Used Cars, Music Shops, Children’s Play Centres

Available for over a year

According to AutoTrader, the average used car costs just under £17000 – which is £3000 more than the same time in 2021. Because of a shortage of supply and continued demand, used cars are now holding their value extremely well. In fact, some dealers have reported buying cars back from customers for the same price as when they sold it to them, more than five years ago. Are these new high prices here to stay, or will supply catch up? Does your local high street still have a music shop? Earlier this month, PMT (Play Music Today) went into administration leading to the closure of its 11 stores. It isn’t alone, with famous music shops in Newcastle and Brighton also shutting recently. These shops may be a vital space for local musicians, but can they compete with online businesses? Can you afford to use restaurants and hotels? With hospitality businesses facing increased financial pressures, a quarter of businesses providing accommodation and food services put their prices up in May. The unseasonably warm start to the year is having a significant impact on children’s play centres, as more families choose to spend time outdoors. As a result, the Association of Indoor Play says that more than a quarter of businesses could face closure within the next twelve months. Fraud involving mobile phones increased by over 70% last year, with a particular rise in accounts being set up in other people’s names, sim swap fraud and two-step verification scams. With phone snatching also growing, consumer expert Harry Kind provides some advice on how you can keep your device secure.