Friday 30th October

Friday, 30 October 2026 at 05:00

By Steve Haigh

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents... and more

Wells Cathedral says it's having to get creative to bring in more money as financial pressures continue to grow. The cathedral, which costs around £9,000 a day to keep open, introduced visitor charges 2-years ago to protect its income. Other cathedrals in the West have cited rising costs with fluctuating visitor numbers pushing them to be creative with Bristol Cathedral now hosting silent discos to bring in extra revenue.

A convenience store in Martock has been allowed to keep its alcohol licence despite an employee working there illegally. The Premier store was visited by Home Office immigration officers last October, who found employee with no right to work in the UK. Somerset Council has reviewed the licence and decided the store can keep its licence, but with additional conditions to prevent a repeat.

Police have seized an illegally ridden e-scooter in Yeovil in response to concerns from local residents. A young rider was stopped on Hillcrest Road and his e-scooter seized because it had no insurance. Police in Yeovil say they will continue to act against the illegal use of e-scooter.

A care director in Somerset says his business will have to find an extra 150 thousand pounds a year in order to meet the new minimum wage set out in the budget. Chancellor, John Healey, increased the minimum wage by 3.9 percent from next April in Tuesday’s budget. James Catley-Day who runs Candelight Homecare Services in Somerset is going to Westminster next week to argue for more government support for the care sector.

A military veteran from Somerset has won the first round of a legal battle over compensation for those who left the forces under an historic ban on LGBT recruits. Mark Shephard from Taunton claims he’s entitled to more money despite not being formally dismissed. The MoD scheme offers two payments: a flat-rate payment of £50,000 for those who were dismissed and “impact payments” of up to £20,000 for those affected by it.

Three chambers of commerce across the South West have joined forces to strengthen the region’s business voice. The new Wessex Chamber Alliance brings together Somerset, Dorset and Business West, aiming to influence decisions on economic growth, infrastructure, skills and investment as devolution plans develop.

More from News

Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more
Tuesday 20th October

The NSPCC says sexual communication offences involving children in the South-West have more than doubled since the offence was introduced seven years ago. People in Somerset are being warned that artificial intelligence is being used to make homes look more attractive in estate agent’s photos. Yeovil Town replay their FA Cup 4th qualifying round against Leatherhead at Huish Park tonight.., and more