Primark, which has almost 200 stores across the UK, is introducing a change to it’s shopping experience and it will mean you having to dig a bit deeper at the checkouts
Primark customers have reacted to a change announced by the company that comes into effect on May 12 (stock)
Primark customers have taken to social media to express their displeasure after a staff member revealed that a significant alteration is on the horizon for all the retailer’s stores from Monday (May 12).
Founded in Ireland in 1969, High Street store Primark has built a reputation for affordable fashionwear, now boasting almost 200 shops throughout the UK. But come next week, shoppers will have to dig that little bit deeper into their pockets. In a TikTok clip, employee Beth Clare explained: “Just a little heads up for everyone, from 12th May, we will be charging for our paper bags.” And pointing to a store sign, she elaborated: “So if you need four, that will be four times 15p and so on and so forth.”
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Beth Clare suggests opting for a sustainable fabric bag from Primark as a cost-effective substitute. “The big, massive ones are £1.20, we also have £1 ones that are still big, and little, tiny ones – they’re 80p, but they fit quite a lot in,” she remarked.
Among the available eco-friendly bags at present are designs featuring Hello Kitty and Disney’s Lilo and Stitch characters, alongside a variety of Primark-branded options, including trendy leopard-print patterns.
The announcement was met with mixed feelings among shoppers, with one TikTok user quipping: “15p for a bag that disintegrates as soon as you walk out the door? No thanks I’ll pass.”
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Another person slammed: “Well we need better bags than papers bags then as in the rain they do not last.” A third shared a similar concern: “So does that mean that when we walk out of the shop and the handles break will Primark either swap the bag or refund the bag price?”
Whilst a fourth TikTok user concurred: “They should be exchangeable if they break and have broken for new policy! When they are pushing twice the number of bags they will change their mind.”
In defence of Primark’s plan, however, one customer pointed out: “Not sure why you’re all chatting about this. People have been taking their own plastic bags to shops for more than a decade now.”
And similarly, a second noted “Too right. Everyone should have reusable bags, we all have them and they have been around for years so no excuse.”
A statement issued by Primark earlier this week confirmed: “Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day. While our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we’re always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste. That’s why from May 12th 2025, we’ll be introducing a 15p charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large.”
Primark added: “Why the change? Research shows that introducing bag charges reduces the number of new bags customers use. It’s a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use. We’re committed to being part of the solution when it comes to clothing and non-clothing waste, and this change is just one of the small steps we’re taking. We hope it inspires more customers to make the switch to reusable bags.”
American Danielle Collins completed a comprehensive straight-set victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Italian Open.
Collins capitalised on a poor serving display from world number two Swiatek to cruise to the opening set before battling back from a break down in the second to clinch a 6-1 7-5 victory.
It was just her second win in nine matches against the five-time Grand Slam champion and first on clay – the 23-year-old Pole’s preferred surface.
Collins, 31, will face either Ukrainian Elina Svitolina or compatriot Hailey Baptiste in the fourth round, while Swiatek must now regroup before the French Open, which begins on 25 May.
Swiatek had won the Italian Open in three of the past four seasons but struggled for her best form in the run-up to this year’s event in Rome.
She has not won a WTA tournament since claiming her fourth French Open women’s singles title in five years at Roland Garros 12 months ago.
Swiatek started poorly, serving double faults when facing break point in her first two service games, and lost her third to love as 29th seed Collins raced into a 5-0 lead.
Swiatek finally got on the board in the sixth game, but was promptly broken for a fourth time to lose the opening set in just 24 minutes.
She broke Collins in the opening game of the second set, but was again unable to cement the break.
As the feud between the Beckham family and Brooklyn and Nicola refuses to disappear, a source has claimed that Victoria is ‘devastated’ by her eldest son’s ‘betrayal’
Victoria Beckham feels “betrayed” by Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz, a source has revealed
Famously family-oriented David Beckham was no doubt hoping to ring in his recent 50th birthday with all his nearest and dearest, but the festivities were overshadowed by a devastating family feud, which shows no signs of fizzling out. After eldest son Brooklyn, 26, and his wife Nicola Peltz seemingly snubbed David’s birthday celebrations, a source tells the Mirror he and Victoria have been left “hurt and angry” over the shock move.
David marked his 50th with a star-studded bash. His three youngest children – Romeo, 22, who brought girlfriend Kim Turnbull along; Cruz, 20, with his other half Jackie Apostel; and Harper, 13 – partied alongside his celeb pals Tom Cruise and Eva Longoria. But Brooklyn and Nicola, 30, were missing following weeks of speculation that there has been a fallout. They also failed to publicly wish Victoria, 51, a happy birthday last month. Now, a source claims to the Mirror that devoted mum Victoria can’t help but feel upset.
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it’s thought designer Victoria feels ‘betrayed’ by Brooklyn and Nicola(Image: Getty Images for Victoria Beckham)
“Victoria feels betrayed by Brooklyn and Nicola because she’s done everything she can to make them both feel welcome and Nicola like another daughter. But she feels it’s been thrown back in her face,” the source said. “She would normally do anything to avoid a family fallout, but she thinks they’re both being unreasonable.” The family drama has taken its toll on the power couple, our source goes on to claim. “David and Victoria are at a loss at what to do over Brooklyn and Nicola,” the source said.
“For them to miss David’s 50th celebrations is very upsetting in their eyes, as family means everything and sometimes you’ve just got to do things you don’t want to do when it comes to family.” The source also claims New York-born actress Nicola has different views to her London-based in-laws.
“Nicola has a very American way of thinking and refuses to put herself in a situation where she feels uncomfortable even for a minute, regardless of who she upsets – and has encouraged Brooklyn to do the same.
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“It’s different to the way Brooklyn was brought up, but he seems to be following her lead. There have been a lot of tears over it, and David and Victoria have tried to put on a brave face but they’re hurt and angry.”
However, a source close to Nicola – who’s thought to have hired a new LA-based PR team to manage her profile – has claimed she and Brooklyn didn’t snub the event, but were “rebuffed” by David and Victoria. “Nicola’s incredibly close with her family and hoped to have the same relationship with her in-laws. However, the in-laws’ behaviour towards Nicola and Brooklyn has made that difficult. They flew to London with the intention of celebrating David’s birthday but were rebuffed,” the source said.
It comes after the reported feud between the two couples reached a new level, with friends of Nicola accusing the Beckham family of “emotional abuse and toxic behaviour”. They said: “We are at this point because Nicola, an outsider coming into the Beckham family, has been able to help Brooklyn see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family, that it’s not healthy and it’s not normal and it’s not ok.”
A source close to actress Nicola maintains the couple were ‘rebuffed’ about meeting David and Victoria
A source close to the Beckhams hit back by refuting the claim, stating: “I don’t think anyone who has ever seen David and Victoria with their children would recognise this deeply unpleasant attack. It doesn’t even warrant a response it’s so ludicrous and patently untrue.”
While a second source close to the family said that they have been left “open-mouthed” by Nicola’s friends “pumping out untruths”.
It’s not the first time rumours of tension between the family and Nicola have swirled. The months following her and Brooklyn’s wedding in 2022 were plagued with reports of a feud between the actress and her mum-in-law, including claims that Victoria had been cut out of the wedding planning and raised eyebrows when the bride wore a Valentino dress rather than one by Victoria herself.
Nicola insisted there was no bad blood, telling Variety, “I was going to wear a Victoria Beckham dress and I really wanted to, and then a few months down the line, she realised that her atelier couldn’t do it, so then I had to pick another dress. She didn’t say you can’t wear it. I didn’t say I didn’t want to wear it.”
After that, Brooklyn and Nicola were seen publicly supporting the family, including at Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week shows and David’s premiere for Netflix show Beckham. But something else is claimed to have come in the way of the family dynamic – Romeo’s relationship with model and DJ Kim.
They went public last November and she appears to have formed a close relationship with the family. In her teens, Kim, 24, was friends with Brooklyn and Rocco Ritchie – son of Guy Ritchie and Madonna – and, according to reports, had a brief fling with Brooklyn, which has left Nicola green-eyed.
The Mirror, however, is informed that Brooklyn and Kim never dated. The source says David and Victoria “refuse to be dictated to” by Brooklyn and Nicola, adding that they won’t put the aspiring chef over their other children. It’s a sad state of affairs, but one that, hopefully, will eventually reach a peaceful solution.
Luxury fashion labels are increasingly reaching beyond the red carpets and exclusive parties of the cinema world, becoming partners with filmmakers and production companies.
At the Cannes film festival this year, which starts Tuesday, labels will be looking to showcase not only their outfits, but also their credibility as investors.
Alongside corporate heavyweights such as Chanel and Dior, trendy Paris-based label AMI and its founder Alexandre Mattiussi have linked up with the festival for the first time.
FILE: US actor and Honorary Palme dor of the 76th Festival de Cannes Michael Douglas (C) arrives with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones (R) and daughter Carys for the opening ceremony and the screening of the film “Jeanne du Barry” during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2023. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)
AMI is set to present a new award for emerging talent –- the Grand Prix AMI Paris –- at the secondary Critics’ Week section of the festival.
“We’re going there humbly, in support of cinema and its actors, to accompany artists,” Mattiussi, who serves as creative director of his brand, told AFP.
But AMI has also co-produced several films such as “The Beast” in 2023 by Bertrand Bonello, starring French actress Lea Seydoux, or “Enzo” by Robin Campillo which will premiere in Cannes this year.
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FILE: US actor Johnny Depp arrives for the opening ceremony and the screening of the film “Jeanne du Barry” during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2023. (Photo by Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)
Fashion and cinema are “in a way, the same job. I also tell stories through clothing. A runway show has a context, music, and this idea of spectacle – it’s a narrative process too,” added the 44-year-old.
But Mattiussi stressed he doesn’t “consider myself a film producer. That would be pretentious.”
“I don’t get involved in the scripts or creative decisions,” he said.
His label contributed to costumes for “The Beast”, much like Jonathan Anderson — newly appointed creative director of Dior Homme and formerly at Loewe –- did for Luca Guadagnino’s 2024 movie “Queer”.
For years, Anderson’s runway shows have also served as gathering spots for cinema stars, from Timothee Chalamet to Tilda Swinton.
Expanding
Other fashion houses are expanding their presence in the film industry with Saint Laurent running a division devoted entirely to cinema, called Saint Laurent Productions.
Run by current artistic director Anthony Vaccarello, the division aims to co-produce two to three films per year.
It has already backed works by Paolo Sorrentino (“Parthenope”), David Cronenberg (“The Shrouds”), and Jacques Audiard’s 2024 smash hit musical “Emilia Perez”.
FILE: US actor Michael Douglas acknowledges the audience after he received the Honorary Palme dor of the 76th Cannes Film Festival during the opening ceremony in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2023. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP)
Kering, the owner of Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga among others, is also the sponsor of a major Cannes prize — “Women in Motion” — which recognises figures who “advance the place of women in cinema and in society”.
This year’s winner will be Australian actor Nicole Kidman.
L’Oreal, the festival’s official make-up partner for 28 years, also sponsors a prize supporting “women in cinema”.
In return, its logo appears behind stars including Eva Longoria, Helen Mirren, Andie MacDowell, Viola Davis, and Aishwarya Rai.
A new sponsor this year will be French carmaker Alpine, which has teamed up with another major parallel section of the Festival, the Directors’ Fortnight.
Great Britain’s men and women both reach the 4x100m finals at the World Relay Championships in Guangzhou, securing their qualification for September’s World Athletic Championships in Tokyo.
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It has been rumoured that Nicola Peltz doesn’t see eye to eye with her husband Brooklyn Beckham’s famous family – and fans have now picked up what appears to be a dig from Cruz
Nicola reportedly doesn’t see eye to eye with the Beckhams(Image: Getty Images for ENTER Works)
Nicola Peltz has been “mocked” by Brooklyn Beckham’s brothers on Instagram amid their family feud, it has been reported. Romeo and Cruz Beckham seemed to have a dig at their sister-in-law when they replied in the comment section of one of their photos last month.
This comes after it’s been rumoured that Nicola doesn’t see eye to eye with the Beckhams after marrying eldest Beckham son Brooklyn back in 2022. It’s thought that one source of their arguments is over Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turnbull, who Brooklyn is said to have been close to in the past. At the start of April, Romeo’s ex-girlfriend model Mia Regan posted a photo from her latest cover shoot on Instagram. Nicola, who reportedly became close to Mia during her relationship with Romeo, commented: “So beautiful Mia.”
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Romeo and Cruz left a cheeky comment(Image: Getty Images)
Just two days after this, Romeo shared a collection of pictures on his own Instagram page, including of his current girlfriend Kim. Romeo and Cruz seemed to have a dig at Nicola as Cruz commented: “So beautiful Romeo.”
Romeo then responded with three cry laughing emojis. While the brothers could’ve thought they were being subtle, several followers picked up on the dig in the comment section.
One said: “Childish,” with another adding: “@cruzbeckham you copy @nicolaannepeltzbeckham s comment to Mia? Why?” The Mirror has reached out to Romeo and Cruz Beckham for comment. This comes as it has been reported that the real reason for the “relationship fracture” between Victoria and David and Nicola has been revealed.
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Nicola and Brooklyn got married in 2022(Image: WWD via Getty Images)
Nicola’s friends have made claims what the real reasons for the fallout are as a pal has suggested that there is “emotional abuse and toxic behaviour” between the family which is why the four are unable to get along. However, David and Victoria reject the claims and are outraged by the suggestions.
A source close to the Beckhams said: “I don’t think anyone who has ever seen David and Victoria with their children would recognise this deeply unpleasant attack. It doesn’t even warrant a response it’s so ludicrous and patently untrue.” While another source told The Mirror that the couple have been left “open mouthed” after hearing the suggestions.
Nicola’s friend said: “We are at this point because Nicola, an outsider coming into the Beckham family, has been able to help Brooklyn see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family, that it’s not healthy and it’s not normal and it’s not ok.”
However, someone close to the Beckhams said they were “pumping out untruths” as they added: “You wouldn’t expect this of your worst enemy, let alone close family members. The whole thing beggars belief.”