Author: SKYNEWS

An estate agency group backed by the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group is being put up for sale in the latest sign of corporate activity in the sector.Sky News understands that LDC has hired bankers from Clearwater International to oversee a sale of Lomond Group. A process is expected to kick off in the coming months, and should value Lomond at well over £100m, according to industry sources.Lomond Group was created from the merger of Lomond Capital and Linley & Simpson in 2021, a deal which established a business with 22,000 properties under management.The company has a particularly…

The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Malmo, Sweden, this year.It’s a spiritual homecoming of sorts with Sweden’s supergroup Abba – who are the most famous band ever to come out of the contest – crowned the winners 50 years ago. Loved and loathed in equal measure for its euro pop earworms, evocative power ballads, and eye-watering novelty acts, there’s no clear frontrunner for this year’s show – meaning it’s all to play for.The political elephant in the room is of course Israel’s participation in light of the ongoing Gaza war, with many artists encouraged to boycott the…

Elijah Wood and other Lord Of The Rings cast members have paid tribute to their co-star Bernard Hill, who died on Sunday aged 79.Hill played King Theoden in the Oscar-winning fantasy franchise directed by Sir Peter Jackson.Wood, who played Frodo Baggins, said on X: “So long to our friend, our king. We will never forget you.”He also shared a quote from JRR Tolkien’s novel, on which the films are based, writing: “For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning.” X This content…

Kris Hallenga, the founder of breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!, has died aged 38.She was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 23 and lived with the illness for 15 years, tirelessly campaigning for breast cancer awareness in that time.A statement on the charity’s website said: “She hasn’t lost a battle, she wasn’t in a fight and she certainly wouldn’t want you to see her death as tragic.”She was simply living. She was 38 and died with fulfilment and a heart full of love.”Ms Hallenga’s breast cancer was terminal by the time it was diagnosed in 2009.”Kris’ ambition was for no…

Heineken is investing £39m in more than 600 of its pubs in the UK – in a move it says will bring 62 back from the dead.The Dutch brewer said the cash injection into its Star Pubs operation will create more than 1,000 jobs. According to Star Pubs, 612 pubs are set to benefit, with refurbishments focusing on “transforming tired pubs in suburban areas into premium locals” as people commute less to city centres.This will include “subtle zoning” work to cater for various customer activities, such as watching sport and dining.Two pubs in Essex have already reopened after works costing…

Single-sex toilets are set to become a legal requirement for all new bars, restaurants, offices and shopping centres under new laws proposed by the government.Self-contained toilets for both sexes may be provided in addition to single-sex toilets, or if there isn’t enough space. Care homes, hotels, schools, cells in custodial facilities, and buildings used for early years provision are all exempt from the proposed legislation.The law would affect England only and applies to new buildings as well as existing premises that undergo a material change of use.The government said that in a consultation on the proposals, 81% of respondents agreed…

Prehistoric plant DNA is being dug up from deep below the Arctic to see if it can help modern-day crops cope with the effects of climate change.Researchers from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh are working with European scientists to analyse microbes from the palaeolithic period, when, like today, the planet was becoming warmer. The university team has been awarded £500,000 by Horizon Europe, a European Union scientific research initiative, to spend four years examining ancient soil samples extracted from deep below the Arctic under a project named Tolerate.Dr Ross Alexander, a plant molecular biologist at Heriot-Watt, said researchers were “using samples…

Actor Bernard Hill, who played roles in Lord Of The Rings and Titanic, has died aged 79, his agent has confirmed.Hill also featured as Yosser Hughes in the iconic drama series Boys from the Blackstuff.He was given a number of awards for his role as King Theoden in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and played Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film Titanic.Hill was born in Blackley, Manchester, in 1944 and graduated with a diploma in theatre in 1970. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 Watch Bernard Hill in Boys from the Blackstuff…

The world’s second-largest steel company has warned the government that a planning verdict due this week could lead to a key division quitting the UK.Sky News has seen a letter sent by ArcelorMittal to Michael Gove, the levelling-up secretary, in which it says that a decision to allow the closure and redevelopment of part of Chatham Docks would have “seismic adverse consequences… [for] the British economy and multiple strategic industries”. In the letter from Matthew Brooks, who runs ArcelorMittal’s construction solutions arm in the UK, the company urges Mr Gove to issue an urgent order to allow fuller government scrutiny…

Will Ferrell has become the latest celebrity to invest in Leeds United – joining Gladiator star Russell Crowe and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. The Hollywood actor, 56, has bought a stake in the Championship club’s owners 49ers Enterprises, in which golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas also have shares. Ferrell, who is best known for his comedic roles in films such as Elf, Anchorman and Blades Of Glory, is already the co-owner of Major Soccer side Los Angeles FC.He revealed his love of the English game during a six-day trip to watch matches around the country with friends, including Manchester…