“Until there’s real change to the licensing laws, independent breweries are going to struggle to survive.”

Northern Ireland lost nearly a fifth of its breweries in the first six months of 2026 – the highest closure rate recorded anywhere in the UK, new research today reveals.

The number of breweries closing in the whole of the UK has slowed significantly, with some areas actually seeing modest growth, but Northern Ireland at 19% was among those that saw the net number of breweries drop – and in percentage terms was by far the worst hit.

According to figures released by the SIBA UK Brewery Tracker, the number of active breweries in Northern Ireland now stands at 17, down from 21 in January 2026 and over 30 just three years ago.

William Mayne, managing director of Bullhouse says Northern Ireland has the toughest trading environment for independent breweries anywhere in the UK.

He added: “The vast majority of the beer we make can’t be sold here because of the restrictions on opening taprooms and pubs, resulting in Northern Ireland having by far the fewest number of breweries per capita in the UK.

“At the same time, more than 99% of beer sold in Northern Ireland is brewed outside Northern Ireland by Global brands who are the key beneficiaries of the monopolised licensing regime. Until there’s real change to the licensing laws, independent breweries are going to struggle to survive.”

SIBA has been campaigning for changes to the licensing laws in NI including allowing taprooms to open in line with the rest of the UK and for the surrender principle to be reformed. This restricts the number of pub licences, preventing innovative businesses from opening.

The SIBA UK Brewery Tracker takes into account all brewery openings and closures in the UK, where the net brewery closure rate from January to June 2026 was just -16, compared to a loss of -137 breweries in 2025 – or an average loss of 68.5 breweries per six months.

The SIBA UK Brewery Tracker figures paint a mixed picture across the UK, with four of the nine regions seeing an overall growth in brewery numbers.

The North West, South East and Wales had the strongest performance, each seeing the Net number rise by +3, followed by the South West which had a more modest +1 growth.

Fairing worse in the first 6 months of 2026 were Scotland (-9), the North East (-8), Midlands (-4), Northern Ireland (-4), and finally the East of England (-1).

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The changes will mean that betting and vape stores will soon require planning permission before opening, giving councils and residents a direct say in shaping their high streets.

The new measures are part of a wider strategy to revitalise high streets and return decision-making power to communities.

Mr Burnham’s plans will allow communities to have a say over what businesses can open in their town centres and how local high streets should look.

Since 2016 the number of vape and tobacco shops has risen to nearly 2,200. (Image: Getty Images)

Prime Minister announces crackdown on vape and betting shops

Under the proposed legislation, the Government plans to revoke the Gambling Act’s “Aim to Permit” rule, which limits councils’ ability to refuse new betting outlets even when there are strong objections from the community.

Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs), venues offering up to 24-hour access to slot and fruit machines, would also be subject to the same planning rules, with changes expected to take effect at the start of next year.

Currently, such businesses can open without planning permission as easily as a coffee shop or clothing retailer.

The Centre for Social Justice has reported that since 2016, nearly 1,800 pubs and bars have closed across the UK, while the number of vape and tobacco shops has risen to nearly 2,200.

Mr Burnham said: “For many people, the high streets they grew up with have been hollowed out and become unrecognisable over decades of decline.

“The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for.

“That’s not on.

“I said we would improve Britain’s high streets, and that’s exactly what we are starting to do.

“We’re putting communities back in control and giving local people a real say over what opens on their high street.

“Local councils will be given the powers they need to rein in unwanted shops and bring town centres back to life.

“High streets are the beating heart of local communities, but for too long Westminster has stood by while they have been in decline.

“This government is committed to restoring our high streets and bringing back hope across Britain.”

Government shares plans to revitalise British high streets

Under the new measures, the government will also require planning permission for vape shops, giving locals a say on whether they should open and to stop them opening near schools.

The government also intends to double the maximum duration of Closure Orders from six to twelve months, giving police and councils more time to investigate businesses linked to organised crime.

Angela Rayner, secretary of state for housing, communities, and local government, said, “People know when their high street isn’t working for them.

“Whether it’s the vape shop or betting shops that have opened with no say from locals, the shopfront that’s seen better days, or the sense that nobody’s in control.

“These problems have built up over years, but this government won’t leave councils and communities powerless to crackdown on everyday eyesores that blight our high streets.

“That’s why we’re giving local leaders the power to say no to what doesn’t belong on their high street, and the tools to fix it themselves.”

The government also plans to revoke the Gambling Act’s “Aim to Permit” rule (Image: Getty Images)

The Government also said it plans to work with councils to improve the appearance of town centres.

It aims to set clearer standards for shopfront design and signage, targeting issues like poor quality facades and garish neon lights that make high streets less appealing.

Over the next six months, councils will be supported in revitalising their high streets, drawing on successful examples such as Cross Street in Oswestry and Keynsham High Street.

The new measures come alongside other Government efforts to tackle rogue businesses linked to organised crime, including a £30 million campaign targeting money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal employment.

Additional actions include a 20 per cent business rates cut for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues across England from next year.

News Media Association Chief Executive Theo Bamber said: “The scrutiny of power that local news publishers and their journalists provide will be crucial to the success of the devolution agenda.

“Forty-two million people a month read local news across in print in digital. This illustrates the immense public appetite for the trusted local journalism and the value it has as a tool for proper democratic engagement.

“People around the country deserve full transparency from those making the decisions that affect their lives. That’s what local news delivers, and no democratically elected person should shy away from scrutiny or accountability.”

Do you agree with the government’s plans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Emma Millen, from Whitley Bay, only became a qualified diver in 2023 but has already gained a following online under the name The Geordie Shores Diver.

Through her social media videos, she aims to show the rich marine life off the North East coast and encourage more people to try diving for themselves.

Ms Millen, who works for a radio station, said: “I love our coast so much.

“In the last couple of years I’ve got into doing sea dips and getting on a paddle board and being on the water.

“Then I thought, why don’t I go underneath the water. Let’s see what’s down there.”

Her videos have sparked questions about diving and marine life.

She describes discovering seals, shipwrecks, and unusual sea creatures during her dives.

But her diving journey hasn’t always been easy – she suffered a panic attack during one of her exams for the diving qualification.

Emma said: “I felt claustrophobic.

“I felt horrible.

“I had a panic attack and said I’m never doing that again.”

A friend later encouraged her to try a dive at Cullercoats beach, which changed her mind.

Ms Millen said: “I did it and I was like, this is actually amazing.

“It’s like another world out there and I wish more people could see it and that’s why I decided to start documenting it.”

The response to her videos has been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers saying she’s inspiring young girls to get into diving.

Ms Millen said: “There aren’t many young girls who get into diving and that’s one thing I’m trying to push on my social media – anyone can do it.”

England is “on the cusp” of becoming one of the first countries globally to eradicate hepatitis C, health officials have said.

Efforts such as A&E blood tests, GP registration testing, and free home test kits have helped identify individuals who were previously undiagnosed.

Global health leaders have set out plans aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis across the world by 2030.

NHS England stated that the nation is among a small number of countries worldwide to have already beaten the World Health Organisation benchmark of treating 80% of all known cases.

It added that deaths associated with the virus have fallen by 36% over the past 10 years.

Hepatitis C is transmitted via contact with infected blood.

Many people have no symptoms but if it is not treated it can cause serious, and potentially life-threatening, liver damage.

A treatment course of antiviral drugs for eight to 12 weeks cures more than 95% of cases.

NHS England said that since 2015, more than 100,000 people have been diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C, often referred to as hep C.

Professor Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, said: “Hepatitis C can cause serious harm, including liver failure and cancer, yet many people live with it for years without knowing or having any symptoms at all until it’s too late.

“That’s why the NHS has worked hard alongside public health teams and charities to find and treat hidden cases, and it’s really encouraging that over 100,000 people have now received potentially life-saving treatment in just a decade.

“England is now leading the world in the mission to eliminate this disease and on course to beat the WHO’s 2030 target, but we are determined to keep up the momentum and finish the job.

“With hepatitis C curable in more than nine out of 10 cases, we are committed to finding and treating everyone who needs support and would urge those at greater risk to come forward by ordering a free and confidential home-testing kit online.”

Rachel Halford, chief executive of The Hepatitis C Trust said: “We are on the cusp of one of the most significant public health achievements in our country’s history. To sustain this momentum, continued commitment and long-term investment are essential.”

Health officials have urged people at risk of undiagnosed hepatitis C – including people who have had a tattoo abroad, people who have moved to England from certain eastern European countries or those who use or have previously used injectable drugs – to order a confidential home-testing kit.

Adults born in Ukraine, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Czechia or Slovakia are particularly urged to test, as many could have been potentially infected through medical or dental procedures before 1991.

Paul Eatwell, 65, tested positive for the virus after routine liver function tests flagged an abnormality.

The grandfather from Blackburn, Lancashire, said: “My first reaction was disbelief. I remember saying: ‘Are you sure? Surely there’s been some mistake’.

“I didn’t feel ill. I kept wondering how I could possibly have caught it.

“The support from the specialist team made a huge difference. Their message was simple: ‘Don’t spend your time worrying about how you got it – focus on getting rid of it’.”

While it has not been established how Mr Eatwell caught the virus, it has been suggested that surgery in South Africa decades ago is a potential risk factor.

He added: “If you think you may be at risk, why wouldn’t you have the test? It gives you peace of mind.

“Treatment today isn’t life-changing in the way people might imagine – it’s one tablet a day for 12 weeks and a few blood tests.

“The alternative is to ignore it, potentially develop serious liver disease, or unknowingly pass the virus on to someone else.”

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We are leading the world in wiping out this disease for good.

“This is exactly the kind of preventative, forward-looking healthcare that we want the NHS to deliver across the board – catching illness earlier, easing pressure on hospitals, and giving people the chance to live longer, healthier lives.”

Dr Sema Mandal, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: “We are making significant progress towards eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat.

“The sharp fall in cases since 2015 shows the impact of expanded testing and sustained access to modern curative treatments, and the commitment of health services and community partners across England.

“Treating over 100,000 people in just 10 years is a remarkable achievement and brings England closer than ever to becoming one of the first countries in the world to eliminate this disease as a public health threat.”

It comes just after the closure of the Infected Blood Inquiry.

The probe examined what has been dubbed the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

The inquiry concluded the scandal “could largely have been avoided” and there was a “pervasive” cover-up to hide the truth.

More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s.

More than 3,000 people have died as a result while survivors are living with lifelong health implications.

Ann Widdecombe’s funeral is set to take place this week, with the her church requesting that members of the public refrain from bringing floral tributes to the abbey

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The funeral service for Ann Widdecombe is scheduled to occur this week at Buckfast Abbey, where she regularly attended worship.

The update on her private funeral comes days after the investigation into her murder turned a new corner as counter terrorism police confirmed it s looking into an attempted burglary incident.

The attempted robbery is connected to the former MP which occurred at an address in Greater London in April last year.

It comes after Ann, 78, was found dead in her Dartmoor, Devon, home on July 9 with serious injuries.

As for her funeral, in an official announcement on the Abbey’s website, Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community of Buckfast declared: “Ann’s family are deeply grateful for the many messages of sympathy and support they have received.

“The family wish to hold a private Requiem Mass, attended by Ann’s closest family and friends, so that they may gather in remembrance and grief with dignity and peace.

“The family respectfully request that members of the press do not attend, to preserve their privacy, and to avoid disruption to those attending.

“Buckfast Abbey asks the press for understanding and restraint at this time, to respect the family’s wishes. There will be no access to the Abbey Church on the day of the Requiem Mass,” reports the Devon Live.

“The Order of Service will be published online at 9am on the day of the Requiem Mass, and will contain the texts of the Scripture Readings, Prayers, Hymns and musical items to be sung by the Abbey Choir.”

The abbey has confirmed the order of service can be downloaded here: https://www.buckfast.org.uk/press/.

The Requiem Mass will take place on August 12, conducted by The Right Revered David Charlesworth, Abbot of Buckfast. His Homily delivered at the Requiem Mass will become accessible at 2pm that day, through the identical link.

The abbey has confirmed that a “small number of official photographs” from the service will be made available following the funeral. It has also stated that no Book of Condolence will be provided and has respectfully requested that members of the public refrain from bringing floral tributes.

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Ann was a regular attendee at the Abbey Church, participating in the Sunday Solemn Mass alongside the church’s Holy Week and Easter services.

Following her passing on July 8 at her Dartmoor residence, Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community of Buckfast paid tribute: “Many in our worshipping community knew her as a kind and warm character. She will be missed and fondly remembered.

“Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics. Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith.

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“She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant. Fr Abbot and the Monastic Community extend their heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”

Buckfast Abbey houses a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine Monks, who conduct their lives in accordance with the ancient rule of St Benedict. The location holds significant historical value – the original Abbey having been established in 1018 AD by King Cnut – and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

The smash between a van and a car took place shortly before 2pm

One person has died and two others have been injured following a horror collision earlier today.

The smash between a van and a car took place on the N3 at Drummallaght in Co Cavan shortly before 2pm on Monday, the Irish Mirror reports.

The driver of the car, who was a man in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was then removed to Cavan General Hospital.

Meanwhile, a woman, who was a passenger in the car and also in her 60s, was seriously injured. She was then airlifted to Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital.

The driver of the van, a man in his 50s, was taken to Cavan General Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The road has been closed to facilitate an examination by Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions are in place.

In a statement, gardai said they are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or was travelling on the N3 between Virginia and Cavan, particularly between 1pm and 2pm to come forward.

“Gardaí are particularly appealing to motorists who may have dashcam or other camera footage of the area during this time to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bailieborough Garda Station on 042 969 4570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

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

Firefighters and police were called to the scene on the A19 at Bridforth near Thirsk shortly before 11.10am on Monday (August 10).

Everyone was out of the vehicles when the fire crew arrived, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

A service spokesperson said the crew made the scene safe then moved one of the vehicles to a safe location.

“The incident was left with the police and recovery company,” they said.

Just months into the marriage, debt collectors started calling, alleging she owed them money.

Wang grew suspicious and wanted to know what else she had kept hidden. He checked her phone and found details of her former life, her birth certificate and former marriage documents.

When he confronted her, she offered him a divorce, but refused to return a single penny of the bride price.

He says he tried to hunt down the agency responsible for his marriage, but when he returned to their offices, they had packed up and disappeared.

From his rented flat in Guiyang, just across from the main district which houses most of these agencies, Wang now spends his time making social media videos trying to warn other men about what can go wrong.

In Guiyang, it is difficult to find an agency where the staff is willing to talk. One agency boss agreed to talk to us in their offices – although his business partner later asked us to leave.

Inside there was a red carpet littered with fake petals ready for a proposal. He told us a couple had pledged to marry just hours before we arrived.

“There’s a huge market for flash marriages in China. It only really emerged over the last two or three years,” he told us.

The agencies claim families here did not strictly adhere to the one-child policy, which means the area has a larger pool of women. “Even if a family had two or three daughters, they would keep trying for a son,” one of them told the BBC.

They say they are now trying to match these women with men from central provinces – like Wang who lives in Hebei – who are relatively wealthy but have few women around them.

“Our clients are free to choose whoever they like. The purpose of our business is to help people find someone they genuinely want to be with.”

One of the advertisements assures their prospective clients that “Three days with the right introduction can beat three years of dating”.

Manchester United transfer target Jhon Lucumi is set to seal an imminent exit from Bologna after his impressive World Cup campaign alerted several clubs

Manchester United look set to lose the transfer race for Jhon Lucumi as Juventus are aiming to finalise a deal with Bologna in the ‘next few hours’. Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth were other Premier League clubs in the race for his signature but it looks as though the Serie A giants will be acquiring his services.

Juve faced competition from a few of their domestic rivals with Inter Milan and Napoli linked but they were one of few to show a concrete interest. United were on the fringes until a report in Italy claimed they were willing to meet his €25million (£21.7m) asking price.

Luciano Spalletti’s side, meanwhile, initially appeared unlikely to do so after seeing their first bid rejected while a proposal from Forest was turned down by the player. The former have seemingly since improved their offer and according to GOAL, the deal is set to be completed in the coming hours.

Their report has stated that an agreement in principle has already been reached on personal terms with Lucumi to sign a five-year contract if the two clubs agree on a fee.

That has been the difficult part with it claimed that Juventus have tried to offer players to Bologna as part of a swap deal but with those advances rejected, they are now prepared to pay €20m (£17m) as a fixed fee with easily achievable add-ons.

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Lucumi’s preference to join Juventus has helped them throughout the battle for his signature with Como also seeing an offer dismissed. They subsequently switched focus onto Trevoh Chalobah which in turn caused Chelsea to register an interest in Lucumi.

However, it looks highly unlikely the 28-year-old will be coming to the Premier League but he is certainly getting his wish of joining a big club even though Juventus have not qualified for this season’s Champions League.

That competition is undoubtedly on the mind of Michael Carrick with squad depth to be key when it comes to competing on all fronts.

Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow remain as the only permanent senior signings made by United with minimal activity over the last three weeks.

There have been links to the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Manu Kone as potential midfield signings but nothing has materialised.

In addition to Lucumi, left-footed defenders such as Lewis Hall, Jorge Salinas, Joaquin Seys and David Raum have emerged as targets. An enquiry was made for the former but Newcastle United made it clear that they have no plans to sell.

James McHugh was a key member of the Donegal All-Ireland winning squad in 1992, alongside his brother Martin, who went on to become a GAA pundit on TV

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The man who lost his life in a road traffic collision in Co. Cavan on Monday has been identified locally as Donegal All-Ireland winner James McHugh.

The former player, who represented Donegal until 1996, passed away after the vehicle he was travelling in collided with a van on the N3 at Drummallaght in Co. Cavan, shortly before 2pm on Monday.

Mr McHugh, who was in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene, with his remains subsequently transferred to Cavan General Hospital.

His wife Noreen was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital in a critical condition following the collision, while the van driver, a man in his 50s, was taken to Cavan General Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

James McHugh made his Donegal debut in 1990 against Cavan, the same year Donegal claimed the Ulster title following a victory over Armagh. Two years on, McHugh was a key member of the Donegal All-Ireland winning squad in 1992, alongside his brother Martin, reports the Irish Mirror.

James McHugh is the first of that legendary 1992 Donegal team to pass away.

The former forward also earned an All-Star that same year, and enjoyed considerable success with his club Cill Chartha, claiming championship honours in 1985, 1989 and 1993.

Sinn Féin councillor Michael McMahon was among those paying tribute to the sportsman, telling The Irish Mirror: “It’s very very sad for everybody. James McHugh was a gentleman. He was one of the nicest men you could meet.

“I saw him play in the ’92 All-Ireland Final, he was a great footballer… there is shock and sadness. My prayers are with his family and close friends. The entire community will be shocked by this.”

Gardai have issued a statement appealing “for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision on the N3 at Drummallaght, between Virginia and Cavan, Co. Cavan, shortly before 2pm today, Monday 10th August 2026.

“The collision involved a car and a van. The male driver of the car, aged in his 60s, was fatally injured in the collision. His body was removed to Cavan General Hospital.

“The female passenger, also aged in her 60s, was seriously injured and was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital for treatment. The male driver of the van, aged in his 50s, was taken to Cavan General Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

“The road remains closed at this time to facilitate an examination by Forensic Collision Investigators and local diversions are in place.

“Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision or who was travelling on the N3 between Virginia and Cavan, particularly between 1pm and 2pm to come forward.

“Gardaí are particularly appealing to motorists who may have dashcam or other camera footage of the area during this time to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Bailieborough Garda Station on 042 969 4570, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”

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