Pension problems, Landlords forced to rent shops, record store bags
Concerns over one of the UK's biggest pension administrators, high streets blighted by empty shops could be given a new lease of life, and a new book celebrates record store bags.
We examine criticisms being put to one of the UK's biggest pension administrators. Mercer, handle pensions for some of Britainβs biggest businesses including Morrisons, Marks and Spencer, Whitbread and Scottish Power. You and Yours listeners share their story of how difficult it has been to access their pension savings, several months after retiring.
High streets blighted by empty shops could be given a new lease of life under plans to force landlords to let out vacant units. The Government bid to reduce the number empty shops gives new powers to local authorities who will be able to hold "rental auctions" if a shop is empty for more than a year. We look at what this means for our towns and new research into the needs of young shoppers.
The boom in vinyl record sales shows no signs of slowing down. More than five million vinyl records were sold in 2021. That was up by 8% and was the 14th consecutive year of sales growth. Those figures are from the British Phonographic Industry. We look at how this growth in sales has re-ignited love and nostalgia for record shop bags.
And the Post Office says theyβre seeing signs of βpent-up demandβ for travel amid a surge in currency sales for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
If youβre one of the lucky ones heading abroad we offer some advice on bank charges and fees and how best to manage your travel money.
PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON
PRODUCER: LINDA WALKER