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Oxford bus driver leads new mental health support group

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Rhys Smith, who has worked with the Oxford Bus Company since June 2024 and lives in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, launched the support group Men’s Minds with his brother Aaron in September.

The group, which now has 15 regular attendees, meets every other Friday for community sessions and every other Saturday for football meet-ups at Leys Pools and Leisure Centre.

Mr Smith said: “I’ve got a personal connection to this issue, as there’s a family history when it comes to mental health.

“The normal processes don’t always work, and people can struggle to get the right support.

“I wanted to start something new and different, and the reaction from family and friends was huge.

“I was posting videos on social media, and they were getting lots of shares and comments.”

The group has steadily grown through word-of-mouth and outreach, which has included putting up posters in gyms, shops and barbers around Blackbird Leys, an area Mr Smith knows well.

He said: “In Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys, the rates for self-harm are higher than anywhere else in Oxfordshire.

“I’ve lived in Blackbird Leys all my life and I know everyone here.

“We began putting posters, leaflets, and banners up in gyms, barbers, and shops, and it’s been growing since.”

Mr Smith said: “We’re all part of a brotherhood.

“There’s a WhatsApp group where we check-in and chat with each other.

“When we meet, we talk about our plans, we joke and laugh, and what we want to provide is something different to your average mental health group.

“I don’t want people sitting in a circle watching a screen.

“It’s about everyone talking and there being a togetherness.”

Recently, members of Men’s Minds climbed Snowdon together.

Mr Smith said: “It was an incredible experience, and I feel very fortunate to have completed it with the group of lads we went up with.

“It was by no means an easy task, but we all made it to the top.

“There were a few challenging moments along the way, however we supported one another throughout and remained committed to not leaving anyone behind.”

His efforts have been recognised by his employer.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Rhys for the way he is tackling one of society’s biggest issues.

“Mental health is something the business take very seriously, yet it’s a topic which we generally shy away from as a community.

“Rhys is a real credit to Oxford Bus Company as he continues to open conversations and seek positive change.”





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Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students

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Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.

The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.

To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.

Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.

Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.





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Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years

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The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.

The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.

A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).

“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.


What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?


“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”

The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.

The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.

Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.

An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.


What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?


Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”

It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.

Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”

The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.





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Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review

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The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.

This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.

Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.

“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.

“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.

“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”

The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.

Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.

However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.

All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.

They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.

With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.

The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.

Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.

The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.

If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.

The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.





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