Latest news with #DominicBurke
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Revamp aims to make city's market 'magical'
A central court could be added to a city's renowned marketplace as part of plans for a major revamp. Smaller squares and a covered pathway through the middle are also options being put forward by Norwich City Council. Carli Harper, the Labour councillor responsible for major projects, said the authority wanted to make it "one of the most magical places you can visit in Norwich or the region". The council has now launched a survey asking for the public's views on its proposals and said it hoped to have final plans drawn up by this autumn. Earlier this year, the cabinet of the Labour-run authority agreed to spend £740,000 to commission proposals for potential new designs. Should changes go ahead, it would be the first major redevelopment of the market since 2006 – when ageing, wooden stalls were replaced with metal structures with roofs. The council said a central court or smaller squares could be used for "special events" and pop-up stalls, whilst a covered pathway would provide "a clear entrance point". Dominic Burke, co-owner of the Sir Toby's Beers stall, said some "exciting ideas" had been proposed. He added that traders had been meeting with the council to discuss plans and it was important for the wider public to comment. "The market belongs to everyone," he said. Harper said the aim was to "maximise footfall" and make the site "a destination market in Europe" and that construction work could begin later this year. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Traders 'at the heart' of city market revamp plans One of Britain's oldest markets set for revamp Norwich City Council
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Revamp aims to make Norwich's market 'magical'
A central court could be added to a city's renowned marketplace as part of plans for a major squares and a covered pathway through the middle are also options being put forward by Norwich City Harper, the Labour councillor responsible for major projects, said the authority wanted to make it "one of the most magical places you can visit in Norwich or the region". The council has now launched a survey asking for the public's views on its proposals and said it hoped to have final plans drawn up by this autumn. Earlier this year, the cabinet of the Labour-run authority agreed to spend £740,000 to commission proposals for potential new changes go ahead, it would be the first major redevelopment of the market since 2006 – when ageing, wooden stalls were replaced with metal structures with council said a central court or smaller squares could be used for "special events" and pop-up stalls, whilst a covered pathway would provide "a clear entrance point". Dominic Burke, co-owner of the Sir Toby's Beers stall, said some "exciting ideas" had been added that traders had been meeting with the council to discuss plans and it was important for the wider public to comment."The market belongs to everyone," he said the aim was to "maximise footfall" and make the site "a destination market in Europe" and that construction work could begin later this year. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Newbury to pay dividends as major races pull in the crowds
Newbury Racecourse investors will once again receive a final dividend after strong attendances help lift profits over the last year. The horse racing venue, which also hosts music concerts, did not pay out last year after putting significant investments towards facilities and prize money. But Newbury's board is now is recommending a final dividend of 6p per share. The Berkshire-based group revealed turnover increased by 16.3 per cent to £22million in 2024, thanks to rising attendances and a new media rights deal. Revenue from racing grew by £2.4million to £17.7million as the number of raceday goers expanded by over 4,000 to around 133,900 despite one race meeting being abandoned owing to bad weather. Newbury's flagship flat racing event, the Lockinge Stakes day in May, was attended by 9,600 people, 15 per cent more than the prior year. Six months later, its two-day Coral Gold Cup steeplechase meeting attracted just above 17,600 spectators, an 11 per cent rise on 2023. Newbury further benefited from a new five-year media rights agreement with Arena Leisure/Sky Sports Racing, which boosted its media rights income from £5.2million to £8million. While total prize money paid out increased by over £1million to £6.9million, Newbury's operating profits still jumped by about three-quarters to £857,000. Dominic Burke, chairman of Newbury Racecourse, said the investment in prize money came against the backdrop of a 'very challenging cost inflation environment'. Newbury's total costs rose by 11 per cent to £21.1million due to the extra prize money, as well as inflation, higher utilities costs, and the National Minimum Wage. The company intends to hike prize money further this year, with funds going towards the Hungerford Stakes and Mill Reef Stakes in August and September, respectively. During the summer and autumn, Newbury will also host four 'Party in the Paddock' music concerts. Featured artists include Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ella Henderson, ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again, electronic music group Clean Bandit and Hold Back the River singer James Bay. More than 10,000 people saw DJ Sigala perform live at Newbury in July last year after the Weatherby's Super Sprint meeting, before over 13,500 watched rapper Dizzee Rascal a few weeks later following the BetVictor Hungerford Stakes. Other musicians who have performed at Newbury Racecourse include Sir Tom Jones, Sir Rod Stewart, the ska band Madness, Simply Red, and The Beach Boys.
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Cheltenham head says school sixth form sector at 'breaking point'
A headteacher says state school-based sixth forms are so underfunded that things have reached "breaking point".Dominic Burke, headteacher of Balcarras School, in Cheltenham, says he is "worried for the life chances" of sixth formers after a "dramatic drop in funding" over 12 years, with the school receiving £30,000 in capital funding per Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said there might be a curriculum reduction and a tightening of teaching hours for students at some sixth forms to cope with "massive underfunding".A Department for Education spokesperson said it will be spending more than £400m over this financial year to support colleges and other institutions. Mr Burke said funding to school-based sixth forms had been cut by 20%, which was putting pressure on all areas of Balcarras said the £30,000 of capital funding allocated to Balcarras annually to maintain the 12,000 sq m (129,000 sq ft) school, built in 1957, was "simply not enough"."Ten to 12 years ago, we used to be able to have some money left at the end of the year to run things properly and to make sure we maintain things. "All that money is now being spent on core things. It's just reducing year on year." Mr Burke added that costs were due to rise next year, as teachers were set to receive a pay rise."My school is running with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 17.5," he said."It used to run, about 12 years ago, with a ratio of about 15. "That might not sound like much but we are running the school with 10 fewer teachers."That just means that everyone is working harder and class sizes are going up." 'Choices limited' Pepe Di'lasio, general secretary of ASCL, said the lack of funding in sixth forms and the potential reduction in the curriculum would affect students from disadvantaged areas the Di'lasio said: "We've seen a massive underfunding for the last decade for all post-16 support and this has been because it's not part of a protected core funding offer that schools have got."He said it would be "those young people who don't have the ability to travel to a sixth form that is further away" that would be most affected. "And their choices will be limited because they will have to do what they have available to them in their location." A Department for Education spokesperson said: "Despite the challenging fiscal situation we inherited, we will be spending over £400m in financial year 2025-26 to support colleges and other institutions to break down barriers to opportunity and support our mission to grow the economy."The one-off £50m grant we have made available for colleges from April to July will enable these providers to respond to current priorities and challenges, including workforce recruitment and retention, helping to deliver our Plan for Change."
