#the shops in luton!...

[signartpro]

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[cazzyf1]

Quotes from the book: One Glorious Hour, the Mike Hawthorn Story - to convince you to read it

When Pete told him he was marrying Louise, Mike was highly peeved. "What do you have to go and do that for, you stupid clot?" he said. "Do you realise I'd have married you if you'd been a woman?" He then adopted Oliver Hardy's stoic look, with a slow deprecatory shake of the head, at which Pete became a mournful Stan Laurel. This prompted Mike to grab him by the throat and strangle him horribly, leaving Pete in a heap on the floor, gurgling and giggling

Stirling Moss, wearing a white helmet, grinned at Mike whose response was to give him a vulgar two-fingered gesture. Stirling grinned even more, gave him two fingers in return and pulled away.

Mike paused in the doorway as he caught sight of Stuart Lewis-Evans falling victim to a plastic jar of water perched over his bedroom door. It was followed by a huge belly laugh from Harry Schell, the perpetrator. And then Mike watched Stuart get his revenge on Harry with itching powder bought from Alf's Joke Shop back home in Luton. Mike felt he had to join in, despite the girl waiting in his room. It developed into the kind of alcohol fuelled rowdiness that always ends in something dramatic - and so it proved with Mike dumping a bucket of water over Stuart's head. It was only then that he went back to the bedroom to placate the girl. Stuart and Harry waited until Mike was in bed and then, suppressing their giggles, pulled a fire hose the length of the corridor, stopping outside Mike's bedroom. With a pass key 'borrowed' from hotel reception, they carefully unlocked the door and leapt in, aiming the hose and letting fly. The girl's screams and Mike's shout woke up Stirling in the next room, at which he sighed, turned over and tried to get back to sleep.

In the meantime Stuart had walked into the bar and joined Mike's gang. He did not know the verses, but could sing the refrain. When the song ended, Mike put an arm round his shoulder, then gripped him, drawing him in close. "Glad you could make it my little friend." From somewhere behind him he whipped out a hose pipe that was connected to the tap in the bar. "Regarding that bedwetting in Reims old mate, I'm returning the favour." With that he wound the hose pipe round Stuart's waist and stuck the nozzle down his trousers. Mike gave a signal to Duncan who had moved behind the bar near to the tap. Mike gave it a quick short burst. Stuart yelled out. Everybody laughed. The bar was in an uproar. "You've pissed yourself you dirty little man!" shouted Mike. "You bastards," said Stuart, clutching his groin. "That deserves a drink!" "Yeah, here's the second." Another quick burst, Stuart yelling. The gathering shaking with mirth. "Oh dear look at the state of you. Let me wash it off," Mike roared.

"You're being stupid Mike. We want to help. Duncan says..." "Pete" Mike suddenly became angry. "I know what I'm doing. And I'm not stupid!" He jabbed a finger towards Pete. "I want to win this thing! What's the point, there's only five races left! I've been through all this with the consultant and then I get Duncan, I get my mother and now there's you. Then there'll be Louise!" He threw up his arms. "For fuck's sake I'm just sick of it! I'm fine so just-why don't you all just leave me alone and do what you have to do instead of always..." He broke off because there was no point. Pete had gone.

"And what will that do Pete?" Louise looked at him in all innocence. "With any luck he'll blow up. His engine I mean." "But - why?" Pete stood up and gave her a hug. "Sweetie, if Stirling drops out...?" He ised her eyebrows at her leaving the rest implied. "Get it?" "Oh you mean that would give Mike a better chance?" "That's it. You are gorgeous. You know that?" He kissed her. She leaned back from the kiss. "But what if your engine blows up doing it?" "Tough." "Have you told Mike?" Pete hesitated and she knew he had. "Yes," he said. "He said he wanted to win In his own. Well, he would, wouldn't he?" "Did he say anything else?" "No He tried to strangle me." "That's good," Louise said with a smile. "That's the old Mike."

"So you see mate, I'm as pissed off as you are," said Pete. "What for?" "Because I beat you." "So what?" Mike was still Oliver Hardy, speaking slowly and pedantically, "Pete, I came second. I only lost one point from being the winner. I am now seven points clear of Stirling, so why should you be sorry? And you got eight points." "I know but..." "I moved up seven points, Stirling didn't win any points." "I know that but..." "Simple arithmetic. We both won! Now stop being a sentimental bugger Grrr!" Mike put both hands around Pete's throat and strangled him

Further adding to her pleasure was having seen Mike strangle the giggling Pete. He had not shown the slightest trace of jealousy or resentment towards him. Considering how much winning the world championship meant to him it spoke volumes about Mike's magnanimity. She recalled a remark that he had made to Pete, something that proved their friendship had real depth: "You're a bloody oaf. But if you'd been a woman I'd have married you."

Grimacing, he set off down the corridor and was met by Taffy on his way to bed. He stopped at the pain etched into Mike's face and expressed his concern. A descendant of a well-known aristocratic German family, he listened to Mike telling him that he had a gallstone problem. Taffy, understanding why Mike was anxious to keep it a secret, politely interrupted him to say that he would immediately telephone his cousin, a doctor who lived 20 miles from the circuit. The upshot was that Taffy drove a 40 mile return journey to return with a powerful brand of pain killing tablets and with the instruction that Mike took one that night but under no circumstances must he take any before the race. Mike was moved by Taffy's generosity. It was yet another debt with which he was landed. The patient had not liked 'Krauts' until now. Mike was one of the generation who had lived through the years of the Nazi domination of Europe and believed, as many did, that all Germans were responsible. He had now changed his mind and warmly embraced Taffy.

Louise was wide awake and dressed, sitting in front of the mirror and brushing her hair when he knocked at the door. "How's the Golden Boy?" she asked with a smile. "He's great mon ami "matess". How are you?" He gave her a kiss. "I'm terrific. Going to be a nice day. Sunshine all the way." He went to the bed and tapped the sleeping Pete on the shoulder. "Waker wakey matey!" "Bugger off," Pete murmured. Mike pulled back the sheet that covered his shoulders. "Out," he commanded. Another moan from Pete. Louise went to stand the other side of the bed from Mike. "One-two-three!" she ordered. Together they ripped back the bedclothes. "You rotters" Pete opened his eyes, crawled slowly out of bed and then wandered to collect his dressing gown from the back of a chair

Mike was there relaxing in an armchair when, just after 12.30pm, there came a shout from the staircase and soon afterwards Pete burst into the room holding the result of his labours, a completed wooden circle. Cackling, he held it up for all to see. There was a chorus of cheering from the assembled drivers. "Bloody genius," said Stirling, glancing up from an old copy of Reader's Digest. "Give the man a medal," said Harry. "Too right," said Pete. "Do you lot realise just how bloody difficult this is?" "A kid could do it," said Stuart, grinning. "What!" Pete looked offended. "I will give you my next one. I will bet you five pounds that you don't do it in two hours. Done?" "No," Stuart said. "I hate puzzles."

Amid the general laughter, Mike grinned, stood up and hugged him. "You're the winner," he said, then grabbed the puzzle and tossed it to Louise. "Eh! Don't you dare!" Pete levelled a threatening finger at Louise. She pretended to snap it open. "Don't-!" It helped pass the time.

He had tears in his eyes and his voice broke. "I miss him Louise, then suddenly, 'I'm sorry..." "No, don't be" Louise nodded, biting her lip. She came to him and raised her arms to embrace him. "What was it you said - "If you were a woman I'd have married you"?" "Yeah." "That would have been an interesting threesome?" Mike grinned. "Yeah, it would."

She ended with: "True love is true friendship. It can mean self sacrifice. Mike was the world motor racing champion but as a true, loving friend, one who would repay any debt, he was an even greater champion."

[redsbrainrot]

Fairytail characters in the UK

- Lucy would’ve grown up upper middle class fr - family shops at Marks and Spencer’s and Waitrose

- She 100% went to an all girls private school

- If the friend group were planning a day out in London she’d drag them all to Convent Garden

- Natsu is council estate roadman, and he’d probably live in Luton HAHAHA

- Would spend his spare time at either a skatepark or maccies

- Gray would also be a roadman but from the north like Yorkshire or Newcastle

- Spends his free time at greggs

- He would definitely be hitting that blue razz elf bar

- Erza would be lower middle class, but richer than most of her friends - so she can shop at Sainsburys but meanwhile her friends go to Asda

- Juvia would be Gray’s chav girlfriend, but one of the sweet chavs

- Makarov is a corner shop boss man selling vapes to minors

- Mirajane would also be a sweet chav

- Gajeel would live in Milton Keynes

Part time jobs:

- Lucy: boots

- Erza: sainsburys

- Gray: tescos, maybe greggs

- Natsu: maccies

- Juvia: Lidl/Aldi

- Mirajane: wetherspoons

- Levy: Waterstones

Bonus:

[dailyanarchistposts]

Animal liberation

There’s a certain volatility to resisting oppression in all forms. This is exactly the kind of project that can easily run away from you, vastly exceeding one’s familiar terrain. Let’s do our best to keep up: throughout the last decades, one of the most distinctive developments amongst social struggles in the West has been a dawning of concern for other animals and the environment. Many radicals have been keen to drag their heels, passing off the oppression of nonhumans as irrelevant to our prospects for revolution; the Left, after all, is firmly rooted in the humanist ideals of the Enlightenment, something unquestioningly reproduced by Marxism as well as orthodox anarchism. Yet the weighty tradition of a bygone era is no excuse for closing down possibilities in the present. The critique of social hierarchy, besides deepening the scope of human liberation, applies just as well beyond our own species boundary: animal and earth liberation are no less integral to the new revolutionary mosaic than any other aspect of the struggle.

The first half of the greening of revolution – animal liberation – can be traced somewhat to the onset of the radical animal rights movement in the UK. As early as the 1960s, hunt saboteurs had been intervening to disrupt bloodsports across the country, focusing on the legally sanctioned practice of fox hunting. From the outset, this cultivated an understanding, realised by so many liberation struggles in the past, that the law was designed to protect the exploiters and therefore had to be broken. This brimming emphasis on direct action – on achieving political goals outside of mediation with formal institutions – was then gradually applied to an ever broader spectrum of targets. Not only were hunts targetted whilst underway, their facilities and vehicles were often sabotaged as well, the point being to prevent the hunt from beginning at all. During the early ‘70s, one group of hunt sabs based in Luton – calling themselves the “Band of Mercy” – even began attacking hunting shops, chicken breeders, and vivisection suppliers. Perhaps most memorably, in 1973, the Band burned down a vivisection lab under construction near Milton Keynes, pioneering the use of arson for the purposes of animal liberation.

Such activity soon gave rise to an even more formidable threat. In 1976, members of the Band of Mercy created the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), calling for the application of sabotage tactics to prevent any form of animal exploitation. More of a banner than an actual organisation, anyone can do an action and claim it as the ALF, so long as they adhere to a few basic principles. Lacking official members or branches, the front is composed mainly of small, autonomous affinity groups; acting in the style of a clandestine guerilla movement, participants strike mainly under the cover of darkness, only to subsume themselves back within the population at large. This informal, leaderless terrain of struggle is exactly what allowed the resistance to proliferate so effectively, all the while minimising the risk of state repression. Hundreds of thousands of raids have been completed worldwide, liberating countless animals from the facilities that enslave them, either by transporting them to sanctuaries or simply releasing them into the wild. No less, those profiting from the misery have suffered incalculable losses, with the companies targetted – vivisection labs, livestock breeders, fur farms, factory farms, slaughterhouses – often being driven straight out of business. The vast majority of these raids have resulted in zero apprehensions.

Amidst a steady decline in courage and militancy from the Left over the last decades, groups such as the ALF have often been exactly the ones to keep the flame of revolutionary struggle alive. Rather than biding time with parliamentary procedures or marches that go in circles, the ALF refuse to wait for historical conditions to improve, instead setting out to immediately begin dismantling the physical infrastructure social hierarchy depends upon to function. We’re faced with an age in which power has no centre: revolution isn’t merely a matter of storming palaces, but also of confronting this order of misery on every front, especially those most blatantly ignored in the past.

Every single day, literally millions of animals are confined, mutilated, and killed for the purposes of food, clothing, entertainment, physical labour, and medical research. Were it humans being massacred as such, the death count would exceed that of many holocausts – merely in a matter of hours. Of course, it isn’t humans on the other side of the barbed wire, so we turn our backs to their wretched treatment, quite confident such concerns just don’t matter. Yet that’s quite the grave response: what on earth if we’re wrong?

The most influential case for the baselessness of this indifference came from Peter Singer in the book Animal Liberation (1975). Centring on a seminal discussion of the notion of speciesism, the term is there defined as “a prejudice or attitude of bias toward the interests of members of one’s own species and against those of members of other species.” To this liberal definition, we could add that speciesism, aside from manifesting in the dispositions of individuals, is strongly rooted in a pervasive ideological framework – reproduced by institutions such as mass media, the law, and public education – that serves to detach humanity from the enslavement of billions of animals. Indeed, many professed radicals continue to cast aside the topic of anti-speciesism, even if they’re committed to fighting oppressions like racism or sexism. Yet that makes little sense, given that each of these relies on the very same logic: a particular group is morally excluded not on the basis of their actually held capacities, but simply because they appear to be members of a different biological category. Clearly we would reject this kind of reasoning in the case of assertions of white supremacy over non-whites – skin colour just isn’t a morally relevant quality. What needs to be noticed, though, is that speciesism operates in almost exactly the same way; the only difference is that it singles out species, not race, as the relevant biological category.

That said, few would admit to maintaining such a crude speciesist outlook. The assumption here – again, as with white supremacy – is that the relevant moral exclusion is grounded in science, not prejudice. In particular, the capacity to reason is normally singled out as the prime candidate for justifying human supremacy. Such an approach contends that, rather than relying on an arbitrary biological category to distance ourselves from other species, we’re instead doing so on the basis of our actually held capacities. But this commonplace justification is really nothing more than a ruse. Far from being an inherent aspect of human cognition, the capacity to reason is merely a trait that most of us hold (and to varying degrees). There are many humans who lack the capacity for abstract cognition, such as ordinary infants and adults with certain mental disabilities; however, no one serious about fighting oppression would take that as an excuse for their moral exclusion, especially not if it meant treating them as we do other animals. That can only mean that rationality isn’t what we really care about when making moral considerations – rationality is just an excuse. The thing that matters here is sentience: the capacity to feel both pleasure and pain.

It should go without saying that sentience is accessible not only to humans, but also the vast majority of nonhuman animals. Nor is the kind of sentience involved here some watered down version of the human experience. Many or even most animals lead extremely rich emotional lives, characterised intensely by all the highs and lows that colour our own states of mind, including excitement, joy, awe, respect, empathy, boredom, embarrassment, grief, loneliness, anxiety, fear, and despair. In other words, access to all the feelings that have defined the best and worst moments of our lives – that determine most fundamentally whether one’s life is worth living – vastly transcends the boundaries of our own species. Animals are aware of the world, and of their place within it; their lives are intrinsically valuable, irrespective of what they can do for us. To morally exclude them on the basis of species membership is only the kind of thinking that sets aside skin colour as a valid justification for human slavery. But we can’t deny the logic of domination in one case whilst relying on it so whimsically in another: animal liberation must be fought for just as ardently as we fight for our own.

Anthropocentrism was suited to an age in which most believed God to have created humans in His own image, commanding us to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Come the 21st century, however, numerous leaps in human understanding – the Copernican revolution, Darwin’s theory of evolution, Freud’s theory of the unconscious – have significantly dethroned the idea that human culture somehow inhabits a world apart from Nature. Clearly we differ from other animals in many of our cognitive abilities, but this is a matter of degree, not kind; our evolutionary history merely upgraded the mental functions already present amongst nonhumans for millions of years, rather than conferring humanity with radically unique capacities. Other animals are able, if only to a lesser extent, to grasp language, demonstrate self-awareness, use tools, inhabit complex societies, appreciate humour, and enact rituals around death. Not only that, many seem to easily outdo humans when it comes to the capacities of memory, navigation, and sociability. In terms of ecological integration, finally, any notions of human supremacy start to get embarrassing: bees pollinate so many of the world’s plants, phytoplankton photosynthesise half of its oxygen, fungi and bacteria are the primary decomposers of organic matter. And what of the human contribution to the planetary community? The highlights include climate change, radioactive waste, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Apparently narcissism marches in lock-step with incompetency: the idea that Nature somehow requires the imposition of human order has only ever meant her ruination, and that all too clearly includes our own.

To make something explicit, though, note that it’s not humanity that’s laying waste to the very fabric of life. Vulnerable human groups hardly stand to benefit from speciesism; animal agriculture, for example, is the leading cause both of water pollution and carbon emissions, besides being responsible for some of the most atrocious workplaces on earth. All so that capitalism can supply its human captives with so-called “food” loaded with growth hormones and antibiotics. In essence, all creatures who find their home on this dear planet, including those oppressed within our own species, suffer in common at the hands of a disease – equal parts antisocial and ecocidal – called social hierarchy. This is the moment to abandon our speciesist assumptions, from which the disconnection of human and animal liberation struggles results. The struggle for liberation admits of no final frontiers.

[hongduongn120]

Flynn and Serafine, a history

The year was 1922, and Flynn Luton had just exited from a train in downtown New Orleans. It had been 10 months since he came to America and while he already has a lot of experiences in his travels, they would pale compared to what will happen next.

After what happened in New York City, Flynn had become a blip in the underworld, with words running far and wide. And a figure with power has picked up that the masked man is in his city, and they would reach out to commission him. The invite led Flynn into the bayou, where he met an unlikely pair of siblings whose fates would be intertwined between all three of them.

When they first met, both Flynn and Serafine didn't think highly of each other. After the introduction and briefing, Flynn thinks Serafine is unprofessional, loud, and brash. Serafine, meanwhile, thinks of him as just a thug, a relic of the Great War, broken and battered, only good at following orders. Nevertheless, they are convinced by the handler to work together.

At the time, Nicodeme and Serafine Savoy were still working for a small-time local crew. Not really questioning why they're being tasked with linking up with a freelancer before raiding one of their rival's safehouses, they waited at a cabin in the swamp along with their handler, waiting for this contact. What they didn't expect is a 6-foot-tall British Shorthair with a prosthetic mask.

A week of preparation followed, and the impression of both the siblings and Flynn for each other remained negative. Time and again, the veteran tried to make the Savoys to be more professional in their conduct, but they instead just continued to act like superstitious hoodlums. Nico and Serafine, meanwhile, because they don't understand the past of the man they're working with, keep treating him like an old, stuck-up man and do what they please except for the bare minimum amount of cooperation.

The papers would tell that on November 7th, a plantation mansion was burnt down due to an out-of-control kitchen fire and that there were no survivors. But the truth was that the mansion, and everyone in it, was destroyed in a raid, conducted by only 3 people. Through the raid, both the Savoys and Flynn came to respect each other for their skill and prowess. The siblings for their aggression and sheer awesome force, Flynn for his precision and tactical acumen. Like hammer and scalpel, in theory, they shouldn't have worked in tandem, but they did.

After the raid, the three would go on a couple more jobs together, while smoothing out whatever disagreements they have with each other before eventually becoming an extremely effective team. Unfortunately, Flynn's time in Lousiana was coming to an end and they gathered for a final drink before he had to catch the next train headed for Texas, leaving behind a short but fruitful relationship, and it could've ended at that, with the three going their separate ways, their short stint together only remains as a fond memory.

That was, until 1925. By sheer chance, both the Savoys and Flynn have settled down in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, completely unaware of each other then. The siblings were "recruited" by the Marigold gang, while Flynn started a gun shop, and eventually, an underground gunrunning operation, selling wares to all parties within the city. It was only a matter of time before the three were reunited by accident. The siblings heard of a new firearms store in town and wanted to check it out to see if they could have a new service point. They didn't expect the man behind the counter to be their old partner. Flynn invited them to stay for tea, and after recounting what happened in the time before the reunion, they agreed to keep contact with each other.

Their relationship started out simple, with cafe meetups and impromptu range days, courtesy of Flynn's shop. None of them knew about the other's illegal biddings, so they stayed on the surface as just a trio of genuine friends. That is until Flynn got a deal to supply off-the-books munitions to Marigold. And who just so happens to be the representative to receive the good but the Marigold Trio, Nicodeme & Serafine Savoy along with Mordecai Heller. Their secret life was revealed right then and there.

Soon, Flynn was introduced to the head of Marigold, Asa Sweet, and due to a previous agreement between Flynn and the head of the Lackadaisy gang, Atlas May, being asked to switch sides. Although he was hesitant to change his allegiance, Flynn nevertheless was hired once again as a freelancer, working with the Savoy siblings as their third in case the usual man, Mordecai, wasn't available.

As 1925 turned to 1926 and then 1927, the friendship between the three grew with each job and general interaction as Flynn got more and more involved with Marigold, while Serafine began to have feelings for Flynn, although he was oblivious to it. He has his own feelings for her too, but he thought that it would never come to be.

One night, Flynn was having trouble sleeping and decided to head to the roof of his building to contemplate his life. 6 bottles of beer in, looking at his old army cap, Flynn was startled by footstep noises. Serafine had come over, alone. They talked about how fate had led them to this point in time and reaffirming their friendship. Then Flynn looked up to the sky, reminiscing about his childhood. Seeing the stars in his eyes, Serafine decides to commit to it and pulls Flynn in for a kiss, his very first kiss ever. In that moment, they both knew that they were made for each other.

After that fateful night, they became a couple but decided to keep it secret for now. To the outside world, they still acted like best friends, but Nico suspects something more. He noticed that they were more close and more intimate with each other and decided to poke and prod into it for info about why they behaved like they did. The couple deflects his question for a time until (because her mind is on something else) after some back and forth, Serafine goes "Well, I still love you regardless". Nico, mouth gaped, has the final piece of the picture and then, still in shock, exits the building they're in to compose himself. Serafine shortly thereafter, realizes what she just said and chases him to try and explain it with Flynn following.

Now the secret was out, at least to Nicodeme, and the couple could at least be more open about it when he was around. As of 1927, they have no intention of advancing their relationship beyond its current state, but whatever the future brings, they are ready to face it, together.

(Credits to @stardust-clearwater for the doodles)

[jedivoodoochile]

Keith Richards pictured with a ‘59 Les Paul that he sold to Mick Taylor when Taylor was playing with John Mayall. The guitar rejoined the Stones with Taylor in 1969.

According to information provided by high-end guitar brokerage Richard Henry, the “Keith Burst” is a ’59 Les Paul that first arrived at Farmers Music Store in Luton, England, in ’61, and was played for a time by John Bowen of Mike Dean & The Kingsmen. Bowen had a Bigsby added to the guitar at Selmer’s Music in London, before trading it in there in late ’62. A young Keith Richards, who purchased the Les Paul with Bigsby, occasionally visited a regular haunt of musicians on the booming London scene of the day, Selmer’s. (It’s worth noting that both Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac and Jeff Beck of The Yardbirds also acquired used ’59 Les Pauls at Selmer’s, and several other acquisitions logged in the history of rock also took place in this popular west-end shop.)

Throughout the early days of the Stones, the Les Paul was one of Richards’s most prominent guitars. The Best-known photos of the era show him playing it on a Ready Steady Go! TV-show performance in Britain in ’64, and he also played it on a tour of the US that same year, when it popped up during the Stones’s performance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Early Rolling Stones hits purportedly recorded with the Les Paul include “Satisfaction,” “Get Off My Cloud,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” and “Little Red Rooster.” As seen in color photos from the time, just five years after it left the factory it was already faded to a deep amber burst with a little iced-tea shading around the body edges. While still in Richards’s possession, the Bigsby ’Burst was also purportedly loaned to Jimmy Page for some studio sessions, and was then loaned to Eric Clapton for use with Cream at the ’66 Windsor Jazz & Blues Festival. - Gibson

[tartt9]

[ shop ] sender and receiver go to the grocery store together

It's not like Jamie tries to be incompetent in the kitchen; it's just the way he is. The way he always has been. He's been lucky in the sense that he's always had some way to feed himself - from his neighbours on the estate growing up to the chefs with City - both before and after their move to Etihad Campus - to Richmond's nutrition staff, there's always been someone who can provide him with a meal. And he's not so totally incompetent that he can't follow a recipe in an emergency, but it's easier for him to live with someone else cooking for him. He didn't think Roy was being serious when he said they were going to the grocery store, but Jamie'd get in Roy's car with him if he said they were going to fucking Luton. He'd go anywhere with him. To his genuine surprise, they actually ended up at the grocery store. Now, Jamie's wandering the aisles at Roy's side, occasionally darting off to look at some product or another. "Artichoke's in season right now, y'know," he says, reading a label and repeating what he's just read to Roy. "They're meaty and flavourful."

@eulogier [ roy ] // from here !

[brettyimages]

year to date little adventure journal, in case you care

jan 28: edinburgh, nadine shah. spent my sunday afternoon shopping for the important things (bed sheets and bath sheets) and the fun things (hair dye, book club novels). had a ramen lunch at the yo sushi on princes st watching sushi plates sail past the scott monument. dinner and drinks with friends then centre barrier at the assembly rooms. my 9th time seeing nadine, 3rd time since she started teasing the new album so 3rd time hearing topless mother, even light and greatest dancer live. she was sensational. always is.

jan 31: glasgow, depeche mode. as soon as i got back from seeing nadine i was on ticketmaster looking for a cheap seat. had to work on the train and in waverley station but worth it. arrived to find myself in the back row of the hydro but i loved it. nadine supporting was stunning, first time i've seen her from the back of a room and her voice filled the place. depeche was amazing too, a couple of hours of songs i adore including strangelove, behind the wheel, somebody, in your room, just can't get enough, policy of truth, black celebration, etc etc etc. i got up when they started walking in my shoes and danced through the entire show from that point on, safe in the knowledge that there was nobody behind me as i flailed around. it's given me the last-minute trip bug.

feb 9: glasgow, the 1975. a long trip with many connections to get to my airport hotel and then back out to the hydro. early entry door was so slow that i got in as the normal doors opened, damp from the rain, but i got a good spot down the front. didn't know the japanese house were making upbeat tunes now so their set was a surprise. still... at their very best was much like the show last year but loved it, especially the surprise of bagsy not in net. i swear matty made eye contact with me a few times; he's so good at that. staging was beautiful, as always. mad rush to get back to town for the airport bus.

feb 10: london, suedemas. a couple of months late this year because of tour in december. early flight to luton and a morning in maida vale, an afternoon in highgate wandering aimlessly in waterlow park and hanging out in the boogaloo. italian food and gossip and gifts at paddington, drinks then trekking across to hackney for an indie club that played 6 AM songs in the hour we were there. heartwarming to spend the day in the company of dear friends.

feb 22: leeds, nadine shah. filthy underneath on repeat on the train down. a little shopping time before dinner but the second hand record store prices appalled me. over at the brudenell there was no queue for the show so i hung in the lobby as nadine soundchecked her new songs. front and centre in the main room, 6 songs: the three she'd been playing at all her pre-album shows, plus keeping score, hyperrealism and french exit. stunning, again. she spotted me wearing her merch and gave me a big grin and wave. i love her.

feb 23: birmingham, the blackout. a huge french toast brunch at moose coffee, a train to brum, a wander round the bullring. ready for a weekend of big nostalgia seeing the band who defined my student years and first flush of independence; found myself singing along to the songs and doing all the little actions as if it had been weeks and not years since the last time. ended up on the barrier for the last couple of songs and snoz immediately pointed a drumstick at me with a grin. saw some old friends, waited a long time in the freezing cold to get a chat with each of the 6. lots of big hugs, catch ups, a "fucking love you!" greeting from Gavin. so special.

feb 24: london, the blackout. trains to kentish town, bumping into matthew on the way to the flat. an afternoon with my besties, tokyo diner bento, hot chocolates, the Cute exhibition. we hung out in the hello kitty disco and pretended to have a sleepover in the hannah diamond installation. seeing an old band with a new band friend - same set, different side of the stage. waited out in the cold to chat again, more big hugs and catch-ups including a long conversation with sean. so much easier to chat as adults when i pretend we're old friends and not a girl with the singer from the band she has a huge crush on. a perfect weekend.

mar 9: galashiels, swim school. a local gig, a band i barely know but have high hopes for. the kind of show where i can have a normal day and then hop on the bus in the evening; macarts, a place that feels like home now. swim school and her picture both great bands, the kind of gig where i didn't know a single song but wasn't wondering how many songs they had left.

coming up: sprints. a week of adventures with a brett anderson cameo or two. nadine again. olivia rodrigo. for one night only, the ninth wave. finally, eventually, being in front of suede again.

[seo2agency-blog]

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[safetymarktraining-blog]

Where to Take Your Personal License Training in Luton

If you're planning to work in any establishment that sells alcohol in Luton, securing a personal license is essential. Whether you’re running a pub, managing a restaurant, or opening a retail store that sells alcoholic beverages, this certification is required by law. At SafetyMark Training, we provide the tools and knowledge necessary to pass your personal license course and begin your career in hospitality or retail with confidence.

In this blog, we’ll break down five key steps to help you get your personal license in Luton, the importance of this certification, and how SafetyMark Training can make the process easier for you. Along the way, we’ll share insightful statistics, mini case studies, and testimonials to guide you on your journey to success.

1. What is a Personal License and Why Do You Need One?

A personal license is a certification granted by the local licensing authority that allows individuals to supervise or authorize the sale of alcohol in the UK. The Licensing Act 2003 makes it mandatory for anyone responsible for alcohol sales in licensed premises to hold this license.

Why It’s Essential:

Legal Requirement: Without a personal license, you cannot legally supervise or authorize the sale of alcohol. Non-compliance could result in fines, penalties, or even the closure of your business. This is why obtaining your personal license is not just a good idea, but a legal necessity for anyone in the hospitality or retail alcohol industries.

Job Eligibility: A personal license opens up career opportunities in the hospitality and retail industries, allowing you to take managerial roles in pubs, restaurants, and shops that sell alcohol. Without this certification, many roles will be off-limits, making it a crucial step for anyone looking to progress in these industries.

Promotes Responsible Sales: With the right knowledge and understanding, a personal license holder can help prevent underage drinking, minimize alcohol-related issues, and ensure legal compliance. Your training will teach you how to make responsible decisions that keep your workplace and customers safe.

Statistic: 

According to recent statistics, over 80% of pubs and bars in the UK now require their managers to hold a personal license due to strict legal obligations related to alcohol sales.

Case Study: John’s Pub Management Journey

John, a pub manager in Luton, had been working in the industry for over 10 years but had never obtained his personal license. When his pub expanded, the local licensing authority required him to have this certification. After completing SafetyMark’s training, John not only passed the exam but was also able to improve his pub’s alcohol sales practices, reducing alcohol-related incidents by 50%.

2. Understanding the Personal License Training Course

Before applying for your personal license, you must complete an accredited personal license training course. At SafetyMark Training, we offer a comprehensive program that prepares you for both the exam and the real-world responsibilities of a personal license holder.

Course Highlights:

Licensing Act 2003: You’ll gain a deep understanding of the legalities surrounding alcohol sales and learn how to apply these laws in practical scenarios.

Alcohol Awareness: The course covers the effects of alcohol on the body, how to identify intoxicated individuals, and how to handle these situations responsibly. You’ll learn about the legal implications of selling alcohol and how to deal with intoxicated customers in a way that ensures the safety of everyone involved.

Age Verification & Preventing Underage Sales: Learn how to verify a customer's age and implement the Challenge 25 policy to avoid underage sales. This is one of the most important aspects of the training, as failing to verify age properly can lead to heavy fines or even business closure.

Testimonial:

 "The SafetyMark course was thorough and easy to understand. The trainers made the information engaging and provided real-world examples, which made me feel confident when I took the exam." — Sarah, Pub Manager

Mini Case Study: Emily’s Retail Store Success

Emily, an entrepreneur opening a new store in Luton, needed a personal license to sell alcohol legally. Through SafetyMark's training, she learned the vital aspects of alcohol regulations, including age verification. After passing her exam, she was able to open her store with full compliance, boosting sales by 20% in the first month thanks to her responsible approach to alcohol sales.

3. The Personal License Exam: What to Expect

The personal license exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. To pass, you must correctly answer at least 28 questions. The topics covered are those you’ll learn during your training, including:

Understanding the role of a personal license holder.

The responsibilities associated with alcohol sales.

The legal framework for alcohol sales in licensed establishments.

Alcohol-related health and safety issues.

Age verification and preventing underage sales.

Statistic: Around 95% of SafetyMark Training participants pass their personal license exam on the first attempt, thanks to the well-structured and supportive training course.

Case Study: Mark’s Path to Success

Mark, a bar supervisor in Luton, took SafetyMark's personal license course because he wanted to move into a managerial role. The training provided Mark with the knowledge he needed to pass the exam. He was soon promoted to pub manager, overseeing a team of 15 staff and ensuring compliance with the alcohol sales laws.

Exam Details:

The exam will cover various aspects of alcohol sales, including:

The role and responsibilities of a personal license holder.

How to handle intoxicated customers and prevent alcohol-related incidents.

Legal requirements for the sale of alcohol in licensed premises.

Procedures for applying for and renewing a personal license.

It’s important to take this exam seriously, as it will determine whether you are equipped to legally supervise alcohol sales in your establishment. But don’t worry; with proper preparation, passing the exam will be a breeze!

4. Applying for Your Personal License

Once you’ve passed the exam, the next step is to apply for your personal license through the local licensing authority. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do:

Steps to Apply for Your Personal License:

Step 1: Complete the Personal License Course: SafetyMark Training offers a comprehensive one-day course that will prepare you for the exam. Our trainers are experts in the field, ensuring you are fully ready for the exam.

Step 2: Pass the Exam: After completing the training, you will take the multiple-choice exam. You’ll need to answer at least 28 out of 40 questions correctly to pass.

Step 3: Submit Your Application: After passing the exam, you can submit your application to the local licensing authority (Luton Borough Council). You will need to provide the following:

A completed application form.

Proof of passing the personal license exam.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to show you don’t have any criminal convictions that would disqualify you.

A passport-sized photo.

Step 4: Receive Your Personal License: Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive your personal license. The license will be valid for 10 years, after which you will need to renew it.

Testimonial:

 "The process of applying for my personal license was simple and straightforward thanks to SafetyMark’s training. I felt confident every step of the way." — James, Pub Manager

Mini Case Study: Lisa’s Smooth Application Process

Lisa, a bar manager in Luton, was unsure about the application process. But after attending the SafetyMark course, she understood everything clearly. She passed her exam with ease, submitted her application, and received her personal license within weeks, enabling her to take on more responsibilities at her bar.

5. Why Choose SafetyMark Training for Your Personal License in Luton?

At SafetyMark Training, we are committed to providing top-quality personal license training��in Luton. Here’s why we stand out from other providers:

Reasons to Choose SafetyMark Training:

Experienced Trainers: Our trainers have extensive experience in the hospitality and retail industries. They bring real-world knowledge and insights to the training, ensuring that you understand how to apply the laws in everyday situations.

Accredited & Legal: Our training courses are fully accredited and meet all legal requirements. You can trust that you’ll receive up-to-date, relevant, and thorough instruction.

Affordable Pricing: We believe in making personal license training accessible to everyone. Our competitive prices ensure that you can pursue your career in the hospitality and retail industries without breaking the bank.

High Pass Rate: SafetyMark Training boasts a high pass rate for the personal license exam. Our comprehensive training and exam preparation ensure that you’re fully ready to succeed.

Statistic: 

SafetyMark Training has helped over 1,500 individuals in Luton and surrounding areas obtain their personal license and take the next step in their careers.

Mini Case Study: Paul’s Career Advancement

Paul had been working as a supervisor at a busy restaurant but felt his career was stagnant. After obtaining his personal license through SafetyMark Training, he was promoted to manager, allowing him to take on more responsibilities and lead a team. He credits his career growth to the training and certification he received.

Conclusion

Obtaining a personal license is a necessary step for anyone working in a licensed establishment, whether in Luton or elsewhere in the UK. With a personal license, you can legally operate in the hospitality, retail, or any other industry that supplies alcohol.

At SafetyMark Training, we make the process of getting your personal license simple and stress-free. Our approved course, competent trainers, and high pass rate ensure that you are fully prepared to assume the obligations of a personal license holder.

Are you prepared to embark on a career in hospitality or retail? Contact SafetyMark Training today to join in our personal license training course in Luton and begin your path to success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a personal license?  A personal license is a legal requirement for individuals in the UK who sell alcohol. It enables you to monitor or authorize alcohol sales at licensed establishments.

Who needs a personal license?  Anyone in charge of selling alcohol, such as bar or pub management, shop owners, or retail employees, must have a personal license to comply with the Licensing Act 2003.

How long does a personal license last?  A personal license is normally valid for 10 years, after which you can seek renewal.

Can I get a personal license if I have a criminal record?  Certain criminal offenses, especially those involving alcohol or violence, may prevent you from acquiring a personal license. A criminal background check (DBS) is required.

Is the personal license course accredited?  Yes, SafetyMark Training provides an accredited personal license course that meets all of the legal requirements for selling alcohol in the UK.

[signartpro]

[jerryjhon]

Experience Luxury Travel with a Chauffeur to London

London, the vibrant capital of the United Kingdom, is a city rich in history, culture, and business opportunities. Whether you are visiting for leisure, corporate meetings, or special events, hiring a chauffeur to London ensures a seamless and luxurious travel experience. Forget the hassle of public transport or navigating busy streets; a professional chauffeur service offers comfort, reliability, and efficiency.

Why Choose a Chauffeur to London?

Opting for a chauffeur to London provides numerous advantages, making your journey smooth and stress-free. Here are some compelling reasons why this premium service is worth considering:

Professionalism & Punctuality: A chauffeur service guarantees timely pick-ups and drop-offs, ensuring you reach your destination on schedule.

Luxury & Comfort: Travel in high-end vehicles equipped with plush interiors, climate control, and top-tier amenities.

Local Expertise: Chauffeurs are well-versed in London’s routes, traffic patterns, and alternative paths, saving you time and avoiding congestion.

Safety & Privacy: With trained drivers and secure vehicles, a chauffeur to London offers a safe and discreet travel option.

Personalized Service: Tailor your ride according to your preferences, whether you need Wi-Fi, refreshments, or specific stopovers.

Ideal Occasions for a Chauffeur Service

A chauffeur to London is perfect for various travel needs, including:

Airport Transfers: Enjoy a smooth ride to or from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton Airport.

Corporate Travel: Impress clients and business partners with a luxury chauffeur service.

Tourism & Sightseeing: Explore iconic attractions like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the London Eye in style.

Weddings & Special Events: Arrive at grand occasions in an elegant and sophisticated manner.

Shopping & Leisure: Experience hassle-free shopping at Harrods, Bond Street, or Oxford Street with a chauffeur at your service.

How to Book a Chauffeur to London?

Booking a chauffeur to London is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps:

Choose Your Vehicle: Select from a range of luxury cars, including Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, or Bentley.

Provide Travel Details: Share your pick-up location, destination, and any special requests.

Confirm Your Booking: Receive a confirmation with the chauffeur’s details and estimated arrival time.

Enjoy a Luxurious Ride: Sit back, relax, and experience premium travel with professional service.

Conclusion

Whether for business or leisure, hiring a chauffeur to London enhances your travel experience with unparalleled convenience, style, and reliability. With a professional chauffeur service, you can focus on your journey while leaving the driving to experts. Book your luxury ride today and discover the finest way to explore London!

[hongduongn120]

So, Flynn's lore dump time

The 4th generation of his family trade, Flynn James Luton was born in 1893 in Dublin, Ireland to Cathal Luton, a weaponsmith, and Martha Cassidy-Luton along with his younger brother, Thomas. He enjoyed a relatively quiet childhood with his father teaching him about the art of gunsmithing, hoping for him to follow in his forefather's footsteps. However, he was distant to Flynn otherwise due to the nature of his work. But his mother's death from pneumonia when he was 17 drove him into a deep depression and that led him to join the British Army in the hopes of getting a purpose in life. He would be trained as an armorer and ascend to the rank of Corporal before the outbreak of the Great War. He would then be transferred to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers regiment, 16th (Irish) Division, and be shipped to France.

He would be fortunate to survive the war, although he would not speak much about his experiences. The nature of the 16th Division, mostly comprised of Irish Volunteers, would mean that Flynn would begin having nationalistic thoughts and wishing for Irish independence in his time with the unit. During the Battle of Passchendaele, a German artillery shell landed near his position, the resulting shrapnel cutting off half of his jaw and taking away his nose, hospitalizing him for 3 months and requiring him to wear a prosthetic mask from there on. After the Armistice, Flynn would be discharged with the rank of Sergeant Major, disfigured, suffering from shellshock, and returned to an Ireland teetering on the brink of war. War did break out, the Irish War of Independence, and Flynn would fight in it on the side of the Volunteers, renamed the Irish Republican Army. With the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the war's end, Flynn is one of many who thought the treaty went against what they had fought for. But rather than fighting in the upcoming Irish Civil War, Flynn was just tired of war, and therefore in late 1921, he boarded a ship headed for America, determined to start again. 

When he disembarked in Boston in January 1922, he initially wanted to settle down, but after a week's stay, he realized that the city wasn't for him. With little other choice, Flynn decided to take to the roads and wander through the Continental United States, trading his skills for a living, hoping to find a suitable place to settle down and to find himself and his purpose again. The journey would take him 3 years, going through 25 major cities and countless small towns from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest. His drifting days would be filled with lessons, memories, experiences, and a few bodies, from a bar crawl in San Francisco, a duel leading to a carjacking in El Paso, an encounter with a death cult in rural Montana, and the most notable, a hit job in New Orleans that spiraled into a massive assault on a mansion compound, where he would first meet the siblings Nicodeme and Serafine Savoy. The assault by the three would be the start of a deep friendship that would continue to the present day.

Arriving at St. Louis in early 1925, the atmosphere convinced him that this was the place, and using the funds he had saved throughout the years, he bought a building in the city's downtown and founded Luton's Gunsmithing and Sporting Goods. In this gun store, he would sell both legal firearms, and later in his basement, illegal weapons. Through his customers, he heard of the main criminal organizations in the city, Lackadaisy and Marigold. His first time in the Lackadaisy Speakeasy doesn't go well, with a drunk patron mocking his appearance, eventually leading to a brawl. When the dusk settles, the patron is thrown out and Flynn is cared for by the staff, who introduces him to the proprietor, Atlas May. Atlas has known of Flynn since he opened his shop, and offers a partnership in which Flynn would become the gang's unofficial main armorer, while Atlas would use his contacts to connect Flynn to more products and customers. This partnership would continue after Atlas's death, although Flynn then decided to stay neutral in the rivalry between Lackadaisy and the new kingfish of the city, the Marigold gang. His reunion with the Savoys does come as a surprise, but a welcoming one nonetheless, with the siblings inviting him to their jobs, explaining the matter to their boss, Asa Sweet, as an old freelance partner. He has been offered to join the Marigold gang, a decision he still hasn’t fully made. Nevertheless, his business is still running smoothly, though, with the simmering situation in the city's underground, he's preparing himself for the next big thing that will be happening...

[chocolatedetectivehottub]

Southampton taxi,

Southampton taxi,

Southampton is a bustling port city known for its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and thriving economy. Whether you're a local, a tourist, or a business traveler, reliable transportation is essential to navigating the city conveniently. This is where Southampton taxi services come in handy, offering efficient, safe, and affordable rides.

Why Choose a Southampton Taxi?

1. Convenience and Availability

Southampton taxis operate 24/7, ensuring that you have access to transportation at any time of the day or night. Whether you need a ride to the airport, a train station, or a night out in the city, taxis are readily available to meet your needs.

2. Professional and Experienced Drivers

Taxi services in Southampton employ skilled and licensed drivers with extensive knowledge of the city. This ensures that passengers reach their destinations safely and efficiently, avoiding unnecessary delays.

3. Affordable and Transparent Pricing

Unlike ride-sharing services that may have surge pricing, Southampton taxis offer fair and transparent rates. Many taxi companies provide fixed fares for airport transfers and popular routes, helping passengers plan their transportation budget effectively.

4. Comfort and Safety

Taxis in Southampton are well-maintained, clean, and equipped with modern amenities to provide a comfortable ride. Moreover, reputable taxi services prioritize passenger safety, adhering to strict regulations and guidelines.

5. Multiple Booking Options

Booking a Southampton taxi is easy and flexible. You can hail a cab on the street, book through an app, call a taxi company, or visit designated taxi ranks around the city, including at Southampton Central Station and Southampton Airport.

Popular Southampton Taxi Services

There are several reputable taxi operators in Southampton, including:

Radio Taxis Southampton – A reliable service offering standard taxis and executive vehicles.

West Quay Cars – Known for punctuality and competitive fares.

Southampton Airport Taxis – Specializing in airport transfers.

A1 Taxis Southampton – Providing 24/7 service with modern vehicles.

Southampton Taxi Airport Transfers

Southampton taxis provide seamless airport transfers to and from Southampton Airport (SOU) and other major airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton. Booking a taxi for airport transfers ensures a stress-free journey with punctual pickups and drop-offs.

Exploring Southampton with a Taxi

If you're visiting Southampton, taxis can help you explore top attractions, such as:

SeaCity Museum – Discover the city's maritime history.

Southampton City Art Gallery – Admire incredible artworks.

Mayflower Theatre – Enjoy world-class performances.

West Quay Shopping Centre – Indulge in retail therapy.

Southampton Docks – A hub for cruise ship passengers.

Conclusion

A Southampton taxi is an excellent choice for reliable, comfortable, and affordable transportation. Whether you're traveling within the city, heading to the airport, or exploring tourist attractions, a taxi service ensures a hassle-free journey. Book your taxi today and enjoy a smooth ride across Southampton!

[cleverhottubmiracle]

The lush green fields, scattering of farm buildings and 12th-century splendour of nearby Coombe Abbey that surround the small village of Ansty in Warwickshire are a long way from the neon football boots, giant mugs and piles of tracksuit bottoms of Sports Direct’s busy stores.But the two worlds will soon meet. On Christmas Eve the sports fashion chain’s owner, Frasers Group, received an early festive gift: planning permission to build a 371,600-square-metre headquarters near Ansty. The vast development — which will host a hotel, shop and recreational facilities for its 7,600 workers — puts the business on a collision course with concerned local people and thousands of existing staff who the Unite union say are unlikely to be able to move from its current East Midlands head office.The plans for Antsy are a typical shock and awe move for Mike Ashley, who owns 73 percent of Frasers. Over four decades, the billionaire has built a reputation as a relentless deal-maker who has seen off a string of powerful rivals to become the de facto king of the high street and an enigmatic figure whose motives are frequently guessed at.However, with Frasers recently ejected from the FTSE 100, cutting profit forecasts and Ashley thwarted in an attempt to join the board of the online retailer Boohoo, are there signs his disparate empire is beginning to creak?From Squash to ShopsAshley may no longer have a seat on the Frasers board, but by many accounts, which are denied by the company, he still calls the shots at the group he built from a single sports store in Maidenhead, opened in 1982 with £10,000 from his parents.He left school at 16 with no qualifications to become a squash pro and, although that did not work out because of injury, he can now be consoled with an estimated fortune of almost £3.8 billion ($4.9 billion), according to last year’s Sunday Times rich list.His group has grown to about 1,500 stores across 20 countries and employs 30,000 people with brands selling sofas to luxury casualwear, gyms and personal finance.The far-reaching collection of interests, typically collected through deals for distressed assets, has been amassed at breathless pace. In only the past three months, Frasers warred with Boohoo, launched and ditched a cut-price bid for the Norwegian sporting goods chain XXL, bought South Africa’s Holdsport, and paid £53.5 million to take ownership of the site near Ansty.Last year, Frasers attempted a hostile buyout of the luxury bag brand Mulberry and snapped up a string of down-at-heel shopping malls in Luton, Doncaster and Exeter.Frasers’ array of brands — from Evans Cycles to Flannels — enables it to use its scale to make ailing companies more viable.The group also has an ever-changing portfolio of stakes in listed companies that now runs from the electrical goods retailers Currys, AO and Marks Electrical to the fashion groups Asos, Hugo Boss and Mulberry.The £100 Million PrizeA series of controversies have often threatened to derail Frasers’ relentless expansion. Only this month MPs raised concerns about the group’s recent admission that two-thirds of its retail staff were on zero-hours contracts and three-quarters of its warehouse staff were still agency workers, putting the company squarely in the sights of new legislation that aims to improve employment rights for the least well-off.The high level of agency workers has concerned Unite, which also hopes to secure a boost to pay for staff. Frasers pays above the legal minimum wage but still lags behind some rivals.Ashley is no stranger to such controversies — from the early days of his company’s flotation when it emerged he had played a game of spoof over a hefty legal bill — to winning a bruising court battle with the former adviser Jeff Blue over the apparent promise of a £15m bonus, during which he described himself as a “power drinker”. Frasers’ Shirebrook headquarters in Derbyshire was described by MPs as a “Victorian workhouse” in 2016. As the owner of Newcastle United, he went from hero to hate figure over decisions including the temporary renaming the football club’s historic St James’ Park stadium the Sports Direct Arena.Today, Frasers is officially run by Ashley’s 35-year-old son-in-law, Michael Murray, who signed up with the promise of a £100 million bonus should he be able to take Frasers share price to £15 by October this year. It currently stands at less than half that — and has fallen 27 percent in the last six months — so pursuing potentially tricky takeover deals is not a surprise.“[Murray] always needed to make quite big leaps to get the share price up there, and the incentive encourages more risk-taking,” one analyst says.However, Murray’s strategy is in line with that laid down by his acquisitive father-in-law.Buying brands and acquiring the rights to distribute them has long been part of his playbook and key to Ashley’s dominance of the sportswear market, pushing out major rival JJB and putting pressure on JD Sports.He started with the ageing brands Donnay and Dunlop Slazenger and is now a shareholder in the fashion label Hugo Boss. The buyout of Flannels in 2012 helped build relationships with luxury labels and a much more upmarket world than his then largely cut-price Sports Direct. On buying House of Fraser in 2018, he set a mission to become “the Harrods of the high street”.Many of the latest deals, such as Findel, now known as Studio Retail, and the tilt at control of Boohoo have been designed to build up the group’s online, financial services and logistics operations.Mike’s MotivesAshley who has a long history as a gambler — he produced a wad of £50 notes from his pocket when taking journalists through security screening on a visit to Shirebrook — is not averse to risk. However, most deals are underpinned by the value of stock and or property, which can be traded to raise cash to pay for the deal or bring a big profit if other tactics fail.His strategies to gain influence over target companies range from offering loans or snapping up debts to buying strategic stakes in publicly listed entities.One former associate says of Ashley: “He rarely has a single game plan, he looks at it in quite a complex way. If something is not working he pivots.”Unlike most other companies, negotiations often go on in the public eye, with Frasers willing to publicly admonish companies that do not bend to its will.“He is a natural disruptor,” another former associate says. “He is impish in the extreme. He can use a bit of trouble to shake things up and make money at the same time.”Several of those who have worked with him agree that Ashley is also motivated by wanting to win against certain people: business rivals such as the former JD Sports boss Peter Cowgill or the Boohoo founder Mahmud Kamani.Even those he has been closest to — such as Blue or the former lieutenants Karen Byers and Dave Forsey — have found themselves out in the cold after fallouts. Forsey, the former chief executive, has now returned to the company to spearhead Frasers’ international operations.“He has burnt bridges with people. The mistake people can make is they think they are in the tribe but they can be thrown out,” a source says.With the explosion of online retail and thousands of vacant shops across the UK, Ashley has far less competition for deals these days. “Virtually everything on the market or in trouble comes across his desk and he doesn’t have to ask for it,” a former associate says. “It has been a perfect field for him.”The company denies that Ashley still calls the shots and says “decisions in relation to the operation and strategy of the Frasers Group” are made by its board. Ashley will only “provide advice by way of a consultancy arrangement” on instruction from the board, it says.A New KingdomIn Ansty, people are worried about traffic and noise from the giant facility, but the move from Shirebrook could also be life-changing for thousands of workers. About 4,000 of them are on agency contracts and so will have no rights to a payoff.Unite predicts few of the Shirebrook workforce will be able to make the move south and will lose their jobs. “They would be unwilling and unable to afford to travel 70-plus miles to attend the new site,” Unite’s Gary Groom says. For Frasers, staffing the giant new facility is the next frontier for an empire always in flux.By Sarah Butler. Source link

[norajworld]

The lush green fields, scattering of farm buildings and 12th-century splendour of nearby Coombe Abbey that surround the small village of Ansty in Warwickshire are a long way from the neon football boots, giant mugs and piles of tracksuit bottoms of Sports Direct’s busy stores.But the two worlds will soon meet. On Christmas Eve the sports fashion chain’s owner, Frasers Group, received an early festive gift: planning permission to build a 371,600-square-metre headquarters near Ansty. The vast development — which will host a hotel, shop and recreational facilities for its 7,600 workers — puts the business on a collision course with concerned local people and thousands of existing staff who the Unite union say are unlikely to be able to move from its current East Midlands head office.The plans for Antsy are a typical shock and awe move for Mike Ashley, who owns 73 percent of Frasers. Over four decades, the billionaire has built a reputation as a relentless deal-maker who has seen off a string of powerful rivals to become the de facto king of the high street and an enigmatic figure whose motives are frequently guessed at.However, with Frasers recently ejected from the FTSE 100, cutting profit forecasts and Ashley thwarted in an attempt to join the board of the online retailer Boohoo, are there signs his disparate empire is beginning to creak?From Squash to ShopsAshley may no longer have a seat on the Frasers board, but by many accounts, which are denied by the company, he still calls the shots at the group he built from a single sports store in Maidenhead, opened in 1982 with £10,000 from his parents.He left school at 16 with no qualifications to become a squash pro and, although that did not work out because of injury, he can now be consoled with an estimated fortune of almost £3.8 billion ($4.9 billion), according to last year’s Sunday Times rich list.His group has grown to about 1,500 stores across 20 countries and employs 30,000 people with brands selling sofas to luxury casualwear, gyms and personal finance.The far-reaching collection of interests, typically collected through deals for distressed assets, has been amassed at breathless pace. In only the past three months, Frasers warred with Boohoo, launched and ditched a cut-price bid for the Norwegian sporting goods chain XXL, bought South Africa’s Holdsport, and paid £53.5 million to take ownership of the site near Ansty.Last year, Frasers attempted a hostile buyout of the luxury bag brand Mulberry and snapped up a string of down-at-heel shopping malls in Luton, Doncaster and Exeter.Frasers’ array of brands — from Evans Cycles to Flannels — enables it to use its scale to make ailing companies more viable.The group also has an ever-changing portfolio of stakes in listed companies that now runs from the electrical goods retailers Currys, AO and Marks Electrical to the fashion groups Asos, Hugo Boss and Mulberry.The £100 Million PrizeA series of controversies have often threatened to derail Frasers’ relentless expansion. Only this month MPs raised concerns about the group’s recent admission that two-thirds of its retail staff were on zero-hours contracts and three-quarters of its warehouse staff were still agency workers, putting the company squarely in the sights of new legislation that aims to improve employment rights for the least well-off.The high level of agency workers has concerned Unite, which also hopes to secure a boost to pay for staff. Frasers pays above the legal minimum wage but still lags behind some rivals.Ashley is no stranger to such controversies — from the early days of his company’s flotation when it emerged he had played a game of spoof over a hefty legal bill — to winning a bruising court battle with the former adviser Jeff Blue over the apparent promise of a £15m bonus, during which he described himself as a “power drinker”. Frasers’ Shirebrook headquarters in Derbyshire was described by MPs as a “Victorian workhouse” in 2016. As the owner of Newcastle United, he went from hero to hate figure over decisions including the temporary renaming the football club’s historic St James’ Park stadium the Sports Direct Arena.Today, Frasers is officially run by Ashley’s 35-year-old son-in-law, Michael Murray, who signed up with the promise of a £100 million bonus should he be able to take Frasers share price to £15 by October this year. It currently stands at less than half that — and has fallen 27 percent in the last six months — so pursuing potentially tricky takeover deals is not a surprise.“[Murray] always needed to make quite big leaps to get the share price up there, and the incentive encourages more risk-taking,” one analyst says.However, Murray’s strategy is in line with that laid down by his acquisitive father-in-law.Buying brands and acquiring the rights to distribute them has long been part of his playbook and key to Ashley’s dominance of the sportswear market, pushing out major rival JJB and putting pressure on JD Sports.He started with the ageing brands Donnay and Dunlop Slazenger and is now a shareholder in the fashion label Hugo Boss. The buyout of Flannels in 2012 helped build relationships with luxury labels and a much more upmarket world than his then largely cut-price Sports Direct. On buying House of Fraser in 2018, he set a mission to become “the Harrods of the high street”.Many of the latest deals, such as Findel, now known as Studio Retail, and the tilt at control of Boohoo have been designed to build up the group’s online, financial services and logistics operations.Mike’s MotivesAshley who has a long history as a gambler — he produced a wad of £50 notes from his pocket when taking journalists through security screening on a visit to Shirebrook — is not averse to risk. However, most deals are underpinned by the value of stock and or property, which can be traded to raise cash to pay for the deal or bring a big profit if other tactics fail.His strategies to gain influence over target companies range from offering loans or snapping up debts to buying strategic stakes in publicly listed entities.One former associate says of Ashley: “He rarely has a single game plan, he looks at it in quite a complex way. If something is not working he pivots.”Unlike most other companies, negotiations often go on in the public eye, with Frasers willing to publicly admonish companies that do not bend to its will.“He is a natural disruptor,” another former associate says. “He is impish in the extreme. He can use a bit of trouble to shake things up and make money at the same time.”Several of those who have worked with him agree that Ashley is also motivated by wanting to win against certain people: business rivals such as the former JD Sports boss Peter Cowgill or the Boohoo founder Mahmud Kamani.Even those he has been closest to — such as Blue or the former lieutenants Karen Byers and Dave Forsey — have found themselves out in the cold after fallouts. Forsey, the former chief executive, has now returned to the company to spearhead Frasers’ international operations.“He has burnt bridges with people. The mistake people can make is they think they are in the tribe but they can be thrown out,” a source says.With the explosion of online retail and thousands of vacant shops across the UK, Ashley has far less competition for deals these days. “Virtually everything on the market or in trouble comes across his desk and he doesn’t have to ask for it,” a former associate says. “It has been a perfect field for him.”The company denies that Ashley still calls the shots and says “decisions in relation to the operation and strategy of the Frasers Group” are made by its board. Ashley will only “provide advice by way of a consultancy arrangement” on instruction from the board, it says.A New KingdomIn Ansty, people are worried about traffic and noise from the giant facility, but the move from Shirebrook could also be life-changing for thousands of workers. About 4,000 of them are on agency contracts and so will have no rights to a payoff.Unite predicts few of the Shirebrook workforce will be able to make the move south and will lose their jobs. “They would be unwilling and unable to afford to travel 70-plus miles to attend the new site,” Unite’s Gary Groom says. For Frasers, staffing the giant new facility is the next frontier for an empire always in flux.By Sarah Butler. Source link