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On This Day: Historical UK49s Lunchtime Results for 21 February (2019-2024)

As a UK49s player, you know that winning combines strategy, luck, and timing. Many believe that analyzing past results gives an edge in future draws. In this article, we’ll explore UK49s Lunchtime results for 21 February from 2019 to 2024, looking for trends that may inspire your next strategy. While past results can offer insights, […]

The post On This Day: Historical UK49s Lunchtime Results for 21 February (2019-2024) appeared first on Political Analysis South Africa.

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Hot and Cold Numbers: Russia Gosloto 6/45 Morning Predictions for Friday, 21 February 2025

Below are the current Hot and Cold Numbers based on the most recent 20 Russia Gosloto 6/45 Morning draws, which you can consider for today’s predictions. Analyzing Hot and Cold Numbers is a common lottery strategy. Players often choose Hot Numbers, which appear frequently, or Cold Numbers, expecting the less frequent ones to show up […]

The post Hot and Cold Numbers: Russia Gosloto 6/45 Morning Predictions for Friday, 21 February 2025 appeared first on Political Analysis South Africa.

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Amber Ray praises Hamisa Mobetto’s lavish wedding and says she’s rethinking her own plans

Kenyan social media influencer and entrepreneur Faith Makau widely known as Amber Ray has expressed her admiration for Tanzanian model Hamisa Mobetto’s grand white wedding. Speaking in a video posted on her Instagram account, Amber Ray admitted that the lavish union has made her reconsider her wedding plans pointing out that she was supposed to […]

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Embattled CS Muturi launches fresh attack on govt amid push to eject him from office

Embattled Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has once again launched a scathing critique of President William Ruto’s administration, intensifying speculation about his future in government amid mounting calls for his resignation. Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Labour on Thursday, February 20, 2025, to present and deliberate on the 2025 Budget Policy […]

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Major coffee shop with over 2,000 locations stuns locals by axing popular store

A HIGH street coffee chain with more than 2,000 branches is pulling the shutters down on another location following a string of recent closures.

Costa Coffee is shutting down its outlet in a seaside town leaving local fans disappointed .

Costa Coffee sign, established 1971.
Getty
Costa is closing a store in Yorkshire[/caption]

Bridlington, Yorkshire will lose its coffee shop next month with no reason given.

Local reports called the move a blow for the town.

A spokeswoman for Costa Coffee confirmed the closure.

She told The Sun: “We can confirm that our franchise-owned and operated Costa Coffee store on King Street, Bridlington, will close its doors for trade on Sunday March 2 2025.

“All team members have been offered re-deployment opportunities.”

Franchising is when independent operators run a stores managing the shop independently but under the Costa name.

Single stores such as these may close due to dwindling footfall or because the lease on the building has come to an end among other reasons.

The cafe is likely to be missed with a number of glowing reviews of the left on Google.

One recent one said: “Since this place has had a new manager it’s been awesome. The service is amazing now. Can’t fault it. It always seems clean now. The manager is super friendly and nothing is too much trouble.

“If there is anything wrong with your order then just tell him and he’ll sort it.”

Another said: “Friendly staff, clean environment and a lovely coffee.”

Costa fans in the area can use the store locator tool on its website to find their nearest cafe following the closure at costa.co.uk/locations/store-locator.

It comes after Costa closed the following branches last year

  • Packhorse Road, Buckinghamshire
  • King Street, Maidstone, Kent
  • Chiswick High Road, London
  • Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh
  • Rottingdean, Brighton and Cove
  • Erdington High Street, Birmingham
  • Cheltenham (inside House of Fraser)
  • Stockton Heath, Warrington
  • High Street West, Uppingham
  • Fleet Walk, Burnley
  • Alexandra retail park, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent

And this year Costa has also closed its store in Lyndhurst in the New Forest.

However, there are still more than 2,000 locations across the UK, plus express vending machines which can be found in branches of Tesco, Spar and Shell.

Earlier this month Costa announced that vending machines would start to serve tea for the first time.

Costa Coffee loyalty scheme perks

COSTA Club members can get early access to new menus among other perks.

To join download the Costa Coffee app, it’s free to download via the Apple app store or Google Play store.

Stamps can be collected in any of the chain’s 2,800 coffee shops, as well as around 12,000 machines in petrol stations and convenience stores. 

You can get stamps for spending in store and using a reusable cup.

You get a free drink after collecting ten stamps, or beans as they are called.

For a small latte, at £3.50, it’s £35 to get a free coffee.

Those going to a Costa store can earn an additional bean with a reusable cup, so that cuts the outlay down to £17.50 or buying five coffees.

  • How it works: 1 drink purchased = 1 bean, 10 beans = free drink
  • Small latte cost: £3.50
  • Number of drinks to hit target: 10
  • Cost for a ‘free’ coffee: £35
  • Reusable cup bonus: Yes, one extra bean

You also get free cake on your birthday.

And back in August, the chain shook up its loyalty card scheme.

Members of Costa Club now get one “bean” point for every drink they order – and get two if they bring in a reusable cup.

Bean points, are virtual stamps that Costa Coffee Club members earn for every drink they purchase. 

Shops, pubs and restaurants have faced tough times in recent years thanks to rising prices such as rent and energy bills.

Costa Coffee isn’t the first outlet to close in Bridlington with NatWest bank also recently closing in the area.

What is happening to the hospitality industry?

By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter

MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.

Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.

Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.

Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.

Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.

Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.

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Urgent warning over QR code scam tricking drivers out of £100s at popular beach car park – how to spot the dangers

URGENT warnings have been issued over a QR code scam, tricking drivers out of hundreds at a car park.

Motorists in Southend-on-Sea have been urged to not scan the fraudulent codes which have popped up on some car park signage.

Car park in Southend with pay stations.
Google Mpas
Urgent warnings have been issued over a QR code scam, tricking drivers out of hundreds at a car park[/caption]
Southend car park.
Google Mpas
Motorists in Southend-on-Sea have been urged to not scan the fraudulent codes[/caption]

The City Council said it had already removed around a whopping 100 falsified QR codes since Tuesday evening alone.

The local authority assured residents that it didn’t use QR codes on any of its parking machines, parking signs or for any pay-by-phone mobile apps.

This means those looking to park should be wary of the QR codes.

It addd that adverts for the Southend Pass were the only exception.

Labour council leader Daniel Cowan has warned Southend-on-Sea residents of the scam.

He told the BBC: “We just want to encourage people to be vigilant.”

The council also said it was aware of a second sneaky scam, where people had been sent text messages claiming they had got a penalty charge notice (PCN).

A council spokesperson said: “Southend-on-Sea City Council will never text you about a PCN.

“Please ignore these texts and do not click the link to make a payment.”

Sadly, the scam, which is known as “quishing”, has become commonplace across the UK and sees grifters placing QR code stickers on parking machines to fleece victims’ bank accounts.

Anyone who scans these square barcodes to pay for a parking ticket using their phone or to visit a website address is instead directed to a site or app run by scammers.

In recent times, councils up and down the country have been scrapping archaic pay and display meters in favour of ‘pay by app’ systems.

This move has been accelerated by mobile phone providers switching off 3G data networks, on which some parking machines operate.

But experts are concerned this could be leaving drivers vulnerable to scammers.

Speaking last year, Ian Taylor, director of the Alliance of British Drivers consumer body, said: “Parking is becoming not just overpriced and difficult to operate — and in some places in short supply — but now at risk from crime too.

“It also highlights once again the need to stop being so reliant on apps.

“At the very least, credit or debit card payment should be available as well.”

Another man looking to park his car was scammed last year when he was asked to pay a 90p fee to verify his bank details in order to make the payment.

But he alleged that he was then charged £39 to subscribe to the app without being informed about it.

Photographer Milton Howarth, from Garforth, Yorkshire, told BBC Radio 4: “You’ve got to be extra, extra careful.

“This is quite a clever scam.

“It raises the question of how this company is being allowed to continue to openly steal from people.

“They are preying on people, many of them, like myself, getting on in years.

“These stickers should not be allowed to remain on parking meters.”

How to avoid fake QR codes

  • Check for tampering: Look for signs that the code has been placed over the original
  • Check the URL: Make sure the website address is legitimate and matches the website on the parking sign
  • Use the official app: Use the official app or website for secure payments
  • Manually enter the URL: If you’re unsure, manually enter the URL into your browser instead of scanning the QR code

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