Monday 10th November

Monday, 10 November 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. A Crewkerne man says night-time noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance" ... and more.

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. The former South Somerset District Council purchased the site on Middle Street for £7.65 million in 2017. Ownership was transferred to Somerset Council upon the closure of SSDC in 2023. Leader of the Conservative opposition group at Somerset Council, Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, claims Somerset Council has sold the Marks and Spencer building for £2.8m, representing a loss of £4.85m. Latest figures show that in 2024, Somerset Council sold properties for £76m that had originally cost £104m to purchase, resulting in a loss of £28 m.

A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. The incident occurred on Bruton Road in the early hours of Saturday. Police say the vehicle was completely burnt out.

Farmers and poultry producers in Somerset have been advised to move their birds indoors to help combat the spread of avian flu. The RSPB says its site at Ham Wall, near Glastonbury, remains closed. A former government adviser, Professor Ian Brown, says this year’s strain of the virus could be the most infectious yet.

Police have charged a second man with attempted murder after a gun was fired on the Lufton trading estate in Yeovil. James McGuinness, aged 30, has already appeared in court charged with attempted murder. Police say a second man, Junior Renford, aged 33, from Charlton in London, has also been charged with attempted murder. He’s due to appear at Taunton Crown Court on November 17th.

A Crewkerne man says noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance". Brian Noer, who lives on Bryants Row in Crewkerne, claims night-time operations at the store, including moving metal cages, unloading lorries, and ongoing refurbishment works, have led to his family suffering mental and physical distress. The environmental health department at Somerset Council is now investigating Mr Noer’s complaint.

More from News

Friday 14th November

Yeovil Hospital has introduced a new system for handling patients at its A&E department aimed at cutting waiting times. It’s claimed that an Iron Age settlement preserved under Somerset's wetlands for 2,000 years is facing erosion due to climate change. Montacute Road in Tintinhull will be closed for five days next week for repairs to a gas main.
Thursday 13th November

Workers at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil are taking part in a second day of strike action in their dispute over pay. Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Chard permanently. A week-long programme of tree planting will be held at Ham Hill later this month to mark National Tree Week...and more
Wednesday 12th November

Workers belonging to the Unite union at Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil begin a two-day strike today. Yeovil MP, Adam Dance, has been speaking in a parliamentary debate on improving dyslexia support in schools. South Western Ambulance Service is inviting applications for positions on its governing council...and more
Tuesday 11th November

Somerset residents are being urged to get a flu jab as cases of flu continue to rise. Seven horse saddles have been stolen in a break-in at a riding school in Queen Camel. Donations of children’s toys are needed for this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal...and more
Friday 7th November

A man from Yeovil has been jailed for eight years after being convicted of three counts of rape. Smoking rates in Somerset remain higher than in many other parts of the UK. Students at three schools in Yeovil have created a new shoe design for Clarks.
Thursday 6th November

The Supreme Court has ruled that building thousands of homes in Somerset has been "unlawfully held up". The Head of Holyrood Academy in Chard has described the building of a new primary school in the town as an ‘incredible opportunity’. A pub near Chard has been named one of the best in Britain by The Good Food Guide...and more
Wednesday 5th November

Members of the Unite union at Leonardo in Yeovil have called off a planned strike for today. South Western Railway says trains on the West of England Line will start running normally again at the end of the month. A memorial post box has been placed at the entrance to Crewkerne cemetery...and more.
Tuesday 4th November

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service says from today it will no longer respond to automatic fire alarms. School in a Bag, based in Chilthorne Domer, is sending 400 school bags to Jamaica, following Hurricane Melissa. Yeovil Town has paid tribute to former manager Colin Addison, who has passed away...and more.