Shops stuck with Christmas displays ‘look forward to post-lockdown lift’
Businesses frozen in time with festive storefronts still on display in spring are looking forward to reopening and giving shoppers “a much-needed post-lockdown mood lift”.
Christmas
Public invited to have say on future of Edinburgh Christmas and Hogmanay
Members of the public are being invited to have their say on the future of Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations.
Royal Mail to keep 10,000 temporary workers after record Christmas
The chairman of Royal Mail has apologised for gaps in its service over Christmas, as parcel carriers faced their busiest ever winter.
Fifth of buy now, pay later users ‘struggling to repay Christmas spending’
A fifth (20%) of shoppers who used buy now, pay later (BNPL) schemes over Christmas will be unable to meet their repayments without borrowing more money, a survey suggests.
Scotland records worst December sales on record – survey
Scotland’s retail sector is in “crisis” after recording its worst-ever December on record, according to new figures.
Tesco posts festive sales surge as pandemic costs set to soar to £810m
Tesco said a surge in Christmas food shopping has driven “strong” recent sales which are expected to help offset soaring coronavirus costs.
Post Office sales surge during busy Christmas
The Post Office has said sales surged over the Christmas period as customers sent more gifts by mail due to Covid-19 restrictions keeping families and friends away from each other.
Four in 10 adults in Britain formed Christmas Day bubble – ONS
Four in 10 adults in Britain formed a bubble to celebrate Christmas Day, figures suggest.
Sainsbury’s profits set to beat expectations after strong Christmas
Sainsbury’s said the second English national lockdown in November and subsequent tiering in December helped sales soar, meaning profits for the year are now likely to be £50 million higher than first thought.
Shopper numbers marginally improve after November lockdown ends
Shopper numbers across the UK rebounded slightly last month following the November English lockdown but remained weak in the face of coronavirus restrictions, according to new figures.
Street Pastors: How the volunteers working to keep people safe adapted in a year like no other
Famous for their spare flip flops, given to worse-for-wear women whose footwear choice has come back to haunt them after a night out, the Aberdeen Street Pastors are a staple in the city's night-time economy.
Kate Garraway details ‘calamitous’ Christmas time without husband Derek Draper
Kate Garraway’s house was flooded during a “calamitous few days” in the run up to Christmas.
Million primary school pupils will not return to desks as planned next week
Around a million primary school pupils in some of the areas hardest hit by Covid-19 will not return to their desks as planned next week, with the Government putting its U-turn down to rising infection rates and the spread of the new variant of coronavirus.
England school reopenings delayed amid rising virus infection rates
Hundreds of thousands of pupils will not return to schools and colleges as planned due to rising infection rates and the spread of the new Covid variant.
2020 a record-breaker for Christmas songs in top 40
A record number of Christmas songs made it into the top 40 singles chart during 2020, with many appearing earlier than ever, analysis has found.
School reopening announcement due amid concerns at rising virus cases
An announcement on the return of schools in England after the Christmas break is due to be made, amid rising coronavirus case rates and hospital admissions.
Lockdown, algorithm and furlough – the vocabulary of 2020
Coronavirus is a word that changed lives, economies and the world in 2020.
Much-loved actor who ‘lived for being Santa’ dies on Christmas Day
A much-loved local actor and grandfather who “lived for being Santa” at annual events in Northumberland has died on Christmas Day.
Three in four think Covid will affect cash use in coming months – survey
Three in four people think Covid-19 will continue to affect their use of cash going into 2021, a survey has found.
Shopper bewildered as Aberdeen supermarket filled with Easter chocolates on Boxing Day
An Aberdeen shopper has spoken of her amazement after being met with an aisle of Easter chocolates in her local supermarket.
The Queen’s Christmas message tops festive TV ratings
The Queen’s Christmas message was the most-watched programme on Christmas Day.
Moreen Simpson: Real Christmas miracle as garage finally cleared
How was it for you? Whether you were with family and friends or on your own, I hope you had a happy, relaxing day.
Mountain man, 81, raises £4,000 in Everest charity challenge
An 81-year-old man has climbed the height of Mount Everest on his local munro to raise money for a hospice.
Hauliers to spend Boxing Day in their cabs after almost a week of disruption
Thousands of international lorry drivers will spend Boxing Day in their cabs after almost a week of disruption at the English Channel border.
Gary Barlow and Dua Lipa among celebrities sharing Christmas well-wishes
Gary Barlow, Dua Lipa, David Beckham and Holly Willoughby are among the celebrities who have shared festive well-wishes.
More than 10,000 tested as efforts to clear Kent lorry backlog continue
More than 10,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out in a bid to clear the backlog of lorries waiting to cross the English Channel into France on Christmas Day.
Archbishop speaks of vaccine hope after ‘year of anxiety’ in Christmas sermon
The year 2020 has been likened to walking through “the valley of the shadow of death” by the Archbishop of Canterbury, as he used his Christmas sermon to praise schools and hospitals for bringing hope during the pandemic.
Queen offers personal message of hope in her Christmas Day address
The Queen has delivered a heartfelt message of hope to the country in her Christmas address, praising the “indomitable spirit” of those who have risen “magnificently” to the challenges of the pandemic.
Santa hats for Atlantic rowers as they celebrate Christmas
Competitors in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge donned Santa hats to celebrate Christmas while spending the festive period crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Extra 800 troops sent to help clear Kent lorry backlog
A further 800 military personnel have been sent to Kent to help thousands of lorry drivers waiting to cross into France on Christmas Day.