Patrick Glover

Falmouth has been ranked Britain's loveliest harbour town by The Telegraph, ahead of destinations including Whitby, Aldeburgh and Brixham. The town is praised for its vibrant working harbour, deep maritime heritage, student population, food scene, beaches and cultural events. Attractions and recommendations include the Cornwall National Maritime Museum, local seafood venues, the Falmouth Oyster Festival, coastal paths and boat trips.

Dark Pony Coffee in Falmouth, Cornwall, has been ranked 39th among Europe’s top 100 coffee shops. The ranking praised its specialty coffee, relaxed atmosphere, friendly service, in-house baked goods, minimalist interior and monthly community coffee cuppings. The independent café has a 4.9 out of 5 Tripadvisor rating from 14 reviews, with customers particularly praising its coffee, food and staff.

Megaman (UK) Ltd, an energy-efficient lighting retailer founded in 2000, has entered administration after 26 years in business. FRP Advisory’s Simon Farr and Anthony Collier were appointed joint administrators on August 5, and the company’s website has been taken offline. The article explains that administration provides temporary protection from creditors while administrators assess options including restructuring, sale, liquidation or dissolution, and places Megaman’s collapse within wider difficulties facing UK retailers and other businesses.

The cafe at Cornwall’s Minack Theatre has gone viral on TikTok, with videos claiming it offers some of the county’s best views over Porthcurno Bay. The videos have attracted more than 190,000 views and thousands of likes, while visitors have praised the scenery, gardens, theatre and cafe in Tripadvisor reviews. Access to the theatre and gardens costs £12, after which visitors can use the on-site cafe.

The British Heart Foundation plans to close 150 charity shops over the next two financial years, including stores at 43 Market Street in Falmouth and 37 Meneage Street in Helston by March 2027. The charity attributes the closures to rising operating costs and changing shopping and donation habits, saying some locations are no longer financially viable. Despite the closures and proposed reductions in retail support teams, the BHF says its overall finances remain healthy and that it will continue fundraising through a large shop network, online channels, donation points and home collections to support cardiovascular disease research.

The launch of the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation system has been postponed to 2027 due to technical issues and delays linked to the recently introduced Entry/Exit System. ETIAS will require most UK and other visa‑exempt travellers entering 30 European countries to pay a €20 fee, with exemptions for minors and older travellers. The EES, already causing long queues and operational problems at airports, has prompted airlines and industry bodies to call for a suspension, but EU officials have rejected these requests, stating that only limited border points are problematic and urging member states to address congestion issues.

Cach Mercer, winner of Love Island 2025 and social media personality, has been announced as the fifth confirmed contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. He joins Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem and Chris Appleton in the lineup, with new hosts Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe set to front the show when it returns on BBC One and iPlayer in September. Mercer expressed enthusiasm about dancing on the series, while celebrities and fans shared supportive reactions on social media.

TG Jones plans to close about 150 of its more than 450 stores after the High Court approved a restructuring plan aimed at avoiding insolvency. The plan includes a £15 million loan from owner Modella Capital and proposed rent reductions, with closures likely where landlords reject new terms. Executives attribute the company’s difficulties to declining sales, inflation, online shopping, reduced consumer spending and rising labour costs, alongside a rebranding impact. The wider UK retail sector continues to face significant financial pressure, with several major chains entering administration or shutting stores, though some brands are expanding with new openings.