Consumer

Does your broadband contract come with a hidden catch?

Explainer Why broadband bills can rise even when you’re in contract

Barber Joe Thackeray (left) and junior barber Lewis Bradley outside the new Head Quarters at Wynyard Park.

Growing retail park welcomes new barbers

The cheapest supermarket pumpkins might not be where you’d expect them to be this year

Aldi and Lidl beaten by two supermarket rivals in pumpkin price test

BT, EE, TalkTalk and Vodafone have been named Britain's most complained-about broadband providers in new Ofcom figures, as campaigners call for an end to mid-contract price rises that can add £48 a year to household bills.

Four broadband giants top Ofcom complaints list

Millions of UK households face another broadband bill increase in April 2027, even if they are locked into an existing contract, prompting fresh calls for a ban on mid-contract price rises.

Broadband customers face fresh £48 bill warning

The Government recommends households gradually build an emergency kit with practical essentials such as a torch, first aid kit, emergency radio and portable power bank.

Explainer What you need in a Government 3-day emergency kit

M&S Sparks customers can earn up to £15 in festive rewards this Christmas by shopping for eligible drinks, flowers and café treats. Photos by Marks and Spencer.

M&S Sparks shoppers can earn £15 in rewards when Christmas shopping

The compact SumUp card reader helps market traders, craft sellers and small businesses accept contactless and card payments without expensive equipment.

7 side hustles to make extra money before Christmas

M&S has introduced its 2026 Christmas sandwich range alongside seasonal snacks and sweet treats.

M&S Christmas sandwiches and there's plenty of festive favourites

The supermarket says it wants to help customers be well prepared for groceries as the festive season approaches

Asda Christmas delivery slots open today – how to book

We've listed the top 10 highest-rated items in the Sainsbury's Taste the Difference range - and there are definitely some surprises

These are the 10 items Sainsbury's poshest shoppers love the most

Middleton Grange centre manager Nik McDonald

Toy shop coming to shopping centre

Households are being urged to check their broadband bills, as staying on the same deal too long could cost hundreds of pounds a year.

Broadband mistake could cost you £452 a year

Stacey Blair in her shop La Ama De Casa Spanish Cleaning Products.

Independent shop cleans up as it celebrates milestone

Middleton Grange Shopping Centre managers, with The Dancing Cup team and Hartlepool Development Corporation representatives at the cafe's opening. Photo: Tom Banks

Delight as cafe relocates into shopping centre

Skin specialist Demi Howlett in her home salon.

National recognition at beauty awards for salon owner Demi
A Hartlepool beautician is celebrating after winning national recognition in the beauty industry’s leading awards.
Mark Payne

Lisa Maddren (centre) with daughters Tara (left) and Thalia.

Thalia’s hands-on role as toy shop dream becomes reality

Customers couldn't wait to grab a free burger at the new Wynyard Burger King.

In pictures: Burger King fans flock to new restaurant

Free Whoppers all around for the lads from JBA Engineering. Picture by FRANK REID

Customers queue out the door as new Burger King opens

Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey (second left) with Middleton Grange Shopping Centre staff who are now Businesses Against Abuse accredited.

Shopping centre now a 'safe space' for customers after accreditation

Clifton Lodge Vets opens its new practice on Hartlepool's Sovereign Business Park on April 30.

Pet lovers get first look inside new state-of-the-art vets practice

Millions in National Lottery prizes go unclaimed each year

You could be sitting on a winning Lottery ticket without knowing

Cllr Pamela Hargreaves cutting the ribbon to officially open Jollyes Pets at Teesbay Retail Park.

Puppy love as new pet store opens on retail park

The OK Diner at Elwick will close in April 2026.

Hartlepool American diner confirms upcoming closure

A shopper carrying red sale bags marked with a bold percentage sign, symbolising seasonal discounts and bargain hunting

Free Top Buys email finds the best UK deals this February

Chelsea Ferguson, left, and Beccy Sharp, co-owners of Howdown, with the Marina Challenge stamp cards. Picture by FRANK REID

Can you complete The Marina Challenge as venues band together to boost trade?

130 Oxford Road, Hartlepool.

Health concerns raised over new restaurant-takeaway plan
Questions have been raised by public health chiefs and residents over plans to convert a vacant former shop into a new "restaurant and takeaway" in Hartlepool.
Nic Marko

This simple tweak can make rooms feel warmer almost instantly (Photo: Pexels)

Warm your home fast this winter with this easy radiator tweak

The UK is experiencing a major cold snap, causing school closures, power cuts, and hazardous roads (Photo: Richard Ponter)

Cold Weather Payments may be triggered soon - how fast you’ll get cash

The Royal in Church Street, Hartlepool.

Pub issues Christmas 'guide' for non-drinkers

Shoppers carry their purchases from a River Island clothes shop. The retailer has confirmed plans to close 33 UK stores before the end of January 2026 (Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Major fashion brand to close 33 UK stores by January 2026 – full list

Winter Fuel Payments don't legally need to be spent on energy or heating bills (Photo: Pexels)

You don’t have to spend Winter Fuel Payments on energy - smarter uses

Millions in National Lottery prizes go unclaimed each year because winners don’t realise they’ve won

Millions in life-changing National Lottery prizes remain unclaimed

Boyes chairman Andrew Boyes and Hartlepool council leader Cllr Pamela Hargreaves cut the ribbon on the new Hartlepool store.

Watch as shoppers get first look inside new Hartlepool Boyes store

Ofgem has confirmed a surprise 0.2% rise to the energy price cap from January 1, 2026 (Photo: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Your energy bill is going up unexpectedly in January 2026

A customer looks at some goods at an Asda supermarket. The supermarket is selling 24 stores and a distribution depot in a £568m deal to boost finances (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Major UK supermarket chain selling 24 stores in £568m deal

Nando’s is launching 14 new UK restaurants after a strong year of sales and profit growth (Photo: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Iconic chicken chain confirms 14 new restaurants coming soon

Six banks earned a Which? Recommended Provider badge, including Chase, Monzo, and First Direct (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Which? shares the best bank accounts to get the most from your money

The UK faces icy weather this week, with snow possible in northern areas (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

You could be eligible for Cold Weather Payments as UK braces for snow

Popular apps and websites have stopped working amid a technical problem at Cloudflare. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)

Full list of apps and websites affected by Cloudflare outage

Dates for the Coca Cola Christmas truck tour are soon expected to be revealed.

Coca-Cola's iconic Christmas Truck tour returns for a 15th year

A woman walks past a Black Friday sale sign on Oxford Street. Black Friday has stretched into 'Black November', making real bargains harder to spot (Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Many shoppers are skipping Black Friday 2025 for better bargains

DownDetector has recently seen a huge spike in problems with major apps including Twitter and Facebook. (Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty)

Major social media app goes down for users

Energy bills are expected to fall by just 1% in January — around £22 a year (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Your energy bill may fall by £22 in January - but rises loom in April

High Street chain Boyes arrives at Middleton Grange shopping centre on Friday, November 21.

Launch-day goodies and giveaways as Boyes set to open for business

A worker installs a heat pump in a private home in western France. The Government has expanded the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps that heat in winter and cool in summer (Photo: DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)

Government widens £2,500 grants to heat pumps that both heat and cool

Freddie Mercury's sister, Kashmira Bulsara, holding the new Royal Mint commemorative coin. The design features Mercury mid-performance, his signature, and details like his Live Aid outfit (Photo: Royal Mint)

Freddie Mercury fans rush for Royal Mint coin tipped to soar in value

A new proposal could cut council tax bills for the majority of households, with some homeowners with bigger or more expensive properties paying more (Photo: Pexels)

Some households could pay double council tax to cut bills for most

Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham. The Government is expected to extend the freeze on income tax thresholds until 2030 (Photo: Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Reeves drops tax hike - millions will pay more even without increase

Popeyes is opening its 100th UK restaurant next week at London Bridge station (Photo: Pexels)

Chicken chain opens 100 UK stores - we're nowhere near ‘peak chicken’

Fraudsters are sending fake texts and emails posing as the Government to steal bank details (Photo: Pexels)

Pensioners targeted with Winter Fuel help scam texts - what to do

Millions in National Lottery prizes go unclaimed each year because winners don’t realise they’ve won (Photo: Getty Images)

Forgotten Lottery tickets could be worth £1m or more – check yours now

Chancellor Rachel Reeves takes journalists' questions after delivering a speech in the media briefing room of 9 Downing Street. Reeves has reportedly ditched plans to raise income tax rates ahead of the November 26 Budget (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Rachel Reeves U-turns on tax rises - but your bill could still go up

Gift Aid is a UK government scheme that lets charities claim back 20% tax on donations

How Gift Aid can make your Children in Need 2025 donation worth more

Morrisons has partnered with SpotlessWater to install 24/7 self-service ultra-pure water stations across the UK (Photos: Getty Images/SpotlessWater)

Major UK supermarket rolls out convenient new 24/7 service - locations

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