The CCTV footage of two men police want to identify in relation to the burglary at the Bargain Booze store on Preston Road, Chorley (Photo: Lancashire Police)
A convenience store in Chorley was robbed of cigarettes worth £4,000 in a distraction burglary.
The incident happened at the Bargain Booze outlet on Preston Road at 6pm on Saturday (4 December).
The CCTV footage shows a man escaping with a bag containing the stolen items as another man distracted the member of staff behind the till.
Officers said the first man has gone into the cellar of the premises and helped himself to around £4,000 in cigarettes.
“This was clearly a planned burglary, with one man stealing the cigarettes while the second distracted the store worker,” PC Pete Burns, of Lancashire Police, said.
“I would ask anybody with information or anybody who recognises the men in the CCTV to contact police as soon as possible.”
Officers have issued visuals of the two suspects, appealing for information to identify them.
Anyone with information is asked to email 3220@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 0483 of December 5, 2021.
Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.
The Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group (SAITG) has relaunched this month, with the aim of combating counterfeiting and intellectual property crime in Scotland.
Supported by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the group brings together law enforcement, government and businesses to strengthen Scotland’s fight against this illicit trade.
According to IPO research, almost one in three of those asked (29%) across the UK have purchased counterfeit goods in the past. Almost one in five (19%) said they purchase them often, sometimes or on an occasional basis.
For 2021, the overall estimated value of imported counterfeit goods into the UK was over £7 billion.
The group will focus on developing best practice and enhancing collective strategies to tackle the supply of counterfeit goods across Scotland. They will form a coordinated response to protect Scottish products, businesses and consumers from the threat of IP crime.
“The Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group has an important role to play in disrupting the production and distribution of counterfeit and illicit goods," Scottish justice secretary Angela Constance said.
"As well as harming legitimate businesses, the profits of such activities fund other criminal activity. The Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, which I chair, will continue to work with the SAITG to do everything we can to tackle this illegal activity.”
Panel discussion at the relaunch of the SAITG on 3 March 2025
SAITG brings together members including the Scotch Whisky Association, Police Scotland, Trading Standards, The Wine & Spirit Trade Association and The Anti-Counterfeiting Group. Together, they will create a forum for distinct industry areas to share insight, intelligence and provide training and support for law enforcement agencies.
The group’s work will also help build a greater understanding among the wider public of the harms this trade causes, emphasising that counterfeiting is anything but a victimless crime.
“We are pleased to support the re-launch of the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group, which marks an important moment in tackling this significant threat to businesses and consumers in Scotland,” Miles Rees, the IPO’s deputy director of enforcement, said.
“Counterfeit goods not only harm those using them, but also cause wider harms to society, our economy and communities. Government, industry and law enforcement all have a crucial role to play in working together to combat counterfeiting and piracy, and the group represents a vital forum, helping drive action together.”
Rachel Jones, newly appointed chair of the Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group and founder of Snapdragon, said: “Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. It is the second largest source of criminal income in the world, after drugs. I’m very honoured to chair this group as we bring together key partners to protect Scotland’s heritage brands and consumers.”
Alan Park, director of legal affairs at the Scotch Whisky Association, highlighted the importance of protecting Scotland’s premium products.
“Food and drink products strongly associated with their origin, like Scotch Whisky, carry a significant reputation based on their quality, authenticity and generations of investment,” Park said.
“Those who attempt to take fraudulent advantage of that reputation will always face strong action, and the formation of this group is a significant step to help serve a strong message that this illegal activity won’t be tolerated.”
Members of the public can report suspected counterfeit goods to Police Scotland by calling 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Chocolate purchasing intent for Easter is expected to slide due to factors like the ongoing cost of living crisis and growing concerns over sustainability while Easter-themed wrapping paper is expected to be in demand this year, states a recent report.
According to a UK consumer survey by product intelligence platform Vypr, 39 per cent of people are cutting back on chocolate eggs this year, while 24 per cent plan to spend less than £5 on Easter gifts.
While health concerns have led 29 per cent of consumers to scale back their Easter egg purchases, sustainability is a factor for many shoppers.
The desire for more eco-friendly options is evident for some, as 17 per cent of people are looking to choose gifts with less packaging, and another 17 per cent are prioritising items wrapped in less plastic.
Additionally, 15 per cent are opting to skip Easter altogether this year to avoid contributing to waste.
Despite these preferences, many shoppers are still planning to spend this Easter, although most say it’s going to be very low-key, with the majority (53 per cent) expecting to spend less than £10 in total, covering gifts, decorations, and entertaining.
Encouragingly for retailers, over a third (35 per cent) of consumers plan to spend between £10 and £50.
Chocolate eggs will still play a key part in these purchases, but for some, alternatives are gaining popularity. Cash gifts (10 per cent) and toys (9 per cent) are among the most popular choices.
Additionally, 10 per cent are looking for chocolate that isn’t egg-shaped, while 8 per cent will be buying Easter decorations.
Vypr noted that many supermarkets, convenience stores and wider retailers have expanded their range of Easter decorations this year, with 21 per cent of shoppers saying they have noticed the increased variety.
However, only 8 per cent report that this is likely to persuade them to purchase. Overall, 54 per cent of people do not decorate for Easter, and of those who do, 14 per cent plan to reuse last year’s decorations, while only 10 per cent will buy new ones.
Ben Davies, founder of Vypr, commented, “Retailers have plenty to consider when planning their 2025 Easter ranges.
"A quarter of shoppers are looking to gift-wrap Easter presents this year, making Easter-themed wrapping paper a clear opportunity to drive sales.
"Meanwhile, one in ten plan to buy Easter-themed clothing for children – which is something supermarkets could tap into to boost seasonal sales.
“Sustainability is also becoming a bigger priority for consumers, and demand for eco-friendly alternatives will only grow. This is a key area for NPD teams to explore, ensuring their ranges appeal to increasingly eco-conscious shoppers.”
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UK consumers cut spending as economic worries grow - KPMG
Majority of Brits feel that the economy is heading in the wrong direction, and this feeling is leading many to cut everyday spend, defer big ticket buying, and save more, a recent report has stated.
According to the latest quarterly Consumer Pulse survey from KPMG in the UK, three in five people say that the UK economy is worsening, leading even consumers feeling financially secure to cut back on spending.
The number of people feeling that the UK economy is worsening grew by fifteen percentage points in the last three months to 58 per cent.
But despite the perception of a downbeat economic picture, the majority (55 per cent) of people currently feel financially secure (which is just 2 percentage points lower than the previous quarter).
The research gauged the confidence of 3000 UK consumers and assessed their buying behaviour over the last quarter.
Those feeling insecure about their finances grew from 21 per cent to 24 per cent over the last three months, but within that only 15 per cent of people reported that their finances are such that they are having to actively cut discretionary spend to pay for essentials – with a further 2 per cent saying they are incurring debt to pay bills.
The growing negative economic perception is leading more consumers to take spending action than those who say their financial situation means they need to, with:
43 per cent saying they are reducing spend on everyday items.
36 per cent saying they are saving more as a contingency.
29 per cent saying they are deferring big ticket purchases.
19 per cent feeling less inclined to leave their current employment.
Reflecting upon the findings, Linda Ellett, head of consumer, retail and leisure for KPMG UK, said, “Our research continues to show that while only a minority of consumers feel financially insecure, the majority feel that the economy is heading in the wrong direction.
"And this nervousness about the economy is leading many, including some of those who are secure in their current personal financial circumstances, to cut everyday spend, defer big ticket buying, and save more.
“Some may be taking this action as they prepare for higher costs, such as a new mortgage deal or the higher cost of travel.
"But other cautious consumers are certainly preparing for the potential impact on them from what they believe to be a worsening economy. This week’s Spring Statement needs to give people the confidence in the longer-term UK economic outlook.”
Comparing consumer spending in the first quarter of 2025 to the results from the final quarter of 2024:
Eating out remains the most common target (38 per cent) for those cutting spend. Takeaway was second, with 34 per cent of consumers reporting less spend over the last three months. The number of people saying they are cutting back was 2 percentage points higher than the last survey.
The number of consumers reporting they cut clothing and footwear spend in the last three months rose 3 percentage points from the last survey to 32 per cent.
Cost cutting behaviour when shopping was once again evident, with:
Nearly a quarter of consumers (23 per cent) saying they shopped for promotional or discount goods more in the last three months.
Just over a fifth (22 per cent) of consumers saying they bought more own brand or value goods in the last three months.
A fifth (21 per cent) of consumers saying they used loyalty schemes more this quarter.
70 per cent of consumers said that price was a top purchasing driver for everyday items – rising 3 percentage points from the last survey.
Holiday spend was again the most common ‘big ticket’ quarterly spend, with 21 per cent of consumers reporting related spend in the last three months. 30 per cent of consumers say they will spend on a holiday in next three months.
45 per cent of consumers said they bought no ‘big ticket’ items in December, January and February. And 38 per cent said they won’t make any larger purchases in the coming three months.
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Nisa Local Uxbridge Road donates £1,000 to St. Stephen’s CE Primary School.
Nisa Local Uxbridge Road, operated by convenience chain LA Foods, has donated £1,000 through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity to St. Stephen’s CE Primary School as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the local community.
The donation was presented during the store’s recent relaunch event, attended by headteacher Michael Schumm and a group of excited pupils from the school.
This latest contribution takes the total amount donated by the store to St. Stephen’s to £5,000.
Store manager Malik Zameer said, “Supporting the community is very important to us. We’re proud to have been able to contribute £1,000 to St. Stephen’s CE Primary School, which will help fund valuable resources and activities for local children.
“We’ve worked closely with the school before, and we’re always keen to continue giving back.
"We’ve also been approached by an Islamic charity in the area, and we’re currently exploring how we can help with that too.”
Last year, LA Foods celebrated reaching the £100,000 donation milestone to local communities, demonstrating its commitment to making a positive impact on local communities.
Nisa retailers, including LA Foods, raise money for charitable causes through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity.
Funds are generated via the sale of Co-op own brand products in store, enabling retailers to provide meaningful support to local causes that matter most to their communities.
Kate Carroll, Head of Charity at Nisa, said, “It’s wonderful to see Nisa partners like LA Foods making such a big difference to their local school. Donations like this are vital in helping schools and community groups thrive.”
Earlier this month, LA Foods reopened Nisa Local Uxbridge Road with a new layout and an extensive refit designed to enhance the shopping experience for the local community.
The new-look store now offers an impressive selection of Co-op own-brand products, providing customers with access to high-quality, great-value groceries, chilled meals, and food-to-go options.
In addition, the refit has introduced a temperature-controlled ‘beer cave’, a first-of-its-kind feature for the area, offering an extensive range of wines and beers.
Another key improvement was removing previous signage that covered the store’s windows, allowing passers-by to see inside.
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Morrisons announces major store and café closures as part of its renewal plan.
Supermarket chain Morrisons on Monday (24) announced that it is shutting down its 17 convenience stores and 52 cafes as a part of its second year of its programme of renewal.
A wide-ranging review identified a number of areas where the costs of operations are significantly out of line with usage, volumes or the value that customers place on them.
As a result, Morrisons is proposing a number of changes over the next few months, specifically the closure of 52 Cafés, all 18 Market Kitchens, 17 Convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies.
Although the significant majority of colleagues affected by these changes are expected to be deployed in suitable roles elsewhere in Morrisons, there will be a total of around 365 colleagues at risk of redundancy.
Rami Baitiéh, Chief Executive of Morrisons, said, “The changes we are announcing today are a necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons and enable us to focus our investment into the areas that customers really value and that can play a full part in our growth.
“Although these changes are relatively small in the context of the overall scale of the Morrisons business, we do not take lightly the disruption and uncertainty they will cause to some of our colleagues.
"We will of course take particular care to look after all of them well through the coming changes.”
Reacting on the reports, Darren Matthews – Usdaw National Officer says, “We have been informed by Morrisons about their restructuring plans.
"Usdaw will be supporting our members through the one-to-one consultation process, our priority is to keep as many employed in the business as possible.
"We welcome Morrisons’ early indication that the majority of staff affected by the changes are expected to be deployed to roles elsewhere in the business.
“Usdaw is also maintaining regular talks with the company on these proposals where we’ll be able to raise concerns, challenge and ask serious questions about the company’s business case.
"Usdaw reps are providing our members with the support, advice and representation they need through this period of uncertainty.”