Wednesday 30th July

Wednesday, 30 July 2025 06:00

By Steve Haigh

The fire service says they still don’t know what caused Monday’s major shop fire in Yeovil. A safeguarding review is being carried out into the case of Daniel Gunter, who was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court last week of murdering his two-week-old baby son at Yeovil Hospital. National convenience store chain, Costcutter, has taken over the empty YMCA charity shop in Middle Street in Yeovil for a new store...and more

The fire service says they still don’t know what caused Monday’s major shop fire in Yeovil. It happened at the premises of Blaze Away in Beer Street, causing extensive damage to the terrace property. Fire crews from seven towns spent more than 10 hours putting out the flames, with Beer Street and Seaton Road closed to traffic for most of the day.

A safeguarding review is to be carried out following the case of Daniel Gunter, who was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court last week of murdering his two-week-old baby son at Yeovil Hospital. Brendon Staddon died of multiple injuries while in the special care baby unit at Yeovil Hospital in March last year. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust says the review will "thoroughly examine all the circumstances”.

Plans to open a new NHS diagnostic centre in Bridgwater have moved a step closer. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has been approved to construct the facility next to Bridgwater Community Hospital. The centre will provide a range of services, including two CT scanners and two MRI scanners, and is due to open next summer.

Giant sunflowers grown from seed by children at Herne View Primary School in Ilminster have gone on display in the town. As part of the Sunflowers of Somerset project, the children have built a bed of sunflowers in the Minster churchyard.

National convenience store chain, Costcutter, has taken over the empty YMCA charity shop in Middle Street in Yeovil for a new store. Costcutter is currently advertising for staff to work in the new store, which is due to open in September.

The Three Horseshoes pub in Batcombe has been shortlisted for a South West Pub of the Year Award. Also shortlisted is The Acorn Inn at Evershot. To vote in this year’s competition, go to the Food Lifestyle magazine website.

More from News

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
Thursday 3rd September

Fifteen thousand people have signed a petition calling on Somerset Council to cancel plans for a huge data centre in Bridgwater. A nest of Asian hornets has been found in Somerset. More patients in Somerset are set to benefit from a hospital project aimed at restoring independence... and more
Wednesday 2nd September

Yeovil-based charity, School in a Bag, has started sending supplies to Nepal to help in the aftermath of the devastating floods. 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a new relief road in Chard. The Royal British Legion in Somerset is appealing for more volunteers to help run this year’s Poppy Appeal... and more
Tuesday 1st September

One person had to be cut free from a vehicle following a two-vehicle collision on the A30 near Chard. A Yeovil man has been jailed for 7-and-a-half years for supplying cocaine and cannabis. Two Somerset teenagers have become the youngest to swim the Bristol Channel... and more