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How Cheltenham Festival 2025 drink prices compare to previous years as fans left stunned at price of a pint of Guinness

HORSE RACING fans have been left livid at the price of a pint at Cheltenham Festival.

The esteemed event kicks off today at Cheltenham Racecourse and runs until Friday.

Cheltenham Festival drink price list.
Punters were left livid with Cheltenham Festival’s drink prices
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Three jockeys on horseback at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Cheltenham Festival 2025 kicks off this year and runs until Friday
Getty

Punters poured in for the 2025 edition, but many are now talking about the staggering drinks prices.

A pint of Guinness and Doom Bar sell for an eye-watering £7.80 while premium lager costs a whopping £7.40.

Single spirits will set you back between £7.20 and 7.30, while wine enthusiasts will have to cough up £9.70.

And soft drinks come in at £3.10 for those who like to take it easy at Cheltenham.

Those high prices didn’t sit well with a number of Sun readers who took to social media to give a piece of their mind.

One commented: “Total rip off.”

Another posted: “Absolutely a joke.”

A third wrote: “Daylight robbery!”

Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets

This reader said: “Ridiculously expensive, you pay less in central London.”

And that one stated: “It’s cheaper at JAKS.”

Nevertheless, the price of draught beer has gone down by 10pm compared to last year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The wine prices have remained the same, while spirits cost between £7 and £7.60 in 2024.

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I bought two leather sofas off Facebook marketplace for £40 and gave them the ultimate glow up by PAINTING them

WE’RE all looking for ways to save cash at the moment, whether it’s the food shop, our wardrobe, or redecorating the house.

And one savvy woman has revealed how she upcycled two second-hand sofas for her new home cinema room.

Brown leather two-seater sofa.
Facebook/diyonabudgetofficial
Zoe Ellwood bought two sofas for just 340 on facebook Marketplace[/caption]
Black leather two-seater sofa.
Facebook/diyonabudgetofficial
She was able to transform them with a lick of paint[/caption]

Taking to social media, the bargain hunter revealed that she managed to grab two leather sofas from Facebook Marketplace for just £40.

She said: “Picked up these couches on marketplace for a home cinema project for £40. “

But the sofas, which were a dark brown leather, didn’t quite fit her colour scheme, so she came up with the idea to paint them.

Zoe decided to paint them black for her cinema room and was left stunned by the results.

She shared pictures of the before and after of the sofas on the Facebook group, DIY On A Budget Official, to prove just how good it looked.

The DIY whizz added: “For those fearing leather paint… DO IT! DO IT NOW!!!”

Zoe revealed that she purchased two bottles of the LCD leather dye and sealer in black for £20 a bottle.

And it looks to have worked well from her pictures, which showed a nice even coat of black paint with no streaks.

She even noted that she had lots of dye left over to use in other places around the house.

The simple DIY task took Zoe just an hour to complete each couch.

“Latex glove and a sock. Four coats. Hair dried in between each coat,” she responded to one person who asked how she used it.

“Took about an hour for each couch.”

The post was a hit on the group, which boasts 2.2 million members, and people were quick to congratulate her on the new look.

One person wrote: “Looks fab!”

Eight Easy DIY Tips & Tricks

The ultimate guide for homeowners and renters:

Another commented: “Thanks for posting! I’ve just bought a chair I need to do. I was looking at this companies product but not this one. Will give this a go.”

“Looks pukka,” penned a third.

Someone else added: “Looks so good!”

Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: [email protected] and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.

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We ditched the UK for Lanzarote with our 2 kids – life in Britain is Groundhog Day & we’re saving hundreds on bills

A COUPLE who moved their family from the UK to Lanzarote have shared their experience so far.

The pair, who hail from Belfast, were motivated to emigrate by sunnier weather and a cheaper lifestyle.

Family with two children standing by luggage before moving from Belfast to Lanzarote.
TikTok user Kathleen moved from Belfast to Lanzarote with her husband and two sons
TikTok/kathb2024

In her viral video, TikTok user Kathleen Burke (@kathb2024) took her followers along as she and her husband made the big move with their two sons.

She amassed 826,000 views as she chronicled the transition to the “chilled” Lanzarote life.

The mum-of-two explained that her family had holidayed on the island in the past and had enjoyed the “relaxed way of living”.

Kathleen revealed that she had grown sick of the “horrendous” weather at home, pointing out how expensive it was to entertain her children with indoor activities.

She described the repetitive nature of her life in Belfast as being like Groundhog Day.

They decided to seek out a sunnier location, where they could enjoy bike rides, beach days, walks, and trips to the park on a regular basis.

She explained how she and her husband were “very impulsive” after enjoying a sunny holiday in early 2024 and booked their family one way flights to Lanzarote in late June.

They chose Lanzarote as they were familiar with the island from previous trips and liked how “clean and chilled” it was.

Another huge draw for the family is the significantly cheaper cost of living.

“The bills are a lot cheaper than we’d pay back home,” Kathleen explained.

“Some of the bills you wouldn’t even pay that you would back home, like gas is just one of things because you do not have your heating on.”

Kathleen took a job in hospitality while her husband was offered a position as a delivery driver.

They enrolled their children in the local school, where they are learning to speak Spanish fluently.

And while the family are loving their experience right now, they aren’t opposed to the idea of returning to the North of Ireland.

Kathleen explained that they are just seeing how things go during their first year living abroad.

How easy is it to move abroad?

Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving:

  • Notify HMRC about your upcoming move.
  • Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address.
  • Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving.
  • If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad – contact the International Pension Centre.
  • You can sign up to the Royal Mail’s redirection service.
  • If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre.
  • If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools.

She revealed that they kept their home in Belfast and are in a long-term rental in Lanzarote.

TikTok users shared their thoughts on the family’s move in the comments section.

One impressed viewer praised the couple, telling them the move was “so brave of you both”.

“That’s great and you both got work out there, wishing you and your family a happy adventure,” said another follower.

“Good luck guys, it must be great to finally be there now. Enjoy the weather and the outdoors and just relaxing,” commented a third person.

“Looks amazing, best of luck your new adventure,” wrote another TikTok user. 

Kathleen and her family moved to Lanzarote in June 2024

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What will you win in Fabulous Bingo’s topsy-turvy bingo games?

JOIN Fabulous Bingo for games of Mish Mash Bingo.

Have you played Mish Mash Bingo before?

NEW FABULOUS BINGO PLAYERS CAN CLAIM A £50 BINGO BONUS AND 60 FREE SPINS*

In these crazy games, Fabulous Bingo are changing all of the rules when it comes to bingo prize sizes, meaning the 1L prize could be bigger and better than the full house!

These games will be awarding fantastic prizes of cash and gifts such as air fryers, jewellery, waffle makers and hampers.

What you’ll win and which winner in the base game will bag the top prize is a mystery.

Come and check it out for yourself for a topsy-turvy, higgledy-piggledy, mish mash bingo session.

FABULOUS BINGO HOST 40 FREE GAMES EVERY DAY

Who?

Those cordially invited to these games must be Fabulousbingo.co.uk registered players, UK and ROI residents and aged 18+ years old (registration and ID verification are required).

What?

Fabulous Bingo are hosting Mish Mash Bingo games for all eligible players.

I PLAYED WITH £10 ON FABULOUS BINGO – HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED

As well as meeting the criteria above, those looking to have their world turned upside down in these wacky games must deposit £10 into their Fabulous Bingo account and spend £15 on site each week that they want to qualify for the next Mish Mash session.

Once you do that, you’ll be invited to play for free in the next Mish Mash games night.

While the tickets are free, the prizes are real cash wins and gifts!

There’s £5, £10 and a Mish Mash prize up for grabs in each game.

However, we don’t know what order they’ll be won in.

GET FREE TICKETS FOR A BINGO GAME WORTH £100,000

It means our 1L winner could walk away with a prize grander than the full house winner (although, any bingo win is still an exciting time!)

Please be aware that only cash stakes on bingo tickets will contribute towards the £15 stake requirement to be eligible for Mish Mash games.

Qualifying players will get access to the hosting room 10 minutes before the first game.

There is a limit of six tickets per player per game in the hosting room.

CHECK OUT THE ANIMAL-THEMED GAMES ON OFFER

Illustration of a woman reacting excitedly to a bingo game promotion.

When?

The Mish Mash sessions play out each Monday during the promotional period.

To play in the Monday 10th March games, players must qualify between Monday 3rd March and Sunday 9th March.

To play in the Monday 17th March games, players must qualify between Monday 10th March and Sunday 16th March.

Have your carriage drop you off at 7pm for the start of the games and be ready to be collected at 8pm when the session closes.

TAKE A DAILY FREE SPIN ON THE ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS WHEEL

Where?

The only room grand enough for an occasion such as this fine event is of course the Ballroom Bingo Room.

Why?

We know what the prizes are and how great they’ll be to win. We know that our players love a game of Mish Mash Bingo.

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY RAINBOW RICHES?

If you’re still reading by this point, we know you like the sound of these games and probably want to get involved.

What we don’t know is which of our games’ lucky winners will be the luckiest of all and walk away with the big gift prizes.

Remember the rhyme first the worst, second the best and so on?

Well, in these games, maybe second prize will be the best… maybe first prize won’t be the worst… maybe it’ll play out like a traditional game and the full house prize will be the biggest.

There’s so much we don’t know but it’s going to be very exciting finding out!

PLAY IN THE NEWBIE ROOM WHILE YOU LEARN THE ROPES

You could be Mish Mash winning cash in no time with these weekly sessions.

How do I get my prize?

Prize money will be paid out immediately after the game(s) have finished.

In the event of more than one winner, winnings will be equally shared.

Players who win the Mish Mash prize will be sent a code and link to the Fabulous Bingo prize website within seven days of winning via email.

TRIPLE WHAMMY GAMES HAVE THREE JACKPOTS ON OFFER

Winners will have 28 days to claim their prize after receiving the winners’ email.

Players will need to follow the link from the email, confirm the address is in the UK, and accept the terms. Select their prize and fill in the information required to deliver the respective prize.

Please allow up to 28 days for delivery of prizes.

In order to fulfil the prize, the details entered to the prize claim site will be shared with amazon.co.uk and or Brand Matters, our approved prize supplier. By claiming the prize players are accepting these terms.

OVER £125,000 IS WON IN BINGO LINX GAMES EVERY WEEK

It is a customer’s responsibility to ensure that they have the correct details added to their accounts to ensure they receive prize claim emails.

Failure to so this could result in the loss of a prize.

It is a customer’s responsibility to enter the correct details for delivery and be able to accept the delivery at that address within the 28-day delivery window.

Prizes are subject to change throughout the campaign due to availability with amazon.co.uk.

WHAT WILL YOU WIN IN THESE MISH MASH GAMES?

*New customers only. Deposit £10 for 60 free spins on selected games (accept within 48 hours wager winnings 20x within 7 days) and spend £10 on bingo tickets for £50 bingo bonus on any of our bingo rooms (accept and wager bonus 4x within 7 days). Only completed games are credited. Debit cards only. Offer ends 30.04.25. 18+. T&Cs apply.

**Offer runs between 24.02.2025 and 16.03.2025. Deposit £10 and stake £15 in cash each week on bingo tickets to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Remember to gamble responsibly 

A responsible gambler is someone who: 

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing 
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose 
  • Never chases their losses 
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed 
  • Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk 
  • Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org 

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. 

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

About the author

Katrina Vasey - Bingo Editor, The Sun

After graduating from Southampton University with a degree in English Literature, Katrina Vasey worked as a Content Editor for Law Business Research’s publication the International Law Office. Katrina joined The Sun in 2022 as the Bingo Editor, covering the four gaming platforms: Sun BingoFabulous BingoSun Vegas and Fabulous Vegas

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I’m a model – everyone should ditch thongs for Bridget Jones granny pants like me

A MODEL has urged women ditch thongs for granny pants after being inspired by Bridget Jones. 

Nova Jewels, from Dundee, was influenced by the iconic movie character after watching actress Renee Zellweger reprise the role again in the latest flick.

Woman in teal lingerie smiling on a couch.
Nova is ditching thongs for granny pants after seeing Bridget Jones.
Selfie of a person with orange hair taking a picture of themself with a phone.
She thinks the classic styles are sexy too.
A woman holding up a pair of underwear to cover her face.
Alamy
The pants were made famous by Renee Zellweger’s character.[/caption]

The rom-com is famous for celebrating her large knickers.

But Nova, 28, says choosing comfort is no laughing matter – as big briefs can be sexy too.

She said: “Bridget Jones panties are so classically sexy. 

“I used to be thong obsessed but wearing proper pants, or ‘granny pants’ as some may say, makes me feel just as sexy.

“Everyone is going to be seeing me prancing around in them a whole lot more on my social media.”

She added: “I love bringing back lingerie and fashion from back in the day or from the golden oldies era.

“It always gives me a buzz the way that style comes and goes but everything always comes back at one point.”

The OnlyFans creator recently criticised her fellow adult star Lily Phillips.

The under-fire porn actress, 23, shocked the public when she filmed herself having sex with 100 fellas in 24 hours.

Nova said: “It’s definitely not safe and this is why I’m adamant the industry has to be changed from 18 plus to 25 plus.

“I think girls like her give the industry a terrible name. And it’s puts me off being associated with the industry in any way, shape or form.

“It’s over the top, screams desperation when it comes to publicity, and I don’t understand why anybody would want to set themselves that type of challenge.

“I can’t wrap my head around and find it completely and utterly bizarre. I don’t understand what is wrong with these people.”

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How MILK is key to making sure your clothes & sheets don’t have fake tan stains & it won’t leave you smelling ‘gone off’

AS the days get longer and warmer, many of us are reaching for the self-tanner to get that sun-kissed glow without the UV exposure. 

However, while fake tan is great for achieving a golden tan, it often comes with the frustrating downside of staining your bedsheets. 

Spray tan application.
Getty
Fake tan sales soar in spring season[/caption]

In fact, fake tan-related stains on bedding are a common problem – one that’s on the rise as more people embrace their springtime glow.

According to research, fake tan sales increase by 25% around springtime. 

It’s no surprise that with the increase in product sales, Google Trends shows a 9900% spike in searches for “fake tan on bedsheets.” 

Thankfully, you don’t need to buy expensive stain removers – just head to your kitchen cupboard.

While dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the active ingredient in most self-tanning products, is colourless, the added guide colour or dye is usually to blame for staining your sheets. 

This colorant helps you apply the tan evenly, but unfortunately, it can transfer onto your fabric and leave stubborn marks.

Here, sleep expert Martin Seeley from MattressNextDay shares five easy tips to remove fake tan stains.

Baking Soda and White Vinegar

The classic baking soda and vinegar combo is an incredibly effective stain remover.

Sprinkle baking soda directly on the stained area, then pour white vinegar over it.

The fizzing action will help lift the tan from the fabric.

Let it sit for 15 minutes, then toss your sheets in the washing machine as usual.

Lemon Juice and Salt

Lemon juice naturally lightens stains, while salt provides gentle abrasion to lift the fake tan.

Mix fresh lemon juice with a teaspoon of salt, rub it gently into the stain, and then place your sheets in direct sunlight for a little extra power.

Afterward, wash as usual for a tan-free result.

Dish Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide

A combination of dishwashing liquid and hydrogen peroxide makes for a powerful stain-busting duo.

Mix equal parts of both, apply to the stained area, and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Rinse with cold water before tossing it in the washing machine for a fresh, clean finish.

Milk Soak

Milk in a miniature metal bucket.
Getty
Milk helps get rid of those tough fake tan stains[/caption]

Though it may sound odd, soaking your sheets in milk can help dissolve stubborn fake tan stains.

Submerge the stained area in a bowl of milk and let it soak for at least an hour.

The lactic acid in milk gently breaks down the tan residue, making it easier to wash out.

Bicarbonate of Soda Paste

For older stains that have already set in, create a paste with bicarbonate of soda and a small amount of water. 

Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then gently scrub the area before washing your sheets. 

This method works wonders on tougher, more persistent marks.

Fabulous' £10 Fake Tan Test

FINDING the perfect fake tan isn’t easy. That's why Fabulous tested a number of fake tans which cost less than £10..

*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue

Superdrug Solait Self Tan Mousse Medium – £4.79 (was £5.99) Buy Now

  • Tester: Abby Wilson, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer
  • Review: “This product give a very natural looking tan and if you wanted something a bit bolder, I’d suggest leaving it on longer or choosing a darker shade. I’m impressed with the results, but now my entire room stinks of the stuff.  If you’re on a budget and want a tan for last-minute plans, I would say this is one to try. “

bBold Dream Mousse Tan in Dark – £9.50 Buy Now

  • Tester: Josie O’Brien, Senior Fabulous Digital Writer 
  • Review: “The first thing that hit me about this tan was the “juicy watermelon” scent – it’s delicious. I was left with a natural bronze hue rather than orange glow. My only qualm is that the tan seemed to stick to my dry patches and accentuated ‘strawberry skin’ on my legs. I’m still adding this tan to my arsenal though – the smell, colour and texture are dreamy.”

St Moriz Professional Medium Tanning Mousse – £4.99 Buy Now

  • Tester:  Kate Kulniece, Fabulous Writer
  • Review: “Not only does St Moriz mousse leave you with a gorgeous bronzed glow, but it also smells fabulous – think Piña Colada on a sunny beach. At first, I was a little bit sceptical cause I’m a gradual fake tan girlie, but this quick developing St. Moriz number may change it all.”

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe interview: Ten takeaways from ‘grumpy’ Sir Alex Ferguson meeting, Man Utd squad blast & Amorim verdict

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE laid bare the huge problems facing Manchester United in a series of bombshell interviews on Monday.

The Ineos chief, who bought a minority share in the club just over a year ago, addressed a range of topics.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe in conversation with Gary Neville.
X/SkySportsPL
Sir Jim Ratcliffe addressed a number of topics since his arrival at Man Utd[/caption]

These included the shocking performances on the pitch, the unpopular decisions he has made with regards to cost-cutting and the errors already made since his arrival.

We have looked at ten of the main takeaways from Ratcliffe’s candid set of interviews.

Squad ‘not good enough’

Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United reacts after a missed shot.
Getty
Ratcliffe blasted the squad as ‘not good enough’ and highlighted five stars not up to scratch[/caption]

Ratcliffe, 70, made it clear in no uncertain terms he doesn’t think the current playing squad are up to scratch.

The British Billionaire said: “Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.”

He named five playersAntony, Andre Onana, Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho – who his team “had to buy” when he invested in the club due to the significant fees and wages splashed out on these stars.

The huge fees paid out for increasingly poor returns have been one of the driving forces of United being in the mess it is in.

However, Ratcliffe believed progress was slowly happening with summer signings like Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt.

He added “fantastic” stars such as Bruno Fernandes would be needed to emerge from this darker period.

Cheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets

Running out of cash by Xmas

Manchester United fans protesting the Glazers' ownership.
Getty
Poor ownership has left the club on the brink of financial ruin, with Ratcliffe claiming Man Utd would have run out of cash by Christmas[/caption]

Man Utd have a huge cash problem. That is a fact which is well documented and in the public record.

However, the severity of the issue from years of negligence under the ownership of majority owners, the Glazers, was laid bare by Ratcliffe with a stunning claim the club was set to run out of money by Christmas without drastic cost-cutting measures.

He told the BBC: “The simple answer is the club runs out of money at Christmas if we don’t do those things,” before adding to The Telegraph: “It (United) goes bust at Christmas (without change).”

That claim of United ceasing to exist is a little wide of the truth, although the comment about the lack of cash is true, with Ratcliffe putting in $300m (£232.72m) since arriving which has left the club with £74m in cash.

What he thinks of Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim, Manchester United manager, instructing players.
Rex
Ruben Amorim has the full backing of Ratcliffe and the management team despite less than ideal results[/caption]

Amid the raft of issues at United, Ratcliffe does not believe Ruben Amorim is one of them, and insists he will be at Man Utd “for a long time”.

United sit 14th in the Premier League under the former Sporting Lisbon with his arrival in November not providing the uplift in form many would have hoped for.

Ratcliffe said of the 40-year-old: “I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He’s an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.

“You are beginning to see a glimpse of what Ruben can produce. Ruben is doing a super job…

“He is, as most great coaches are, an emotional character. Ruben is not perfect but I am a great supporter of Ruben.”

Ratcliffe also revealed Amorim is no-pushover and is willing to tell him to “f*** off” when they meet up.

Meeting with Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson at a Premier League match.
Getty
Sir Alex Ferguson was left ‘grumpy’ after being told the club could not afford to continue paying him[/caption]

One of the most controversial decisions made since Ratcliffe’s arrival was the ending of a multi-million pound commitment to Sir Alex Ferguson, which Ratcliffe said left Fergie “grumpy” to begin with.

He said: “I sat down with (Sir) Alex, just the two of us in the room and I said, ‘Look, the club isn’t where you may think it is.

“It is spending more than it’s earning and we’re going to finish up in some difficulties. Honestly, we can’t really afford to continue to pay you £2m a year’.

“I said I’m going to ‘leave it with you, let you have a think about it’. It was very grown-up.

“Maybe a little bit grumpy at the beginning but he got it, and he came back three days later, after talking to his son, and said, ‘Fine, I’m going to step away from it. My decision’.

“I think it reflects really well on Alex, because he put the club before himself.”

How much club still owe on transfers

Jadon Sancho of Chelsea in a blue jersey.
Rex
Ratcliffe revealed the club will have to pay £89m on transfers next summer even if they do not sign a single player[/caption]

Ratcliffe revealed on The Overlap that Man Utd would be signing a cheque of £89m for player transfers this summer, even if they did not sign a single player.

He lamented huge fees still owed for big investments on players before he arrived, including making an example of a £17m payment still to be made for Sancho in the summer.

Indeed the five names he explicitly mentioned have combined transfer fees of well over £300m.

He said: “These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out.”

The staggering fees owed on transfers is one of the main reasons the club are losing money year on year, with savage cost-cutting decisions being made.

Cutting free lunches

Empty Old Trafford stadium before a soccer match.
Reuters
Ratcliffe’s decision to cut free lunches for staff at Man Utd was very controversial[/caption]

The swathe of cost-cuts made at Man Utd since Ineos arrived have most notably included the removal of free lunches for staff.

His philosophy of “you look after the pennies, the pounds look after themselves” may ring true in other forms of business, but at a financial juggernaut like Man Utd it seems a bit extreme.

Ratcliffe said: “At INEOS, we run a lean organisation. As my mother said, you look after the pennies, the pounds look after themselves.

“We can sound flippant about free lunches but if you give all these perks, first-class train fares, free taxis, it’s not coherent. It goes bust at Christmas.”

Awkward chat with Neville over £40k cut to ex-players

Sir Jim Ratcliffe in conversation with Gary Neville.
Youtube @TheOverlap
Gary Neville left Ratcliffe looking visibly uncomfortable when grilling him about the £40,000 donation to the Former Players Association[/caption]

Probably the most damning showing of Ratcliffe in the interview, he was visibly uncomfortable when discussing the £40,000 donation to the Former Players Association with Gary Neville on The Overlap.

Neville asked why, if the club could not afford the payment, they had not arranged for a major star like Fernandes or Harry Maguire to have a fund-raising dinner for the organisation.

Like a scene out of The Office, Ratcliffe responded by saying no one had thought of it but he would have supported it and would reconsider the decision in the future.

Neville responded by saying that “alarms” him, and it was the most damning reflection of the new management team at United so far.

Body language consultant – Ratcliffe’s ‘bugbear’

Sir Jim Ratcliffe in conversation with Gary Neville.
Youtube @TheOverlap
Ratcliffe emphasised the need for cost cuts with United having some staff he deemed unnecessary[/caption]

While Ratcliffe has taken some flak for the brutal cost-cuts done at United since his arrival, in some cases he believes those decisions are more than worthwhile for what he deems are unnecessary roles.

During his interview he highlighted the club having a “body language consultant” on £175,000 a year, almost scoffing at the suggestion such a role could be useful.

Admitting Ten Hag and Ashworth error

Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United.
Getty
Ratcliffe admits the costly decisions to sack Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth were ‘errors’[/caption]

For all the cost-cutting Ratcliffe and his team have done since arriving, there is also the very expensive “errors” made from the decisions to bring in Dan Ashworth and also to keep Erik ten Hag.

The decisions to sack the pair and then bring in Amorim cost around £20m – which is a whole lot of free lunches – though he insisted those decisions were made before the full management team were in place.

Ratcliffe said: “I agree the Erik ten Tag and Dan Ashworth decisions were errors.

“I think there were some mitigating circumstances, but ultimately they were errors. I accept that and I apologise for that.

“If you look at the time we made the decision about Erik the management team hadn’t been in place more than five minutes.

“It became clearer three months later and we got it wrong, but we’d moved on. I think we corrected it and we are in a very different place today.”

Rashford verdict

Marcus Rashford in a Manchester United jersey.
Getty
Marcus Rashford’s departure in the summer will help to rebuild the squad in Ruben Amorim’s mould, according to Ratcliffe[/caption]

Marcus Rashford‘s omission from the Man Utd squad by Amorim before his loan transfer to Aston Villa in January was a real head scratcher.

It was made even worse considering United’s struggles in the final third and the fact Rashford has already managed three assists in Villa colours.

However, while Ratcliffe said he was “pleased” the Man Utd academy graduate was doing well on loan, he reiterated that Amorim had his full backing over squad matters, citing a need for all players to give 100 per cent.

He said: “He (Amorim) wants a dressing room that is full of people who are totally committed to winning football matches.

“He won’t tolerate people who don’t have 100% of that attitude. The players have to be in the same box.”

On Rashford himself, he added: “He’s moved out of Manchester and maybe that’s a good thing for him.

“I am very pleased he is doing well. It’s good to see because he has got tremendous talent, but for whatever reason it wasn’t working in Manchester for the past couple of seasons.

“But he is a very talented footballer, Rashford.”

Ratcliffe also suggested Rashford’s future would lay away from Old Trafford from the summer, with the attackers sale set to be a part of the budget to help Amorim refurbish his squad.

Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Red Devils signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as ever

IT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.

On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.

There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.

A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.

Arsenal‘s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.

Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.

United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.

Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.

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Hugely popular city-centre restaurant suddenly closes down after 14 years as owners blame crippling Budget tax hikes

A BELOVED restaurant in Birmingham’s city centre will close its doors for good this week, after serving the community for over 14 years.

Bodega Cantina, located on Bennetts Hill, announced the closure, blaming the financial strain caused by rising costs and tax hikes.

Bodega Cantina y Bar storefront in Birmingham city center.
Google
The final service at the Bennetts Hill location will take place on Saturday, March 15[/caption]
People walking on a city street with shops and buildings.
Getty
Bodega Cantina has struggled to cope with the pressures of the current economic climate[/caption]

In a heartfelt message on social media, the owners revealed the tough challenges behind their decision to close.

“It is with sadness that we announce the closure of Bodega Cantina on March 15.

“Like many others in hospitality, we’ve been significantly affected, first by Brexit taking away much of the staffing resources that our industry relies upon, and then the various dramas brought about by Covid.

“More recent factors such as the large increase in utility bills, ‘cost of living crisis’, double-digit inflation and upcoming increases in minimum wage and NI costs have now made the venue financially unsustainable.

“It’s been a great journey, these last 14 years, and we hope we’ve provided a great South American-inspired experience to our customers along the way.

“We also hope that we might see some of you again in our last week of trading.”

The latest increase in utility bills and the upcoming rise in national insurance and minimum wage costs made the venue financially unsustainable.

Despite its long-standing popularity, Bodega Cantina has struggled to cope with the pressures of the current economic climate.

The restaurant, known for its vibrant South American-inspired dishes such as tacos, burritos, and Brazilian fish stew, had already closed its Sutton Coldfield location after just two years.

Fans flooded social media with messages of sadness, expressing their deep appreciation for the restaurant’s impact on their lives.

One user wrote: “Absolutely gutted.”

Another shared a sentimental message: “Big love guys, you were a big part of my transformative years growing up in Brum x.”

A third added: “So sad, end of an era.”

The final service at the Bennetts Hill location will take place on Saturday, March 15, marking the end of an era for the much loved restaurant.

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.

Shoppers in Birmingham city centre enjoying Black Friday deals.
Alamy
Many food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out[/caption]

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