Business

Passenger numbers on Steam Packet ferry sailings for this year's TT are up on last year but the number of motorbike bookings have fallen, the company's chief executive has said.

Brian Thomson said 2025 bookings were about 4.5% up from 2024, when more than 37,800 passengers booked to travel to the island during the period.

Visitors can arrive on the island via flights to the Isle of Man Airport or on ferries from Lancashire, Liverpool, Dublin and Belfast.

While the numbers of bike bookings were down, Mr Thomson said he believed "more people are bringing their bikes in vans and on trailers", noting those vehicle bookings had risen.

About 40,000 people were expected to arrive by boat throughout the TT fortnight, which runs from 26 May until 7 June.

If the final figure surpasses the 2024 total, it would become the third year in a row that figures surpass a previous high recorded in 2007, when 47,000 visited.

While the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic, the firm has since "seen increased passenger numbers every year", Mr Thomson said, adding that the Manxman had enabled that with its increased capacity.

It is the second year the vessel has been operational for the event, with an extra 400 passenger spaces available than its predecessor the Ben my Chree, which is currently running freight services.

Mr Thomson said: "The pressure on freight is huge because everything that's coming for TT, all the equipment, the fairground, the TT village, all of that's come on the boat, and keeping the island supplied."

Staffing is increased over the two weeks and extra sailings are fitted into the daily schedule, Mr Thomson explained.

At the Isle of Man Airport passenger numbers have remained level at about 60,000 over the two-week period.

Interim airport director Geoff Pugh said that figure, while consistent with last year's numbers, is about 19% lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

He said: "We're still some way off the numbers back in 2019, but that's the same throughout the year as well, not just the TT."

Two scanners are being replaced in the security area, upgrading them to meet standards set by the UK's Department for Transport.

While one machine has now been upgraded, work has been paused during the TT fortnight with the second machine until after racing ends.

Also, after the event has finished, new flooring will be fitted, walls painted and new seating installed in the departure lounge as part of ongoing refurbishment works.

Mr Pugh said they were trying to make the airport "a welcoming place" and a motorsport display had been placed outside the departure lounge for the races.

"People will come through the airport and get their first taste of the motorsport vibe," he said.

The original 1977 cinematic release of Star Wars will be shown on the big screen this summer in London, marking its first public screening in decades.

The original version of the sci-fi blockbuster will be shown as part of the British Film Institute (BFI)'s Film on Film festival on 12 June.

The BFI said this version of the film is rarely publicly screened since George Lucas' produced special editions were released in the 1990s, altering some plot points and adding other CGI characters.

Today, only the updated versions are available on official streaming platforms and Blu-ray, making screenings of the film's original cut rare.

Senior curator of fiction at the BFI National Archive, James Bell, said the festival was a "true showcase" of the national collection.

"Every print in the programme is a unique object, with its own life story, and they all bear their scars with pride," he said.

"They put us at touching distance to the past, and we can't wait for audiences to experience them all.

"We're grateful for the generous support from philanthropic champions who have helped us deliver a rich and exciting programme that keeps Film on Film alive."

Lucas's changes to key plot points, including the addition of Jabba the Hutt and other special effects upgrades, have long divided fans.

The defence review will send a "message to Moscow", the defence secretary has said, as he warned Russia was launching cyber-attacks on UK military networks "every day".

John Healey told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg the review would set out plans to deter "growing Russian aggression" in a "world that is changing".

The report, to be unveiled on Monday, is expected to conclude the UK faces a "new era of threat" and will warn of the "immediate and pressing" danger posed by Russia and other countries, including China.

It will also commit £1.5bn to build six new factories to make munitions, in a bid to revive Britain's industrial base.

An overturned lorry has blocked and closed a road in both directions.

The eastbound B1106 Marham Parkway carriageway near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was blocked between Sandlands Drive and the A1101 just before 07:30 BST on Monday.

The emergency services were in attendance and completely closed off the road at 08:30. Suffolk Police said no injuries had been reported.

Pictures taken from the scene show the overturned lorry resting on the road and being lifted by another vehicle.

A scheme which uses an invisible DNA solution to mark farm machinery is said to have proven successful in reducing thefts across North Yorkshire.

Property is marked with a gel containing a unique code that, when analysed, links to the rightful owner.

North Yorkshire Combined Authority provided 8,000 SelectaDNA kits to more than 1,500 farms, the largest roll-out in the country.

North Yorkshire Police said fewer high-risk items had been reported as stolen from farms involved in the scheme, since last year's launch.

Farms in crime hotspot locations were offered up to five kits and warning signs, to mark agricultural vehicles and equipment.

A report prepared for next week's Police, Fire and Crime Panel meeting at North Yorkshire Council noted that only three farms which had used the kits had since been targeted by thieves.

In contrast, 72 farms which had not used the kits had have thefts.

The solution can last up to five years outdoors, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The report also cited a 30% reduction in quad bike thefts since the scheme began.

It also said that North Yorkshire Police's rollout of the kits was now seen as "best practice" for other forces across the country.

Fire breaks should be introduced to open areas to prevent wildfires this summer, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.

Spring is likely to be one of the driest on record, according to the Met Office, and landowners and councils are being asked to play their part to reduce the risks.

Just under half of the capital is considered to be green space, many of which lie next to homes and businesses.

Fire breaks can be created by removing grass or ploughing earth to exclude any flammable vegetation, forming a barrier that prevents the easy spread of flames.

LFB's deputy commissioner Charlie Pugsley said grass fires could spread particularly rapidly, as seen in the capital as well as worldwide in California and South Korea.

In 2022, London experienced record-breaking temperatures and long periods of dry weather that resulted in some of the most severe wildfires the city has ever had.

James St John Davis, from the City of London Corporation's natural environment board, said: "As custodians of some of London's most iconic open spaces, we manage complex landscapes that are often right next to people's homes where the threat of wildfire is very real.

"We reduce risk through seasonal grass cutting, natural fire breaks, and widespread staff training to respond swiftly, often before emergency crews arrive. This year we've also invested in three new fire fogging units to tackle contained fires, such as those caused by barbecues."

Grass fires can be prevented by avoiding the use of disposable BBQs in parks and open spaces, ensuring cigarettes are put out completely and disposed of correctly, and taking rubbish home if no bins are available.

Homeowners can also help by maintaining their gardens by preventing them becoming overgrown.

Planning officers are recommending councillors approve a proposal for 168 new homes on the site of the historic Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh.

The brewery closed in 2022 after 153 years, with the loss of 30 jobs. It was the last major brewery in the city.

Artisan Real Estate announced its takeover of the 1.9-acre site in December 2023.

Its development proposal includes plans to repurpose the old brewery buildings and roll-out a mix of sustainable flats and houses across the site.

David Westwater, Artisan's managing director for Scotland, said: "Artisan is committed to delivering this new, sustainable residential neighbourhood in a complex and historically important city centre site, providing a healthy mix of new homes and affordable housing in line with the council's policy to help tackle the city's housing emergency.

"Building high-quality, sustainable homes in sensitive and unique urban sites such as the brewery site is a lengthy, complex and expensive process – but we are confident that our comprehensive proposals will set new standards for the homes-led regeneration for this historically important city centre site."

A £400,000 restoration project has started to rectify damage and address safety issues at a 259-year-old covered market.

The Shambles, a Grade-II listed structure built in 1766, occupies a prominent position within the heart of Hexham's conservation area, next to the town's Abbey.

Northumberland County Council said it is in a poor state and "urgent work" is needed to restore its timber beams, stone columns, roof and flooring.

The marketplace is expected to remain shut until autumn, with traders offered an alternative site nearby, but Hexham East councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken called the closure "short-term pain for long-term gain".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports bollards are also to be placed around The Shambles' north and west sides to protect its columns and stonework, which "have been repeatedly damaged by vehicles over the last few years".

Coventry's first female Bishop has been officially installed during a service at the city's cathedral.

The Right Reverend Sophie Jelley, the tenth Bishop of Coventry, was welcomed by three young people from schools in the diocese as the service began on Saturday afternoon.

Previously the Bishop of Doncaster, she has taken on responsibility for 201 parishes across Warwickshire and Coventry.

Bishop Jelley has succeeded the Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, who left the diocese in November last year.

The cathedral bells rang and a choir of children from eight local schools sang as dignitaries including MPs, council and business leaders assembled for the service.

The bishop, escorted by the Archdeacon of Canterbury, led the Litany of Reconciliation from the cathedral ruins before proceeding through the main building's doors, which were thrown wide open in welcome.

During the service, Bishop Jelley took oaths of allegiance and obedience before receiving the Diocesan Crozier – a curved staff – from the High Altar where it was placed by her predecessor when he left in 2023.

She gave her inaugural sermon before enjoying a performance of Sing, written by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber, from the combined schools choir.

The bishop was then presented with symbolic gifts representative of the diocese's heritage, including a jar of honey from a local farmer and a goose quill from Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

The service finished with an episcopal blessing.

Bishop Jelley, who is married and has three grown-up children, said on her appointment she looked forward to sharing "the story of God's love with the people of Coventry and Warwickshire".

A month ago, things were looking bleak for Luton Town, with the threat of a double relegation looming.

Now, after a "tremendous turnaround" and three consecutive wins, the Hatters are hoping to stay in the Championship.

A last-minute goal against Coventry last Saturday lifted Luton out of the relegation zone with one game remaining.

After coming down from the Premier League last season, fans said they were "clinging to hope" ahead of their away match at West Bromwich Albion.

'Incredibly nervous'

"This must be the longest week of my life," said Paul Stephens, 66.

"I am incredibly nervous. I am nervous about the impact a bad result will have on us.

"I'm not nervous about how the team will perform, because over the last six or seven games, they've been brilliant.

"The turnaround has been tremendous. The atmosphere at the last three matches has been amazing – the positivity from every fan."

"We were clinging on to hope, and there's always hope," he said.

'Riding high'

Fan Helen Gatward, 44, says she is confident Luton can "get over the line".

"I have to admit I am nervous, but deep down I have got confidence in the guys that they will get the job done.

"The last few weeks are a bit of a blur. I have been physically and mentally drained after the recent games."

She said fans were "riding high on the wave" of April's successes.

"These last three wins have taken us up a notch and given us the confidence we need to get the three points to stay in the Championship.

"The fans are going to be there in good spirit, and we're going to help carry them over the line."

'Miraculous turnaround'

Kevin Harper hosts the Luton Town Supporters' Trust Podcast, so he is no stranger to the ups and downs of the Hatters' fortunes.

"I am excited, I am enjoying the football we are playing," the 42-year-old said.

"We are in control of our own destiny. We just have to win a game of football."

He said Luton's manager Matt Bloomfield, who took over in January when Luton were 20th in the Championship, "has been brilliant".

"Matt said he needed time to instil his philosophy, and from the start of March onwards, the turnaround has been miraculous.

"I just hope Saturday goes to plan," said Mr Harper.