Local News Thursday 19th August

Thursday, 19 August 2021 06:00

A Yeovil care home has been placed in special measures following a damning report by the Care Quality Commission. Work to regenerate Yeovil town centre is set to begin more than a year later than first planned. The owners of Kilver Court shopping outlet in Shepton Mallet have decided to sell the site. Somerset distance runner, Hannah Taunton, is being tipped for honours at the Tokyo Paralympics.

A Yeovil care home has been placed in special measures following a damning report by the Care Quality Commission. Ferns Nursing Home in St Michaels Avenue in Yeovil was inspected in May and given the lowest possible rating of inadequate. Inspectors found numerous faults in the way the home was run, including that Covid risk assessments had not been undertaken in line with published guidance. The home now has now been given six months in which to address the CQC’s findings or face possible closure. A spokesperson for the operators, Almondsbury Care Ltd, said a comprehensive action plan had been drawn up and significant progress made in implementing the plan

Work to regenerate Yeovil town centre is set to begin more than a year later than first planned. South Somerset District Council had promised the first phase of Yeovil Refresh involving pavement improvements to Westminster Street would begin last summer. The date was then moved to late 2020 and then to June this year. The Council blames the delay in finalising road closure arrangements with Somerset County Council. SSDC now says the improvement works to Westminster Street will begin in September.

The owners of Kilver Court shopping outlet in Shepton Mallet have decided to sell the site due to the challenges of the pandemic. It was bought 25 years ago as the headquarters for Mulberry. Many of the businesses there, including the Great House, the Fashion Emporium, the Plant Nursery and the Garden Kitchen Restaurant will close in three weeks time.

Somerset distance runner, Hannah Taunton, is being tipped for honours at the Tokyo Paralympics. When the games get underway next week, Hannah will compete in the T20 1500 meters. Her coach Charlotte Fisher thinks she stands a good chance at making the podium.

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