T Match Reality On The Ground, Say Small Firms - London Business News...

Read more: Found here

These figures will be no comfort to small firms and everyone under pressure in the real economy ⁘ rising costs, barriers to finance and high business rates are all draining investment and hampering growth.

Our latest Small Business Index (SBI) shows how for the first time since records began, more small firms are bracing for contraction, closure or sale over the next year (27%) than those expecting to grow (25%).

The Government's Small Business Plan includes a welcome commitment to legislate against late payments, which close 38 businesses every day, and measures to make access to finance easier and more affordable so small firms can invest and grow.

Its pledge to cut the regulatory burden by 25 per cent is also encouraging, and small businesses will be looking closely at how this is delivered in practice.

However, it can't end there. Business rates remain a heavy weight on small firms, and while the Small Business Plan's commitment to address them is welcome, the Autumn Budget will be the moment to focus support on the smallest businesses and give high streets a fighting chance of recovery.

The Government can help give firms confidence to hire by accepting the House of Lords' key amendments to the harmful Employment Rights Bill , which adds to the severe pressures we are seeing on jobs and recruitment into work.

The priority now has to be making sure we're creating a climate where small firms can do what they do best – employ people and grow the economy in every community in the UK.

Hollyoaks Star Reveals She's Engaged As She Shows Off Huge Diamond Ring After Announcing...

Source: Visit website

A HOLLYOAKS actress has flashed her huge diamond ring and announced her engagement in the same week as she revealed her pregnancy.

The Channel 4 star confessed she'd had a ⁘crush⁘ on her fiance since she was 13 - and now he's ⁘finally proposed⁘.

It came just a day after Roxanne McKee , who played Louise Summers on the   soap between 2005 and 2008,   revealed she was expecting after posting a snap of her huge bump.

The brunette uploaded a clip to her Instagram Stories showing her giggling as she wriggled her ring finger hand around.

She also shared loved-up snaps of her kissing and holding hands with her boyfriend, whom she shared for the first time.

Taking to  Instagram , she told fans it was a "joint project,⁘ marking the first time she's spoken openly about her  pregnancy .

Drag Race UK's La Voix Makes Strictly Come Dancing History As Seventh Contestant

More details: See here

Strictly Come Dancing has announced RuPaul's Drag Race UK star La Voix as the seventh star to join the BBC One show line-up. La Voix stopped by BBC Radio 2 this morning to share the news.

La Voix - whose real name is Christopher Dennis - surprised Radio 2 viewers this morning, announcing: ⁘It's me La Voix! An international singer and comedian doing Strictly.⁘ She added: ⁘Strictly need to step up their game because I wear rhinestones on a daily basis.⁘

⁘ Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started.

All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.⁘ It comes after a Strictly Come Dancing star pulls out of show as he makes career announcement .

La Voix is the first-ever drag queen to take part in Strictly's main series, following in the footsteps of Christmas special star Tayce.

A YouTube star, an EastEnders actress and a Love Island winner were among the first batch of contestants announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

The popular BBC dancing show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, will return to TV screens in September with a new host of famous faces competing each week to win the glitterball trophy.

As more names get confirmed for 2025's edition of Strictly, we'll be sending all the latest updates to our Strictly Come Dancing WhatsApp group - including the newest names and latest rehearsals gossip.

We'll send you the latest breaking news and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in.

Emmerdale's Vinny Dingle 'To Report Attacker To The Police' - But It's Not Mik...

Source: See here

It comes as Mike's real identity was exposed as he beat up Vinny during Tuesday's episode, following weeks of Vinny questioning his sexuality ahead of his wedding to Gabby. Mike's real agenda also came to light as he used Vinny's torment against him in a blackmail twist.

As fans know, Vinny has been questioning his sexuality ever since his near-kiss with pal Kammy. He's been left torn over whether he wants to be with Gabby despite his love for her, and he started speaking to Mike online who he thought was experiencing a similar situation to him.

With that he fled the scene with Gabby and Vinny's wedding rings, and Vinny covered the whole thing up.

Unfortunately for him Kammy sensed something was wrong and kept pushing, but he refused to confide in him.

Instead, Vinny deliberately goaded Kammy into going for him cleary to get him to back off but also possibly to frame him for his bruises. The cruel twist saw Kammy shouted at by Gabby who later threatened him in the pub, refusing to listen to his version of events.

Kammy later visited Vinny to ask what was going on, baffled by his behaviour. But Vinny screamed at him and refused to admit the truth, leading to Kammy telling him he needed to tell someone whatever was bothering him.

In the end Kammy couldn't get through to him and left while Vinny seemed thoughtful, before a conversation with Gabby later on.

We saw Vinny search for the number of the local police station on his phone, preparing to click call.

La Voix Is The Seventh Celebrity Contestant Announced For Strictly Come Dancing 2025

More details: See here

La Voix is the seventh celebrity taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series this September.

La Voix is a performer, presenter and singer who competed in the 2024 series of the BBC hit RuPaul's Drag Race UK .

A powerhouse of charisma, comedy, and cabaret, La Voix stole the show and hearts of viewers on the series.

With four RuPeter Badges under her belt and a place in the Grand Finale, she was awarded runner-up and quickly became a fan favourite.

Alongside bringing a whole host of La Voix's artistry to Strictly, performer Chris Dennis is excited for viewers to go beyond the stage persona and meet the real him.

The news was revealed on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday 13 August. The remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.

Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC Studios Entertainment production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producer is Sarah James, the Series Editors are Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Jo Wallace.

Wendover's 20 Newcourt Street Offers Design-led London Rental

Reference: See here

The conversion of the existing structure is expanded with a new-built element, and interiors refreshed throughout, creating one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Many have generous outdoor areas, and the few that don't can freely make use of the communal courtyard, promoting a wholesome, private but convivial atmosphere for its residents.

Elegantly landscaped and equipped with modern facilities, such as a bike park, the external areas include a flowing pavilion that serves as residents' amenity space ⁘ set to house anything from private events to yoga sessions and more activities for the small community.

Wendover co-founder Gabriel Chipperfield says of Newcourt Street's concept: 'St John⁘s Wood felt like the ideal location for our first rental concept, as one of London⁘s leafiest neighbourhoods with excellent access across London. We prioritised quality of light, aspect, and spatial quality over uniformity, to create homes that feel considered and generous.'

The project's considered lifestyle comes with an equally carefully planned material and formal palette, made up of brick and plastered surfaces, neutral colours, and large openings that bathe the interior in natural light.

At the same time, the interior design nods to the building's historical architectural character, both through its chosen materials and quiet presence. From solid oak flooring and off-white lacquered joinery to tactile terrazzo worktops, ribbed glass, and glazed off-white tiles, the spaces feel textured and elegantly restrained.

Lara Ajlouny, director of Wendover⁘s development arm, adds: 'This project has been a thoughtful restoration of a much-loved neighbourhood building. We wanted to show that rental homes can be just as thoughtfully designed and well-crafted as those built to own ⁘ spaces that feel personal, considered, and built to last.

We⁘re proud to bring this quiet, design-led rental offering to market and look forward to welcoming our first residents this summer.'

Hollyoaks Star Reveals She's VERY Pregnant With Snap Of Her Huge Bump - And Reveals Boyfriend...

Reference: Visit website

A HOLLYOAKS star has stunned fans by showing off her huge baby bump – and introducing her boyfriend for the very first time.

The soap favourite shared sweet snaps cuddled up to her partner while cradling her growing baby bump.

Roxanne McKee , who played Louise Summers on the Channel 4 soap between 2005 and 2008, shot to fame thanks to her dramatic storylines and fiery on-screen romances.

She also shared loved-up snaps of her kissing and holding hands with her boyfriend, whom she shared for the first time.

Taking to Instagram , she told fans it was a "joint project,⁘ marking the first time she's spoken openly about her pregnancy .

A third penned: ⁘Oh amazing!! Congratulations, I am so happy for you❤️ you're going to be a fantastic mum!!!⁘

After leaving the soap, Roxanne went on to enjoy a string of high-profile TV roles, playing Lou Foster in BBC Three's Lip Service, Doreah in the smash-hit HBO fantasy epic Game of Thrones , and Lady Claire Riesen in Syfy's apocalyptic supernatural drama Dominion.