Morrisons is relaunching its popular food counters in phases after receiving “widespread backlash”. The major retailer scrapped its 35 meat and 35 fish bars, impacting 70 UK stores in a bid to cut costs last year.

It also closed all 18 of its Market Kitchen sites, 52 cafes, 13 florists and four pharmacies. The removal of these counters was felt by many Morrisons customers as a loss of personal interaction. Now, Morrisons is set to reopen several Market Street locations in the coming months. Signs have also appeared in stores reading “fresh cuts are back on the block” with “skilled butchers” returning.

According to The Grocer, senior bosses acknowledge that the cost-cutting might have been exaggerated at the time. The reopening proposals are part of Morrisons’ relaunch of its Magic strategy, which it outlined at its annual IGD conference in June. The counters will still feature the “traditional” manned service; however, they will also include flatbeds and more grab-and-go options as part of the upgrade.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “Our Market Street counters are part of our DNA. They are at the heart of our offer and a real differentiator for Morrisons.”

The retailer also noted that the time since the closures was used to enhance counter-operation efficiency, specifically by improving waste yield. As part of the Market Street revival, a digital modernisation will be introduced, including the installation of electronic ordering screens at pizza counters.

While further rollouts are expected over the coming months, the relaunch has already taken place at several locations, including Thornbury, Herne Bay, Newcastle’s Great Park, and Yeadon in Leeds.

Speaking on the return of the counters, one person took to Facebook and wrote: “They add to the customer’s experience, choice and interaction.”

Customers slammed the closures last year. One person wrote on Reddit: “‘It is a shame as it does take the human element out of serving, which a lot of customers love.’

Another added: “The one thing Morrisons had going for itself was its pizza/dessert/deli counters.”

A family-founded company that’s supplied Chinese food to restaurants across the UK for decades has plunged into administration. Ming Foods Limited is the latest food business to unwantingly find itself on the government-run business notice site, The Gazette, as the pastry specialists from Kent runs out of steam.

The company operates off of Maidstone Road in Swanley, Kent, has been in business since 1984. Founders Mr and Mrs Minh started their business humbly from out of their kitchen, before progressing into a restaurant and then a manufacturing business.

However, lately, the business has not been doing so well. According to Company Check, their total current liabilities has been steadily increasing since 2020, and both their net worth and cash have also been decreasing since this time as well.

The company Ming Foods Limited itself specialises in the production of Chinese Pancakes, which they describe on their website as being “premium.” As well as producing pancakes, they also use innovative ideas in order to improve the quality of their product, such as adapting a pasta roller into a piece of equipment that makes pancakes.

On Companies House, they have three outstanding charges, although their full accounts haven’t been made public since 2024.

The notice was formally handed to them on June 24, and the administration process will be overseen by Steven Wright, from The Dains Group in Scotland.

They have also had recent problems with management too. Just before the company entered administration, they had appointed a director for just six days, who was then terminated.

They also distribute across the UK and the EU, to oriental wholesalers who then provide the product to supermarket chains and restaurants.

They also produce spring roll wrappers, and double strength self raising flour.

It is unclear at this stage whether both trading has ceased or if jobs are at risk, but we have contacted both the company and the administrators for comment.

A UK food transport company has plunged into administration after just three years in business. During its short life, it referred to itself on social media as the “best in class tracking and routing software”. Also, a “leading food distributor across the UK.”

Based in Tonbridge, Kent, the company took pride in its facilities designed exclusively for “temperature-sensitive goods,” its website states. It also claimed to be committed to “providing a cost-effective, highly efficient service” that allowed them to meet their customer’s individual needs.

BMB Logistics entered administration on June 12, 2026. Steve Kenny and Richard Cole of KBL Advisory were appointed as joint administrators. While no reason for the administration has yet been disclosed by the appointed administrators, Companies House records show BMB Logistics had overdue accounts at the time of its administration. The company, which was incorporated in January 2022, had not filed accounts due by 30 April 2026.

The company still has a colourful Instagram and claims to be a proud sponsor of the Larkfield Under 7s. Their account, which was created in 2022, has 59 posts and 157 followers. However, according to Google, BMB Logistics has just one review. The one-star review reads: “Got threatened by someone in here for parking, rather than helping me and telling me where I could park, just got told ‘I don’t care, move your car or I’ll clamp it.’”

It comes after a UK furniture retailer plunged into administration after facing tough trading conditions over the years. Airsprung, which makes mattresses and beds for major retailers, has been in the business for 150 years.

Based in Canal Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, the company has faced mounting cashflow pressures in the past few months. In an effort to address these issues, Airsprung explored potential investment opportunities and possible offers for the business. However, due to the company’s financial position and the nature and level of interest received, the directors ultimately had no option but to place the company into administration.

Of its 202 employees, 71 were made redundant upon appointment, while those remaining were retained to assist with the business’s ongoing operations. The company has also produced beds for hotels and filling for sports stadium seating under brands Gainsborough and Airofreem.

On May 1, Edward Williams and Ross Connock, of PwC, were appointed joint administrators of Airsprung Group PLC and Airsprung Furniture Limited.

Mr Williams said: “It’s very sad that this well-known business with 150 years of history and iconic brands within the mattress and bed industry has had to go into administration. We know that this is an unsettling time for everyone impacted, and we will support employees through the redundancy process.”

The UK’s best restaurant has recently been named, and the prestigious title has been handed over to a small venue sitting just above a pub. This year’s National Restaurant Award was given to Bouchon Racine, a dining room above The Three Compasses pub in Clerkenwell, London.

The French restaurant run by chef and restaurateur Henry Harris and Dave Strauss climbed several spots from fifth place last year. It also managed to take the crown from the French fine-dining restaurant The Ritz, after being highlighted for its comforting French food, among the best served nationwide, despite opening in 2022.

Restaurant Online wrote: “Not only is Bouchon Racine utterly charming, but it is also without doubt serving some of the best traditional French food in the country, and its victory this year once again demonstrates that you don’t need a vast team or a huge budget to be named the best.

“Henry Harris’ food is sensational with flavour put before anything else. This is more than just a bistro; it is a temple to great gastronomy and is well deserving of this year’s top spot.”

The incredible dining spot is inspired by the bouchons of Lyon and the bistros of Paris, according to its official website.

Overlooking Cowcross Street, the family-run restaurant offers guests with “unashamed French cooking with a French led list and some fine apéritifs and digéstifs in an informal setting”.

The dining room has a glowing 4.6-star rating on TripAdvisor, with tons of positive reviews.

One person said: “An absolute delight! My foodie son (12) recommended we go here. With choices like this he can continue at the restaurant choosing helm!”

Another wrote: “This was my second visit and certainly won’t be my last. Everything was spot on; outstanding food, pleasant and professional service and a lovely ambience in the dining room. If you haven’t been before just book it!”

Bouchon Racine is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 12pm to 3pm and again from 6pm to 10pm. Reservations are available 30 days in advance.

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.”

Aldi has announced the return of its popular Cucina Margherita Pizza Crisps and shoppers do not have long to wait before they hit shelves once again. These crisps will return to stores from next Thursday, priced at just £1.15 per bag alongside the equally popular Cucina Garlic Bread Crisps. Shoppers have previously dubbed the Margherita flavour “amazing” and the Garlic Bread “loved” so these middle-aisle must-haves will not stay on shelves for long.

The products form part of the supermarket’s Italian-inspired range available in the middle aisle from June 4. These crinkle-cut crisps are seasoned with Italian herbs, cheese and a hint of tomato, while the Garlic Bread version has a smoky garlic and herb flavour.

The supermarket said that the crisps are back, but that shoppers need to act fast. Aldi’s Italian range is available in stores from June 4 while stocks last.

Other products launching as part of the range include the Cucina Lattice Crisps (£1.49, 125g) in bruschetta and green pesto flavours, alongside Specially Selected Giant Grissini (£1.49, 125g) and a Gourmet Pasta Assortment (£1.49, 500g).

The range also features filled gnocchi, air fryer Gnocchi, limoncello and a selection of pasta sauces, biscuits, and desserts.

A popular Essex pub that ‘disappointed’ the community when it closed two years ago has gone up for sale. Greene King’s Dick Turpin pub just south of Wickford, Essex, closed in July 2024.

The closure came as a disappointment to biker groups, who used the pub on the A127 as a meeting spot, and the pub’s many other locals. In 2025, it was reported that the pub could be brought back into use after Basildon Council agreed to Greene King’s plans for a change of use. The pub has remained vacant since then, but that might not be the case for much longer, as it is now up for sale on WTS Property Consultants’ website.

The agents say that the ground floor features a central bar, dining areas on either side, including a carvery station, and an indoor play area, with a total capacity for around 175 covers. Other facilities include customer toilets, a beer store, an office, a staff room, a large commercial kitchen, and multiple storage spaces.

The pub has a guide price of £950,000 plus VAT, with agents saying it will appeal to “restaurateurs, developers, builders and investors”. It also has alternate use potential, subject to obtaining the necessary consents.

Greene King, which has around 2,500 pubs, restaurants and hotels across England, Wales and Scotland, recently revealed plans to put around 150 of its pubs up for sale as part of a major shake-up of its estate.

The brewery giant, which also brews Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Belhaven beers, has identified around “300 managed sites that would be better served under different models”.

The firm expects roughly half of these – about 150 pubs – to be converted into leased, tenanted or franchise venues within its Pub Partners estate, with the remaining 150 sites to be evaluated for a potential sale.

Greene King also identified a small number of sites for closure, representing fewer than 2% of the managed estate, in line with the group’s typical annual activity.

Announcing the brewery’s annual results, Green King chief executive Nick Mackenzie said: “Long-term permanent reform from Government is essential to ensure that unprecedented costs do not hold back the enormous potential of the sector.”

Aldi has announced a major £1billion move that will be welcome news to British farmers. The German supermarket giant, which has more than 1,050 stores across the UK, has committed to investing £1.1billion over five years into British egg production to further strengthen and support its domestic supply chain.

Aldi says it sells more than 1,500 tonnes of British eggs every week, equivalent to around 2.5 million packs, sourced from poultry farms across the UK. The investment is underpinned by newly established five-year long-term agreements (LTAs) with the supermarket chain’s egg suppliers, running to the end of the decade.

Aldi says the agreements “provide farmers with greater financial certainty, enabling long-term investment in efficiency, infrastructure and animal welfare”.

Aldi is the second-largest retailer in the country for free-range egg volume.

Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: “Our egg supply depends on British farmers, and we want to give them the certainty they need to plan ahead.

“By working closely with our suppliers through long-term agreements, we’re able to provide the stability and confidence they need to continue investing in their farms, while ensuring our customers have access to high-quality, British eggs every day.”

Daniel Fairbun, chief executive officer at L J Fairburn & Son, one of Aldi’s major egg suppliers, added: “The long-term nature of Aldi’s agreements gives us the certainty to invest and keep improving how we produce British eggs.

“That confidence also helps us plan year after year to meet customer demand.”

The announcement builds on Aldi’s wider commitment to long-term partnerships with British growers. The supermarket has already increased the number of long-term agreements in place with UK produce and horticulture suppliers earlier this year.

Aldi is aiming to secure at least 50% of its domestic produce supply through long-term agreements by the end of 2027, providing greater certainty for growers and supporting more resilient supply chains.