TWO stores put at risk of closure during lockdown have celebrated reopening. Edinburgh Woollen Mill, in Llandudno, and Craftcentre Cymru, in Conwy, were rescued following a management buyout by Purepay in January. The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, on Mostyn Street, which has four staff members after four roles were lost since last April, reopened on April 12 and is seeing a steady return of customers. Hollie Williams, store manager, said: “Local customers are thrilled that we are staying open as there are very few shops for our customers after stores like Debenhams and Outfit. The last thing we need is another large unit empty on Mostyn Street so the reopening is good for everyone.
Online fashion giant Boohoo today revealed a 41% surge in sales it raked in huge sims on the back of the online shopping boom during lockdown with Britons spending millions on lounge and sportswear while stuck at home.
The retailer, founded by billionaire Mahmud Kamani, said revenues jumped to £1.74 billion in the year to February 28 2021 from £1.23 billion in the previous year.
The fast fashion retailer, which recently bought Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Burton and Wallis and was rocked by the Leicester sweatshop scandal, told shareholders on Wednesday morning that pre-tax profits were also lifted by 35% to £124.7 million because of the sales explosion caused by the pandemic.
United have impressed with their fan engagement activities in a new study (photo: Barbara Abbott)
Carlisle United are the second best club in the country for fan engagement, according to a new study. The Blues efforts in reaching out to supporters in the 2019/20 campaign sees them figure highly in the Think Fan Engagement Index. Only Exeter City out of the 91 clubs from the Premier League down to League Two scored highly than the Cumbrians last season. It is an improvement on last year s fourth-placed finish for United. The study ranks clubs in areas such as dialogue, governance and transparency. It is understood that Carlisle earned credit for aspects such as their regular supporters group meetings, the detail provided in their accounts, the online updates provided by chief executive Nigel Clibbens, the club having two supporters trust (CUOSC) representatives on their boards and the work of the Blues media department.
It came as the Cumbrians raked in £1.1m from player sales. The turnaround in their finances in 2019/20 came in spite of the early months of the Covid-19 crisis. And it has helped United weather the subsequent impact of the pandemic. The figures help to underline the value to the club of deals for young stars such as Jarrad Branthwaite, who was sold to Everton in January 2020. Last season saw the Blues headline turnover rise to £4.5m, the highest figure for several years. United s debt, though, had also risen to £3m by the end of the 2019/20 accounting period, including a short-term £120,000 loan from the EFL as part of measures to help clubs cope with the pandemic.
Lamppost on the Barbican is actually a stench pipe in disguise
Ever noticed this old lamppost on the Barbican? Ever wondered why it doesn t have a light bulb?
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As the Barbican s many businesses open back up again, more of us will be heading down for a drink or bite to eat in the many eateries that surround the Parade. And if you re sat at one of the many tables and chairs strategically placed in the middle to aide social distancing, you might have noticed a majestic old lamppost towering above you.