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Côte Brasserie Launches Its Biggest January Offer with The Happiest Menu

Côte Brasserie has today launched The Happiest Menu, its biggest and most generous January offer to date, giving diners exceptional value on classic French dishes during one of the most challenging months of the year.

Available on weekdays from 5-31 January, The Happiest Menu offers two courses for £15 or three courses for £19, representing a substantial saving compared to Côte’s usual set menu prices of £23.50 and £27.50. The January dining offer is available exclusively via the Côte Brasserie app, which is free to download, and can be redeemed in brasserie.

A January dining offer designed to lift spirits

Built around a simple promise – the same quality, the same craft and the same much-loved recipes, just happier prices – The Happiest Menu is Côte’s response to post-Christmas budgets, winter blues and the desire for comforting, familiar food.

While the name is new, the dishes are reassuringly familiar. The menu is drawn entirely from Côte’s long-standing Set Menu, which has been central to the brand since its launch in 2007. Previously known as the prestige menu, pre-theatre menu and prix fixe, it has always been about making classic French brasserie dining accessible, consistent and enjoyable.

Classic Côte dishes with a sense of nostalgia

Every dish featured on The Happiest Menu comes from Côte’s established repertoire, overseen by Steve Allen, former executive chef at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, who continues to guide all Côte menus.

Highlights include Côte’s French Onion Soup, prepared to the original 2007 recipe with onions slow-cooked for hours and finished with Comté sourdough rarebit. The much-loved Steak Frites also features, using steak from Côte’s in-house butchery, served with garlic butter and unlimited frites – a dish that has become synonymous with the brand.

Cheese lovers can enjoy Fromage from France, with cheeses sourced directly from French markets and respected fromageries, reinforcing Côte’s long-standing commitment to provenance and authenticity.

Alongside these classics, The Happiest Menu includes lighter options, as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes, ensuring it caters to a wide range of tastes, dietary preferences and January intentions.

A different approach to January dining

January is often associated with restriction and reset culture, but Côte Brasserie is taking a different approach – focusing on generosity, familiarity and shared enjoyment. The Happiest Menu is designed for relaxed weekday lunches, early evening dinners or spontaneous midweek meals.

New study shows plant-rich diet and probiotics can slow prostate cancer progression

Ground-breaking new research has found for the first time that the friendly bacteria in the gut can be enhanced to help slow prostate cancer progression while improving men’s overall health and wellbeing.

This landmark UK study – led by academics from the University of Bedfordshire alongside a team from Addenbrooke’s and Bedford, Cambridge University Hospital Trusts alongside globally renowned scientists from the University of Southern California and Australia – evaluated a dietary intervention which boosted plant-based nutrients combined with a specifically designed probiotic supplement.

The study involved 212 men with prostate cancer who were being monitored and not receiving androgen deprivation therapy but had increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at baseline. All participants took a specially developed supplement made from natural, plant-based ingredients including broccoli, turmeric, pomegranate, green tea, ginger and cranberry. Half of the group also received a new probiotic supplement, while the other half received a placebo.

The scientific results, published in the acclaimed medical Journal European Urology Oncology, reported at 44% reduction in PSA progression, a key indicator of prostate cancer activity. The study is notable in that these biochemical changes were backed up with physical changes in disease size seen on MRI scan – a level of reassurance never seen before in a nutritional study.

The other ‘world first’ findings, welcomed by the men in the study, were improvements in urinary flow. Men on the combination got up less at night to pass water and even had better erectile function. By improving their gut health, the men felt significantly better, had lower levels of inflammation in their bodies and were even stronger (measured by formal grip strength).

Although links between gut health, diet and cancer have been established in previous laboratory studies, this is the first robust clinic trial in humans showing these can be targeted and have an effect on cancer progression and symptoms.

Professor Robert Thomas – Visiting Professor of Sport and Nutritional Science at the University of Bedfordshire, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Addenbrooke’s and Bedfordshire Cambridge University Hospitals, and Head of Integrative Oncology at University College Hospital London – worked on the research and said: “This study shows, for the first time, that improving the balance of bacteria in the gut can slow prostate cancer activity while also improving important aspects of men’s health such as urinary symptoms, inflammation and physical strength. What is particularly reassuring is that the changes we saw in PSA were supported by changes on MRI scans, which is very unusual and unique in nutritional research. This was a carefully designed clinical trial carried out under medical supervision and, while the results are encouraging, longer follow up is planned to assess whether these supplements will lead to less men needing major interventions such as surgery or radiotherapy.”

As well as providing much needed practical evidence-based nutritional advice for men with prostate cancer – which is the most common cancer in men – it provides encouragement for research institutes across the world to embark on more microbiome research related to different cancers and their treatments.

Dr Jeffrey Aldous, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, also contributed to the study. He added: “This research helps us understand how targeted dietary strategies may influence the gut microbiome in ways that appear to benefit both cancer-related markers and overall wellbeing. Improvements in strength, inflammation and daily symptoms are particularly important for quality of life, and I hope our findings can support and improve the lives of those living with prostate cancer.”

New Private 5G Network at Hutchison Ports is Powering UK Port Automation

Ultra reliable connectivity is now in place to underpin automation and future digital systems across Hutchison Ports’ UK estate, following the completion of a major private network project.

Three Group Solutions has finished rolling out a private 5G network across the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International Port and London Thamesport. Together, the three sites now operate on a single industrial connectivity platform, described as one of the most advanced of its kind in the UK.

The private 5G network at Hutchison Ports delivers high capacity, low latency and consistent performance to support demanding digital operations. These include autonomous trucks, remote crane control and data intensive applications that form a central part of the ports’ long term digital transformation.

Felixstowe is the country’s largest container port, while Harwich International and London Thamesport operate as part of the same wider hub. By extending one private 5G network across all three locations, the project is intended to improve resilience and operational performance while supporting efficiency, safety and sustainability goals across critical national infrastructure.

Replacing mission critical connectivity in a live port environment required careful planning. Rather than removing the existing system, Three Group Solutions built the new 5G network alongside the established 4G infrastructure. Different spectrum blocks were used so both networks could run at the same time without interference, allowing equipment and vehicles to be migrated in stages and performance refined throughout the process.

Graham Wilde, Head of Private Networks at Three Group Solutions, said:
“When you are dealing with the connectivity that keeps the country’s largest container port moving, you cannot simply turn one network off and another on. By running the 4G and 5G systems in parallel and moving assets in stages, we were able to deliver a smooth transition with no disruption to daily operations.”

A major reason for investing in the private 5G network at Hutchison Ports is the planned introduction of autonomous, electric trucks at Felixstowe. These vehicles require constant, reliable connections, extremely low latency to allow safe remote intervention, and sufficient bandwidth to transmit multiple live video feeds when close inspection is required.

While the existing 4G system reliably delivered work instructions to in cab tablets, it was not designed to support these levels of automation at scale. The new private 5G network provides predictable performance that enables the next phase of autonomous operations.

“Automation in ports is not about putting people out of work. It is about changing the jobs people do,” Wilde said. “Roles become safer, more varied and more attractive, which makes it easier to recruit and retain the talent ports need for the future.”

The network has been designed as a long term platform rather than a single purpose solution. Delivered with a small group of specialist partners, the architecture includes dual cores, overlapping radio coverage and diverse links between the three ports. It sits entirely within Hutchison Ports’ existing cybersecurity perimeter and is designed to remain operational even if individual towers or sites are taken offline for maintenance or fault resolution.

Beyond autonomous transport, the private 5G network at Hutchison Ports is expected to support further innovation. Potential applications include wider use of remote controlled machinery, sensor based predictive maintenance, drone inspection and environmental monitoring, and the integration of real time data into digital twins of port operations. As Wilde noted: “The capability of the new network means that possibilities for the future are only really limited by the imagination of what could be done.”

“Felixstowe, Harwich and Thamesport now have a dedicated 5G foundation for the next decade of innovation,” he added. “This project shows how private 5G, delivered and managed by Three Group Solutions, can combine resilience, performance and flexibility at industrial scale, and we look forward to helping Hutchison Ports build on this success in the UK and beyond.”

Three Group Solutions is part of CKH Innovations Opportunities Development. It provides wholesale, enterprise and IoT services using CK Hutchison’s global mobile networks and partner infrastructure. CK Hutchison operates mobile networks in eleven markets and supports more than 175 million connections worldwide.

Rare Iron Age carnyx discovered in Norfolk provides glimpse into ancient British culture

A rare Iron Age battle trumpet, known as a carnyx, has been discovered in west Norfolk during excavation work for a new housing development. The near-complete bronze instrument is part of a wider hoard uncovered last summer on privately-owned land as part of routine archaeological investigations linked to planning permission.

The carnyx, one of only three known in Britain and among the most complete examples found in Europe, features an animal head and would have been used by Celtic tribes to rally warriors in battle. Romans, who frequently depicted them as war trophies, were also fascinated by the instrument.

Other objects recovered from the hoard include a sheet-bronze boar’s head originally from a military standard, five shield bosses, and an iron object of unknown origin.

Mark Hinman, chief executive of Pre-Construct Archaeology, which carried out the excavation, said: “Before this dig began our project manager had a feeling that this site would be special. We are so impressed with the team responsible for this find. They discovered something completely unexpected, paused for breath, then followed best excavation practice to recover these rare and fragile objects.”

To protect the delicate items, experts removed a block of soil containing the objects before undertaking initial investigations. Further work to study and conserve the hoard is being carried out by Historic England, Norfolk Museums Service, and the National Museum of Scotland, a leading authority on carnyces.

Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology at Norfolk Museums Service, said: “This find is a powerful reminder of Norfolk’s Iron Age past which, through the story of Boudica and the Iceni people, still retains its capacity to fascinate the British public. The Norfolk Carnyx Hoard will provide archaeologists with an unparalleled opportunity to investigate a number of rare objects, and ultimately to tell the story of how these came to be buried in the county 2,000 years ago.”

Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, co-chief executives of Historic England, described the discovery as “remarkable” and said it would be “hugely significant for our understanding of ancient British culture”.

The legal status of the hoard is expected to be determined by a coroner early this year, and its long-term location has not yet been decided.

The discovery will feature in the new series of Digging For Britain on BBC Two, with an episode scheduled to broadcast at 9pm on 14 January.

Norwich City boosts Norfolk apprenticeship levy support scheme past £5m

Norwich City Football Club has helped push a countywide apprenticeships initiative beyond a £5m milestone by pledging unspent apprenticeship levy to support local employers. The contribution adds to growing backing for the Norfolk apprenticeship levy support scheme, which uses transferred levy funds to create new apprenticeship opportunities.

The Levy Support Scheme, delivered through Apprenticeships Norfolk, redistributes unused apprenticeship levy from larger organisations to businesses that may otherwise struggle to fund training. More than £5m has now been transferred following pledges from local and national organisations, including Norwich City, Norse Group and Synergy Multi-Academy Trust.

Norwich City recently committed £60,000 to the Norfolk apprenticeship levy support scheme. The funding will directly support apprenticeship starts across a range of sectors, helping employers reduce training costs and increase access to skilled roles.

By receiving a levy transfer, a business can save up to £1,350 in training fees per apprentice. Since April 2023, the scheme has supported more than 500 apprenticeship starts across over 220 local businesses and organisations.

Levy transfers arranged through the Norfolk apprenticeship levy support scheme have enabled apprenticeships in areas such as health and social care, engineering and manufacturing, and business and administration. Local charities and VCSE organisations have also benefited from the funding.

Lauren Blyth, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Norwich City, said: “As a club, we are proud to financially support the Levy Support Scheme, recognising our responsibility to contribute positively to the communities that support us.

“As a football club, we believe that it is part of our responsibility to support local businesses and organisations, as well as those individuals seeking to make their first steps in their career through an apprentice programme.”

The apprenticeship levy is paid by larger employers and can be used to fund apprenticeship training. Through levy transfers, organisations can pass on up to 50% of their annual levy funds to support apprenticeship starts at other businesses, covering training and assessment costs within approved funding bands.

Cllr Fabian Eagle, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Norfolk County Council, said: “It is an incredible achievement to have funded more than 500 apprenticeship starts through a scheme that is a win for both the employers and those they have taken on.

“Many organisations want to offer these opportunities but need financial support to do so, especially in the current financial climate, and the Levy Support Scheme fulfils that vital role.”

The Norfolk apprenticeship levy support scheme operates as a bespoke matching service, facilitated by Apprenticeships Norfolk. The programme now works in partnership with 38 businesses across the county, connecting levy-paying organisations with employers seeking to develop apprenticeship programmes.

England to implement Simpler Recycling reforms in April 2026

England’s waste system is set for its most significant reform yet in April 2026, as the Government introduces its Simpler Recycling framework. The aim is to replace the existing patchwork of local rules with a single national system, bringing clarity to households and businesses alike.

From April, all waste in England must be separated into four streams: residual (non-recyclable) waste, food waste, paper and card, and dry recyclables including plastic, metal, and glass. The change is intended to eliminate the “postcode lottery” of recycling rules that has long caused confusion and contamination.

For businesses, compliance is not optional. Organisations with 10 or more full-time employees, including those spread across multiple sites, must follow the rules. Responsibility may also extend to landlords and facilities management companies handling waste on behalf of businesses.

Failure to comply carries serious consequences. Businesses could face £110 fixed penalties, civil sanctions, fines exceeding £5,000, and increased landfill costs due to contamination. Landfill tax has already risen by 20%, from £103.70 to £126.15 per tonne, making proper separation more urgent.

Grant Keenan, Managing Director of Keenan Recycling, warned: “We are always here to help businesses comply. But leaving it too late puts pressure on systems, resources, and ultimately the business itself.”

The scale of change is considerable. Food waste separation, in particular, affects a wide range of sectors, from hospitality and healthcare to manufacturing and offices. Mismanagement can lead to fines, reputational damage, and higher landfill costs.

Keenan Recycling has stressed the importance of early preparation. As 2026 approaches, demand for compliant waste infrastructure, bins, collections, and training is expected to rise sharply. Delaying action could make timely compliance difficult or impossible.

Grant Keenan emphasised the opportunity behind the reform: businesses that act proactively can reduce waste, cut costs, and operate more sustainably. “The companies that will succeed in 2026 are not those scrambling to comply in March, but those planning systems, training teams, and aligning processes now,” he said.

April 2026 may seem months away, but preparation requires time. Infrastructure, contracts, education, and compliance systems must be in place to avoid financial penalties and operational disruption. Keenan Recycling is positioning itself to guide businesses through this change with practical support and early engagement, rather than last-minute fixes.

Simpler Recycling represents a major shift in England’s waste landscape. Fines are real, costs are rising, and early action is essential for businesses to thrive under the new national framework.

One week left on Suffolk council consultation

Residents, businesses and local organisations in Suffolk have just one week left to have their say on the future of council services in the county.

The Government’s statutory consultation into local government in Suffolk and Norfolk closes on 11 January. District and borough council leaders have urged people to respond before the deadline.

The consultation focuses on two proposals for Suffolk. The district and borough councils want to replace the current six councils with three new unitary councils covering the west, east and south of the county. Each council would provide “all council services for where you live”.

Called the “Suffolk to the Power of Three” model, the plan is based on public feedback. It aims to balance scale and local focus, ensuring strong leadership, tailored services, financial sustainability and the ability to prioritise funding for communities and businesses in each area.

Suffolk County Council has an alternative proposal for a single council covering the entire county.

In a joint statement, the district and borough council leaders said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to improve public services in Suffolk – to do things differently, to provide the change, hope and leadership that people want.

“By moving to three strong, locally focused councils, we can deliver better services, make decisions closer to the communities they affect, and ensure every pound is spent wisely. There is just one week for people to respond to this consultation – please do so, because your voice matters in shaping Suffolk’s future.”

The three-council approach promises faster decisions tailored to towns and villages. It aims to make councils more accountable and responsive to residents, with wards sized to improve access to local councillors and decision-making.

Proponents say the new councils would better understand their communities, support business growth and innovation, and direct investment where it is most needed.

Financial analysis by KPMG shows the three-council proposal could save £106 million over the first five years through efficiencies and harmonised services. From year six, it is expected to deliver £34 million in annual savings, with £20 million reinvested in services.

Research from the Social Care Institute for Excellence suggests that localising adult and children’s services could unlock an additional £67.5 million each year. This could improve care for vulnerable children and adults by focusing on prevention and early help.

The proposal also aligns with existing local teams and allows flexibility for countywide services such as safeguarding.

London Luton Airport adds Bucharest to its Departure Board with New FLYONE Service

London Luton Airport is continuing its summer expansion with the arrival of FLYONE Airlines Romania, which will launch a new daily service to Bucharest from May 2026.

The route, starting on 15 May, will connect Luton with Romania’s capital seven days a week, offering passengers a choice of fare options designed to suit different budgets and travel styles. Tickets are already on sale.

The new service strengthens Luton’s growing eastern European network and follows a run of recent route announcements as the airport builds momentum ahead of the 2026 summer season.

Bucharest, a city characterised by its history and an quickly evolving modern culture, has become an increasingly popular destination for both leisure and business travellers. The addition of a daily link reflects rising demand for direct, affordable connections between London and Romania.

Simon Harley, Interim Director of Aeronautical Revenue at London Luton Airport, said the route was part of a wider push to give passengers more choice:

“With the continued addition of so many new routes and destinations to our departure boards, this is an exciting time for London Luton Airport. Our commitment to offering even greater choice and flexibility to our passengers means ensuring we are connecting to important, attractive and sought-after destinations. Bucharest is just that – a city of contrasts and an unforgettable experience for those who visit. We’re delighted to launch FLYONE Airlines flights from LLA to Bucharest and, as ever, we will be working hard to deliver a simple and friendly passenger experience.”

For FLYONE Airlines, the new route marks a further step in its expansion within the Romanian market and beyond.

Vladimir Cebotari, Chief Executive Officer of FLYONE Airlines, said:

“This agreement with London Luton Airport marks the next important step in our growth strategy for the Romanian market. Our goal is to offer passengers more travel options to top European destinations while maintaining the high standards of safety, comfort, and accessibility that define the FLYONE Airlines experience.”

Flights between London Luton Airport and Bucharest can be booked now via the FLYONE website and mobile app.

Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund opens for £1.5m investment

Ipswich Borough Council has opened applications for a new £1.5m Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund, part of wider Pride in Place Impact Fund investment awarded to the town. The Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund will support capital projects that improve or create spaces used by local people.

The funding is intended to strengthen communities across Ipswich by backing schemes that enhance community buildings, refurbish cultural and heritage assets, and improve facilities linked to health, wellbeing and community cohesion. The Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund forms one element of a broader programme focused on improving community spaces, improving public spaces, and supporting high street and town centre revitalisation.

Projects eligible for support through the Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund include proposals for community groups to take ownership of disused assets, improvements to buildings already in community ownership, or refurbishment of assets owned by public bodies for community activity. Funding can also be used to create or improve maker spaces, galleries, theatres, museums, libraries, cultural or heritage sites, and sports facilities.

The fund seeks to create new or improved spaces that build strong, resilient, prosperous and inclusive communities. It also aims to improve health and wellbeing and increase pride in neighbourhoods across Ipswich. Applicants will need to demonstrate how their proposals meet one or more of these outcomes, with successful projects required to use an evaluation framework to measure progress.

There is no upper or lower limit on funding requests. Applications will be assessed based on the potential community outcomes delivered by each proposal rather than the size of the bid. All awards made through the Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund are capital grants and must be spent on building fabric, indoor spaces, large equipment purchases, and associated costs. Revenue expenses such as staffing, overheads, or utilities are not eligible.

Cllr Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said:

“This funding is a fantastic opportunity to invest in the spaces that bring our communities together. By improving and creating places where people can connect, learn and thrive, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive Ipswich. We are committed to supporting community-driven projects that reflect local priorities and empower residents to shape the future of their neighbourhoods. I encourage local organisations to come forward with ideas that will make a real difference to our town.”

Ipswich Borough Council is acting as the accountable body for the Ipswich Pride in Place Community Buildings Fund. Grants will be distributed to eligible organisations including voluntary organisations and registered charities, public sector bodies, higher and further education institutions, private sector companies, and religious organisations delivering community projects aligned with the fund’s objectives.

The first round of applications is open now and will close at 5pm on Friday 27 February 2026. Applicants are required to complete an Expression of Interest form, setting out an indicative funding amount, proposed use of the grant, and the benefits for local people. Organisations successful at this stage will be asked to provide further information, proportionate to the amount requested, before final decisions are made. Grant awards are expected to be confirmed from late March onwards, subject to due diligence checks.