Money
Rare Cadbury’s chocolate bar makes return just in time for Christmas – and shoppers will be excited
A RARE Cadbury’s chocolate bar has made a return just in time for Christmas much to the delight of shoppers.
The confectionery giant has brought back its Dairy Milk Mint Crisp bar for shoppers to enjoy as the nights draw in.
It forms part of the sweet makers’ new Christmas range which also includes a retro selection box.
Cadbury‘s confirmed earlier this year that the minty treat had been axed from shelves and it had “no plans to reintroduce it”.
It came after nostalgic shoppers made calls for Cadbury‘s to bring back the retro snack.
Taking to X, formally known as Twitter, one said: “@CadburyUK @DairyMilkIn When will we get these bad boys back?
“They are very much missed #chocolate #dairymilk.”
But Cadbury quickly crushed their dreams, providing this statement.
They said: “We understand your love for this product, but currently, there are no plans to reintroduce it.
“We do, however, have lots of chocolatey treats to try.”
However, Cadbury’s has appeared to backtrack on that decision with the bar being rolled out to stores over the festive season.
The bar features Cadbury’s classic milk chocolate and it is filled with crispy mint pieces.
Its Winter Mint Crisp bar has already landed on shelves, with Tesco charging £4.50 for a 360g bar.
You can get it for £4 if you have a Tesco Clubcard.
It is also on offer at supermarket Asda for £4.
The news has delighted shoppers, with one saying their mouth is “just watering thinking about it”.
While another said they needed to stock up.
Shoppers have already spotted lots of the manufacturer’s Christmas treats on supermarket shelves in recent weeks.
This includes its Dairy Milk Chocolate coins which landed in Asda stores back in August.
The round chocolate treats were discontinued in 2014, but have appeared to be brought back.
It comes as Cadbury’s has relaunched a number of classics to celebrate its 200th anniversary.
This includes the popular 90’s Top Deck bar.
The much-loved bar, which first launched in 1993, has made a return to UK shelves for a limited time.
How to save money on chocolate
WE all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed on flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
Money
All the freebies British Gas gives to its millions of customers including £150 payment and cash grants
BRITISH Gas offers a variety of help to its customers, which is worth being aware of if you are struggling this winter.
The UK’s biggest energy supplier was founded back in 1812 and has over eight million customers.
The company has been running a number of schemes to help its customers who are struggling financially.
It comes as millions will see their energy bill rise by £149 this winter after Ofgem‘s new price cap came into force earlier this month.
Households previously paid £1,568 a year but the figure is now set to rise by nearly £150 to £1,717.
The government has also axed its £300 Winter Fuel Payment for over 10million pensioners who are not on means-tested benefits.
Free cash to help with energy bills
British Gas has a fund open to pre-payment meter and credit customers who have found themselves in debt worth up to £1,700.
The Individual and Families Fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.
This scheme’s support is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.
However, if your provider is Ovo Energy, E.ON Next, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, Octopus Energy or Utilita it asks your go to them for assistance first.
There are certain criteria that you need to meet to be considered for the Individual and Families Fund, including:
- Pre-payment meter customers must have between £50 and £1,700 of energy debt
- Credit customers must have between £250 and £1,700 of energy debt
- You live in England, Scotland, or Wales
- You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years
- You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account
- The account must be in your name and relate to your main residence
- You have received help from a money advice agency within the last six months
Customers with energy debts worth more than £1,700 will not be eligible for support through the fund.
You can check out your eligibility for the scheme here.
Match debt repayments
Earlier this year, British Gas also launched a £15million “You Pay: We Pay” initiative.
This scheme works by matching 100% of a customer’s energy debt repayments to help them clear their arrears faster.
For example, if a customer pays £100, British Gas will pay off £100, too, effectively wiping half the amount owed and getting them back on track sooner.
The scheme opened in June and June and eligible customers will be contacted directly – they won’t need to apply.
A detailed assessment will be made to determine if customers qualify for the scheme but broadly, they must:
- Be in or facing fuel poverty
- Must have obtained or will obtain debt advice
- Have been a British Gas customer for at least six months
- Pre-agree a payment amount following the assessment
You must be a British Gas customer for at least six months to be considered.
Help with energy bills worth £150
British Gas is giving eligible customers £150 worth of extra cash through the government’s Warm Home Discount scheme.
The payment is issued to those on the lowest incomes and is designed to cover the additional heating costs over the colder months.
Households in England and Wales don’t have to apply to get the cash and receive it automatically.
However, some Scottish households do have to apply for the discount.
Eligible households get the cash credited to their electricity bill between October and March 2024.
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of pension credit or a different means-tested benefit, including:
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won’t be eligible for the payment.
What other support is available?
You do not need to be a customer at British Gas to get help with your energy bills this winter.
EDF has a customer support fund which on average wipes £1,250 off customers’ bills.
It is available to vulnerable customers experiencing hardship.
To apply, visit EDF’s website and make sure you have details of your account number (find it on your energy bills or EDF emails) and the current debt balance on all EDF accounts you have.
Meanwhile, Octopus Energy offers a range of support, including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.
It could also include loaning a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks in your home, which you can fix to reduce energy usage and your bill.
It also conducts home energy visits to discuss how households can reduce their usage and gives out free electric blankets.
You might also be able to get help with essential costs from your local council through a programme called the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The funding is designed to help people who are vulnerable or can’t afford to pay for necessities like energy bills, water bills, and food.
Some councils offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays, as well through the scheme.
Eligibility criteria vary by council, so you need to check your local authority’s website to see what’s available and how to apply.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE’S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Money
Shoppers are rushing to buy energy gadget that’s reduced from £99 to £9.99 – and it will help keep the heating off
SHOPPERS are racing to get their hands on an energy gadget after its price was slashed from a whopping £99 to just £9.99 and it will help keep the heating off.
With energy prices still high and the winter fuel payment cuts affecting thousands of pensioners, finding ways to keep warm this winter is proving challenging.
However, the EGL 2000W Oil Filled Radiator could be the money-saver households are looking for.
The easy-to-use heating device has been reduced by a staggering 90 per cent after its price was slashed from £99 to £9.99, saving shoppers an eye-watering £89.01.
Several shoppers left great reviews about the product on HotUKDeals, with many eager to get their hands on the portable radiator.
One user wrote: “These are great to have, only heat one space in the home rather than the entire thing, I’ve used them for years.”
“Ordered mine, fingers crossed,” another added.
A third said: “Absolute steal.”
And a fourth shopper commented: “Very good deal.”
The EGL 2000W Oil Filled Radiator is estimated to cost around 50p per hour, meaning an 8-hour day would add up to £4 in total.
This would make it “cheaper to stay at home rather than driving to work and staying warm in the office,” another user added.
Unfortunately, this deal is no longer available but there are still similar heaters for discounted prices on offer.
Shoppers can bag themselves an Electric Freestanding Oil-Filled Radiator for just £26.99 from Screwfix.
Similarly, Amazon has stocked up on heating devices, with the cheapest portable radiator selling for just under £30.
B&Q’s Oil-filled radiator is currently scanning for just £24.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
Ways to save this winter
Heated airers are a great way to save money when you can’t dry your clothes outdoors, but they’re not the only gadget you should seriously consider investing in.
Heated throws are great for keeping warm without switching on the heating. Pop one over you while you’re on the sofa watching TV, drape one over your bed – there’s even one from Lakeland you can wear. They offer several temperature levels and often have timers to automatically switch off.
Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air and when it’s drier in your home you tend to feel warmer. They can also be great for drying washing and some brands even have a laundry setting.
Air Fryers are the kitchen must-have of the last few years. They generally cook food quicker than your main oven does and in less time, using much less electricity.
Heavy or lined curtains can help keep out the cold, while draft excluders not only help keep cold air out but warm air in.
Before it gets really cold and you turn to your central heating for the winter, check to see if your radiators need bleeding. It’s a simple job whereby you use a radiator key to release any build-up of air bubbles that can stop the radiator from functioning effectively.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in old air if they aren’t secure.
Money
Such a shame’ cry shoppers as Dobbies Garden Centre set to to close in just a matter of months – see the full list
DOBBIES will shutter one of its sites in Bristol in just a matter of months, devasting shoppers.
Its Little Dobbies store in Clifton is one of the 17 sites the retailer has marked for closure as part of a restructuring plan.
Dobbies will also work with landlords to seek temporary rent reductions at a further nine sites.
The business began a financial overhaul back in August, which it warned would lead to shop closures.
Dobbies has many stores across the South West of England, but it has been confirmed that its location in Clifton, Bristol could now close.
The news has devasted shoppers, with one describing the move as “very sad”.
Another local said the decision to shutter the site was “such a shame”.
While a third said: “A shame that any shops have to close, especially that gardening became more popular during and following lockdown.”
It comes as Bristol locals have had to wave goodbye to a number of retailers in recent years.
House of Fraser shut its site at the Cabot Circus shopping centre back in August, and The Guild department store closed in May.
The full list of Dobbies stores set to close are:
- Altrincham
- Antrim
- Gloucester
- Gosforth
- Harlestone Heath
- Huntingdon
- Inverness
- King’s Lynn
- Pennine
- Reading
- Stratford-upon-Avon
Six Little Dobbies, which are smaller branches selling houseplants located locally rather than out of town, are set to close in these areas:
- Cheltenham
- Chiswick
- Clifton
- Richmond
- Stockbridge
- Westbourne Grove
If the restructuring plan is approved the 17 sites will close by the end of the year.
They will continue to operate as normal until the plan is approved.
The nine sites where its seeking rent reductions from landlords have not been named.
A spokesperson previously told The Sun: “Subject to the restructuring plan being successfully approved, we expect the affected sites to cease trading by the end of the year.
“Thereafter, Dobbies will operate 60 stores and continue to play a key role in the market, working constructively with stakeholders and suppliers, and having an active and committed role in the communities in which it’s based.”
The garden centre chain, which was bought by investment firm Ares Management last year, fell to a £105.2 million pre-tax loss in the year to March 2023, against a £7 million loss a year earlier, according to its most-recently filed company accounts.
Restructuring plans are often launched by businesses when they find themselves in financial difficulty to help shore up extra costs.
It comes as many retailers are struggling to keep their heads above water.
High inflation coupled with a squeeze on consumers’ finances has meant people have less money to spend in the shops.
Garden centres and home improvement businesses also boomed during the pandemic when customers were stuck at home.
But customers have been forced to cut back on spending since.
Back in August, Homebase announced that 10 of its stores would close and be transformed into Sainsbury’s supermarkets.
Homebase’s owner, Hilco Capital, is preparing to sell the company.
The retailer has closed 106 stores since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.
Why are retailers closing shops?
EMPTY shops have become an eyesore on many British high streets and are often symbolic of a town centre’s decline.
The Sun’s business editor Ashley Armstrong explains why so many retailers are shutting their doors.
In many cases, retailers are shutting stores because they are no longer the money-makers they once were because of the rise of online shopping.
Falling store sales and rising staff costs have made it even more expensive for shops to stay open. In some cases, retailers are shutting a store and reopening a new shop at the other end of a high street to reflect how a town has changed.
The problem is that when a big shop closes, footfall falls across the local high street, which puts more shops at risk of closing.
Retail parks are increasingly popular with shoppers, who want to be able to get easy, free parking at a time when local councils have hiked parking charges in towns.
Many retailers including Next and Marks & Spencer have been shutting stores on the high street and taking bigger stores in better-performing retail parks instead.
Boss Stuart Machin recently said that when it relocated a tired store in Chesterfield to a new big store in a retail park half a mile away, its sales in the area rose by 103 per cent.
In some cases, stores have been shut when a retailer goes bust, as in the case of Wilko, Debenhams Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Paperchase to name a few.
What’s increasingly common is when a chain goes bust a rival retailer or private equity firm snaps up the intellectual property rights so they can own the brand and sell it online.
They may go on to open a handful of stores if there is customer demand, but there are rarely ever as many stores or in the same places.
Money
I’m a single mum-of-two & and I’ve been forced by council to move home three times in a MONTH – my kids aren’t safe
A SINGLE mum-of-two has been forced to move house three times in one month and fears her kids aren’t safe.
Harlie Swann, 29, has been living in temporary housing for 13 years, along with her kids; Frankie, 8, and Finnlie, 2.
The Croydon resident was first moved into temporary accommodation after having Frankie at 21.
Harlie told MyLondon they lived there for seven years but after Frankie’s ADHD diagnosis, the home was no longer suitable.
Finnlie also has complex learning difficulties and Harlie fears “constantly moving around” is taking its toll on them all.
The family are due to move into a property in Lambeth this week marking the third time in a month Croydon Council have ripped their stability away from them.
Harlie said the constant moves come down to discovering each home is unsafe – for anyone to live in, let alone children.
In a previous home in West Norwood, the family were exposed to sewage spurting up the sink, persistent mould, and damp.
Due to the extent of the problem, environmental health assessors had to get involved.
Luckily the next house and latest home was deemed “fine on the paperwork”, Harlie explained.
However, when they moved in they discovered a major leak problem and improper fire-safe windows.
According to Harlie, the council said “don’t unpack we’ll find you somewhere else, then they found me this place in Streatham this Monday (September 30).
“It’s an absolute nightmare,” she said.
A neighbour even told Harlie that the previous tenants put up with the same problems yet the council still deemed it safe to move into.
Harlie, who experienced being homeless as a teenager said: “I saw things that no 16-year-old should have seen by living in these horrible places, and around a lot of concerning people.”
One night, she even slept in a police cell because she was so young.
She continued: “I feel like I’ve gone through so much but still, nobody is willing to give me and my kids somewhere stable and safe to live.”
Harlie’s eldest, Frankie, who has regular ADHD therapy needs extra care right now as he cannot attend school.
She said: “He needs that permanent stability.
“I go to Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS) three times a week with him, he is in intense therapy.
“There’s a shortage of ADHD medication at the moment, which means he’s not taking his medication.
“The school have said they can’t have him there any more because he had an issue with the teachers.
“Because of this I’m having him stay with me at home, but this is all going on at home and they’re expecting me to deal with all of this.
“It’s too much.”
Temporary accommodation or interim accommodation is organised by the council and exists for people who are at risk of becoming homeless.
People will live there until a permanent home can be found.
Harlie said: “They can make me move out in 24 hours because it’s classed as interim emergency accommodations.
“It’s not even temporary accommodation, it’s the lowest of the low basically.
“If they then decide I’m moving you again I will have to pack up all my stuff again.
“I’m in a constant state of not knowing what the hell I’m meant to be doing.”
Harlie feels she is experiencing “one problem after another” and the family “need to be in a set routine”.
She continued: “The kids also get a lack of attention as well, because my time feels like it’s constantly filled with emails to the council.”
Harlie feels the council don’t truly understand the trauma her family are experiencing.
She said: “I have so many letters from the GP, CAMHS, the school and social workers.
“Nothing like that seems to make a dent with them, nothing seems to help with me getting a more permanent place to stay.
“I don’t care where they place me, they could place me anywhere.
“However, because I’ve got them it makes it that much bit harder, especially with all of their requirements.”
In an attempt to secure a forever home, for the past nine years Harlie has bid for council housing via the local bidding system.
Each time she has been left empty handed.
She said: “I don’t understand why I haven’t been given that yet.
“I know everybody’s circumstances are different but it hurts.”
Harlie is also a trained teaching assistant and has qualified as a parent group leader for local children’s centres but due to Frankie’s needs and her housing situation, she’s had to put her career on hold.
She told MyLondon that having to move so much is putting pressure on her financially.
Having to pay for three moving vans in two weeks has left her with “no money left”, she said.
She hopes her new home will give the family the stability they need but fears it could result in yet another disappointment.
Harlie said: “I’m a good tenant, I’ve always looked after my properties.
“There just must be a mark against my name, because I constantly feel like I’m at the bottom of the pile.”
Croydon Council have been approached for a comment.
What to do if your temporary housing isn’t safe
TEMPORARY housing is somewhere to live in the short-term. Some people might have to live in temporary accommodation for years before councils make a final offer of housing.
Here are a list of problems which could cause the council to move you.
- You cannot afford it
- You are overcrowded
- It is in need of repairs or in poor condition
- It is hard to access because of a health condition or disability
- It is too far to travel to your workplace or your children’s schools
- You are at risk of things like domestic abuse or racial violence
If this happens, Shelter recommends to:
- Accept the offer for the property even if you don’t want to live there
- Tell the council why your house is unsuitable
Your council should offer your alternative housing if your home is deemed unsuitable.
Money
Brits risk being fined £1,000 by HMRC if they don’t take action TODAY
BRITS have just hours left to tell HMRC if they need to register to make a Self Assessment tax return.
You must tell the tax office by today, October 5 if you need to complete a tax return and have not sent one before.
The assessment is used by the government body to collect income tax.
This tax is usually deducted automatically from people’s wages, pensions and savings.
However, people and businesses with extra income must report it in a tax return.
It is worth noting that this is not the date you need to file your Self Assessment, just the date you need to register your intention to file.
If you are not sure whether you need to register you can complete a simple assessment on the gov.uk website.
It is particularly important to register this year especially if you sell clothes or other items on websites such as eBay or Vinted.
That is because since the beginning of 2024 firms like Vinted have to pass on customer data to HMRC if a user sells 30 or more items, or earns over £1,700, in a year.
While the reporting rules have changed, this is not a new tax.
Those who earn more than £1,000 outside their regular employment were already required to file a Self Assessment tax form with HMRC.
The deadline to submit the return for the 2023/24 tax year – and pay any tax you owe – is January 31, 2025 online.
But there’s an earlier deadline of October 31 this year if you file via post.
It is worth bearing in mind that HMRC will fine you £100 for failing to file your return by the deadline.
Then, a £10 daily fine applies every day you don’t submit your tax return.
When do I need to file a tax return?
It is not just online sellers who are required to fill out a tex return.
The rule applies to the following:
- Your income from self-employment was more than £1,000
- Earned more than £2,500 from renting out property
- You or your partner received high-income child benefits and either of you had an annual income of more than £60,000
- Received more than £2,500 in other untaxed income, for example from tips or commission
- Are limited company directors
- Are shareholders
- Are employees claiming expenses over £2,500
- Have an annual income over £100,000
You can register online via the GOV.UK website.
To register online you must log on to your business tax account on the HMRC website and select ‘Add a tax to your account to get online access to a tax, duty or scheme’.
If you do not already have sign in details, you’ll be able to create them when you sign in for the first time.
If you do not want to register online you must send a form to the following address: Self Assessment, HM Revenue and Customs,
BX9 1AN, United Kingdom.
After you submit your form you will then get a unique taxpayer reference code (UTR) and activation code from the HMRC.
It’s a 10-digit number and it might just be called a tax reference.
This tends to arrive in the post 15 days after you register for a tax return.
Upon receiving the UTR you can then file a Self Assessment tax return online via the GOV.UK website or by post.
If you file by post the deadline is October 31 2024.
However, if you file online you have up to January 31, 2025.
Check out our step-by-step guide on filling out a tax return here.
Do I need to pay tax on my side hustle income?
MANY people feeling strapped for cash are boosting their bank balance with a side hustle.
The good news is, there are plenty of simple ways to earn some additional income – but you need to know the rules.
When you’re employed the company you work for takes the tax from your earnings and pays HMRC so you don’t have to.
But anyone earning extra cash, for example from selling things online or dog walking, may have to do it themselves.
Stephen Moor, head of employment at law firm Ashfords, said: “Caution should be taken if you’re earning an additional income, as this is likely to be taxable.
“The side hustle could be treated as taxable trading income, which can include providing services or selling products.”
You can make a gross income of up to £1,000 a year tax-free via the trading allowance, but over this and you’ll usually need to pay tax.
Stephen added: “You need to register for a self-assessment at HMRC to ensure you are paying the correct amount of tax.
“The applicable tax bands and the amount of tax you need to pay will depend on your income.”
If you fail to file a tax return you could end up with a surprise bill from HMRC later on asking you to pay the tax you owe – plus extra fees on top.
Money
I was homeless and living in a tent after my parents kicked me out – now I’m worth £5MILLION
A FORMER homeless man who lived in a tent after his parent kicked him out revealed that he is now worth a whopping £5million.
Adam Pope transformed his life after admitting that he often found himself in trouble during his youth.
The now-millionaire would regularly host illegal raves and joyride in cars.
He was no stranger to the police who almost threw him in jail after he was caught driving whilst disqualified several times.
Despite his illegal activities, Adam claimed that his parents did everything they could to keep him on the right path.
He said: “I came from a good background; my parents are still together. It’s not like I came from a broken home.”
However, at the age of 20, he was kicked out of his family home in Bolton after his parents became fed up with his behaviour.
Adam began sofa surfing at friends’ houses, but unfortunately, their parents soon grew tired of his disruptive behaviour as well.
He told Manchester Evening News: “I was on a self-destructive trail.
“I’ve always been a nice person – I was never a bad person – I just never knew why I was going down this path or what the cause was.”
With nowhere left to turn, he was forced to sleep on the streets where he would walk for hours “just to pass the time”.
He added: “By the end of the night, I would have walked 20 miles instead of going to sleep.”
Fearing for his safety on the streets, Adam would sleep in his parents’ back garden, ensuring he was out of sight by the time they woke up.
The millionaire Brit added: “I was paranoid about staying in the same place for any length of time.
“I would rarely stay in the same place every night. It became challenging.”
Eventually, he managed to take a tent from their garage, which he used to camp in a local woodland.
Despite his homelessness, Adam continued to attend college to finish his business course.
Anything and everything would freak you out
Adam Pope
A lecturer confronted him about it after rumours about his living conditions spread.
“I had gone to college and I wasn’t far from finishing,” he said.
“I got there and one of my tutors went, ‘I heard you’re sleeping in a tent in the woods’.
“I got back from college and the very few belongings I had left had been stolen along with my assignments that were due in a few weeks. I couldn’t finish college.”
Adam slept rough for a total of six months, during which he recalled how terrifying “sleeping in the woods” can be.
He added: “All sorts go through your mind. There are all sorts of characters about.
“It was the winter and it was freezing. Anything and everything would freak you out.
“You could hear shuffling about and you would think, ‘What was that?’ and quickly get back in your tent.
“Sleeping was never a thing. You couldn’t switch off properly.
“But I knew I was better off in the tent compared to some of the other places I was in.”
BACK ON TRACK
Fortunately, Adam’s grandma learned about his situation and offered him a place to stay with her.
With a roof over his head, he began trying to get his life back on track and even managed to find employment.
However, it was short-lived after he was fired from several jobs over poor punctuality and other issues.
Failing to hold down jobs, his dad allowed him to work in his business as a tea boy.
This proved to be a humbling moment for the now 43-year-old, who decided he wanted more out of life.
At the age of 27, Adam started a financial services dispute company before going on to launch Spencer Churchill five years later, a law firm based in Bolton.
The company specialises in corporate law, commercial mediation, dispute resolution, employment law, real estate, intellectual property and private client services.
Incredibly, the business now turns over £5million.
Although the business is already hugely successful, Adam has no intention of slowing down – aiming to scale the firm even further in both revenue and size.
But the entrepreneur says he probably wouldn’t be in his position today if it weren’t for the hardships he’s had to overcome in life.
“It’s not where you started, it’s where you finish,” he added
“I’ve had a very difficult early few years. It would have ruined a lot of people.”
Homelessness help
HERE is some useful information if you are homeless or know someone who is experiencing homelessness.
FIRST CONTACT
If you or someone you know is sleeping rough you can use the alert Streelink service to help connect them with outreach services: www.thestreetlink.org.uk/start
FOOD
You can find free food stations via:
The Pavement – for food and soup runs: www.thepavement.org.uk/services
Homeless Link – for day centres: www.homeless.org.uk
The Trussell Trust – for food banks: www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/
Food Cycle – for food services – www.foodcycle.org.uk/free-food-locations/
HOUSING
Councils have a duty to help people who are homeless or facing homelessness. Contact the Housing Options team from the council you have a local connection to and see if they can offer:
- Emergency accommodation – a place in a shelter or a hostel
- Longer-term accommodation including independent or social housing
Visit: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
During times of severe cold or heat, local councils have special accommodation known as Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). Find out more here: www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
For advice, support or legal services related to housing visit www.shelter.co.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
You can also contact Crisis: www.crisis.org.uk/get-help/
For housing advice, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 or visit: www.shelter.org.uk.
DAY CENTRES
Day centres can help by providing internet access, free or cheap food, shower and laundry facilities, safe storage for belongings, phone charging and clothes, toiletries or sleeping bags.
They can also help with services for benefits or immigration advice; health support; finding work; educational or social activities; hostel, night shelter or outreach referrals.
Centres can be found through Homeless Link: www.homeless.org.uk/
BENEFITS
Normally you can claim Universal Credit if you are sleeping on the streets or staying in a hostel. If you are in a hostel, you can claim Housing Benefit to help with rent. You do not need a fixed address or a bank account.
USEFUL CONTACTS
Crisis – visit: www.crisis.org.uk or call 0300 636 1967.
Shelter – visit: www.shelter.org.uk or call 0808 800 4444.
Centrepoint (for people aged 16-25) – visit: www.centrepoint.org.uk or call 0808 800 0661.
St Mungo’s (Bath, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Christchurch, Leicester, Oxford, Poole and Reading) – visit: www.mungos.org or call 020 3856 6000.
Depaul UK (for young people) – visit: https://www.depaul.org.uk/ or call 0207 939 1220.
Citizen’s Advice (legal advice) – visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call 0345 404 0506.
The Samaritans (health and wellbeing) – www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan or call 116 123.
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