WOOF&BREW Limited, The Award-Winning Pet Drinks Company – has successfully raised £1m GBP of new investment.

The investment will be used to increase the company’s sales and operational support in the UK and overseas so that WOOF&BREW can take full advantage of the incredible response from retailers and pet owners to their unique range of health and treat drinks for dogs.

WOOF&BREW will further capitalize on its position as the leader in the pet drinks industry in the UK and Internationally, with new products being launched in 2019.

“We were delighted to receive the backing of a number of successful and influential individuals”, said Steve Bennett – Managing Director of WOOF&BREW. “Since launching WOOF&BREW in 2013, we have created a new market, producing healthy drinks for dogs and we are confident that with this investment, we can build a major business in a lucrative and growing market place, with our brands, including Bottom Sniffer Beer for Dogs, Pawsecco, CHAM:PAWS, Anxious Hound and Senior Hound and our new, unique, subscription service.

WOOF&BREW worked with The Coutts Bank Investment Club to raise the funds and they introduced a number of UHNW clients with backgrounds in financial services and technology.

Hans Prottey, who heads the Investment Club at Coutts, commented:
“We were first introduced to Steve by one of our existing investors with Coutts Investment Club. Woof &
Brew is a great example of an entrepreneurial British business that is growing rapidly, expanding internationally, and doing so profitably. At Coutts, we look to introduce fast growing private UK companies with high calibre management teams to the Coutts Investment Club – and members of which, in turn, bring their valuable business expertise and commercial contacts as well as their financial backing. Britain is a nation of pet lovers and the UK and international markets are growing year-on-year, often above other retail segments. The team have huge potential and a bright future ahead of them and we are delighted to be able to support them on this journey.”

About the company:

The co-founders of WOOF&BREW, The Pet Drinks Company, are Steve Bennett, who also founded ‘Dogfriendly’ &
Lisa Morton a brand designer & consultant, The duo brought their expertise and love of dogs together to launch the world’s first herbal teabag range for dogs and introduced dogs up and down the country (and beyond) to the benefits of a nice herbal cuppa. The range created a new category in the pet sector, and they have since added ‘Bottom Sniffer’ (an iconic doggy ‘beer’ that gives dog’s real tail-swagger), ‘Pawsecco’, and this year sees the launch of Cham:Paws.

Property owners stuck in troublesome leasehold agreements are being supported in an innovative expert roadshow launching in the Midlands next month.

The event, in Lichfield, Staffordshire, comes as some 4.3million homeowners across England are being compensated for excessive charges on their leasehold property.

An increasing number of people are facing bills of thousands of pounds if they want to move or even remortgage their house or flat as their properties came with 99-year leases when they were built in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Many are being asked to pay large sums to extend their leases or buy the freehold of their house. Serious concerns have been raised about whether the terms applied under such leasehold agreements are fair. Some apply a string of administration and service charges on top of the ground rent itself.

According to most recent Land Registry statistics, in the West Midlands, some 98% of flats, 5% of houses and 16% of all property transactions are completed on leasehold terms.

In the most serious cases, leaseholders are forced to pay hundreds of pounds per year in ground rent, with payments doubling every 10 years. These charges often make it difficult to sell a property, as few people wish to buy a home subject to such an onerous contract — which is known as a so-called toxic lease scandal.

Now, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a formal investigation into leasehold agreements amid fears that homeowners are being treated unfairly. The Law Commission has also recently issued two consultation papers on how the cost of extending a lease or buying a freehold might be reduced and how Commonhold might be made to work better. And yet another on how the weaknesses in the legislation giving tenants the right to manage their leasehold flats might be remedied.

The CMA said it would also examine whether leaseholders may have been mis-sold when they bought their property in the first place. 

Leasehold specialist Mark Adcock of Adcocks Solicitors (http://www.adcocks.com) said there was an urgent demand for clear, sound guidance on leasehold issues and that the CMA probe could lead to some very welcome good news for home owners.

He added: “More than ever, home owners need to know their rights. For example, they may not know that they can extend the lease of their flat and never pay ground rent again.
“With expert help they can often reduce their service charge, take control of the management of their building and even seize ownership of it.

“It’s also perfectly achievable to get the freehold of their house at a price that’s affordable.”

Mark, of Lichfield-based Adcocks Solicitors has 20 years’ experience in leasehold law and is a former part time lawyer with the Law Commission advising on leasehold.

He will also explain how the law may be changing.

The event, which Mark describes as a ‘must attend’ for leaseholders, is free, is being held at the Cathedral Hotel in Beacon Street on Saturday, July 6 from 9.30am. Anyone interested in knowing more should call 01543 442100 or visit the firm’s website at https://www.adcocks-solicitors.co.uk/roadshow/ and register.

A new study reveals dogs are key to our happiness, but what is causing 4 in 10 dogs to show signs of stress?

● 50 per cent of dog owners admit to suffering from mental health issues but say dogs make life better ‘just by being by my side’
● 46 per cent dog owners believe their dog has suffered from depression, anxiety and phobias, and men and women are dealing with it in different ways
● 87 per cent people say their dog is most important to daily happiness beating friends by almost four times as much, so are we replacing our friends as confidentes with our pets? 

Dog owners are relying on their pets more than ever for happiness, new research by Furbo has revealed, with more than half of men (57 per cent) admitting that having their dog by their side has the biggest positive impact on their mental health.

According to the pet tech firm, half of dog owners say they have suffered from mental health issues, such as anxiety, phobias and depression and 4 in 10 are now also recognising those same signs in their dogs with dogs barking, destroying post and chewing beds when left alone as well as becoming withdrawn, not wanting to go outside.

In a bid to make dogs happy, owners are seeking advice from pet experts, such as vets or behaviourists (77 per cent of women say) and have been seeking out new technology, such as dog cameras, to keep in touch with pets when left alone so they could ‘call in’ and let their pet hear their voice (53% of men revealed) to make them feel better.

Dog owners also admit to spending monthly on their pet’s happiness, with over half (53 per cent) of city dog owners spending up to 100 GBP.

How Dogs Are Replacing Friends as Confidentes 

4 in 10 dog owners say their pets will always come first and they are a big part of the family. They believe this makes them good pet parents, so perhaps it is no surprise that when it comes to admitting who makes them happiest on a daily basis, dogs top the list (87 per cent), followed by partners (50 per cent) with friends falling behind dogs by nearly four times as much (22 per cent). 

Table: Men & Women Reveal Exactly Who Is Most Important to Happiness

Who has the biggest impact on a person’s happiness?
(Percentage of men v women who admit this)

Dog/s – 73.68% (men) – 90.76% (women)

Partner – 63.16% (men) – 48.37% (women)

Children – 28.95% (men) – 33.15% (women)

Friends – 15.79% (men) – 23.37% (women)

Grandchildren – 13.16% (men) – 10.87% (women)

Is Canine Depression on the Rise or Is Something Else Going On?

In Furbo’s study, 52% of dog owners revealed they believe we assign human moods and feelings to our dogs’ behaviours, more now than ever before, but perhaps this is no surprise since dogs and humans have always had a close relationship, led by dogs evolving to suit our needs. So are dogs learning to read our emotions too well resulting in them developing anxiety and other phobias?

Possibly.

In 2018, scientists at the University of Bari Aldo Moro2 in Italy carried out a study monitoring the reactions of dogs when analysing human faces when feeding and learnt that dogs study our faces to understanding the emotions behind our expressions. And it seems as we learn more about how our dogs connect with us, we connect their reactions to human emotions too.

Ryan O’Meara, a former professional dog trainer commented on the findings:

“The role of the modern dog is very different today as fewer and fewer dogs are purchased with the intention of performing particular tasks but, more specifically, as a means to provide pure companionship. As our own lives become busier and more stress-filled, it makes sense that owners would worry that their dogs, who share our lives, would feel similar to us.

“Often this is simply a case of incorrectly transferring our very human worries on to our nearest and dearest friends (our dogs) but in some instances, it’s true. Dogs can be stressed if we’re stressed. We know this to be the case. So even in the ironic case of us being stressed about whether our dogs are stressed, we can inadvertently make our dogs feel anxious.

“The key to avoiding these negative scenarios is to ensure our dogs are properly fed, mentally stimulated and lead a life of recognisable routine and stability.”

• Harley Street Hypnotherapist Adam Cox has experienced a 500% increase in enquiries
• Katy Perry’s newly released song ‘Never Really Over’ includes the lyric “I guess I could try hypnotherapy, I gotta rewire this brain”
• To keep his daughter happy, Adam Cox is offering Katy Perry a free hypnotherapy session.

Harley Street hypnotherapist Adam Cox and founder of ‘Addiction Experts’ was shocked to discover the reason behind him receiving so many hypnotherapy enquiries was due to Katy Perry’s new single that discusses her contemplating hypnotherapy over obsessively thinking about her ex.

The song by Katy Perry is the UK’s highest new chart entry at 13, signalling the end of a two-year solo hiatus and references her struggles with past relationships. 

Initially, Cox didn’t understand why he was getting so many enquiries about such a specific area until he overheard his 9-year-old daughter playing the song and picked up on the hypnotherapy reference “I guess I could try hypnotherapy, I gotta rewire this brain.”

While listening to the song, Cox noticed striking similarities between the feelings Katy echoes and the same feelings patients often seek help for.

“The song is essentially the thought process of thinking about the previous partner and attempting to move on but falling into the pattern of thinking about the past relationship,” says Cox. “The lyric in the chorus “I tell myself, tell myself, tell myself, ‘Draw the line’ And I do, I do But once in a while, I trip up, and I cross the line And I think of you” – is a common pattern as it shows the conflict between the conscious decision to draw the line and move on, but this is easier said than done and many people will experience flashbacks of previous memories or moments with their ex with strong emotional connections which can become addictive.” 

Adam continues, “The lyric where she admits to checking her ex’s name online is also a common theme as many clients admit to following their ex on social media platforms, often anonymously. This compulsive behaviour can cause traumatic new feelings, particularly if their ex is now with someone new.” 

To celebrate her new single, and win brownie points with his daughter – Cox wants to offer Katy a free Hypnotherapy session to help her rewire her brain before she ties the knot with Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom.

“Katy has helped my practice flourish so offering her free hypnotherapy is the least I could do, says Cox. “I would start by taking a detailed analysis of the issues and what coping mechanisms she uses to get by. Many people can turn to excessive eating or drinking to self-medicate. I’d also see if the emotional attachment to the ex-partner is affecting current relationships as many people try to erase the memory of an ex in a new relationship, unfortunately, if the emotional bond is still with the ex it can negatively affect a new relationship. I’d use a combination of clinical hypnotherapy, NLP and CBT to help her change her thought patterns or to use her words ‘rewire her brain’.”

For those unable to directly see Adam, he has also created a free hypnosis audio download for those struggling with an ex and not able to work with him directly. 

“As a hypnotherapist based in Harley Street, many people can’t afford to work with me. To help as many people as possible I’ve created a hypnosis download specifically to help people get over an ex priced at just £9.99. I will donate all proceeds to a charity of Katy Perry’s choice.”

To access the download visit http://www.addictionexperts.co.uk/addicted-to-an-ex.html

• What Car? Target Price research finds manufacturers are offering cash discounts of £16.8 million across the UK new car market* 
• Discounts have risen by more than 10% since February to support sales
• Latest SMMT figures show UK new car registrations down 3.1% for the year, with business registrations down by 39.8% 
• Citroen found to offer biggest savings across all models and fuel types, with an average saving of 12.8% 
• To find the best new car deals, visit: www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals

Dealers have increased new car discounts by more than 10% since February, in a bid to maintain sales. The move equates to savings of £16.8 million off manufacturer list prices across the market*, according to the latest research by Britain’s leading consumer champion and new car buying platform, What Car?. 

Analysis of the UK new car market by What Car? Target Price mystery shoppers found the average discount on a new car at the end of May stood at £2,595 – or 7.9% off the average list price. 

The latest May new car registrations figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows the UK new car market is down 3.1% for the year, with private registrations down by 2.9%. Business registrations are down by 39.8% for the year. 

Dealers are offering larger discounts to counter the decline in sales, according Rachael Prasher, managing director of What Car?: “Across the UK car market, we are seeing manufacturers slash cash prices by £16.8 million. This isn’t manufacturers panicking or throwing in the towel, but using the basic economic rules of supply and demand to maintain sales volumes.” 
Across all manufacturers, Citroen was found to offer the best cash discounts on its vehicles, with 12.8% off the list price. Volkswagen and Seat dealers offer the second highest price reductions, at 11.5% and 11.0% off list prices, respectively. 

Estate cars, MPVs and luxury cars came with the highest discounts, at an average of 10.3% across the three segments, while the typical discount on SUVs, hot hatches and sports cars were all below 6%. 

Prasher added: “The differences in discounts across sectors shows manufacturers are being tactical with their approach – offering larger cash reductions in areas with less demand, while keeping prices stable in sectors they know are popular and sell well.” 

To find the best deals on new cars, visit: www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals

EXIT Festival held on the beautiful Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, Serbia, starts in less than a month and the list containing some of the greatest acts in the world is already complete! At the same place, EXIT will gather some of the legendary artists who have been ruling the music scene for decades, but also the freshest acts with dozens of billions of YouTube views! 

EXIT will welcome one of the greatest guitar bands of all time, The Cure, but also the most talked about young rock’n’roll band in the world, Greta Van Fleet! Also arriving is one of the most respected rappers in the world, Skepta, the new hip-hop princess IAMDDB, the very symbol of DJ profession, Carl Cox, and the most popular DJ of the new generation, Amelie Lens. Dozens upon dozens of the most popular hits today will be brought to EXIT personally by their authors, such as The Chainsmokers, currently one of the most popular American duos, or DJ Snake, a French genius whose each single gathers hundreds of millions, even billions of YouTube views! Bringing chart-toppers are the DJ duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, as well as another Belgian wunderkind – Lost Frequencies! The greatest trap hit ever will be brought to us by the lucid Desiigner, whose live performances can absolutely be considered celebrations of positive energy, while equally contagious tunes will be introduced by the New York-based hit duo Sofi Tukker. Famous song-maker with a powerful voice and the owner of one of the best albums of this year, Tom Walker, will make everybody at EXIT sing his anthem “Leave a Light On”, while bass heroes, Chase&Status, and Dub FX will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the famous UKF label with the audience at the Main stage. They will be joined there by multi-platinum DJ duo Filatov & Karas, as well as GriZ and MATTN.

The Greatest Hits of EXIT Festival 2019: youtu.be/Du1REYaK5tM

Still, we will be dancing the most and the longest with this year’s All-Star team of the spectacular mts Dance Arena where, together with Cox and Amelie, there to perform will be practically all of the most sought-after performers of the electronic scene today, such as Paul Kalkbrenner, Solomun, Tale of Us, Charlotte De Witte, Boris Brejcha, Peggy Gou, Maceo Plex, Jeff Mills, Dax J, Monika Kruse and many others. Recently confirmed is the special Carl Cox b2b Maceo Plex set for the festival opening on July 4th! The Addiko Fusion stage will also mix heritage, present and current trends, ranging from Serbian music icon and master chansonnier Zvonko Bogdan and ska legends The Selecter, via metal diva Tarja and the 30th anniversary of local punk idols Atheist Rap in the original lineup, all the way to regional stars such as Senidah, Fox i Surreal or the fascinating dreamy band Svemirko. The fifth edition of No Sleep Novi Sad stage will be visited by electronic heroes Lee Burridge, DVS1, I Hate Models, Giorgia Angiuli, Blawan, Sebastien Leger, 999999999, SDHW & Obscure Shape, Boston 168 and many others, introducing club partners such as MMA – Mixed Munich Arts from Munich, D-Edge from Sao Paulo, Bassiani from Tbilisi, as well as a special edition of “All Day I Dream” parties. The riff-heavy Explosive stage has this year lifted its own bar with Whitechapel, Arcturus, Soilwork, Entombed AD, Total Chaos, Peter and The Test Tube Babies and dozens of others. Still, even all this is just a part of the picture comprising of over a thousand accredited artists from the entire world, who will, from July 4 to 7, perform at over forty stages and musical zones all around the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad!

EXIT tickets can be found at exitfest.org, and for those who wish to bundle them with accommodation and local transfer, there are also packages from €145. Default accommodation is the festival camp that is also on the sand beach, but in Novi Sad, next to river Danube, while hotels can be booked through EXIT’s official tourist agency at exittrip.org.

About EXIT
Just a short ride away from the Serbian capital Belgrade, the magical Petrovaradin Fortress set high on the banks of the river Danube in Novi Sad provides the perfect setting for the EXIT Festival. The award-winning festival has something for music lovers of all genres with a diverse mix of artists performing on numerous stages connected by cobbled streets, ramparts and tunnels. Also renowned for its amazing atmosphere and energy the Dance Arena champions the who’s who in the electronic music world set in the awe-inspiring moat of the fortress, it’s that special moment when the suns rays shine over the fortress walls and your favourite tune is belting through the soundsystem and into your soul! 

Started as a student protest in 2000 fighting for political change and freedom, EXIT is still an NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation), one that promotes change and positive education, supporting many community and humanitarian missions, while throwing a damn good party.

EXIT continues to deliver the most adventurous and value for money festival experiences in Europe whilst striving to bring the best talent possible with the challenges that a non-profit brings, all while playing a vital role in bringing together the new nations of former Yugoslavia, war-torn by the events and it is the social importance of the Festival that made it unique and globally recognised. Music is a universal language that connects and brings people together to make the world a better place. EXIT. Where hedonism meets activism.

As the festival season is approaching us, it’s that time of year again when thousands of budding lovers of live music events flock to the fields in search of a great time to align with the summertime vibe. The summer festival season officially gets underway with Glastonbury from June 20 2019, and in a recent study conducted by UK Music, it is estimated that current audience attendance at live music events is up to a record 30.9million, bringing £4billion into the UK economy. It’s hard to imagine that this legendary festival first began in 1970 with a mere 1,500 attendees, including a £1 entrance fee and free milk from the farm*.

With the music and festival industry growing year on year, high-street retailer Robert Dyas has compiled a list of essentials for the ultimate festival survival kit. From camp-site preparations to the mosh pit, Robert Dyas has an array of ideas that will come in handy when fully immersed in festival life, allowing enjoyment to be top of mind at all times. 

Campsite Preparation

You’ve just arrived, and first thing’s first, you’ve got to set up the camp right. This is the safe haven of your time while at the festival, so build the foundations sturdy and you’re sure to have a great time. Start off strong with this Summit Groundsheet – 1.8m x 1.2m (£5.99), allowing you to mark out your territory on the site early on. 

It’s going to be an intense, fast-paced week of fun, so don’t forget to take some time out for yourself and relax with this Quest Traveller Morecambe Compact Chair – Blue (Was £17.99 now £11.99). Soak up the sun and chill out, you deserve a break. 

It’s safe to presume that the weather will be consistently inconsistent while out on the fields, so it’s important to stay hydrated in between stage visits. Keep your drinks chilled all day with this Polar Gear Active Trolley Cool Bag – 21L (Was £37.99 now £24.99), you’ll be thankful for this later. 

Space can be difficult to find when camping with friends. Make the most of your campsite space with this Bestway Easy-Inflate Inflatable Air Bed with Foot Pump – Double (£24.99). You’re going to be sharing a camp together for a while, so if you have space and don’t mind being the little spoon, offering your friends a place to lay their head will go down very nicely. 

Festival Life Essentials 

In the thick of the festival season, it can often become very crowded. The ground takes a battering from the thousands of footsteps trampling over fields every day, so it’s important to be wary of possible puddles or drink spillages. To avoid having horrid stains on your favourite shoes, these Town & Country Essential Half Length Wellington Boots – Green (£12.99) will eliminate the risk of any tantrums in your camp. 

To drum up the atmosphere before heading to see your favourite artist live on stage, make the most of their tunes with this Boompods Rokpod Outdoor Portable Bluetooth Speaker (Was £24.99 now £12.99) to get your group pumped up beforehand. 

With the excitement of the festival season getting into full swing, it’s time for the drinks to come out. Take your favourite mixer with you around the festival site with this Polar Gear Alfresco 400ml DoubleWall Plastic Bottle – Pineapple (£4.99), keeping your drink nice and cool in the summer weather. 

When the day is done, the evenings can often come around quickly after a busy day at the festival. Don’t let the darkness stop the fun with this Unicorn 3W COB Pocket Torch – Black(£4.79), allowing you and your friends to make the most of every evening. 

‘Don’t Forget’ Checklist 

You’re just about to set off on your week of mayhem with your friends, and you’re 100% sure you’ve packed the essentials for this trip. Think again! Ensure that no one has an unpleasant surprise while away with these Cusheen Quitted White Toilet Paper – 60 Rolls (£16.00). Failing to bring these risks having a party ‘pooper’ on the cards. 

If you’re feeling the pressure to keep looking your best in the hopes of winning over your special somebody while at the festival, personal cleanliness will be top priority. Make sure they notice your good looks, not your bad oral hygiene. Keep your pearly whites gleaming with this Oral B Pro 650 Electric Toothbrush – Black (Was £49.99 now £24.99) but make sure it’s fully charged before you go!

While at a festival, the likelihood of someone wandering off is quite high. Make sure your phone is charged so you can keep in contact with your friends with this Verbatim 10400mAh Pocket Power Bank Dual USB and LED display (Was £25.99 now £12.99). 

For those in your group with slightly sensitive ears, it can often be a discomfort for those individuals when you get close to the speakers. Avoid any unwanted repercussions with these Draper Ear Plug Pairs – Pack of 10 (£3.49), as without your ears on top form, how are you meant to hear your favourite songs live? 

Festival Safety Tips

Lastly, it’s important to keep personal safety as a top priority at all times while at the festival. Learning your way around the site when you first get there is a great way to check out what’s where (not just where your favourite artists are playing and when). Organising a buddy system to regularly meet at rendezvous points such as the food stalls, bars or chill-out zones is a fantastic way of looking out for yourself and your friends. Most importantly, it’s crucial to watch your drinks while at the festival and never accept one from somebody you don’t know or trust**. 

Now that you’re all equipped for festival life, what are you waiting for? Book those tickets now and look forward to a jam-packed week of fun, good vibes and great weather!

Buyagift is the UK’s leading provider of experience days and gift experiences. We pride ourselves on our range of gifts, and the great experiences we can deliver to our customers. With over 4,500 gifts and experiences to choose from – from helicopter flying and cookery lessons to supercar driving and pampering days – Buyagift have everything that you could possibly need to make someone’s special occasion absolutely unforgettable. Buyagift offer super savings all year round starting from only £10 and amazing range of 2 for 1 deals. 

Last year Buyagift.com were delighted to scoop not one but four awards at the prestigious eCommerce Awards for Excellence for the combination of online marketing, site innovation and implementation of a clear customer engagement strategy, including social media and mobile technology.