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

Thursday 30th April

More than 4,500 people have expressed interest in joining a new NHS dental practice in Crewkerne. Somerset Council says a long-term solution is needed to make Hendford Hill in Yeovil fully safe for motorists. A Somerset man has won first prize at the World Marmalade Awards... and more
Wednesday 29th April

Somerset Council says Hendford Hill in Yeovil should be fully reopened to traffic by the end of May. Plans have been approved to build 40 new homes in Crewkerne. A huge pile of illegally dumped rubbish in Glastonbury has been cleared... and more
Tuesday 28th April

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision at Rimpton. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in South Petherton. Former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson has been retained as first-team manager of Taunton Town for next season... and more
Monday 27th April

A former school in Sherborne has been badly damaged by fire. A care home in Yeovil has been rated outstanding. ublic spaces in West Coker owned by Somerset Council are being handed over to the parish council. Mendip Golf Club has presented a cheque for £12,000 to Mind in Somerset... and more
Friday 24th April

Plans have been submitted to turn a property on Preston Road in Yeovil into a House in Multiple Occupation. Yeovil’s Marlie Packer has been recalled to the England Red Roses starting line-up for tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations game against Wales. Three sisters from Yeovil will be running the London Marathon this weekend in support of Guide Dogs UK... and more
Thursday 23rd April

Helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton have completed six weeks of sorties, protecting Cyprus from attacks by Iran. People in Somerset who use domestic heating oil are calling on the government to regulate the oil supply industry. Patients are being invited to register at a new NHS dentist in Crewkerne... and more
Wednesday 22nd April

Expectant mothers are using Yeovil Hospital once again to give birth following the reopening of the maternity unit. A Yeovil man has been jailed for four years for committing sexual offences against two young girls. Plans have been approved to convert a pub in Milborne Port into housing... and more
Tuesday 21st April

NHS Somerset has delayed closing the hyper-acute stroke unit at Yeovil Hospital. A former Avon and Somerset Police officer has been jailed for making indecent images of children. A Somerset man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild animal with dogs... and more