The conversion of an 18th-century Grade-II listed former post office in the centre of Whitby has been approved by the council.
The Crown Bar, which now also features a log burner, is located in a terraced property at 100, Church Street.
The site was formerly used as a post office but had been vacant for several years and now “invites visitors into a world where gothic fiction and local heritage collide”.
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“The interior leans fully into Whitby’s connection with Dracula, wrapping guests in a moody, immersive setting that feels equal parts museum, storytelling chamber, and late-night haunt,” according to the bar’s website.
The application was approved despite Whitby Town Council raising concerns “that the proposal does not appear to provide adequate accessibility or servicing arrangements”.
“In particular, the only toilet is shown up a step with no clear step-free route from the front retail area, and no log storage has been identified on the submitted plans,” WTC added.
However, planning officers said the proposal was considered appropriate and noted that the internal alterations, including fireproofing of timbers, the installation of a log burner, and internal decorative work, did not raise any objections from the conservation officer.
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A planning report states: “The proposed development would not result in structural alteration to the building, or loss of historic fabric.
“There are proposed features which are to be attached to the historic masonry of the walls and floors, with an island bar fixed to the ground and shelving to the walls. These are modest additions and do not significantly alter the significance of the designated heritage asset and is not considered to result in harm to the significance of the designated heritage asset.”
The development includes the installation of a new fascia signage board, which officers said would be placed over the existing, early to mid-20th century, shopfront fascia sign, “which will be retained and concealed”.
North Yorkshire Council concluded that the development would not have a harmful impact on the historic building and approved the application on Friday, May 8.
For the UK’s young carers, life is a cycle of adult responsibilities and social isolation. But for one weekend a year, the Young Carers Festival helps them swap domestic stress for the simple joy of being a child
For most UK festival fans, the last weekend of June is important for one reason: Glastonbury. But for the country’s young carers, there’s another let-your-hair-down jamboree held that weekend that leaves lasting memories.
The Young Carers Festival in Hampshire is an annual residential weekend held exclusively for children aged 11 to 17 with caring responsibilities.
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Run by the YMCA Fairthorne Group, in partnership with The Children’s Society, for attendees “it’s the only weekend that they getaway from their caring responsibilities”, organiser Karina Barnett tells Positive News.
Estimates for how many young carers (described as someone aged five to 18 who helps care for a loved one) there are in the UK vary wildly. The 2021 census put the figure at around 120,000, but other surveys estimate hundreds of thousands more.
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However, despite there being so many young carers in the UK, the group remains largely forgotten, unseen by society.
“They don’t get paid for what they do. They don’t get asked to do what they do. It’s almost like they’re just [brushed] under the carpet,” says Annie Jones, a former festival attendee. “They put their life on hold to do this.”
That’s where the Young Carers Festival comes in. Over three days, hundreds of young carers descend upon YMCA Fairthorne Manor, an outdoor activity centre in the Hampshire countryside, and unpause the childhood that many of them have not been able to prioritise.
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There, the air is thick with the chatter of new friendships being formed and the yells of kids, often adorned with glitter or face paint, racing from activity to activity. Do I want to kayak or climb? What about the dance classes? This is a festival, so I should stop by the hair braiding or silent disco… but we can’t miss the farm animals, can we? For these children, the YCF (as the attendees excitedly call it) is a rare thing: not only somewhere that they can be kids, but somewhere that they can do so surrounded by other young carers.
Jones cared for her mother growing up and went to the festival for the first time when she was 16. “It feels like these people that you’re with at this festival you’ve known forever, because they just get it and understand,” she says. “It’s like you can relate to them and you’ve known them a long time. If you’re feeling a bit wobbly, they just get it straight away.”
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Over the years, the numbers of children attending the YCF has fluctuated dramatically. When the festival was first created, there were more than 1,500 young carers present. Due to a lack of funding, only roughly half that came along in 2025. Still, it remains the world’s biggest gathering of young carers.
They don’t get paid for what they do. They don’t get asked to do what they do. It’s almost like they’re just brushed under the carpet
Angel Brown, who cares for her mother, attended the festival between the ages of 11 and 16, and only then began to grapple with how many young carers like her there were in the UK.
“You don’t realise how many people are in the same boat as you,” she says. “I didn’t realise how much of a big deal it actually was.”
This summer, the Young Carers Festival returns with the theme ‘celebrating you’, and more activities than ever. The kids will arrive on Friday to live music, fun fair rides and a firework display, then spend the Saturday doing whatever their hearts desire: painting, playing on inflatables, yoga. Beyond meal times, there is no itinerary for them to follow. For young people so used to living their lives for their loved ones, such freedom can be life-changing.
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Still, the barriers preventing people from attending have grown in recent years. Ticket costs are kept as low as possible (a spot including a tent costs £140), and while local groups pay rather than attendees themselves, budget cuts and the closure or merging of young carers groups by councils means that many organisations have had to cut the number of kids they can send.
Travel costs are also high for those coming from further afield. While The Children’s Society offers grants to assist, the need far outstrips supply.
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The Young Carers Festival leaves its mark on those who do attend. Keren Ben-Dor is a group leader with the Romsey Young Carers, and says that older children return with stories from the festival, leaving their younger counterparts itching to go.
“There’s almost a bit of a legacy to the whole event… so [the] young people build up and wait for the opportunity when they get to be invited,”she says.
While some kids seek adventure at the festival, there are options for those wanting to take part in mental health workshops, speak to organisations who help young carers, or simply switch off in the chill-out zone.
You don’t realise how many people are in the same boat as you
“Being a teenager, being a young carer, going through exams, everything can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, and some kids do get a little when they’re in that situation,” says Jones.
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Having benefitted from the Young Carers Festival as an attendee, Jones now volunteers at the event. Brown does the same. Whether it’s volunteering, donating or sponsoring a child to attend through the YMCA Fairthorne Group or The Children’s Society, any action that can help more children experience the YCF comes hugely appreciated, Jones says.
“It’s hard to describe the atmosphere, but if you came down you’d feel it,” she says. “It’s so full of love.”
That, ultimately, is what Barnett wants for the kids: for them “to have that weight off their shoulders for a weekend to just enjoy themselves”.
“I hear that every festival, and then I know that they’ve had a good time, and I’ve done a good job,” she says.
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Images: YMCA
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Acting Under Secretary of Defense and Chief Financial Officer Jules Hurst testified that the cost of the Iran war has hit $29 billion.
Late last month, the Pentagon said the total cost was an estimated $25 billion.
Hurst attributed the increase to “updated repair and replacement of equipment costs,” along with “general operational costs.”
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Katie Hawkinson12 May 2026 14:20
Hegseth pressed on US-Iran ceasefire
Democratic Representative Pete Aguilar pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, asking how officials know whether or not it’s active.
“As you know, for the most part, a ceasefire means the fire is ceasing, and we know that has occurred while negotiations occur. And there are lots of different discussions with our negotiating team that are happening,” Hegseth said.
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Aguilar then asked: “Is the theory to create more ceasefires or more projects just to evade the War Powers Act?”
“The theory of the entire case is to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. And if that has to be done kinetically and militarily, the Department of War is locked and loaded and ready to do that,” Hegseth replied.
Katie Hawkinson12 May 2026 14:16
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In pictures: Hegseth and Caine testify
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are testifying before Congress Tuesday morning. (Reuters)
Hegseth is appearing before Congress to justify President Donald Trump’s $1.5 trillion budget request for the U.S. military (AFP/Getty)
Hegseth called the budget ‘historic’ (Reuters)
Katie Hawkinson12 May 2026 14:10
Hegseth keeps it calm during opening statement
Hegseth’s opening statement thus far is devoid of the bluster and partisanship that characterized his testimony before the House and Senate Armed Services committees.
That’s likely because he’s been advised that the appropriations subcommittees he is appearing in front of today are responsible for cutting the check that funds his department. He’s not going to walk into their house and bite the hand that feeds him.
Andrew Feinberg12 May 2026 13:48
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Hegseth’s testimony comes after a combative exchange with lawmakers
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony to Congress Tuesday morning comes less than a month after he got into a tense exchange with lawmakers who questioned the validity of the Iran war.
Catch up with Hegseth’s most recent testimony:
Ariana Baio12 May 2026 13:48
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Welcome to The Independent’s live blog
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live blog for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony to Congress on the Trump administration’s budget request for $1.5 trillion.
The expansion of the BBC licence fee to cover Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming is being discussed to protect the future of the BBC, according to reports
Netflix and Amazon Prime subscribers could be forced to pay the TV licence fee in a bid to safeguard the BBC, according to reports. The potential broadening of the levy is being explored as part of wider plans to secure the future of the broadcasting corporation, the Times has revealed.
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Industry insiders told The Times that the Labour government is weighing up whether to extend the licence fee to include streaming platforms such as Netflix, home to Love on the Spectrum, Wednesday and Stranger Things, and Amazon Prime, which hosts The Boys, Fallout and Rings of Power.
One streaming industry source told the paper: “It’s pretty desperate to argue that everyone should be made to pay for the BBC whether they watch it or not.
“The BBC needs to think more radically and creatively about how to generate income in ways that don’t undermine universal access.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has previously voiced reservations about a subscription-based model, warning it could diminish the BBC’s capacity to “unite the nation”, reports Birmingham Live.
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She told The House magazine last year: “It is absolutely right that we explore subscriptions, but if you believe, as I do, that one of the greatest strengths of the BBC is its ability to unite the nation that has found multiple ways to divide itself, then I think you’ve got to be cautious about the use of subscriptions and paywalls.”
Ministers are additionally concerned that financing the BBC through advertising revenue could harm commercial competitors, including ITV and Channel 4, both of which are already facing significant financial pressures. The BBC has put forward a proposal that viewers of streaming platforms should be required to pay the licence fee.
“The precise set of rules that require households to be licensed no longer reflect typical audience behaviour among many households in the UK,” it said.
“The TV licence is predicated upon content being consumed via ‘live TV’. But on-demand consumption is not licensable, unless it is BBC content consumed via iPlayer.”
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The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “The government does not comment on speculation.
“We are reviewing responses to the BBC Charter Review consultation and will set out our decisions in a white paper to be published later this year.”
The incident happened in Mobberly Road, Breightmet on Sunday evening, and residents said cables were hanging down near the road.
Fire crews attended the scene.
The road was closed yesterday (Monday) to replace the fallen pole with a new and more up-to-date one.
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A homeowner who lived opposite the incident told The Bolton News: “It caused the kids anxiety because there were wires in the road. The fire service blocked it all.
“I was nervous because all of the wires were hanging down, but thankfully now it’s sorted.”
The road was closed on Monday, 11 May, as a result, while the replacement was underway.
Nobody was reported to be injured in the incident.
Film Club was well-reviewed when it came out – but it won’t return (Picture: BBC/Gaumont/Ben Blackall)
One of BBC’s buzziest comedy-dramas, Film Club, is not coming back for round two, leaving fans (me) devastated.
The six-episode show created by and starring Sex Education breakout and Bafta winner Aimee Lou Wood follows best friends Evie (Aimee) and Noa (Nabhaan Rizwan).
Evie lives at home with her eccentric family, including her eternally worried and well-meaning mum, Suz (Suranne Jones) and is all but housebound after a traumatic event.
Her main interaction with the outside world comes in the shape of local bike-riding miscreant Callum, played by the inimitable Owen Cooper, who himself has a touching storyline.
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Oh, and she has a weird boyfriend, Josh (Adam Long), who we’re all immediately hoping she’ll bin.
A movie enthusiast at heart, she and Noa, along with a gaggle of less committed but still supportive friends, host a weekly film club in the shed, capped off with costumes, decorations and a vow from Suz to not interrupt.
The series follows the blossoming love story between Evie and Noa (Picture: BBC/Gaumont/Ben Blackall)
When Noa gets a job offer in Bristol, however, the underlying romantic tension finally comes to a head as the pair race against the looming deadline to confess their feelings and figure the whole mess out.
It’s got all the ingredients for the perfect watch – a heartwarming group of characters you’re rooting for, delightful family and friend dynamics, and just enough stakes to keep you hooked while still knowing everything will work out in the end.
With a delicate touch, it explores mental health, the impact of trauma and the beauty of human connection when life is at its hardest.
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The impressive cast made it all the more appealing and effortlessly dropped into the shoes of their characters, with Aimee’s portrayal of Evie immediately capturing her heart.
Did you like Film Club?
Yes, I’m so sad it’s not coming back!
I’m yet to check it out
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And as someone who is not the biggest fan of the friend-to-lover trope, this was one of the rare occasions where it felt well-executed, brimmed full of chemistry, and their interactions made me equally laugh out loud and groan in exasperation when things weren’t working out.
It had an endearing spark to it that could have been nurtured into a roaring fire had it been given the space to grow beyond one season.
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Clearly, the story resonated with others as well, not only landing 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and a slew of rave fan reviews, but also a Bafta nomination.
Which is why I am so heartbroken that Deadline has revealed it won’t have a second outing. According to the publication, it was a mutual decision between Aimee and the broadcaster.
The White Lotus star reportedly wants to prioritise other writing.
It has a stacked cast and potential for more (Picture: BBC/Gaumont/Ben Blackall)
Yet Film Club feels as though it has plenty of potential for more. Although we get a somewhat satisfactory ending (a small mercy), there were definitely loose ends that could have been explored.
Has Noa left his job for good to choose Evie? What will it look like to give their relationship a proper go? What’s next for Evie’s recovery as she makes a resolution to work on experiencing life to the fullest?
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I want to check back in with Suz and her romantic and not-so-romantic exploits and see Callum grow into a young man who still has a penchant for teasing Evie.
Aimee painted a delightful world that would have been nice to live in for a little while longer, at least.
I’m not the only one sad to see it go (Picture: BBC/Gaumont/Ben Blackall)
I’m far from the only one disappointed at the news.
‘Just fell to my knees,’ Josh Carr wrote on X.
‘Literally one of the best series of the last few years, the reviews were great, Aimee is a massive star now, why isn’t this being renewed???????? What are we even doing,’ gaea reflected.
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‘I thought it ended pretty satisfyingly, but I would have liked to have seen more,’ hj agreed.
‘What? Devastated, man. Film Club was an amazing show,’ Edward Burger said.
Still, if it must end, then it remains a wonderful bite-sized limited series to enjoy as a sweet rewatch. And, with her career going from strength to strength, time will tell what’s next for Aimee.
Film Club is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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He will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely
13:00, 12 May 2026Updated 13:17, 12 May 2026
A paedophile who sexually assaulted a young girl under 13 years old over a 12-month period has been jailed. Robert Clark, 47, sexually assaulted the girl over a 12-month period between summer 2020 and 2021.
Detective Sergeant Mark Williamson, who investigated, described Clark’s abuse of the young victim as “beyond sickening”. The abuse came to light after the girl told her mum what had happened and she went to the police.
Clark, of Fairfields Crescent, St Ives, was found guilty following a trial of two counts of sexual activity with a child under 13 years old. He was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday, May 8, and jailed for five and a half years.
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He was also handed a sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order. He will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.
Detective Sergeant Mark Williamson, who investigated, said: “Clark’s abuse of the young victim was beyond sickening. I would like to praise the victim and her family for the bravery and composure they have shown throughout this whole ordeal.
“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to please come forward and report it to us, you will be taken seriously and we will investigate thoroughly.”
Lamine Yamal waves a Palestine flag during Barcelona’s open-top bus parade to celebrate capturing La Liga
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has criticised Lamine Yamal for flying a Palestine flag during Barcelona’s La Liga trophy parade.
The newly crowned Spanish champions celebrated their success with an open top bus parade through the streets of the city on Monday evening.
Lamal, who played a major role in his side’s success, was prominent part of the celebrations despite missing Sunday’s win over Real Madrid through injury.
The teenager courted controversy by signaling to a supporter that he was willing to bring the flag on board and wave it above his head in a show of support.
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Asked about Yamal’s actions at a press conference on Tuesday, Barcelona head coach Flick suggested he would have advised such an act and revealed he has spoken to his star player.
He said: ‘I don’t usually like that very much, I spoke with him, we have to take into account what people expect from us, but he’s of legal age, he’s 18 years old, it’s his decision.’
Yamal’s show of solidarity with Palestine came a month after he condemned Spain’s fans for anti-Muslim chanting during their friendly against Egypt.
Yamal said at the time: ‘Yesterday at the stadium, a chant was heard: ‘Whoever doesn’t jump is a Muslim’. I know it was aimed at the opposing team and wasn’t something personal against me, but as a Muslim, this still counts as disrespectful and unacceptable behaviour.
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‘I understand that not all the fans are like that, but to those who chant phrases like this: using religion for mockery in the stadium makes you ignorant and racist people.
‘Football was created for enjoyment and cheering, not for insulting people because of who they are or what they believe in.’
Barcelona were crowned Spanish champions after Sunday’s win over Real Madrid (Credits: REUTERS)
Yamal, meanwhile, also appeared to aim a dig at England international Jude Bellingham by by posting on social media a video of himself celebrating Ferran Torres’s goal in Barcelona’s title-clinching 2-0 win over Real along with the caption: ‘Talk is cheap.’
Bellingham had posted the same message following Real’s Claisco win over the eventual champions back in October and the dig was clearly noted by Yamal who also brandished a Barcelona shirt emblazoned with the words ‘Thank God I’m not Madridista’.
‘It was very emotional to see tears in people’s eyes,’Flick, meanwhile, added on the opportunity to celebrate with Barcelona’s supporters.
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‘The first thing we have to do is make people happy. And I’m proud of that, and I’ve told the players that because it’s been a difficult season due to injuries.
‘There have been key players who haven’t been available at times, who were in and out of the squad, like Lamine, Pedri, Raphinha, Frenkie.
‘It’s incredible the season we’ve had and how we’ve improved in the last two months in attack and defense. You could see it against Real Madrid. That’s why we won La Liga. We conceded the fewest goals, and nobody expected that.’
Officers want to speak to 25-year-old Sam Watson, who has recent links to Gilesgate, Belmont, and Sherburn Hill.
A spokesman for Durham City Police said: “If you have any information regarding Sam’s whereabouts, please don’t comment below, call us on 101 quoting incident 62 of May 5, alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Jamie Muir, 33, from Dunfermline, attempted to use the business of the train to disguise his deplorable actions.
A creep who sexually assaulted two women on a crowded train to Edinburgh has been jailed.
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Jamie Muir, 33, was caged for nine months at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, April 29. He was sentenced after he previously admitted the deplorable crimes, which took place in November last year.
The court heard how Muir, from Dunfermline in Fife, boarded a train from Inverkeithing to the capital, which was extremely busy due to a rugby match between Scotland and Argentina later in the day at Murrayfield. Muir stood behind two women, and only minutes after the train left Inverkeithing, he began to sexually assault both victims.
Perverted Muir then attempted to use the business of the train to disguise his actions. When one of the women turned to Muir to confront him, he went on to apologise and claim he didn’t know where he was.
Other passengers on the train intervened and told Muir to get off at the next stop. He then alighted at North Queensferry.
Once the service arrived at Edinburgh Waverley, the two women reported the incident to officers at the station and an urgent investigation was launched. Images of Muir were shared by the British Transport Police (BTP) with other police forces in a drive to identify him, and he was subsequently found and arrested.
Upon being arrested, Muir attempted to excuse his actions by saying he had felt unwell. As well as being jailed for nine months, he was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register.
Speaking after sentencing, BTP’s Detective Constable Crawford Gillies said: “Muir’s actions were opportunistic and sickening, so I’m very pleased with the sentence handed down to him that should provide him ample time to consider his actions. There is absolutely no place for this type of behaviour anywhere on the railway network, and we take every report of this kind of behaviour seriously.
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“If you ever need us while you’re travelling on the railway, you can discreetly text us on 61016. Our officers can meet the train at the next station, and we’ll stop at nothing to bring sexual offenders to justice.”
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If you’re in need of a gaming headset upgrade, now is a good time to act
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
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Shoppers looking for stylish, high-quality headphones can enjoy some great savings in JBL’s spring sale. For a limited time, the brand is offering 10% off all headphones (excluding refurbished models) with a special discount code.
To claim the offer, simply enter the code REACH10 at checkout. JBL’s range includes comfortable over-ear and on-ear headphones that are perfect for everything from gym workouts to relaxing at home with your favourite music, reports theLiverpool Echo.
There are also plenty of immersive noise-cancelling options designed to cut out background noise while delivering crisp, clear sound. Many models come packed with features such as spatial audio and 360-degree head tracking. Gamers are catered for too, with JBL offering several gaming headsets, including one that comes with afree Xbox Game Pass.
Below, we’ve compiled a range of our top headphone picks currently featured in the JBL sale:
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JBL Tour One M3 – £224.99 (was £249.99)
JBL’s best-selling headphones are theTour One M3, which combine lossless superior sound quality with eight-microphone adaptive noise cancellation. These high-end headphones can be operated both with cables and wirelessly, reproducing music closer to its original studio sound with approximately three times more information than conventional Bluetooth audio, reports the Express. They also feature 360-degree head tracking and exceptional call quality, thanks to four adaptive beamforming microphones enhanced by AI that remove echoes and background noise. On top of that, they deliver an outstanding battery life of up to 70 hours.
JBL is knocking 10% off all headphones excluding refurbished in its spring sale, including the JBL Tour One M3.
JBL customers have awarded the Tour One M3a remarkable 4.6-star rating, with numerous buyers highlighting their ‘unbeatable’ sound quality and ‘incredible’ noise cancellation. While purchasers describe them as ‘very comfy’ to wear, some mention they are somewhat ‘on the heavy side’.
Amongst the rival premium options is the Sony WH1000XM6 Over-Ear Wireless Headphones(£329.99), which the manufacturer claims provide the ‘best noise cancelling’ due to its new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 and 12 precision microphones.
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JBL Quantum 650 – £102.59 (was £113.99)
The highest-rated headphones presently on offer in the sale are the JBL Quantum 650, a wireless gaming headset that works with PlayStation, Xbox and PC. This model holds a perfect five-star rating and is discounted from £113.99 to £102.59 with the promotional code.
The Quantum 650 incorporates 50mm dynamic drivers with distinctive carbon damping material, which are claimed to provide powerful output and minimal distortion for a more engrossing and authentic gaming experience. They also deliver spatial audio to establish a more lifelike setting, enabling gamers to identify precisely which direction an adversary is coming from.
Xbox gamers might find the JBL Quantum 910X Wireless for Xboxparticularly attractive, as it includes a complimentary one-month Xbox Game Pass subscription. Down from £209.99 to £188.99, the 910X features hi-res certified 50mm neodymium drivers that produce an immersive sound profile and generate a hyper-realistic audio environment.
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On the subject of the JBL Quantum 650, one glowing review reads: “The sound and feeling how it sits on the head are amazing. In games like Battlefield 6 and Warzone, the footsteps and directional audio are very accurate. Listening to music was also amazing.”
However, some customers note that, as over-ear headphones, they can ‘get warm’ when worn for prolonged periods.
JBL Tune 730BT – £35.99 (was £39.99)
A more economical yet still highly regarded option is the JBL Tune 730BT, reduced from £39.99 to £35.99 in the sale. These sleek over-ear headphones utilise JBL’s Pure Bass Sound to deliver ‘powerful’ audio that can be customised through EQ presets using the JBL app.
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Equipped with dual microphones for clear and accurate calls, the Bluetooth headphones provide up to 76 hours of battery life, while a quick five-minute charge offers up to five hours of playback time. Buyers describe the Tune 730BTas ‘amazing for the price’, awarding them a 4.7-star rating.
“These are amazing for the price,” one customer remarked. “Sound quality is good as well as noise cancelling. Battery life is the best, last for ages.” Other users find them ‘so comfortable’ though suggest it would be ‘a bonus’ if a wired connection was available. Within a similar price range is the AKG K72(£39.99), a pair of budget-friendly yet professional studio over-ear headphones, described as ‘pro-quality meets style’.
JBL Tune 780NC – £107.99 (was £119.99)
Also among JBL’s best-selling products are theTune 780NC, boasting JBL’s hi-res Pure Bass Sound and spatial audio that gives the impression of sound emanating from all directions. They also feature adaptive noise cancelling to block out external noise and distractions, plus two microphones for crystal-clear calls and audio at both ends.
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Similar to the Tune 730BT, these also provide a 76-hour battery life and a five-minute quick charge. The Tune 780NChave been crafted with a sleek over-ear design featuring subtle metal accents and a range of colours including black, blue and white.
Achieving a 4.5-star rating, one buyer said: “With a powerful bass that doesn’t overpower the mids and highs, the sound quality is clean and well-balanced. For daily use, active noise cancellation is effective, particularly in crowded settings like public transportation.”
One 780NC owner pointed out a potential disadvantage, saying: “What might be an issue for some is the fact that you cannot replace pads.”
JBL Junior 470NC – £62.99 (was £69.99)
As the name suggests, the JBL Junior 470NC are ideally suited to younger users, featuring a range of parental controls, including an automatic 85dB maximum volume limit that can be lowered even further. Parents can monitor their children’s listening habits through JBL’s Headphones app for real-time updates and set up a PIN code to protect the settings.
These child-friendly headphones have earned an impressive 4.9-star rating, with one reviewer noting: “I bought these for my five-year-old daughter to enjoy her films during long car journeys, and they have been a godsend. She’s happy, the sound quality is incredible – worth every penny.”
Some customers found that the Junior 470NC failed to create a proper seal around their children’s ears, which they claimed ‘reduced the efficacy’ of the noise cancellation. Meanwhile, proving popular on Amazon at present is the iClever Kids Wireless Headphones (£14.99), which, in addition to safe volume limits, feature bright LED lights and a range of child-friendly designs.
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