Why do Jude Bellingham and other England stars cut holes in their socks? Reason explained – The Mirror
Need to know
Jude Bellingham will take centre stage for England on Wednesday and fans will notice one thing in particular about his choice of kit
Jude Bellingham will return with his England sock ritual against Croatia on Wednesday(Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about why footballers cut holes in their socks:
Improving circulation: By cutting small holes in the back of their socks, players aim to improve blood flow to the calf muscles during high-intensity play. Proper circulation is essential for sustaining performance and reducing the physical strain on the lower legs.
Preventing cramps: Many elite players believe reducing sock tension helps prevent the onset of cramping during a match. This adjustment allows the muscles to expand slightly as they swell during exertion without being constricted by the tight fabric.
Reducing injury risk: Some athletes feel that tight socks contribute to muscle strains or fatigue, particularly over the course of a 90-minute game. Modifying the socks is seen as a practical, low-risk method to mitigate these potential muscle injuries.
Psychological comfort: Beyond the physiological benefits, there is a significant psychological component to the trend. Players often develop specific pre-match rituals and repeating a habit they believe improves their performance can provide a mental boost.
England’s campaign: England are scheduled to face Croatia in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L. While fans often scrutinise the gear worn by stars like Jude Bellingham in such high-stakes matches, this specific habit is already well-established across top-tier international football.
Other England users: Real Madrid starBellingham is not the only England international known for this practice. Team-mates such as Bukayo Saka have been spotted with holes in their socks during major tournaments like the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
History of the trend: The habit is not a brand-new phenomenon, as various players have used this technique for years to alleviate tension. Former England right-back Kyle Walker was notably spotted with holes in his socks as early as 2018 during Premier League fixtures.
Global popularity: This has become a widespread trend among major stars at the World Cup and across elite leagues worldwide. Players often utilise this “sock hack” as a small, tactical detail to ensure they can perform at their physical peak for the duration of a tournament.
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — President Donald Trump is not known to be a fan of international gatherings of world leaders, but he changed his tune at this year’s G7 summit at a French Alpine resort, where he was buoyed by support from his counterparts for his tentative agreement with Iran to end the war.
It was an about-face for Trump, who weeks ago had sharply criticized his counterparts for refusing to join the United States and Israel in bombing Iran to force it to abandon its nuclear aspirations — and who last year spent only a day at the G7 summit before cutting out early and going back to Washington.
“We found a great deal of unity here at the G7,” Trump told reporters at the end of the meeting. He said he had heard only positive comments from G7 leaders, who are anxious to see global oil prices drop in the wake of hostilities.
“This meeting could not have come at a better time,” he said.
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Here are some takeaways from Trump’s trip this week:
Trump finds his fall guy If the Iran deal doesn’t work out
Trump famously likes to take credit when things work out and avoid blame when they don’t. In the case of the Iran deal, he pointed to Vice President JD Vance as being most likely to be held responsible if things go south.
While Trump was at the G7, Vance was on a media blitz promoting the agreement, which he helped negotiate. He was expected to represent the U.S. at a ceremonial signing in Switzerland on Friday.
Trump was asked by a reporter if there is a scenario in which he looks like a “genius” if he sends Vance to sign the deal and things work out — or he blames his No. 2 if things with Iran ultimately don’t work out.
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“I like that idea, sure,” Trump said. “This way, if it works out, I’m going to take the credit. If it doesn’t work out, I’m blaming JD. You better be careful, JD.”
Leaders sing from same song sheet on Iran, Ukraine
France’s Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Germany’s Friedrich Merz and the UK’s Keir Starmer all had criticized Trump’s decision to launch the Iran war without consulting allies. But in a joint statement on the final day of the summit, the leaders welcomed the tentative deal. They even noted “the strong leadership of President Trump” made it happen.
Meanwhile, the Europeans managed to get Trump to join G7 leaders in offering “unwavering support for Ukraine.”
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But the U.S. president joined his fellow leaders to call on countries “to increase the delivery of air defense capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities” to Ukraine and commend Kyiv “for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months.”
Macron said Beijing is a key source of global economic imbalances, citing what he described as China’s industrial overcapacity, excessive subsidies and weak domestic consumption.
After the summit, leaders issued a statement saying they were united. “We seek to deter and stand ready to take actions, where necessary in a coordinated manner, against economic coercion,” the statement said.
But Trump undercut that message when he spent a portion of his closing remarks thanking China and Russia — often allies with Iran — for staying “neutral” in the conflict.
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Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin “could have made it much more difficult for us” if they got involved. He specifically thanked Xi for not giving or selling weapons to Iran. “I just want to thank them,” Trump said, “because they made it a lot better.”
Talk isn’t cheap
The “let’s chat” informality that’s been a feature of these gatherings since the first one in 1975 proved its worth — notwithstanding the carbon costs of flying in the leaders and their entourages, the security to protect them, the protests they attract and the inconvenience for local people.
By spending nearly three full days with Trump, U.S. allies had ample opportunity to make themselves heard. And the value of that was possibly most evident in their talks on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
European leaders who now are the chief suppliers of military and financial aid to Ukraine felt they’d made headway in demonstrating to Trump that Ukraine does hold some cards and that Russia isn’t assured of victory — contrary to what Trump had heatedly told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last year. Macron invited Zelenskyy to participate in the summit.
After all, Trump said it himself: He’s a fan of beautiful things and his only plan was to fly back to Washington after the conference anyway.
He left last year’s G7 summit in Canada before it was over, but Macron wanted to keep Trump from doing the same thing to him. Their relationship has weathered several ups and downs.
Macron described the dinner as a “convivial” occasion meant to celebrate friendship between France and the United States.
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French officials noted that Versailles is where King Louis XVI pledged military support to Benjamin Franklin and the American revolutionaries in 1778.
Macron hosted King Charles III and Queen Camilla there in 2023 for the palace’s 400th anniversary, including dinner in the Hall of Mirrors, one of the features of the palace’s 2,300 rooms.
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Superville reported from Geneva. Associated Press writer Collin Binkley in Washington contributed to this report.
Ice cream van owners have raised concerns about discoloured 99 Flakes, describing them as unsellable due to a white tinge.
It is believed the problems stem from wholesalers storing Flakes incorrectly in recent hot weather.
Lawrence Glauser, of Lorenzo’s Ices in East Yorks, thinks the coating is a harmless but unappealing film that appears on chocolate if cocoa butter melts and separates.
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One Mr Whippy vendor told The Sun : “We’re coming into summer. If we get a heatwave next week, Flakes are going to fly out.” “People expect Cadbury and I don’t want to use other brands.”
Both vendors claim there has been a quality drop since 99 Flake production moved from the UK to Egypt in 2020.
Cadbury said: “We are reviewing what’s happened to get back to the high-quality people expect from us.”
One Mr Whippy vendor who complained to Cadbury was told to return them to his wholesaler.
Viral Australian Cadbury chocolate bar arrives in the UK
A Cadbury chocolate bar that went viral in Australia is available to buy in the UK, and shoppers are very happy.
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The treat is a mix of one of Oz’s most popular sweet flavours, with some added biscuit crunch.
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Shoppers have hailed the Cadbury Caramilk Lotus Biscoff chocolate bar as “amazing” and “yummy” and can now be bought in the UK.
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The viral chocolate bar is made of Caramilk, a blend of Cadbury white chocolate and caramelised milk powder.
As well as a sprinkling of Lotus Biscoff biscuits to give a sweet, caramel chocolate taste.
What’s your favourite Cadbury treat? Let us know in the comments.
Last of the Summer Wine, written by Sir Roy Clarke, ran for 31 series from 1973 to 2010, with 295 episodes.
The original cast comprised the likes of Bill Owen, Peter Sallis and Michael Bates, alongside John Coman and Jane Freeman.
Over the years, the series welcomed other members, including Russ Abbot, Jean Alexander, Trevor Bannister, Dame Thora Hird, Burt Kwouk, and Brian Murphy.
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The show has been described as a “British institution” by fans and boasts a 7.1-star rating on IMDb.
One viewer commented: “There are very few TV shows that could justifiably claim to be a British institution, but Last of the Summer Wine is certainly one of them.
“Watching Compo and friends on a Sunday evening was a staple of my childhood and I will always remember this show with great fondness.
“Bill Owen and Brian Wilde remain two of my favourite comic actors and few people have ever made me laugh as much as Danny O’Dea did as the hilarious Eli.
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“The show never pretended to be anything other than gentle slapstick and needn’t be held to high standards.
“Yes the gags are repetitive and yes the storylines are predictable but this isn’t a problem.
“Last of The Summer Wine is the TV equivalent of comfort food; simple, wholesome and always enjoyable.”
Last of the Summer Wine to return to TV after 16 years
Now, after a 16-year hiatus, the popular sitcom is set to make a return in 2027 as part of a new special on U&GOLD.
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The Last Drop of Summer Wine will take viewers back to Yorkshire and explore Sir Roy Clarke’s series, which is the longest-running sitcom in the world.
Director of programming at UKTV, Emma Tibbetts, said: “Last of the Summer Wine is one of the absolute jewels in the crown of U&Gold’s programming, and we want to do tribute to it as best we possibly can with this new retrospective special.
“Viewers are sure to fall in love with this wonderfully funny series and its richly drawn characters all over again.”
In the new special, actor and comedian Brian Conley, who appeared on Last of the Summer Wine in a guest role, will revisit the locations used in the series.
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While there, he will meet the families of cast members, residents, and friends of the show.
The film will also feature unseen photos, scripts, and scrapbooks from the personal archives of Sir Roy, along with family photos from the families of Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, Kathy Staff, and the show’s long-term producer and director, Alan JW Bell.
The U&GOLD special, The Last Drop of Summer Wine, will air in 2027. (Image: PA)
Commissioning executive at UKTV, Jason Dawson, said: “Six decades since it began, our viewers are still utterly devoted to Last of the Summer Wine , and we’re honoured to have Sir Roy Clarke, Brian Conley and the brilliant producers at Phil McIntyre working with us to celebrate and reward that devotion with this wonderful film.
“Besides, any excuse to visit Holmfirth right?”
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Conley added: “I am delighted to be hosting this look back at the longest-running TV sitcom in the world.
“Getting the chance to share all the amazing stories, the fun, the laughter, and above all the love, was a real honour.”
Sir Roy also said it had “been a pleasure to work on this one”.
He continued: “We’ve squeezed all the juice that we can with love and affection.
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“I’ve enjoyed this wander down Memory Lane as I hope the viewers will.”
The Last Drop of Summer Wine is in production now and will air on U&GOLD in 2027.
Hit TV series to return to BBC this summer after 35 years
Another hit TV series is set to return to the BBC this summer after 35 years.
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Bergerac was a police drama series set in Jersey, starring John Nettles as DS Jim Bergerac, which ran for nine series on the BBC from 1981 to 1991.
The series returned in 2025 on UKTV with a new reboot series featuring Damien Molony in the lead role.
The reboot also stars Zoë Wanamaker (as Charlie Hungerford), Robert Gilbert (Barney Crozier), Chloé Sweetlove (Kim Bergerac), and Pippa Haywood (Margaret Heaton).
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The Bergerac reboot returned for a second series in April 2026.
But after 35 years, Bergerac is set to return to the BBC this summer.
BBC Drama confirmed series one of Bergerac would be “available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two this summer”.
Episodes from the original Bergerac series air occasionally on U&Drama and can be found on the U streaming service.
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Are you a fan of Last of the Summer Wine? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
In a post announcing its closure, the company said “we have had no choice but to close our doors for good”
A Cambridgeshire-based company has entered liquidation after two and a half years of trading, according to the The London Gazette. The Packaging Factory Limited, based in Windover Road, Huntingdon, officially entered liquidation at the end of May 2026.
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Grace Jones and David Perkins, both of Parker Andrews Limited in Norwich, were appointed as joint liquidators of the company on May 29. A notice was subsequently published in The London Gazette a few days later on June 3.
The company specialised in the low-cost manufacture of printed postal packaging. Companies House confirmed that the business is now in liquidation. Documents show that the company was incorporated on January 26, 2024.
In a social media post, the company said: “We have reached the end of the road as a company. We have had no choice but to close our doors for good. It has been an amazing journey and we have laughed, cried and learned a lot.
“Thank you to our amazing suppliers and customers, but most of all thank you to the awesome team that made it a joy to come to work every day.”
Gwent Police are appealing for information after reports of balaclava-clad men raiding a truck on Nash Road in Newport (Image: Google Street View )
Police are appealing for information after a report was made of an electric bike being robbed from a truck in Newport. Here’s everything you need to know:
Gwent Police is appealing for information following a report of a robbery in Nash Road, Newport, at around 4.15pm on Wednesday 17 June.
Three people, believed to be men, dressed in black wearing balaclavas were reportedly seen in the area and acted in a threatening manner towards a motorist driving a truck which was transporting an electric bike.
The motorist was unharmed by the men and no injuries have been reported but the men left the area with the electric bike.
Officers investigating the robbery would like to speak to anyone in the Nash Road area between 4pm and 4.30pm who might be able to assist our enquiries.
Superintendent Mike Preston said: “We understand that reports like these will prompt concern from our communities so it is possible that you will see officers in this part of the city as we conduct enquiries. If you have any concerns about this report or other matters, then please take the time to talk to our officers. Anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage could hold a piece of information that could assist our investigation, so we would urge you to speak to officers.”
Call 101, visit our website or send us a direct message on social media quoting log reference 2600190441; you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information.
It comes after industrial action was avoided at both Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.
Security staff at Aberdeen Airport have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in a dispute over pay – despite strike threats being lifted at Scotland’s other major airports.
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Members of Unite employed by ICTS HBS voted unanimously in favour of industrial action, raising the prospect of disruption at Aberdeen unless an improved offer is tabled.
The development comes after Unite members at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports accepted enhanced pay deals, bringing an end to the threat of summer walkouts which could have hit holidaymakers, World Cup flights and the Commonwealth Games.
At Glasgow Airport, nearly 400 workers employed by ICTS and Menzies Aviation accepted revised offers after initially rejecting what Unite described as “unacceptable” pay proposals.
More than 400 Edinburgh Airport workers also agreed a two-year deal, securing a minimum pay increase of £1,800 this year and a 5.5 per cent rise in 2026.
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Two groups of workers at Aberdeen Airport last week agreed pay settlements, averting industrial action. However, security staff employed by ICTS HBS have now voted in favour of strike action, meaning disruption at the airport remains a possibility.
As reported by the BBC, Paula Buchan, Unite industrial officer, said: “Our ICTS HBS security members have unanimously backed industrial action.
“Imminent talks are scheduled with the employer and we await an improved pay offer to potentially resolve this dispute before strike action.”
The union said discussions with the company are due to take place in the coming days in a bid to secure a breakthrough and avoid any walkouts.
Earlier this week, Unite welcomed improved deals for workers at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, saying the settlements removed the threat of disruption during one of the busiest periods of the year for Scotland’s aviation sector.
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Brooklyn Beckham’s latest World Cup advert with Doordash shows the eldest of Victoria and David Beckham’s children making another dig about their ongoing family feud.
22:42, 17 Jun 2026Updated 22:50, 17 Jun 2026
Brooklyn Beckham‘s Doordash advert for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been released, with the amateur chef making another not so subtle joke about his ongoing family drama.
In the advert, Brooklyn revealed that he would be giving away tickets to the football, as he told the camera: “You’re probably wondering why I’m watching the FIFA 2026 World Cup from home. It’s not like I don’t have tickets, um, it’s because… it’s a long story.
“These can go to someone…else,” he then told a Doordash employee as he handed over a bag of tickets. “Hey, put them somewhere fun!” he then told the employee.
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The caption of the post read: “Asked @doordash to go drop my FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets for you guys… happy hunting Follow @doordash’s account to see clues for where you can find them xx #DoorDashPartner #DeliverUsToFutbol #FifaWorldCup2026”
This comes just days after the first part of an advert caused a stir with fans as Brooklyn clearly referenced his family feud. In the first advert, he said: “You’re probably wondering why I’m watching the FIFA World Cup 2026 from home. It’s a long story,” he said, before the video displayed the caption: “It’s complicated. More soon.”
Harper came straight from seeing her father, Sir David, honoured with a star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame. Harper arrived at Brooklyn’s home, still wearing the pink outfit from the ceremony.
After the pictures of Harper emerged, a source claimed to The Sun : “Brooklyn and Nicola are aware that Harper visited their Los Angeles home. They have not responded. It felt like an orchestrated move by his family and made them feel uncomfortable.”
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Hitting out at the images, a spokesperson for Brooklyn told Page Six : “That photographers were in place as the letter was hand-delivered says it all — this was choreographed for the cameras.”
This, however, angered sources close to Sir David and Victoria, who said the claims were “nasty allegations”. Speaking to the Daily Mail over the weekend, a source said: “It is incredibly sad that this horrible accusation is being levelled at an innocent young girl who just desperately misses her brother.
“Nothing needed to be said at all, so to invent this nasty accusation is really unnecessary.”
Rooney and two former France internationals, Gael Clichy and Olivier Giroud, all thought Conceicao was in a better position to shoot at goal himself rather than try to set up Ronaldo for the striker’s first chance.
Former France full-back Clichy also believed Ronaldo’s superstar status might “unconsciously” have an effect on how some of his team-mates play.
“We said at the beginning of the game that Ronaldo will be helping young players because of his character and experience, but sometimes unconsciously those kinds of players can kind of take too much light,” he told BBC One.
“In the first chance, maybe if it was not Ronaldo, he (Conceicao) would have had a go at goal.
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“I’ve lived it with some players at Arsenal and Manchester City, where you feel that the player is such an important player, unconsciously he’s taking everything from every player.
“I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, but when you take them out, you can see players taking responsibility.”
Clichy said that situation was not necessarily Ronaldo’s fault and added: “This is normal and this is where the choice of the manager is important because during the 90 minutes, we were saying, ‘Is he going to take him out because we know he’s got a goal in him?’.
“But at the same time, we know the game is sometimes not natural because of him being on the pitch.”
A rollercoaster first half against Croatia for England saw Thomas Tuchel shout something at Jordan Pickford
22:30, 17 Jun 2026Updated 22:34, 17 Jun 2026
England manager Thomas Tuchel was seen in a heated exchange with Jordan Pickford during the first half of their opening World Cup fixture against Croatia. In a chaotic 45 minutes featuring four goals, a retaken penalty and VAR drama, the German boss still found time to clash with one of his own players.
Tuchel seemed irritated with his number one’s distribution very early on in the game. After just 17 minutes, while the Three Lions were leading 1-0, he berated Pickford for failing to follow his instructions.
The keeper played out from the back in the wrong direction and seemed to suggest he was off-balance, but that explanation did little to satisfy the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager. Geoff Shreeves, working for FOX as a sideline reporter in the US at the World Cup, witnessed the incident unfold before him.
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He said: “Just now Jordan Pickford was on his left side and off balance and still picked up. Thomas Tuchel was straight out to the touchline and said ‘no, put it out to the right back, you don’t go that side,’ reports the Express.
“Pickford had a little go back and Tuchel was not impressed. He told him ‘you know what you’re supposed to do, do as I told you.”
And Tuchel won’t have been happy that his goalkeeper conceded two goals before the half-time whistle, the first from Martin Baturina with a curled strike on the edge of the box, followed by Peter Musa’s neat finish after a clever header back from Ivan Perisic.
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Considering the up and down nature of the opening 45 minutes, Pickford would not have been the only player Tuchel would have had words with. The Three Lions started slowly but looked to have settled themselves when Harry Kane opened the scoring.
The England skipper was fortunate to do so, as he missed his first spot-kick when he tried a stutter penalty, only for Dominik Livaković to guess correctly and save. Kane was allowed to have another go as Livakovic was deemed to have left his goal-line before the forward took the penalty.
The former Tottenham Hotspur ace made no mistake with his second spot-kick, throwing the stutter out and finding the far corner.
Approvals were made for hotels at Callendar Street and Rosemary Street
20:18, 17 Jun 2026
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Two more new hotels have been approved for Belfast city centre, by the council, despite questions being raised over one of the proposed hotels not having windows in some of its bedrooms.
Councillors at the monthly Belfast City Council Planning Committee, held at City Hall on Tuesday evening (June 16), unanimously approved two applications to convert office blocks in the heart of the city to hotels.
The first was at the five storey Lindsay House, on Callender Street, behind Marks and Spencer. It involves the change of use from a fast food unit, restaurant, retail and office to a 76 bedroom hotel with associated restaurant and bar areas, as well as a lobby and reception area.
Works will include the demolition of all internal walls and partitions at ground floor level and the demolition of sections of building at the rear. It will involve the replacement of windows, reconfiguration and replacement of shopfronts, the creation of new openings for windows and the removal of rooflights. Lindsay House was built in 1960.
The applicant is Victoria 1 LTD Suite, Lower Crescent, Belfast. Planning officials at the council recommended the application for approval. All the statutory bodies offered no objections except NI Water, and there were no third party representations.
Elected representatives heard from officials that there would be 12 bedrooms on the first and second floor which would “have no access to windows.”
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The council report states: “It is noted a number of proposed bedrooms will have no windows owing to the relatively large depth of the building and existence of neighbouring buildings. Given the constraints of the building, the transient nature of occupation within a hotel and providing choice to potential customers, this arrangement is considered acceptable.
“In accordance with policies, the proposed development will support the growth of the tourism and hospitality sector in the city, help grow the evening and night-time economy and contribute to the supply of overnight visitor accommodation.”
Alliance Councillor Tara Brooks asked if the window-less rooms would be advertised, and a Planning official responded: “I can’t confirm how they will be advertised, because that will come much later in the process.” The official added: “I would expect, having had conversations with the applicant, that they will be advertised potentially at a lower cost, and that it will be made clear that those rooms won’t have windows.”
Elected representatives also approved on Tuesday a new 30 bed hotel at 20 Rosemary Street, off Royal Avenue. Works will involve the retention, conversion, refurbishment and change of use of the existing office building and two vacant retail units, including the extension of the fifth floor.
The council received no objections from statutory consultees or third parties. The building is in the very heart of the city centre, close to the iconic Fresh Garbage shop. Some demolition wok will be involved.
The applicant is Rosemary Street Limited, Holywood. The building itself has a distinct ‘L shape’ arrangement presenting as four storeys at its northern elevation to Rosemary Street with a stepped back fifth floor.
The council planning report states: “The proposed development will respond positively to its local context and re-animate Rosemary Street through the retention and conversion of a vacant building in the city centre and the introduction of active ground floor frontage, ensuring vibrancy throughout the day in accordance with the requirements of policy.
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“The proposed demolition is considered to be acceptable. Minor elevational details with no historic value are to be demolished. Therefore, the demolition would comply with policy.”
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