Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Chairperson Fungai Maregedze has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC). Maregedze was arrested today (Oct 02) and is set to appear in court soon and reasons for her arrest are not yet clear. However, reports suggest that she called for an unsanctioned meeting with councilors without management and […]
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A TV chef has announced the sudden closure of his Michelin Star-recommended restaurant – saying “We just cannot make this work”.
Simon Wood, 48, said his fine dining establishment WOOD Manchester had ceased trading as it faced down rent arrears, rising bills and spiralling ingredients costs.
The dad of four from Saddleworth, Manchester, opened his self-titled bistro seven years ago, creating dishes with ‘seasonal, high welfare and foraged’ produce.
Guests could expect to fork out £125 for his ‘Chef’s Selection Menu’ and wine flight – which featured Veal Sweetbreads and hand-dived scallops.
The restaurant’s website was still advertising its £60 per head Christmas menu when Simon took to social media to say it had shut for good.
Writing in a post on Facebook, he said: “Dear Friends, Customers and Suppliers of WOOD Manchester.
“It is with much regret that I have to inform you that I must close the doors here at WOOD for good, with immediate effect.
“We have had 7 years as part of the Manchester City dining scene and I’m very proud of what the team and I have achieved.
“Sadly with COVID rent arrears now being demanded by our landlord and an increasingly difficult marketplace, energy increases, ingredient costs and soon-to-be spiralling business rates we just cannot make this work.
“I’d like to thank everyone for your support and patronage over the years.”
Simon was a data scientist for almost 20 years before he quit his job and took on a career in hospitality.
He became a professional chef aged 38 in 2015 when he won the amateur version of MasterChef.
Simon then went on to open WOOD Manchester in 2017 and WoodKraft, in Cheltenham, in 2018.
WOOD Manchester was Michelin-recommended in 2019 and has won the double AA Rosette award.
Last year, Simon said acclaimed shows like The Bear, which revealed the struggles faced by many in the hospitality industry, gave chefs the respect they “deserved”.
He said: “I have seen all the things that happen on these shows at some point – even in the space of 40 minutes.
“People love the drama that comes with high-end hospitality, and I think it’s all shown in drama TV programmes like The Bear and Boiling Point.
“It can be just as intense in real life.
“You get stressful moments where all the cheques arrive at once, or someone drops the sauce, burns the food and cuts their fingers.
“The flare-ups between each other [are realistic].
“Also, most definitely the shouting, swearing, raw intensity, you see in these programmes, I think, is all very factual – It’s true to the life of a functioning kitchen.”
The hospitality sector has struggled to bounce back after the pandemic, facing challenges including soaring energy bills, inflation and staff shortages.
TRG, which owned Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and Wagamama, revealed that it would shut down around 40 sites by April 2024 and went on to sell its Frankie & Bennys and Chiquito brands to Cafe Rouge owner The Big Table group.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
Stonegate has also raised fears about its survival as it races to plug its debts.
Earlier this year, Whitbread revealed plans to slash its chain of branded restaurants across the UK.
Italian dining chain Prezzo revealed plans to shut 46 restaurants back in April 2023 as a result of soaring energy and food costs, putting 810 jobs at risk.
And in January 2023, Byron Burger fell into administration with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
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. 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.
Boss Stuart Machin recently said that when it relocated a tired store in Chesterfield to a new big store in a retail park half a mile away, its sales in the area rose by 103 per cent.
In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Wilko, Debenhams Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Paperchase 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.
REAL MADRID’S 36-game unbeaten run ended as Lille stunned the Champions League holders.
And Jonathan David‘s penalty also stopped Los Blancos equalling their club record of 15 straight games in Europe’s top club competition without defeat.
Carlo Ancelotti‘s LaLiga champs have stuttered all season.
Yet they had gone undefeated since Atletico Madrid’s 4-2 win after extra-time in the Copa del Rey in January this year.
And Real‘s last Champions League reverse came way back in May 2023 – a 4-0 semi-final second-leg loss to Manchester City at the Etihad.
Lille were as impressive as Los Blancos were subdued.
But Real keeper Andriy Lunin’s breathtaking double save denied David
Finally, in first-half stoppage-time, a VAR review ruled Eduardo Camavinga had blocked Edon Zhegrova’s free-kick with his arm.
And David fired hom the resulting spotkick.
Real’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham was booked as his side struggled for the first hour.
Jonathan David puts Lille ahead against Real Madrid on the stroke of half time, following a handball from Eduardo Camavinga
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Zoe6OjC6V2
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But Kylian Mbappe – returning following a thigh problem – came off the bench to help Ancelotti’s men pile on the pressure late on.
Ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger had a header cleared off the line.
Arda Guler then nodded a gaping chance straight at Lille stopper Lucas Chevalier.
Nonetheless, the French hosts will feel they deservedly held on for one of their finest ever victories.
And to make things worse for Mbappe, his 17-year-old younger brother Ethan, who only missed out on playing for Lille due to a muscle problem, was captured by TNT Sports LEADING their dressing-room celebrations.
And for Real their so-so form now faces a tough examination.
Barcelona are three points clear of Los Blancos in LaLiga.
And Real are at home to third-placed Villarreal on Saturday.
But it’s in the Champions League where Ancelotti might suffer the most heat.
They did beat Stuttgart in their opener last month – but after Wednesday’s loss they face Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Liverpool next.
Ethan Mbappé starting the celebrations after Lille beat Real Madrid
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024
pic.twitter.com/O6BAWw98qa
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died last year but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.
Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.
ARIES
March 21 to April 20
Loyalties may feel strained at home, but patience and time are key.
Trying to see past someone’s actions to their motives can help you identify a way forward for all.
But beware of putting your own needs last.
This is your time to be a little more selfish. In love, as Venus dives deeper, “good enough” is not enough.
Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
TAURUS
April 21 to May 21
Your chart is Jupiter-rich today and the effects on your money zone can be instant and impressive.
You can double cash you have been holding on to, and halve a debt of money or time, just by talking about it openly.
A career moon draws you towards caring roles. Right now, financial rewards aren’t a “must have”.
GEMINI
However slowly creative dreams seem to progress, the most important factor today is that they move.
So be honest with yourself and take away any personal pressure to over-perform or over-achieve.
Sometimes the small things need most focus. Luck takes two addresses and merges them into one.
CANCER
June 22 to July 22
Family concerns keep resurfacing in your mind, yet you resist dealing with them.
If this sounds familiar, today you can make a change – and restart the talking you know a close group needs.
Staying silent about your own desires is not an option in love either, as a partner has run out of guesses and needs guidance.
Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LEO
July 23 to August 23
Mercury encourages conversations, in person or by text, that clarify your position on at least one key issue.
At work, a patient smile may be making a division deeper – some well-chosen words could heal a hurt.
A partner needs to know where you stand on an upcoming decision, but do you know yourself?
Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
VIRGO
August 24 to September 22
Friends may have surprised you by recent actions that seem to go against character.
But this is your chance to examine how well you really know, and understand, each other.
Relating as your true selves, not one or more fake versions, can make a bond stronger. Luck visits a home with two extensions.
Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LIBRA
September 23 to October 23
Mars gives you big dreams while the moon keeps your reactions real – so instead of wishing and hoping, you switch straight into action mode.
But remember you don’t have the right to decide how anyone else reacts.
In love? Total loyalty is a necessity, not a luxury. Single? Spot The One at a self-service checkout.
Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
The traditional dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below.
SCORPIO
October 24 to November 22
You’re so thirsty for knowledge right now and this is a positive thing – if you handle it well.
Pace yourself, and don’t attempt to do too much, too soon, even if time seems tight.
Learn better, not faster – Saturn is in place to assist this.
Your passion profile is irresistible and you can believe subtle signals from “D”.
Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
SAGITTARIUS
November 23 to December 21
Following in the right footsteps is a smart move today – but whose should you choose?
Someone whose pace seems slower than you like, but who really makes a difference, can be your ideal path-finder.
Congratulate yourself for showing restraint or strength recently, even if it appears no one else has noticed – yet.
Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
CAPRICORN
December 22 to January 20
Working towards fitness goals has never been easier or more effective, so try not to waste any more time preparing and simply do it.
You have a chart of the day that’s far more driven by effort than luck – but Jupiter still surrounds you with a flurry of good fortune.
So when picking numbers, go with your first thought.
Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
AQUARIUS
January 21 to February 18
The sun holds a flash sale in your ambitions sector – and you are ready to grab a bargain.
This can be a goal you quit before, maybe in favour of someone else.
But it is your moment and you deserve to claim it for yourself.
With Mars heat rising in your health zone, you are prone to push yourself too hard. Do check in on this.
Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
PISCES
February 19 to March 20
Accepting feelings as they are – positive and negative, tidy and chaotic – is your key to feeling happier.
Today, despite strong Saturn drive to stay the same, you are more than ready to change.
It’s never too late to sample special music or try new tastes. Love sets a fresh pace.
You may not be keen at first, but give it a try.
Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
