Cost of living

11 Wetherspoons in the Portsmouth area ranked from best to worst according to Google reviews from customers.

11 Wetherspoons pubs ranked from Google reviews

The Fareham pub in Trinity Street.

Fareham pub announces shock closure

Wilko in West Street, Fareham, which has now closed.

Picture: Sarah Standing

Fareham Wilko store closes for last time

Here are some of Portsmouth's empty shops in the city centre.

17 empty shops in Portsmouth city centre

One of the largest empty units on Commercial Road, the site of the former Debenhams department store has been the subject of numerous development proposals.

13 empty shops in Commercial Road

Wilko shops in the Portsmouth area are set to close as the chain has collapsed.

Hampshire homeware stores to close

Clare Seek (centre) at the Cascades hub with volunteers.

Library of Things and Repair Cafe charity wins £5,000 award

Irving & Co Brewers, Walton Road, Drayton. Picture: Google Street View.

Irving & Co Brewers announces closure

Food from two shops in the Portsmouth area is available in the deal.

Delivery company offers free food to Portsmouth shoppers

Unison is balloting its members in schools and councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are on nationally agreed pay for strike action to support its pay claim of 12.7 per cent. The postal ballot starts on 23 May and closes on 4 July. Unison is recommending members vote yes for strike action. Pictured is the Portsmouth Unison group

"The government keep telling us inflation will fall by the end of the year, but I have no confidence in their promises. In any case, the huge price rises that have already eaten into our wages will continue to do so. The cost of our 12.7% pay claim is approximately £1.1B. Half of this comes straight back to central government through increased tax payments and reduced benefits. This year's spring budget gave £9B of tax cuts to big business. During the pandemic £10B was wasted on PPE contracts that didn’t deliver. Central government can afford to fully fund the pay increase we need, and our schools and councils need. The only way we can get fair pay for school and council workers is to vote for strike action." said Jon Woods, Portsmouth City UNISON Branch Chair

Photo shows members of Portsmouth City UNISON getting behind the pay campaign at a meeting on 17 May 2023.

Portsmouth school and council workers are encouraged to go on strike

Shelves full of school uniform donated to a community charity Picture: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

Councillor who 'grew up in poverty' urges schools to help with uniform costs

Downsizing a family homes means letting go of the past – but that’s not always a bad thing, says this property guru

Ad Feature Property expert: when to downsize your family home

Home Start Hampshire are looking for donations in order to keep all of the services running.

Hampshire charity might have to make some cutbacks

The Meridian Shopping Centre in Havant, a popular shopping destination.

Photos by Alex Shute

Data reveals how Havant high streets have transformed

The Rowans Hospice charity shop at 60 london Road, North End.

Rowans Hospice to close North End shop

Rowans Hospice chief executive Ruth White

Rowans Hospice issues urgent plea
Beloved Hampshire charity Rowans Hospice is urgently appealing for donations after revealing the ‘devastating impact’ of the cost-of-living crisis on funding.

Cllr George Madgwick with the Easter eggs at his restaurant Valletta in Drayton Picture: Habibur Rahman

Schoolchildren to get a free Easter egg after businesses collect more than 1,000

Stagecoach have extended their service 700, one of the south coast's busiest bus routes.

Stagecoach extend south coast bus route

Wagamama has 164 locations across the UK.

Wagamama offers free food for students

Best home energy efficient lighting: eco-friendly low-cost bulbs

Best home energy efficient lighting: eco-friendly low-cost bulbs

Director Lorraine Pottinger, with her staff, David Grocock, Sam Harris and Cherish-Star Pottinger at Jacob's Well Centre in Gosport
Picture: Habibur Rahman

Gosport charity could lose premises as building goes on sale

Pictured: Landlady Ali Wearn and landlord, Dev Wearn with Barmaids, Tia Whitehouse, Lianne Pettinger, Taylor Brewerton and Emma Edwards at Lawrence Arms, Southsea
Picture: Habibur Rahman

Lawrence Arms launches 'Borrow a Barmaid' scheme

An aerial view of Gosport

Data reveals how Gosport has changed since 2020

The Beer Musketeer, Albert Road, Southsea. Picture: Google Street View.

Craft beer bottle shop set to close

Co-owner of the business, Sue Ings, shows there is is no shortage of tomatoes at Ron White greencrocers, Marmion Road, Southsea. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240223-25)

Portsmouth greengrocers well-stocked during national shortages

Portsmouth City Council can help residents on a range of wellbeing issues

Council offers services to improve people's wellbeing

Pictured: Shoppers queue in Commercial Road during Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Picture: Habibur Rahman

Data reveals changing shape of Portsmouth's high streets
New data has revealed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis and Brexit on Portsmouth’s shopping areas with residents changing the way – an on what – they spend their money.

More teachers are now set to strike.

Staff at a college will be going on strike

Phoenix Rehoming is looking for people to adopt dogs in the Hampshire area.
Stanlee is a two-year-old Collie cross female and she is around 17kg. She is exceptionally smart and enjoys learning.

Four adorable dogs that are looking for a home

Lawrence Arms landlady Alison Wearn standing outside her pub hours after a car ploughed through one of its walls.

Lawrence Arms landlady thanks neighbours for support after car crash

Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt branded the idea that strikes help workers 'a myth' in an interview with Sky news.

Penny Mordaunt calls strikes unhelpful to workers

Jade Ward, assistant principal at Ark Charter Academy in Southsea, has started a campaign to supply prom dresses so all students can go to prom and has been ‘blown away’ by the response.

Southsea schoolteacher 'blown away' by support for prom dress plea

A 'winter parking charge' come come into force along Eastney Esplanade as part of the council's plan to fill its 'budget gap'

Locals voice concern over council's parking charge proposal

There are a number of activities taking place ober the half term.

Things to do with children over the February half-term

A Southern Water bill.

Picture: Chris Ison/PA Wire

Southern Water to increase water and waste bills

Frank William Daysh, on a horse and cart from Frank W. Daysh Bakery and Grocer (early 1900s) and Gemma Daysh, outside The Cookie Queen. on the same street in Cosham which her great great Grandfather had his bakery

The Cookie Queen will move due to soaring costs

In survey Audi A1 was car with the lowest running costs (photo: Adobe)

Data reveals UK’s favourite cars that cost you most and least to run

An aerial view of Portsmouth in the evening Picture: Alexey Fedorenko/Adobe

Portsmouth's 11 least affluent neighbourhoods on average income

Start the year off by downloading a digital budget planner (photo: Adobe)

Helpful saving hacks to help with the cost of living

The Repair Cafe has been helping people in Portsmouth for the past five years.

'Library of Things' set to open in Portsmouth

Sonner Toys appears to be permanately closed at their Cascades shopping centre location.

Toy shop closes leaving customers 'furious' and owed thousands

Bernice Manniex (51) from Leigh Park, is still waiting for her energy bill vouchers from the government's Energy Support Fund, which should have been given to her from British Gas last year.

Picture: Sarah Standing (090122-7767)

'I’m lucky if I have two meals a week - I shouldn’t be living like this'

Phil Davies, owner of Pigeon Books.

Picture: Sarah Standing (120123-8004)

Why we must support our independent shops in 2023

Heating homes without running up the gas bill has become the primary concern for people. PIC: PA Wire

South east households were struggling before the cost of living crisis

Portsmouth coffee entrepreneur shares business advice ahead of 'Founder Friday'

From left, volunteers Lyn Saunders and Tony Jevon, centre manager Iona Harkness and volunteer Jean Jevon
Picture: Sarah Standing (161222-7627)

Community centre will cook free meal for families each week

Council tax in Portsmouth is likely to go up buy the maximum amount next year

Council says tax likely to go up by maximum next year to close £24m black hole

FoodCycle volunteers over the festive period

FoodCycle Havant will be welcoming people over the festive period

Christmas dinner PIC: Shutterstock

Portsmouth City Council continue Cost of Living Campaign

Struggling to keep warm and afford rising energy costs? The Warmer Homes programme can help

Ad Feature Apply now to get free Warmer Homes help

Square Cow, Wickham Square, Wickham, has adapted by turning into a coffee house as well as a pub, due to the cost of living crisis. Pictured: Owner Frank Dixie with assistant manager,Natasha Lipscombe and Kerry Neale, head chef at Square Cow Wickham Square on Wednesday 14th December 2022. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Pub 're-invented' to sell coffee amid sales slump

Portsmouth City Council is urging people to seek help rather than slip into debt Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Portsmouth City Council's cost of living campaign offers all round help

Portsmouth-born celebrity Ant Middleton says he will save Tangier Road butchers, to the delight of owner Paul Cripps

Portsmouth butcher saved from closure thanks to help from SAS star Ant Middleton

Dan Gick, managing director at Scrap Car Comparison, in Segensworth. The scrapyard is restoring and donating toys to The Toy Project.

Scrapyard to restore and donate toy cars for children this Christmas

Paul Cripps, owner of Tangier Road Butchers. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Historic butchers to close on Christmas Eve due to shocking energy bill hikes