A WORLD-class chef who dished up grub for Richard Branson is selling his restaurant after struggling to draw in punters.

Graham Brundle, who trained at the Ritz in London, has put the Devon eatery on the market for £1million.

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Brundle’s Bar and Restaurant became a hot spot in Woolacombe after it opened in 2019.

Serving up a mixture of French, Asian and British cuisine, the restaurant is now labelled as “permanently closed” on Google.

It was part of the redevelopment of the derelict Narracott Hotel.

The site was transformed into Byron, a development of 55 fancy apartments with a private pool, gym and sauna.

It is now used for holiday accommodation, boasting views of Woolacombe beach.

Graham travelled the world cooking for the Virgin billionaire, Bill Gates and even members of the royal family.

Hailing from the coastal town, Graham decided to set down roots in Woolacombe.

But tragically a lack of footfall resulted in Brundle’s demise.

In 2023 Graham told followers that they would be closing for the winter season earlier than normal.

“Sunday 26th November will be our last day open this year,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Unfortunately we’ve had to make the difficult decision to shut the doors early this year due to the amount of footfall in Woolacombe.

“In the meantime we’ll be hosting our final 2 Thai Buffets so make sure you get yourselves booked in for those, info to follow”.

However, the family-friendly restaurant never reopened.

It scored 4/5 on Trip Advisor and listed as Travellers’ Choice in 2024.

One former diner wrote: “What a find in Woolacombe. From the point we stepped into the restaurant until the time we left [it was] amazing.

“Attention to detail and customer service was second to none.

“Not only was the owner receptive to our dog who was served a doggy frappacino but fully attentive to our needs.

“The Thai food was some of the best I have tasted anywhere, even in Bali.

“If you do not visit here, you will miss out. A little treasure focused on providing good food using the best and freshest ingredients,” they added.

Other guests raved about the Sunday roasts on offer and the friendly staff.

It is being marketed by Match Property Estate Agents who branded Brundle’s as a “prime beachfront location”.

They also dismissed Graham’s dwindling footfall claims and said Woolacombe is experiencing “something of a renaissance”.

They added: “Already one the UK’s premier holiday and local destinations, Woolacombe is set to become renowned internationally as one of the best places to visit in the UK.”

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AT this time of year, damp and mould problems can go through the roof.

Wetter weather, lower temperatures and windows closed against the cold leave houses more at risk.

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Around a quarter of renters have damp or mould in their homes, according to charity Shelter.

This week, Mel Hunter looks at the issue, how you can avoid it – and what to do if you see it spreading in your home.

COMPLAINTS ON THE RISE

THERE have been unprecedented volumes of complaints about damp and mould, according to Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway.

His service helps resolve disputes between landlords and tenants, mostly those living in social housing.

It received more than 6,000 complaints relating to damp and mould last year compared with over 3,100 two years earlier.

Richard says: “Historically, the issue has not been taken seriously and we have seen residents fobbed off without the landlord addressing the root causes.”

Whether you rent or own your home, as soon as you get any inkling of damp or mould you need to address it before it turns into a much bigger – and more expensive – problem.

Damp and mould may be caused by a number of different factors. The main culprit is condensation caused by cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors without adequate ventilation.

It’s made worse by a poorly maintained, cold house – and mould will spread if not treated. Where there is gappy insulation, mould-causing condensation will be drawn to the chilly, damp surface.

Richard adds: “If the landlord doesn’t take steps to address damp and mould in a timely way, the resident should raise a formal complaint with the Housing Ombudsman. It free and impartial.”

HOW TO PREVENT IT

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BY keeping your windows open a crack – and open wider when showering – you stand a better chance of avoiding mould, says Heidi Phillips, an expert in deep-cleaning homes.

She adds: “If you’re in a windowless room or cooking, run the extractor fans.”

Heidi, owner of Tergo Specialist Cleaning Services in South Wales, whose biohazard training includes tackling mould, says that the problem can also breed unnoticed behind piles of clutter and in overstuffed wardrobes.

She says: “I often find mould behind furniture, especially if it has been placed against a cold external wall.”

Rising energy costs don’t help, either.

More than 1.7 million households won’t turn on their heating at all this winter, according to price comparison website Uswitch – double last year’s figure of 972,000.

Not heating your home enough can add to problems. Nicholas Donnithorne, UK technical services manager at Rentokil Property Care, says: “If you can, keep your house heated to between 18C and 20C, as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

“It’s harder with the cost of energy – people shut the windows to keep any heat inside but then they lose the ventilation that is vital to let water vapour out.”

He advises opening a trickle vent or small window, even when cold outside.

“If condensation forms on windows, wipe them down to stop mould from forming and spreading, then dry your clothes outside or somewhere airy.”

WHEN TO TACKLE IT YOURSELF… AND WHEN TO CALL IN EXPERTS

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IF you have a small patch of mould on wallpaper, behind furniture or in a wardrobe, you may be able to tackle it yourself for just a few pounds.

Firstly, ventilate the room and keep pets and children away. Then grab some rubber gloves and a face mask.

For a patch on wallpaper, Heidi advises: “Take any affected wallpaper off and bag it up securely.

“Then use a product that penetrates down to the roots of the mould spores.”

Heidi recommends HG or Kilrock mould remover. She adds: “Follow the instructions on the packaging.

 “Afterwards, dispose of everything that may have come into contact with the spores in a sealed bag and change and wash your clothes.”

Clean away any marks left by the mould, adds Nicholas, so that you can spot if it comes back.

“Think about where it is occurring and whether that might be linked to spots in your house that are excessively cold, which is where condensation will be automatically attracted. But above all, think of ventilation.

“Are you opening windows and using extractor fans to give condensation an escape route?”

It is generally agreed that a patch of damp or mould bigger than half a square metre to a square metre needs tackling by professionals. But this can cost thousands.

Nicholas adds: “If you get to the point where you are ventilating your home and you still can’t control it, then you should be asking for help.”

RENTERS’ RIGHTS

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IF you are renting, and poor maintenance is contributing to a damp or mould problem, then your landlord should act.

Substandard insulation, rotting windows, leaks, rising damp and broken extractor fans fall under your landlord’s responsibilities.

You must keep the property adequately ventilated and heated to minimise condensation.

For social housing, new legislation known as Awaab’s Law is due to come into force requiring landlords to act within a strict timeframe.

It follows the death in 2020 of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, from Rochdale, from a respiratory condition caused by extensive mould in his rented flat.

Campaigners hope measures for privately rented properties will come in with the Renters’ Rights Bill, currently going through parliament.

Jenny Lamb, from Shelter, says: “If you have a damp problem, report it to your landlord in writing, along with how long it has been going on.

“If no action is taken, contact your local authority, and they can carry out an environmental health inspection.”

But while many good landlords will act, some will unfortunately use a Section 21 “no fault” eviction order instead of carrying out repairs.

Jenny explains: “A tenant could find themselves in a scary position just for asserting their rights.”

The Government says Section 21 orders will be scrapped in the new Renters’ Rights Bill.

‘I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO MOVE OUT’

MUM-OF-THREE Jodie Moore faced a section 21 no-fault eviction earlier this year when she complained about mould and other problems to her landlady.

The 44-year-old, from Epping, Essex, who has three daughters aged 24, 16 and nine, says: “It was a nice three-bedroom 1930s house, but there was damp and black mould in all the bedrooms and bathroom.

“The windows were very old, with bits missing and the mastic around them had black mould.

“Last winter my youngest daughter developed seasonal asthma which the damp and mould contributed to.”

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Jodie, a domestic abuse adviser, kept asking her landlady to take action, but nothing was done.

In April this year Jodie was served with a Section 21 order, but her local council believed it would be unenforceable as her landlady had not carried out the necessary repairs.

Her landlady did eventually drop the eviction, but Jodie was still forced out when her rent was put up from £1,525 a month to £1,800.

Jodie says: “I was living hand to mouth and felt totally powerless. It was my home with my three daughters, but I had no choice but to move.”

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THE “last man standing” on a housing estate set for demolition has vowed to stay – as the council starts legal action to kick him out.

Retired bank worker Nick Wisniewski, 68, has been living on his own in the derelict Stanhope Place buildings for the last three years.

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He is the final resident there amid council plans to demolish the estate and build 300 new homes.

The buildings in Wishaw in Scotland once contained around 200 residents in 128 flats and are set to be demolished as part of a regeneration project.

But Nick says their offers to buy him out haven’t been good enough for him to give up his home – and he won’t budge.

North Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee has now agreed to push for a compulsory planning order on his flat so the redevelopment can go ahead.

But Nick told the Daily Record: “I’m sticking it out until I hear from the council.”

Nick, who purchased the property from the council in 2017, to avoid paying rent in his retirement, says he has been offered £35,000 for the flat – but says that’s not enough to buy another home.

He says that despite being the last person remaining, he has no plans to move.

Speaking previously, he said: “When people left they just dumped old cookers, mattresses, washing machine outside, it was a mess.

“The council just left the flats lying empty after people moved out.

“There is no security and people could get into the empty flats and lots of windows have been broken.

“Thankfully I haven’t had any trouble. The grass is badly overgrown, it’s ridiculous.

“I think the council are leaving it unkept to annoy me or in the hope I get fed up and leave.

“They offered me £35,000 for my flat and two years’ rent free somewhere else.

“But I am not prepared to start paying rent again and £35,000 is not enough to buy somewhere new.

“You’re talking £80,000 to £100,000 to get somewhere new. I’m worried that I don’t know where I am going to end up living.

“I didn’t work all my life to have my home taken from me when I am too old to get a mortgage on something else.

“It would be so hard to leave my home.”

A representative from North Lanarkshire Council’s planning and regeneration department said there would be “appropriate compensation” for Nick, adding that “The council will continue to try to negotiate with him for voluntary acquisition in parallel with the CPO process.”

The Sun has approached the council for further comment.

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THE best pubs in Britain have been revealed, with four finalists now competing for the top spot.

Every year the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) assembles a list of less than 20 local pubs from around the UK for a shortlist in its Pub of the Year competition.

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This is the highest achievement a pub can receive and is especially important at a time when many pubs are being forced to shut up shop due to high energy prices and other costs.

All pubs are scored on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression and the quality of drinks including beer, real cider and perry.

This year there are 17 pubs which have been hand-picked from thousands across the nation.

These include both local pubs and former high street shops.

The shortlist has now been whittled down to just four competitors, of which the overall winner will be crowned in January 2025.

Last year’s winner was the Tamworth Tap in Staffordshire, which bagged the top spot in both 2023 and 2022.

Black Horse

Among the top four finalists is the Black Horse in Preston.

This Victorian Grade II listed pub still has many of the original fittings from when it was built, including a ceramic bar, tiled walls and mosaic floor.

A seating area has been dubbed the “Hall of Mirrors” due to its breathtaking original stained glass.

Its ten handpumps include four changing guest beers and a range of ciders.

Despite its name it’s not a dark horse in the contest and has already bagged the titles of Central Lancashire Branch Pub of the Year and Lancashire Branches Pub of the Year.

Three B’s

This micropub in Bridlington is run by a husband and wife duo who are passionate about beer and cider.

Its name encapsulates the pub’s ethos and stands for “banter”, “beer” and “bar snacks”.

The Three B’s aims to never sell the same beer twice, which ensures there’s always an exciting range of ever changing drinks at the bar.

Meanwhile, its customer service is unmatched and staff are keen to chat about the drinks they serve and the local area.

Little Green Dragon

There’s something for everyone at the Little Green Dragon in Winchmore Hill.

The micropub boasts an ever changing selection of four cask beers which are sourced from local and independent breweries.

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Plus there’s a fantastic selection of real cider, perry and four keg beers.

While they drink, pubgoers can also enjoy a traditional game of table skittles or shove ha’penny.

The pub has already secured several titles including CAMRA’s Great London Pub of the Year.

The Bailey Head, Oswestry

Close to the Welsh borders in the delightful market town of Oswestry is the Bailey Head.

The pub has one of the largest beer selections in all of Shropshire and claims to have sold more than 3,400 different beers since it flung open its doors in March 2016.

There are six constantly changing cask beers and always includes one dark beer, plus eleven other draught beers, four ciders and a perry.

National Pub of the Year Coordinator Andrea Briers said: “These fantastic four are the epitome of what a good pub should be.

“I am excited to find out which one will be crowned the best pub in the UK.”

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ENERGY suppliers have started issuing £150 payments to help millions of households with gas and electricity costs this winter.

This support is provided through the government’s Warm Home Discount scheme, offering a one-off, tax-free discount on electricity bills for low-income households.

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The scheme reopened at the beginning of the month, and customers have taken to social media to share that they’ve started receiving the £150 discount.

Households in England and Wales don’t have to apply to get the cash and receive it automatically.

Some Scottish households do have to apply for the discount.

One EDF customer on Facebook yesterday: “Has anyone got their Warm Home Discount of £150 as we have had ours this afternoon added to our smart meter.”

Another customer responded and said: “Mine came through today too.

One Ovo Energy customer also said on Facebook this morning: “Woke up this morning to the Warm Home Discount applied to my meter!”

Another added: “Same! I haven’t been entitled the last few years, so I don’t know what’s changed!”

The eligibility requirements for the Warm Home Discount are the same as last year.

Between now and December, the government is issuing letters to over three million households eligible for the scheme.

These will tell you:

• You’re eligible and you’ll get the discount automatically; or
• You might be eligible, and you need to give more information.
• The letter will tell you to call the helpline by February 29, 2024 to confirm your details.

Who’s eligible for the discount?

To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of pension credit or a different qualifying benefit form the list below:

If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won’t be eligible for the payment.

Where someone claims a qualifying benefit, the government will assess their energy costs based on the type, age and size of property.

This means that you may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.

However, this rule doesn’t apply to recipients of the guarantee credit portion of pension credit.

Even if you weren’t getting pension credit on August 11, thousands of pensioners who apply for the benefit now can still qualify for the £150 payment.

This is because pension credit rules allow first-time claimants to backdate their benefit entitlement by three months.

So you’ll need to launch your claim by November 10 and then successfully get it backdated to cover the August 11 Warm Home Discount qualifying date.

But if you fail to apply before this date, you’ll miss out.

If you haven’t received a letter confirming your eligibility for the scheme by early January 2024, but believe you qualify, you should contact the helpline on 0800 030 9322.

How is the Warm Home Discount paid?

If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the £150 Warm Home Discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.

Once it has been applied, it will show on your next bill.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter, your energy supplier will send you a letter explaining how you’ll get your discount.

You’ll usually receive a Post Office voucher in the post and instructions on redeeming it. 

It’s vital to cash in these vouchers as soon as you receive them.

Data from the Post Office, showed that up to £3million worth of vouchers went unclaimed last year.

If you have a smart prepayment meter, your energy supplier will automatically credit your meter with the discount.

What energy bill help is available?

There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.

If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.

This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.

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If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

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British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

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The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

CONDOMS are the latest product to be hit by shrinkflation.

Shoppers are having a hard time figuring out why a box of “Elite” rubbers by trendy brand Skyn has gone from 22 to 20 but costs the same.

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And a hike at high street chain Superdrug has also proved a flop with buyers.

It was previously flogging 24 packs of the “vegan-friendly” contraceptives from Skyn’s range for £14.99.

Now, it only sells packs of ten for £10.49.

One shopper said online: “Now even sex is undergoing shrinkflation.”

Another made a joke of the product’s branding, saying it should be: “Thinner, softer, fewer.”

Skyn condoms have seen their popularity swell thanks to a non-latex, skin-friendly material.

The firm says it is “technologically advanced” and “proven to enhance stimulation”.

The sales pitch continues: “It feels so soft and comfortable that you’ll barely notice wearing it, allowing you and your partner to feel everything.”

The company has positioned itself as the main competitor to Durex.

Skyn and Superdrug were both contacted for comment.

What is shrinkflation?

Skrinkflation is when manufacturers shrink the size or quantity of a product but keep the price the same.

This means that consumers will end up paying more for the same amount or product.

They do this to help them to cope with rising costs of producing an item.

Why are products axed or recipes changed?

ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders.

Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether.

They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers.

There are several reasons why this could be done.

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For example, government regulation, like the “sugar tax,” forces firms to change their recipes.

Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs.

They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable.

For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018.

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It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version.

Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year.

Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks.

While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.

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A large hit to profit margins may push a company to reduce the size of its products rather than push up the price.

You can often spot shrinkflation if a company redesigns its packaging or uses a new slogan.

It is often used in the food and drink industry but can also happen in almost all markets.

But companies often risk putting off customers if they notice that they are getting less for the same price.

Have other products been affected?

Condoms are not the only product to be the victim of shrinkflation.

Cadbury has shrunk the size of its Buttons selection box from 375g to 340g.

When it launched last year the box contained Salted Caramel Buttons, Caramilk Buttons and Orange Giant Buttons.

But this year it has been tweaked to include White chocolate buttons, Caramel Nibbles and Milk Chocolate Buttons.

Meanwhile, earlier this month Herbal Essences customers were outraged to discover that its conditioner had shrunk.

The Dazzling Shine, Hello Hydration, Daily Detox and Ignite My Colour products have been reduced by almost a third.

They have reduced from 400ml to 275ml in recent months but still have a sticker price of around £2.

Plus fans of Jelly Babies were horrified to discover that bags of the treat are now more than ten per cent smaller.

Share bags have been cut from 190g to 165g, equivalent to two or three fewer babies per pack.

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