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 1st June

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Friday 29th May

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Thursday 28th May

People are being asked to take extra care in parks and open spaces as high temperatures and dry conditions increase the risk of fire. Plans to build hundreds of new homes in Yeovil can now go ahead after a High Court challenge by Mudford Parish Council was dismissed. A Somerset bakery chain has sparked a reaction after it stopped making iced buns... and more
Wednesday 27th May

The UK Health Security Agency has increased its heat health alert for Somerset to amber. Trading Standards officers have shut down three shops in Taunton after illegal cigarettes and vapes were discovered on the premises. Bridgwater Town Council is considering running its own bus services...and more
Tuesday 26th May

A Martock agricultural machinery business has gone into administration, putting around thirty jobs at risk. A new sensory room has opened at a Yeovil schook to support neurodiverse pupils. The headteacher of a Chard primary school is stepping down... and more
Friday 22nd May

The National Farmers Union in Somerset has welcomed the government’s new trade deal with six Gulf countries. Campaigners say Somerset’s canals and locks are in urgent need new investment. The Liverpool comedian John Bishop is heading to Somerset later this year...and more