Latest news with #Peterhead
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major DIY retailer with over 300 UK stores to close branch after 20 years – with up to 40 staff at risk of job losses
A MAJOR DIY retailer is set to close one of its high street stores next month. B&Q in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, is set to pull down its shutters for the last time on August 9. 1 The home improvement store, on Buchan Way, opened in 2005. However, the lease on the unit is about to expire and the landlord plans to occupy the space themselves. Forty staff members are at risk of losing their jobs, although the company is searching for alternative premises in the area. John Eason, Director of North, ROI & Islands, B&Q, said: "Our team of 40 B&Q colleagues have been serving the Peterhead community, helping them to improve and enjoy their homes, for the last 20 years. "They would very much like to continue to serve the local residents and we are continuing to look for an alternative store location in the area. "Due to the lease expiry, it is with regret that we propose to close the store on 9 August this year. "In the meantime, we look forward to continuing to welcome our Peterhead customers to our store, and I would like to thank our colleagues for their ongoing hard work and commitment.' B&Q has over 300 brick-and-mortar branches in the UK and Ireland and sells over 30,000 products in store - with a further 300,000 available online. Earlier this year the company was forced to apologise after listing a bathroom cabinet which was easy to assemble 'even if you are a girl'. The sexist product listing for their flatpack bamboo unit appeared on the company's website. You'd never know I live in a council house thanks to how good it looks - I shopped in IKEA & an Amazon tip saved me cash The 140cm x 33cm cabinet was shown storing towels, bathroom plants and toiletries. Its product information said: 'Tall storage cabinet is perfect for saving space, slim design to fit in almost any corner. 'Three shelves provide plenty of storage to keep essentials organised and neat, and the cabinet door provides added privacy. "Easy to assemble the cabinet even if you're a girl.' However, the iconic retailer has also has some big hits this year, with shoppers in May rushing out to buy a 'classy' looking garden furniture set that was retailing for only £100. In the financial year 2024/25, annual sales at B&Q rose 0.4 per cent to around £3.84 billion. However, the market has proved challenging for other companies in the home improvement space. Earlier this year arts and crafts retailer Hobbycraft announced that it was closing nine of its stores.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- BBC News
Family heartbroken after Peterhead crash victim dies in hospital
A 67-year-old man injured in a crash in Aberdeenshire has died in said William Horne died on Sunday following the collision on Peterhead's South Road on 13 involved two cars and Mr Horne's Volkswagen a statement, relatives said: "Our family is utterly heartbroken by the tragic loss of William." The statement added: "We want to give our sincere thanks to the first responder, police, paramedics and all the wonderful staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary ICU for their care and attention to William."The occupants of the other vehicles received treatment for what were described as non-serious Scotland appealed for any witnesses to contact them.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Scotland's emission cuts 'too slow' despite fall
Cuts to Scotland's planet-warming greenhouse gases are still "too slow" despite a fall in groups say progress has "stalled" after figures showed a 1.9% year-on-year drop in emissions such as carbon dioxide for 2023. A bounce back in international air travel after the pandemic has largely offset reductions elsewhere, with domestic transport still the single biggest source of Scottish government insists significant actions have been taken over the last two years to bring emissions down further. While many sectors have seen modest falls, emissions from overseas flights grew 19%.It means emissions have now been cut by 51.3% since the baseline year of 1990, although the Scottish government no longer has annual targets against which the figures are measured. The biggest reduction came from the electricity sector which has been shifting to renewables, principally onshore and offshore wind.A big cut in generation from Scotland's only gas-fired power station, at Peterhead, saw the sector's emissions fall by 44%.Emissions from domestic transport are the largest emitting area, responsible for 29% of the first low emission zone began operating in Glasgow half way through the from agriculture are broadly unchanged, although the industry is now only the third most emitting has been replaced in second place by heating in from fuel production and distribution have dropped by 13%.Acting Net-Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said the figures showed that Scotland was leading the rest of the UK in cutting emissions."Net zero offers huge economic opportunities for our country and the changes we need to make will put money into people's pockets, improve health and wellbeing and create better public services as well as protect our planet for future generations," she said. Missed targets WWF Scotland said progress was still "too slow" and that the reductions "are simply not enough."Head of policy Claire Daly said: "Emissions from transport, buildings and agriculture remain largely unchanged and far too high. Every year of inaction makes the path to a safer, fairer future even harder to reach."The concerns are echoed by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which said progress had fellow Dave Hawkey said: "The parliament's recognition of a climate emergency in 2019 was not matched by a step change in policy. Instead, timid piecemeal initiatives crowded out more ambitious ideas."These figures have historically been an important benchmark for how well Scotland is doing in reducing its impact on climate the Scottish government missed nine of the last 13 targets and eventually decided to scrap means that Scotland is currently without any interim targets for cutting emissions until it legislates to replace them with five-yearly carbon long-term goal, to reach net zero by 2045, remains in zero is the point where no more greenhouse gases are being added to the total in the atmosphere.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I was meant to be on a stag do in Portugal cheering on my ex-team Aberdeen vs Celtic but I wasn't allowed to board plane
CAMMY SMITH loved watching Aberdeen stamp their passport to Europe on the weekend. He just wishes he'd been able to use his to watch it in Portugal on the stag do he'd organised. Advertisement 2 Aberdeen were crowned Scottish Cup champions at Hampden Credit: PA 2 But Cammy Smith wasn't there to witness it in person - or from abroad Credit: Kenneth Ramsay (Photography) Limited, Trochrague, 78 Newark Street, Greenock PA16 7TF Peterhead attacker Smith came through the ranks at Pittodrie and won the League Cup in 2014. He was supposed to be in Albufeira decked out in a Dons retro top from the days when the club last lifted the trophy in his role as best man to ex-teammate Mikey Rose ahead of his wedding next weekend. But a RyanAir jobsworth barred him from travelling because the start date on his documents was over ten years ago, despite the expiry date still being valid. Advertisement Smith felt so deflated he then rejected the chance of a ticket for Hampden on the morning of the game - so was left to look on from his sitting room as Jimmy Thelin's men made history. While he was gutted to miss out on both parties, he couldn't stop smiling as he watched one-time Dons pal Graeme Shinnie lift the silverware at full-time. Smith, 29, said: 'I got offered a free ticket on the morning of the game from one of my mates and I said No because of the way the weekend had turned out. I wish I'd gone now. 'My brother was there and said it was one of the best days he'd experienced. All my mates were out there in Portugal and had a bar booked to watch it in. I'd organised it all. 'The majority of them are Aberdeen fans and they all had Aberdeen tops on. We'd organised a retro Aberdeen top day with the 90s tops and stuff like that. Advertisement 'I saw the videos and you can see how much it meant to a lot of them. A lot of them are older than me and they'd been following Aberdeen for years. 'They were quite emotional seeing their team win the cup. But despite not being there or at Hampden it still felt amazing to me and I got goosebumps watching it and the fan celebrations.' Aberdeen fans react to historic Scottish Cup win Smith turns 30 later this year so wasn't even born when the Dons last lifted the trophy in 1990. He said: 'It turns what would have probably been an average season for Aberdeen into a really good one. 'You saw the support they had at the game and the parade on Sunday. Hopefully it gives the team more confidence to do it more regularly. Advertisement 'Coming from Aberdeen and playing for Aberdeen ten years ago after coming through the youth system meant you'd always heard about how successful they were back in the good days. 'They used to regularly come down to Hampden and win the cup and league. Rightly or wrongly, that's the expectation at Aberdeen. The fans expect you to win a trophy every year. 'They expect you to be challenging Celtic and Rangers. Times have changed and that's not as easy with budgets nowadays. 'But the weekend showed how big the club actually is. The League Cup we won was amazing and everyone still remembers that team and the manager and the key players. I was fortunate to be a good squad player. How they rated Dimitar Mitov - Saves from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston in the shootout plus denying Daizen Maeda late in regular time wrote him a place in Aberdeen's history books. Is now a legend. 10 Alfie Dorrington - Didn't know anything about it as Arne Engels' corner kick cracked off his shoulder before sneaking in. Luckless stuff for the defender, who'd started well and had Adam Idah's card marked. 7 Jack Milne - Shock inclusion as Jimmy Thelin moved to three at the back in a bid to outfox Rodgers. Was superb as part of their back three and showed he's got a big future. 8 Mats Knoester - The most experienced of Aberdeen's back three by far so was tasked with talking them through the afternoon and keeping them organised. Led by example throughout as the Dons dug in. 9 Alexander Jensen - Up against Maeda and kept the Japanese striker as quiet as anyone has throughout the first half here. Did deliver some good balls when he got high enough up. 9 Ante Palaversa - Asked to use his physical presence and cover the ground to block off Celtic's midfield from bombing forward - which he did. Slammed a superb spot kick high into the net. 8 Graeme Shinnie - Slotted back into the middle of the park as part of Thelin's tactical tinkering and brought the grit they needed in there. Great penalty in the shootout to win the cup. 9 Nicky Devlin - Brought back into the side as left wing-back in the Dons' new formation and did his job stopping Nicolas Kuhn cutting inside. Did well until running out of gas late on. 7 Leighton Clarkson - Normally Aberdeen's' creative spark but saw far too little of the ball to make an impact with waves of attack coming the other way. Second half free kick easily saved. 6 Topi Keskinen - Tasked with injecting pace into Aberdeen's rare attacks when they sprung forward but was unable to bring enough quality to the table to hurt the Hoops. Hooked for Pape Gueye. 5 Kevin Nisbet - Defended from the front as the Dons sat in for the first part of this game. Had a good chance from Leighton Clarkson's free kick but headed over. Fed on scraps. 6 Subs: Pape Gueye (Keskinen 56) - Sparked the Dons into life with his pace and energy, turned the game. 7 Dante Polvara (Dorrington 79) - Replaced crocked Dorrington at the back. 7 Shayden Morris (Clarkson 79) - Caused Kasper Schmeichel's late OG leveller within seconds of coming on. 7 Oday Dabbagh (Nisbet 79) - Slammed his penalty in the top corner. 7 Jack MacKenzie (Devlin 89) - Will bow out a cup winner. 6 Kristers Tobers (Milne 93) - Replaced Milne in extra-time. 6 'But everyone always wanted the Scottish Cup. It had been so long so to get it against Celtic, who are probably the best team in the country now, probably makes it all the more special.' Advertisement Dons skipper Shinnie turned up for the parade on Sunday still wearing his kit from the previous day. Smith grinned: 'I saw the photos of him! He's not actually a big drinker so he probably had a few beers and that hit him for six! 'He's a family guy, isn't ever out too much and keeps himself to himself. He actually lived in the village of Balmedie, which is where I grew up. He was a five or ten minute walk from my parents' house. 'He's from Aberdeen and he's an outstanding guy and such a humble person. I think Derek McInnes signed him as a left-back when he signed the first time and he gave him the No3 shirt. 'We went over to Croatia and he played in the middle of the park against Rijeka. He was unreal that night and played with so much energy and he ended up playing centre mid a lot that season. Advertisement 'He's so down to earth and one of the boys. He's been such a good servant to the club and regardless of whether people know Shinnie personally or not, I think everybody just wants him to do well and they're happy for him. He really deserves it.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
High street chain with 178 shops puts ANOTHER store up for sale ahead of three more branches shutting
A MAJOR discount store with 178 shops has put one site up for sale ahead of closing three more stores. The landlord of The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) in Nairn, Scotland, has listed the site for sale. 1 The retail unit is already listed for sale on the TSA Property Consultants website, suggesting it is likely to close soon. This follows news that another TOFS location in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, has been listed for rent. Staff at the Peterhead store told The Press and Journal that it is expected to shut in June. These developments come just weeks after TOFS' owner, Modella Capital, launched a restructuring effort to renegotiate rents at 88 of its stores. Despite these efforts, the retailer has confirmed that two more stores, in addition to the Peterhead location, will be closing in the coming weeks. Its site in Market Place, Staveley, Derbyshire is set to close permanently on July 12. The announcement, shared on the store's Facebook "The Original Factory Shop Staveley has served you for 20 years and will be closing its doors for the final time on the July 12." TOFS' store on Charles Street, Milford Haven, has also announced its closure with the launch of a 30% off closing-down sale. A post on Facebook read: "Closing down sale now on in store! Why are shops closing stores? "Up to 30% across all items." Its unclear when this store will pull the shutters down for the final time. A spokesperson for The Original Factory shop told The Press and Journal: "The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) recently confirmed that as part of a restructuring a number of its loss-making stores will have to close. "Closing stores is always a tough decision and we are committed to keeping as many stores open as possible. "This is, however, dependent on successful negotiations with landlords as we strive to build a sustainable and successful business for the future. "We have already announced that two stores will close. "Additionally, a small number of other stores are currently under review, with their continued operation subject to ongoing negotiations with landlords." While many bargain stores such as B&M and Home Bargains have seemed to profit from the cost of living crisis, The Original Factory store has struggled to stay afloat. Duke Street Capital, which had owned the company since 2007, attempted to offload the business in 2023 through Deloitte, but a deal never came to fruition. In February, TOFS was eventually sold to private equity firm Modella Capital, which also owns Hobbycraft and WHSmith 's high street stores. What's happening at TOFS? Modella Capital, the new owner of the Original Factory Shop, drew up plans to initiate a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) at the end of April. Companies often turn to a CVA as a means to stave off insolvency, which could otherwise result in store closures or the collapse of the entire business. A CVA provides struggling firms with an opportunity to explore strategies to safeguard their future, such as negotiating reduced rent rates with landlords. For TOFS, this involves trying to renegotiate rents at 88 of its 178 stores. However, it's important to note that landlords don't have to agree to reduced rents. If an agreement cannot be reached, TOFS may be forced to close stores, which would unfortunately result in job losses. For now, the future remains uncertain. The retailer has also shuttered more than a dozen stores over the past 12 months. History of The Original Factory Shop FOUNDED in 1969 by the Black family in Keighley, the first shop was part of Peter Black's retail network. Initially, it focused on selling surplus soap produced by one of Black's factories, offering local communities great value. Over the years, TOFS evolved from its humble beginnings, expanding its product range to include clothing, homeware, beauty products, toys, and more. It became known for offering a diverse selection of well-known brands at discounted prices. The company grew steadily, reaching 185 stores by 2011 and expanding its headquarters and warehouse in Burnley to accommodate its increasing needs. In 2007, the chain was acquired by private equity firm Duke Street Capital. Since then, TOFS has undergone various transformations, including store closures and openings, as it adapted to the changing retail landscape. In February 2025, Modella Capital, the owner of Hobbycraft, acquired TOFS. Hard times for discount stores Store closures are indicative of the harsh retail climate which has plagued high streets up and down the UK in recent years. Rising costs, coupled with shoppers tightening their purse strings, have placed pressure on businesses and damaged sales. Bargain retailers such as B&M and Home Bargains have performed better than others thanks to their low price point, but this has created rivalry. However, much like TOFS, Poundland is also grappling with challenges to remain competitive in the market. The discount retailer, owned by Pepco, enlisted advisory firm Teneo earlier this month to manage the potential sale of its business. A significant number of stores could be axed as part of the proposed sale, reports say. It comes after Pepco said it was looking at "all strategic options" to separate Poundland from its brand. The Polish group said it might turn its focus to its more profitable businesses in Europe. Pepco previously warned that hikes to employer national insurance contributions (NICs) and national minimum wage would significantly add to its costs. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said during her autumn statement last year that she would raise employers' NICs from 13.8% to 15%. She also announced a reduction to the threshold at which businesses start paying NICs from £9,100 to £5,000. It's estimated that the move will raise £25billion, costing the equivalent of around £800 per employee for businesses. Late last year, it was revealed that profits at Poundland also tumbled by £641million in the year to September, with bosses again blaming slow sales amid a poor outlook thanks to measures set out by Reeves. The firm is not the only business to have warned of these challenges. The move has been blasted by a number of high street stores including Greggs, Sainsbury's, Next and Halford s, which all said it could force them to raise prices and further bruise the industry. Why are retailers closing shops? EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre's decline. The Sun's business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors. In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping. Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April 2025, will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40. In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed. The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing. Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns. Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead. In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Carpetright, Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Paperchase, Ted Baker, The Body Shop, Topshop and Wilko to name a few. What's increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online. They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
