Monday 10th November

Monday, 10 November 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. A Crewkerne man says night-time noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance" ... and more.

It’s claimed Somerset Council has lost nearly £5 million selling the Marks and Spencer building in Yeovil. The former South Somerset District Council purchased the site on Middle Street for £7.65 million in 2017. Ownership was transferred to Somerset Council upon the closure of SSDC in 2023. Leader of the Conservative opposition group at Somerset Council, Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, claims Somerset Council has sold the Marks and Spencer building for £2.8m, representing a loss of £4.85m. Latest figures show that in 2024, Somerset Council sold properties for £76m that had originally cost £104m to purchase, resulting in a loss of £28 m.

A car has been set on fire in a suspected arson attack in Shepton Mallet. The incident occurred on Bruton Road in the early hours of Saturday. Police say the vehicle was completely burnt out.

Farmers and poultry producers in Somerset have been advised to move their birds indoors to help combat the spread of avian flu. The RSPB says its site at Ham Wall, near Glastonbury, remains closed. A former government adviser, Professor Ian Brown, says this year’s strain of the virus could be the most infectious yet.

Police have charged a second man with attempted murder after a gun was fired on the Lufton trading estate in Yeovil. James McGuinness, aged 30, has already appeared in court charged with attempted murder. Police say a second man, Junior Renford, aged 33, from Charlton in London, has also been charged with attempted murder. He’s due to appear at Taunton Crown Court on November 17th.

A Crewkerne man says noise from the town's Waitrose store is causing him and his family "sleep disturbance". Brian Noer, who lives on Bryants Row in Crewkerne, claims night-time operations at the store, including moving metal cages, unloading lorries, and ongoing refurbishment works, have led to his family suffering mental and physical distress. The environmental health department at Somerset Council is now investigating Mr Noer’s complaint.

More from News

Thursday 11th December

A man has appeared in court in connection with an attack in Wincanton. A member of Somerset Council, jailed for 26 months for taking part in a Just Stop Oil protest, may not have to stand down as a councillor. NHS Somerset has announced that changes to stroke services at Yeovil Hospital will "go live" in the spring of next year...and more
Wednesday 10th December

Avon and Somerset Police say 62 drivers were arrested in the first week of the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign. A reindeer farm near Yeovil thinks it may have to close after being told it needs a Zoo licence. Father Christmas has made a special delivery of presents to Charlton Farm Children's Hospice in Somerset...and more
Tuesday 9th December

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset has criticised the government for axing the role. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident near Ilminster in which a woman was seriously injured. Residents of Freedom Avenue in Yeovil are raising funds for charity with a big display of Christmas lights...and more.
Monday 8th December

Plans to build 150 new homes in Ilminster have been scrapped. A Somerset councillor has been jailed for 26 months. Marks & Spencer wants to build a new Food Store in Ilminster. Poundland has announced that it’s shutting its store in Middle Street in Yeovil...and more
Friday 5th December

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault on a man in Chard. Lloyds Banking Group has announced a date for closing the Halifax in Yeovil. Train journeys on the Castle Cary to Taunton line will be disrupted next week due to engineering work. The mental health charity MIND in Somerset has produced a Christmas advent calendar... and more.
Thursday 4th December

The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police says her force is doing all it can to reduce anti-social behaviour. Somerset Council has deferred a decision on introducing Sunday car parking charges. People living in deprived areas in Somerset are being fast-tracked for hospital treatment...and more
Wednesday 3rd December

Fire crews have rescued the driver of a car that got stuck in floodwater near Ilminster. Avon and Somerset Police are urging people going out to celebrate this Christmas to book a taxi or use public transport. A woman from South Petherton has come top at the British Down Syndrome Swimming Championships...and more,
Tuesday 2nd December

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a serious assault in Wincanton. Fire crews have dealt with a house fire in the village of Pitney. Plans have been submitted to redevelop Bridgwater Docks into a cultural and tourist destination. Ilminster's annual Christmas tree festival has opened in the town...and more