soyagi

One of the main reasons for the disparity is the lower taxes that the aviation industry benefits from.

If you fly from Paris to Barcelona the airline not only pays no VAT, but is also exempt from kerosene tax. If you make the same journey by train, the rail company will pay an energy tax and passenger VAT. This means higher costs for the company which are usually reflected in ticket prices.

Archived version: https://archive.ph/7Zrur

One of the main reasons for the disparity is the lower taxes that the aviation industry benefits from.

If you fly from Paris to Barcelona the airline not only pays no VAT, but is also exempt from kerosene tax. If you make the same journey by train, the rail company will pay an energy tax and passenger VAT. This means higher costs for the company which are usually reflected in ticket prices.

Archived version: https://archive.ph/7Zrur

For a moment, it seemed like the streaming apps were the things that could save us from the hegemony of cable TV—a system where you had to pay for a ton of stuff you didn't want to watch so you could see the handful of things you were actually interested in.

Archived version: https://archive.ph/K4EIh

For a moment, it seemed like the streaming apps were the things that could save us from the hegemony of cable TV—a system where you had to pay for a ton of stuff you didn't want to watch so you could see the handful of things you were actually interested in.

Archived version: https://archive.ph/K4EIh

For a moment, it seemed like the streaming apps were the things that could save us from the hegemony of cable TV—a system where you had to pay for a ton of stuff you didn't want to watch so you could see the handful of things you were actually interested in.

Archived version: https://archive.ph/K4EIh

For a moment, it seemed like the streaming apps were the things that could save us from the hegemony of cable TV—a system where you had to pay for a ton of stuff you didn't want to watch so you could see the handful of things you were actually interested in.

Archived version: https://archive.ph/K4EIh

Archived version: https://archive.ph/tid79

Vital heritage will be be lost unless planning laws change to protect historic pubs, campaigners say.

An open letter to the government from the Campaign for Pubs has highlighted the "appalling" case of The Crooked House pub in the Black Country, gutted in a fire then demolished.

Anger over the incident must act as a "catalyst for change", said campaigners.

Mayor Andy Street said whoever did this messed with the wrong community.

He strengthened his call for the pub in Himley, near Dudley, to be rebuilt "brick by brick".

"Whoever has targeted this beloved landmark in this way has messed with the wrong pub, the wrong community, and the wrong authorities," the West Midlands Metro Mayor said.

Saturday night's fire is being treated as arson by Staffordshire Police.

The 18th Century building, famed for its sloping floors and walls, was bulldozed less than two days after the fire, prompting anger from residents and former customers.

"Many historic pubs up and down the country are being lost as owners seek to cash in on the development value of a pub, even despite the pub being profitable and even when there is a potential owner who wants to buy the pub, as a pub," said the campaign group, which aims to promote, protect and support pubs across the country.

"The government must act to prevent pubs being lost when there is a buyer as a pub as well as introducing far more serious penalties for unauthorised conversions and demolitions."

Marco Longhi, MP for Dudley North, said he would campaign to close a "potential loophole" which could prevent the destruction of property during a potential criminal investigation.

Police should have been able to take the premises under their control during the arson investigation, he said.

"The site should have been cordoned off for investigation and forensics the moment the police and fire service came to the site," he said.

"I will support any initiative to close this potential loophole which the police is relying on for The Crooked House case."

James Stevens of The Chapel House pub at nearby Gornal echoed the call for new legislation to protect public institutions.

"I can't think of a more fitting legacy for our place than to use its name to stop another community from being robbed of their Crooked House."

The Crooked House was sold by Marston's in July to ATE Farms, based in Bedworth, Warwickshire.

ATE Farms is run by a Carly Taylor, with George Adam Taylor, 44, a previous director. Mr Taylor was also previously a director of Himley Environmental Ltd, which owns the 15-hectare Oak Farm Quarry and Landfill site adjacent to the Crooked House and is registered to the same address as ATE Farms.

They have been approached for comment by the BBC.

Mr Taylor owns the Sarah Mansfield pub in Willey, Warwickshire, which is empty and up for sale after being internally gutted in 2021.

Through another of his companies, AT Contracting Ltd, Mr Taylor has had two planning applications approved to renovate the pub's first floor into letting bedrooms and to build either one or two dwellings in the car park.

One source, who did not want to be named, said the pub had previously been a thriving hub in the village, but had since become a "depressing eyesore".

"One day during lockdown, a load of guys turned up with skips and machines and literally gutted the pub," they said.

"When we mean gutted, we mean no wiring, no plumbing, it's just an empty shell.

"It's sad looking at it. It's a loss, every time we walk past it it saddens us more."

A planning application made by ATE Farms to convert former quarry land near Lutterworth, Leicestershire, into a solar farm and residential lodges attracted some objections from locals.

One complainant called the plans "a blot on the landscape" with another accusing the applicant of "considerable removal of existing hedgerow on the site".

On Thursday, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street met with the leader of South Staffordshire Council to discuss the incident.

The council is considering whether the demolition of the building was unlawful.

Mr Street said resolve had been hardened to recreate the pub after the meeting with the local authority, and encouraged members of the public to stay away from the site.

"We feel the sadness, anger, and frustration as much as anyone over what has happened to The Crooked House, but the last thing we want is for well-intentioned community action to inadvertently damage any positive future for the site," he added.

"The Crooked House will not be consigned to history on our watch."

Archived version: https://archive.ph/2cTcF

An urgent meeting is to be held over the future of the site where the landmark "wonkiest pub" was gutted in a fire then demolished, says the mayor of the West Midlands.

The blaze - treated as suspicious by police - ripped through The Crooked House, near Dudley, on Saturday.

By Monday, the building renowned for its slanting appearance was rubble.

Andy Street said he would liaise with South Staffordshire Council over what would become of the site.

On social media he said it "makes your blood boil" to see the fire at the beloved 18th Century building treated as suspected arson.

While flames ravaged the property at the weekend, the familiar exterior was left largely standing until bulldozers brought down what remained, prompting anger from local residents and former customers.

South Staffordshire Council confirmed on Wednesday it had permitted only part of the building to be knocked down for safety reasons and was investigating whether total demolition was unlawful.

The pub was sold by brewery Marston's last month.

The BBC has attempted to contact new owners ATE Farms, based in Bedworth, Warwickshire - run by a Carly Taylor - for comment over the loss of its asset.

Additional records show an Adam Taylor listed as a shareholder of the landfill site next door.

The celebrated Black Country venue, a pub since the 1940s, was once known as the "wonkiest" in Britain, and drew its name from the effects of mining subsidence in the 19th Century.

The pub became lodged in the national consciousness when in 1974 the BBC programme Nationwide showcased the illusion of items "rolling uphill" inside the property.

Staffordshire Police said on Wednesday investigations were continuing. It added a specially trained dog, which could sniff out up to 10 different accelerants, was being used to inspect the rubble.

In a statement, the force said: "This fire has shocked and upset so many given the, albeit not listed, cultural importance and heritage of the building.

"This is not lost on us and a robust investigation using all available information and forensic opportunities is being carried out."

Historic England said it received a request to list the building, which would have given it greater legal protection, just days before the fire.

Up to 30 firefighters were called to the Himley area on Saturday evening after the building was spotted alight, however crews reported being hampered by mounds of soil preventing access to a lane leading to the site.

Mr Street has previously called for the pub to be rebuilt "brick by brick". The leader of Dudley Council said that would be "nigh on impossible".

"There is very little left of the original bricks that they could use, after what's happened in the last couple of days," said Patrick Harley.

Alex Claridge, the West Midlands night time economy adviser, said the loss of the pub was being felt by many.

"It's astonishing really just to feel the breadth of comment made, and from how far away," he said.

"We've got well-wishers coming from Australia, the other side of the world, sharing memories. It's bitter-sweet really seeing the level of affection it's roused."

Local politicians Sir Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, and Jane Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, have called for a full inquiry.

Dudley MP Marco Longhi said on Wednesday he had written to police to seek clarity over the demolition process, adding that a lack of information from authorities had "raised animosity" among the community.

Wilko, the High Street homeware retailer, has collapsed into administration, putting 12,000 jobs at risk.

The chain has been unable to find emergency investment to save its 400 shops across the UK.

Wilko had been working to find a rescuer for the business which has been trading since 1930.

The firm's boss, Mark Jackson, said management had "left no stone unturned" in its attempts to save the company.

"But we must concede that with regret, we've no choice but to take the difficult decision to enter into administration," he said.

If a firm fails to buy any of the shops or parts of the business out of administration, Wilko risks becoming the biggest High Street casualty this year.

Administrators are expected to be appointed later on Thursday. It is understood that the business will continue to trade as normal for now.

The GMB union said the collapse was "entirely avoidable".

National officer Nadine Houghton said: "GMB has been told time and time again how warnings were made that Wilko was in a prime position to capitalise on the growing bargain retailer market, but simply failed to grasp this opportunity."

Although the business has been struggling for some time, the depths of its problems emerged last week when it announced its intention to appoint administrators.

This gave Wilko 10 days to secure a rescue. However, it was unable to strike a deal within that timeframe.

Mr Jackson said Wilko had received a "significant level of interest" which he said included "indicative offers that we believe would meet all our financial criteria to recapitalise the business".

But he said: "Without the surety of being able to complete the deal within the necessary time frame and given the cash position, we've been left with no choice but to take this unfortunate action."

Wilko has been struggling with sharp losses and a cash shortage.

The company already borrowed £40m from Hilco, the restructuring specialist. It has previously cut jobs, changed its leadership team and sold off a distribution centre.

Many of Wilko's stores are in High Street locations in traditional town centres, which became an expensive liability as customers shifted to bigger retail parks and out-of-town locations.

The company has also faced strong competition from rivals such as B&M and The Range as the high cost of living has pushed shoppers to seek out bargains.

Retail analyst Catherine Shuttleworth said the collapse was "sadly inevitable", adding: "It's a sad day for the High Street as some of the stores have been a key part of local communities for over 50 years."

She said that Wilko had failed to adapt the retailer for the future.

"A lack of investment in systems lacking the sophistication to support a business with shops both on High Streets and out of town retail parks combined with a large estate of over 400 stores has meant that significant investments have been needed over the last 10 years and these have simply not been made," said Ms Shuttleworth.

Richard Lim, chief executive at Retail Economics, a consultancy, said a combination of rising costs, lower customer demand and fierce competition ultimately pushed Wilko to "breaking point".

"Against the backdrop of seismic shifts in consumer behaviour and the intense pressure on margins, the business was too slow to react to these mounting challenges and paid the ultimate price," he said.

The company, founded in Leicester, is still owned by the Wilkinson family.

After the collapse of Woolworths in 2008, Wilko stepped up to fill the gaps left on High Streets.

Wilko began home deliveries in the 1940s, and stayed open throughout World War Two, helping residents keep their air raid shelters stocked.

On Wednesday, it announced that it had suspended home deliveries.

cross-posted from: https://yiffit.net/post/1029567

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/2936916

Tech workers react to UPS drivers landing a $170,000 a year package with a mixture of anger and admiration::Some tech workers questioned whether UPS drivers deserved high pay — others jumped in to note the importance of the jobs and harsh working conditions.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/2936916

Tech workers react to UPS drivers landing a $170,000 a year package with a mixture of anger and admiration::Some tech workers questioned whether UPS drivers deserved high pay — others jumped in to note the importance of the jobs and harsh working conditions.

Archived version: https://archive.ph/w8JRj

Effective October 12, the company will raise the monthly price of its ad-free plans Disney+ and Hulu plans by more than 20%.

The Disney+ ad-free plan will rise by 27% to $13.99 a month in the US, up from $10.99. That's double the $6.99 monthly cost Disney charged for the service when it first launched in 2019.

Hulu's ad-free plan will increase by $3 a month, or 20%, to $17.99 a month. The ad-supported tiers for both services will remain at $7.99 each.

The price hikes come amid Disney's continued efforts to slash $5.5 billion in costs this year.

The monthly prices of its two Hulu live TV packages will also increase by $7 each for both the ad-free plan and the ad-supported offering. ESPN+ will go up by $1 to $10.99 a month.

Additionally, Disney announced that starting September 6 subscribers in the US will have access to a new ad-free bundled subscription featuring the ad-free Disney+ and Hulu services for $19.99 a month.