👑 Who Lost the Royals’ Crown?

📰 Industry News

Here's a roundup of this week's top headlines shaking up the UK business world.

• The Body Shop, the iconic cosmetics and skincare retailer, has reportedly returned to profitability just three months after being rescued from administration. (The Retail Bulletin)

• Spanish state-owned Navantia has agreed to buy Harland and Wolff, the troubled Titanic shipbuilder, which was placed into administration for the second time in five years. (ITV News)

• The HS2 project is in a "very serious situation" and needs a "fundamental reset", the new boss of the high-speed railway company has warned. (BBC)

• Boohoo shareholders have blocked Mike Ashley and an associate from joining its board in a blow to the Sports Direct founder’s attempt to control the struggling online fashion retailer. (The Guardian)

👑 King Charles III's Royal Warrant: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Why It Matters

It’s a new era at Buckingham Palace, and the changing of the guard isn’t just ceremonial. King Charles III has wielded his pen to decide which brands will carry the prestigious royal warrant, a badge of honour that can send sales soaring and brand prestige through the roof. But not everyone made the cut. Let’s dive into the winners, losers, and the bigger picture.

What Is It?

Royal warrants aren’t handed out lightly. They’re a sign of trust and a testament to companies that provide exceptional goods or services to the royal household. Historically, these marks have been reviewed every five years, but the passing of Queen Elizabeth II triggered a particularly thorough audit. Brands granted their warrants by the late monarch and were given up to two years to prove they still aligned with the new King’s vision.

New Appointments

• Jo Hansford: Queen Camilla’s personal hairdresser joins the royal ranks, proving that loyalty – and great highlights – pays off.

• Wartski Jewellers: The artisans behind the King and Queen’s wedding rings have solidified their place among the royals, a testament to their craftsmanship and sentimentality.

Brands Who Have Had The Warrant Removed.

• Cadbury: First granted a royal warrant by Queen Victoria in 1854, the iconic chocolate company enjoyed a 170-year association with the British monarchy. However, it’s now the most prominent name to lose this prestigious status. The decision is likely linked to its parent company, Mondelez International, continuing operations in Russia despite widespread calls to exit the market. Additionally, Cadbury has faced criticism over its ethical and sustainability practices, which likely clashed with King Charles III’s focus on environmental and social responsibility.

• Unilever: The consumer goods giant was dropped, potentially reflecting Charles’s focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing.

• Elizabeth Arden & Clarins: Beauty may be skin-deep, but the royals seem to be looking beyond the packaging with these high-profile losses.

• Vauxhall: The British automaker is now left in the dust, perhaps a nod to Charles’s preference for greener alternatives.

Others Who Have Retained Their Warrant

• Bacardi: Because nothing says continuity like a good rum and Coke.

• Samsung: The South Korean tech giant keeps its royal stamp of approval, proving that innovation isn’t lost on the Palace.

Charles’s Agenda: Ethical and Green
King Charles has long championed sustainability, organic farming, and ethical practices, and his warrant decisions reflect these priorities. Companies with questionable sustainability practices or that don’t align with his eco-conscious ethos are finding themselves out in the cold. It’s not a good look for the brands that have been dropped.

What’s at Stake for Brands?
Losing a royal warrant isn’t just a bruised ego. It’s a loss of prestige, marketing power, and, in some cases, a serious dent in sales. The royal coat of arms on a product has long been a signal of trustworthiness and quality, particularly in international markets where royal connections still carry weight.

💧 Water Bills Are Rising – Here's What You Need to Know

If your water bill felt hefty this year, brace yourself: it’s about to get even heavier. Ofwat, the industry regulator, has just given the green light for water companies in England and Wales to bump up bills by an average of £31 a year for the next five years. By 2030, that adds up to a whopping £157 more on your annual tab.

And it’s not just the extra cost that has people fuming – the news comes against the backdrop of water companies struggling to keep their records clean (literally), with sewage spills and leaks making headlines almost as often as inflation.

Why the Increase?

It’s all part of the five-year dance between water firms and Ofwat. Here’s how it works:

1. The Pitch: Water companies submit their financial plans, including how much they want to charge customers.

2. The Bargain: Ofwat reviews these and slashes the proposals (because, let’s face it, water firms aim high).

3. The Verdict: A cap is set, and this year’s is a 36% average hike – slightly lower than companies had asked for.

Ofwat insists it’s keeping bills “fair” and warns firms that failure to meet service targets means refunds for customers. But judging by the track record, don’t hold your breath.

What’s the Damage?

Here’s a snapshot of how much extra you’ll fork out, depending on your provider:

• Southern Water: A jaw-dropping 53% increase by 2030. The average annual bill will climb from £420 to £642.

• Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) and Hafren Dyfrdwy: Up 42%. Wales isn’t playing games with this one.

• Severn Trent: A 47% rise, bringing their average bill to £583 by 2030.

But it’s not all bad news – customers of SES Water will actually see a 3% decrease. (What’s their secret? Asking for a friend.)

The Backlash

Consumer groups aren’t thrilled, to say the least. After years of outcry over sewage-dumping scandals and chronic water leaks, this price hike feels like adding insult to injury. Critics argue that water firms should clean up their act (and their infrastructure) before passing the buck on to consumers.

Our take? If you’re stuck paying more for basic utilities, you should at least be able to expect top-notch service – not rivers filled with wastewater and emergency bottled water queues. While it impacts everyday people, let’s also remember it’s yet another increasing cost that small businesses need to cough up too. Not good.

🏚️ UK Pub Numbers Drop To Record Lows

Pint prices are up, punters are down, and now the pubs themselves are disappearing. For the first time in recorded history, the number of pubs in England and Wales has dropped below 39,000, with more than 400 closing their doors in 2024. This sobering milestone comes as rising costs, slashed business rates relief, and cautious consumer spending hit the hospitality sector like a flat pint of lager.

The latest analysis by property data firm Altus Group paints a grim picture: 412 pubs were demolished or converted into homes, offices, and even nurseries in 2024. That’s an average of 34 closures per month — marking the steepest decline since the post-Covid slump of 2021. London alone said goodbye to 55 pubs, while the Midlands saw nearly 100 closures.

Let’s unpack what’s behind this tragic vanishing act of Britain’s beloved boozers.

• Rising Costs: Energy prices, wages, and supply chain headaches remain a heavy burden. Many landlords say the numbers simply don’t add up.

• Consumer Belt-Tightening: With households battling rising rents and mortgage payments, discretionary spending has tanked. A pint is suddenly a luxury.

• Policy Pressures: In April 2025, pubs face a trio of financial headaches: reduced business rate relief (from 75% to 40%), increased employer national insurance, and a higher minimum wage.

A Call for Lifesaving Measures

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) isn’t pulling any punches, urging the government to enact permanent and meaningful reforms to the business rates system. Between the additional £71m hit from national insurance hikes and an estimated £215m from reduced rates relief, pubs are being priced out of existence.

Is This the Final Round?

This isn’t just a loss for landlords or larger enthusiasts — it’s a cultural and economic blow to the UK. Pubs have long been community hubs, creating jobs, fostering social ties, and pouring cash into local economies. Their disappearance leaves vacant lots, fewer jobs, and a Britain that feels just a little less… British.

While reforming business rates and offering targeted support won’t solve every issue, it’s a no-brainer if we want to preserve what’s left of this cherished industry. A publess UK? Perish the thought.

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