Value for money at Cheltenham and 100 days until Glastonbury
There were lower numbers at this year's Cheltenham Festival, and the chief executive saying that value for money is "critical" for him to look at, though next year's tickets will remain the same price.
There are to be two separate housing developments in South Marston, reports the Swindon Advertiser. It would mean 134 houses in the area.
And the last remaining pub in Lawrence Weston could become shops, reports Bristol World.
Cheltenham Festival and 'one in a million' birth
Nightclub's closure 'likely' despite cash backing
Half marathon mum 'may not have been here' to run
We saw some great rugby success stories this weekend: Bath Rugby won the Premiership, with plenty of celebratory posts on socials. And Gloucester-Hartpury have been crowned as PWR champions.
One of the questions posed in the Taunton Matters group is this wheelchair accessible swing and why it is padlocked.
The Frome Banking Hub opening is continuing to spark conversation in local groups. This follows its temporary opening in the local library.
And it's 100 days to go until Glastonbury Festival.
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25-07-2025
- Yahoo
Bath Rugby finances revealed following Gallagher Premiership win as sport faces 'crisis'
Bath Rugby is facing mounting financial pressure, along with all the clubs in the Gallagher Premiership, as experts warn over the future of the sport. Despite a historic win for Bath in June, which saw the South West side take its first title in 29 years, off the pitch there is less to celebrate. Bath Rugby Limited - the operating company behind the club - is millions of pounds in debt. The company turned over £20.8m for the financial year ending June 30, 2024. This was up on the £19.7m the year before, but it still made a loss of £3.6m, while its net debt stood at £17.2m. Rugby has long been reliant on owners and benefactors to cover ever-mounting debt burdens. Three major clubs - Wasps, Worcester Warriors and London Irish - have already disappeared from the Premiership after collapsing in the 2022-23 season, but it is 'not impossible' that more could go under if changes are not made, one sports finance expert has warned. READ MORE: Police enforce 48-hour ban in Bath city centre READ MORE: Bath Rugby's 2025/26 Gallagher Prem fixtures in full Analysis of Companies House documents by our sister site Business Live reveals that each of the teams in the Gallagher Premiership was in the red for the financial year ended June 30, 2024. Runners up Leicester Tigers, who were defeated by Bath at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham by just two points (23-21), did not fare much better. The club's operating company Leicester Football Club Plc made a loss of £3.5m for the period - up from £1.4m the year previously - despite turnover increasing to £21m from £19.4m the year before. According to a rugby finance report published by Leonard Curtis last year, while some teams may break even or turn a small profit in the next couple of years, the prospect of the current overall loss-making trend being reversed looks slim. Dr Ellie Nesbitt, a senior lecturer in sports management at Nottingham Trent University, says rugby is not operating in the capacity it needs to. "Rugby clubs need to be operating as businesses," she said. "It's about commercialising and hospitality is key. Some clubs are much better with big events, and they can thrive, but you also have clubs that don't have the facilities to do that. "The sport is going to have to change it's approach. It's a short-term fix having owners and benefactors responsible for funding - and debts. These individuals clearly love the sport or the team - and you see that all the way through the structure, not just the Premiership. [But] it's not sustainable and over time we will see that play out even more." Many of the Premiership clubs would, in fact, be 'defunct' if they were 'normal businesses', says Christina Philippou, associate professor in accounting and sport finance in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance at the University of Portsmouth. 'Rugby at the very basics is a loss-making industry and 60 per cent [of clubs] are technically insolvent,' she told Business Live. Professor Philippou says broadcasting deals and competition from countries like France, drawing top players out of the league with tax incentives, has proved challenging for the sport. 'Rugby is [also] shooting itself in the foot by going behind a paywall with broadcasting deals. People need to be able to watch it. 'You can do that by splitting broadcasting agreements or being clever with digital content to get people interested in the club game, and then that can pull through into actual money.' But she says clubs losing money does not necessarily sound "the death knell' for the Premiership, and that rugby could learn some lessons from cricket. 'Tapping into other formats might be a way forward for the sport,' she explained. 'That is how cricket is rejuvenating itself as it had a similar issue.' 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Financial status of England's Premiership rugby clubs Bath Rugby Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Bath Rugby Limited Turnover: £20.8m Loss for financial year: £3.6m Bristol Bears Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Bristol Rugby Club Limited Turnover: £11.9m Loss for the financial year: £4.8m Gloucester Rugby Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Gloucester Rugby Limited Turnover: £14.9m Loss for the financial year: £516,355 Leicester Tigers Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Leicester Football Club Plc Turnover: £21m Loss for the financial year: £3.5m Sale Sharks Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Manchester Sale Rugby Club Limited Turnover: £9.1m Loss for the financial year: £7m Saracens Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Saracens Limited Turnover: £22.7m Loss for the financial year: £7.5m Northampton Saints Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Northampton Saints Plc Turnover: £21.9m Loss for the financial year: £826,024 Harlequins Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Harlequin Football Club Limited Turnover: £29.3m Loss for the financial year: £1.86m Exeter Chiefs Year ended June 30, 2024 Operating company: Exeter Rugby Club Limited Turnover: £21.6m Loss for the financial year: £876,112 Newcastle Falcons Accounts currently overdue for the year ended June 30, 2024. Last accounts available made up to June 30, 2023 Operating company: Newcastle Rugby Limited Turnover: £11.2m Loss for the financial year: £2.3m
Yahoo
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Parents have just days to book free activities and meals for their children
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Yahoo
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- Yahoo
Senior rescue dog finds forever home after being found by dog warden
A senior rescue dog called Ned has found his forever home. The 10-year-old terrier cross was taken into the care of Dogs Trust Newbury in March after being found by the local dog warden. After spending one month in the rehoming centre, Ned was adopted in April. The Dogs Trust Newbury team said Ned enjoyed spending time with other dogs, responded well to positive interactions with his canine carers, and particularly loved his daily walks. Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 He has now settled into his new home, where he enjoys quiet time in the garden, snoozing in his soft bed, and exploring his surroundings. Natasha Tarrant, rehoming centre manager at Dogs Trust Newbury, said: "Ned may have been in his senior years, but he still had so much love and companionship to give. Read more: 100 jobs to be created as drone company Stark plans new factory "It's always wonderful to see older dogs find the second chance they deserve, and we're delighted that Ned is now enjoying the retirement every dog should have." If you're interested in any of the dogs available for rehoming at Dogs Trust Newbury, please visit the Dogs Trust website. Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity and cares for around 14,000 dogs across its UK rehoming centres each year.
