Marks and Spencer is set to open a new store in the south west of England six months earlier than it originally planned. Shoppers will soon be welcomed to a new superstore at Weymouth Gateway Retail Park in Dorset on July 15.

M&S is known for its quality food, homeware and clothing, with more than 1,000 stores across the UK. The new shop will be home to a food hall and cafe as well as housing clothing, home and beauty items.

It will also feature the chain’s in-store bakery which sells a range of pastries, cakes, cookies, breads and doughnuts.

Charles Pinner, the regional manager at M&S, said: “We are excited to reveal that our brand-new Weymouth Gateway full-line store will open this summer.

“We expect the opening to create 50 new local jobs and are looking for colleagues who are passionate about serving customers and raising the bar in retail to join the team.”

Around 60 staff members who already work for a nearby M&S will be offered a role at the shop.

In 2024, the planning application was approved by Dorset Council, reports The Sun.

M&S are running a multi-million pound relocation project with investments into its supermarket stores. The new store will replace the St Mary Street branch.

M&S first started in 1884, when Michael Marks came to the north of England and managed to secure a stall at Kirkgate Market in Leeds.

He built his success using the slogan “Don’t ask the price, it’s a Penny”. The stall, which sold simple homewares, was soon thriving.

To support his growing business, Michael joined forces with Tom Spencer, a cashier from wholesalers Dewhirst.

From this partnership, the business began to take shape and eventually turned into the M&S we know today.

Lidl has announced a major £500million commitment that will shape how it sources British berries over the next five years, in a move that aims to strengthen ties with UK growers and boost homegrown produce available on supermarket shelves. The discount retailer said the investment is part of new long-term agreements with British berry suppliers, designed to give farmers greater stability at a time when the sector is under pressure from rising costs, labour shortages and unpredictable weather conditions.

Under the plan, Lidl will increase the volume of UK-grown berries sold in its stores, with the £500million figure representing the total value of sourcing contracts expected over the next five years. The move comes as the German-based retailer reported that demand for berries at its supermarkets continues to grow, with sales of British blueberries having increased by more than 200% and blackberry sales by almost 93% over the past three years. Volumes of its Deluxe Blush Strawberries range, meanwhile, increased by 50% last year.

Lidl said it recorded the largest year-on-year increase in berry sales in the market last year and was recently named British Berry Retailer of the Year, according to the Grocery Gazette.

According to British Berry Growers chair, Nick Marston, Lidl’s British berry volumes increased from around 11,500 tonnes in 2023 to more than 15,700 tonnes in 2025 – a growth of more than 36% in two seasons. He added that the retailer now accounts for around 12.6% of all British berry tonnage sold through the industry body’s members.

“We are backing British farming with a £500million vote of confidence in our British berry growers,” said Lidl GB chief commercial officer, Richard Bourns. “By extending our long-term agreements, we’re providing the security suppliers need to build a resilient future.

“It is our clear ambition to be the first-choice partner for British growers. By building a framework providing long-term security, we enable our growers to confidently invest, innovate and scale alongside us.

“And by investing in these partnerships we are making fresh, healthy produce more accessible to our customers – offering the best British berries at unbeatable prices.”

A construction firm run by two bosses who have previously carried out work for Wetherspoon and JD Sports has been wound up. Juma Construction Group’s Matthew Hoyes and Julian Kirkpatrick have a combined 40 years worth of experience in the industry, according to the company’s website.

But the business based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, has been voluntarily ended after a special resolution was passed and joint liquidators appointed. Craig Johns and Jason Elliott from business advisory, Cowgills, are overseeing the process, which involves selling off assets, paying off any creditors and dishing out any funds to those who have a share in the firm.

Other firms Juma Construction Group’s directors have worked for under previous employers include BT, Sports Direct and Revolution Bars, the company website states.

The company offered office fit outs, renovations, refurbishments, gas and civil engineering.

According to the business, this included the design and build of a training facility at John Leggott College in Scunthorpe and a four month long fit out of The Bridge Hotel for Ask Drinks Ltd.

Juma Construction Group and Cowgills have been approached for comment.

News about the company, published by The Gazette on Monday (June 8), comes after the latest figures showed output in Britain’s construction industry declined at its fastest rate since Covid last month.

Worries about the Iran war as well as political uncertainty weighed on demand for building work in May, with the S&P Global UK construction PMI showing a reading of 38.2 – a steep decline from 39.7 in April.

A reading above 50.0 indicates activity in the industry is increasing while anything below means it is contracting.

The latest score was the lowest since May 2020, while construction output has been in decline for about a year-and-a-half despite the Labour Government’s manifesto pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029.

S&P Global’s survey found elevated uncertainty about the economic and political climate was dampening demand, while firms were grappling with rising energy, fuel and transportation costs.

Builders surveyed suggested project delays and pushing back big investment decisions, as well as general cutbacks to their customers’ budgets, had resulted in fewer opportunities for work in May.

Some also pointed to political uncertainty having an impact on demand conditions, after Sir Keir Starmer fought to stay on as Prime Minister amid calls from Labour MPs for his resignation.

Max Jones, Head of Construction at Lloyds, said earlier this month: “While ongoing uncertainty weighs on output, many firms are staying focused on current work and planning for future growth.”

He said companies were continuing to invest in skills to be ready for new opportunities linked to cleaner energy and growing areas of importance, such as defence.

Marks & Spencer will close two huge high street stores in two major UK cities, with one set to shut later this week. The retail brand, founded in 1884, will look to reduce its high street storefronts on Saturday as it confirmed the closure of two stores.

The closures align with M&S‘s long-term plan to reduce the number of full-line stores to 180 while increasing the number of food stores to 420. There are currently 227 full-line stores and 335 food stores across the UK. M&S will look to shutter one of its biggest stores this Saturday. Confirmation of the closure came from an M&S spokesperson who said the store would serve customers for a final time on May 30.

Swansea’s city centre will lose its M&S on Saturday, with 92 jobs put at risk as a result of the closure. An M&S spokesperson said: “Our M&S Swansea city centre store will close on Saturday, 30 May.

“As previously announced, this decision forms part of our plans to reshape our store estate so we can invest in stores that better meet the needs of our customers.

“We remain committed to serving customers in Swansea through our nearby stores and online, and are working closely with Swansea Council and other local partners to explore opportunities for a future M&S presence in the city.”

A further store closure in Newport is scheduled for June, with the retail chain citing changes in customer shopping habits as the reason for the shutdown.

M&S regional manager, Richard Owen, said: “Customer shopping habits are changing, and as part of our UK‑wide store rotation programme, we are continually reviewing our store estate to ensure we have the right stores in the right places, with the right space to deliver an excellent shopping experience.

“Following the recent expiry of our lease, we have decided to close the M&S store in Newport Gwent at Friars Walk towards the end of June 2026. We understand this will be disappointing for some customers and colleagues.

“Our priority is to support our colleagues through this change, including exploring alternative roles at nearby M&S stores wherever possible. We will continue serving Newport customers through those nearby stores and online.”

The first direct bank announced on Monday morning that it was raising its switching incentive on its current account to £200 with immediate effect, “for a limited time only”. To qualify for the £200 payment, new customers have until July 15 to open their account with first direct.

New customers transferring their current account to first direct can also look forward to benefiting from the “numerous perks the account offers”, the bank confirmed. These include discounts and benefits, access to a 7% interest Regular Saver account, fee-free overseas transactions and ATM withdrawals, a £250 interest-free overdraft and 24/7 customer service.

To be eligible for the £200 switching offer, customers have 45 days to satisfy the account’s criteria following opening. This involves completing the full CASS switch process to transfer their everyday banking, including switching at least two direct debits or standing orders – this must be from a provider that participates in CASS – the Current Account Switching Service.

Customers must deposit a minimum of £1,000 into their account and register for and log onto digital banking. They must also use their debit card at least five times and must not be an existing customer of first direct or HSBC.

Colin Harrison, head of banking and propositions at first direct, said: “We are really pleased to be increasing our long-standing switching incentive to £200 for a limited time, giving our customers even more back as a thank you for choosing to bank with us.

“This is just one of many rewards we offer customers, as well as a fee-free overdraft and transactions abroad, and a range of gifts and perks each month through our loyalty programme. This is on top of the award-winning customer service that first direct is famous for, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

The bank said it had won a range of accolades in recognition of its service, including ‘Best Banking Brand 2026’ at the Which? awards.

Nationwide has urged customers to follow its latest guidance carefully when switching bank accounts, warning that some payments could fail if the correct steps are not followed.

The building society said customers with subscriptions such as Netflix may need to take action to avoid any disruption to payments.

Talking about what’s included when you switch to Nationwide, it says that “in a full switch, your account balance will be brought over to your new account. It also says that you can get “updates on the progress of your account switch” if you supply them with your contact details when you apply. But not everything is included.

What is not included in a full switch?

Nationwide has warned customers with popular subscriptions, such as Netflix, that they may need to take action. It explains: “Regular bills and subscriptions you pay with your debit card, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. (You’ll need to give them your new debit card number.)”

The 2025 Which? Banking Brand of the Year also notes that if you use “mobile payments like Apple Pay, you’ll need to set these up again using your new debit card”.

It also says that the following is not included in a full switch:

What else is included in a full switch?

• Closing your old account once the switch is complete. This means your old debit card will stop working.
• Your list of payees (everyone you’ve sent payments to), so you won’t need to ask for their details again.
• Any new payments you’ve set up a week or more before your switch date. Once you’re within 7 days of your switch date, it’s best to set them up on your new account.
• Regular income like your salary, pension or benefits payments.
• Regular outgoings such as utility bills.
• A safety redirect to catch payments sent to your old account in case someone doesn’t use your new account details. Nationwide can also contact the sender and give them your new account details. If you don’t want the bank to do this, just let them know.

It adds: “There are other ways you can switch to Nationwide, like partial and manual switches.”

A Scottish pharmacy company that traded for only three years has plunged into administration, with insolvency experts now taking control of the business. Amiry & Gilbride Healthcare Limited, a dispensing chemist operating from Glasgow, officially entered administration on April 29, according to The Gazette. The company specialises in pharmacy and dispensing services.

The business was incorporated in 2023, meaning it survived for only around three years before collapsing into insolvency proceedings. The short lifespan reflects the pressures faced by smaller independent pharmacy operators across the UK, with rising operational costs, staffing pressures and tightening margins continuing to hit the sector hard.

Three joint administrators from BDO LLP, James Stephen, Kerry Bailey and David Wallis, have now been appointed to oversee the process. They are now expected to assess the company’s financial position, explore whether any parts of the business can be rescued or sold, and determine the best outcome for creditors.

The collapse comes amid continued strain in the UK pharmacy sector, where smaller operators have faced increasing financial challenges in recent years.

Independent pharmacies have warned of escalating wholesale medicine prices, funding pressures and difficulties recruiting pharmacists, all of which have placed significant stress on businesses with limited scale.

While no official reason for the administration has yet been published, the company’s brief trading history suggests it may have struggled to establish long-term financial stability in an increasingly competitive healthcare retail market.