Thursday 29th January

Thursday, 29 January 2026 06:00

By Steve Haigh

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition...and more

Somerset Council has warned that more homes are likely to flood with further heavy rain forecast to end the week. The Council has declared a major incident for Somerset, with homes still underwater, schools closed, and roads and rail lines impacted.

Homeowners who missed having their waste collected for recycling on Tuesday due to the bad weather are being asked to put out their boxes and blue bags for collection today. Somerset Council says crews will be working as normal today and on Saturday to help clear the backlog. They say homeowners should also leave their garden waste out for collection as normal.

Discount retailer, The Original Factory Shop, which has an outlet in Crewkerne, has gone into administration. It’s put all 137 Original Factory shops and 1800 staff at risk. The business, founded in 1969, was sold to Modella Capital last year.

This year marks 20-years since the cult classic film ‘Hot Fuzz’ was filmed in Somerset. The comedy, starring Simon Pegg and directed by local filmmaker Edgar Wright, has attracted thousands of tourists to the city of Wells since its release in 2007.

Plans have been approved to build a single dwelling on part of the beer garden at the Podymore Inn at Podimore. Somerset Council has given the go-ahead to build a four-bedroom house next to the pub, despite concerns that it could add to localised flooding.

A Barista at Costa Coffee in Ilminster has won a place in the finals of a national competition. Connie Robins, who works at the Costa Coffee Drive Through by the Southfields Roundabout, will compete as one of 12 finalists in the Costa Coffee UK and Ireland Barista of the Year competition, which takes place in early February.

More from News

Tuesday 15th September

Police investigating an attack on a shop worker in Yeovil have released CCTV images of a man and woman they want to speak to. Farmers in Somerset are being warned to expect more cases of bluetongue. Ilminster Carnival Committee has announced the cancellation of this year's Children's Carnival due to a lack of entries... and more
Monday 14th September

Two new mobile NHS breast screening units have taken to the road in Somerset. More than 700 new homes are to be built alongside the M5 in Bridgwater. Dawes Twineworks in West Coker is one of several venues open to the public for free this month... and more
Friday 11th September

It’s going to cost more to park in Chard. Police have issued an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with two burglaries in Yeovil. Somerset Cricket Club is planning to stage performances by some of the world's biggest artistes at their Taunton ground... and more
Thursday 10th September

Work has begun building a new multi-million-pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Yeovil. NHS Somerset says a new system to handle emergency stroke care will lead to "better outcomes" for patients. Tickets for next year’s Glastonbury Festival will go on sale in October...and more
Wednesday 9th September

Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to following an assault in Yeovil. Businesses in Taunton say they're worried that planned changes to parking rules could put people off visiting the town. The Red Arrows will take to the skies near the Somerset border in a one-off display later this week... and more
Tuesday 8th September

Police in Avon and Somerset say they’re dealing with a big increase in reports of cloned vehicle fraud. A new video system designed to speed up stroke care has been launched in Somerset. Pilgrims are walking through Somerset this week to mark eight hundred years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi... and more
Monday 7th September

Avon and Somerset Police are warning about a new scam involving criminals posing as police officers. Flu vaccinations are now available on the NHS ahead of the winter. Liverpool comedian John Bishop has cancelled his show in Taunton later this week after breaking his ankle... and more
Friday 4th September

Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a vehicle near Shepton Mallet. New taxi charges come into force in Somerset later this month. The fire service is treating as accidental a blaze at a flat in Yeovil town centre... and more