Local fish and chip shop owners say they're struggling to stay open because of the rising cost of ingredients, and customers cutting back on eating out. A campaign’s been launched to stop the closure of the ticket office at Crewkerne railway station. A Somerton mother has set up a Facebook group for buying and selling school uniforms and a Somerset father says he’s concerned about his son losing his teeth because he can’t find an NHS dentist to look after him.
Local fish and chip shop owners say they're struggling to stay open because of the rising cost of ingredients, and customers cutting back on eating out. The price of cod has almost doubled over the past twelve months, and sunflower oil prices have soared since the invasion of Ukraine. The National Federation of Fish Fryers says 60 percent of chip shops have reduced their opening hours to keep energy costs down.
A campaign’s been launched to stop the closure of the ticket office at Crewkerne railway station. Local train users held a protest outside the station earlier this week holding-up signs saying “Cut profits, not ticket offices.” The protest follows reports that up to one thousand ticket offices at train stations across Britain could be closed and replaced with ticket machines.
A Somerton mother has set up a Facebook group for buying and selling school uniforms. Nikki Allen says the site has been extra busy with families swapping and buying uniforms from each other, with visits to the site higher than usual due to the cost-of-living crisis.
A Somerset father says he’s concerned about his son losing his teeth because he can’t find an NHS dentist to look after him. Ezekiel was born with a cleft palate and needs regular check-ups. His dad, Simon Pickard, says at the moment his only option to get treatment is to go private, which he can’t afford.
Bird flu has been found at a nature reserve in Somerset, closing part of it down. St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset is calling for the hospice sector to be given more central funding. The Barrington Boar in Barrington has been placed 12th in The Good Food Guide’s list of 100 best pubs in Britain... and more
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a mobile home near Yeovil. Somerset Council is suggesting people turn their pumpkins into soup this Halloween. People in Yeovil have until Sunday to comment on controversial plans to sell off four car parks in the town centre... and more.
Plans have been submitted to build 12 new homes in Chard. A nursery in Yeovil has been rated ‘overall good' by Ofsted. A Somerset mortgage broker has achieved national recognition. A stretch of the M5 at Wellington will be shut every night this week...and more
The Unite union has announced four days of strikes by its members at Leonardo in Yeovil. One of Yeovil’s busiest roads is closed to traffic today. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard raised £3,000 taking part in a Sleeping Ruff challenge at the weekend...and more
New figures show that 500 young people were either injured or killed on roads in Somerset and Devon last year. The Old School Community Centre in Queen Camel has reopened, thanks to a donation of £10,000 from Somerset Freemasons. Two Fleet Air Arm engineers based at RNAS Yeovilton have recreated a family moment from 26 years ago...and more
Yeovil-born actress Sarah Parish is supporting efforts to reopen the Octagon theatre. Mobility scooter campaigners in Somerset have welcomed a government review of the legislation governing the use of mobility scooters on public highways. Changes are being made to the dates when garden waste is collected in Somerset...and more
A major house builder in the South West says government targets for new house building in Somerset are 'unrealistic'. Pizza Hut is closing its restaurant in Yeovil. Staff at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard will be taking part in a ‘Sleeping Ruff’ challenge tomorrow...and more
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Reckleford in Yeovil is to shut for 15 days for essential drainage works. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has paid out compensation of £23 million for claims related to birth injuries. A Grade II listed building in Glastonbury has been converted into a health and wellbeing centre...and more