COMMERCIAL ALUMINIUM SHOPFRONTS

According to new data released by the Office for National Statistics, the UK economy has shrunk for the first time since 2012. The unexpected decline of 0.2% comes amid news of Brexit stockpiling in anticipation of shortages and shutdowns in the autumn. The pound sank as a result of the gloomy forecast, bringing fears of a recession. Sterling fell to $1.2025 against the dollar and to €1.0736 against the euro - a dip of 0.75%. This was its lowest level since the global financial crisis a decade ago. In addition, manufacturing output has fallen and the construction sector has weakened. © Jax10289 / Adobe Stock   Why has the economy declined? When the economy declines in two consecutive quarters, a recession occurs. This is the first time there has been a decline since the fourth quarter of 2012. It has come as a shock to economists, who had not forecast a decline, although they had expected it to remain stagnant, with 0% growth. In the first quarter, there was a 0.5% growth, although this was as a result of manufacturers and retailers stockpiling ahead of Britain's departure from the EU on 31st October, in case of a no-deal Brexit. As a result, the manufacturing sector recorded its biggest quarterly growth since the 1980s. The Office for National Statistics says the economy has been "particularly volatile" this year due to the original Brexit date of 29th March, which sparked changes in activity, even though it was eventually postponed.   Manufacturers' stockpiling Manufacturers in the UK have been stockpiling goods at a high rate, causing stocks to increase significantly, according to research by IHS Markit/CIPS. This has caused manufacturing growth to reach its highest level in 13 months. There has been a trend for increases that has continued for 32 months - significantly, since the British public voted to leave the EU in the referendum of 23rd June 2016. However, market analysts say the artificial boost is now coming crashing down as the threat of a no-deal Brexit looms ever closer. Companies in the EU are starting to source goods away from UK firms to avoid the expected chaos after 31st October. If the UK leaves the EU with no trade deal in place, a long period of uncertainty will have a detrimental effect on the manufacturing sector.   How is Europe's economy? Compared to other European economies, the pound is particularly weak, adding to the general economic woes for Britain on top of the no-deal Brexit fears. Although economic growth across Europe has slowed down, it has not gone into a significant decline in the same way that the UK economy has. In France, in the past quarter, the economy grew by 0.2%, while it grew by 0.5% in Spain. It remained stagnant in Italy and declined by 0.1% in Germany. Economists say that if the UK does leave without a trade deal in place, the pound will remain weak for "several years" after Brexit, until the country readjusts.   Analysts' forecasts The Bank of England has not indicated that it is expecting a recession. However, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell doesn't share this optimism and has described Britain's current economic figures as "dismal". The Federation of Small Businesses has called for an emergency Budget to allay industry fears of a no-deal Brexit. Business leaders say, "time is of the essence", urging the chancellor to step in with "radical action" immediately to avoid a "chaotic" autumn. Give your business a boost by ensuring your store's exterior is welcoming and appealing. For the competitive edge, invest in a shopfront that stops people in their tracks and draws them inside! Commercial Aluminium Shopfronts (CAS) supplies and installs high-quality shopfront windows for premises of all sizes. Please contact us for details of our products and services.

Some movie characters make a lasting impression the minute they appear on the screen. Over the years, there have been some positively iconic movie entrances which will never be forgotten! Whether it's a Western, a musical, or a film noir, there are some leading characters whose image will stay in your memory for the rest of your days. Read on to find out more about the greatest movie entrances of all time...   Once Upon a Time in the West Director Sergio Leone's epic spaghetti western, released in 1968, tells the tale of conflicts in the town of Flagstone in America's Old West. The main plot surrounds a land battle around plans to build a new railroad. The film's opening sequence builds up the tension for more than three minutes, as a mysterious stranger arrives in town. Three outlaws wait for him to alight from a train, in almost complete silence. It appears he hasn't arrived, but as they turn to walk away, they are stopped in their tracks by the mournful sound of a harmonica breaking the silence. The stranger, played by the legendary Charles Bronson, is a gunfighter known as Harmonica. He polishes off the three bad guys in seconds with a rapid round of gunfire. The violent western, made with a budget of $5 million and shot in the United States and Italy, was a commercial flop when it was released, barely breaking even at the box office. Yet around 40 years later, in 2009, its true brilliance was recognised when it was selected by the Library of Congress to be preserved in the US National Film Registry for its cultural and historical significance.   Gilda The 1946 film noir starred screen siren Rita Hayworth in the title role, playing the ultimate femme fatale. She was the love interest of small-time American gambler Johnny Farrell who arrived in Argentina to gamble and cheat his way into winning a lot of money. The moment when Gilda makes her entrance is a truly iconic scene. A vamp who spells bad news for the men she meets, she first appears 20 minutes into the movie. Her husband brings Johnny, his young right-hand man, to their hotel room. "Are you decent?" Gilda's husband asks. Gilda suddenly appears on screen, with a smile on her lips and a flirtatious flick of her hair, replying, “Me? Sure, I’m decent,” in a way that implies she's anything but decent. In an instant, she's seen to be a sensual seductress, after making the ultimate femme fatale entrance. The film received a positive response from the critics, who described Hayworth as "beguiling". The two-piece outfit she wore in the nightclub scene sold at auction for $161,000 in 2014, at Bonham's in New York.   The Rocky Horror Picture Show This cult 1975 movie is a musical comedy horror film. A newly-engaged couple, Brad and Janet, have car troubles on a wet, cold November night and seek help at a mysterious castle-like mansion, where a group of strange-looking people are supposedly celebrating their annual Transylvanian Convention. However, the lovebirds soon discover some rather weird goings-on, not least of which is the fact the revellers are really aliens from outer space, who are into building people out of human parts, Frankenstein-style. Their leader, Dr Frank-N-Furter, makes his spectacular entrance, descending in an open lift clad in raunchy underwear, platform shoes and a face-full of garish make-up, to the sounds of Sweet Transvestite. Brad and Janet are initially shocked, but soon find themselves swept up in the odd activities at the castle. The Rocky Horror Show was a huge hit. It was made on a low budget of $1.4 million, but made $140.2 million at the box office. It's one of the biggest cult movies of all time, with the live stage version traditionally attracting audience members in full costume, who enjoy singing along.   Pirates of the Caribbean The first movie in the franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, was released in 2003. The swashbuckling adventure introduced Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, an eccentric pirate. He saved the life of Miss Elizabeth Swann, daughter of the Governor of Port Royal, Jamaica, after she fainted and fell into the sea, almost drowning. However, his heroic act brought him under the radar of the authorities, who were eager to put an end to his pirating activities. The legendary first appearance of Captain Sparrow sees him standing majestically next to his ship's mast, his long hair blowing in the wind, as he pulls into Port Royal. However, viewers soon realise he isn't on a ship, but on a small sailing boat instead, adding a comedy element straight away. He is a lovable rogue in the first film of the franchise, whose entrance makes a lasting impression. The film was a massive hit, made on a budget of $140 million and reaping back $654.3 million at the box office. Spurred on by its massive success, a further four films were made. The character became a comedy parody of himself, rather than the swashbuckling hero of the first film, but his stylish entrance will make sure his character goes down in movie history. Making an entrance is massively important when it comes to business - Commercial Aluminium Shopfronts provides some show stopping entrances that will make your premises stand out from the crowd! Please contact us for details of our products and services - we'd love to talk to you!

Many people dream about owning their perfect car. Whether you're a fully-fledged "petrol head" and a true car connoisseur, or someone who simply loves one special model, there are very few of us who can afford to splash out on the car of our dreams. Royals, billionaire business people, Hollywood stars, mega-music artists, Premier League footballers and lottery jackpot winners might be able to afford one of the most expensive cars in the world!   McLaren Senna Valued at more than $1 million, the McLaren Senna is McLaren's latest supercar. Named in tribute to the late, great Formula One driver, Ayrton Senna, the sports car looks and handles like a racing track car - but it’s also completely street legal! Lightweight, its design includes carbon fibre. Outrageously styled, it resembles an F1 car. It was one of the featured supercars in the motor racing video game, Forza Horizon 4.   Arash AF10 Hybrid Valued at $1.2 million, the Arash AF10 Hybrid resembles the Batmobile. The hybrid-powered supercar is manufactured in small numbers in England. It is said to have “spaceship technology”, including a 550-horsepower, 6.2-litre, V8 petrol engine combined with four electric motors. They are joined together in what is described as a “Warp Drive” configuration that propels the car from 0 to 60 mph in an incredible 2.8 seconds. Wow!   Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Some incredible cars are valued at more than $2 million, such as the LaFerrari Aperta, which costs a staggering $2.2 million - more than most people will earn in a lifetime. The open-top, hybrid-powered Ferrari is made even more exclusive by the fact only 200 are being manufactured. The mighty V12 engine has 800 horsepower and is Ferrari's most powerful non-turbocharged or supercharged engine in history. Further boosted by a 120-kw electric motor, it produces a combined total of 950 horsepower.   Lamborghini Veneno Roadster The second most expensive car in the world today comes in at a mind-boggling $4.5 million, according to Forbes. An open-top hypercar, the Lamborghini Veneno Roadster is a street legal racing car. The car's aerodynamic, angular shell makes it a stunning spectacle as it purrs down the highway, accompanied by the deep roar of the 6.5-litre V12 engine. It generates an amazing 740 horsepower. The car is so exclusive that only nine have been built in the whole world. Currently, three people are said to own one of the rare supercars. They are Antoine Dominic, the owner of Lamborghini Long Island, the Florida-based managing director of Tequesta Ivestments Kris Singh, and a third buyer who remains anonymous.   Bugatti La Voiture Noire The world's most expensive car to date is the one-off $18 million Bugatti La Voiture Noire, unveiled in May at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Bugatti built La Voiture Noire (French for “The Black Car”) to celebrate the company's 110th birthday. According to Spanish media outlets, the stunning supercar was put on the market after the motorshow and was reportedly snapped up by Portuguese footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the long-time Bugatti fan hasn't confirmed the rumours, although he is known to have bought the brand's earlier model, the $3 million Chiron. Thanks to his massive earnings and accumulated wealth, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid icon, who now plays for Juventus, would have spent just 14.5% of his estimated annual salary on La Voiture Noire. However, Bugatti spokesman Tim Bravo refused to reveal the identity of the mystery buyer, according to Fox News.   Most expensive car showrooms Hand-in-hand with the world's top supercars are the top car showrooms on the planet. If you're one of those lucky people whose income affords you a car valued at more than $1 million, you might wish to take a trip to Dubai. The billionaires and millionaires of Dubai are flocking to a showroom of cars valued in total at a staggering $45 million! Owner Mohamed Redha Abdullah opened Deals on Wheels in 2007 as a result of his own passion for luxury and sports cars. While the showroom's name conjures up strange visions of Only Fools and Horses' Del Boy Trotter, the cars on display certainly don't! Think luxurious models including Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and Rolls-Royce, to name but a few. Abdullah has realised his dream of making his showroom the most luxurious in the world. He's never short of customers, thanks to Dubai's culture of rich and wealthy residents. Luxury cars are extremely popular there. The most expensive car he has sold is the Ferrari LaFerrari. He attributes his success to his fair prices and having "an eye for the ultimate sports car". Meanwhile, Amsterdam-based James Edition has 2,000 luxury cars on its books, selling worldwide through its website for private sellers. Among its current offerings is the McLaren P1 GTR road-legal racing car in yellow and black, with a price tag of $3.3 million. If this is a little out of your league, you can pick up a Ford GT 67 Heritage Edition sports car for just $1.3 million! Commercial Aluminium Shopfronts provides a great service for car showrooms of all sizes. Whether you're selling Rolls-Royce or Reliant Robins, ensure your shopfront is up to scratch by contacting CAS. Our friendly and knowledgeable advisors are looking forward to hearing from you.