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Half of adults want more effort from partners on Valentine’s Day

Helen Greaney
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Half of adults want more effort from partners on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has been dubbed a waste of money with novelty mugs and cheap underwear amongst the worst presents.

More than half of the 2,015 adults polled, said their partner should make more effort, rather than splurge on presents they don’t even want.

Respondents reported the rubbish gifts they had received included ‘wrong’ perfume, socks, candles and even, a car mat.

But while most said the day of lovers is a waste of time, one in three said they’d be gutted if their better half did nothing to celebrate.

Travel together

The research by Railcard.co.uk, found that one in five said a trip away would be the best romantic gesture with the Lake District top destination in the UK.

Relationship expert and coach, Sarah Louise Ryan, said: “Couples who travel together often end up more fulfilled and happier in their relationship.

“There are many reasons for this; inclusive of the fact it encourages communication and can deepen feelings of commitment as they plan their trips ahead of time, looking towards the future.

“Travel allows more opportunities for romance and time outside of the day-to-day routine, meaning romantic sparks can be reignited.

“Where flowers and chocolates can play a part, this Valentine’s Day I’d encourage all couples to carve out some time to book and experience a romantic getaway, whether for a day trip or a long weekend.”

The study also found 36% had considered a trip together as a way to rekindle a floundering relationship.

PR Fire’s Guide to Getting Media Coverage on a Startup Budget

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PR Fire’s Guide to Getting Media Coverage on a Startup Budget

Securing genuine media coverage often feels like it requires either an established brand name or a significant PR budget, neither of which most startups have in their early stages. However, meaningful media coverage is achievable even with limited resources, provided startups approach the process strategically. This guide from PR Fire outlines a practical approach to getting media coverage on a startup budget.

Understanding What Journalists Actually Want

Before spending any budget on press release distribution, startups need to understand what makes a story genuinely appealing to journalists. Reporters are looking for news with genuine relevance to their audience, whether that involves solving a real problem, offering an interesting data point, marking a significant milestone or representing a meaningful shift within an industry. Startups that focus on identifying a genuinely newsworthy angle, rather than simply promoting their product, stand a considerably better chance of gaining coverage regardless of budget.

Writing a Release That Reads Like News, Not Marketing

One of the most common mistakes startups make is writing press releases that read like advertising copy rather than genuine news. Journalists are quick to dismiss releases that feel overly promotional. Startups without confidence in their writing ability may benefit from using a press release writing service uk founders can access through PR Fire, ensuring their release follows a structure and tone that journalists are more likely to take seriously.

Choosing an Affordable Distribution Service

Rather than assuming that meaningful media coverage requires an expensive traditional agency, startups can achieve genuine reach through an affordable press release distribution service. PR Fire offers distribution through an established newswire network reaching journalists, bloggers and news sites, at a price point realistic for even the earliest stage startups, without requiring a long-term contract or significant ongoing investment.

Making the Most of a Single Announcement

For startups with a genuinely limited budget, making the most of a single significant announcement, such as a funding round, product launch or notable partnership, can be more effective than attempting frequent, less newsworthy distributions. Concentrating resources on ensuring one major announcement is well written, well timed and well distributed often delivers better results than spreading a limited budget thinly across multiple less compelling stories.

Timing Announcements Strategically

Startups working with limited budgets should pay particular attention to timing, since a well-timed release can significantly outperform a poorly timed one regardless of distribution spend. Considering relevant industry news cycles, avoiding periods when major competing news might overshadow the announcement and aligning releases with events or trends relevant to the startup’s sector can all improve the chances of genuine coverage without requiring additional budget.

Building Relationships Alongside Distribution

While broad distribution through a service like PR Fire provides valuable reach, startups can further improve their chances of coverage by identifying a small number of specific journalists who cover their industry and following up directly after distribution. This combination of broad, affordable distribution alongside limited, targeted follow-up can help startups maximise coverage without the cost of a full agency’s ongoing relationship management.

Using Coverage to Build Further Momentum

Once a startup secures media coverage, that coverage itself becomes a valuable asset that can be referenced in future communications, shared across social media and used to build credibility with potential customers, investors and partners. This creates a compounding effect where even a single successful piece of coverage, achieved on a limited budget, can support broader marketing efforts well beyond its initial publication.

Combining Media Coverage With SEO Benefits

Startups working with limited budgets should also consider the seo press release distribution advantages of press release distribution, since backlinks generated through media coverage can support search engine visibility over the longer term. This means even a modest investment in press release distribution can continue delivering value long after the initial coverage, supporting a startup’s broader digital presence without requiring additional spend.

A Realistic Path to Coverage

Getting genuine media coverage on a startup budget is entirely achievable, provided founders focus on genuine newsworthiness, professional writing and an affordable, reliable distribution service rather than assuming coverage requires an expensive agency relationship. PR Fire’s combination of accessible pricing, writing support and established media reach gives startups a realistic path to the kind of coverage that has traditionally felt reserved for better-funded competitors.

Startups ready to pursue media coverage within a limited budget can explore PR Fire’s press release distribution service at prfire.co.uk.

New UK Research Finds Millions of Vapes Still Enter the Wrong Waste Streams

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New UK Research Finds Millions of Vapes Still Enter the Wrong Waste Streams

Vape waste remains a largely misunderstood issue in the UK, with many consumers unaware of what happens to devices once they are thrown away. To investigate public attitudes and behaviour, übbs surveyed 1,001 people nationwide about vape disposal, battery recycling and the scale of the waste problem, alongside existing research into the volume of discarded devices.

The results paint a clear picture: most people know vaping has a waste problem, but far fewer understand how big it really is, or what should actually be done about it. Millions of vapes and pods are still being discarded every week, and the lithium-ion batteries inside them can create both a resource-loss problem and a fire risk when they end up in general waste or household recycling.

Key Findings From the Survey

  • 62% know that vapes contain batteries, but 56% have never thought about what happens to them after disposal.
  • 46% would dispose of a used vape through general waste or household recycling.
  • Only 12% correctly estimated that more than 10 million vapes are discarded in the UK each week.
  • 73% see vape waste as at least somewhat of a problem.
  • The latest Material Focus research estimates 6.3 million vapes and pods are thrown away or incorrectly recycled every week, around 10 devices every second.
  • Discarded vapes contain enough lithium to potentially power more than 10,000 electric car batteries each year, according to Material Focus.
  • Battery-related waste fires have increased by 71%, highlighting the risks of batteries entering the wrong waste stream.
  • 33% said a cash-back or deposit scheme would most encourage them to dispose of vapes responsibly.

What übbs Found When They Asked the Public

Since the Disposable Vape ban in June 2025, übbs wanted to understand how the vape waste landscape has changed, and how much the general public actually knows about vape waste and battery disposal. They asked 1,001 people across the UK.

Most People Don’t Know What Happens To The Battery

A huge 56% of respondents said they’d never really thought about what happens to the battery inside a vape once it’s thrown away. Only 16% said they think about it regularly, while a further 28% said they think about it occasionally.

This is despite relatively high awareness that vapes contain batteries in the first place, with 62% of respondents knowing that a disposable vape contains a battery.

In other words, knowing that there’s a battery inside a vape and thinking about what happens to it after disposal are two very different things. Most people know, in the abstract, that there’s a battery in there somewhere. Far fewer have connected that fact with what happens next, including the potential fire risk, the loss of valuable materials such as lithium, or the need to dispose of the device differently.

Awareness also varied considerably between age groups. It was highest among 35 to 44-year-olds, at 75%, and lowest among over-65s, at 46%, with a further 46% in this age group saying they were unsure.

There was also a regional difference. Northern Ireland recorded the highest awareness that vapes contain batteries, at 75%, while Northern England recorded the lowest at 57% — an 18 percentage point difference.

Recycling Confusion Is Widespread

Only half (50%) of people believe vapes can be recycled at all, while 30% weren’t sure and 21% believe they can’t be recycled. 

When asked what they would actually do with a used vape, 31% of respondents said they would take it to a proper recycling point. However, 30% said they would put it in general waste, while a further 16% would put it into household recycling.

That means 46% of respondents would dispose of a used vape incorrectly.

“I have a whole pile of broken ones in one of my kitchen cupboards.”
(Survey respondent, 65+, Southampton)

This highlights a clear gap between awareness and behaviour. Vapes contain batteries and other electrical components, so they need to be handled differently from ordinary household waste. If a battery is crushed or damaged during collection, sorting or processing, it can create a fire risk.

Confidence in how to dispose of a used vape correctly also varied by region. Scotland had the highest proportion of respondents who said they would take a used vape to a recycling point, at 45%. In South West England, only 20% gave that answer, while 33% said they weren’t sure what they would do.

People Underestimate The Scale Of UK Vape Waste

übbs also asked respondents to estimate how many vapes are thrown away in the UK every week.

Only 12% correctly chose the highest answer category: more than 10 million. The largest group, 31%, estimated that between 1 and 5 million vapes were discarded each week.

A further 25% said they weren’t sure how to estimate the figure.

The latest published research from Material Focus estimates that approximately 6.3 million vapes and pods are thrown away or incorrectly recycled in the UK every week. That’s equivalent to around 10 devices every second. The latest figure is down from 8.2 million in 2024, but the scale of the UK’s vape waste problem remains substantial.

The survey suggests that most people recognise there is a problem, but many don’t have a clear sense of just how big it is.

Overall, 73% said vape waste was at least somewhat of a problem, including 34% who described it as a big problem.

Younger respondents aged 18 to 34 were more likely to estimate towards the higher end of the scale, while people aged 55 and over were more likely to give lower estimates or say they didn’t know.

People Want A Proper Incentive To Do Better

When asked what would most encourage people to dispose of vapes responsibly, a cash-back or deposit scheme came out on top, chosen by 33% of respondents. This was closely followed by more recycling points in shops, at 31%.

Clearer labelling was selected by 16%, while 10% wanted a council collection service. Just 9% said that nothing would change their behaviour. For some, clearer labelling is already the fallback in the absence of a proper system. As one respondent put it: 

“Read the packet and/or ask staff at recycling/waste depot and/or Google search.”
(Survey respondent, 55–64, Male, Birmingham)

The preference for financial incentives was particularly strong in some groups. It was the most popular answer in Northern Ireland, where 50% selected a cash-back or deposit scheme, and in Belfast, also at 50%. Among 45 to 54-year-olds, 38% selected a cash-back or deposit scheme.

The finding suggests that improving vape recycling may require more than simply telling people what to do. Making the correct vape waste disposal easier, more visible and financially rewarding could all have a role to play.

Vape Batteries Explained: Are All Vape Batteries the Same?

Given how much confusion the survey uncovered, it’s worth taking a closer look at vape batteries and why they matter when it comes to disposal.

Vapes are electrical products, and the battery inside them is one of the main reasons they need to be disposed of differently from ordinary household waste.

From a consumer perspective, there are generally two battery types:

  • Built-in, non-rechargeable batteries: Found in single-use vapes, these batteries are designed to be used once and aren’t intended to be recharged or removed by the consumer. Although single-use vapes can no longer legally be sold in the UK following the ban that came into force on 1 June 2025, existing devices remain in circulation and continue to enter the waste stream.
  • Rechargeable batteries: Found in reusable vapes, including many pod systems, these batteries can be charged and used repeatedly before eventually needing to be disposed of.

The key thing to understand is that both types contain batteries that need to be disposed of correctly. Vapes shouldn’t be placed in general waste or household recycling, as their batteries can be damaged during collection and processing, creating a potential fire risk.

Can Vape Batteries be Recycled?

Yes, vape batteries can be recycled, but not through general waste or a household recycling bin. Used vapes need to be returned through an appropriate take-back or recycling route instead.

Vapes fall within the UK’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) framework. Retailers that sell vapes are required to provide a way for customers to return used vapes for recycling. GOV.UK states that businesses selling vapes must take back waste vapes in store or provide an alternative collection point.

This applies to used vape devices and vape parts, including batteries.

Where Can Vape Batteries be Recycled?

There are several ways to dispose of a used vape correctly:

  • Return it to a vape retailer: Businesses selling vapes must provide a take-back route for used vape products.
  • Use a household waste recycling centre (tip): Many recycling centres accept vapes and small electrical items containing batteries. This is a physical drop-off site, not the same as a household recycling bin, which vapes should never go in. People are advised to check their local council’s guidance first, as facilities can vary.
  • Use a dedicated electrical or battery recycling point: Some retailers and specialist recycling schemes accept vapes and other small electrical products.
  • Check for manufacturer take-back schemes: Some manufacturers offer their own collection or postal recycling services.

People are advised to check the collection point’s guidance before disposing of a vape and should not try to remove a built-in battery themselves.

What Changed After the Disposable Vape Ban?

The ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes came into force across the UK on 1 June 2025. The policy was introduced partly in response to the environmental impact of disposable vapes, which were being discarded in large numbers and contained batteries and other electrical components.

The latest Material Focus research suggests the ban has made a measurable difference. The number of vapes and pods thrown away or incorrectly recycled each week has fallen from 8.2 million in 2024 to 6.3 million in the latest figures. However, the waste problem hasn’t gone away. Millions of devices are still entering the waste stream, while the market has shifted towards rechargeable vapes and pods.

There are also questions around how easy it is for consumers to tell whether the vape they’re buying is legal and compliant with the rules. The continued availability of single-use-style vapes suggests that illegal or non-compliant products may still be making their way onto the market. übbs’ own research found that many people in the UK struggle to tell the difference between a legal and illegal vape, highlighting another gap in public awareness.

The survey also uncovered another interesting perception gap: people estimated that a regular vaper spends a median of £20 a week on vaping products, equivalent to around £1,040 a year. Recent research into actual vaping expenditure in Great Britain puts average spending at around £437 a year, suggesting the public may significantly overestimate the cost of a typical vaping habit.

Ultimately, the disposable vape ban has reduced the amount of vape waste being generated, but it hasn’t removed the wider challenge. Millions of vapes and pods are still being discarded every week, making proper recycling and vape waste disposal just as important as ever.

The Lithium Being Lost, and the Fire Risk It Creates

Every vape, whether disposable or rechargeable, contains a small lithium-ion battery. When a used vape is put into general waste instead of being recycled properly, that battery can be lost along with the valuable materials inside it.

Lithium is a finite resource that can be recovered and reused through proper battery recycling, not household recycling. Material Focus has put the scale of this loss into perspective: its 2025 estimate suggests the lithium inside discarded vapes could otherwise have powered more than 10,000 electric car batteries a year, based on the pre-ban figure of 8.2 million vapes discarded each week.

There’s also a more immediate risk. If a vape battery is crushed or damaged in a bin lorry or recycling facility, it can short-circuit and spark a fire. Material Focus has recorded a 71% rise in battery-related waste fires, from around 700 in 2022 to more than 1,200 in the most recent year reported. Waste contractor Veolia has also reported around one fire a day across its UK facilities and vehicles, part of what it calls Britain’s growing ‘battery crisis,’ driven largely by lithium-ion devices like vapes.

So while vape waste might seem like a small issue on an individual level, the combined impact is much bigger.

The research found that 73% of people see vape waste as at least somewhat of a problem. Yet 46% said they would dispose of a used vape through general waste or household recycling, showing the gap between recognising the problem and knowing what to do about it.

What About Nicotine Pouches?

For adult nicotine users considering alternatives to vaping, nicotine pouches are another product format worth considering from a waste perspective.

Unlike vapes, nicotine pouches don’t contain a battery or electronic components, so they don’t create the same lithium-ion battery recycling or fire-risk issues associated with discarded vape devices.

They also don’t produce vapour or require e-liquid. That doesn’t mean they create no waste at all, used pouches and their packaging still need to be disposed of responsibly.

However, when it comes specifically to vape batteries and battery waste, the difference is straightforward: there’s no battery to recycle. For adult nicotine users looking for an alternative to vaping, that’s one of the practical differences between the two formats.

Closing the Vape Waste Gap

The übbs survey shows that while most people recognise vape waste is a problem, many are still unsure what happens to vape batteries or how to dispose of used devices correctly.

The disposable vape ban has reduced the number of devices being discarded each week, but millions of vapes and pods are still entering the waste stream. Making recycling easier, more visible and more rewarding could help close the gap between awareness and action.

Ultimately, better understanding of vape batteries and clearer routes for recycling them can help reduce waste, recover valuable materials and lower the risk of battery-related fires.

Looking for an alternative to vaping? Learn more about übbs nicotine pouches and discover a battery-free nicotine option.

Signature Clinic strengthens UK surgical team with appointment of two new surgeons

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Signature Clinic strengthens UK surgical team with appointment of two new surgeons

Signature Clinic, a leading UK cosmetic surgery provider, has expanded its clinical team with the appointment of two experienced surgeons. The latest additions further broaden the specialist expertise available to patients across the clinic’s growing network in the UK.

Dr Huseyin Can Yucel and Dr Bikram Jit Singh bring extensive experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, with specialist backgrounds covering facial, breast and body contouring procedures.

Combined, the two surgeons have built extensive international careers, with their education, training and clinical experience spanning the UK, Europe, the United States, India and Turkey.

Dr Sayani Sainudeen, Founder of Signature Clinic, said: “We are delighted to welcome Huseyin, Ayman and Bikram to Signature Clinic. As we continue to grow, it is incredibly important that we bring talented, experienced surgeons into the organisation who share our commitment to patient care, clinical standards and considered surgical outcomes. Each of these surgeons brings a different breadth of experience and specialist expertise to Signature Clinic, from reconstructive microsurgery and complex facial procedures through to breast surgery, body contouring and aesthetic surgery. The strength and depth of our surgical team is central to the service we provide to patients and these appointments represent another important step in the continued development of Signature Clinic.”

Dr Huseyin Can Yucel trained at Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, where he completed five and a half years of residency within one of Turkey’s leading academic surgical departments. He holds Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and is a Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. He is registered with the General Medical Council and holds a licence to practise in the UK.

His specialist training includes reconstructive microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, breast surgery and body contouring. His clinical practice encompasses both functional and aesthetic procedures, including facelift, neck lift, brow lift, blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction, liposuction, abdominoplasty and post-weight-loss body contouring.

Dr Yucel also continues to contribute to surgical research and has published peer-reviewed work in internationally recognised medical journals.

Dr Bikram Jit Singh brings more than 15 years of international surgical experience gained across India, Switzerland, Sweden, the United States and the UK. He completed his MBBS, MS in General Surgery and MCh in Burns and Plastic Surgery at Pt. B. D. Sharma University of Health Sciences in Rohtak before completing his MRCS in Edinburgh.

His professional training has included a fellowship in Plastic and Hand Surgery at the University of Bern, Inselspital in Switzerland, an ISAPS Fellowship in California and a further fellowship at Akademikliniken in Stockholm. He has previously worked as a consultant in India and currently works within the NHS surgical pathway as an ST6 Registrar at Countess of Chester Hospital.

At Signature Clinic, Dr Singh offers a broad selection of cosmetic procedures, including upper blepharoplasty, otoplasty, liposuction, abdominoplasty, arm lift, gynaecomastia surgery, labiaplasty and vaginoplasty. He is fluent in English, Hindi and Punjabi.

The appointments are part of Signature Clinic’s ongoing investment in clinical expertise as the organisation continues to expand its presence across the UK and Ireland.

Signature Clinic offers a broad range of surgical and non-surgical treatments, including facelifts, blepharoplasty, gynaecomastia surgery, body contouring, labiaplasty, injectables and advanced skin treatments. Its clinics operate seven days a week, providing patients with a range of appointment and treatment options.

Signature Clinic specialises in day-case procedures performed under local anaesthetic, with care provided by GMC-registered surgeons. Its clinics are regulated by the relevant healthcare bodies, including CQC, HIW and HIS. Follow-up care and ongoing patient support are also incorporated into its treatment pathway.

Giving Tuesday: Christmas expert Hannah Bartlett shares ten ways businesses can get involved

Helen Greaney
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Giving Tuesday: Christmas expert Hannah Bartlett shares ten ways businesses can get involved

The countdown to Christmas is on, with only 100 days to go from Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Large Businesses will be looking at key dates in the online shopping calendar, but after the rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, December this year begins with the perfect chance to look beyond the shopping lists and put giving back at the heart of the Christmas countdown: Giving Tuesday.

Falling on Tuesday, December 1, Giving Tuesday is a global movement celebrating generosity in all its forms. Originating in 2012, it was created as an opportunity to refocus on giving after the intense, shopping-focused Black Friday weekend.

It offers small businesses a particularly timely opportunity to support their communities, share some Christmas cheer and start the festive season with purpose – enhancing engagement, re-directing focusses back to local initiatives and ideas and increasing joy at what can be a stressful time of year.

Hannah Bartlett from The Christmas Insider says the date is especially significant this year, creating a natural moment for businesses to celebrate the good they already do and find creative ways to give back.

She said: “There’s something rather special about Giving Tuesday falling on December 1 this year. After a weekend dominated by buying, we get to start the Christmas month thinking about giving. It feels perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the season and a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas countdown.

“And the brilliant thing is that giving doesn’t have to mean making a big financial donation. There are so many creative ways to give back, whether that’s with your time, your skills, your platform or just some well-deserved recognition.

“For businesses already doing brilliant things with charities and community organisations, Giving Tuesday offers a natural opportunity to talk about that work, celebrate the people involved and bring customers along on the journey. And for others, it could be the start of a new relationship with a local cause.

“Everyone benefits. Charities and communities receive valuable support, businesses strengthen local relationships and customers get to see a little more of the people and values behind the businesses they choose to support.”

So, as a small business, what could you give…?

⭐ Give the first one away
Since Giving Tuesday falls on the 1st this year, why not give away your first coffee, bouquet, order, workshop place or product of the day?! Surprise your first customer or invite your community to nominate someone who deserves a treat.

⭐ Give a product
Donate something you make or sell to a local charity, refuge, food bank, community organisation or Christmas appeal. Or make it part of your Giving Tuesday sales: for every set number sold, donate one too.

⭐ Give an Advent calendar
Donate advent calendars or December treats to a local women’s refuge, family support service or other organisation, checking with them first of course to make sure they’re wanted and appropriate. Or, if you’ve been filling an early Reverse Advent Calendar during November, Giving Tuesday could be the perfect day to deliver it.

⭐ Give a kindness challenge
Create a Christmas Kindness Bingo card for customers to pick up or download, filled with easy acts of kindness for families to complete during December. You could even offer a little treat or prize-draw entry for anyone who returns or shares their completed card.

⭐ Give your platform
Dedicate your social post, Stories, newsletter or even shop window to a charity or community group for the day. Introduce them to your customers, share what they do and tell people how they can support them.

⭐ Give an update.
Already support a charity or community project? Use Giving Tuesday to tell your audience what’s been happening, what their support has helped make possible and what’s coming next. It’s a great opportunity to bring them along on the journey and show how your business puts its values into practice.

⭐ Give your skills
Offer something your business does brilliantly. A photographer could take pictures for a charity, a florist decorate an event, a designer create a poster or a retailer help with a Christmas display. Your expertise can be just as valuable as a financial donation.

⭐ Give your time
Volunteer an hour, lend a hand to a Christmas appeal or give your team time to support a cause they care about. If 1 December is busy, make the pledge on Giving Tuesday and fulfil it another day.

⭐ Give thanks
Can’t give money, products or time? Use Giving Tuesday to celebrate someone who gives to your community. Thank a volunteer, organisation, customer, supplier or unsung hero publicly, or ask your followers to nominate someone who deserves a little recognition this Christmas.

Hannah adds: “Small businesses already give so much to the communities around them, so Giving Tuesday doesn’t need to become another big thing on the Christmas to-do list.

“Keep it simple and think about what you can give. That might be a product or a little money, but it could just as easily be your skills, your time, your audience or even a well-deserved thank you. There really is something every business can do.

“And with Giving Tuesday falling on 1 December this year, what better way to open Door No. 1 and start the Christmas countdown in the true spirit of the season?”

Hannah Bartlett is The Christmas Insider, thechristmasinsider.com, a Christmas researcher helping small businesses boost festive visibility and sales, supporting media with expert insight and inspiring Christmas lovers with joyful ideas.

Scottish holiday cottage owners urged to protect margins as costs climb

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Scottish holiday cottage owners urged to protect margins as costs climb

Scottish self-catering businesses are being encouraged to take a closer look at the costs they can control as operators navigate a difficult 2026 trading environment. Rising overheads, regulatory changes and less predictable booking trends are putting additional pressure on independent accommodation providers, according to the founder of a Scottish holiday cottage platform.

The warning comes as independent operators contend with the impact of the 2026 non-domestic rates revaluation, the introduction of visitor levies and weaker forward bookings.

Figures from the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers’ Autumn Barometer Survey, based on responses from 444 operators, found that only 7% of operators reported stronger forward bookings, while almost half said winter bookings were worse or much worse than the previous year. 43% described themselves as pessimistic about the next 24 months, while 91% identified the rising cost of doing business as a moderate to major challenge.

The impact of the latest rates revaluation is also causing concern, with industry leaders warning that some businesses could face substantial increases. Analysis published alongside the ASSC put increases for some property managers as high as 400%.

At the same time, Edinburgh’s visitor levy came into effect on 24 July 2026, with other local authority schemes expected to follow.

However, Alasdair Walker, founder of Scottish self-catering directory Best Scottish Cottages, believes owners should also look at the costs they have more direct control over.

Alasdair said: “An owner can write to their MSP about the rates revaluation, and they should, but they cannot vote it away this season, and they cannot opt out of the levy.

“The one line on the profit and loss they can genuinely move is commission. Most of the large platforms take somewhere between 15% and 25% of a booking, and once you factor in preferred placement and promotional tools the effective rate climbs higher again. On a property doing thirty weeks a year, that is the difference between being viable and not.”

He also argues that the issue extends beyond the commission itself, as bookings made through third-party platforms can leave owners without direct access to the customer relationship.

“You also hand over the guest’s email address,” he said. “The guest remembers the platform, not the cottage. So next year you pay to acquire the same person twice.”

Walker said booking behaviour was also changing, with travellers increasingly either booking at short notice or securing popular dates well in advance.

“School holiday weeks are going early and going fast, because those are the dates families cannot move,” he said. “Almost everything else is being decided at the last minute.”

Best Scottish Cottages operates as an advertising directory rather than a booking agent, allowing guests to contact accommodation owners directly without the platform taking a percentage of bookings.

The curated directory currently features 154 Scottish properties and recorded 8.8 million organic social media content views during 2025. Of those, 7.2 million came from people who did not already follow the platform. The platform also runs Match, a concierge service at match.bestscottishcottages.co.uk that connects guests with suitable owners directly when search alone has not worked.

“Not a penny of that was paid for, and more than eight in ten of those views reached someone who does not follow us,” Alasdair said. “That is the part that matters to an owner. Putting a cottage in front of an audience that already follows a Scottish holiday account is the easy half. Getting it in front of people who have not started looking yet is the hard half, and it is the half an owner cannot do alone from their own page.”

Walker said the figures demonstrated the importance of reaching potential guests before they begin actively searching for accommodation.

“Owners who read a soft forward book as a demand problem and start discounting on the platforms are paying commission to solve something that was never the problem. The ones who come out of this season in reasonable shape will be those who spent the quiet months building a channel they own rather than paying to rent one.”

Alan Hodgkiss Uses New Audiobook to Call for Change in UK Political Culture

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Alan Hodgkiss Uses New Audiobook to Call for Change in UK Political Culture

WEST SUSSEX, UK. September 14th, 2026: A new audiobook from author Alan Hodgkiss is using one man’s deeply personal experience of caring for his late wife to question the way politics works in the UK, calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham and political leaders to put the needs of citizens ahead of party competition.

The Party’s Over is presented as an open letter to the Prime Minister and explores what Hodgkiss believes are wider failures within the systems designed to support older people, people with disabilities and their families. The audiobook draws heavily on his experiences caring for his late wife Rita, who lived with mixed dementia before suffering a fatal stroke last year.

One of the issues explored in the book is the legal restriction on tandem mobility scooters being used on public pavements and roads. Hodgkiss says the restriction made it difficult for him and Rita to maintain their independence and spend time together outside the home during the final years of her life.

He argues that the issue extends beyond his own circumstances, affecting thousands of couples who do not have access to a car or cannot afford to rely on taxis whenever they want to travel together or enjoy a day out.

The audiobook also examines the difficulties faced by elderly couples who want to remain together when one or both partners require residential care. Hodgkiss recounts receiving quotes ranging from £1,000 a week for the option of sleeping on a chair at the foot of his dying wife’s bed, to £1,500 a week for a separate room within the same care home.

According to Hodgkiss, these experiences point to broader problems within the UK’s health and social care systems. He argues that political parties can become more focused on opposing one another than addressing issues affecting the health, welfare and quality of life of the people they represent.

The book draws a historical comparison with George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address, in which the first President of the United States warned about the dangers of political “factions” and the potential for party interests to take precedence over the public good.

“I wrote this book because I could not stand by and watch the same things happen to other couples,” Alan Hodgkiss said. “Time is precious, especially for people living with dementia or disability. I will devote the rest of my life to fighting for a government system that puts its citizens before itself.”

“The Party’s Over” is now available from most major audiobook retailers, including Chirp.

Directors Warned Cyber Security Gaps Could Leave Businesses Exposed

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Directors Warned Cyber Security Gaps Could Leave Businesses Exposed

ESSEX, UK. September 14th, 2026: UK company directors are being encouraged to take a more proactive approach to identifying weaknesses in their cyber and physical security, as criminals continue to develop new ways of exploiting vulnerabilities across technology, people and premises.

The Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025/26 found that 43% of participating UK businesses had experienced a cyber breach or attack during the previous 12 months, equivalent to around 612,000 businesses.

Despite this, only 41% of small businesses had conducted a cyber-security risk assessment. Just 52% had a formal cyber-security policy, while 44% had a business-continuity plan that addressed cyber risk.

Under the Companies Act 2006, company directors have a duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence when managing business risks, including cyber security.

The importance of effective protection has been highlighted by a recent incident in which a small UK power plant was forced to shut down following a cyber-attack. Although the Government confirmed that the UK’s wider energy system was not placed at risk, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero subsequently contacted power companies to highlight the ongoing threat posed by cyber-attacks.

Steve Cross, Group Technical Director at PIB Insurance Brokers, said: “Over the last few years PIB have found that many organisations simply don’t know what ‘good’ looks like when it comes to fundamental cyber-security and controls.

“At the same time, small and medium-sized enterprises continue to emerge as the hidden victims of cyber-crime, often targeted by opportunistic hackers but ill-prepared to defend against or recover from attacks.”

The threat landscape is continuing to evolve, with cyber criminals using increasingly sophisticated tools and methods to overcome existing defences. Stolen information has also become a valuable commodity within a wider criminal economy, supporting activities ranging from online fraud to ransomware. Criminal organisations can buy and sell personal data and access to compromised networks through underground online marketplaces.

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are also expected to increase the capabilities available to cyber criminals. Generative AI is already being used by criminals, including through AI-powered chatbots capable of producing increasingly convincing phishing messages and social engineering scams.

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Mark McSweeney, Director of Security Operations at risk and security specialists R5 Global, said: “We provide intelligence-led physical penetration testing that assesses how security measures perform against real-world threats, not just compliance standards. By replicating attacker tactics, techniques and behaviours, we identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited and give organisations practical recommendations to reduce risk.”

R5 Global’s services can include intelligence-led physical penetration testing alongside broader response testing. This can examine physical security arrangements, the actions of security personnel and how the wider organisation identifies, escalates, communicates and coordinates during a realistic incident. The objective is to uncover weaknesses throughout the response process before they are exposed during an actual security event.

Cyber insurance, D&O insurance and commercial property policies are designed to address different areas of risk and each can contain specific conditions and requirements. Businesses need to understand their policies and meet the relevant requirements to ensure protection remains available when it is needed.

Leading insurance agency Bespoke Risk Solutions is encouraging company directors to review their existing insurance arrangements and establish exactly what their policies cover.

Peter Collins, Director of Bespoke Risk Solutions, said: “On several occasions, we have carried out audits and found that directors had not read the small print in their policy wordings. In some cases, that left the company’s financial future at risk because there was no effective insurance protection.

“Insurance is important and should form part of every company’s disaster planning. If a major cyber incident, theft or security failure occurs, directors may need to explain what protections were reviewed, what vulnerabilities were identified and what action was taken. Using the excuse of ‘We assumed someone else had it covered’ may be a difficult answer for shareholders to accept.”

Kerry Ellis Leads West End Talent in Ambitious New Musical Thriller for Audio

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Kerry Ellis Leads West End Talent in Ambitious New Musical Thriller for Audio

LONDON, UK. September 14th, 2026: West End favourite Kerry Ellis is joining an acclaimed ensemble of musical theatre performers for Following Jimmy Valentine, a new audio production that aims to bring the scale, drama and emotion of a musical directly to listeners through an immersive, screen-free experience.

The audiobook blends cinematic storytelling, original music and powerhouse vocal performances to create a format that sits between a traditional audiobook, radio drama and fully realised musical.

Kerry Ellis, one of the West End’s best-known musical theatre performers, has described her involvement in the project as a “dream come true”. Her extensive West End and Broadway credits include acclaimed productions such as My Fair Lady, We Will Rock You, Les Misérables and Wicked.

The 47-year-old, from Suffolk, said: “I remember as a child growing up, I had audiobooks on cassette and I had The Snow Queen, which I would listen to over and over again. It wasn’t a musical, but it was an audiobook and I fell in love with it. It was the magic of being transported by this audio story.

“You could place all the characters and I loved every second of it. So when something full circle comes around and you get to be a part of something like that, years later, it’s a bit like a dream come true.”

Alongside Kerry, the production features Hadley Fraser, David Hunter, Celinde Schoenmaker, George Blagden and acclaimed jazz vocalist Jacqui Dankworth. Together, the cast brings some of the UK’s leading musical theatre talent to a production that occupies the space between audiobook, radio drama and full-scale musical.

Created by New York composer, writer and performer Jeff Flaster, Following Jimmy Valentine has been described as “the book that sings”. Dialogue, songs, music and sound design are combined to create a cinematic listening experience designed to immerse audiences without the need for a screen.

The production is based on O. Henry’s classic story A Retrieved Reformation and centres on notorious jewel thief Jimmy Valentine, played by Hadley Fraser, as he attempts to leave his life of crime behind.

His plans for a fresh start are complicated by determined detective Jen Price, played by Kerry Ellis, who is closing in on him. His relationship with Annabel Adams, played by Celinde Schoenmaker, also gives Jimmy a reason to reconsider his past and embrace the possibility of a different future.

The story combines crime, romance, redemption and second chances with an original score influenced by jazz, classical music and classic rock.

Rather than taking O. Henry’s story and adapting it for the stage or screen, Flaster has created Following Jimmy Valentine specifically with modern listening habits in mind, allowing audiences to experience the story through headphones, smartphones and streaming platforms.

The production also has another unusual feature: it was recorded entirely remotely.

This approach raises an interesting question for the entertainment industry: could future musicals be developed specifically for listeners, rather than audiences watching from a theatre seat or screen?

Creator and writer Jeff Flaster described the project as a passion-led reimagining of musical storytelling. He said: “I wanted to create something where the boundary between speech and song disappears completely, where the listener doesn’t just hear the story, but experiences it as a living, breathing musical world.”

Flaster, a New York-born composer and former MIT chorale performer, took inspiration from classic literature alongside his long-standing interest in musicals driven by strong narratives.

The project is designed to push the boundaries of what an audiobook can be, combining the storytelling of a book with the performance, music and soundscape of a musical.

Flaster added: “This isn’t just a narrated musical. It’s a fully staged performance without a stage. Every sound is intentional, every moment is composed.”

eXroid urges greater awareness of urological symptoms during Urology Awareness Month

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eXroid urges greater awareness of urological symptoms during Urology Awareness Month

KENT, UK. September 14th, 2026: To coincide with Urology Awareness Month, eXroid is urging people to take notice of changes in their urinary and intimate health and to seek professional advice rather than dismissing symptoms or feeling embarrassed about raising concerns.

Urological symptoms can affect comfort, confidence and day-to-day life, but people may put off discussing them for a variety of reasons. Embarrassment, uncertainty about whether a symptom is significant, or simply hoping it will disappear can all lead to delays in seeking advice.

Symptoms such as changes in urinary frequency or urgency, discomfort when urinating, difficulty emptying the bladder or blood in the urine can have many different causes. Experiencing one of these symptoms does not necessarily indicate a serious condition, but persistent or unusual changes should not be overlooked and should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Dr Mark Hudson-Peacock, Medical Director at eXroid, said: “Recognising changes and seeking advice early can provide reassurance and help ensure people receive the right support when it is needed. Knowing what is normal for your own body can also make it easier to identify when something has changed.

“For many people, the greatest barrier is not noticing a symptom, but feeling able to discuss it. Urinary, bowel and other intimate health concerns can still be surrounded by unnecessary embarrassment or stigma, which can discourage people from asking questions or seeking medical advice.

“Urology Awareness Month is an opportunity to challenge that stigma and promote more open conversations around personal health. Healthcare professionals are used to discussing intimate symptoms, and people should not feel that embarrassment needs to stand in the way of accessing information, reassurance or appropriate care.

“Intimate health symptoms can sometimes be uncomfortable to discuss, but recognising changes and seeking appropriate advice is an important part of maintaining overall health. Increasing awareness can help people feel more confident starting these conversations and accessing the support they need.”

Although haemorrhoids are not a urological condition, eXroid regularly supports people experiencing another form of intimate health concern where embarrassment can contribute to delays in seeking help. The company aims to reinforce the message that symptoms affecting intimate areas of the body are not something people should feel they simply have to live with.

eXroid is encouraging people to use Urology Awareness Month as an opportunity to become more familiar with their bodies, recognise changes that may need attention and avoid letting embarrassment or uncertainty stop them from seeking appropriate support.

For more information about eXroid’s haemorrhoid treatment and homecare service, visit www.exroid.com.

Press Release Distribution and AI Search: How Digital PR Can Improve Brand Visibility

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Press Release Distribution and AI Search: How Digital PR Can Improve Brand Visibility

Search is evolving. People are increasingly using AI-powered platforms to find businesses, compare products, research services and answer questions. Instead of simply looking through traditional search results, users can now ask an AI tool for a direct recommendation or summary.

For businesses, this creates a new challenge: being visible where people are searching increasingly means being understood across the wider web.

This is where digital PR and press release distribution can play a valuable role. By creating newsworthy content and distributing it to relevant publications, businesses can increase the amount of credible information available about their brand online.

How AI Search Finds Information About Businesses

AI search tools use information from numerous sources to understand people, organisations, products and subjects. Depending on the platform, these sources can include websites, news publications, industry articles and other publicly available information.

A company’s own website is obviously an important source, but it is not the only one that matters.

Third-party coverage can provide additional context about a business. Articles, news stories and press coverage can demonstrate that a company exists beyond its own marketing channels and is being discussed elsewhere online.

Professional press release distribution services provide one established route for communicating company news to publishers and journalists.

When a release is relevant enough to be published by third-party outlets, it can create additional references to the business and its activities.

Why Third-Party Mentions Matter

Consumers are naturally more likely to trust information when they can find it in multiple places.

The same principle applies to a company’s broader online presence. If important business information is available only on a company’s own website, there are fewer independent sources providing context.

Digital PR can help change this.

A company might use press releases to communicate:

  • New products and services
  • Company launches
  • Business expansion
  • Senior appointments
  • Partnerships
  • Awards and achievements
  • Research and industry insights
  • Major business milestones

When these announcements generate legitimate coverage, they add new references to the company across the online ecosystem.

Creating a Stronger Brand Footprint

One of the biggest benefits of consistent press release distribution in the UK is the opportunity to build a larger digital footprint over time.

Consider a company that publishes one announcement every few months about genuinely newsworthy developments. Each piece of coverage can add another reference point for audiences researching the organisation.

Over time, these references can create a much richer picture of the business.

This does not mean that publishing press releases automatically makes an AI system recommend a company. There are no guarantees of that kind. Instead, the objective should be to build a credible and comprehensive online presence that search engines, journalists, customers and AI-powered tools can understand.

The Importance of Accurate and Consistent Information

Businesses should pay particular attention to consistency.

Company names, leadership information, product descriptions and key business facts should be accurate wherever they appear online.

A well-written press release can help reinforce this information by clearly communicating the facts surrounding a company’s latest announcement.

For example, rather than using generic promotional language, a release could explain exactly what a company has launched, when it launched, who it serves and why the development matters.

This creates useful content for readers while also making the information easier for search technologies to interpret.

Good PR Starts With Good Writing

Distribution is only one part of an effective press release campaign.

The underlying content needs to be useful.

A strong release should have a clear news angle, informative headline and concise opening paragraph. It should provide factual supporting information and include quotations where they add genuine insight.

Businesses using a press release writing service UK should also ensure that the copy sounds like news rather than an advertisement.

Overly promotional language can weaken the story. A factual, reader-focused approach is more likely to appeal to publishers and journalists.

Press Releases and Traditional SEO

AI search is not replacing traditional SEO overnight.

Businesses still need well-optimised websites, useful content, strong technical foundations and relevant search terms.

However, digital PR can complement these activities.

Press coverage can generate brand mentions, referral traffic and, where editorially appropriate, links. More importantly, it can extend a company’s visibility beyond its own website.

This creates a more comprehensive approach to online marketing.

Why Long-Term Distribution Matters

Businesses should avoid viewing press release distribution as a one-off SEO tactic.

The strongest digital PR strategies are ongoing.

Every genuinely newsworthy announcement provides an opportunity to communicate with a new audience and potentially generate further coverage.

Over time, this can help establish a company as a recognisable participant within its industry.

Preparing Your Brand for AI-Powered Search

AI is changing the way people discover information, but the fundamentals of building online authority remain familiar.

Businesses should focus on being:

  • Useful
  • Accurate
  • Consistent
  • Relevant
  • Credible
  • Visible across appropriate third-party sources

Press release distribution can support these objectives by helping businesses communicate their news beyond their own websites.

For companies such as PR Fire, the opportunity lies in combining traditional PR principles with the changing realities of digital search.

The future of search may be increasingly conversational, but brands still need something for those systems to discover, understand and reference. Building a consistent body of credible published information is therefore likely to remain an important part of an effective digital visibility strategy.

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