Latest news with #Bristol-based
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Coffee shop approved for unit at Newport Road, Caldicot
Rookman Properties asked for change of use planning permission from A1 class, which covers retail uses, to a mixed A1/A3 which covers food including takeaways and eating in. Information submitted on behalf of the firm said it is increasingly hard to let shops in Caldicot. The unit is at number seven Wesley Buildings, Newport Road the main shopping precinct and has been advertised since September 2024 with a rent of £19,500 a year. Chepstow and Bristol-based property consultant Julian Bladen, who has had joint responsibilty for marketing the property, said in a letter provided to Monmouthshire County Council's planning department one unit in the town has been available to let for more than five years. Mr Bladen stated in his letter: 'Unfortunately, there is limited interest in the property and this reflects the general situation in Caldicot town centre. There are currently multiple vacant retail premises and a very low level of prospective occupiers for A1 use operators. 'Some properties in the town centre have been vacant for several years, which clearly illustrates the shortage of active requirements from A1 use operators to take space in the immediate vicinity of the subject property. This includes 43 Newport Road Caldicot, which we have advertised since November 2019.' The application stated the council had, in June last year, approved a change of use application from office use to retail. A previous application for A3 use was approved, in 2014, but wasn't implemented. The application stated the hot food will be limited to toasting, warming and reheating meaning no primary cooking requiring a commercial kitchen would be required or an extract, flue and duct. Permission for branding and adverts will be sought at a later stage. The council has approved the application with opening times of 6.30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 6pm on Sundays.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Incredible moment Britain's first ever flying taxi takes to UK skies with speeds of 150mph and room for four passengers
BRITAIN'S first ever flying taxi has taken to the skies in a successful flight over the Cotswolds. The electric aircraft has room for four passengers, can reach speeds of 150mph and can take of and land vertically like a helicopter. 4 The aircraft use a bank of propellers on each wing Credit: Vertical Aerospace 4 The innovative craft can take off and land vertically Credit: Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd The prototype VX4 electric aircraft was flown by pilot Simon Davies across the Cotswolds. Footage of the flight showed the aircraft spinning up its rotors and taking to the skies. With propellers that can hold the craft in a hovering pattern or rotate and perform like a traditional plane the aircraft can use a runway or take off vertically. It boasts a range of up to 100 miles which it can cover in less than an hour of flying. Developed by Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace, the flying taxi took off and landed using Cotswolds Airport's runway after receiving approval form the Civil Aviation Authority. Video footage of the flight showed off the aircraft's impressive capabilities in its first flight outside of strictly controlled test conditions. It comes after the government set a target to make flying taxis a reality by 2028. Vertical Aerospace's VX4 flight marked the first open airspace flight of a flying taxi in Europe. A hover test of the aircraft was carried out in January and rivals have undertaken test flights in the US and Dubai. Vertical Aerospace has received millions of pounds in UK Government funding to develop the aircraft. The company has also received tens of millions of pounds of funding from private investors. Last month the Government announced £20 million of funding for the Civil Aviation Authority to make flying taxis a reality. Further flights of the VX4 are expected later this year with the craft's transition from hovering to cruising using its wings set to be tested. A group of several companies in the UK are currently working on developing flying taxis. 4 The aircraft have a range of 100 miles and can reach speeds of 150mph Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 4 The craft, powered by electricity, are designed to be quiet Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk It is hoped that the zero emissions aircraft will be used to ferry passengers in or between urban areas. The aircraft are designed to be quiet, zero emission modes of transport. A trip from Liverpool to Leeds in a flying taxi could take as little as 26 minutes. Flying car promises to transform into plane in two minutes Flying taxis are able to undertake a whole trip without stopping for traffic and travel much faster than conventional ground based transport. Pilot Simon Davies said: 'Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. 'Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done.' Earlier this year, Vertical Aerospace received a £70m bailout from Mudrick Capital, a US investment fund. Founder Stephen Fitzpatrick ceded control of the business as part of the rescue plan.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Incredible moment Britain's first ever flying taxi takes to UK skies with speeds of 150mph and room for four passengers
BRITAIN'S first ever flying taxi has taken to the skies in a successful flight over the Cotswolds. The electric aircraft has room for four passengers, can reach speeds of 150mph and can take of and land vertically like a 4 The aircraft use a bank of propellers on each wing Credit: Vertical Aerospace 4 The innovative craft can take off and land vertically Credit: Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd The prototype VX4 Footage of the flight showed the aircraft spinning up its rotors and taking to the skies. With propellers that can hold the craft in a hovering pattern or rotate and perform like a traditional plane the aircraft can use a runway or take off vertically. It boasts a range of up to 100 miles which it can cover in less than an hour of flying. Read more in Motors Developed by Bristol-based Video footage of the flight showed off the aircraft's impressive capabilities in its first flight outside of strictly controlled test conditions. It comes after the government set a target to make flying taxis a reality by 2028. Vertical Aerospace's VX4 flight marked the first open airspace flight of a flying taxi in Europe. Most read in Motors A hover test of the aircraft was carried out in January and rivals have undertaken test flights in the US and Dubai. Vertical Aerospace has received millions of pounds in UK Government funding to develop the aircraft. The company has also received tens of millions of pounds of funding from private investors. Last month the Government announced £20 million of funding for the Civil Aviation Authority to make flying taxis a reality. Further flights of the VX4 are expected later this year with the craft's transition from hovering to cruising using its wings set to be tested. A group of several companies in the UK are currently working on developing flying taxis. 4 The aircraft have a range of 100 miles and can reach speeds of 150mph Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 4 The craft, powered by electricity, are designed to be quiet Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk It is hoped that the The aircraft are designed to be quiet, zero emission modes of transport. A trip from Liverpool to Leeds in a flying taxi could take as little as 26 minutes. Flying car promises to transform into plane in two minutes Pilot Simon Davies said: 'Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. 'Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done.' Earlier this year, Founder Stephen Fitzpatrick ceded control of the business as part of the rescue plan.
Metro
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Metro
Flying taxi reaches speeds of 150mph in first cross-country run
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The UK's first electric flying taxi has completed a successful test run, reaching up to 150mph above the Cotswolds skies. Swapping the car for a personal plane when you feel like it could soon be a reality, and not just a sci-fi utopia after the first cross-country test run of a flying taxi. Vertical Aerospace, a Bristol-based firm, made aviation history after its VX4 prototype flew a pilot and four passengers over the Cotswolds. It was the first time the aircraft flew outside test conditions, which are strictly monitored and limited. The prototype reached 150mph during the countryside run from Cotswolds airport, but VX4 is expected to reach up to 200mph when fully operational. Soon, a journey between Brighton and Heathrow could take just 20 minutes instead of more than an hour by car. Pilot of the maiden flight was Simon Davies, who said the first flight over the Cotswolds was 'truly special.' He said: 'Our performance predictions were spot on, and the aircraft handled beautifully. 'It's safe, responsive, and a joy to fly. The low noise from the propellers made the cockpit environment pleasant, a testament to the incredible work of our team. 'The VX4's smooth performance during this wingborne flight highlights its potential to deliver a quiet, efficient, and comfortable flying experience.' The prototype looks like a traditional small aircraft, but instead of relying solely on its rotor, it generates lift through the wings, which makes it quieter and more energy efficient, according to Aviation Source News. Other companies are also at the cusp of launching flying taxis too after a government plan to have them running by 2028. Virgin Atlantic announced plans for a flying taxi service with Job Aviation, which could take passengers from Manchester Airport to Leeds in 15 minutes instead of an hour-long drive. You could reach Heathrow Airport from Canary Wharf in just eight minutes – compared with 80 minutes on the road. Ticket prices have not been revealed yet as flying taxis as it will take at least three years before customer operations launch. The government announced £20 million in funding last month to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxis a reality. More Trending The Deparment for Transport (DfT) is working with the industry watchdog Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to cut red tape to get the taxis off the ground soon. Transport Minister Mike Kane said: 'This Government wants to see the UK maximise the benefits of future flight technologies including flying taxis, both for the economy and for communities. 'We recently announced over £20 million of government funding to the CAA and the Future Flight Challenge to deliver the future flight programme this year. 'This joint programme between industry, Government and the CAA will enhance drone capability by 2027 and flying taxis by 2028 in the UK skies.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: London's congestion charge set to rise – here's how much it could cost you MORE: Major change for passengers who stand up before a plane arrives at the terminal MORE: EasyJet flight diverted after woman 'grabs emergency exit and screams about a bomb'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Charity hopes to ban smartphones in schools
A Bristol-based charity is hoping to make the city the first in the UK where smartphones are banned from all classrooms. The charity Papaya - Parents Against Phone Addiction in Young Adolescents - is calling on parents to delay giving their children smartphones until at least the age of 14. Campaigners believe this could significantly improve young people's mental health. The organisation is working with more than 100 schools in Bristol and has secured commitments from 10 institutions to implement stricter policies. Dr Susie Davies, founder of Papaya, said: "We want them to have a phone-free environment in schools so they concentrate on their learning, but also socialising in breaktime." Papaya predicts that by the start of the next school term, a majority of Bristol's secondary schools could be signed up to their smartphone-free initiative. Dr Davies, who is also a Bristol-based GP, said: "We want Bristol to be a smart phone-free city, where children don't get their first smart phone until they're 14." Papaya is supporting schools to enforce phone-free environments through tools like Yondr pouches and lock boxes. "It gives young people an extra two to three years of childhood," Dr Davies explained. "Time to play, to enjoy each other's company, and to concentrate on learning and social development without the distraction of constant notifications." More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol What began as a small local initiative is now part of a national movement, with communities across the UK joining in. "Smartphone-free childhood is becoming a viral movement," said Dr Davies. "Parents and school leaders are increasingly aware of the link between phones and poor mental health." Papaya has created a template letter inviting schools to sign up to the campaign and encouraging teachers and headteachers to get involved. One of the early adopters is The Orchard School in north Bristol, where headteacher Melanie Sweet introduced locking pouches for phones a year ago. She said the impact has been transformative. "We've been delighted," said Ms Sweet. "We've seen a drop in 'corridor defiance', which is when students refuse to hand over phones, and a huge increase in engagement with our personal development programmes. "Pupils are joining more clubs and break times are now social, happy spaces." The school's trust is now recommending that parents delay smartphones until secondary students reach Year 10. "It's not a ban, it's a recommendation," said Ms Sweet. "But as a mother and a headteacher, I feel like we've preserved a little corner of childhood. I'd urge other parents to consider it." Some teenagers have also told the BBC that growing up without a smartphone has felt like a relief rather than a restriction. "I think I'm just less addicted to my phone than a lot of my friends," said Sofia, 16. "Because I didn't have social media drilled into my life early on, I don't depend on it. I can go out without it and not worry." Issy, aged 16, said her parents gave her a "brick" phone with very restricted internet and which shuts down at 19:00 every day. When asked about how she felt about her parents' decision, she said it has given her more time to spend on her hobbies. "I'm quite relieved," she said. "I've got a very different relationship with my phone." Dr Davies, who said she sees the effects of screen addiction daily in her clinic, believes the time for action is now. "There's real appetite for change, from teachers, parents, and students alike," she said. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Kids exposed to social media posts about violence and suicide People 'will find a way' to harmful content - teens Instagram still posing serious risks to children, campaigners say Papaya Parents
