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Jason Bradbury spotlights smart home trends in London

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Jason Bradbury outlined smart home technology trends at the Ideal Home Show in London, focusing on the growing role of connected devices in everyday domestic life.

At the event’s Smart Home showcase, the TV presenter and technology commentator highlighted products across home fitness, cooking, home cinema and retro-inspired consumer electronics. He argued that the futuristic home is no longer a theoretical idea, as many of its defining tools are already on the market.

Bradbury’s appearance was part of the wider Ideal Home Show programme at Olympia, which has opened its 118th year with a line-up of television personalities and sector specialists. This year’s event includes areas dedicated to kitchens, smart home products, DIY, gardening and outdoor living.

The smart home section focused on a move away from single-purpose gadgets towards more integrated systems. Examples included cameras that can identify people and parcels, and locks with fingerprint access. The broader theme was that connected products are being designed to fit more naturally into routine household tasks such as security, deliveries and access control.

Retro influence

Alongside newer connected devices, Bradbury pointed to a revival of older design cues and analogue formats. He linked the trend to a wider movement in interiors and consumer technology, with tactile materials and vintage-inspired hardware returning to favour.

“We’re talking about the home of the future, but interestingly, the 70s is coming back. We’ve already revisited the 80s, and now design inspiration is shifting towards 70s aesthetics, from walnut tones to more tactile finishes. You’ll see that across the Ideal Home Show this year. As technology moves forward, culture often looks backwards, and that’s why cassette and vinyl are making such a strong comeback,” said Jason Bradbury, TV Presenter and Tech Expert, Ideal Home Show.

That blend of digital systems and retro design was one of the clearest themes in his presentation. Brands mentioned in the session included We Are Rewind and Philips, cited as examples of renewed interest in cassette players, vinyl playback and products that emphasise physical interaction as much as digital convenience.

At-home fitness

Bradbury also identified home fitness as a notable area of development in consumer technology. He pointed to equipment designed to offer a wider choice of workouts while monitoring user performance, reflecting a broader push towards more personalised health and wellness products in the home.

One example was the Speediance Gym Monster, a connected training system intended for domestic use. The underlying point was that exercise technology is being adapted for users who want structured routines without relying on gyms or studio classes.

Kitchen shift

In the kitchen, the focus was on appliances designed to reduce manual supervision and improve consistency. Bradbury highlighted tools that manage variables such as heat and moisture more precisely, with the aim of making complex dishes easier to prepare at home.

The Bora X BO oven was among the products referenced in that category. The wider trend is a move towards devices that remove guesswork from cooking by automating more of the preparation process and offering greater control over results.

Portable viewing

Home entertainment was another part of the session, with attention on portable projection systems that combine picture, audio and setup features in a single unit. Bradbury highlighted products aimed at users seeking a cinema-style viewing experience without committing to a permanent installation.

The Nebula X1 Pro was presented as an example of that approach. The emphasis was on flexibility, with equipment that can move between rooms or be taken elsewhere rather than remaining fixed in one part of the home.

Bradbury’s broader message was that smart home products are becoming less about novelty and more about how they fit into everyday routines. Rather than presenting the category as a distant concept, he argued that it has already entered the mainstream through tools for security, cooking, fitness and entertainment.

“I’ve curated these gadgets around the idea of the ‘home of the future’, but the truth is, this is the future and we’re already there,” said Bradbury.



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UK pest control company enters administration after three years

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LPPC Environmental Ltd, which operates as Pest Control Aberdeenshire, provides environmentally friendly pest and bird control services for households and businesses across the UK.

The company was founded in April 2023 and has bases in Aberdeen and Bolton.



The Pest Control Aberdeenshire website reads: “We’re passionate about the environment and providing pest control solutions that help wildlife and humans co-exist.

“We’re dedicated to deterring pests naturally, using traditional pest control methods such as hawking and falconry.

“Our pest control methods are both effective and non-toxic, and we always try to use a natural solution to deal with vermin where possible.”

LPPC Environmental Ltd falls into administration

After just three years in business, LPPC Environmental Ltd looks set to shut down after falling into administration.

A petition to wind up the company was presented to the Aberdeen Sheriff Court back in March, according to The Gazette.

The petition requested permission for the company to be “wound up by the Court and to appoint a liquidator”.

An administration order was granted on May 8, while Kevin Mapstone of BTG Begbies Traynor was appointed administrator on June 5.

Other UK companies that have closed or entered administration/liquidation in 2026

It has been a tough year for the UK high street, with several other retailers entering administration and others announcing widespread store closures.

Major high street brands LK Bennett and Claire’s both closed all their stores in April, having previously fallen into administration.



UK fashion retailers Leading Labels and Quiz are also set to close their remaining stores after falling into liquidation.

Other retailers have been forced to close stores this year, including:

Four UK travel companies have closed in 2026:

Luxury UK holiday company Salamander Voyages also shut down back in April after entering administration.



Meanwhile, four UK airlines have fallen into administration or liquidation:

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Plus-size clothing brand Evans has also returned to the UK high street in 2026 after closing all its stores and concessions in December 2020.

Have you used Pest Control Aberdeenshire before? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.





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Crypto group urges UK bank complaints over transfer bans

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KAREN JOY BACUDO

Finance Editor

Stand With Crypto UK has launched a campaign urging customers to file formal complaints against banks that block transfers to cryptocurrency exchanges. The group says it represents 286,000 advocates in the UK.

The campaign began with an installation at Reuters Plaza in Canary Wharf, where three large blocks of ice containing banknotes were displayed to symbolise money consumers can see but cannot access. Stand With Crypto UK is asking supporters to complain to their banks about what it describes as blanket restrictions on transfers to cryptoasset exchanges registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.

The move escalates a long-running dispute between parts of the banking sector and the crypto industry over fraud controls, consumer protection and access to digital asset markets. Stand With Crypto UK argues that many banks have imposed broad limits or outright bans regardless of the exchange involved or the individual customer’s risk profile.

Industry data cited by the group suggests the scale of those restrictions. The Locked Out report by the UK Cryptoassets Business Council, based on a survey of 10 of the UK’s largest crypto exchanges, found that 40% of all UK crypto transactions are either blocked or restricted by banks.

According to the same report, one exchange recorded nearly £1 billion in declined transactions in a single year due to bank-side rejections. Over the previous 12 months, 80% of surveyed exchanges reported a measurable increase in blocked or limited transfers.

The issue affects a market that already reaches a notable share of the population. Financial Conduct Authority consumer research found that around 8% of UK adults currently hold cryptoassets, giving the dispute significance beyond specialist trading circles.

Consumer pressure

Rather than relying solely on regulatory lobbying, the campaign aims to apply direct pressure through bank complaint procedures. Stand With Crypto UK says banks’ responses will help determine its next steps.

The organisation says its supporters include consumers, business owners, entrepreneurs and investors who want to move their own money to legal trading venues. It argues that broad bank restrictions amount to one-size-fits-all policies in a sector where the exchanges involved are already registered with the UK regulator.

“People across the UK are being blocked from accessing a legal asset class because banks have chosen to impose blanket restrictions on an entire sector. Stand With Crypto’s 286,000 UK advocates are ordinary people, business owners, entrepreneurs and investors. From today, they are formally telling their banks that these restrictions are unacceptable and that consumers should be treated as individuals, not subjected to one-size-fits-all policies,” said Adriana Ennab, Director, Stand With Crypto UK.

The complaint drive also reflects a broader industry argument that banking policy is misaligned with the UK’s stated ambition to support digital asset activity. Crypto companies have long argued that access to basic payment rails remains one of the biggest barriers to retail participation.

Coinbase, which backs Stand With Crypto, framed the issue in terms of both national policy and customer access. The exchange has been among the companies pressing for clearer rules and more consistent treatment from financial institutions.

“The Government has set out a vision to make the UK a global hub for digital assets and Web3. That vision requires retail participation, where everyday people hold and engage with cryptoassets. But banks are choking off the crucial on-ramp from fiat money into crypto. They are putting the Government’s digital asset ambitions at risk at a time when the global race for digital assets is intensifying,” said Katie Harries, Head of Policy, Europe, Coinbase.

Bank tensions

Relations between banks and crypto businesses in the UK have been strained for several years. Lenders have tightened controls in response to concerns about scams, money-laundering risks, and operational exposure, while crypto firms argue that the response has become too broad and can ensnare legitimate transactions.

Stand With Crypto UK also argues that some financial institutions are taking contradictory positions. It says banks that restrict customer payments to crypto exchanges are also building digital asset teams and exploring their own products in the market.

That criticism reflects a broader competitive debate in financial services. Campaigners argue that if customers are prevented from using regulated channels to access crypto markets, they may be shut out of a legal part of the financial system while institutions remain free to pursue their own commercial strategies in the same area.

The campaign will not by itself change bank policy, but it could generate a substantial volume of customer complaints if even a fraction of the group’s claimed membership takes part. For banks, that could mean having to justify retail crypto restrictions in greater detail to customers who are increasingly familiar with digital assets and may question whether blanket blocks remain proportionate.



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Oxford business wins award for its apprentice support

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Haysham Ltd, based in Oxford, was named a regional winner in the JTL 2026 Employer Recognition Awards at Plaisterer’s Hall in London.

The awards celebrate employers who excel in training and developing future talent in the building services engineering sector.

Adam Bolley, director at Haysham Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to receive this recognition from JTL.

“Investing in apprentices is an important part of how we build skills for the future, and JTL’s training support helps ensure our apprentices gain the knowledge, confidence and practical experience they need to thrive in the industry.”

Haysham Ltd was selected from more than 3,800 businesses that partner with JTL across England and Wales.

JTL described Haysham’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals as outstanding.

The national apprenticeship awards also honour exceptional apprentices, tutors and training professionals across England and Wales.

Chris Claydon, chief executive of JTL, said: “Delivering high-quality apprenticeships is always a shared effort, and our Employer Recognition Awards are about celebrating the vital role employers play in making that possible.

“The businesses recognised have shown outstanding commitment to supporting, mentoring and investing in apprentices, helping to create the skilled, confident workforce our industry needs for the future.”

JTL currently supports around 8,000 learners across the UK in the electrical and mechanical engineering services sectors.





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