A bird's-eye view of Leeds, Sheffield, and Yorkshire
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Business
There’s a shop in Leeds where everything costs less than a Freddo frog- everything is 20p
Generally, there's an incredible range of greeting cards for sale, as well as sweet snacks, savoury packets (like Pot Noodles), over 1000 vinyl records and more for sale.
That's less than the average Freddo frog these days.
The store started off at the markets but decided to take the plunge and open a permanent store around four years ago- and have kept their prices low ever since.
The store isn't a charity shop, it simply relies on buying from wholesalers to keep their prices down. As the owners aren't afraid to buy in bulk and purchase a variety unconventional goods, given the store's popularity, any and all products tend to be snapped up quickly.
Image: The 20p Shop, Otley
Generally, there's an incredible range of greeting cards for sale, as well as sweet snacks, savoury packets (like Pot Noodles), over 1000 vinyl records and more for sale.
More recently, donations are being taken and resold at the single price of 20p, regardless of their value. Usually, that might mean greeting cards or DVDs, but the store has been known to stock what look like Christian Louboutini shoes and pictures worth £120 that have been resold by buyers for a profit.
In a recent interview, Owner Steve Nelson said that "Everyone gets a chance, everyone is equal. Not everything has to be about money".
Image: The 20p Shop, Otley
The store is run by Steve and a team of volunteers, including family members, who welcome anyone into their bargain hunter's paradise.
Inside the 20p store, the same buyers can be found two or three times a day checking for new finds, whilst on a Saturday the hidden gem is packed with individuals looking for rare finds or a tasty bar of chocolate alike.
The store has attracted customers from as far as Glasgow and Ireland, but locally The 20p Shop is a popular spot for students and locals alike.
Although Steve has said it would be near impossible at present to open a store in any other location due to a lack of staff, but he did hint that Headingley would be their next opening if or when the timing is right.
For now, the Otley store remains a hidden treasure trove of bargains, even Owner Steve has admitted: "People don't like telling each other because they're worried they'll take the bargains".
To find out what bargains you could get your hands on, Steve posts regular Facebook updates, but the majority of finds can only be seen in the flesh inside the 20p store on Kirkgate, Otley.
Feature Image- The 20p Shop, Otley
Business
Global interactive action game Prison Island to open first northern venue in Leeds
Leeds is set to welcome an exciting new addition to the city’s interactive gaming scene, as Prison Island prepares to open its first northern venue.
The new multi-activity entertainment venue at the Merrion Centre will make itself at home inside an 11,000 sq ft unit across two floors, with Prison Island being at the heart of the action.
Prison Island is an immersive team challenge that sees players in teams of up to five tackle a series of themed cells designed to test physical ability, skill, teamwork, and problem-solving, and unlike a traditional escape room, teams can take on a variety of challenges that enable them to create a different experience with every visit.
The internationally established concept will also offer a range of additional competitive experiences - including interactive darts and interactive golf.
Leeds will join a global network of more than 110 Prison Island locations, and will become the concept’s fourth venue in the UK and first venue in the North of England - joining existing locations in Belfast, Maidstone, and Camden.
Credit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
Prison Island Leeds - which will create 18 jobs once it opens - will be operated by the team behind the hugely successful Belfast venue, which opened seven years ago and has established itself as one of Northern Ireland’s leading attractions.
Suitable for groups of friends and families, as well as celebrations, corporate events, and team-building activities, the venue is joining the Merrion Centre and wider Arena Quarter’s growing leisure and entertainment offer.
Ryan Lyttle, director of Prison Island Leeds, said: "We’re most looking forward to finally bringing the Prison Island experience to Leeds. We’ve seen how well the concept works in Belfast, particularly because it appeals to such a broad audience and every visit can be completely different.
Global interactive action game Prison Island to open first northern venue in Leeds / Credit: Supplied
"With Prison Island alongside a range of additional activities, we’re excited to create a venue where people can come together, compete, have fun and discover something they haven’t experienced before."
Prison Island Leeds is expected to be open in time for Christmas, with the team promising special plans to mark its arrival in the city, although details are being kept firmly under wraps for now.
Further information on the opening, including launch plans, will be announced in due course.
Featured Image - Supplied
Business
Government to investigate companies like Trainline and Virgin Atlantic for ‘misleading’ pricing
Emily Sergeant
The Government is investigating a number of companies for 'misleading' pricing practices.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched three new consumer protection investigations into Trainline, Virgin Atlantic, and RED Driving School over concerns that customers were not shown the total price upfront when buying things like train and coach tickets, holidays, or even driving lessons.
The investigations are part of a wider CMA clampdown on misleading pricing practices - in this instance, where mandatory charges are separated from the headline price, or added later in the buying process, which is known as drip pricing.
These practices leave consumers facing 'unexpected' costs or having to calculate the so-called true cost themselves.
Such practices can also impact competition between businesses, as a firm using drip pricing may falsely appear to be cheaper than a competitor pricing correctly, and therefore attract more customers.
Trainline is being investigated over whether all mandatory fees have been included in the upfront prices displayed to consumers buying tickets in advance on its app and website, while Virgin Atlantic's investigation will focus on whether mandatory resort fees and local taxes have been included in the upfront prices shown to customers buying package holidays.
Trainline and Virgin Atlantic are among the companies being investigated for 'misleading' pricing / Credit: Northern | Aric Cheng (via Unsplash)
RED Driving School is being investigated over how a mandatory booking fee and 'digital' fee have been displayed to people booking driving lessons - specifically whether these fees have been included in the total upfront price.
"At a time when many households are watching every pound they spend, it is important that people are not surprised by extra fees," commented Emma Cochrane, who is the Executive Director for Consumer Protection at the CMA.
"Clear pricing helps people compare offers confidently and choose the option that works best for them.
"Unexpected mandatory charges make this much harder, which is why the CMA initially put these firms on notice over concerns about their pricing practices and is now opening formal investigations."
The CMA says it's at the beginning of its investigations and has reached no conclusions about whether these firms have broken the law.
If it finds there has been an infringement of the law, the CMA can order businesses to pay compensation to affected customers or be charged up to 10% of global turnover.
Sophie Smith -
11th March 2022 
