Guernsey Liberation Day accommodation 'at maximum capacity'

Visit Guernsey has said the island's accommodation providers are "pretty much fully booked" for Liberation Day 2025.Marketing manager Jo Ferguson said the organisation's strategy was to extend the interest in the 80th Liberation Day across the month of May and through the year.She said: "Liberation Day is pretty much fully booked so all accommodation is at maximum capacity."Visit Guernsey shared its marketing strategy with about 50 tourism businesses at a workshop at Les Cotils on Thursday.
Ms Ferguson said there were three main focuses for the year - heritage, wellness and arts and culture.She said the organisation would work collaboratively with tourism businesses "to create tailored packages that hit our main demographic" with those themes in mind.Events planned for Liberation Day on 9 May will mark the 80th anniversary of the day German occupying forces left the island at the end of World War Two.Emma Walton, operations manager of Island Coachways, attended the workshop and said Liberation Day's 80th anniversary had presented a business opportunity for the firm.She said: "Our business has introduced a new tour this year, an '80 years since Liberation' tour."It is three-and-a-half hours and takes people around the island talking about people's experiences during the Occupation and going to some well-known landmarks from the Occupation."

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Scotsman

22 minutes ago

• Scotsman

5-cap Scotland international and ex-Celtic target hailed for 'crucial' role in £116m Florian Wirtz transfer

The ex-Scotland international was targeted for a role at Celtic in 2021. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A former Scotland international has been praised for his 'crucial' role in Florian Wirtz's record breaking move to Liverpool this summer - just three years after a move to Celtic collapsed at the final hurdle. The 22-year-old had his £116million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen rubber stamped yesterday, with Wirtz now becoming the English Premier League's record signing, surpassing the previous record transfer of £115million, which Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in 2023. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to European sports outlet Bild, the German international is in line to earn a weekly salary of at least £325,000 at Anfield, and joins ex-Celtic full-back - and former Leverkusen teammate - Jeremie Frimpong as the Merseyside giants second major transfer of the summer window. Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz will hope to win further trophies at Liverpool after departing Bayer Leverkusen this summer. | Getty Images During his official unveiling by the English champions, Wirtz explained why head coach Arne Slot had played a big role in convincing him to move to Liverpool, but also reserved high praise for ex-Scotland international Richard Hughes, who has been hugely successful in his role as the club's sporting director since his appointment almost exactly a year ago. 'The talks with the coach and Richard [Hughes] and everybody were, from the start or from the very first time, so good,' Wirtz told Liverpool's official media channel. 'It just kept going like this. Every time I spoke to one of the [people from] the club I felt like, 'this is the place I want to be' and so in the end I was really 100 per cent convinced I want to join Liverpool and it was the best choice.' Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also heaped praise on Hughes, writing on his official X account: 'The Liverpool director has been crucial to make the deal happen. Three months of hard work behind the scenes to get Florian's green light in May and close the deal with Leverkusen on Tuesday last week.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Glasgow-born Hughes, who won five caps for Scotland in the mid-noughties, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the game after landing the Liverpool the role last summer. Poached from a similar role at AFC Bournemouth, the 45-year-old has been lauded for his work in replacing popular former manager Jurgen Klopp with Dutch head coach Slot last summer. Richard Hughes battles for the ball as Scotland Under-21s take on Belgium Under-21s at Dunfermline FC's East End Park. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Beginning his career with Atalanta's youth team, Hughes enjoyed a moderately successful playing career, making over 200 senior appearances for the likes of Portsmouth, AFC Bournemouth and Grimsby Town. However, it has been his work as a sporting director that has garnered the most attention. First joining the Cherries recruitment team following his retirement in 2014, he was appointed the club's technical director just two years later. Hughes found himself lined up for a similar role at Celtic in 2021, with the Hoops former managerial target Eddie Howe said to have been desperate to bring him to Glasgow if he was appointed manager at Celtic Park.

Scottish Sun

2 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

I sold my £140k flat and started renting in my sixties – I save £12,000 a year and don't pay energy bills

We explain how to become a property guardian HOUSE THAT I sold my £140k flat and started renting in my sixties – I save £12,000 a year and don't pay energy bills Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HANDING the final paperwork to the conveyancing solicitor completing the sale of his £140,000 two-bedroom flat Ian Horton, feels a wave of relief. After months of stress, Ian is swapping home ownership for renting as a property guardian at the age of 61 to beat the high cost of living and save for his impending retirement. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Ian Horton sold his flat at the age of 61 to beat the high cost of living Credit: Ian Horton 6 He now rents a room in a pub Credit: Ian Horton 6 It's allowed him to cut his bills and save for retirement Credit: Ian Horton 6 The pub is awaiting redevelopment and is located within London's commuter belt Credit: Ian Horton 'I sold my flat due to Covid and skyrocketing energy costs,' Ian said. 'If I kept the flat, I'd face a debt crisis caused by rising electricity, fuel, and household bills.' Now Ian is renting as a property guardian living in a pub in London's commuter belt. He pays just £350 a month including electricity, water and council tax, saving £1,000 a month, or £12,000 a year compared to owning his own home. 'It's a miracle cure for OAPs battling the cost of living,' Ian said. 'I could never have done that if I hadn't sold my two-bed flat in my sixties. 'It may sound bonkers but becoming a property guardian is the best financial decision I ever made.' Self-employed courier Ian lives behind the bar in the former hotel in Bedford, Bedfordshire - an hour and a half outside of London with his partner Maureen, 61. The retired admin staffer and Ian pay £350 each as part of their property guardian rent. The German village where yearly rent costs less than £1 They're among 10,000 people in Britain who have become property guardians due to the rising cost of living, the rental crisis and property shortages. Property guardians live in an empty building or part of a building that would otherwise be empty to ensure it is not broken into and safeguarded. In return, guardians like Ian get to rent the property at up to 70% below its market value often with the cost of gas, electric, water and council tax included. When Ian first heard about the scheme through a friend, he knew it was the 'miracle cure' he needed to be able to cut costs and save for retirement. Ian said: 'I know people will say selling a property at my age to start renting again is crazy at my age. 'I discovered it's not bonkers but bankable because being a property guardian actually covers your costs and allows you to rent amazing properties at a tiny fraction of market value. 'It made the decision to sell my two-bed first floor flat so much easier,' he said. The self-employed courier and former postie bought his two-bedroom leasehold flat in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, in 2006 for £100,000. 'Like most people my age I was told buying was critical to retirement. 'But when the lockdown hit and energy prices and food costs started skyrocketing, I knew I had to find a solution to making the money I earned stretch further if I ever was to retire.' Ian admits he was terrified about skyrocketing gas and electric prices. As a courier Ian was also hit with escalating fuel costs. How Ian's costs changed after becoming a guardian WHEN Ian sold his flat in 2022, he was paying £300 a month for his mortgage, £50 for electricity, £30 for water and his council tax was £100 with a single person's discount. Ian also had to stump up £100 a month leasehold fee for his flat and budget another £50 a month for extra leasehold fees including roofing and emergency funds. His other monthly fees include Wi-Fi at £25 a month, phone bill of £30, groceries cost £150 and fuel was more than £300. Plus, he was paying property and vehicle insurance costs of over £200 a month, £100 for repairs and £100 in parking costs. In total, Ian was faced with monthly costs of almost £1,900 a month. After moving to the pub, he pays £900 a month including all living costs, fuel, insurance on his van and accommodation. Ian's new home As Ian completed the £140,000 sale of his two-bedroom flat in 2022, he also applied to be a property guardian. He signed up with Live in Guardians, which works with property owners and potential guardians to find the right property for the right person. 'I filled out a questionnaire, provided my renting history, exchanged questions and was acccepted,' Ian said. 'It was like applying to rent a property. I didn't need any special skills. 'The fact I was older, had owned property and was dependable was a big bonus for me. 'Once I was approved to be a guardian on their books, I got to apply for the range of properties they had on offer,' he says. His new home is a pub earmarked for redevelopment, but Ian can live there until redevelopment begins which isn't expected for at least two years. Ian said: 'Live in Guardians can find me a new property whenever I want. 'They have properties all over the country from old fire stations to former nursing homes, pubs, posh houses and form office blocks available as a place to call home.' The traditional British pub with the familiar white facade, dark brick tints and red door has leaded glass windows, an original bar, wood floors and fireplaces. There are four rooms available to rent, but Ian said they don't always see the other guardians. Included in Ian's rent is the gas, electric, heating, water, council tax, insurances, parking costs and hotel repairs. Ian and Maureen have got their own Wi-Fi for £35 a month, but they share a big kitchen and bathroom and separate toilets. In return for the cheap rent, Ian keeps Live in Guardians informed of any repairs which need doing until developers begin their work. Ian said: 'The energy bills are thrown in. I can enjoy a long shower and turn on the food whenever I want. 'It's a huge relief to not worry about the electric or gas bill. 'Before I was a property guardian, the cost of living meant I had to stop making monthly private pension payments so that on top of my government pension means I can have a little extra. 'It's not a huge amount but just being able to make monthly payments means I can breathe again. 'The fear of monthly bills has gone, and I can budget sensibly. 'I don't know when I will retire. I know it's years off. 'I do know when I finally stop working it will be possible thanks to living locally at 'my local.' Live in Guardians says it has 700 guardians currently in properties, although it has 32,500 in its database alongside £500million worth of property. Property terms can range from three months to seven years. Arthur Duke, its managing director, said: 'People are seeking out new and affordable places to live. 'We also have more companies than ever before wanting us to provide live in property guardians to stop their empty properties being scattered in, vandalised or not properly being cared for, Property guardianship agencies say the scheme allows businesspeople to pay reduced insurance and maintenance costs, generate an income on the empty premises, diversify its portfolio, and ensure the properties are well cared for. How to become a property guardian First research the different property guardian agencies. It's also important to know you're not a tenant. Instead you're a licensee which can mean fewer rights, and that it's easier to be evicted. You'll need to be over 18 years old, while some agencies prefer over 21. You'll need to be employed, self-employed or a student with income. Families are not suitable but single people or couples are accepted - but in some cases guests or pets aren't allowed. Then simply apply online via the guardian agency website - you'll need to provide ID documents, proof of income/employment and sometimes references. You might also need to attend an interview or information session. If accepted, you'll be offered viewings of available properties - most are advertised on the agency's websites. You should be prepared to move quickly if a place becomes available — unusual properties go fast. Once moved in, simply keep the agency updated on any concerns and issues with the building. How to choose a guardian agency Make sure the company is a member of the Property Guardian Providers Association (PGPA) or has good reviews. Here are some of the more established agencies: Live-in Guardians - Property Guardian Protection - Dot Dot Dot - Global Guardians - Lowe - Blue Door Property Guardians - Ad Hoc - 6 Ian and the other property guardians share a kitchen Credit: Ian Horton 6 They also have a communal bathroom but have individual toilets Credit: Ian Horton Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Daily Mirror

2 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Arne Slot breaks golden Jurgen Klopp transfer rule by doing something he avoided

It took Arne Slot just two summer transfer windows at Liverpool to blow predecessor Jurgen Klopp out of the water in regards to transfer spend following the acquisition of Florian Wirtz Liverpool manager Arne Slot is making up for lost time this summer after opening the transfer floodgates at Anfield. And it has taken the Dutchman just a few weeks to break the rule predecessor Jurgen Klopp sought to adhere to above all others in the market. Klopp, 58, previously made a point of stressing his morals when it came to keeping Liverpool financially solvent. And that meant not necessarily spending on a par with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, who copped criticism from the former Reds boss for their free-spending ways in the past. ‌ Of course that changed over time as Liverpool made allowances in opening their chequebook so Klopp could compete. But the German was staunchly against spending £100million fees on individuals when he first arrived at Anfield – a line Liverpool have now crossed with the blockbuster signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a British record deal worth up to £116m, with £100m of that being guaranteed. ‌ "If you bring one player in for £100m or whatever and he gets injured then it all goes through the chimney," Klopp warned back in 2016 after United forked out £89m to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus. "The day that this is football, I'm not in a job any more, because the game is about playing together. "That is why somebody invented passes so these players can play together. It's not about running with the ball because you can do it all the time. Building the group is not my unique idea – it is necessary to be successful in football. "Other clubs can go out and spend more money and collect top players, yes. Do I have to do it differently to that? I don't know exactly how much money we could spend because nobody has told me up to this point, 'No, no, no you can't do this.' "If I spend money it is because I am trying to build a real team. You can win championships, you can win titles. But maybe there is a manner in which you want it. It is about how it is." The Merseysiders have added 22-year-old Wirtz to their armoury and could have to shell out as much as £116m if certain conditions are met. And that addition means Liverpool have now spent more money in this window than any other in their history to date. ‌ Slot recruited Jeremie Frimpong (also from Leverkusen) for £29.5m earlier in the summer, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has joined from Valencia for an initial £25m, along with £4m in add-ons – with that deal agreed last summer counting towards their 2025 spending. Not only that, but a £40m move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is also in the pipeline. Provided the Kerkez deal goes through as expected, that would take Liverpool's total spend this summer to roughly £215m (providing all bonus clauses are met). And despite the fact the transfer window has been open for less than one month, that would far eclipse the previous record for total spend in any other window. ‌ The closest Klopp came to matching that sum was in the summer of 2018 when he spent around £170m on new signings. That included Alisson from Roma (£65m), Naby Keita from RB Leipzig (£53m), Fabinho from Monaco (£39m) and Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke (£13.5m), though the investments paid off as they won the Champions League that season. Eventually, Klopp wasn't too far from overseeing a couple of nine-digit deals himself, considering Liverpool signed Virgil van DIjk and Darwin Nunez for £75m and £85m, respectively. Van Dijk became the most expensive defender in football history at the time of his move from Southampton, and Klopp later walked back his comments concerning exorbitant transfer fees. ‌ "These kind of things happen. When you want to sign a striker as exciting as Darwin is, that's the market and you have to pay the price," he conceded in 2023. "I said so many things in my life and life caught me then later and showed me that my imagination was obviously not clear enough for how quickly life can change. That's how it is. "After that [comment about Pogba], we bought a centre-half for quite a decent fee [£75m for Van Dijk], we bought a goalie for quite a decent fee [Alisson]. Our situation is always the same, we try to level it somehow [with sales], the things we invest in the boys and in the players we sell, it's kind of that it's not going out of any kind of range and that worked so far, but I know, I heard it immediately." To Slot's credit, he won the Premier League in his debut campaign despite barely spending at all last summer. It's only fair that one, therefore, takes into account that spread of cost, which brings his net spend to a more modest £100m or so per summer window so far.