Members-only shopping site BrandAlley has announced 75 members of staff are set are to lose their jobs as a new firm takes over trading.
Olivia Bridge and Sally Hind Deputy Chief Reporter
14:21, 30 May 2026
A UK fashion discount site that offers money off big brands has plunged into administration after almost two decades.
BrandAlley, a members-only shopping site, is popular for its huge deals slashing up to 80 percent off designer items, from clothes to beauty and homeware.
It was founded in 2008 and quickly grew a major following for its massive price drops on valuable goods in its flash sales.
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Now, it has announced 75 members of staff set are to lose their jobs after it fell into administration and trading was handed over to a new company.
The company has reassured customers they are able to continue to shop on the site as normal, with all existing orders as well as returns and refunds to be undertaken by the new company.
Shoppers are estimated to spend on average more than £100 per order as the site runs dozens of flash sales every day across more than 1,000 brand partners.
Kiri Holland and Danny Dartnall, from accountancy firm BDO, have been appointed join administrators of BrandAlley UK Limited as of Friday (May 29), writes the Mirror.
The business reportedly ran into financial difficulty and has been sold through a pre-pack administration deal to a new company trading as BrandAlley International Limited.
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Of its 163 employees, 83 have been kept on to facilitate the sale and 60 will remain temporarily to assist with the handover. Meanwhile, 15 were made redundant.
The company is reported to have weighed up alternative options to save the business, including a full or partial sale, after hiring advisory and restructuring firm Interpath to consult on its future.
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But according to psychologist Dr Bijal Chheda of Nos Curare, not feeling particularly motivated can be caused by a range of issues and conditions.
She said that demotivation is “one of the brain’s early responses to ongoing stress,” explaining, “As stress builds, the brain shifts into energy-saving mode, making focus and initiating tasks feel difficult, which can drain motivation.”
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This can be common among those with ADHD, for instance, she added.
While many of us may try to will ourselves out of these periods, the psychologist said this is a mistake.
What should I do if I feel demotivated?
Sometimes, Dr Chheda said, the stress and self-blame you feel about not being productive can, ironically, take a lot of energy. “Overwhelm and perfectionism” are common culprits.
But believing you’re a failure when you don’t give everything 100% – and thinking you can will yourself back into an A-star performance – is a trap that can sap your motivation, she continued.
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“If this sounds familiar, it can help to stop relying on willpower and instead lower the barrier to entry. Start with a messy first version, giving yourself permission to do it badly just to get it moving.”
I’ve seen success with half-assed workouts, which helped to keep me way more consistent than all-or-nothing exercise regimens I inevitably dropped out of. Science says that tiny shifts in our eating, sleep, and exercise routines – we’re talking two minutes more movement and grams more vegetables a day – can help you to live longer, too.
Actively deciding it’s OK to do a less-than-optimal version of whatever task you’re hoping to achieve “makes it easier to re-engage with the task, without feeling pressure to succeed the first time round,” the expert said.
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Speak to an expert if demotivation lasts a long time
As we’ve mentioned before, feeling demotivated for a long time can be related to anhedonia or dysthymia.
“If you feel this is a consistent pattern, it may be worth exploring whether ADHD could be a factor with a qualified mental health professional,” Dr Chheda added.
The NHS says that low mood, which can include not enjoying things you used to, not being able to concentrate, and feeling helpless, can be signs of depression, for which you should consider speaking to a professional.
Arsenal may have already won their first Premier League title for 22 years, but that has made them hungrier for the Champions League, not complacent.
Mikel Arteta said: “The ambition is bigger. We have one, and now we want the second one. That’s all we’ve been talking about. There has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and to aim for more.
“And the team is capable, because we’ve shown it in the last two seasons, in this competition. What we’ve done this season in the competition, and I want the players to be so confident that we’re going to win.
“I think it’s the opportunity to own the moment, because, as you said, it’s the second time in our history that we are here, and we have the opportunity tomorrow to write a new chapter in the history of this football club.”
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Mikel Arteta is looking to lead Arsenal to a double(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
One of Mani’s favourite bands, the reunited Manchester rockers Puressence, will play Manichester later on today.
Mani was close pals with the band, who share the same hometown of Failsworth where a huge mural to the star was recently revealed. Mani produced music with the band, and has previously appeared in their music videos.
A statement from organisers said of the band’s involvement: “Manichester is a one-day celebration of Mani’s life, music and legacy, created in close collaboration with his family and a community of artists connected to his story and influence.
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“Today sees a band closely connected to Mani’s journey join the bill — Puressence, a longtime favourite of Mani’s and a band he worked with as a producer, will perform a special featured set as part of the day.”
Mani’s brother, Greg Mounfield, added: “Having Puressence involved is a personal request — our kid not only produced records with the lads, he toured China with them and even popped up in a few of their videos. For me it’s a no-brainer, and I know our kid would’ve loved it.”
The farm shop has a huge food hall and a fun barn for kids to explore
Summer is very much on its way, and there’s plenty to do in our wonderful county that really matches the weather. One popular farm shop even had a celebrity visit today!
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Stacey Solomon was pictured taking a trip to Bury Lane Farm Shop in Melbourn this morning (May 30). Bury Lane Farm Shop is a spot where you can get all of your grocery shopping done in its massive food hall.
It also has a garden shop and runs pick-your-own flower events throughout the year, which seems to be what Stacey Solomon took part in! For children, there is a fun barn to explore and even a man-made beach open through spring and summer.
After spending a few hours at Bury Lane Farm Shop, you can visit the on-site café for a hot drink and a slice of cake. Stacey visited the pick-your-own peony fields and even got some meat from the farm shop’s very own butchers.
The farm shop shared on its socials: “We’ve had a very special visitor to the pick your own peony fields this morning, thank you @staceysolomon for bringing your warm smile and charm to Bury Lane. We loved having you here. We hope you enjoy the burgers and sausages from our Butchers at your Champions League party tonight!”
And even though no hosepipe bans have been announced in the UK, a peek at Google Trends shows that searches are significantly up from last week. It looks like gardeners are prepping, or at least checking, for sanctions.
But are those fears reasonable, and how can we get our gardens ready now for possible bans later on?
Will we have a hosepipe ban in 2026?
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We can’t say for sure yet.
Speaking to HuffPost UK, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)′ Chief Horticulturist, Guy Barter, said: “Although we had a wet winter which filled reservoirs and aquifers and there is no indication of temporary use restrictions (as hosepipe bans are officially called), supply and demand problems in the intense recent heat have been reported in the press”.
Professor Emeritus of Geophysical and Climate Hazards at University College London, Prof Bill McGuire, previously told HuffPost UK that this extreme weather event could have “a huge impact on global weather, bringing drought, floods and other extreme weather right across the planet”.
How can I start to prepare now for possible hosepipe bans?
Barter told us that “Episodes like this [recent heatwave] remind gardeners why it is wise to have water butts for tiding the garden over dry periods. With luck, they will be refilled by summer rainstorms.”
Water butts divert rainfall from places like your gutter into a large barrel, which often has a tap on the bottom, so it’s smart to place it on a stand.
In that case, try mulching to keep whatever rain has fallen on your soil. Additionally, putting saucers under plants allows rain to collect in helpful puddles underneath pots.
During water shortages, the RHS added, “grey water” from e.g. your shower or washing-up bowl will do the job for a while.
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“Waste water from the kitchen, bathroom basins, baths and showers can also be used in summer gardening. Plants seldom resent this and it ekes out mains water supplies,” Barter said.
Smart planting matters, too.
“Gardeners who have planted drought-tolerant borders and gardens have been rewarded by lovely flowers and plants with no need to water. Where watering has been needed, consider planting more drought-tolerant plants in autumn for next year,” the expert said.
“It is a bit late for planting now, but any containers or baskets that need restocking can be planted with angelonia, pelargoniums and salvia, all of which can get by with less water than most plants.”
Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, is on trial at Newry Crown Court accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault.
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The ex-MP has pleaded not guilty to the 18 alleged offences.
The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims.
Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting.
She is facing a trial of the facts after Judge Paul Ramsey ruled her unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.
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The trial of the facts will test the evidence in the case, but cannot result in a criminal conviction.
In the morning session of the trial the woman who alleges she was sexually abused byDonaldson when she was a child insisted “facts are facts” when challenged by the former DUP leader’s barrister over her claims.
The woman, known as complainant A, was cross-examined by Kieran Vaughan KC throughout Friday at Newry Crown Court at the sex offences trial of the ex-MP and his wife.
Donaldson sat in the dock wearing a dark grey suit and yellow tie, occasionally taking notes.
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The jury heard a claim that a letter written by Donaldson to complainant A in 2020 expressing “regret” was “nothing to do” with the allegations she has made against him.
The trial had previously heard that Donaldson had written the letter to the complainant expressing “how much I truly regret all the hurt, pain and distressed I have caused”.
On Friday, the barrister asked the woman why she had not handed the letter to police when she had first been interviewed.
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She told the court that she “wasn’t sure it was relevant at the time”.
He said: “Are you suggesting it is relevant or not relevant to the allegations?”
She said: “I think it is very relevant.”
The barrister said the letter had “nothing to do with you and sexual assault”, but instead related to other behaviour by Donaldson.
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The woman said while the letter did not mention sexual abuse, it had “heavy connotations of guilt and shame, and asking for forgiveness”.
She added: “I believe that letter is a letter of apology for what he did to me over the years.
“He is a very clever man, he would never write in writing what he had done but he could heavily suggest.”
Mr Vaughan also referred to an allegation made by the woman that Donaldson had touched her breasts on a number of occasions when she was of primary school age.
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He asked about her claim that she had been touched “skin on skin”.
She said: “Mostly, one or two occasions when it was over the top of a bra, but mostly skin on skin.”
The barrister drew attention to a meeting complainant A had had with a police officer where she mentioned “touching over clothing”.
She said: “If that is what she has written, that is what was said.”
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Mr Vaughan said: “On the face of it that is inconsistent with what you told the jury yesterday, about touching under clothes.”
She said: “The facts are the facts, I am sticking to that.”
The barrister said the complainant “would have known what he was doing to you was wrong”.
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She said: “Not necessarily, abuse is a very complicated thing.”
The barrister asked her if she was suggesting she had not known until she was an adult that what she claimed had happened to her was wrong.
She responded: “I began to piece together factually there were things that happened as normal that I should not have accepted as normal practice.”
The barrister then referred to an incident where the woman had claimed Donaldson had “perched” over the top of her, using a light to look at her “private parts”.
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When challenged about her account, she said: “The light was focused on my genital area.”
Mr Vaughan said: “I suggest that is not true.”
The barrister added: “You were confused and you were not sure of what you had seen.”
She said: “To this day I am still confused … I am honest about that.”
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After lunch, the woman said she had spoken in 2023 to a safeguarding figure within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and also a police officer.
Mr Vaughan asked why she had then waited until 2024 to lodge a formal complaint about the sexual abuse allegations.
She said she was not, at that point, ready to make a formal complaint.
She said: “It was a huge decision.
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“I knew this would be an extremely public affair, involving media. It was a huge, huge decision.”
Complainant A said she had been “extremely anxious” about reporting the allegations to police.
She said: “I had doubt about doing this, I very nearly changed my mind.”
The woman is due to be questioned by a barrister representing Eleanor Donaldson next week.
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The trial, which is expected to last between three and four weeks, will resume on Monday.
Jeffrey Donaldson, a former long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March 2024.
He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged.
Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into devolved government at Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.
Saturday night’s showpiece fixture pits the newly-crowned champions of England against the dominant champions of France, who are also the current holders in this competition.
Arsenal are bidding to claim Champions League glory for the first time in their history and pull off a memorable trophy double, while PSG can become only the second club in the Champions League era to win back-to-back titles.
It isn’t just the football taking centre stage at the Puskas Arena this weekend, with a pre-match opening ceremony planned again for this season’s final that features a world-renowned music act performing some of their biggest hits before kick-off. Here’s everything you need to know.
Is there a Champions League final opening ceremony?
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Yes, but it’s officially titled as the ‘2026 UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show presented by Pepsi’.
Champions League opening ceremony start time
That means the kick-off show should be under way within 30 minutes before kick-off, approximately 4.30pm BST, though a slightly later start time of 4.45pm has been suggested.
How to watch Champions League final opening ceremony
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TV channel: You can watch live coverage of the Champions League final kick-off show through local broadcasters, which in the UK is TNT Sports. Their Champions League final programme begins at 3pm BST on TNT Sports 1 on Saturday afternoon.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can catch it live online via the HBO Max app and website, while the show will also be broadcast live on the official UEFA website and YouTube channel.
Live blog: Standard Sport will bring you updates via our Champions League final live blog, which will feature expert insight and analysis from Arsenal correspondent Matt Verri in Budapest.
Rock royalty: The Killers will perform ahead of the Champions League final in Budapest
Getty
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Who is performing at Champions League final opening ceremony?
This year’s Champions League final kick-off show is being headlined by Las Vegas rock legends The Killers, who said: “When we were asked to perform at the UEFA Champions League Final Kick-Off Show presented by Pepsi we said, ‘Yes’ without hesitation; some stages speak for themselves.
“We’re honoured to celebrate the incredible teams and players at what will undoubtedly be an epic match.”
The Killers’ performance will follow the showing of a new short film called ‘The Race Begins’, which features both the band – fronted by Brandon Flowers – and footballing icon Sir David Beckham.
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It is described by UEFA as a “playful, high-stakes race to reach the most highly-anticipated match of the season”.
Linkin Park performed before the 2025 Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan in Munich, while it was Lenny Kravitz taking to the stage before Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund faced off at Wembley in 2024.
Anitta and Burna Boy, with special guest Alesso, were the 2023 headliners in Istanbul, where Manchester City beat Inter.
Irish rock band The Coronas were forced to postpone their sold-out King John’s Castle concert in Limerick on Friday night after guitarist Lar Kaye suffered a suspected medical emergency on stage during the opening moments of the show.
12:52, 30 May 2026Updated 12:56, 30 May 2026
The Coronas are due to reschedule their major Limerick King John’s Castle gig after their guitarist experienced a suspected medical emergency on stage – bringing the concert to an abrupt halt shortly after it started.
The sold-out performance was part of the Live at The Castle series happening in the Treaty City over the June Bank Holiday, with appearances from Where Is Your Mind hitmakers Pixies, and Brewing Up A Storm noisemakers The Stunning scheduled across the long weekend.
Crowds gathered at the mediaeval riverside castle for a sold-out evening with the San Diego Song rockers on Friday night to launch the festivities.
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However, just minutes into the performance, guitarist Lar Kaye experienced a suspected medical emergency on stage and received treatment from paramedics.
Approximately one hour afterwards, following the band’s departure from the stage after Lar’s emergency, frontman Danny O’Reilly returned to address fans, confirming the show wouldn’t proceed that evening, though the band pledged to return for a rescheduled Limerick date for thousands of supporters, reports the Irish Mirror.
According to local publication Limerick Live, he said: “First of all, we really appreciate you being here tonight and hanging around, and we want to keep going and do the show, but until we know 100 per cent that Lar is okay, it just doesn’t feel right.
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“I did speak to Lar a minute ago and, you know, he’s a bit shook, and he’s embarrassed that everyone saw him fall. But as I say, until we get the all-clear, it just… we were talking about it, it just wouldn’t feel right for us being up here trying to sing music when we don’t know what’s going on.”
He went on to say: “We want Lar to be on stage with us when we come back, and we’ll know the date for sure. It’s looking like it’s going to be either the 10 or 11 of July.”
The stars-and-stripes-palooza — organized by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership established by President Donald Trump — is part of the nationwide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. However, shortly after the Washington, D.C., event was announced last week, many singers backed out of their planned performances, including Bret Michaels, Martina McBride, The Commodores,Young MC and Morris Day.
Vanilla Ice, on the other hand, is thrilled to take the stage next month. During a Friday interview with TMZ, he said he wasn’t going to get “dragged into” the political controversy about the concert.
“I’m here to party with America, man. Music is made to bring people together, and that’s what we are here to do. And we’re just gonna represent the Nineties,” the “Ice Ice Baby” singer said.
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The 58-year-old, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, argued that he’s performing at the show to celebrate America’s anniversary rather than focus on politics.
Vanilla Ice said he’s ‘honored’ to perform at Trump’s Freedom 250 concert (Getty)
“I don’t even vote, so I don’t even care. And if Biden called up and said, ‘My daughter is getting married, we need Vanilla Ice,’ I’d go play. It’s not a big thing,” he continued. “You play for your fans. We don’t get a chance to pick our fans; they pick us.
“I’ll go play for Putin, and I’ll go play in Iran if you want. It don’t matter. There’s fans everywhere. Music is not political, man. It’s universal, it just brings people together.”
He responded to other artists’ decisions to drop out of the Trump Administration’s event. “Don’t take it so serious. We’re just entertainers, man,” he continued. “I don’t think anybody should take this serious, including them. I think everybody should just go dance. It’s just music, what’s the big deal, man?”
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Vanilla Ice shared similar sentiments about the concert Thursday on Instagram. “It’s all about enjoying the great times of 250 years, man. From George Washington until now, all the presidents and everybody in between,” he said.
In the caption, he added: “It’s gonna be an epic party. This is to bring us all together. I’m tired of all the news channels dividing this country. We are all one. This is not a political platform. This is celebrating America’s birthday.”
Vanilla Ice said Freedom 250 will be an ‘epic party’ amid controversy (@vanillaiceofficial / Instagram)
At least six of the concert’s scheduled performers have backed out. “I have informed my agents that I will not be performing at the Freedom 250,” rapper Young MC, best known for his 1989 hit “Bust a Move,” wrote on Instagram.
“The artists were never told about any political involvement with the event,” he wrote. “And despite the claims by the organizers that the event is non-partisan, SPIN magazine describes it as Trump-backed…I hope to perform in D.C. in the near future at an event that is not so politically charged.”
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Morris Day, the lead singer of Prince-linked band The Time, also said he was out. “Contrary to rumor, Morris Day & The Time will not be performing at the Great American State Fair,” he wrote on Instagram. “It’s a no for me.”
The fair — scheduled for June 25 to July 10 on the National Mall — will feature “live entertainment, immersive exhibits, patriotic tributes, innovation showcases, cultural programming, and family-friendly attractions stretching from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument,” Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach said in a statement.
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