Local News Monday 14th August

Monday, 14 August 2023 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Yeovil leather manufacturer Pittards, has gone into administration putting two hundred jobs at risk. Somerset Council has dropped plans to bring forward the redevelopment of the former cattle market site in Yeovil. The Princess of Wales has been named as the new Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm at RNAS Yeovilton...and more .

Yeovil leather manufacturer, Pittards, has gone into administration putting two hundred jobs at risk at its factory on Sherborne Road. Pittards, who last month put its employees on short-time working to save money, also manages tanneries in Ethiopia on behalf of the Ethiopian government. The collapse follows a failed attempt by Pittards to raise one-point-one-million pounds in additional capital to keep the business afloat. Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh says he’ll be speaking today with the Administrators to see what, if anything, can be done to preserve the business.

Somerset Council has dropped its plans to bring forward the redevelopment of the former cattle market off Reckleford in Yeovil and Glovers Walk next to Yeovil bus station, meaning the two sites could remain derelict for several more years. The government has given five million pounds to attract investors to develop the cattle market and Glovers Walk but Somerset Council says the money's now needed to complete the improvements to Yeovil town centre. They've written to the Department for Local Government to ask for clearance to divert the five-million pounds to the Yeovil Refresh Project. As yet, the government haven’t said if they will allow the money to be spent in this way.

A by-election in Castle Cary to fill a vacancy on Somerset Council has been won by the Liberal Democrats. The result of the ballot held last Thursday was:
Kevin Messenger, Liberal Democrat, who polled one-thousand-two-hundred-and-forty-seven votes
David Hall, Conservative, six-hundreds-and-fourteen votes
Ewan Jones, Green Party, four-hundred-and-fifteen votes
The turnout was twenty-eight-point-three per cent

A woman in Somerset has gone public after losing forty-thousand pounds in a crypto currency scheme which had claimed to be endorsed by TV Money expert Martin Lewis. The woman hadn't realised she was being scammed. Trading Standards say there's been a big rise in scams using fake celebrity endorsements.

The Princess of Wales has been named as the new Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, based at RNAS Yeovilton. The role was previously held by Prince Andrew.

Station Road in Crewkerne is closed to traffic from today for resurfacing. The work’s due to be completed by Wednesday. Access for residents and local businesses will be maintained.

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Monday 28th September

Somerset Community Foundation says it has awarded more than £40 million in grants across the county. The family of a Somerset girl say they used AI to help diagnose her genetic condition. A property in Monks Dale, Yeovil is subject to a three month Closure Order... and more.
Friday 25th September

’20 Is Plenty’ is the message to drivers travelling through Langport. Chard’s Numatic manufacturing hub is marking 45 years of business with an investment of £85m into the company. Wessex Water tell us the hosepipe ban will remain across the region... and more.
Thursday 24th September

Somerset Council has approved a multi-million pound scheme to tackle flooding in the county. A person had to be transferred to hospital after an incident in Chard. A North Curry travellers’ site must be vacated by Christmas... and more.
Wednesday 23rd September

Police will take no further action after a year-long fraud probe in Glastonbury. Leonardo has chosen Somerset for its first international future talent programme. Three motorway services in Somerset have been rated as some of the worst in the country ... and more.
Tuesday 22nd September

Children with special needs could have a better chance of moving to a new school, without delay or disruption. A former Castle Cary pub is to be turned into a private house. Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre may have to close at the end of next month... and more.
Monday 21st September

Wessex Water's contacting large businesses, asking them to use less water. A ‘serious collision’ closed a stretch of the A30 in both directions yesterday afternoon.Two Somerset charities have benefitted from a combined £64,000, thanks to the Leonardo Rising Stars.