Local News Monday 9th January

Monday, 9 January 2023 06:00

South Somerset District Council is insisting that plans to regenerate Yeovil town centre will attract more shoppers. Plans have been submitted to change an empty office building in Yeovil town centre for residential use. The owner of a group of pharmacies in Somerset says they can't be expected to treat all the patients that are referred to them by GPs. People in Somerset are being urged to recycle their Christmas trees...and more.

South Somerset District Council is insisting that plans to regenerate Yeovil town centre will attract more shoppers. The Council has increased spending on smartening up the town centre by two million pounds, taking the budget for the Yeovil Refresh Project, which is already four million pounds over budget and two years behind schedule, to more than twenty-four million pounds. Business owners say they want the Council to adopt a change of approach and introduce incentives to attract new retailers into the town centre.

Plans have been submitted to change an empty office building in Yeovil town centre for residential use. The owners of the property in Market Street, opposite the Pall Tavern pub, want to convert it into flats and a two-bed house.

The owner of a group of pharmacies in Somerset says they can't be expected to treat all the patients that are referred to them by GPs. Under a new scheme, family doctors can direct people to chemists for a fee. Dr Tim Norbury, says it’s putting pharmacy staff under too much pressure.

People in Somerset are being urged to recycle their Christmas trees. Managing Director of the Somerset Waste Partnership Mickey Green says if people have a garden waste subscription with SWP, their tree will be taken away at no charge.

Plans have been submitted to convert the former Domestic Appliances shop at Old Town in Chard into a general convenience store. If approved, the new store would sell a range of goods including, food, publications and alcohol.

Community groups in Somerset are being invited to apply to the Thatcher’s Cider Apple Tree Project. As in previous years, the cider maker is giving away five-hundred trees to local community and voluntary groups to plant around the County.

The Dean of Wells, the Very Reverand Doctor John Davies is retiring. He started his tenure at Wells Cathedral in 2016. The Dean’s final service will be the Feast of Candlemas on the 2nd of February.

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Friday 25th April

Police are investigating the theft of a motorbike in Ilminster. Tributes have been paid to the former Yeovil Town player-manager, Cecil Irwin, who has died aged 83. Town criers from across the South West will be in Yeovil tomorrow competing for the loudest voice in the Yeovil Town Crier Competition 2025...and more
Thursday 24th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to an accident in which a child was struck by a car in Yeovil. This week, a planning inquiry is being held into plans to turn a Somerset shopping centre into a retirement complex. A Somerset woman is planning to walk the 70-miles of Hadrian's Wall to mark her 90th birthday...and more.
Wednesday 23rd April

Tourism bosses in Somerset say they feel confident the County will have a good summer for visitors this year. A group representing care providers in Somerset is warning that some residential homes are at risk of going out of business due to rising costs. A Somerset animal charity has taken into care, three orphaned badger cubs...and more.
Tuesday 22nd April

The Care Quality Commission has given two GP practices in Yeovil a 'good' overall rating. According to insurers, AXA, thefts at commercial premises in Somerset are on the rise. Bus users in Somerset could see changes to the frequency of services when the new West of England mayor takes office. Martock is to host its first Pride event in June...and more.
Thursday 17th April

The father of a one-month-old baby boy in Chard is to stand trial for the murder of his son. New figures show that just under 1300 crimes were reported to the Police in Yeovil during the final quarter of last year. A night in a prison cell is offered at Shepton Mallet Jail to those who want to be alone this Easter...and more.
Wednesday 16th April

Big changes are being made to where taxi ranks in Yeovil are located. Farmers are being told to keep an extra lookout for people acting suspiciously following the latest livestock theft near the Devon and Somerset border. Channel 4’s Location Location Location is coming to Somerset, with anyone looking to buy a property locally invited to apply to be in the show...and more
Tuesday 15th April

A 36-year-old man remains in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual assault in Yeovil. Yeovil Labour Club has had its drinks licence revoked. NHS Somerset has been taking its physiotherapy team around the county to cut waiting times for patients. A men-only cooking course has been launched in Sherborne with all ingredients and equipment provided free of charge...and more
Monday 14th April

A new banking hub has opened in Crewkerne. South Western Ambulance is asking people to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency over the Easter weekend. £1.8 million is being spent improving walking and cycling routes around a major new housing development at Up Mudford in Yeovil...and more