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I tried stunning new jacket for spring at Dunnes Stores – it’s buttery soft and costs €40

A “STYLISH” suede jacket has arrived in Dunnes Stores – and fans reckon it has the most “buttery soft” finish.

The Gallery Alexa Suede Jacket has arrived in stores nationwide and is also available online.

Woman holding a Dunnes Stores shopping bag.
Dunnes Stores fans are in love with a new jacket in stores
Instagram
Close-up of a brown suede jacket.
The Gallery Alexa Suede Jacket comes in a tan colour
dunnesstores.com

The tan-coloured coat has two large pockets, oversized buttons and a collar.

Dunnes Stores chiefs said the jacket is functional yet stylish.

They said: “Upgrade your outerwear collection with this stylish suede jacket, designed in a cropped fit.

“Featuring a shirt-style collar, a classic button-through design, and functional patch pockets, it is a perfect layering piece that transitions seamlessly from day to night.”

The sleek jacket, retailing at €40, is available in sizes XS to XL.

An Irish style blogger, who posts under @efitzstylenbeauty, took to Instagram to show off the must-have coat.

The Dunnes Stores shopper revealed the “absolutely beautiful” suede jacket.

Edwina said: “This is a size small, its €40 and it has pockets.

“It’s got three buttons and it’s cropped. It’s just so buttery soft. It’s just beautiful.”

Edwina bagged some “skinny bows”, in a pack of two, for only €4.

Dunnes Stores said: “This set of two bows, one black, one white, adds a neat, simple style to your hair.

“Each bow has a clip for easy wear, perfect for adding a little something extra to your overall look, whether for daily wear or a night out.”

The fashion blogger also picked up Savida Barrel Jeans just €30.

The light coloured pants range in sizes 6 to 18.

The website description reads: “These cotton wide-leg jeans are cut for a modern, relaxed silhouette with a flattering high waist.

“Detailed with five-pocket styling and tonal stitching, they’re a versatile staple for everyday dressing.”

Edwina also scooped the Leopard Western Ankle Boots for only €30.

Dunnes Stores designers said: “Channel Western flair with these leopard-print ankle boots, featuring a soft pointed toe, squared sole, side zip, and sturdy block heel.

“Style effortlessly with denim for casual appeal or a dress for a bold occasion-ready look.”

The animal print boots are available in sizes 36 to 42.

All items are available in shops across the country and on the Dunnes Stores website.

THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES

DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit.

Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland’s first ‘shopping frenzy’.

During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne’s ‘Better Value’ bargains.

Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 – starting with apples and oranges.

The retailer said: “Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town.

“Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong.

“Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas.”

The retailer’s first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960.

They added: “In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed.

“Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England.”

Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.

Woman examining a tan jacket.
The fashion fan said the jacket has a buttery feel
Instagram
Brown suede button-up jacket.
The jacket comes in sizes XS to XL
dunnesstores.com
Dunnes Stores sign on a building.
All items are available online and in stores
Garrett White - Commissioned by The Sun Dublin

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Champions League winners predicted by supercomputer with Premier League club tipped for glory… but it’s not Liverpool

A SUPERCOMPUTER has sensationally predicted the winners of this season’s Champions League.

And it’s NOT the most in-form team of the tournament, which has just wrapped up it’s revamped group stage.

Liverpool FC players celebrating a goal.
AFP
Liverpool became the first-ever winners of the new Champions League group stage[/caption]
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrating a goal.
GETTY
But the Reds aren’t the favourites to win this instalment of Europe’s elite club competition[/caption]

Despite suffering defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, Liverpool became the first-ever winners of the new Champions League group phase.

The Reds are many football fans’ favourites to lift the prestigious trophy in May.

But according to a supercomputer, one of Kop club’s domestic rivals will reach and WIN the Munich final on May 31.

BETSiE‘s supercomputer has sensationally predicted that Arsenal will win their first-ever Champions League this summer.

The prediction has been made following a whopping 100,000 simulations of this season’s competition.

The north Londoners have been given a 24.3 per cent chance of winning the tournament.

Mikel Arteta‘s troops have also been given 59 and 38.7 per cent chances of reaching the semis and the final respectively.

Liverpool are the supercomputer’s second favourites to win the competition.

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The Merseysiders have been given an 18.9 per cent chance of winning their seventh European Cup.

It’s been calculated that they have 50.4 and 34.3 per cent chances of reaching the semis and the final.

Defending champions Real Madrid are the third favourites, with the supercomputer calculating they have a 10.8 per cent chance of retaining the trophy.

It’s been calculated that struggling Premier League champions Manchester City have just a 6.5 per cent chance of becoming two-time winners of the competition.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have a mere 2.7 per cent chance of replicating their stunning triumph in 1982.

Liverpool, Arsenal and Villa sailed into the last 16 with respective first, third and eighth-placed finishes.

Manchester City, meanwhile, will have to go through a two-legged play-off – in which they’ll either face Real or Bayern Munich – to join them in the knockout stages.

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The mums of celebs who look more like their sisters – and their secrets to looking so amazing at 50 and 60+

They say beauty runs in the genes, and celebrity mums are proving the point effortlessly.

In fact, many of these famous mothers could easily be mistaken for their children’s sisters rather than their parents.

Kate Moss and Lila Grace Moss holding a Fendi Peekaboo handbag.
Fendi
Kate Moss twinning with Lila Grace Moss whilst modelling for Fendi[/caption]
Lila Moss and Kate Moss at a fashion show.
Getty
The pair look more like sisters then mother and daughter[/caption]
Abbey Clancy at An Audience With Kylie.
PA
Abbey Clancy standing next to her mum Karen Sullivan[/caption]

But before you assume their youthful looks are solely down to invasive procedures, think again – many swear by a few clever ‘natural’ beauty hacks.

Nina Prisk, skin and aesthetics expert and founder of Update Aesthetics Clinics, believes this is a growing trend.

“It’s fantastic to see more and more celebrity mums, such as Kate Moss, celebrating healthy, radiant, and naturally glowing skin,” she explains.

“We are fortunate to live in an age where there are more ways than ever to help achieve this.”

Here, YASMIN HARISHA speaks to celebrity beauty experts to uncover the secrets behind their age-defying looks.

Kate Moss and Lila Grace Moss

In true supermodel style, Kate Moss naturally has a step ahead in the beauty world.

Lila Grace Moss and Kate Moss at the Met Gala.
Getty
Lila Grace Moss and Kate Moss at the Met Gala in 2022[/caption]

And just as she seems to be giving her daughter a leg up in the fashion industry, her youthful looks make her appear more like a big sister than a mother.

Skin and Aesthetics Expert, Nina Prisk, Founder of Update Aesthetics Clinics says: “It’s likely that Kate Moss has taken a 360 approach to nurture the health of her skin in order to achieve such naturally-glowing results. 

“She will likely have used in-clinic radiofrequency treatments, which are a minimally-invasive and effective way to address the impacts of ageing such as wrinkles and sagging skin.

“These, used in conjunction with Polynucleotides, which are bio-stimulator injectable treatments that rejuvenate and renew skin cells, can help to nurture and nourish skin.”

Maya Jama and Sadie 

Although Maya Jama presents Love Island All Stars, it’s her mum who is the true bombshell.

Sadie celebrated her 50th birthday this month, but as she cuddled up to Maya, 30, many mistook her for her sister.

Maya Jama and her mother, Sadie.
Maya Jama next to her stunning mother Sadie

Nina says: “Maya Jama and her mum both have radiant, glowing, hydrated-looking skin. This is something that can be achieved with Profhilo.

“Profhilo is an in-clinic treatment favoured by many celebrities as it rejuvenates and hydrates the skin.

“It’s essentially an injectable moisturiser made from highly concentrated, purified hyaluronic acid. It can be used on the face, neck, and décolletage for overall rejuvenation.”

Filler 

Maya Jama hugging her mother at her 50th birthday celebration.
Instagram/@mayajama
The pair recently celebrated Sadie’s 50th birthday[/caption]

Dr Alma Kamenica, a dermatologist and venereologist at Kamenica.at, also noted that Sadie’s minimal wrinkles may be the result of regular Botox treatments.

She explains: “The minimal wrinkles and radiant complexion suggest she may have regular Botox treatments to maintain a smooth forehead and prevent deep lines from forming.

“She could also have subtle dermal filler in her cheeks and nasolabial folds to restore volume while keeping a natural look.

“Her firm and lifted skin hints at Morpheus8 Burst treatments, which help tighten and refresh the skin for a sculpted appearance.”

Maisie Smith and Julia Smith 

Maisie Smith with her mother and sister at lunch.
instagram
Maisie Smith with her mother (right) and sister (left) at lunch[/caption]

This fiery redhead’s mum is turning heads, looking more like her twin sister than her parents.

And experts believe she’s achieved the look without splashing out on expensive lotions and potions – and they reckon Maisie, 23, is doing the same.

Nina says: “In order to achieve such healthy, smooth skin there is no doubt that Julia and Maisie will both be incorporating a high factor broad spectrum SPF into their daily skincare routine.

“This will help to protect against sun damage which can cause premature ageing such as wrinkles and sun spots.”

Abbey Clancy and Karen Sullivan 

Abbey and Karen Clancy at the Camel festival in Kalbelia.
Handout
Abbey and Karen looking identical at the Camel festival in Kalbelia[/caption]
Abbey Clancy and Karen Sullivan at The Fashion Awards 2016.
Getty
The dupe often attend events with each other looking like sisters[/caption]

It’s no surprise Abbey hit the genetic jackpot, as her mum looks like she could strut the catwalk herself.

At 39 and 64 respectively, Abbey and her mum blur the lines between mother and daughter – they look more like sisters than generations apart. 

Nina says: “Although injectable treatments such as dermal fillers and muscle relaxants can help to smooth skin and add volume, they do little to improve skin health or promote cell regeneration.

“This is why combining them with other factors – including cosmetics, treatments, nutrition, and lifestyle choices – is essential.

Karen shows how a fresh smile can complement those cheek fillers. A youthful grin is the best accessory

Dr Dalel Trabelsi

“Judging by the incredible skin Abbey Clancy and her mum share, it’s clear they follow this holistic approach.

“This synergy ensures their skin is in optimum health, making injectables more effective and delivering longer-lasting results.

“This glamorous mother and daughter undoubtedly maintain a healthy, balanced diet, rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

“This helps to keep their skin healthy, supports its barrier function, protects it from damage, and promotes healthy collagen and elastin production.”

Teeth 

A few tweaks to her smile may also have happened. 

Expert comments by Dr Dalel Trabelsi, a dentist and clinical lead at Tooth Club says: “Karen Sullivan is a great advocate for the power of subtle enhancements. 

“Karen shows how a fresh smile can complement those cheek fillers. A youthful grin is the best accessory! (just don’t forget to floss).”

Sam & Billie Fairs and Suzie Wells

It appears that the Only Way is looking as young as your daughters for Suzi Wells. 

At the age of 55, the mum looks like the third sister to Sam, 34, and Billie, 35.

Three women posing for a selfie.
Instagram/billieshepherdofficial
Mum Suzie Wells, Sam Faiers and Billie Shepherd taking a selfie in Paris[/caption]
Billie Faiers, Sam Faiers, and their mum Sue.
Instagram
The trio all look like sisters when they head out[/caption]

Expert comments by Dr Dalel Trabelsi, a dentist and clinical lead at Tooth Club, says: “Suzie Wells looks as youthful as her daughters, likely due to a combination of tweakments done subtly and well. 

“Regular Botox could help smooth expression lines while still allowing for natural movement. 

“She might have also had soft filler in the midface to restore lost volume while keeping her look natural and balanced. 

“Her bright, even smile suggests she may have also had some cosmetic dental enhancements, such as teeth whitening or veneers, to achieve a polished, youthful appearance.

“Her bright smile is a testament to how cosmetic dentistry can rejuvenate confidence, proof that teeth are the ultimate anti-ageing tool.” 

Zoë Kravitz and Lisa Bonet 

Lisa Bonet and Zoe Kravitz at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Getty - Contributor
Lisa Bonet and Zoe Kravitz at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party[/caption]
Lenny Kravitz with daughters Zoë Kravitz and Lisa Bonet.
Getty - Contributor
Lenny Kravitz with daughters Zoë Kravitz and Lisa Bonet[/caption]

Good looks clearly run in the genes in this family, as fans often praise the pair for looking so alike.

Despite a 21-year age gap between the duo, Zoë, 36, and Lisa, 57, don’t appear worlds apart in age.

Dr Alma Kamenica, a dermatologist and venereologist at Kamenica.at, says: “Lisa Bonet has maintained sculpted cheekbones and smooth, even-toned skin, which may suggest the use of dermal fillers to restore lost volume and Botox to soften fine lines.

“She may also incorporate chemical peels to enhance skin clarity and texture.

“Regular Forma treatments could help stimulate collagen production, keeping her skin firm and youthful.”

Biggest skincare trends for 2025

Face The Future’s Head of Clinic, Kimberley Medd, shared the five skincare trends predicted to take off in 2025.

1. Exosomes 

Exosomes are the buzzword for 2025, taking advanced skin regeneration to new heights. These micro-messengers signal skin cells to repair damage, boost collagen, and accelerate recovery, and they’re a gamechanger for targeting ageing.

2. Streamlined Skincare

The age of 12-step routines is fading as consumers shift to more intentional, multi-functional products. Streamlining skincare not only saves time but also reduces the risk of overloading your skin. In 2025, we’ll see a rise in hybrid products that combine active ingredients for simplified, effective results.

3. Vegan Collagen 

Plant-based collagen will dominate the skincare world this year, providing a sustainable, ethical alternative to traditional animal-derived collagen. Expect vegan collagen in everything from moisturisers to serums.

4. The Rise Of AI

AI is revolutionising the beauty landscape, making it possible for consumers to get truly personalised skincare solutions. In 2025, we predict a dramatic shift towards AI-powered tools that help people understand their skin on a deeper level.

5. Hair Loss Solutions – 

Hair loss is an issue that affects more men than we often realise, and it’s no longer just something we’re talking about behind closed doors. This year, expect to see a continued rise in demand for treatments that not only tackle hair loss but also nurture overall scalp health.

Read More »

Prince William’s ‘major shift in royal tactics that the late Queen would have approved of’, claims Jennie Bond

AS one of the hardest-working royals, it’s no surprise that Prince William is ranked as one of the most popular members of the Royal Family.

With his laid-back nature and chatty persona, he has also become an extremely relatable figure.

Prince William wearing boxing gloves at a charity event.
AFP
Prince William takes part in a boxing sparring session in January 2025[/caption]
Prince William and Kate Middleton at a Coronation Concert event.
PA
The Prince of Wales holding a can of ‘Return of the King’ Coronation Ale[/caption]
The Prince and Princess of Wales at an Indian restaurant.
Arthur Edwards / The Sun
The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated Birmingham’s rich Asian culture[/caption]

According to royal experts, he has made a “major shift in royal tactics that the late Queen would have approved of.”

Jenny Bond believes that his key to his ongoing success is thanks to how hard he is working on being a “relatable royal.” 

From having a pint in the pub, to serving people on burger stalls, Prince William, 42, isn’t afraid to get involved with the public. 

I think William finds it refreshing to be able to interact without all the fuss that generally goes with a royal visit,” Jenny explains in an interview with OK! Magazine. 

“And I’m sure he also realises that in PR terms, it is extremely effective.”

In an interview last year, William talked about wanting to focus on helping people. 

He said: “It helps impact people’s lives and I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world. 

“So that’s what I’m trying to bring, that’s what Catherine is trying to bring as well.”

Earlier this month, the dad-of-three surprised members of the public after having a pint with Aston Villa fans at a Wetherspoon pub in Birmingham

The Prince of Wales joined football fans for a drink, whilst also buying a round in, before their match against Everton

Jennie explained that it is “important for the Royal Family” to be in touch with “ordinary people” as the late Queen Elizabeth would approve. 

She added: “As the late Queen once remarked, ‘deference can obscure the truth.’” 

Talking about a speech the late Queen gave back in 1997, Jennie continued: “She said: ‘That consent, (of the people) or the lack of it, is expressed for you, Prime Minister, through the ballot box. 

“It is a tough, even brutal, system but at least the message is a clear one for all to read. 

“For us, a Royal Family, however, the message is often harder to read, obscured as it can be by deference, rhetoric or the conflicting currents of public opinion. But read it we must.'”

The Prince of Wales with Aston Villa supporters in a pub.
PA
William meeting Aston Villa supporters in a Wetherspoons pub in Birmingham[/caption]
The Prince of Wales playing soccer with a young person.
PA
The Prince of Wales during a visit to Tiber in Toxteth, Liverpool[/caption]
Prince William playfully filters water samples with school children.
Reuters
Prince William playfully filters water samples with school children in Guildford[/caption]

Last week, we’ve revealed how the Prince of Wales was playing football with teenagers in Toxteth and joked: “I’m not going to go around slide tackling, am I.” 

William, who is a big fan of playing football, made a few gentle passes in front of a small crowd wearing casual trainers and a thin jacket. 

The team he was playing against had been warned in advance by their coach, who joked: “Remember who you’re playing against – don’t go in too hard!”

And they appeared to take the advice to heart, with the Prince spending much of his time on the pitch watching and shouting encouragement. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton's affectionate nicknames for each other

ROYAL editor Ingrid Seward told The Sun’s Royal Show that the Prince and Princess of Wales have some rather informal pet names for one another.

Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Correspondent Matt Wilkinson, she said: “Prince William was Big Willie, I think.

“Kate was Babykins, But people change their nicknames every time.”

Ingrid added that King Charles often refers to Queen Camilla as “darling” or “beloved.”

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Chilling graphic shows ‘Christmas asteroid’ the size of a football pitch on trajectory to hit Earth in seven years

A CHILLING graphic shows how an asteroid the size of a football pitch is on course to smash into Earth at Christmas time in seven years.

Scientists say the enormous space rock is between 40 and 100 metres wide and would wipe out humanity it if hits.

Illustration of 2024 YR4 asteroid's trajectory, showing its proximity to Earth and potential impact.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 will circle back around the sun and could smash into Earth
Illustration of an asteroid impacting Earth.
Getty
The asteroid could plunge through the Earth’s atmosphere[/caption]
World map with a red line indicating a flight path.
Daniel Bamberger
The red line shows the ‘risk corridor’ where the strike could happen[/caption]

The asteroid, named 2024 YR4, has been rated as the highest risk ever recorded by the European Space Agency (ESA).

If it smashed into Earth, it would leave a crater the size of Manchester and wreak mass death and global destruction.

An impact this size coild even cause the collapse of human society, according to experts.

Astronomers have calculated there is a 1 in 83 chance of the space rock smashing into Earth – or 1.2 per cent.

It is currently speeding away from our planet at 38,000mph, but will circle back around the sun when its path could intersect Earth’s.

The asteroid was spotted by a special monitoring telescope in Chile, South American, on Christmas Day.

Projections show its path could cross over with earth’s orbit around Christmas time in 2032 – specifically 5:25am on Wednesday, December 22.

The collision has been rated level three on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale – the highest for any rock currently being monitored.

The second-most risky asteroid has just a 0.68 chance per cent of hitting earth – about half of YR4.

Level three on the Torino scale is described by Nasa as: “Current calculations give a 1% or greater chance of collision capable of localized destruction.”

“Most likely, new telescopic observations will lead to re-assignment to Level 0.

“Attention by public and by public officials is merited if the encounter is less than a decade away.”

David Rankin, an engineer at the Catalina Sky Survey, wrote on BlueSky: “This is one of the highest probabilities of an impact from a significantly sized rock ever, making it a Torino scale 3.

“Most likely outcome is still a near miss. We continue to track it!”

Illustration of an asteroid approaching Earth.
Getty
Asteroid approaching Earth, computer artwork.[/caption]
Lunar crater, possibly the origin of asteroid Kamo'oalewa.
NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University
The devastating impact would create a crater the size of Manchester[/caption]

The ESA said it is not currently possible to predict whether the asteroid will strike the Earth, but that more observations would give us a better idea of the trajectory.

A rock of this size hits the our planet just once every 700,000 years.

The International Asteroid Warning Network said it was already planning for what action might be needed as the asteroid nears.

This could involve creating a model to project the level of devastation an impact would cause, and figuring out a way to knock it off course.

The options for diverting an asteroid include firing a nuclear bomb or driving a rocket into it.

Mathematicians have calculated that crashing a “sacrificial” spacecraft into the side of a speeding asteroid less than one kilometre across would be powerful enough to push it away.

nasa 's asteroid watch list lists the most dangerous asteroids that could hit earth in future
The most dangerous asteroids Nasa is currently tracking

Ian Carnelli, a planet defence expert at the ESA, told The Telegraph: “It is a lot more complex with a nuclear device, and that is before you get into the political discussion because nuclear explosions in space are banned by UN treaties.

“A kinetic impactor, a spacecraft, will be a lot more precise [than a nuclear bomb] because you can select the mass, the velocity and the direction of the impact; you can really control the deflection.

“But even so, the nuclear device is not like you see in Armageddon where you send drillers to put the bomb in the core of the asteroid and destroy it – the idea is to detonate it at a certain distance from the asteroid.

“Triggering an explosion a certain distance away from an asteroid is extremely complex and nobody would agree to test it before a real threat is identified so you really would have a total lack of knowledge of how to do it.”

Past Earth-threatening asteroids

MANY asteroids have been spotted in the past and deemed a risk to Earth.

But only one has ever been diverted by human intervention.

In 2022, Nasa’s DART spacecraft was deliberately driven into the side of Dimorphos – a small asteroid “moonlet”.

The mission was mainly to test Nasa’s planet defence systems, and was deemed a big success.

There have been a number of other asteroids that have threatened the Earth, including:

  • Chicxulub Impactor: This asteroid smashed into the Earth around 66 million years ago and is believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs
  • 2004 FU162: In March 2004, this 10m-wide meteoroid passed 6,500 km above Earth
  • 1996 JA1: In May 1996, this space rock passed Earth at a distance of 450,000 km
  • 99942 Apophis: This 1,100ft-wide asteroid was considered one of the most dangerous asteroids that could impact Earth. However, a radar observation campaign in 2021 concluded that it poses no risk to Earth for at least 100 years
  • 1979 XB: This 2,165ft-wide asteroid had an estimated 1 in 1.8 million chance of impact
  • 2007 FT3: This 0.6-mile-wide asteroid had an estimated 1 in 10 million chance of impact on March 3, 2030
  • 7482 (1994 PC1): This 3,609ft-wide asteroid had its closest approach on January 18, 2022

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I bought Homes Under the Hammer’s longest-ever project – it’s finally finished after 16 YEARS and spending over £500k

A MAN who snapped up a Homes Under the Hammer property without even stepping inside has forked out £500,000 in the show’s longest ever project.

But the 17th-century pub which was once an absolute wreck, could finally reopen this year.

Man standing in front of The Old Cottage Pub, under renovation.
Facebook
The project dubbed the longest Homes Under the Hammer project ever could finally reopen by summer[/caption]
A 374-year-old pub undergoing renovation.
Facebook
The Ex-fireman spent £500,000 on the renovation but he has found a trove of historical treasures along the way[/caption]
Interior view of a 374-year-old pub's exposed wooden beams and ceiling during renovation.
Facebook
Having taken over the site 16 years ago in 2009, David had expected to reopen it within a couple of years[/caption]

David Gorton bought The Old Cottage Pub, in Margate, at auction for £90,000 on his credit card after spotting an advert on his computer.

Having taken over the site 16 years ago in 2009, David had expected to reopen it within a couple of years.

But the ex-fireman, 69, has been renovating his pub which he renamed Gorton’s in honour of his late father Bob Gorton, ever since.

A Victorian archway in the cellar collapsed causing David huge planning issues and he now claims it must be Homes under the Hammer’s longest running project.

“It cost me £155,000 for a block and beam system and I totally replaced the roof of the cellar and made it 100 per cent safe,” explained David.

David also discovered a hoard of historical artefacts, including a stash of silver tableware stuffed up the chimney and a filled-in smugglers tunnel leading up to the nearby church as they worked on the restoration.

However, speaking to KentOnline, David said they were finally reaching the end of the project with just one more planning application for signage to be approved.

“We do expect to be open later on this year now, hopefully in the summertime,” explained David.

“Obviously we don’t want to open without proper signage so we need to get that sorted out.

“We’ve got all the main applications we need all passed and approved, this is just for business signs as it’s a listed building.”

The newly renovated pub is set to include its own brewery in the basement, an upstairs restaurant and some Airbnb rooms.

Originally built as a home in 1650 it didn’t become a proper pub until 1760.

He previously told KentOnline: “We’ve had a few issues and delays because I’m paying particular attention to the quality of the work and conserving everything I possibly can.

“If I looked at the final figures I could expect on day one – I probably never would have done it.

Who presents Homes Under The Hammer?

Current

Past

“It’s worked out to be very, very expensive but honestly, if you’re going to do it, you’ve got to do it properly.

“The idea is not to do it within a budget or a sum of money – it’s got to be done because it’s historic and very special.”

David’s interest in pubs was sparked after he suffered an injury as a fireman in the late 1990s.

He began inspecting West End pubs and restaurants’ liquor certification and learned how the business operated.

When he retired a few years later in 1998, he bought a buy-to-let property in Sidcup for £50,000, which is now worth around £250,000.

He then snapped up another property in the same block a year later, and by November 2010, he had bought all nine properties in the building.

This money offered him the chance to buy The Old Cottage Pub and carry out extensive renovations – which have cost him approximately £500,000.

Man standing in front of The Old Cottage Pub, which is under renovation.
SWNS
David outside The Old Cottage Pub. which could finally reopen by summer[/caption]

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