The two brick-and-mortar Hip locations in Manchester and Leeds will shut but the brand will continue trading online – this after JD Sports closed 24 stores across the UK earlier this year

Two stores owned by a popular sport-fashion retail chain are set to close on high streets this week.

JD Sports is scrapping its Hip stores, with the two sites preparing to close for good. JD Sports acquired the Hip brand in 2014.

The Manchester Hip branch on Thomas Street will close down on June 28 and the Leeds branch on Yorkshire city’s Vicar Lane will follow suit at the end of the month, according to Drapers.

Despite its departure from the high street, Hip is set to continue to trade online via its website.

JD Sports was forced to closed 24 UK stores earlier this year due to financial uncertainty, but still operates 4,000 stores worldwide.

JD Sports has decided to scale back the operation and will cut underperforming stores to place more focus on more popular locations.

Last month, The Mirror reported that JD Sports will shut 175 Hibbett stores in the US in the following three years to focus on more profitable locations.

The British retailer took on the Hibbett brand in 2024 for $1.1 billion as part of its expansion in the US.

Over the past two years the sporting outlet has faced tough competition, including from Dick’s Sporting Goods, which bought Foot Locker for $2.5 billion.

The company has also recently reported a drop in annual earnings.

The brand explained that it had concerns that tensions in the Middle East could mean higher costs and decreased customer interest.

Advertisement

It said that there had been no “direct exposure” – just “heightened uncertainty”.

The business shared plans to cut down on bricks-and-mortar sites in order to have “fewer, bigger and better” shops.

JD Sports told Manchester Evening News in May: “Over time, the potential future impacts of heightened uncertainty may contribute to direct cost pressures, including energy and fuel costs across our store and logistics networks, respectively, as well as potential indirect impacts on pricing and consumer demand should input cost inflation emerge.”

Last week, Belfast Live reported that the Independence Day concert, which was due to take place at Belfast City Hall, had been cancelled due to a failure to secure a headline act

The Department for Communities is scrambling to claw back up to £10,000 paid to the Ulster Scots Agency as an advance for their USA250 concert that had been scheduled to take place on 4th July at Belfast City Hall.

The USA250 concert, intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, was completely abandoned last week after organisers admitted they failed to secure headline acts.

Back in January, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced a £30,000 public funding package for the event, promising a line-up of “high-profile acts” with US artists joining via video link.

Following a week of silence, the Department for Communities has now admitted that a £10,000 advance of taxpayer cash was paid out before the event collapsed.

The department also conceded that a portion of that public money has already been spent on “preparation” for the non-existent gig and cannot be recovered.

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities told Belfast Live : “Around £10,000 was allocated as an advance. We are engaging with the Ulster Scots Agency on the return of funding not expended on preparation for the event.”

The admission comes after a week of stonewalling from the department, which initially sought to distance itself from the fiasco.

Following Belfast Live’s initial coverage of the concert’s collapse last week, departmental officials contacted this publication requesting that reference to the Department for Communities be removed from the article.

Officials claimed the Ulster Scots Agency was solely responsible for the cancellation, despite Minister Lyons having personally fronted the original funding announcement.

Sinn Féin Communities spokesperson and chair of Stormont’s Communities Committee, Colm Gildernew MLA said that the Minister needs to ensure that all of the £30,000 that was allocated to the event is returned to the public purse.

“The Communities Minister has a track record of wasting public funds on his own pet projects,” he said.

“He wasted £5,500 on research on JD Vance’s genealogy in a failed attempt to prove an Ulster Scot’s connection.

“Not to mention spending over £60,000 in his department’s involvement in a legal challenge to Belfast City Council’s draft Irish Language Strategy.

“Now it’s confirmed that a concert to celebrate American Independence, which he has allocated £30,000 to the Ulster Scots Agency to organise, is not going to happen.

“The Minister needs to ensure that all of the £30,000 is returned to the public purse.

“He also needs to start putting his attention and limited departmental resources into issues that are priorities, such as building more homes and tackling poverty and disadvantage.”

When the cancellation was confirmed, a spokesperson for the Ulster Scots Agency stated that the event would not proceed due to “a number of factors, including availability of potential headline acts.”

Defending the wider programme, the DfC spokesperson added: “There is a wide range of other US-NI250 projects being delivered across the summer. More information is available at www.usa-ni250.co.uk ”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

Making the perfect homemade lasagne can be tricky – here’s what the experts say

Lasagne is a timeless Italian pasta dish created by layering sheets of pasta with fillings such as meat sauce, velvety béchamel, and generous amounts of cheese. Renowned for its comforting, hearty taste and a golden, crispy cheese topping, it remains one of the most beloved dinner dishes across the globe.

While lasagne is undeniably delicious, it can be both time-consuming and tricky to prepare. There are also numerous variations of the dish, depending on personal taste and regional tradition.

Some versions call for beef, others for pork, while some rely on ricotta or mozzarella for their creaminess. After consulting six chefs for their finest tips on making lasagne, the vast majority recommended one key thing.

James Cotton, development chef at Brakes Foodservice, said: “As a chef, one of the biggest questions I hear time and time again from those using dried pasta sheets for their lasagne is why the bottom layer of pasta doesn’t cook all the way through. There are actually a few very simple hacks that people often miss before layering their lasagne.

“First, soak your lasagne sheets in a bowl of boiled water for around 10 minutes. This will ensure they are very slightly cooked before being added to your oven-proof dish. Spread the bechamel sauce at the very bottom of the oven-proof dish, before laying the first lot of pasta sheets. This will provide the moisture the pasta needs to soften, so you aren’t left with those crunchy edges.”

“Cover your lasagne dish tightly with foil before putting it in the oven. This helps trap any steam needed to cook those edges. Only do this for the first 20 to 30 minutes, then remove to brown the cheese on top for a further 10 to 15 minutes.

“Lasagne is such a versatile dish, but my one secret ingredient would be to add a pinch of cinnamon or to drop a cinnamon stick into your meat when simmering. The warming combination of its sweet and savoury flavours pairs beautifully with slow-cooked tomato-based dishes.”

Bear in mind to remove the cinnamon stick before layering up the dish.

Jesse Kempner, head chef at Mindful Chef, suggested preparing your lasagne in advance. This is particularly crucial when working with dried lasagne sheets.

The expert said: “Try to make a day ahead if you can, but the morning will still make a difference. All the moisture from the sauces will be absorbed by the sheets, allowing them to soften and hold better structure at the end of the cook.

“Also, like with all good pasta sauces, the longer the sauce sits, the better the flavour, so this is a double win.”

The chef additionally advised allowing the dish to settle before slicing. This will help stop it from becoming untidy when cutting or turning watery.

Chef Enzo Oliveri, Cirio Ambassador, celebrity chef and President of the Italian Chefs Federation (FIC UK), revealed that the “true Italian secret” to an authentic lasagne lies in the quality of the ragù sauce. According to the chef, you cannot “hide” behind layers of pasta and cheese if the foundation “lacks depth”.

For a traditional lasagne, the sauce needs to be a rich, slow-cooked ragù, while the choice of meat is equally important. Although most people opt for beef in their lasagne, Chef Enzo uses a combination of beef and pork.

The chef said: “The pork brings a little extra richness and sweetness to the ragu thanks to its higher fat content. As the sauce cooks, that fat helps carry the flavour of the tomatoes throughout the dish, creating a ragu that feels more rounded and balanced.”

When it comes to assembling the dish, following a “few simple rules” can also make all the difference.

In common with other chefs, Chef Enzo advised to “always” spread a thin layer of béchamel directly onto the base of the baking dish before adding the first layer of pasta. The chef continued: “This stops the bottom layer from sticking or drying out.”

Maintaining a consistent sequence throughout is equally crucial. It should “always” be pasta sheet, ragù, béchamel, and then a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese.

Aiming for five or six thin layers is said to deliver the optimum balance.

Another “common mistake” people make is cutting into the lasagne immediately after it comes out of the oven. Ensure you allow it to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

The layers will settle and become firmer, delivering neat, well-defined slices that stay intact.

Yassir Chair, chef founder of Tagine & Grill and Afuego Burger, said: “One of the most overlooked lasagne tricks is spreading a thin layer of bechamel across the base of the dish before adding the first pasta sheet. It might seem like a small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference to the finished result.

“The bechamel creates a protective cushion between the hot baking dish and the pasta, helping to prevent the bottom layer from overcooking, drying out, or becoming tough during baking.”

It also enhances the overall texture of the lasagne, helping to maintain moisture and tenderness throughout the entire dish.

The chef added: “The result is a lasagne with a consistent, silky texture from top to bottom, where each bite has the same balance of pasta, sauce and richness. It’s a simple step that takes only seconds but adds a level of refinement that separates a good lasagne from a great one.”

Maurillo Molteni, head chef at TOZI restaurant & bar, also shared some interesting tips and tricks. The chef said: “Personally, I like the pasta to be quite thin, the bolognese sauce needs to be rich, and the bechamel not too thick.

“I love Parmesan, so in every layer I am quite generous with it. I also always make the lasagne the day before, let it rest and eat it the day after. It allows the different ingredients to bond with each other.”

Cllr Andrew Hollyer, planning spokesperson for City of York Council’s Liberal Democrat opposition, said a green belt review risked years of uncertainty and speculative development while house builders sit on existing sites.

Council Labour planning executive member Cllr Michael Pavlovic said updates would significantly reduce such risks and accused the Liberal Democrats of making misleading claims about things that would never happen.

A spokesperson for Labour Mayor David Skaith said the review was being done amid a housing crisis and he would not sit back and let get it worse.

Garry Taylor, council city development lead, said the work would help shape York’s next Local Plan following national changes and ensure much-needed homes are built in a respectful way.

RECOMMENDED READING:

The row comes after the authority and neighbouring North Yorkshire Council have invited bids for a £180,000 contract for an assessment of the region’s green belt.

The work, backed by the mayoral York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, is set to support the drafting of new Local Plans for development by both councils.

The assessment is set to see green belt land categorised against new national policies but it would not release parcels of it for development or decide on future use.

It follows national planning policy changes including the introduction of a new category of land dubbed ‘grey belt’, brownfield and previously developed areas of the green belt.

Wider national planning reforms have been enacted as part of Government aims to speed up house-building.

Changes have resulted in York starting work on a new Local Plan following the adoption of its first since the 1950s in February 2025.

Mr Taylor said the current Local Plan including green belt boundaries remain in place.

He added evidence gathered by the review, funded in part by a £70,000 Government grant, would inform wider work on the new Local Plan and the region’s Spatial Development Strategy.

But Cllr Hollyer said reopening the debate on the green belt put the certainty brought about by adopting the Local Plan at risk.

The opposition planning spokesperson said: “Some developers will simply bank the sites they already have and focus their efforts on securing permission for even more green belt development elsewhere.

“York Central is one of the biggest brownfield redevelopment opportunities anywhere in the UK, we should be focused on getting homes built on sites that have already been allocated, regenerating brownfield land and delivering the infrastructure York needs to cope with the extra housing.

“We can meet York’s housing needs without launching an assault on the green belt.”

Labour’s Cllr Pavlovic said national regulations had moved on since York’s Local Plan was adopted and it now needed to reflect those changes.

Cllr Michael Pavlovic, City of York Council’s Labour administration’s housing and planning executive member (Image: City of York Council)

The planning executive member said: “Updating our Green Belt evidence now will provide us with a robust evidence base for future planning decisions, meaning we significantly reduce the risk of such development.

“It’s disappointing to see Liberal Democrats seeking to mislead the public and scaremonger, on what is a technical requirement.

“Residents should take what they say with a large bucket of salt.”

A spokesperson for the mayor said the Liberal Democrats were misrepresenting what is happening.

The spokesperson said: “The mayor has a statutory duty to produce a spatial plan for the region set out by the Government.

“It does not mean that great expanses of the green belt will suddenly be developed on.”

Nigel Pocklington, chief executive of Good Energy Group, said: “Over the past five years, we have witnessed a series of energy shocks due to conflict abroad, proving that our current system is neither fit for purpose nor structured in a fair way for households to pay for their energy.

Andy Burnham will give a major policy speech later, his first since launching a bid to become prime minister, in which he will announce plans for a “No 10 North”.

Speaking in Manchester, Burnham is expected to say the body will be tasked with driving growth “across every nation and region of the UK” as he vows to put devolution at the heart of his programme for government.

He will set out a commitment for a “10-year mission” to raise living standards, as well as proposals on youth employment, in order to “lift Britain back up to where it should be”.

In the event no other Labour MP puts themselves forward to be leader, Burnham is expected to become prime minister on 20 July.

He has faced calls from opposition parties to set out his plans, confirm who he intends to appoint to his cabinet and explain whether or not he will deviate from Labour’s 2024 manifesto.

In Monday’s speech Burnham is expected to say the government must “give Britain the circuit-breaker it needs”, as well as address his view of why there is low public trust in politics.

He will say decision-making needs to be “pushed to regions and local communities”, and will promise “good growth in every postcode”.

Burnham has signalled he will stick to the fiscal rules set out by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who he is expected to replace if he becomes prime minister.

Those rules stipulate that day-to-day government costs will be paid for by tax income, rather than borrowing, and a commitment to see debt falling as a share of national income by the end of this parliament in 2029-30.

Pressures on the government’s budget and high borrowing costs mean Burnham or any prospective prime minister have little financial room to pursue policy objectives.

Speaking at a conference in London on 25 June, Reeves urged Burnham to stick to her economic approach, saying it was “beginning to bear fruit”, as well as backing his approach to “fiscal devolution”.

But some Labour MPs on the left of the party have called for him to relax Reeves’s self-imposed rules to allow for more spending.

He is reported to be considering Ed Miliband, David Miliband, Wes Streeting or Shabana Mahmood as possible replacements for Reeves.

Burnham has also come under pressure to commit to increased defence spending.

The government is due to publish its defence investment plan (DIP) before a new prime minister succeeds Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, which will set out a multi-billion funding increase.

On Sunday, the former Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin called on Burnham to commit to increasing defence investment to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 if he becomes prime minister.

Asked what his advice to Burnham would be, he told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “It is [to] keep our country safe, acknowledge that you have this extraordinary responsibility – so you’re almost like a wartime prime minister at the moment.

“And that means you need to invest in what really keeps us safe.”

Responding to the upcoming speech, Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said Burnham’s “big idea is to shuffle power between politicians” rather than make welfare reforms, cut taxes or “fund the defence our country desperately needs”.

He continued: “Just more devolution, more committees, more process. It’s the politics of distraction from a Labour Party that is deliberately avoiding the questions that actually matter.”

A Reform UK spokesman said previews of the speech amounted to “a lot of words for no actual concrete changes”, adding: “It’s clear that Burnham has taken a leaf out of Starmer’s book – all talk, no action.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey warned that Burnham had only a “very short window to turn this government around” as the country is “impatient for change”.

“People have heard this sort of talk before only to be badly let down because nothing changes – Burnham mustn’t repeat that mistake,” he said.

Bathgate Academy’s Arnault Kasa has been honoured at a national awards event recognising those who challenge discrimination.

A West Lothian teacher has been recognised for his anti-racism work.

Bathgate Academy’s Arnault Kasa has been honoured at a national awards event recognising those who challenge discrimination.

The French and Spanish teacher received a Highly Commended award at the Herald Saroj Lal Awards 2026, which celebrates the work of teachers who promote and facilitate a culture and ethos of equality and diversity

The awards are named in honour of Saroj Lal, a trailblazing teacher, race relations campaigner and community activist who worked at the forefront of multicultural and anti-racist education in its early years, laying the foundations for many others to build on.

Originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Arnault also lived in Prague, Czech Republic, where he experienced racism first-hand. Those experiences shaped his determination to challenge discrimination and help make anti-racist education the norm across Scottish education.

He moved to Scotland in 2019 and joined West Lothian Council in 2021, where he led and supported a range of equality and diversity initiatives at both Peel Primary in Livingston and Calderwood Primary in East Calder before joining Bathgate Academy.

Throughout his teaching career, Mr Kasa has been driven by a commitment to ensuring every learner feels represented, respected and valued.

His work helped embed anti-racist practice into everyday school life and encouraged meaningful conversations around identity, inclusion and representation.

The father of one is also a semi-professional footballer with Gala Fairydean Rovers in the Lowland League, and is actively involved with Afroscots United FC, a community organisation that provides young people from ethnic minority and all backgrounds with opportunities to stay active, improve their wellbeing and build friendships through sport.

Arnault Kasa said: “I am truly delighted to have received this commendation in recognition of the equality and diversity work I have been doing both in education and within the wider community.

“It motivates me even more to continue building communities that are race-aware, inclusive and reflective of the lived experiences of people of colour.

“This commendation reassures me that the work being carried out is making a meaningful impact, and for that I am incredibly grateful.”

Vineet Lal, son of Saroj Lal and award panellist, said: “It was a delight to meet Arnault, and the judging panel were incredibly impressed by his journey and the path he continues to forge.

“He embodies all of the core values and principles that the award seeks to recognise, and is a deserving recipient of the Highly Commended certificate.

“In an increasingly challenging world and political climate, and especially in the light of recent events in Scotland, Arnault is a beacon of hope, and his work is more important than ever.”

Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter

The likelihood of encountering rats and mice around your home increases significantly in the warmer weather.

As the warmer months approach, the likelihood of encountering rats and mice near your home rises considerably. Spring was the start of a crucial breeding period for these rodents, leaving them hungry, seeking refuge and reproducing at an alarming rate — making our homes ideal nesting spots.

Not preparing for this and overlooking the early indicators can quickly result in a full-scale rodent infestation across your property. Apart from the potentially significant expense of pest control, there’s also the genuine threat of contracting diseases.

Thankfully, there may be a straightforward and affordable solution to ward them off, reports the Express.

Glen Peskett, DIY specialist from Saxton Blades, proposes that one everyday kitchen ingredient can repel rats from your property all year round: garlic.

He said: “Garlic is a favourite all around the world, it smells amazing, has health benefits and transforms any dish you put it in. But for rats? That strong, pungent smell is their absolute nightmare.

“Rats rely heavily on their sense of smell to navigate and find food. Garlic, with its strong sulfur compounds, overwhelms their sense of smell and makes them feel disoriented.

“These compounds are also something rats associate with toxic substances, naturally deterring them from entering your home.”

The solution is remarkably budget-friendly, with a four-pack available for just 87p at Asda, working out at roughly 22p per bulb.

How to use garlic to keep rats and mice away

Place garlic cloves at entry points throughout your property where rodents are most likely to enter.

These creatures are typically drawn to locations such as basements, garages, kitchens and lofts, so make sure you position them close to any gaps and doorways around the exterior of your home.

Garlic oil, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar can likewise be extremely effective in deterring unwanted pests from entering your property.

Having said that, repellents on their own aren’t the complete answer. Tackling other problems, such as decluttering, can remove potential hiding places that rats might use to build their nests.

Food waste is another significant draw for rats, so ensure your bins are tightly closed, dispose of rubbish regularly, and clean up any spills immediately.

Lastly, inspect your property carefully for any openings, especially beneath doors or around vents, and seal them up – even the tiniest of holes can provide rats and mice with enough space to get through.