The conditions are practically perfect. For most people, this evening offers the best chance in a lifetime to see an almost total solar eclipse – with the added bonus of meteor showers.

Across the country, from about 6.15pm, the moon will gradually slide across the face of the sun until it covers up to 96 per cent.

The precise moment this begins, and how complete the darkness will be, depends on where you are (see below), but everywhere can expect at least a 90 per cent blackout.

This coincides with the peak of the annual Perseids meteor shower, when thousands of space rocks burn up in Earth’s atmosphere as our planet passes through a belt of debris from comets.

To make this all the more spectacular, clear skies are expected across most of the country. 

Even in cities, there ought to be comparatively little light pollution in early evening, though inevitably many street lights will come on automatically. Out in the countryside, the skies will be magnificently dark.

Scotland will see the effect soonest, with the eclipse reaching its maximum at 7.05pm in Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

In Cornwall, at Truro, that moment will come 11 minutes later. But it doesn’t last long, with the darkness beginning to lift just two minutes after it reaches its most intense.

When and where to see the eclipse

First contact – the moment the moon’s shadow will first appear on the sun – will kick off at 18:06 in Glasgow and Edinburgh, 18:13 in Manchester and Liverpool, 18:15 in Birmingham, 18:17 in London, Bristol and Cardiff, and finally at 18:18 in Cornwall.

Viewers, taking the appropriate safety precautions, will see a small ‘bite’ disappear from the sun’s right–hand corner before slowly spreading to cover most of the disc.

At the point of greatest coverage, observers will see only a tiny inverted crescent of fire hanging in the sky.

That will happen just under an hour later, at 19:05 in Glasgow and Edinburgh, 19:10 in Manchester and Liverpool, 19:11 in Birmingham, 19:12 in London, Bristol and Cardiff, and at 19:16 in Cornwall.

After that moment, you’ll be able to watch as the moon slowly moves out of alignment with the sun until its shadow completely vanishes.

Dr Megan Argo, an astrophysicist from the University of Lancashire, told the Daily Mail: ‘For those of us in the UK and elsewhere watching the partial solar eclipse, the sky will not go completely dark and the stars will not be visible.

‘It will still get darker though as the Sun is gradually eclipsed by the Moon, but it will look more like an overcast day as the Sun’s light is reduced.’

Scientists say that you should also feel the temperature plummet during the moment of maximum coverage.

A spokesperson for the Royal Astronomical Society told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s hard to say exactly as it depends on the time of day and amount of coverage of the Sun, but usually about 1°C to 3°C during a partial solar eclipse and around 5°C during a total solar eclipse.’

Exactly how much of the sun vanishes will depend on where you are in the UK, with areas towards the Southwest seeing a deeper eclipse.

The very best place in the UK to see the eclipse will be Bishop Rock in the Isles of Scilly, where 96.5 per cent of the sun will be obscured.

Meanwhile, viewers in Land’s End and Lizard Point on the mainland will see over 95 per cent of the sun obscured.

That drops to just over 90 per cent for viewers up in Inverness, while London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh will all see roughly 91 per cent.

However, even in the very far north of the Shetland Isles, the eclipse will still be deep enough for 88 per cent of the sun to vanish from view.

But Dr Argo says that anyone who wants to see the full spectacle of totality will have to ‘plan a trip’.

Outside of the UK, totality will be visible from Northern Spain, Greenland, Iceland, and parts of the Atlantic Ocean 

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Travelling to see the total eclipse 

The total eclipse will be visible as it passes across Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean and northern Spain.

However, hotel prices in the path of totality have soared, leaving some travellers paying thousands for front-row seats. 

An extra 1.5 million people are expected to travel to Spain for the eclipse, leading hotel prices to more than double, according to data group Lighthouse.

High-end retreats have even begun offering luxury eclipse viewing packages for the wealthiest space enthusiasts.

At the St Regis Mardavall in Mallorca, guests can shell out €15,000 (£13,000) for a stay in the hotel, a trip to see the eclipse on a private yacht, and meditation classes at sea.

On Reddit, one keen eclipse chaser even claimed to have spent €6,000 (£5,100) to charter a 54-ft yacht for just four hours in order to get the best view. 

Meanwhile, in Iceland’s capital Reykjavík, hotel rooms were priced at more than $1,000 (£740) on average for the night of the eclipse, 140 per cent more than normal.

Spain is braced to receive an extra 1.5 million eclipse-mad travellers to the path of totality, with some shelling out thousands for the experience. Pictured: NASA researchers prepare for the eclipse in Burgos, Spain 

How to get the best view of the solar eclipse

‘Anywhere with clear skies and a good view to the west will provide a great view of the eclipse,’ says Dr Argo.

‘Assuming that the weather cooperates, you will be able to see it from anywhere in the British Isles.’

However, with the eclipse happening so late in the evening, the sun will be very low on the horizon at first contact, and even lower during maximum coverage.

Even a few small trees or a low hill could completely ruin the view, so it’s important to find a spot where you can actually see the sun touch the horizon.

If you’re absolutely determined not to miss the action, consider heading out to your intended spot a few days in advance to check that the sun will be visible.

Since the sun sets in a slightly different location each day, a spot that had a great view earlier this year might not be perfect by now.

Current weather forecasts suggest that the south of England and Wales will have clear conditions during the eclipse. However, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be less fortunate 

Once you’ve found a spot to watch, it cannot be stressed enough that you must absolutely not look at the sun with your bare eyes at any point during the eclipse.

Even looking at the sun for a short amount of time can cause serious damage to your retina, which may lead to permanent vision loss.

Mohamed Elalfy, a consultant ophthalmologist and president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, says: ‘Crucially, the retina has no pain receptors, so people will not feel the damage as it happens.

‘Symptoms may only become apparent several hours later and can include blurred vision, a central blind or dark spot, distorted vision, reduced colour perception and increased sensitivity to light. While some people recover over weeks or months, others can be left with permanent visual impairment.’

That means you need to plan in advance to find a safe way of viewing the eclipse.

Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the Daily Mail: ‘By far the safest way to view the eclipse is with a simple pinhole projector.

‘This can be a box or piece of card with a small hole punched through which projects the view onto the ground or another piece of card. This way you never look at the sunlight directly, ensuring it is safe.’

Similarly, a colander can be used as a simple projector, producing dozens of little images of the Sun.

The safest way to view the eclipse is indirectly. You can use something like a colander to project an image of the sun onto a piece of card 

Alternatively, you can use specially made eclipse glasses to watch the spectacle directly without harming your eyes.

Look for those bearing the ISO 12312–2 safety standard and make sure to purchase them from a reputable retailer to avoid any chance of picking up a fake.

You should check to ensure that the lenses aren’t scratched or scraped, which would ruin their protection.  

You can check a pair for scratches by holding them up and looking at the brightest light in your house.

If the protection is still working, you shouldn’t be able to see even the slightest bit of light poking through.

If you can’t make it out to watch the eclipse, or your view is scuppered by bad weather, there will be several livestreams available to watch.

You can tune into one provided by the Royal Observatory Greenwich at this link here.

Queues for eclipse glasses

You can also use eclipse glasses with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Be sure to wear them the entire time you are looking at the sun 

Desperate Britons have queued for hours throughout the night in a bid to get their hands on solar eclipse glasses.

Dozens of videos shared on TikTok show shoppers forming lengthy lines outside corner shops in London, with some stretching for hundreds of metres.

The clips show crowds patiently waiting for up to three hours to purchase the glasses, which are essential to be able to safely watch the ‘best-in-a-lifetime’ event.

In one video, a car pulls up to a shop in Whitechapel, allegedly delivering an extra 10,000 pairs of glasses that had just landed at Heathrow.

Some shoppers were limited to buying a maximum of five pairs, with each priced at £9.99.

Due to immense demand, many people have been left without a pair of eclipse glasses to use tonight. 

However, do not be tempted to use an old pair that might have been lying in a drawer since the 1999 eclipse.

‘It is possible for the film on older solar eclipse glasses to degrade over time, so it is recommended to only use eclipse glasses manufactured within the last decade,’ says Dr Bloomer.

Desperate Britons have queued for hours throughout the night in a bid to get their hands on solar eclipse glasses

Can I take a photo of the eclipse?

It might be tempting to grab a few photos of the eclipse to remember this rare moment, but experts say this is not a good idea.

Although it is safe for you to look at the eclipse through a phone screen, it isn’t safe for your phone. 

Pointing your camera’s unprotected lens at the sun for an extended period of time can damage it.

Jez Samuel, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, says: ‘A phone camera lens focuses sunlight into an intense point on the sensor behind it, and enough unfiltered exposure will kill pixels permanently. 

‘From then on, every shot carries the same dark marks. Repairs typically range from around £49 for a camera glass replacement to over £250 for a full module swap, depending on the phone.’

Astronomers and astrophotographers use special solar lenses over their cameras and telescopes to protect these delicate sensors. 

If you are desperate to take a snap, you can hold your eclipse glasses in front of the lens and get a similar effect – just be sure not to zoom in.

Although it might be tempting, don’t take a photo of the eclipse on your phone since the concentrated light can damage the camera sensor

‘Zooming concentrates sunlight the same way a telescope does, and that can burn straight through glasses never designed for it,’ says Mr Samuel. 

When is the next eclipse?

If you want to see another eclipse from the UK, the next good opportunity won’t be until November 14, 2050.

During that partial eclipse, over 80 per cent of the sun will be obscured from all parts of the UK except the far south and south west of England.

However, if you want to see totality from the comfort of the UK, you’ll be waiting until September 23, 2090.

For less discerning eclipse chasers, there will be a few smaller partial eclipses in the coming years that could be worth seeing from Britain.

On June 1, 2030, viewers will be able to see 50 per cent of the sun obscured just after sunrise.

Then, on August 21, 2036, Britain will be treated to a partial eclipse obscuring 60 to 70 per cent of the sun.

The next solar eclipse worldwide will be a rare ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse, visible from parts of South America and Africa on February 6, 2027. Pictured: A ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse seen from Utah in 2023

Outside of the UK, a rare ‘Ring of Fire’ eclipse will be visible in parts of South America and Africa on February 6, 2027.

Meanwhile, the next true total eclipse won’t come until August 2, 2027, and will be visible in southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

What is an eclipse?

Dr Shyam Balaji, an astrophysicist at King’s College London, told the Daily Mail: ‘During a total solar eclipse, the moon’s orbit puts it directly in front of the sun.

‘This obscures the sunlight that can pass directly towards the Earth, enabling us to see just the corona of the sun, which is the outer rim.’

Although the moon is between Earth and the sun every new moon, solar eclipses are much rarer, only occurring once every 18 months or so.

This is because the moon’s orbit is tilted by about five degrees relative to the plane on which the Earth travels around the sun.

That means that it is quite rare for all three bodies to be precisely lined up in such a way that the moon perfectly blocks the sun.

The solar eclipse coincides with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. So, after the sun sets, there will still be an incredible celestial display to watch. Pictured: The Perseids seen over Corfe Castle, England 

In fact, it is only due to an incredible cosmic coincidence that such a perfect solar eclipse can occur on Earth.

While the moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun, it also happens to be about 400 times closer to Earth.

By pure chance, this allows the moon to perfectly obscure the sun, something which is completely unique in the solar system.

What to do once the sun has set

In another fantastic coincidence, this total solar eclipse also happens to coincide with the Perseid Meteor shower.

That means you can simply stick around outside for a full night of spectacular stargazing.

The shower, which is caused by debris left by the comet Swift–Tuttle, will actually peak on August 12 and 13, with up to 100 shooting stars per hour.

Dr Balaji says: ‘The best place to view the Perseid meteor shower is in the North East near the constellation Perseus.

‘While you can look at the whole sky and are likely to see a meteor, that’s the target location in order to get the best viewing experience.’

And the great news is that you don’t even need any special equipment to make the most of this incredibly well–timed display.

Experts are urging people to check carefully before buying solar eclipse glasses online, with counterfeiters and unscrupulous sellers accused of exploiting the last-minute rush.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the UK on Wednesday August 12, with more than 90 per cent of the Sun obscured by the Moon at its peak.

When is the eclipse?

The eclipse will reach maximum coverage at around 7.12pm in London, but experts have issued a stark warning about the dangers of looking directly at the Sun without proper protection.

Even a brief glance can damage the retina and potentially cause permanent sight problems.

And with many certified eclipse glasses already sold out online, shoppers who have left it until the last minute could be tempted by unfamiliar sellers, suspiciously cheap products or glasses making claims that cannot be verified.

Celestron solar eclipse glasses on sale at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, south east London, ahead of the Solar eclipse on August 12, which will be the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999. (Image: Jordan Pettitt)

Kyla Black, Boots Opticians Director of Optical Practice, said: “It isn’t worth taking the risk with your eyesight.”

She warned: “No. Even when most of the Sun is covered, it is never safe to look directly at it with the naked eye during a partial solar eclipse.

“Looking at the sun without the correct protection can damage the retina, which may lead to permanent vision loss.”

Which eclipse glasses are safe?

Anyone planning to look directly at the eclipse should use purpose-built solar eclipse glasses or viewers which meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard.

Ms Black said: “There are several safe ways to enjoy the eclipse such as wearing certified eclipse glasses that meet the international ISO 12312-2 safety standard.

“Another option would be to watch the solar eclipse from the comfort of your own home on a livestream.”

She added that anyone using cameras, telescopes or binoculars must use specially designed solar filters.

“The same filters can also be used for the secret astronomers amongst us who own a telescope or simply a pair of binoculars,” she said.

The sun polarised through a pair of Celestron solar eclipse glasses at the Royal Observatory Greenwich (Image: Jordan Pettitt)

Can you wear sunglasses during an eclipse?

No.

Experts have repeatedly warned that ordinary sunglasses, even extremely dark ones, do not provide enough protection.

Ms Black said: “Regular sunglasses, even very dark ones, do not provide enough protection to safely view a solar eclipse.

“Only specially designed eclipse glasses or solar viewers should be used.”

Wearing two or more pairs of sunglasses is also not a safe alternative.

Ms Black said: “It’s a common myth that wearing multiple pairs of sunglasses can protect you from any harmful UV light – this is untrue and should be avoided at all costs as only purpose-built eclipse glasses can allow you to watch an eclipse.”

Check your eclipse glasses before using them

Parents have also been urged to be particularly careful if children are watching the eclipse.

Ms Black said: “You should never look directly at the sun without certified eye protection.

“As a result, parents should be particularly careful if they are going to let their children view the eclipse and ensure they supervise them closely.”

Anyone who has already bought eclipse glasses should inspect them carefully for signs of damage.

“If you’re purchasing specially made eclipse glasses, make sure to double check that they are undamaged before use as even a glimpse of damage could have an impact on your eyesight,” Ms Black warned.

Experts have also cautioned against homemade filters using household materials.

Ms Black said: “Although a fun idea for many may be to make DIY filters and pinhole projectors out of cereal boxes, this can also be dangerous.

“Objects such as smoked glass, colour film, floppy disks, X-ray film, and dark sunglasses are unable to block invisible infrared and ultraviolet rays, potentially leading to damage to your eyesight.”

She added: “Budding astronomers who will be looking through cameras, binoculars or telescopes at the eclipse must make sure they have approved solar filters attached.

“If you’re not sure your telescope does, then contact the maker of the product to ensure you know you’ll be safe.”

Fake eclipse glasses warning

The rush to buy eclipse glasses has also raised concerns about counterfeit and misleading products being sold online.

Tamzin Burch, Marketing Manager at Corsearch, said major events can create a perfect opportunity for counterfeiters.

“We see how counterfeiters exploit sudden spikes in consumer demand, and major events like a solar eclipse can create exactly that opportunity,” she said.

“Bad actors can move quickly, using online marketplaces and misleading claims to sell products that appear legitimate but may not meet required safety standards.”

She warned that when a product is designed to protect someone’s health, fake versions can have serious consequences.

“Fake eclipse glasses could give consumers a dangerous sense of security when looking directly at the sun,” she said.

“Consumers should follow official safety guidance and purchase protective products from trusted, verifiable sources.”

Daniel Mohacek, CEO of review authenticity platform TruthEngine, said shoppers should not assume a product is safe simply because it has thousands of positive reviews.

“People searching online at the last minute may be presented with products that look legitimate, carry convincing claims and have glowing reviews, but that does not necessarily mean they are safe,” he said.

“When something is designed to protect your eyesight, consumers need to be particularly cautious.”

He added: “Don’t simply choose a pair because it has thousands of five-star reviews or because the product description says it is ‘certified’.

“Look carefully at who is actually selling it, whether the seller can be identified and whether the safety claims can be verified.”

Eclipse glasses prices soar

With demand surging and many online retailers already running low, shoppers could also face inflated prices.

Marty Bauer, ecommerce expert at Omnisend, said eclipse glasses could end up being sold for four or five times their normal price.

He said: “Eclipse glasses are a perfect example of a product most people would never normally think about buying, but which can suddenly become a must-have item almost overnight.”

He added that major online marketplaces were already struggling to meet demand, meaning some shoppers could be forced to look elsewhere.

“Brits must now turn to the high street to see if any retailers were able to stockpile enough ahead of Wednesday,” he said.

“We may even see them being sold for four or five times the price at local organised events.”

How to watch the eclipse safely

The safest option for anyone without certified eclipse glasses is to watch the eclipse indirectly, rather than looking directly at the Sun.

A livestream is one option, while astronomy societies may also host organised viewing events using specialist equipment.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich has also suggested using a household colander to project the image of the eclipsed sun onto the ground, allowing people to see the changing shape without staring at the sun.

The key message from experts is simple: do not gamble with your eyesight for the sake of seeing the eclipse.

As Samuel Mather-Holgate, Managing Director and IFA at Mather and Murray Financial, put it: “Saving £5 isn’t worth gambling with your eyesight.”

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He added: “Make sure they’re genuine, properly certified eclipse glasses meeting ISO 12312-2, or use a safe indirect viewing method instead.”

With more than 90 per cent of the Sun set to be covered over parts of the UK, the August 12 eclipse is expected to be one of the most spectacular astronomical events visible from Britain in years.

But viewers are being urged to make safety their priority before looking up.

Jen Lumb, founder of Studio 444, is shortlisted for Best New Salon and Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2026 UK Hair & Beauty Awards.

The studio, located on Wigan Road, was launched with the aim of creating a different kind of beauty and aesthetics business in Bolton.

Ms Lumb said her aim was “to raise the bar for beauty and aesthetics by putting safety, professional standards and collaboration at its heart.”

Rather than operating as a traditional salon, the business provides a shared space where beauty and clinical professionals can run and grow their own businesses while offering clients a range of services in one location.

The founder said the concept was inspired by concerns about standards within parts of the industry, including unlicensed practitioners, counterfeit products and inconsistent safety practices.

By carefully vetting professionals and encouraging the use of legitimate and appropriately regulated products, she hopes Studio 444 can provide reassurance to clients while supporting practitioners to deliver high-quality treatments.

The double awards recognition marks a significant milestone for the business, which Ms Lumb built largely through her own determination and hands-on efforts.

She feels as though the Entrepreneur of the Year nomination recognises the work involved in establishing Studio 444 from the ground up, including renovating the premises herself, overseeing registrations and clinical requirements, managing marketing and even teaching herself coding skills to create the company’s website.

Ms Lumb said the journey had required a willingness to learn new skills and overcome challenges at every stage of the business’s development.

Since opening, Studio 444 has sought to create a supportive environment where professionals can collaborate, share knowledge and build successful businesses while maintaining high standards of care for clients.

Her long-term ambition is to help reshape perceptions of the beauty and aesthetics sector locally and create a model that other businesses can follow.

She said her goal is “to create a new standard that beauty and aesthetics businesses in Bolton can aspire to.”

The winners of the 2026 UK Hair & Beauty Awards will be announced later this year.

A flight to a popular holiday destination has been cancelled, while other departures were delayed, according to live flight information.

Among the delays was a British Airways service to London Heathrow, which was running more than 90 minutes behind schedule on Wednesday morning.

A Jet2 flight to Heraklion in Crete, due to depart later today, has also been cancelled. The service had been scheduled to leave from Terminal 2.

Meanwhile, another departure to Spain was showing a delay of around 20 minutes.

Manchester Airport’s live departure information showed most flights were operating as planned, although passengers are being advised to keep an eye on updates from their airline as schedules can change throughout the day.

Richard Hammond was left in a two-week coma after filming a Top Gear episode almost 20 years ago.

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Richard Hammond will once again be Jeremy Clarkson’s right-hand man as they reunite for The Grand Tour reboot.

Richard, Jeremy and James May are going to feature in the upcoming new series of The Grand Tour on Prime Video to help hand over the baton to the new line-up of hosts.

But before the trio returns for the new series which lands on Friday, September 4, here’s all there is to know about former Top Gear star Richard Hammond.

Richard Hammond girlfriend

Richard Hammond is now in a relationship with therapist and ex-teacher Keira Glen.

He was first seen publicly with the 53-year-old at an event in September 2025, around nine months after Hammond and his ex-wife announced their separation.

The Grand Tour host was married to journalist Mindy Etheridge for 23 years and share two adult daughters, Izzy and Willow. It’s been reported that Keira also has two grown-up daughters in their 20s.

Richard Hammond accident

Back in 2006, Hammond was filming an episode of Top Gear at Elvington Airfield near York, attempting to break the British land speed record in a jet-powered Vampire dragster.

He was driving at almost 320mph when a tire failure caused the vehicle to flip and roll, leaving him with a life-threatening frontal lobe brain injury. On his podcast Who We Are Now, he said: “I was conscious throughout the whole thing.

“The only thing that really sticks in my mind was the noise because of the impact of a car hitting concrete and that’s the thing that actually like rattled my brain.

“I was completely calm, I’d done everything I could do.

“I’ve pulled the parachute, I’d steered, braked, it was going upside down, there’s no roof and I thought ‘Oh, checking out now’.

“No panic at that point, panic had gone, I’d done everything.”

Hammond was in a medically induced coma for two weeks before he woke up. Speaking to Radio Times in 2014, he spoke of the impact the crash had on him, including losing the “ability to connect emotionally.”

“It was a lot to deal with. I had a pretty tricky few years. The knock-on effects of the injury meant I was susceptible to depression, obsession, compulsion and paranoia, although I wasn’t aware of that at the time.

“It gave me an unnatural platform from which to observe my own mental state, which was exhausting.”

How old is Richard Hammond?

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Richard Hammond is 56-years-old, born on December 19, 1969, in Solihull near Birmingham, before his family moved to Ripon, North Yorkshire, in the mid 1980s.

He now lives in a six-bedroom Georgian manor house near Abergavenny, Wales, which he purchased for around £2 million earlier this year.

Richard Hammond net worth

It has been widely reported that Richard Hammond has an estimated net worth of around £37 million.

This comes from his lifelong television career, working on hit shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, as well as through his own production company Chimp Productions and other business ventures.

Tui revealed it suffered a hit of 81 million euro (£69.2 million) in the nine months of its financial year so far from the Iran war and hurricanes in Jamaica, including an extra 20 million euro (£17.1 million) “direct” impact from the Middle East conflict on its cruises arm during the third quarter.

The call comes as the Government looks at ways to create more space in prisons so serious offenders can serve more of their sentences.

Pc Harper was fatally injured in 2019 after becoming caught in a strap attached to the back of a car while responding to a quad bike theft.

Andy Burnham, Prime Minister, said in relation to Harper’s sister: “That I hear you, I feel for you. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t do everything I possibly could to try and lessen your anguish, and I am doing that.

“I am turning over every stone. I am looking at everything. I am pushing the system to go further.”

Pc Harper’s sister, Aimee Harper, had spoken publicly about her experience of sitting in court with the men convicted over her brother’s death.

Albert Bowers and Jessie Cole are due to be released next year after receiving 13-year sentences for manslaughter in 2020.

The policing leaders, including Mr Watson, have also called for an additional public protection safeguard for the most serious offenders.

The letter says victims and families must be properly considered when major changes are made to sentencing or release arrangements.

Mr Burnham said: “I’m not making comments today in a knee jerk way because I wouldn’t raise false hope of people.

“I’m doing it in a considered way, having looked in detail at the situation, having considered a range of advice.”

The Government has already changed early release rules to prevent rapists and paedophiles being released early, but those changes did not cover Pc Harper’s killers.

The Prime Minister has pointed to returning foreign national offenders and dealing with people serving Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences as ways of creating additional prison space.

He said he was “increasingly confident” that more serious offenders could serve their full sentences as a result.

Mr Burnham added: “I am confident that we can develop a plan to free up more spaces in the prison estate, so that we can ensure more serious offenders serve their full term.”

He had previously said he had “pushed the very limits” of the changes made to the early release system.

Mr Burnham has now indicated that further action could be possible as pressure grows over Pc Harper’s killers.

The venues would reopen as value-oriented pubs after being sold by Whitbread, the owner of the Beefeater and Brewers Fayre chains.

The sites, alongside Bar + Block, Table Table and Cookhouse + Pub restaurants, are all set to close in the coming weeks as part of a major restructuring plan.

However, out of 261 sites earmarked for closure, 53 have been sold to Queensway Inns, who plan to relaunch them as a new chain.

106 Beefeater sites are due to close in the coming weeks (Image: Getty Images)

Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites could be rebranded

A Whitbread spokesperson told Newsquest: “Whitbread has reached an agreement for the conditional sale of 53 branded restaurant sites to Queensway Inns, subject to a number of final conditions being met.

“Queensway Inns has extensive experience operating hospitality businesses across the UK and intends to operate the sites as going concerns.

“Subject to completion of the sale and following the relevant TUPE information and consultation processes, around 900 team members could transfer and will be supported through the process.”

The 53 sites are reportedly a mix of all Whitbread brands earmarked for closure, with some Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites potentially being saved.

The future of the remaining 208 restaurant sites remains uncertain.

Queensway plans to rebrand and relaunch the sites as affordable pubs, but the new brand name, menu pricing, and reopening dates have not been confirmed.

Queensway has been contacted for comment.

When are Beefeater and Brewers Fayre closing?

It is all part of Whitbread’s wider Accelerating Growth Plan, which aims to expand its Premier Inn hotels by adding 3,600 new rooms through restaurant conversions.

This programme involves closing or repurposing all remaining branded restaurants by mid-September.

Closures will begin on September 3, with a combined 66 Bar + Block, Table Table, and Cookhouse + Pub sites shutting.

Brewers Fayre will close all 89 of its sites on September 7, marking the end of a brand that has operated for 45 years.

Beefeater, a longstanding favourite for family dining and steakhouse meals, will close all 106 locations on September 10.

Customers are advised to redeem any reward points by August 31.

Whitbread CEO Dominic Paul said the restructure was necessary due to mounting costs, including increased National Insurance and business rates sparked by then Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

The group aims to raise £1.5 billion by selling freehold property to fund future growth.

The overhaul is expected to result in 3,800 job losses, but Whitbread has said that it will look to support colleagues affected.

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A Whitbread spokesperson said previously: “The proposed sale represents further progress against Whitbread’s Accelerating Growth Plan, first announced in April 2024.

“In April 2026 Whitbread announced a proposal to extend the programme to include all remaining branded restaurants and add a total of 3,600 new hotel extension rooms in locations with strong demand, whilst continuing to offer a great breakfast, dinner and drinks nationwide through the creation of new Premier Inn restaurants inside all hotels.

“This mirrors the format which is already in operation in over half of Premier Inn hotels and is highly popular with hotel guests.”

Is one of the potential rebrands near you? Let us know what you think about the plans in the comments.

The acclaimed WWI film 1917 has been called a ‘cinematic masterpiece’ by fans and yet the storyline is ‘haunting’ and real

Inspired by the deeply personal stories of a family member who survived the first world war, this epic war film is being called “one of the most important of our generation”.

The British war film has been placed firmly amongst some of the all-time greats of the genre, and yet it all began with the real life experiences of Alfred H. Mendes, who served as a Lance Corporal and messenger for the British Army on the Western Front.

1917 is a film that is set in that very year, directed by Sam Mendes, who also co-wrote the project, after hearing the haunting tales of his Grandfather’s time spent in the first world war. It’s those real and gritty stories that fundamentally shaped the film, and many viewers have praised it for being a true reflection of events.

The story follows the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich, and two British soldiers at the heart of it all. They were entrusted with a vital mission to deliver a message which would halter an offensive attack, and the film builds up to this critical moment, to see if the message makes it in time.

The intensity of the situation is portrayed throughout the film, and is what made it a ‘haunting’ watch for viewers. One Rotten Tomatoes review reads: ” This was a great movie from start to finish, it has one of the greatest scenes ever in cinema which is Lance Corporal Schofield running through the battlefield to delivering the message to stop the battle.”

They added: “It’s truly heart pounding to see movies like this, you can’t beat it.”

The film has garnered widespread acclaim for its special effects, sound design and much more, earning itself 10 Oscar nominations upon release. Ultimately, it claimed the awards for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects — accolades that fans cherish as they rightfully crown it a ‘masterpiece’.

These weren’t the only awards it landed that season, Mende’s captivating story went on to win seven BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, solidifying itself as a modern classic of the genre.

The acclaim isn’t solely reserved for the film’s stunning visual style, however, as the cast has earned richly deserved recognition for bringing this deeply moving story to life. The ensemble includes George MacKay, Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch and Richard Madden.

All of these elements combined is what make it, what many consider to be ‘essentially viewing’, whether you’re a fan of the genre, interested by the history or not. Holding 1917 in such high regard, one person shared: “One of the best war movies ever made.

“I’ve watched this movie probably 20 times now and it never ceases to amaze me. This is one of the most important movies of our generation and I think everyone should watch it.”

A crucial aspect of the film that gives the entire picture an extraordinarily “immersive” quality, is the fact it blends seamlessly to seem as though its all in one long take. Many even say this made them feel as though they were experiencing it all, like the characters themselves.

A review reads: “1917 is one of those movies that completely pulls you in the way it’s filmed makes you feel like you’re right there with the soldiers, and every minute feels intense it’s not just about war it’s about courage, sacrifice, and the determination to save lives against impossible odds definitely one of the most immersive war films I have seen.”

On the review platform Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts an impressive score of 88%, and it’s plain to see that viewers simply cannot resist returning to it for a rewatch, or 20.

The acclaimed British war epic that is 1917 is available to watch right now on both Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Need to know

Stassi Schroeder’s new show has finally premiered in the UK with those who have already binged it calling it ‘perfection’

Where can I watch House of Stassi in the UK?

1. Reality TV fans have been calling new series House of Stassi absolute ‘perfection’ in the wake of its release stateside. Now fans in the UK finally get to binge-watch the controversial comeback show.
2. The series follows Stassi Schroeder, the former Vanderpump Rules star who was famously sacked from the show in 2020 alongside Kristen Doute. They were fired after calling police on black co-star Faith Stowers for a crime she didn’t commit, and both have since issued lengthy apologies.
3. The meta-docuseries premiered on Freeform before hitting Hulu, showing Stassi’s return to TV with her loved ones. The official synopsis promises that “as cameras roll and truths surface, her closest relationships are put to the test.”
4. All eight episodes are available on Hulu in the US, and UK viewers can stream it from today (August 12) via Disney+. Early reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with one fan saying: “I’m on episode five and I can’t stop watching – it’s very entertaining.”
5. Another viewer praised the finale, calling it “exactly what reality TV should be” and noting the cliffhanger ending was “the perfect set-up for Disney to order more episodes.” Fans are already demanding more episodes, with one declaring: “I need a million more episodes.”

READ THE FULL STORY: Reality fans demand ‘a million more episodes’ as ‘perfection’ show lands