Today’s top Gousto discount code and deals

If you want to shake up mealtimes without the stress of meal planning, a Gousto recipe box could be just the thing. In fact, Gousto was rated best for families in our guide to the best recipe boxes, thanks to the meals being “super easy to prepare, nutritious and, frankly, a lifesaver after a busy day”, according to our reviewer. To get you started for less, we’ve pulled together the best Gousto discount codes, including an exclusive 50 per cent off your first box, plus additional savings.

Save 50 per cent with our exclusive Gousto voucher code

We work closely with Gousto to bring you exclusive codes that help you save even more on your meal boxes.

If you fancy giving it a try, our exclusive discount code above will give you 50 per cent off your first box, 40 per cent off your second and 20 per cent off all remaining boxes for two months.

Gousto new customer discount

If you’ve never ordered a meal box from Gousto before, you may be eligible for even more savings on your first order. The exact discount for new customers changes from week to week, but it’s normally 50 or 60 per cent off your first box, 40 per cent off your second box and then 20 per cent off for another two months.

Although the new customer discount covers you for months of savings, you don’t have to commit to a subscription for that long. In fact, it’s completely flexible and you can skip or cancel a box at any time.

£20 refer a friend voucher

If you’re already a Gousto customer, you can still save on your recipe boxes. One of the easiest ways is to invite your friends and family to try it for themselves. They’ll get 65 per cent off their first order, and you get £20 in credit to use on future boxes. Just head to Gousto’s referral page, grab your unique link and start sharing.

Up to 55 per cent off with the Gousto student discount

If you’re a student, you can enjoy 55 per cent off your first Gousto box and 30 per cent off the next three boxes. But it doesn’t stop there – Gousto offers 10 per cent off for the rest of the year through Student Beans and Totum. So whether you’re meal-prepping for a busy week of studying or just want to try some new flavours, this is a handy way to save.

How do Gousto boxes work?

For the uninitiated, it’s a fairly simple principle. Gousto is a subscription-based service that enables you to receive two, three or four meals per week, chosen from a list of more than 75 recipes that change weekly. Spanning a range of different cuisines and options for most dietary requirements, including vegan-friendly and gluten-free meal kits, there’s something for everyone.

One of the many perks of the recipe box subscription service is fresh, pre-portioned ingredients straight to your door, minimising food waste (and saving you from digging out the measuring scales). Many of the recipes take as little as 10 minutes to prepare, so even if you’re short on time, you can still enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.

How much does Gousto cost?

The price of a Gousto meal box varies, depending on how many meals and how many people you’re feeding. Prices start from £18.99 and can reach as high as £60, plus a £3.99 delivery fee.

The cost is worked out on a per-portion basis. Generally, the bigger the box, the cheaper the price per portion. For a better idea of how much a box might cost, you can use the box price calculator from Gousto.

How does value for money compare with other recipe boxes?

This depends on whether there are any offers currently available, as well as exactly what you value in a recipe box. For instance, are organic or seasonal ingredients important to you? Prices per portion may also vary slightly depending on how many portions and recipes you’re adding, so keep this in mind when comparing prices.

You’ll want to factor in whether you’ll need to buy any extra ingredients for your meals, too. Take, for example, SimplyCook. While it may be cheaper for your first box, containing four recipes for two people, priced at just £3 (and £9.99 thereafter), you will need to buy some extra ingredients yourself.

What can I expect from the Gousto menu?

With Gousto, you get to pick from a new list of recipes each week, covering everything from classic comfort food to adventurous global dishes.

If you’re after a quick yet flavoursome meal, the king prawn, garlic and chilli linguine is a must-try. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish combines juicy king prawns with a rich, garlicky tomato sauce and a kick of chilli. It’s one of Gousto’s many speedy recipes, proving that midweek meals don’t have to be boring (or time-consuming).

For a plant-based meal that doesn’t skimp on flavour, there are plenty of recipes to choose from. The hoisin mushroom wraps sound like a winner. Ready in just 30 minutes, the dish promises to be rich in flavour. With supermarkets low on plant-based meal inspiration, you can build up your recipe collection for a fraction of the price – just use the discount code above to save 50 per cent and enjoy ongoing savings.

The Independent’s team of deal hunters is dedicated to carefully selecting the best food and drink offers and promo codes. We look out for deals on tried-and-tested brands, Gousto included, and we’d never recommend a deal that we wouldn’t use ourselves. To find the best voucher codes, we track prices year-round and keep an eye on trusted retailers’ websites to see if there are current offers that will benefit you.

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Two Scottish bars appear on the new European Bar Guide for 2026.

Two pubs in Scotland have been named among the best in Europe, with one bar in both Edinburgh and Glasgow featured on the roundup. One was described as a “genuine destination pub”, while the other was praised as “luxuriously cosy, clandestine, and intimate”.

On Monday, August 31, The European Bar Guide unveiled its list of the top 100 bars in Europe for 2026. The annual list highlights the best drinking venues of any style all across Europe, based on factors such as atmosphere, local culture, and the quality and variety of drinks on offer.

The two pubs in Scotland that are featured on The European Bar Guide’s list of the top 100 bars in Europe for 2026 are The Laurieston in Glasgow and Kay’s Bar in Edinburgh. The former appears at number 29 on the roundup, while Kay’s Bar was named the 78th best pub in Europe.

READ MORE: Dumfries and Galloway inn crowned ‘Scotland’s best pub’ as it vies for UK crown

READ MORE: This Dundee ‘secret supper club’ was just named the best restaurant in Scotland

The Laurieston is a historic bar situated on Bridge Street in the heart of Scotland’s largest city. Dating back to the 1830s, the pub is known for its vintage interiors. It features Formica-topped tables, a horseshoe-shaped bar, and a retro McGee’s hot pie heater that is still used to this day.

The European Bar Guide praised the pub for its friendly atmosphere and throwback décor, singling out its comfortable cushioned lounge and curtains. The bar was also noted for its historical significance, being described as a “living, breathing democratic social space”.

The experts wrote: “The legend of the Laurieston has grown over the years to the extent it can be considered a genuine destination pub. Certainly its exterior and interior are time warps, worth a look as curios alone. The harsh 1960s flat roof exterior and the ‘murder pub’ connotations those have earned over the decades makes you double take in its bracing hideousness.

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“Perhaps the fact it’s Glasgow, with a reputation for tough boozers (admittedly much outdated) adds an extra sense of threat. This could not be dispelled anymore firmly by walking inside. Warm, cosy, social and friendly, every spot in the pub looks worth sitting in, from the upholstered corners in the bar, to the cushioned lounge, to the bar stools around a stylish horseshoe shaped bar, that can be viewed through at either side.

“Formica tables screwed into the floor, matching curtains, reinforced glass and a pie heater add further to the sense of throwback, but the customers—those you can see, hear and sense around you lend it a vibrancy and relevance to match and beat any of the most cutting edge destinations in Scotland—this is no museum but a living, breathing democratic social space.”

Elsewhere, Kay’s Bar placed at number 78 on The European Bar Guide’s roundup. The traditional Victorian pub, which is tucked away on Jamaica Street in the Scottish capital, began its life as a wine merchants in the 19th century before becoming a public house in the 1970s.

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Kay’s Bar has a comfortable interior with features such as wooden barrels, cast-iron pillars, and a fireplace that keeps patrons warm on chilly evenings. It serves up a selection of guest ales and various spirits, while its food offerings include baked potatoes, steak pies, and a range of snacks.

The European Bar Guide states: “A small, cosy venue which fills up to standing room only within an hour of opening on busy match days, but that is luxuriously cosy, clandestine and intimate at quieter times among fire light, old wood and rich red hues. Attracting a range of ages, but there is an affluence on show due to its location in one of the wealthier parts of town, and that accents the vibe and atmosphere just a touch, without making it feel particularly discriminating.

“Whether you’re sat opposite the bar by the barrels or in the reading room (snug) at the back, grab a newspaper or a dusty old book and settle in for the day, where you’ll be seduced by its timeless charm. Or, if you prefer things a little livelier, join the throng in the build up to a Scottish rugby game.”

The full list of the top pubs and bars in Europe can be found on The European Bar Guide website.

Motorists in England, Scotland and Wales will see the new number plates on the road when they are released today.

They must make sure their own number plates adhere to specifications in order to be road legal, with a warning that those that do not comply with rules could be hit with a £1,000 fine.

DVLA number plate warning

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is reminding drivers to check their own plates meet the required specifications.

Plates that do not comply can lead to a fine and an MOT failure.

The DVLA said: “Number plates (also known as licence plates) must show your registration number correctly. You cannot rearrange letters or numbers, or alter them so that they’re hard to read.

“You could be fined up to £1,000 and your vehicle will fail its MOT test if you drive with incorrectly displayed number plates.”

Is your number plate legal?

These are the rules you should be aware of around licence plates from the DVLA.

The number plates on your vehicle must:

• be made from a reflective material
• display black characters on a white background (front plate)
• display black characters on a yellow background (rear plate)
• not have a background pattern
• be marked to show who supplied the number plate
• be marked with a British Standard number – this is ‘BS AU 145e’ for plates fitted after 1 September 2021

The characters must not be removable or reflective. If your number plates were fitted after 1 September 2021, they must also be a single shade of black.

Your number plates can also:

• have 3D (raised) characters
• display certain flags, symbols and identifiers
• display a green flash, if you have a zero-emission vehicle

Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing , said: “Characters must not be removable or reflective, however, your number plates can have 3D (raised) characters, display certain flags, symbols and identifiers and display a green flash, if you have a zero-emission vehicle.

“It’s important to drivers to understand the nuances of what’s required for their licence plates as even the smallest modifications could make it illegal. For example, 3D characters are allowed on licence plates, but if the raised letters are not black or have a reflective coating on them, this could make them illegal.

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“It’s also important for drivers to understand that any modifications around their licence plate, that could make it unreadable, are also considered illegal.

“For example, licence plate lights must be white – not tinted blue or any other colour – and need to illuminate the plate evenly without causing any shadows. The bulbs themselves must not be visible.

“Failure to meet these requirements can result in fines of up to £1,000, as well as an MOT failure for the vehicle.

“Motorists looking to replace or customise their plates should only buy from DVLA-registered suppliers who follow the legal guidelines. Plates that feature illegal fonts, incorrect spacing, tinted backgrounds, or missing supplier information can all lead to penalties.

“For those unsure whether their plates comply, checking with a reputable supplier or consulting DVLA guidelines is the safest way to avoid unnecessary fines or complications.”

By SIMON JONES and MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER

Updated: 10:54 BST, 1 September 2026

The weatherproof Keter Store It Out Max can hold garden equipment, furniture and two wheelie bins, helping to keep everything protected from the elements while making the garden look tidier

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Garden sheds can occupy considerable space, but one homeowner has discovered an ingenious solution by replacing theirs with a storage box. The Keter Store It Out Max Garden Storage Shed is presently on offer at Argos for £146.

This weather-resistant storage option has capacity for garden tools, furniture and two wheelie bins, ensuring everything remains shielded from the weather while creating a neater outdoor space. Constructed from fade-resistant plastic, the container requires minimal upkeep, eliminating the need for routine painting or material treatment.

Its waterproof design makes it ideal for storing items outdoors all year round. Unlike certain garden storage alternatives, this box features broad front doors and a piston-supported lid, providing users with flexible access to their possessions from either the top or front, depending on requirements.

The sloped entry point offers another handy benefit, enabling wheelie bins and bicycles to be rolled straight in without having to hoist them over a raised barrier. Internally, ventilation is incorporated to help stop condensation accumulating, while the robust base can accommodate heavier objects such as bins and lawnmowers.

For added security, the doors and lid feature padlock compatibility, while lid-lifter chains ensure the lid stays propped open when you need both hands free for manoeuvring bulkier items. With dimensions of 125cm x 145.5cm x 82cm, there’s ample space for outdoor gear while keeping a reasonably compact size, reports the Daily Star.

Over on Amazon, you’ll find the Aoxun Garden Storage Box priced at £99.99. Boasting a 600-litre capacity, it’s described as ideal for patios, balconies and snug garden spaces.

There’s also the Storaway 842L box available at The Range for £99.99, reduced from £124.99. This model offers double-door access combined with a lift-up lid and includes lock fastening for extra peace of mind.

The Keter Store It Out Max Garden Storage Shed has received excellent feedback on Argos, with one customer commenting: “Great storage, we bought this to replace a shed and this takes up a lot less room and works really well in the garden.”

Another reviewer noted: “Had this for a few months and no complaints. It’s a good size and easy to open. Hasn’t seen us through winter yet, so can’t comment on true weatherproofing, but (it) has seen plenty of rain and everything inside is OK. Looks quite nice, large capacity. We store a lawnmower, hose, pressure washer etc. in there. Might get another one.”

A third customer remarked: “This storage box was so easy to assemble despite no text in the assembly manual. I assembled it with my wife and yes, we are still married!” Not everyone was entirely convinced, however, as one reviewer noted: “Does feel less sturdy than (my) last purchase. Easy to erect. Looks OK.”

A further customer commented: “Didn’t find the build instructions very clear, feels a bit flimsy when opened up with not having a central front upright. Plenty of space inside and clever locking mechanism, too early to comment on waterproofing.”

The Keter Store It Out Max Garden Storage Shed can be purchased from Argos.

Cornerstone Pubs, introduced on August 26, is part of a strategy to bring together some of Greene King’s existing value and carvery venues under a single concept focused on community pubs.

Greene King, which operates around 2,600 pubs across the UK, including at least 18 in the North East and seven in North Yorkshire, said the move is not a large-scale rebranding, but rather a consolidation of select venues.

Speaking to the Daily Express, Clair Preston Beer, chief digital and commercial officer at Greene King, said: “Cornerstone Pubs helps to strengthen our value-led offering in local communities across the country, bringing together our existing value and carvery formats to enhance customer experience and drive operational excellence.”

Customers are not expected to notice immediate changes, as the pubs will retain their current branding for now, and staff and management teams will remain in place.

However, Greene King has indicated that future updates to menus and entertainment options could be introduced at locations.

The launch coincides with wider changes across Greene King’s estate, including a review of 65 pubs for potential sale and plans announced earlier this year to convert 150 venues into tenanted pubs.

These changes are unrelated to the Cornerstone Pubs rollout.

Greene King’s focus remains on supporting its core estate while exploring new ways to deliver value and improve the customer experience in neighbourhood pubs.

​​Whitby’s historic Whale Bone Arch, which has stood at the top of West Cliff for more than 170 years, was removed on Tuesday, September 1, as part of a plan to preserve the town’s maritime heritage for generations to come.

​A £70,000 “ethical bronze replica” is set to be installed next year and will have “an indefinite lifespan and a patina that will develop over time”.

​Although it was last replaced in 2002 – after being gifted by Whitby’s twin town of Barrow in Alaska – the structure has deteriorated due to weather exposure.

Whitby Whale Bone Arch Photos. Courtesy Numminen Ldrs

​Whitby Town Mayor, Cllr Sandra Turner, said: “The whale bone arch means a great deal to residents and visitors alike.

​“While it is sad to see the current bones reach the end of their life, the new bronze arch will ensure this landmark continues to celebrate Whitby’s history and provide a focal point on West Cliff for future generations.”

​Bronze was chosen as the material for the replacement due to its strength, longevity and ability to withstand the challenging conditions on Whitby’s West Cliff.

Whibty Whale Bones Removed. NYC.

​Over time, it will develop a natural patina, while retaining the distinctive form that has become synonymous with the town’s seafront.

​North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, whose responsibilities include harbours, said: “The whale bone arch is one of Whitby’s most treasured landmarks and an important part of the town’s maritime heritage.

​“The removal of the arch is a landmark day in the town’s recent history, as visitors have flocked to see and photograph the bones for over two decades.

​“Importantly, the bronze replicas provide an ethical alternative to the use of whale bones, allowing this iconic landmark and its connection to Whitby’s maritime heritage to be preserved in a way that reflects modern conservation values.

​“We look forward to seeing the new arch in situ. It will stand for decades to come, ensuring this iconic feature continues to inspire residents and visitors long into the future.”

Whibty Whale Bones Removed. NYC

Feedback from residents and visitors has shown a bronze replacement as the most fitting option to reflect the maritime heritage and importance of the internationally recognised symbol of the town, framing the famous views towards Whitby Abbey and attracting thousands of visitors every year.

​Creating the new bronze arch, costing £70,000, is a complex process that will involve producing moulds from the existing bones and manufacturing a bespoke internal framework, the council said.

​

While waterlogging usually prompts the abandonment of a football match, in the Cotswolds a thoroughly soaked pitch is simply part of the appeal.

Two teams plunged into chilly waters to participate in the traditional Football In The River fixture at Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.

Although much of the country has basked in successive heatwaves this summer and drought has been declared in many areas, there were no such concerns in the Cotswolds as the playing surface remained in tip-top wet condition.

The 50-minute game, which kicked off at 2pm, was contested between mixed teams from Bourton Rovers men’s squads alongside the club’s veterans.

Several hundred spectators lined the banks of the river to enjoy the annual five-a-side clash played out in the ankle-deep water of the Windrush.

While it is not clear how the concept of playing a football match in a river first arose, the local tradition has reportedly been going strong for around 100 years.

The match regularly draws large crowds and fans are advised to wear waterproofs if they plan to stand close to the side of the “pitch”.

A brief shower of rain in the second half did not dampen the spirits of the players or spectators.

This year’s match ended 3-3 after the first XI scored an injury time leveller.

They had taken an early lead after winning a throw-in and went 2-0 up from a penalty after a dark blue foul.

The veterans pulled back a goal from a controversial penalty shortly before half-time.

The half-time team talk transformed the veterans, and they quickly went 3-2 up after scoring from a throw-in.

A third penalty of the game was rocketed over the crossbar by the first XI, and they equalised in injury time to level the game.

Neil Teague, who refereed the game dressed as comic hero Superman, said afterwards: “It was a very, very good game – it was a little bit wet out there.

“It’s a bit of fun and it has been taking place for over 100 years.

“I came out of retirement for this game.”