AN AWARD-WINNING Italian restaurant is set to close down for good – and the owner blames Rachel Reeves.

Margot is a classic food spot in the heart of London‘s Covent Garden and customers flocked there to grab fine dining for nine years.

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Margot Restaurant lies in the heart of popular Covent Garden in London[/caption]

Alamy

The Chancellor’s hike to national insurance contributions and minimum wage for firms kicked in at the start of April[/caption]

But now an Instagram post has announced the Italian is shutting down after “National Insurance costs imposed on us in this year’s Budget”.

Margot – which opened in 2016 – will close its doors at the end of this month.

It was shortlisted for the Catey Best Newcomer award in 2019.

A spokesperson told customers: “Thanks for being part of our story.

“Dear friends and valued guests.

“After much reflection, and as a result of the substantial business rate and National Insurance costs imposed on us in this year’s Budget, we have made the decision to close Margot.

“Our final day of service is June 28, 2025.

“We are deeply grateful for the support, memories and meals we’ve shared with this wonderful community.

“Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Your loyalty and encouragement have meant everything to us.

“Though this chapter is ending, we have proud of what we have built and we’ll carry these memories with us always.”

The Chancellor’s hike to national insurance contributions and minimum wage for firms kicked in at the start of April.

The NI rise has hit investment, recruitment and prices.

Businesses were dealt the £25 billion ‘Jobs tax’ raid at the Budget with the increased contributions as confidence among entrepreneurs taking a hit.

From April 6, businesses  have to pay a higher rate of employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) of 15% from 13.8%.

The threshold at which they are paid is also being lowered from £9,100 to £5,000.

The Government confirmed it was making the changes in its Autumn Budget last October in a bid to increase revenue.

It also said the move meant it wasn’t increasing taxes for working people.

However, it will have an impact on shoppers and everyday consumers as businesses look to pass on the additional costs.

Figures show that almost a third of businesses affected by the hike are planning to cut jobs or freeze hiring.

It comes on the back of 160,000 part-time retail jobs are on the cusp of going in the next two years due to a rise in Labour costs.

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Margot Restaurant blamed the National Insurance hikes for its closure[/caption]

NEW Match of the Day hosts Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates will make their debut on Celebrity Gogglebox this week.

The sports presenters will put their upcoming work rivalry aside when they slouch on Chapman’s sofa to watch some of the nation’s favourite shows.

Chapman and Cates were announced as Gary Lineker‘s Match of the Day replacements in January, with Gabby Logan making up the new-look trio.

But Logan won’t be tagging along to Chapman’s gaff with Cates for the National Award-winning Channel 4 show on Friday night at 9pm.

Lineker’s BBC exit has sparked a battle between his three successors over who will lead the World Cup coverage, SunSport exclusively revealed.

Insiders said that the three also be competing to take the main presenting job for next year’s FA Cup Final.

But Chapman, 51, and Cates, 49, will clearly compete on friendly terms, having signed up to join a star-studded Celebrity Gogglebox crew.

In a video to confirm their appearance on the show, Chapman said: “Hi it’s Mark and Kelly here. We are on Gogglebox on Friday and we’ve never watched telly together, have we?”

To which Cates said while laughing: “No, we’ve been on telly together but we’ve never actually watched anything we’ve done.”

And Chapman joked: “I invite Kelly around all the time but she always refuses. She’s hit the snacks already. Go on stuff your face.”

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

Cates initially cut in-between saying: “I refuse [to come round] for obvious reasons”, before admitting to having “a peanut stuck in her teeth.”

The pair aren’t the only sporting faces to join the hit Channel 4 show.

The Sun revealed that darts sensation and world champion Luke Littler will be pairing up with close pal and popular internet personality, AngryGinge on Friday.

It is yet another foray into the TV world for Luke who has seen his stardom rise over the past 18 months to become one of the country’s most talked-about sportsmen.

Olympics and Wimbledon host Clare Balding and her partner Alice will be back on Gogglebox, with reality TV star Jamie Laing pairing up with social media comedian Munya Chawawa.

Meanwhile Lineker, 64, confirmed The Sun’s story about his departure — announcing he was leaving the BBC early following an anti-Semitism row.

It scuppered plans for Mark, Gabby and Kelly to have supporting roles alongside him at his swansong during next summer’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

LOVE Island star Patsy Field has revealed a terrifying ordeal in which she was forced to flee in terror after being followed by a man near her home.

The star, who rose to fame on last summer‘s edition of the ITV2 dating series, took to TikTok to reveal the worrying encounter in which she actively described how she was pursued by a man who appeared to be following her.

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Love Islander Patsy Field has shared his distressing experience of being followed by a man[/caption]

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The TV star was forced to flee in terror after her safety was compromised[/caption]

Patsy told her followers that she had decided to head out for a walk in her local area in Bromley shortly after 8pm at night in order to walk off being “full of steak” after a plush family meal at Miller and Carter.

She told how her mum had discouraged her from walking late at night but Patsy insisted she was fine as she had never had problems in her area being out on her own but did confess to her fans that where she lives gets a “bad rep”.

Patsy continued in the clip as she said: “I’d got an outfit on which could be a bit revealing but like I said, I’d never had any issues before.

“I’ve always felt safe where I’m from.”

Detailing how she then went for the walk, she realised that ten minutes in there was a man walking close by.

Although she did not interact with him, Patsy told her followers that she decided to cross the road to be safe after being left concerned by how close the man was to her.

She then said: “I give it a couple of steps on the other side of the road and I thought, I’ll just check and I turn around and he’s crossed the road.”

Although this unsettled Patsy, she once again tried to give the benefit of the doubt by explaining that the man could have also crossed due to the parked cars at the side of the road.

In order to be sure, Patsy then told how she crossed back over the road once more and to her utter disbelief, the man once again followed suit.

Confessing she went into a panic, she decided to stand still and look at her phone, causing the man to pass her and walk ahead.

However, things took a more sinister turn when the man in question eventually turned back around and walked back along the path in Patsy’s direction.

Patsy said: “He starts walking back towards me and I’m like what the f*** is going on.”

Revealing she was still stood in the same place, she felt unnerved when the man made clear eye contact with her.

Fearing what could happen next, a panicked Patsy revealed she began to scream out loud and run in the opposite direction.

She also began to phone her mum who was able to come and collect her as she was close-by to the family home.

In a heartbreaking admission, the reality star said: “Now I’m scared to walk around my own area which is a shame as I’ve never had an issue before.”

Patsy first became known for her stint on Love Island last year.

She had an early exit in the series but returned for one of the show’s final episodes to be a part of the programme’s savage dumping – determined by the ex-Islanders.

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She shared a TikTok video about her experiences[/caption]

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Patsy was a fan favourite on the show[/caption]

ALDI shoppers are racing to buy a “beautiful” garden middle-aisle bargain which is just half the price of other high street brands.

The Garden Bright Solar Glass Bird Bath is currently on sale for £17.99.

Aldi

Similar solar glass bird baths are on sale at other UK retailers for more than double the price[/caption]

The bargain was spotted by a shopper in the Aldi UK Shoppers Facebook group, who posted a picture of the furniture item.

They wrote: “Managed to grab one in my local Aldi, so pleased as almost half the price of other places at £17.99. 3 different designs to choose from.”

Similar solar glass bird baths are on sale at other UK retailers for more than double the price.

For example, B&Q is selling a Taylor and Brown Solar Glass Bird Bath Fountain, with a hand-painted sunflower design, for £39.99.

Shoppers hailed Aldi’s bird bath as “beautiful”, with one replying to the Facebook post: “I want one”.

Others had already snapped up the item from Aldi’s middle-aisle.

One fan wrote: “I got the hummingbird one today – I love it, can’t wait for it to light up tonight!”

However, some shoppers who had purchased the bird bath shared valuable tips on how to care for it and prevent damage.

“Don’t leave them out over winter,” one user said. “If the water freezes they crack. I’ve had two go on my over the years.”

Another said: “Mine is fab keep in conservatory no prob.”

The bird bath is made of a glass bowl and metal stand, and features six cool white LED lights. It is 53cm high and 35.5cm in width.

It’s available in three animal-inspired designs – bee, hummingbird and peacock – while stocks last.

On its website, Aldi says: “Make sure the birds have a stylish and safe space included in your garden this summer with this Solar Bird Bath.”

The product will only be available to buy in stores, however, as Aldi doesn’t offer a home delivery service.

As well as the bird bath, Aldi is also selling a Solar Blossom Tree for £19.99, featuring 100 LED lights and pink cherry blossom style flowers.

You can find your nearest Aldi branch by using the retailer’s store locator tool, found via stores.aldi.co.uk/store-finder.

If you want to find out what Aldi Specialbuys are in stores at any time, you can visit: aldi.co.uk/specialbuys.

Save money at Aldi

Keeping your eyes peeled for Aldi’s Specialbuys is a great way to save money at the retailer.

It’s also worth keeping an eye out for any red sticker products when you’re doing your grocery shopping, which are added to items going out of date or that are slightly damaged.

It’s best to get to your local store early if you’re looking for discounts, as Aldi tends to add the stickers to items in the morning.

This also tends to be the best time to get middle-aisle bargains, with shoppers sometimes queuing as early as 4am for some products.

You can also look out for Too Good to Go bags, which cost just £3.30 with £10 worth of food approaching its sell-by or use-by date.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

SHOPPERS are racing to Dunelm to get their hands on a “gorgeous” chair which is 80% off.

The popular homeware store is selling the pink Elsie Velvet Cocktail Chair for just £19.99 – down from £99.

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Dunelm Coctail Chair Original price – Elsie Velvet Cocktail Chair £99 – £69.30 Credit: Dunelm[/caption]

The chair is currently being advertised on the Dunelm website for the reduced price of £69.30, but one shopper spotted it in their local store with the even bigger discount.

Posting a picture of the chair reduced to £19.99, the savvy shopper, Liyana Leena, wrote in the Bargain Lovers Facebook group: “Always worth going to Dunelm”.

She claimed to have spotted the massive discount in the Cannock branch of the homeware store.

Shoppers were quick to respond to news of the discount, with one saying they “need to go have a look”. 

Another said: “Love the colour if my room was big enough I would go hunting.”

Shoppers also shared other deals they’ve managed to snap up in the Dunelm sale, with one writing: “I got my curtains in the sale in Dunelm, meant to have been £160 6ftx6ft blackouts got them for £10.”

Another wrote: “I got a £60 rug last year for £6!”

The stylish chair is made from a soft-touch velvet fabric, with a soft foam seat and solid wood legs, and is available in a rhubarb colourway.

It’s 73cm high with a width of 54cm and a diameter of 64cm.

Dunelm describes the chair as boasting a “compact design perfect for adding a modern stylish touch to any room”.

While the item is displayed on the Dunelm website, customers will still need to visit their local store store as it’s not available for home delivery or for Click and Collect.

To find your nearest Dunelm store visit https://www.dunelm.com/stores.

Save on furniture at Dunelm

Dunelm often has sales and promotions offering up to 75% off, especially at certain times of the year.

It’s worth keeping an eye out for Black Friday and Boxing Day sales to bag a bargain.

You can also check the clearance page on the Dunelm website to find the latest discounts.

Other money-saving websites, such as cashback sites like TopCashback and Quidco, may also help you save by allowing you to earn money back on your spending.

Plus you can save by opting for free click-and-collect to avoid being hit with delivery fees.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Kate Beckinsale filed a lawsuit against the producers of the 2024 film “Canary Black.” In the lawsuit obtained by Page Six, the actress accused the producers of forcing her to do stunts despite her injuries. Watch the full video to learn more about the lawsuit. Subscribe to our YouTube for the latest on all your...

The "King Kong" actress has been a supporter of her daughter's fashion aspirations for many years.

CVS was hit with major backlash over a mass text sent to customers warning about price hikes and closures.

The company released a massive campaign to customers in Louisiana, urging them to reach out to lawmakers about a proposed bill.

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CVS has been slammed by Louisiana lawmakers for a mass text condemning a House bill[/caption]

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The text urges customers to call their lawmakers to denounce the bill, claiming it would lead to closures and price hikes[/caption]

House Bill 358, which surfaced on Wednesday, would ban pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies.

The goal is to stop big companies from using their buying power to price out local, independent pharmacies, which would give customers fewer choices, according to supporters.

However, CVS claims the bill would force them to close 119 pharmacies in the state, affecting a million patients, 22,000 of whom receive high-cost specialty drugs that smaller pharmacies may find difficult to handle.

The company also said the closures would put 2,700 employees out of work.

“Last minute legislation in Louisiana threatens to close your CVS Pharmacy — your medication cost may go up and your pharmacist may lose their job,” read one of the texts CVS sent to customers as part of its lobbying campaign.

However, lawmakers claimed CVS was using “fear tactics” to scare its customers.

The lawmakers believe the bill will help stand up to massive companies that are squeezing out local pharmacies.

“It is about time something in this building we have done tells a national industry we’re not going to stand for it anymore,” said Baton Rouge Representative Dixon McMakin, told The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate.

He said some of the messages CVS had sent out claimed that lawmakers were threatening to close pharmacies.

“No we’re not, you liars. Quit being liars. Quit using scare tactics.”

However, CVS believes the impacts of the bill would be far-reaching with chief pharmacy officer Lucille Accetta claiming it would “cripple” health care access and affordability in the state.

“It is shutting us completely down as a trusted health care pharmacy,” she said.

Accetta added that the legislation would bring about a “health care crisis,” saying that neither legislators nor Governor Jeff Landry understand the impact of the policy change.

However, Landry responded on X, sharing an official statement.

“CVS Pharmacy’s mass text message yesterday is the exact reason we need HB 358 to pass,” he wrote.

“Abusing patient’s [sic] sensitive information to push a political message is completely unethical and manipulative and we will not stand for it.”

The House passed the bill on an 88-4 vote, but the Senate will need to agree on Thursday before it can go to Gov. Landry’s desk for a signature.

“Drug prices soaring? Thank PBMs, the Profiteering Big Money, for gaming the system,” Landry tweeted.

“They hurt patients and small businesses. No more, not here — let’s rein in PBMs now!”

PHARMACY CRACKDOWN

This isn’t the first bill that has gone after major pharmaceutical companies, as House Bill 264, which would ban pharmacy benefit managers from steering customers to their own pharmacies, was introduced.

Again, CVS argued that such changes could affect thousands of people.

“A backroom deal isn’t the best way to proceed,” said Acceetta.

However, Opelousas Rep. Dustin Miller said the issue has been debated for years and that HB358 would give CVS time to make the changes it needs to keep pharmacies open.

“We have set the effective date of this bill January 2027,” said Miller.

“We will be here and have a whole other session if there is anything that we have to address.”

Arkansas has passed a similar bill, but CVS has filed a lawsuit to try to stop it.

“We will do anything and everything that we can to keep our pharmacy operations up and running in Louisiana,” said CVS spokesperson Amy Thibault.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to CVS for comment.

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Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry supports the bill, calling the mass text ‘manipulative’[/caption]

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CVS said thousands of employees would be affected by potential closures[/caption]

COSTCO members have been left baffled by a code spotted on price labels at stores.

Some are concerned as to what it could mean for the future of their favorite merchandise at the warehouse retailer.

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Costco shoppers have spotted a unique marking on labels this month (stock image)[/caption]

OnlyThinkingOutLoud/Reddit

The notation appeared in the lower left-hand corner[/caption]

“Saw this code on a price label and have never noticed one like this,” a confused shopper wrote in a Reddit thread this month.

“What does the code (F 6/15) in the lower left side mean? Today is 6/10.”

“Hoping it is future sale date…” they added.

In the snapshot included in the post, the marking could clearly be seen as the consumer described.

It was on a $189.99 price label for the Ninja Creami Deluxe at-home ice cream maker.

KEEPING THE FOCUS

While some Costco members were also unclear about the meaning, several employees explained that the F stood for “Focus.”

It’s supposedly a signifier to staff on the floor that the item needs to be near the end of an aisle or out in the open until the allotted date marked of “6/15,” which is, of course, June 15, 2025.

“Needs to be somewhere on an endcap or somewhere prominent until 6/15 in this case,” a staffer replied.

“You’ll see M sometimes as well meaning Mandatory. Same similar concept.”

Another Costco worker echoed that the “item must be placed on the aisle right next to the door until the specified date.”

A third even broke down the meanings behind some of the other letters shoppers might spot on labels.

“M – ‘Mandatory’ means it should be on an end cap,” they wrote.

“H – ‘High Focus Area’ means it should be somewhere with a lot of traffic, specifically what we call an impulse.”

“S – ‘Split Focus’ is similar to High Focus except it should be away from its home location, so like batteries near the fence,” the staffer added.

The US Sun has contacted Costco for more information.

DEATH STAR FEAR

Another marking on Costco items that makes members nervous is known as the “death star.”

It’s effectively an asterisk, and it typically indicates that once the remainder of the product with the marking runs out, it will not be restocked.

Costco hasn’t verified this connotation.

Still, employees have before, noting it effectively signifies the merchandise is “pending deletion,” per Yahoo.

It’s almost a unanimous understanding among members at the warehouse retailer’s over 600 stores nationwide that it’s best to grab up the item with the death star quick before it’s gone.

Two specific products with the death star caused some Costco shoppers to cry out recently.

In February, a fan-favorite dessert was on the “chopping block” along with several others.

Last summer, a popular drink also vanished with the death star, and Costco members were left fuming over “horrendous” alternative options.

A FUMING senator is suing over a “secret” $18,000 pay hike which will cost taxpayers a whopping $4.3 million.

Republican Wes Climer has accused greedy lawmakers in South Carolina of illegally cashing in on an extra $50 each per day.

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South Carolina attorney and ex-senator Dick Harpootlian, left, and Sen. Wes Climer, R-Rock Hill, tell reporters about their lawsuit against a legislative pay raise in Columbia, S.C.[/caption]

Climer, a dad-of-five and devout Christian, revealed on Monday that he and state retiree Carol Herring – his co-petitioner – are suing lawmakers for “giving themselves a pay rise.”

They want the Supreme Court, the highest court in South Carolina, to effectively block a $2,500-monthly hike that legislators voted to pay themselves.

He and Herring maintain that the raise was illegal as – per the constitution – sitting politicians are barred from increasing their own compensation.

They warned it was like a judge deciding the outcome of their own trial, or a cop investigating their own misconduct.

“Every member of the Legislature got an $18,000 [annual] expenses bump,” Climer ranted on his website.

That brings up their total pay to “$40,400 per year, which is forbidden before the next general election,” alleged the lawsuit, lodged last Friday.

CBS-affiliated WCSC explained that when politicians discussed the next state budget, the General Assembly included a special measure, called a proviso.

This proviso, which is a one-year order on how to spend money, resulted in raising the amount of in-district compensation lawmakers receive, starting from July 1.

The monthly stipend is meant to compensate legislative work.

However, it’s become controversial as the lawmakers have approved more than doubling it from the original $1,000 a month to $2,500.

Lawmakers’ pay will rocket from $12,000 to $30,000 a year for legislative expenses.

This is in addition to their current annual salary of $10,400, bumping the total to $40,400. Plus they receive extra money for meals, milage to drive to Columbia and hotel rooms while in session.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The lawsuit petitions for an injunction to block Curtis Loftis, State Treasurer of South Carolina, from paying the extra money.

The document added that the General Assembly had bumped up payments with “an increase of approximately $50 per day, starting in July 2025.”

Climer has vowed to fight to “stop the pay raise colleagues put into the 2026 state budget.”

SECRET

The raise was proposed by Republican Sen. Shane Martin late in the budget process.

Martin explained the plan for just 30 seconds before it was approved 24-15.

But Climer said he and other opponents of the “80% pay raise” believe it should have passed as a stand-alone bill with hearings and a full debate.

For a General Assembly to vote to give its own members public money is akin to a judge presiding over his own trial, or to a police officer investigating his own alleged conduct

Lawsuit

FITSNews – which described the contentious deal as a “secret pay raise” – said he was one of just a handful of lawmakers to vote against it.

The go-ahead means the in-district compensation is set to balloon to $2,500 a month for each of the 46 senators and 124 House members starting July 1.

FITS warned of the South Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature, “All told, the raises would cost taxpayers $4.3 million between now and the end of the 2025-2026 legislative session.”

VIOLATION

“Regardless of how you feel about a legislative pay raise, this is the wrong way to do it,” Climer told journalists on Monday in Columbia.

He added, “It violates the Madisonian principle that the legislature cannot take the people’s money and appropriate it to themselves in real time.”

But Sen. Deon Tedder, D – Charleston, told WCSC, “Only certain people can afford to run for office and serve.

“With how little the pay is, it really prohibits the average South Carolinian from being able to serve in our General Assembly.”

Gov. Henry McMaster said he believed “the case can be made that the expenses have gone up dramatically… the remedy would be to provide some more money to be used for those district expenses, not a favor.”

Climer and Herring are being represented by former S.C. senator Dick Harpootlian.

The state Supreme Court has ordered both sides to submit briefs before the end of the month.

BLOCKED

The lawsuit said a similar move to increase the pay was successfully blocked 11 years ago.

Lawmakers passed a $1,000-a-month increase in the budget in 2014.

But Republican Gov. Nikki Haley vetoed it and senators did not have the votes to override her decision.