Latest news with #DavidChadwick
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Bolton town centre store aiming to breathe new life into high street opens
A new store opened this morning, Friday, in Bolton town centre with special guests invited to welcome the first customers. Ideal Home and Food Hall opened at 8.30am in the space once occupied by Wilko and then Poundland in Deansgate, with a special five per cent discount for the first 1,000 customers. Mayor of Bolton, Cllr David Chadwick, and former Bolton Wanderers winger David Lee were in attendance at the store. Operations manager Thomas Berry said: "We're hoping to get a lot of customers in, we've had a lot of interest, so it's nice to see people coming in for the first time. (Image: NQ) More: Blue Light Card holders discount doubled at major clothing retailer More: Couple were horrified to discover live maggots wriggling in their cheesy lunch More: Topshop teases 'return' in cryptic posts as fans 'can't cope' amid rumours "I'm a massive Wanderers fan, so to get a legend like David Lee in is fantastic to see, and it shows what sort of establishment we are that the mayor of Bolton has come down." (Image: NQ) The store will eventually be across two floors, but due to a "hiccup", as Thomas described it, the bottom floor will be opening a few days later than the rest of the store. "We apologise severely for that and we've brought in a five per cent discount as a result," Thomas added. Former Wanderers winger David Lee met staff and customers (Image: NQ) As for prices, a six-pack of Walkers cheese and onion crisps is listed for £2.20, a box of 80 PG Tips teabags is £3.29, two brioche burger buns are 67p, and an extra-thick white bloomer loaf is £1.80. The business will aim to breathe new life into the town's high street, which has been hit hard in recent years by the loss of high profile names like Marks & Spencer. The store will be offering five per cent off food shopping for university students, old-age pensioners and disabled people, NHS staff, police officers and firefighters. The company also has plans to set up other stores in Edinburgh and Darlington.
Powys County Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Gurkha veterans in Powys face 'shockingly low' pensions
Calls have been made to improve the conditions for retired Gurkha veterans in Powys who are being forced to live on pensions below the living wage. Calls have been made to address the injustice facing Gurkha veterans who retired before 1997, many of whom now live in communities Powys, but are being forced to survive on 'shockingly low pensions, far below the UK's national living wage'. MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick met Gurkha veterans demonstrating in Westminster and has now submitted an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling on the Government to end this discrimination, gaining cross-party support. Despite fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with British soldiers in every major conflict for over 200 years, Gurkhas who left the British Army before 1 July 1997 are still trapped on the outdated Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS). The Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS) assumed that Gurkhas would return to Nepal after their service in the British Army and not settle in the UK. As a result, it pays far less than the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) given to British soldiers, despite Gurkhas performing the same job. Today, many of these veterans, now settled in the UK, are living in poverty, including in Brecon and the surrounding areas, where they and their families have been part of the local community for generations. 'It is unacceptable that Gurkha soldiers who served before 1997 and put their lives on the line for our country have been denied equal pensions, leaving many in poverty here in the UK, including in communities such as Brecon, where Gurkha veterans and their families have made an enduring contribution," said Mr Chadwick. 'I will continue to stand against this injustice and use my voice in Parliament to fight for all Gurkhas, regardless of the date of retirement, to be granted full access to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme on an equal footing. 'I have already submitted a Parliamentary Early Day Motion on the issue with cross-party support and hope to take the issue up directly with Ministers at the earliest opportunity.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Mr Chadwick has also written to the Veterans Minister to request a meeting to discuss the issue in more detail. In his letter he said: 'These individuals served Britain with bravery, professionalism, and loyalty. They fought alongside British soldiers in the same conflicts, under the same conditions, but continue to be denied equal recognition in retirement.
Powys County Times
04-07-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Consultation will take place on Powys sixth form closures
Consultations will take place on potential changes to sixth form education in Powys as calls are made to save its most successful college. Powys County Council have said that 'no decision has been made' on the future of sixth forms in the county. The council is considering closing all English-medium sixth forms in the county, replacing them with two new large-scale colleges in Newtown and Brecon. The plan is one of three being considered in response to concerns raised by Estyn. A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: 'The council has undertaken a strategic review which sets out a long-term vision to ensure that all learners in the county have access to high-quality, equitable, and financially sustainable education. 'As part of this review, three potential options for the future of post-16 provision have been identified. 'However, no decisions have been made to move forward with any changes at this stage.' MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick, has backed growing calls from residents to keep Crickhowell High School's sixth form open. Mr Chadwick signed a petition calling for the sixth form to be protected – arguing that the rationale put forward by Powys County Council lacks strong evidence. Crickhowell has a reputation as the best-performing sixth form in Powys, and among the best in Wales and the UK. 'I believe firmly that Crickhowell Sixth Form should not be under consideration for closure,' said Mr Chadwick. 'The school ranks among the best in Wales and offers a wide range of opportunities for local pupils. 'The arguments put forward by the council simply don't hold up. Not only does the sixth form perform exceptionally well; it actually generates income for the council thanks to students coming from outside the county. 'There are longstanding failures in education across Wales and Powys. But closing down a high-performing school is not the right way to address those and is certainly not what residents want either.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Powys County Council said that there will be further engagement with stakeholders in the coming months The spokesperson for the council added: 'The council is committed to engaging with stakeholders on these options, and is also actively seeking alternative proposals that people believe should be considered. 'Initial engagement with secondary school headteachers, governors, and staff is taking place this term, with sessions scheduled before the summer holidays to ensure that school communities can hear directly from the council. 'A second phase of engagement will take place in the Autumn Term, involving more detailed discussions with learners, parents/carers, and the wider school communities. 'This phase will include both in-person and online opportunities and will be supported by external facilitators to ensure independence and sufficient resource. 'The learner voice will be central to shaping the preferred way forward. 'Following the engagement period, the council will consider all feedback before deciding whether or not to proceed with any changes. 'Should any changes be proposed, the council would be required to follow the process outlined in the Welsh Government's School Organisation Code, which includes formal consultation.'
Powys County Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
MOD concerned over Powys wind farm affecting RAF training
Concerns have been raised about potential dangers to RAF planes that could be caused by a planned wind farm in Powys. The Banc Y Ceylin Wind Farm would border the Sennybridge Training area near Builth Wells and the plans on the site for 26 wind turbines with a maximum tip height of 200 metres have raised worries with the armed forces. It is understood the MOD has raised concerns over the impact of the windfarm on low flying military aircraft, which was now been highlighted by constituency MP David Chadwick. The Tactical Training Area known as "Low Flying Area 7(T)' sees military aircraft operate down to 100 ft above ground level – which is well below the 500 ft tip height of the planned turbines. The MOD can raise objections to plans which may affect national security and defence when it may affect defence sites such as the training area. The planned wind farm is a joint venture between Wind2 and companies managed by Octopus Energy Generation. The plans in a scoping report submitted to the Welsh Government noted a potential impact on the low flying area. MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick raised concerns after learning that the wind farm may impact the low-flying training zone. Mr Chadwick wrote to the MOD regarding concerns raised by local residents about the potential impact of the development. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Attending a low-flying aircraft briefing last week, he said he was told that the proposed turbines could force low-flying aircraft to divert from key training areas. 'Low-flying training in mid Wales plays a vital role in keeping our armed forces prepared and ready,' said Mr Chadwick. "It is vital that all relevant information is now put on the table, that the MOD and RAF are fully aligned, and that local communities such as Merthyr Cynnog are kept properly informed. "We must strike the right balance between delivering clean energy and protecting the operational needs of our armed forces. I will continue to press for full transparency on this matter.' A spokesperson for Wind2 said: "From the outset, Wind2 has recognised the significance of SENTA and the associated safeguarding considerations. "We've been in ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as part of our early development work, and that dialogue continues to ensure any potential concerns are fully understood and addressed. "In March 2025, we submitted a formal scoping request to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), with the scoping direction being issued on June 20. "We've also been in regular contact with Powys County Council as part of our broader engagement. We are fully committed to continue to work with all stakeholders. "It's also important to note that no planning application has been submitted.
South Wales Argus
27-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
National Insurance rise costs Welsh universities 18m a year
The increase in employer contributions has led to higher expenses and deepened financial challenges in the higher education sector. The party said the additional cost is forcing universities to make difficult decisions, including staff cuts and course closures. David Chadwick, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP, said: "Labour's jobs tax is yet another blow to Welsh universities, coming at a time when they're already facing mounting financial challenges. "It's completely unacceptable that Welsh universities are now being saddled with millions in extra costs just to meet a tax increase that could and should have been avoided." Cardiff University faces the largest impact, with a £6.7 million rise in annual National Insurance costs. Swansea University will see an additional £3.5 million in employer contributions. Universities have said the increase came as a surprise and has placed further strain on finances.
