Following collections with Bella Freud, 16Arlington, and Olive Von Halle, there’s no denying M&S’s new cool-girl status – only cemented by its latest drop. Taking inspiration from St Michael, a former in-house M&S label, Aries spans baby tees, tote bags, ties and boxer shirts. There’s even a teddy bear keyring (the fashion set’s new alternative to a Labubu).

A total of 1,323 sexual offences were recorded in UK hotels last year, Metro can exclusively reveal, exposing serious questions about how they protect female guests.

Earlier this year, Kyran Smith was jailed after sexually attacking a woman in a Travelodge in Maidenhead, in December 2022.

Smith, who had been at the same party as the victim, was handed a key after telling reception staff he was the woman’s boyfriend.

The only information he was asked to provide was the guest’s name. The victim, who had never stayed in a hotel by herself before, was later offered a £30 refund.

Following the court case, more people have come forward with their own stories, highlighting concerns about security issues at Travelodge.

And now, CEO of the hotel chain, Jo Boydell, is stepping down amid the fall out.

Boydell has been criticised over her handling of the Maidenhead case, particularly when she declined a second meeting with MPs to discuss the sexual assault.

At the time, then Prime Minister, Kier Starmer wrote a letter to the Travelodge boss, saying: ‘I urge you to seriously engaged with MPs and my government to address the concerns that remain.’

In a statement announcing her resignation, Travelodge said: ‘We remain focused on the safety and well-being of our guests and will continue taking the actions necessary to strengthen the business.

‘We will also continue to engage proactively and constructively with government and the wider hospitality industry on the issue of safety and security’.

But Metro research shows that Travelodge is not the only UK hotel where women are concerned for their safety.

Metro found at least 4,011 sexual offences were recorded at hotels in England between January 2023 and January 2026.

FOI responses from 27 police forces show offences rose from 1,242 in 2024 to 1,323 in 2025 — up 6.5%. Twelve forces could not provide usable data, meaning the true figure is likely higher.

Even so, the findings raise serious questions about the safety measures in place to protect hotel guests.

There was no way to contact reception

In October 2023, Claire Bartlett was staying at a Premier Inn in Camden, London for a work event. 

‘I had actually booked myself into one of the Premier Plus suites so I wasn’t on the main floor with everyone else,’ the 42-year-old from the West Midlands tells Metro.

‘I went back after the event, fell asleep, and then at two or three in the morning, woke up to an absolute hammering on my door – I was completely disorientated and didn’t know what was happening.’

Through the peep hole she saw a man she didn’t recognise. Dressed in black tie, it appeared to be someone who’d also attended the event.

She crept back to bed and quickly realised that there was no way to contact reception – no phone in the room or a number to call.

‘Common sense might have said “oh Google the hotel and find reception’s number”, but in that moment I totally blanked,’ she shares.

The ordeal was especially traumatic because Claire had been sexually abused as a child.

She says: ‘I was terrified. I didn’t want the man hammering on my door to know that there was someone in the room – or that I was a woman, all alone.

‘I reverted right back to the terrified little girl I once was hiding under the blanket.

‘I think that if I could have just phoned reception in that moment and got a staff member to come up, I would have felt more protected. But I didn’t have that option.’

Hours later, the man fell asleep outside her room. Staff subsequently collected him, although Claire isn’t sure how they were alerted.

When Claire told staff what happened the following morning, they offered her a discount on a future stay, which she felt ‘downplayed’ the situation.

Later, she contacted Head Office, who offered a refund.

A Premier Inn spokesperson told Metro they ‘never stop working to strengthen safety and security procedures’.

In a statement to Metro, the hotel chain said: ‘Our reception teams are available 24/7 in the event our guests need them and can also be contacted by mobile phone if necessary, with the hotel number available online as well as shared with our guests through booking confirmations.

‘In the very rare event that a guest feels in immediate danger we would however advise them to dial 999 for police assistance before letting us know,’ they added.

While the official spokesperson did not respond to Metro’s specific question regarding why there aren’t telephones inside all rooms, when Metro WhatsApped the general Guest Relations number about whether there would be a phone in the room, or a phone number for reception, they said: ‘Telephones are not provided at most hotels – local rate numbers for reception teams can be found in every room.’

I was asked to sign a waiver to say I understood the risks

Abigail Cousins, 34, has stayed in hundreds of UK hotels through her work as a business development manager for a travel company. 

In 2019, while staying at one popular UK budget hotel chain in Solihull, a key to Abigail’s room was given to another guest, resulting in a man entering her room while she was in the shower – an occurrence, she tells Metro, that industry insiders know ‘happens a lot’.

‘When I heard someone was in my room I screamed,’ she shares. ‘He was so apologetic, explaining that he must have got his room numbers confused.

‘He quickly turned around and walked out, but what stuck with me was the fact that he didn’t even have to say the name of the guest on the hotel booking – staff just gave him a key.’

During another stay in a hotel in Manchester, Abigail, from Somerset, was shocked to find her room’s security chain had been removed. Staff told her this was the same in every room.

‘A member of staff thought it was because of the fact that if there was a fire they wouldn’t be able to get into the room.’

Due to potential work conflicts, Abigail has chosen not to name the hotels. But she claims one ‘very well-known brand’ made her sign a waiver before giving her a ground-floor room. 

‘The waiver basically said that I was happy to stay on the ground floor, that I understood the risks, and that there was no liability to the hotel if anything was to happen,’ she says.

Abigail was left questioning what incident might have prompted the hotel to introduce the measure.

What are hotel chains in the UK doing about this?

Following the harrowing incident in Maidenhead, Travelodge introduced a policy requiring staff to obtain permission from the registered guest before issuing any additional or replacement room keys.

When asked what other measures it has in place to protect guests, Travelodge told Metro it also provides 24/7 reception, conducts overnight security patrols, avoids allocating ground-floor rooms to solo women where possible, prints hotel contact numbers on key wallets and doesn’t announce room numbers aloud. 

One industry expert has emphasised the need for all hotels to implement the latter measure.

Carolyn Pearson, the CEO of travel security company Maiden Voyage, tells Metro there is still no ‘consistent approach across the industry’.

Just recently, she was staying in a London hotel when her room number was said aloud at reception.

When she told the staff member this could put guests at risk, he allegedly replied that management had never informed him of this – nor had he received any training on the matter.

Clearly, these incidents are part of a wider pattern – one that must be addressed.

Travel should be a freeing experience for everyone

The Safer Tourism Foundation is currently working with the hospitality industry to try and prevent serious harm from coming to any traveller.

Some hotels have already signed up to the Safer Tourism Pledge – a set of commitments made by travel providers, articulating a stringent approach to traveller risk, health and safety.

But as Abigail says: ‘A lot of the hotels in the UK are not geared up for women travelling solo.

‘In fact, there are a number of places abroad where I actually feel safer.’

MORE: I tried Cambodia three ways — £1,000 resorts, private islands and a night under the stars

MORE: 5 European Center Parcs alternatives that are cheaper than the UK

MORE: Boy, 13, relives moment he saved his newborn brother from choking to death

The no-fly zone remains in place across South Wales Fire and Rescue Service area.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service says: “We are still managing several significant wildfire incidents across South Wales.

“To support ongoing firefighting operations and ensure the safety of helicopters and emergency responders, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has established a Temporary Restricted Area for unmanned aircraft or drones.

“Do not fly personal drones within the restricted SWFRS area, all professional drone pilots should check NOTAMS using an approved data source.

“Our helicopter assets are continuing to operate across the affected area, carrying out vital firefighting and reconnaissance missions. Unauthorised drone activity presents a significant risk to aviation safety.

“We would like to thank you for your continued support as we work with partner agencies to bring these incidents to a close.

“Please share this message to help keep our crews and helicopters safe.”

Tottenham are in talks with Manchester City over a double deal for forwards Savinho and Omar Marmoush.

Sources have told BBC Sport that negotiations between the two clubs are progressing, though an agreement is yet to be reached.

Spurs’ interest in Brazilian winger Savinho dates back to 2025, when the 22-year-old opted to remain at Etihad Stadium.

But he was limited to just seven starts in the Premier League last season, and is now minded to leave the club after joining for a £30m fee in 2024 from French club Troyes.

Marmoush, a £59m signing from Frankfurt in 2025, fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola in 2025-26 but the 27-year-old still managed a respectable eight goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.

City’s valuation for the pair is unclear, but the club would expect to make a significant profit on both.

Roberto De Zerbi has revamped his midfield this summer, signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for a combined £185m.

But the Italian has stressed the need to strengthen his attack following the side’s 17th-placed finish in the Premier League last term, scoring just 48 goals in 38 games.

Spurs remain interested in Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, but it is unclear whether the club could finance a deal for the Netherlands international as well as moves for Marmoush and Savinho.

City have already sold a host of players this summer, including captain Rodri, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford.

Spurs kick-off their Premier League campaign away at Brentford on Saturday (17:30 BST), while City host Bournemouth on Sunday (14:00 BST).

Corrie fans appear to have made a U-turn on reformed troublemaker Brody Michaelis

Coronation Street fans have been seen sharing their verdict on Brody Michaelis, more than a year after his arrival in Weatherfield, as they appear to have made a U-turn on the reformed troublemaker.

Fans of the ITV soap, which is filmed in Salford, will recall that Brody’s arrival came as fellow teen Dylan Wilson was sentenced to six months in the Secure Training Centre (STC) by a judge for owning the knife, which eventually killed Mason Radcliffe in shocking scenes that were aired back in January 2025.

But it was comments made by Brody to Dylan about his parents recently moving to Weatherfield that quickly linked him to newcomers Mick and Lou Michaelis, who caused nothing but trouble on the cobbles and currently find themselves behind bars – with Mick carrying out the shock murder of PC Craig Tinker, while Lou was found out to have attacked Gary Windass.

Click here to sign up for more Coronation Street updates in our newsletter

Brody, who has also discovered that his biological father is DC Kit Green, and his younger siblings, Joanie and Shanice, are now in the care of the popular cobbles couple, Sally and Tim Metcalfe.

But despite Brody seemingly turning his own life around, Corrie fans feared that Brody could get mixed up in some dodgy dealings with the arrival of Idris Nazir. While that has seemingly been the case, with Brody carrying out an attack on Idris’ orders, during the latest visit to Weatherfield, the upset teen went up against his new boss.

During Wednesday’s (August 19) episode of the long-running soap, Brody was left deflated after Kit turned down his request to stay with him for a few weeks, having decided to move out of Sally and Tim’s. Later, he helped Idris at his secret poker night, but having knocked back some of the drinks, Brody revealed to Leanne Battersby that her partner had risked the money she had lent to him, in order to make more to buy Alyaz Nazir’s share in Speed Daal.

The move left Leanne unimpressed, and subsequently, Idris took it out on Brody. Pinning him against a wall before slapping his face, Idris fumed: “Think you’re a big man, do you? I don’t care who your dad is. If you ever cross me like that again, you’ll regret it.” He then threw Brody away, telling him to get out.

While Brody now finds himself on the wrong side of Idris, Corrie fans have been sharing how they have enjoyed the change they have seen in him since his arrival, and their hopes that he won’t go back down a dark path.

@ThomasR14336083 said: “I’m surprised to say I actually have warmed to Brody over the past year. He’s developed into a good character. I hope, after his involvement with Idris is over, that a nice romance is in store for him. Him & Amy could make a good couple. #Corrie.” @RyanSoapKing25 suggested: “I want to see Brody and Kit’s relationship develop a little bit more. Maybe they could make Kit a bit more bareable if he was less of a petulant child and focused on his relationship with Brody #Corrie.”

@DrSwarla2025 commented: “I’m starting to like what corrie are doing with Brody, he’s turning in to a nice Lad and an interesting character, hopefully that wouldn’t wasted with him working for Idris. #corrie.” @agf1052 added: “You know, Brody has been really growing on me these past few months. I think he’s been a good addition #Corrie.”

A grandmother who secured her GCSE maths qualification on her fifth attempt has urged other adult learners to “keep at it”.

Wynne Hindle, 52, of Sudbury, Suffolk, achieved a grade four pass as the culmination of four years of trying.

The mother-of-three studied for the exam at the West Suffolk College adult learning centre in Bury St Edmunds, having first sat the paper during the 2022-23 academic year.

The former nanny and nursery nurse is now aiming to work in a school.

“I just wanted to achieve something and I’m a resilient person,” said Ms Hindle.

“I find it hard to quit so I just kept going.

“This is part of a journey to working at a primary school as a teaching assistant or a learning support officer.

“I was very happy and shocked to pass.”

West Suffolk College is part of Eastern Education Group.

Ms Hindle added: “I’d like to say a very big thank-you to the college and particularly to my tutor.

“My message to other (adult learners) is to keep at it.”

London Richmond Limited announced that it had appointed administrators last week (August 12), according to an official notice in the public record.

On their now-deleted website, London Richmond describes itself as a “boutique” real estate developer “focusing on the finer areas of the UK’s capital city”.

The company boasted a portfolio of luxury properties in the capital’s most upmarket locations, including South Kensington and West Hampstead.

The official administration notice states that their registered office had been based in The Shard, London.

Andrew Hook, Julie Anne Palmer, and Paul Wood, all of BTG Begbies Traynor, have been appointed as joint administrators of the business.

Administration occurs when a business can no longer meet its debt obligations.

A licensed insolvency practitioner is appointed to either restructure the business and come to an arrangement with creditors or to sell off assets, pay off debts, and liquidate the business.

It gives the business breathing space to turn things around, rather than going straight into liquidation.

The administration news comes as Rightmove revealed that UK house prices have fallen at their fastest rate for August in eight years.

Rightmove says the average asking price for a newly listed home on its website dropped by 2% in August to £364,999.

The property experts also revealed that average asking prices are now 1% lower compared to this time last year – which is the largest annual drop since 2023.

The capital’s housing market is the worst affected, as the average house price in London fell by 3.1% compared to August 2025.

Recommended reading:

That means house prices in some of the capital’s richest areas have fallen by nearly £100,000 in just a month.

Despite the drop in prices, Rightmove revealed there was a mini bounce in buyer demand, which increased by 5% after Andy Burnham was appointed as Prime Minister on July 20.

Have any businesses falling into administration affected you recently? Tell us in the comments below.

Sue Gray has admitted it was ‘unbearable’ working in No10 for Keir Starmer as she broke her silence on the bitter briefing wars in Downing Street.

Baroness Gray was Sir Keir’s chief of staff in Downing Street at the start of his time as prime minister but lasted only three months in the role.

She was forced out following a power struggle, with her time at the centre of government marked by regular reports of tensions with other No10 staff.

In her first interview since leaving Downing Street, Baroness Gray has spoken about the ‘very, very, very difficult period’ she endured.

She revealed how she feared someone was recording ‘everything you say’, also lashing out at Sir Keir for not doing more to stop briefings against her.

Baroness Gray said the negative briefings started while Labour was in opposition, where she would ‘read about things that I would have said or not said’, and continued on into government.

‘I had always taken a view as a civil servant and actually as a special adviser that you know you should be able to speak freely in rooms,’ she told the Political Currency podcast.

‘And I couldn’t recall those sort of discussions being briefed out.’

Baroness Gray was Sir Keir’s chief of staff in No10 at the start of his time as prime minister but lasted just three months in the role

In her first interview since leaving Downing Street, Baroness Gray told the Political Currency podcast about the ‘very, very, very difficult period’ she endured

Advertisement

Baroness Gray’s relationship with Morgan McSweeney, who went on to replace her as Sir Keir’s top aide, was the subject of a number of reports of tensions within No10.

She was also damaged when it was leaked that she was earning more than the PM’s salary of £166,786. 

Baroness Gray added: ‘Here I found myself, you know, stories about supposedly trying to move Morgan McSweeney to the back of the building.

‘Actually, that was a genuine, ‘I can’t believe so many of you are going to sit in this small room, let’s find a better room for you’.’

She continued: ‘It just got to the point where you know everything you say, you feel is somebody is recording it.’

Asked whether Sir Keir was willing to act on her concerns, she said: ‘I talked to him a couple of times about it, and I don’t really want to disclose individual conversations. 

‘But I was disappointed that not more was done because I think it could have been done.’

Sir Keir’s government faced criticism from Labour members, including the party’s deputy leader Lucy Powell, who described a ‘boys club’ culture in No10, with a pattern of ‘anonymous nasty briefings’ – particularly against women.

‘It was definitely unbearable, particularly for me,’ Baroness Gray said. ‘And I would say that none of that briefing came from me.

‘I think it was very difficult, and it was just affecting me and my life.

‘I was getting into the office very early in the morning. I was leaving late to avoid…. It was very, very, very difficult period.’

Baroness Gray’s relationship with Morgan McSweeney, who went on to replace her as Sir Keir’s top aide, was the subject of a number of reports of tensions within No10 

Advertisement

Just four months after her exit from No10, Baroness Gray formally entered the House of Lords after she was among a slew of new Labour peers named by Sir Keir

Asked about the lack of positive vision in the early days of Sir Keir’s government and how much was her responsibility, she said: ‘I think ultimately, you have a leader of the party, you have a prime minister, leader of the opposition.

‘You have to set your vision, your agenda, and that is definitely what everybody is looking for.’

Prior to joining Sir Keir’s Labour team, Baroness Gray had been a long-serving civil servant and led the ‘Partygate’ investigation into Covid rule-breaking in Whitehall.

She went from an influential but little-known arbiter of conduct in government to a household name when she took on the ‘Partygate’ probe in 2021.

Baroness Gray stepped in to lead the investigation after then-cabinet secretary Simon Case, her boss, recused himself following claims his own office held a lockdown-busting event.

Civil service impartiality was later thrown into question following her shock move to quit the Cabinet Office to join Labour as Sir Keir’s chief of staff.

After weeks of negative briefings against her following Labour’s general election victory in July 2024, Baroness Gray announced her resignation in October that year.

She cited concerns that she was ‘becoming a distraction’ to the work of government.

Baroness Gray had initially been due to take up a newly-created role as ‘envoy to the nations and regions’ following a short break from government.

But Downing Street announced a month after her departure as Sir Keir’s chief of staff that she had decided not to take up the envoy job.

Just four months after her exit from No10, Baroness Gray formally entered the House of Lords after being among a slew of new Labour peers named by Sir Keir.

This was despite the then-PM having previously promised to abolish the unelected chamber.

At Richard Gwyn Catholic School in Barry the results are coming thick and fast.

Head boy Samuel Shrubsole, 16, (pictured above) got an A in History and Biology and A*s in 10 other subjects.

Samuel shared how happy he was with his results, although there was some trepidation heading into the school today.

“I am feeling good,” he said. “I was feeling confident coming but Biology, Maths and RE – I was a little worried about. I am relieved seeing what I had now.

“In all honesty, I tried to forget about the exams and just enjoy the summer, but I am glad I know now. Looking forward to Sixth Form..”

He was joined by head girl Lauren Sidoli, also 16, who got results for 11 subjects – 6 A*, 4 A’s, 1 B

“I am feeling relieved,” she laughed. “I was so nervous coming but I am proud of myself.

“It was challenging with revision – especially in the half term when it was so sunny – but I think I managed to balance school and stuff at home at the same time well.

“I am planning to go out with my parents for food to celebrate.”

The next step for Lauren is A-Levels at St David’s College, which she is very excited for. “It genuinely feels like I am going to college now that I have had my results!”

Emily Harris, 16, has achieved the highest set of grades in her year group with an incredible 13 A*. She said: “There are no words, I was always going to be happy because I tried my best – but this is an amazing confirmation that my best was worth this. I am really proud.”

When asked how she is going to celebrate, she smiles: “I am going to get Wingstop!”

Next for Emily is St David’s College where she hopes to study English Literature, Sociology, Media Studies and History.

Next to her is her mother Kate Harris, who is also a governor at the school. She added:

“It is important to recognise that there are lots of children here that have extra pressures and responsibilities at home. We are really proud of Emily, she worked really hard for this. As a school governor, I would like to congratulate all the children on all their achievements at the end of year 11.”

A man was rushed to hospital after taking unwell in the stadium but sadly passed away a while later.

A Celtic fan has died after taking unwell during the Champions League clash against LASK at Parkhead last night. The alarm was raised around 9pm when police were alerted to a man having fallen ill within Celtic Park on Wednesday, August 19.

Emergency services raced to the stadium in Glasgow’s east end. A 65-year-old man was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he later died. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.05pm on Wednesday, 19 August, 2026 police received a report of a man having taken unwell within Celtic Park, Glasgow.

“Emergency services attended and a 65-year-old man was conveyed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, where he died a short time later.

“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.”

Celtic FC has been contacted for comment.

We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit dailyrecord.co.uk

Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @Daily_Record – the official Daily Record Twitter account – real news in real time.

We’re also on Facebook – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Daily Record, Sunday Mail and Record Online.