DIRT, say scientists as Nasa plans to send astronauts in 2026
IMAGINE your home was powered by the dirt in your back garden.
Well, that could be a reality for future lunar astronauts.
GettyBootprint of astronaut Edwin Aldrin in the lunar soil in 1969[/caption]
Sercan ÖzenMaking solar cells on the Moon instead of Earth could cut transport costs by as much as 99%, according to the team behind the research[/caption]
Scientists have discovered a way to use Moon dust to build solar power cells that can withstand powerful cosmic radiation better than cells built on Earth.
Using simulated lunar dirt – known as regolith – scientists have been able to create a new Moon glass.
“The solar cells used in space now are amazing, reaching efficiencies of 30% to even 40%, but that efficiency comes with a price,” explained lead researcher Felix Lang of the University of Potsdam, Germany.
“They are very expensive and are relatively heavy because they use glass or a thick foil as cover.
“It’s hard to justify lifting all these cells into space.”
Using this new technique, astronauts could build their own solar cells in space.
Doing so would remove the need to haul heavy materials from Earth to the Moon – which would greatly reduce launch costs.
It also means there will be greater capacity for materials that can’t be replicated on the Moon.
Scientists say the process of making moonglass solar cells is surprisingly easy.
So, future lunar astronauts will likely have to do it themselves.
Making solar cells on the Moon instead of Earth could cut transport costs by as much as 99%, according to the team behind the research.
It should also reduce a spacecraft’s launch mass by roughly the same amount.
“If you cut the weight by 99%, you don’t need ultra-efficient 30% solar cells, you just make more of them on the Moon,” added Lang.
“Plus, our cells are more stable against radiation, while the others would degrade over time.”
When zapped with space-grade radiation, the moonglass solar cells outperformed Earth-made ones, scientists wrote in science journal Device.
The Moon – our closest neighbour explained
Here's what you need to know...
The Moon is a natural satellite – a space-faring body that orbits a planet
It’s Earth’s only natural satellite, and is the fifth biggest in the Solar System
The Moon measures 2,158 miles across, roughly 0.27 times the diameter of Earth
Temperatures on the Moon vary wildly. Nasa explains: “Temperatures near the Moon’s equator can spike to 250°F (121°C) in daylight, then plummet after nightfall to -208°F (-133°C). In deep craters near the Moon’s poles, permanent shadows keep the surface even colder — NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has measured temperatures lower than -410°F (-246°C).”
Experts assumed the Moon was another planet, until Nicolaus Copernicus outlined his theory about our Solar System in 1543
It was eventually assigned to a “class” after Galileo discovered four moons orbiting Jupiter in 1610
The Moon is believed to have formed around 4.51billion years ago
The strength of its gravitational field is about a sixth of Earth’s gravity
Earth and the Moon have “synchronous rotation”, which means we always see the same side of the Moon – hence the phrase “dark side of the Moon”
The Moon’s surface is actually dark, but appears bright in the sky due to its reflective ground
During a solar eclipse, the Moon covers the Sun almost completely. Both objects appear a similar size in the sky because the Sun is both 400 times larger and farther
The first spacecraft to reach the Moon was in 1959, as part of the Soviet Union’s Lunar program
The first manned orbital mission was Nasa’s Apollo 8 in 1968
And the first manned lunar landing was in 1969, as part of the Apollo 11 mission
Standard Earth-made glass slowly browns in space, which can block sunlight and make them less efficient.
But moonglass apparently has a natural brown tint from impurities in the Moon dust.
These impurities prevent the moonglass from further darkening, and make the solar cells more resistant to radiation.
Nasa has plans to send humans to the Moon in September 2026 in its Artemis III mission.
They are targeting a landing near the lunar South Pole, which scientists believe hosts water and is therefore a good spot for a lunar base.
“From extracting water for fuel to building houses with lunar bricks, scientists have been finding ways to use Moon dust,” said Lang.
“Now, we can turn it into solar cells too, possibly providing the energy a future Moon city will need.”
All you need to know about planets in our solar system
Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all...
10 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on 4.05 Aintree result – day 1: Who won the Foxhunters’ Chase 2025? How every horse finished at Grand National Festival
AINTREE Festival has got off to a thrilling start – and the Foxhunters’ Chase is up NEXT.
Sun Racing brings you how every horse finished in the 4.05pm at Aintree.
The TimesThe Foxhunters’ Chase is underway at Aintree[/caption]
4.05 Aintree results
Full results and horse placing to follow…
Full Aintree Grand National Festival TV schedule and race times
Thursday, April 3
All times BST
1:45pm: Manifesto Novices’ Chase (WINNER: IMPAIRE ET PASSE) 2:20pm: Juvenile Hurdle (WINNER: MURCIA) 2:55pm: Aintree Bowl (WINNER: GAELIC WARRIOR) 3:30pm: Aintree Hurdle (WINNER: LOSSIEMOUTH) 4:05pm: Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (ITV) 4:40pm: Red Rum Handicap Chase (ITV) 5:15pm: Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Racing TV)
Friday, April 4
1:45pm: Mildmay Novices’ Chase (ITV) 2:20pm: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (ITV) 2:55pm: Top Novices’ Hurdle (ITV) 3:30pm: Melling Chase (ITV) 4:05pm: Topham Handicap Chase (ITV) 4:40pm: Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (ITV) 5:15pm: Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (Racing TV)
Saturday, April 5
1:20pm: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (ITV) 1:55pm: Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (ITV) 2:30pm: Freebooter Handicap Chase (ITV) 3:05pm: Liverpool Hurdle (ITV) 4pm: Grand National (ITV) 5pm: Maghull Novices’ Chase (Racing TV) 5:35pm: Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Racing TV)
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
10 hours agoLatest NewsComments Off on Man Utd files: Red Devils make £25m ‘new Peter Crouch’ top striker target and Ten Hag’s mammoth payout revealed
BEANPOLE Italian striker Lorenzo Lucca is literally rising to the top of the Manchester United shortlist as the new Old Trafford regime seeks a substantial rebuild.
The 6ft 7in frontman, 24, has notched 18 Serie A goals over the past two seasons since returning to his homeland with Udinese from a loan spell with Ajax.
Lorenzo Lucca is a key target for Man UtdGettyGettyThe striker fits United’s transfer criteria[/caption]
Lucca, who has earned three Italy caps this season, was a youth product at Torino but made his breakthrough with 13 goals for Serie C Palermo in 2020-21.
During his spell at Pisa in Serie B he was dubbed the “Tower of Pisa”, a reference to the city’s landmark building.
Udinese are looking for just £25million this summer for a striker who would become the Prem’s tallest outfield player since Peter Crouch retired in 2019.
That fits with United’s financial model although they would face potential competition from Juventus and Milan.
Ten Hag payout
Erik ten Hag received a compensation payout of £8.5million when he was sacked as Manchester United manager.
The Dutchman was fired in October with the club sitting 14th in the Premier League.
It was thought Ten Hag’s payout may have been bigger after he was handed a one-year extension last summer after leading United to FA Cup glory at Wembley Stadium.
He still had 20 months to run on his £9million a year contract.
However, it appears the Dutchman walked away with less than he would have earned had he seen out his contract.
The latest club accounts revealed: “On 28 October 2024, the club announced that Ten Hag left his role as men’s first team manager. Costs associated with this of approximately £8.5million will be recognised in the financial statements for the year ending 30 June 2025.”
United had previously admitted forking out £14.5 million to Ten Hag, his coaching team and former sporting director Dan Ashworth.
The club said: “Exceptional items for the quarter were a cost of £14.5m. This relates to costs associated with the departure of former men’s first team manager Erik ten Hag and various members of football staff.”
The payout to Ten Hag is roughly the same amount the club has been forced to pay out in redundancy after cutting 250 staff last summer.
The club admitted: “In July 2024, Manchester United began a redundancy process aimed at reducing employee levels by around 250 people. Associated costs of between £8million and £10million will be recognised.”
PAErik ten Hag received a payout of £8.5million after his payout[/caption]
Lining City pockets
United will have to hand Sunday’s derby rivals City a windfall of around £5m if they land Ipswich forward Liam Delap this summer.
The 22-year-old is one of the names under consideration at Old Trafford as they look to rebuild Ruben Amorim’s squad this summer.
And City will be watching developments closely with the striker they allowed to leave for £15m last summer.
They have a buy-back option believed to be in the region of £40m but as things stand are unlikely to activate that.
However they inserted a sell-on clause into the original deal in July – meaning they will get 20 per cent of any profit made by the Suffolk club.
AlamyLiam Delap is on the Red Devils radar[/caption]
Fire summer sale
Talk of the dressing room at Old Trafford is that the club is desperate to offload some of its highest wage earners this summer – to allow a long-term cut-price reboot of the squad.
United chiefs fear they will be unable to shift Brazilian veteran Casemiro, who has another 12 months left on his £18m per season contract.
That means they are crossing their fingers that Real Betis will want to splash the cash to turn Old Trafford flop Antony‘s loan into a permanent deal.
Marcus Rashford‘s successful stint at Aston Villa is seen as lifting his potential sale price, while Christian Eriksen will be among those leaving when his contract expires.
SunSport understands the new approach was signposted by the arrival in January of left-back Patrick Dorgu, signed for £25m from Lecce on a five-year deal worth only £40,000 per week.
United’s scouts have been told to look for value in the market, with the club looking to avoid over-paying for young players and offering them relatively low initial contracts.
GettyMan Utd want to get rid of outcasts Antony and Jadon Sancho[/caption]
Ex-Red Devil receives support
Former United team-mates have rallied around Brandon Williams – who is facing up to two years in prison after admitting dangerous driving.
The 24-year-old will be sentenced on May 9 and has found life difficult since he was released by the Red Devils 12 months ago.
But those who worked with him at Carrington and played alongside him have been quick to offer both financial and moral support for the youngster – with one ex-United star particularly generous.
One that got away
Nico O’Reilly is the talk of the blue half of town right now after his emergence into City’s first team in recent weeks – and he could get his first taste of a full Old Trafford in Sunday’s derby.
Yet if things had worked out differently, he could have been turning out regularly at the Theatre of Dreams.
United were at the head of the queue to sign the Manchester-born youngster when he was a boy – but he opted to go across town after being dazzled by the set up at the City Football Academy.
Nico O’Reilly has impressed for Man City in recent weeksGetty
Wag city
Amorim’s wife Maria Joao Diogo will no doubt be looking forward to the arrival of Hugo Viana across town at City.
That’s because she is close friends with the wife of the new Etihad director of football – and the pair own interior design company Dois Tons together.
But in the meantime Maria has struck up an unlikely friendship with Natalia Loewe – who is the partner of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
The families live close together in Cheshire and have kept each other company while their husbands are off training.
D. RMaria Joao Diogo is close friends with the wife of incoming City chief Hugo Viana[/caption]
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
