The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has today confirmed a total of 549 cases – a jump from 528 last Thursday.
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The fashion chain’s owner has explained its plans
The owner of Primark has announced plans to launch home delivery in Great Britain in a bid to bolster the retailer’s online offering. Associated British Foods (ABF), which also runs large food, sugar and agriculture operations, said it had bought a new warehouse in Sheffield to support the plans.
The company did not specify when home delivery would start but said it would come “in the future” for England, Scotland and Wales. The Sheffield warehouse, which is highly automated, has been acquired from the Debenhams Group in a £90 million deal, and is not expected to have an impact on people’s jobs.
It comes after Primark has grown its “click and collect” offering for people to shop and make purchases online and then collect in stores. It recently unveiled price cuts on hundreds of fashion items, which the company said had led to positive sales momentum particularly for nightwear, leisure and fitness ranges.
ABF is preparing to separate Primark from its food business and list it on the FTSE 100 as a standalone entity by the end of 2027. In a trading update to investors, ABF said Primark sales are expected to have dipped by 2.6% over the past financial year, which ends on Saturday, when compared like-for-like with the year before.
The decline has been driven by weaker sales in continental Europe, whereas sales in the UK are estimated to have edged up by 0.6% year-on-year. Primark sales started the summer season strongly but were then impacted by the prolonged hot weather, which delayed the transition to buying autumn clothing ranges, according to the business. Trading has improved in the more recent weeks that temperatures have cooled, it said.
ABF’s chief executive George Weston said: “Our priority focus areas, the UK and womenswear, continued to outperform our other markets and categories.
“Primark has made significant progress in building its digital capabilities and will continue this through both growing click & collect and by offering home delivery in Great Britain in the future. There is now an opportunity for incremental and profitable growth through this channel.”
ABF owns a roster of brands in the grocery sector like Kingsmill, Twinings, Jordans, Patak’s and, following a recent acquisition, Hovis.
It warned that adjusted operating profits for the division are expected to be slightly lower than previous expectations, for the full year, partly because of Twining sales being dampened by the heatwaves reducing demand for hot tea.
It also has a sugar business which has been impacted by higher gas costs linked to the Middle East conflict and the prolonged spell of hot and dry weather affecting the UK beet crop.
The company is expecting to report an adjusted operating loss for the full year for the division towards the “higher end” of its guidance range of £25 million to £60 million.
Shares in ABF were down by around 9% in early trading on Thursday.
The DWP has issued a statement clarifying the process, putting the rules around PIP assessments in the spotlight
The DWP has clarified the rules around medical consultations for PIP assessments in a new Parliamentary update. PIP is the main disability payment in the UK, helping with everyday tasks and extra living costs for people with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.
Current regulations mean the DWP attempts to conduct assessments by reviewing medical evidence and speaking to a claimant via telephone or video call. However, if the DWP is unable to assess someone through telephone or video call, they will arrange a face-to-face medical assessment. Citizens Advice guidance emphasises it is vital people prepare properly as the DWP will use evidence from the assessment to determine whether a claimant is eligible for PIP.
A health professional will conduct the assessment. They will subsequently produce a report and forward it to the DWP.
The issue has come under scrutiny this week as questions have been raised about the process when it concerns certain conditions. James McMurdock, Independent MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, asked the Department for Work and Pensions “what steps the Department is taking to ensure that Personal Independence Payment assessors have appropriate training to assess complex and less widely understood medical conditions.”
Sir Stephen Timms – Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)- has now issued a response. In a statement released on Tuesday, September 8, he said: “Personal Independence Payment assessments are not medical consultations and do not require health professionals (HPs) to diagnose conditions or recommend treatment. Instead, they are functional assessments designed to evaluate how an individual’s health conditions or impairments affect their ability to carry out daily living and mobility activities.
“All HPs undertaking assessments on behalf of the department must be registered practitioners; they receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, including how to assess the impacts of medical conditions on people’s day-to-day activities, as well as awareness training in a range of conditions, symptoms and disabilities.
“Assessment suppliers are required to demonstrate that HPs meet all our requirements before they are approved to carry out assessments on behalf of DWP.
“HPs have access to a wide range of Core Training and Guidance Material (CTGM), which offers detailed and quality assured clinical and functional information on a range of conditions. There are thousands of unique clinical conditions, most of which have a range of functional effects where disability can vary from nil to profound. It would be impossible to have specific training on all conditions. There are over 23,000 rare diseases alone listed in the Orphanet directory.
“As of 9 September 2024, DWP assumed responsibility for the CTGM used within the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS); this information is provided by DWP to the HAAS assessment suppliers. Following the transfer of responsibilities to DWP, all training and guidance materials are currently undergoing a comprehensive review and update.
“A newly established team is leading this work, ensuring that all materials are aligned with national best practice standards. To support this, independent clinical experts are being engaged to provide external quality assurance, helping to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and consistency of the content.”
PIP assessments and who carries them out
The Benefits and Work website contains details on who carries out the assessments. It states that The Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS) took over the provision of PIP assessments from Capita and Atos (IAS) on 7 September 2024. HAAS operates as part of the DWP. The site notes: “It provides training, guidance and software for assessors. But the assessors themselves work for private sector companies.”
Four companies are involved in conducting benefits assessments: Maximus covers Northern England and Scotland (though PIP has been replaced by ADP in Scotland and is not part of the contract); Capita covers the Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland; Serco covers South West England and South Central England; and Ingeus covers South East England, London and East Anglia.
Additionally, a small number of assessments are conducted directly by the DWP. A comprehensive list of all postcodes and their respective HAAS provider can be found on the .gov.uk website.
The Turn2Us website, which regularly publishes guidance on benefits, offers advice on what to expect during assessments. It explains that the health professional will ask how your health condition or disability affects your day-to-day life.
They should have already reviewed your completed PIP form and any supporting documents you submitted. It is important to inform them of anything that may have changed since you filled in your form.
What happens in a PIP assessment – example questions
The site explains that the health professional may ask you to complete straightforward tasks such as: recalling three objects in the room simply from hearing their names (without them being pointed out); working out how much change you would receive from £1 after purchasing something costing 75p; counting backwards from 100, subtracting 3 each time. The health professional may conduct a physical examination.
The site says they will only request you perform basic movements such as: placing your finger in your hand; pushing against the health professional’s hand with your own hand or foot. Turn2Us advises: “Only do what you feel able to do. Do not push yourself or do anything that causes pain.
“Tell the health professional if an activity is difficult, painful, or could affect you afterwards. If you cannot do a movement, explain why. For example, tell them if it causes pain or could make your condition worse later.”
What is happening to PIP?
A Government-backed review of the disability benefits system is scheduled to publish its findings later this year. The review, led by work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms, was launched after a Labour backbench rebellion at plans under Sir Keir Starmer to limit PIP eligibility.
The Benefits and Work website says many worry the Timms review will be used as a justification to make cuts to the PIP system. The Timms review published its interim report in July.
It described the existing PIP system as overly complex and difficult to navigate.
A hospital A&E has been plunged into crisis, as a damning report has exposed the “sustained and significant pressure” experienced by staff. A Health Inspectorate Wales [HIW] inspection discovered crowded waiting rooms, a threat to patient dignity, absent equipment and declining staff morale at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan.
The unannounced three-day inspection, which occurred in May 2026, revealed patients and staff grappling with lengthy waiting times, corridor care and also a lack of confidence in senior managers.
Following this, HIW announced in June that the department had been classified as a Service Requiring Significant Improvement (SRSI) – the most serious level of escalation available under its “service of concern” process.
You can read more here.
The two infants whose deaths have been linked to measles have been named – as controversy over the fatalities continues to mount.
Newborn baby Ivan S Miller, from Strasburg Township in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who died on August 14, was the first, according to a coroner’s report obtained by local media.
His cause of death was listed as a ruptured spleen, a life-threatening condition that can lead to major internal bleeding, with measles listed as a contributing factor.
The second victim was reported to be Mary S Stoltzfus, a six-week-old baby who died in Fulton Township, also in Lancaster County, on August 18.
Her cause of death was cardiac arrest due to measles.
It was also noted that she had Amish lethal microcephaly, a fatal genetic condition found in the Amish community that causes children to die within five to six months of birth.
No images of either child have been released.
Their deaths are the first measles-linked fatalities to be reported this year and come after three deaths from the virus were registered in 2025, including two in school-age children in Texas.
The two patients who were the first deaths from measles this year have been identified
So far this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 3,134 measles cases, the most in three decades and 845 more cases than last year, when there were 2,289 cases.
Almost all the infections have been reported in people who have not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The coroner in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, released the reports to WGAL8 following a right-to-know request.
A webpage was posted for Miller by Reynolds Shivery Funeral Home, which has locations in Lancaster County. The page is no longer live and currently returns an error.
For Stoltzfus, a webpage was posted by the same funeral home. It lists her parents, brother, grandparents and great-grandparents and says that her funeral took place on August 20.
The measles-linked deaths were first announced on August 25 in a press conference where state governor Josh Shapiro blamed them on federal government messaging surrounding MMR vaccines.
Speaking to the media, he said there were ‘real-life consequences’ to ‘spreading misinformation’ and suggested that administration officials had engaged in ‘scaring people and not relying on actual doctors to provide unbiased information.’
Shapiro also said he had a phone call with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr who ‘launched into a tirade’ and, according to the governor, even claimed ‘it would be better if we went back to “natural measles.”‘
The above map shows the states in the US that have the most measles cases nationwide
The above shows the number of measles cases reported by year in the US
Within hours of his statement, Republican Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons had suggested online that the deaths were not caused by measles.
In a post on Facebook, he said ‘false’ information had been published by state officials, adding that it was ‘important to know whether these people died OF measles or WITH measles’.
In a long post on his social media account that evening, Kennedy also slammed Governor Shapiro.
He posted information about how the MMR vaccine has been manufactured and said he disputed allegations that he was spreading misinformation.
In a highly unusual move, the CDC then did not list the deaths.
That Friday, August 28, the agency delayed its weekly measles data update. When it was finally posted on Sunday, it did not include the fatalities in Pennsylvania but added an asterisk to its table on deaths with the following note: ‘At this time, available information does not establish whether measles caused or contributed to the (Pennsylvania) deaths or whether the individuals died from other causes while infected with measles.’
The spleen is a vital organ on the left side of the body just below the ribcage that filters blood and holds white blood cells.
During a measles infection, it can become enlarged or swollen. If pressure is put on the organ, such as during childbirth, this may raise the risk of it rupturing and causing life-threatening internal bleeding. Emergency surgery is needed to close the organ when it ruptures.
In Amish lethal microcephaly, infants are born with an unusually small head and underdeveloped brain. They may have seizures and difficulty maintaining their body temperature.
The condition is severe and predisposes infants to infections, including measles, that could lead to their deaths.
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases known to man and is a particularly serious infection for young children.
One out of every 1,000 children who develop a measles infection suffers brain swelling, which can cause brain damage, the CDC says, while one to three out of every 1,000 die from complications linked to the infection.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine, administered ONCE at age 12 to 15 months and again at four to six years, slashes the risk of a measles infection by 97 percent.
Official data released last month showed MMR vaccination rates among kindergarteners had dropped to 92.4 percent, down 0.1 percent from the year prior and more than 2 percent on a decade ago.
South Carolina is at the epicenter, having recorded 670 infections in 2026 – the most out of any state, followed by Pennsylvania, 557 cases, and Utah, 526 cases. Almost every state has recorded at least one measles case this year.
In Pennsylvania, Lancaster County has reported the most cases in the state, or a total of 268 infections.
Disqualified driver Georgie Norris from Barry took police on a high-speed chase through the streets of Newport after officers spotted him in a Skoda Octavia on cloned plates.
The 42-year-old defendant made off at a “very high and dangerous speed” when he was approached by officers on Kingsway in the city centre.
He kept on going despite police using a stinger device to deflate his tyres and only came to an abrupt halt when he crashed.
This is Norris’ fourth conviction for dangerous driving, which he pleaded guilty to.
He also admitted driving whilst disqualified as well as fraudulently using a registration mark/registration document.
The offences occurred on Thursday, May 21.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told how Norris has 34 previous convictions for 88 offences.
As well as having dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified on his record, there are matters of taking a vehicle with the owner’s consent, aggravated vehicle taking and failing to provide a specimen.
He has served custodial sentences for driving matters in the past.
Norris’ barrister Kirsten Murphy told the court that her client has struggled with addiction to crack cocaine and is working to rid himself of the habit.
The defendant has a close relationship with his family and was a carer for his mother.
“He is remorseful for his actions,” his lawyer added.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins told Norris: “You represent a very high risk – you are an accident simply waiting to happen.
“Sooner or later, you are going to cause very serious injury or death to someone because of the way you drive.”
He added: “You drove off at a very high and dangerous speed to avoid the police.
“Officers tried to box you in.”
Norris, of Holton Road, was jailed for 16 months and disqualified from driving for five years from his release from prison.
A victim surcharge must also be paid.
A bride-to-be has been left bedbound with crippling fatigue and dizzy spells after she hit her head on a table in a freak accident at a friend’s barbecue.
Mel Barclay and Scott Midmer had planned to marry this month before Ms Barclay suffered life-changing injuries in May.
The accident has left Ms Barclay with post-concussion syndrome which means she has bouts of dizziness and extreme fatigue and spends most of her day either in bed or sleeping, with devastating consequences for the family.
The 40-year-old has been unable to work as a self-employed tattoo artist while Mr Midmer, 46, has had to step away from his job as a HGV driver in order to look after their two children: Lily, aged three, and Tye, 16.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Midmer said: ‘It’s flipped our lives upside down. She was self‑employed, I was a trucker and now neither of us are working.
‘We were a fairly well‑off family that lived to their means, and all of a sudden everything’s upside down and inside out. We’re literally sliding towards, in a few months’ time, losing our home. Which is a frightening thought.’
The life-changing accident happened on Saturday, May 16 at a friend’s barbecue.
Mr Midmer said: ‘We’d literally just arrived at our friend’s house and we were saying hello when Mel bent down to get our daughter’s bottle from a bag under the garden table.
Pictured: Scott Midmer with his partner Mel Barclay and their daughter Lily before Ms Barclay’s accident
Ms Barclay after her accident. The bride-to-be has been left bedbound with crippling fatigue and dizzy spells after she hit her head on a table in a freak accident at a friend’s barbecue
Mr Midmer with his step daughter Tye (centre) and Ms Barclay and his daughter Lily. Unsurprisingly, Ms Barclay’s health problems have had a profound impact on her two daughters
‘She then hit the crown of her head full pelt on the table.’
The family, who have now set up a GoFundMe to bring in money to try to get them through, then stayed at the barbecue for a few more hours before travelling back to their home in Northampton.
It was during the car journey home that Ms Barclay first complained of a headache.
‘I gave Mel some medicine and we went to bed. I then got up at 2am to go to work and I arrived home on Sunday and found Mel sat on the floor in pain and in tears,’ Mr Midmer said.
‘So I said to Mel: “We need to go to hospital, love”.’
Following a CT scan, the couple were told that Ms Barclay had concussion and doctors said the symptoms should clear up in a few weeks.
However, nearly four months later, Ms Barclay’s symptoms have not improved and she has since been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.
Mr Midmer continued: ‘You know, it’s something everyone does, it’s such an ordinary thing to do to bang your head on a table. But it’s had such consequences for our family.
The family together before the accident. Reflecting on the past four months, Mr Midmer said: It’s been very tough. I’m not going to deny it’s been incredibly tough. There’s been low points, but it’s my family so I’ve got a purpose’
‘Mel spent all of August in bed and she keeps feeling dizzy, nauseous and getting this weird sort of paralysis. I’ve had to stop working to look after the house and the children.’
Post-concussion syndrome describes a set of symptoms that sometimes occur after a concussion. Doctors still do not have a clear means of treating the condition, instead Ms Barclay has been told the symptoms should clear up eventually.
Mr Midmer said: ‘We’ve been told it will get better, but there’s no timeline and so we have no comfort in knowing when this could improve.’
Unsurprisingly, Ms Barclay’s health problems have had a profound impact on her two daughters – in particular her youngest child Lily.
‘How do you explain to a three-year-old that mummy is sleeping all the time,’ Mr Midmer said.
‘I think Lily kind of understands what’s going on, which is sad to say, she’s kinda got used to me telling her nine times out of ten that mummy is in bed or she’s asleep.’
Meanwhile, Mr Midmer’s step-daughter Tye told him: ‘When am I going to see my mum? I’ve lost my mum.’
The father added: ‘[Tye] told me that she’s not seen her mum properly since May. That since the accident she’s seen her hours rather than days.’
Since Ms Barclay’s diagnosis, the family have felt the financial impact of the loss of their incomes and Mr Midmer has claimed that their attempts to access benefits have been difficult due to complexities of her disorder.
He said: ‘Basically we’re raising the money at the moment to essentially pay our bills and get us through the month. I’m desperate not to lose Lily’s childcare.
‘I can’t imagine what her life would be like stuck in the house with me while I’m looking after Mel.’
Ms Barclay has secured an appointment at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford which has a specialist neurological unit dedicated to severe head and brain trauma, and the family hope this might help Ms Barclay’s condition.
Reflecting on the past four months, Mr Midmer said: ‘It’s been very tough. I’m not going to deny it’s been incredibly tough.
‘There’s been low points, but it’s my family so I’ve got a purpose.’
Don’t assume you’re fully insured before taking a test drive or taking your new vehicle home, advises an insurance professional
Expert shares warning about insurance ‘blind spot’ as thousands of drivers prepare to collect new ’76’ plate cars (stock image)(Image: Getty)
The arrival of the new ’76’ registration plate is expected to drive a significant surge in dealership visits, test drives and new vehicle collections throughout September. Industry analysts at The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT) are predicting that 75,000 new vehicles will leave UK dealerships this week, and that this could exceed 300,000 by the end of September.
But drivers planning to take advantage of the new registration plate launch are being urged to make one check. Motorists are being told to ensure they have the right insurance cover in place before getting behind the wheel of their shiny new motor.
The team of specialists at temporary car insurance Covertime.com have offered key advice. They say that many drivers mistakenly assume they are automatically fully insured when test driving a car or collecting a newly purchased vehicle.
Tom Warsop, motor insurance specialist at Covertime, said: “The arrival of a new registration plate is one of the busiest times of year for new car sales, so it’s understandable that buyers are focused on choosing the right vehicle and securing the best deal. However, insurance is just as important.
“Many drivers assume they are automatically covered when test driving a vehicle or collecting their new car, but that’s not always the case. It is actually a worryingly common insurance blind spot. Before getting behind the wheel for a test drive, motorists should check exactly what cover is in place and ensure they are fully insured for the journey ahead.
“While most franchised and independent dealerships will have some form of motor trade insurance that allows prospective buyers to test drive vehicles. But the level of protection can vary, and drivers shouldn’t assume all dealerships offer comprehensive cover.
“In some circumstances, cover will be third-party only, meaning damage to other people or property may be covered, but damage to the vehicle itself may not be. Additional conditions, such as age restrictions, licence requirements, accompanied test drives or excess payments may also apply”.
Covertime is encouraging motorists planning to buy a new vehicle this September to double-check a few things. These include:
- Confirm what insurance arrangements are in place before any test drive.
- Check whether any restrictions or conditions apply to dealership-provided cover.
- Ensure a valid insurance policy is active before driving a purchased vehicle home.
Driving without valid insurance is illegal and can result in penalty points, fines and vehicle seizure. If you’re caught on the road without valid cover, you could face a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence, while more serious cases can result in an unlimited fine, a driving ban, or even your vehicle being seized.
Tom also shared some considerations for drivers on collection day. He said: “Collecting a new car is exciting, but it’s also one of the easiest times for drivers to make assumptions about their insurance cover. While some dealerships may ask buyers to confirm insurance arrangements before collection, they aren’t legally required to check cover is in place before they hand over the keys.
“Ultimately, it’s the driver’s responsibility to ensure they are properly insured before driving away. For situations where drivers only need short-term cover, temporary car insurance can often provide a practical solution. The most important thing is making sure appropriate cover is arranged before the vehicle moves.”
UK petrol prices have reached 161.6p per litre, the highest since November 2022, while diesel has climbed to 183.4p
Motoring specialist reveals top driving techniques to cut fuel waste as petrol prices hit four-year high (stock image)(Image: Getty)
With the summer holidays over, families across the UK are preparing to return to their usual routines, with school runs and daily commutes putting more cars back on the road. This return comes as motorists face some of the highest fuel prices seen in recent years.
Average UK petrol prices rose to 161.6p per litre ahead of the August bank holiday weekend, its highest level since November 2022, while diesel averaged 183.4p per litre. As fuel prices remain high and people return to their daily routines, Paul Johnson, Forecourt Manager at Vertu Nissan Widnes, shares a number of simple driving tips to help motorists save fuel and cut costs this September.
1. Lift off the accelerator early and let the engine do the braking
In congested traffic, many drivers accelerate towards the car ahead and brake sharply when it slows. This cycle is one of the biggest causes of fuel waste in heavy conditions, Paul says. According to government eco-driving guidance, aggressive acceleration and braking can increase fuel consumption by 10–40% in stop-start driving.
Paul adds that modern fuel-injected engines cut the fuel supply entirely when the driver lifts off the accelerator while still in gear. This means the car decelerates on zero fuel. “By leaving a slightly larger gap and anticipating traffic conditions ahead, drivers can remain in gear for longer and reduce unnecessary braking, which will help to save fuel”, he said.
2. Cruise at 60mph when the road is clear
On longer school runs and commuting journeys, it can be tempting to travel at the maximum permitted speed whenever the road is clear. However, driving faster increases aerodynamic drag, meaning the engine has to work harder and fuel consumption rises.
According to the Climate Change Committee, driving at 70 mph uses around 15% more fuel than cruising at 60 mph. Paul says that, where conditions allow, maintaining a steady 60 mph and using cruise control on clear, flat stretches can help reduce unnecessary fuel use.
He says the difference in journey time is relatively small, adding around two extra minutes to a 20 mile journey, but the savings in fuel can quickly add up to a large saving.
3. Avoid unnecessary idling
School runs and everyday driving often involve short periods of stop-start traffic, especially outside schools, at junctions, crossings and busy bottlenecks. Leaving the engine running while stationary uses fuel without moving you anywhere.
If traffic has come to a complete standstill and you expect to be waiting, switch the engine off when it is safe and appropriate to do so. If your car has automatic stop-start, let the system do it for you, Paul says.
On regular school runs and commuting to and from work, avoiding unnecessary idling will reduce fuel consumption over time and lower emissions, he adds. The Highway Code (Rule 123) also states that drivers must not leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while stationary on a public road.
4. Check your tyre pressure after summer trips
Regardless of the time of year, it’s always worth checking your tyre pressures as part of your regular car maintenance routine, but even more so following a busy summer of longer journeys and day trips around the country, Paul says. Incorrectly inflated tyres increase rolling resistance, meaning the engine has to work harder and use more fuel.
Check all four tyres against the manufacturer’s recommended pressures, usually found on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame or in the owner’s manual. Paul says: “If you’ve recently carried extra passengers or luggage, remember to return the pressures to the manufacturer’s recommended setting for normal driving once the vehicle is unloaded.”
Always check tyre pressures when the tyres are cold for the most accurate reading. While you’re checking, look for any visible damage or unusual wear and make sure the tread is within the legal limit.
Crispy Bird on Glebe Street opened its doors to customers for a soft launch last week but is now serving its full menu to customers who have come in thick and fast.
This fried chicken shop replaced Indian takeaway Saagor, when it closed its doors after almost thirty years at the heart of Penarth’s high street. It marked the end of an era for one of Penarth’s long-standing food outlets – but opened the door for another.
Crispy Bird’s signage has been up for a short while, with the business documenting the changes to the well-known premises on social media.
In posts made shortly after this signage appeared, Crispy Bird say they wanted to recognise “what came before” and described Saagor as a “much loved local business,” wishing its owners “nothing but success for the future” while promising to bring the space “back to life” with a different concept.
Since opening, the team has seen a number of extremely busy evenings with customers keeping the “flock on its toes,” thanks to their chicken that is made fresh in store every day.
This chicken and the menu it featured heavily on was designed, in part, with the help of customers.
Though it is early days, clear favourites include the various offerings of different fried chickens, alongside rotisserie chickens that are cooked fresh in store, in clear view of customers who may be looking for something more substantial from their fast-food choices.
All these choices and more are now available, following their soft launch.
Crispy Bird told the Penarth Times: “The soft launch has been an incredible experience.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support and patience shown by the local community while our new team finds its feet.
“It has been wonderful meeting so many familiar and new faces, and the feedback has been really encouraging.”
In their posts, Crispy Bird echoed their predecessor Saagor’s plea for residents to support small businesses, describing independent traders as “the heart of our community” and urging people to “shop local”, “support independent businesses” and “use” cash rather than lose it.
Whilst many residents may have been sad to lose one long-standing takeaway; this shop has also begun its own legacy and a new chapter of the town’s food scene.
