Latest news with #Wetherspoons
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘Looks like a Wetherspoons plate' slam bemused Reading fans as new football kit is unveiled
The price takes the biscuit as well FOUR, FOUR, CHEW 'Looks like a Wetherspoons plate' slam bemused Reading fans as new football kit is unveiled Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FOOTIE fans say their team's new home shirt is driving them pottery — because it looks like a Wetherspoon pub plate. League One club Reading unveiled its kit for the 2025/26 season to the bemusement of some supporters yesterday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Reading's new signing Paudie O'Connor models the club's new kit Credit: Instagram 3 The traditional blue hoops with a white background on the jersey now have a swirly pattern Credit: Jam Press/Reading FC 3 Some smart cookies online say it looks more like the crockery from popular pub chain Wetherspoons Credit: Jam Press/JD Wetherspoons The traditional blue hoops with a white background on the jersey now have a swirly pattern. It is meant to resemble a biscuit tin in a nod to the Berkshire town's rich trade in the snacks. The club was previously nicknamed The Biscuitmen before becoming known as The Royals. But some smart cookies online say it looks more like the crockery from the popular pub chain. Read More on Sport ARNE PLOT Wirtz deal may spark £400m Liverpool overhaul as Slot eyes Feyenoord-like revamp The price takes the biscuit as well, with the adults kit costing £103 altogether — £58 for the top, £30 for shorts and £15 for socks. For children, it is £48, £25, and £15 respectively — a total of £88. But supporters of the club, founded in 1871, seemed to be more concerned about the look of the shirts — modelled on Instagram by new signing Paudie O'Connor and by supporters in a club video. One fan online quipped: 'Looks like a Wetherspoons plate.' Another agreed: 'Wetherspoons plate kit.' A third said: 'We don't want to look like biscuits tins…not my cup of tea.' Leroy Lita scores a screamer for Reading against Crystal Palace Royals fan Matt Wilkinson commented: 'Let's hope we can do our talking on the pitch in this kit — rather than being mocked off of it for looking like a dog's dinner — served on a Spoons' plate.' One football fan added: 'Looks like my nan's wallpaper in the 70s.' Others said the jersey resembled a festive sweater, with one quipping: 'What in the Christmas kit is this?' But in a jokey reference to classier tablewear collections, Tom argued: 'If some trendy team like Venezia or Versailles came out with this, it would be lauded as one of the best shirts of the season. I think it's spectacular!'
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘Looks like a Wetherspoons plate' slam bemused Reading fans as new football kit is unveiled
FOOTIE fans say their team's new home shirt is driving them pottery — because it looks like a Wetherspoon pub plate. League One club Reading unveiled its kit for the 2025/26 season to the bemusement of some supporters yesterday. 3 3 The traditional blue hoops with a white background on the jersey now have a swirly pattern. It is meant to resemble a biscuit tin in a nod to the Berkshire town's rich trade in the snacks. The club was previously nicknamed The Biscuitmen before becoming known as The Royals. But some smart cookies online say it looks more like the crockery from the popular pub chain. The price takes the biscuit as well, with the adults kit costing £103 altogether — £58 for the top, £30 for shorts and £15 for socks. For children, it is £48, £25, and £15 respectively — a total of £88. But supporters of the club, founded in 1871, seemed to be more concerned about the look of the shirts — modelled on Instagram by new signing Paudie O'Connor and by supporters in a club video. One fan online quipped: 'Looks like a Wetherspoons plate.' Another agreed: 'Wetherspoons plate kit.' A third said: 'We don't want to look like biscuits tins…not my cup of tea.' Royals fan Matt Wilkinson commented: 'Let's hope we can do our talking on the pitch in this kit — rather than being mocked off of it for looking like a dog's dinner — served on a Spoons' plate.' One football fan added: 'Looks like my nan's wallpaper in the 70s.' Others said the jersey resembled a festive sweater, with one quipping: 'What in the Christmas kit is this?' But in a jokey reference to classier tablewear collections, Tom argued: 'If some trendy team like Venezia or Versailles came out with this, it would be lauded as one of the best shirts of the season. I think it's spectacular!'
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Wetherspoons to shut popular Scots pub as punters left gutted
Read on to find out when the pub will shut for good LAST ORDERS Wetherspoons to shut popular Scots pub as punters left gutted Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WETHERSPOONS is set to close down one of its popular Scottish pubs. The boozer in Cumbernauld, called The Carrick Stone, will shut its doors for a final time in 2026. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Carrick Stone in Cumbernauld will close its doors next year Credit: Google The branch is located on Teviot Walk near the Antonine Shopping Centre. Bosses at the pub chain confirmed the plan for closure follows a "commercial decision", the Glasgow Times reports. It will close down in January next year. Staff at the beloved pub will be offered jobs at other Wetherspoon branches. Locals were left gutted by the news and flocked to social media to share their disappointment. One person said: "Aw I'm gonna miss this place. Going to leave a big hole for a lot of people." Another wrote: "Met some nice folk in there over the years. What a shame." A third added: "Nothing left in Cumbernauld." While a fourth commented: "We had some good breakfasts and pitchers there." A Wetherspoons spokesperson said: "We can confirm that The Carrick Stone will close in January. The Sun tries Wetherspoons' new menu "This is a commercial decision made by the company. "We understand that staff and customers will be disappointed with the decision and thank them for their loyal service and custom. "All staff will be offered jobs at other Wetherspoon pubs." It comes after a popular Scottish Wetherspoons pub with a unique history was named among the best in the UK. The Caley Picture House is the biggest in Edinburgh and looks like something from The Great Gatsby. And it has been named in the top 10 best branches across the country.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Every bargain hitting Aldi middle aisle this week including giant sprinkler & chunky sandals – prices start from £1.29
Aldi's bargain buys are perfect for keeping cool during this week's heatwave AISLE BE THERE Every bargain hitting Aldi middle aisle this week including giant sprinkler & chunky sandals – prices start from £1.29 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALDI fans better set their alarms, as a whole host of new bargain Specialbuys will be hitting stores in just days. From an enormous garden sprinkler, to practical chunky sandals, the German discounter has everything you need to make the most of the heatwave this June. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Aldi's latest Specialbuys will keep you cool during June's heatwave Credit: Getty 3 The chunky sandals will keep your feet feeling comfortable whilst sightseeing on summer hols Credit: Aldi 3 The Giant Sprinkler is a fun way to keep kids cool in the heat Credit: Aldi Aldi's Specialbuys launch every Thursday and Sunday, with the budget store's middle aisle flooded with a whole host of bargains, from garden gadgets to beauty dupes. Landing in stores this Thursday, June 19th is a selection of chunky sandals, priced at just £9.99. The bargain ladies footwear comes in two colours, black or cognac, that will go with all of your summer outfits. It comes in sizes four to eight, and the chunky soles will guarantee your feet remain comfortable whilst sightseeing on city breaks. Aldi said: "Step out in style whilst maintaining comfort. "Choose a colour to match your outfit and upgrade your summer wardrobe." Also arriving in stores on Thursday are adorable pink and blue children's sandals, priced at just £3.99. The adorable summer footwear features a sweet leaf pattern and is lightweight, making the shoes perfect for this week's hot weather. And shoppers can also get their hands on sweet-smelling air fresheners for just £1.29. The Chupa Chups car fresheners come in a wide range of flavours, including juicy apple and dreamy vanilla and are bound to make your vehicle smell like a delightful candy shop. Cheapest supermarket revealed and Wetherspoons axe fan favourite menu item On Sunday, June 22nd, a brand new set of bargains will hit the middle aisle, including a Giant Sprinkler. The huge kids toy is priced at £19.99 and comes in either an octopus or a unicorn design. The inflatable product shoots water out of jets, meaning your kids will be having a whale of a time, whilst keeping cool. Aldi said: "Stay cool whilst having fun in the garden this summer. Why do Aldi and Lidl have such fast checkouts IF you've ever shopped in Aldi or Lidl then you'll probably have experienced its ultra-fast checkout staff. Aldi's speedy reputation is no mistake, in fact, the supermarket claims that its tills are 40 per cent quicker than rivals. It's all part of Aldi's plan to be as efficient as possible - and this, the budget shop claims, helps keep costs low for shoppers. Efficient barcodes on packaging means staff are able to scan items as quickly as possible, with the majority of products having multiple barcodes to speed up the process. It also uses 'shelf-ready' packaging which keeps costs low when it comes to replenishing stock. "Not just for kids, watch the adults get fully involved with the action." Also landing in stores on Sunday is a whole host of family games, including giant 4-in-a-row and a toppling bricks game for £26.99. Sports fans can also get their hands on a basketball hoop for £39.99 and a garden tennis set for just £5.99. And the kids are bound to have hours of fun in the garden with these Water Blaster Backpacks, priced at £6.99. Shoppers will have to be quick to snap up all of these bargains, as with all Specialbuys, once they're gone, they're gone. The full list of Aldi's latest Specialbuys can be found here.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'I helped expose vile grooming gangs - it is vital victims are finally heard'
It was over a meal in a Telford Wetherspoons nine years ago that I heard first-hand about the almost unimaginable horrors that a grooming gang could inflict on a young life. The young woman sitting across the table told me about her four years of hell when from the age of 13 to 17 she was routinely raped by a gang of men much older then her. She was told they would come for her little sisters if she were to reveal to anyone how 'night after night I was being forced to have sex with multiple men in disgusting takeaways and filthy houses'. Her suicide attempt aged 16, shortly after she was gang-raped by five men, was unsuccessful, otherwise I would never have met Holly Archer. Then in her mid-20s, it was immediately clear that Holly was one of the most remarkable and resilient people I have been lucky enough to meet in 25 years in journalism. My colleague Geraldine McKelvie had helped tell her story in an astonishing and eye-opening book but it was becoming clear that what had happened - and was still happening - in Telford was much bigger. Two years before Holly's ordeal started, Lucy Lowe's had ended. Aged 16 and pregnant with her second child, Lucy was burned alive in her home, together with her mother and sister, in 2000. The fire was started by Lucy's abuser, Azhar Mehmood, a man ten years older than her who had been described in court as her 'boyfriend'. Holly had been told she could end up 'like Lucy Lowe' and believed it. Geraldine and I left that pub determined to find out how many more had been told the same but with no inkling it would take us 18 months to lift the lid on what would be one of Britain's worst grooming scandals. With Holly's help we started contacting other victims, most in their 20s and 30s, some who had never spoken about what they had been through before. Within a month we had the names of around 30 potential victims and as many as 60 posible offenders. We met victims who didn't know each other but wept as they told us essentially the same story - how they were groomed, raped, beaten and sold for sex, sometimes to nine men a night. We learned of a second fatality, Becky Watson, who was abused from the age of 11 and died in a car crash in 2002 aged 13. We found her mother Torron, who told us she repeatedly notified police that Becky was being abused and named the suspects. But she said: "Girls like Becky were treated like criminals." West Mercia Police had investigated the same gang a few years before us, under Operation Chalice, but despite identifying 100 potential victims and 200 possible suspects, they had jailed just nine and closed the case. It was the age of austerity and the specialist teams investigating child sexual exploitation had been scaled back 'to virtual zero' to save money. We ploughed on, trying to speak to as many victims as we could. We needed evidence that the authorities had failed to act and some victims agreed to request copies of their files which could help us prove who knew what and when. One victim got a visit from police trying to persuade her to withdraw the request, and when the information finally came through it was on a disk that was unreadable. A second came under pressure from social services to back away. Six months in, Geraldine messaged me: 'There is potentially a third dead girl in Telford. Apparently she died after they got her hooked on drugs and was friends with Becky Watson.' This was Vicky Round, a fifth tragic victim of the growing scandal. The gang got her hooked on crack aged 12 and on to heroin by 14. She too had been threatened. Her older sister told us: "I wanted Vicky to go to the police but she was terrified her abusers would set our house on fire and kill me and our mum." The drugs may have claimed Vicky's life aged 20 but her family were clear her abusers were to blame. At the start of 2018, more than a year in, Becky's mum found her letters and diaries. It included a list of names of more than ten grown men in red ink which we were able to link to another five victims. The list was given to police ten months before Becky died - but was handed back. By March 2018, we were ready to publish with the front-page headine "Worst Ever Child Abuse Scandal Exposed". We had direct evidence from a dozen victims, aged from 19 to 47, and they had named more than 70 rapists and abusers, mostly from Telford's Pakistani community. With expert help, based on our research, estimated there could be up to 1,000 victims over four decades making the scale of abuse in Telford as bad - or even worse - than in towns like Rochdale and Rotherham. The calls for an independent inquiry grew but within days our report was being rubbished. A senior officer at West Mercia Police said he "significantly disputed" our findings and claimed our estimate of 1,000 victims was "sensationalised". But the victims kept coming forward to tell their stories in the Sunday Mirror and eventually the Government relented. In 2022, Tom Crowther, the chair of the resulting independent inquiry into Telford child sexual abuse, produced a report which backed our reporting and said: 'Sadly, I regard it as a measured, reasonable and non sensational assessment.' The far right were quick to jump on our reporting, seeking to use it to divide communities like Telford. But their version of our story ignored the white rapists who worked with the gangs, and the ethnic minority victims who were too terrified to come forward. Meanwhile, Holly and other survivors Scarlett Jones and Joanne Phillips worked quietly and without publicity alongside the council that failed them to implement the 47 recommendations of that inquiry. They are rightly proud of this work to bring about real change, though they are uniquely aware that abuse will never be ended. For my part, I'm just proud to have been able to help give Holly and her campaigners a voice. The impact has been huge. Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips told me today: 'I've known Holly for years and for over a decade she has stood up, spoken out, and refused to be silenced — not just for herself, but for every single survivor who felt ignored or disbelieved. 'Victims are at the heart of all the work I've done over the years in this world, we must take into account the experiences of victims like Holly so that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. That is why we are announcing a new statutory inquiry that will have national oversight of local investigations and be able to direct where they are most needed. It will also have the power to gather evidence, talk to victims, compel witnesses to appear, but most importantly uncover the truth about local institutional failures. 'This will help find where more children could have been protected in the past, to be protected in the future whilst these sick predators who run these gangs in these areas are brought to justice.' Survivors rightly demand justice, but they also want a change in attitude among people who look after the most vulnerable children - police, doctors, social workers - and hope that any inquiry has that at its heart. * We have not used any survivor's real name.
