Latest news with #JohnEnnis
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Reading bus prices to rise after government funding ends
Bus tickets prices in Reading are set to rise as government funding comes to an borough council said five million All-Bus tickets had been sold since the scheme was introduced in March 2023 as part of its £26m Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). John Ennis, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said the council's scheme had brought bus usage close to pre-Covid levels, and that the authority remained "committed" to making public transport more he said the government funding "was never going to last forever" and the council could not subsidise bus travel. The All-Bus tickets allow passengers all-day travel on services run by several different operators in the Reading Monday, the ticket will cost £4.90 on an app and £5.40 if purchased on the bus. Currently, it costs £3.40 on the app and £3.50 on the Young Persons All-Bus ticket - currently £2.60 if bought on the app - will cost £4.20, and the Group All-Bus ticket will cost £10.80 during the peak period and £8.80 off-peak. Service improvements The council has introduced a number of improvements to its bus services, including the introduction of tap-on-tap-off payment and adding new services, such as those to and from Reading Green Park railway station."The council's BSIP has so far been successful in helping to bring passenger numbers close to the level they were before the Covid pandemic," said Mr Ennis."Reading already had an excellent bus service and the BSIP funding has allowed us to introduce a wide range of improvements to make bus journeys even more reliable, convenient, easier, faster and cheaper."Encouraging more people to travel by bus takes cars off roads, reduces congestion, improves air quality and benefits the health of Reading residents." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans unveiled to bring 'glory back to Whitehaven'
AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled to 'bring glory back to Whitehaven' as two empty town centre buildings have been earmarked for luxury accommodation. GB Ennis Partnership has purchased of the former Trinity House Surgery building at 17 Irish Street and the company is also looking to buy the empty Mason's shop on Roper Street. John Ennis, of Mirehouse, is a director of the company, along with his wife, Sophie Ennis, George De La Cour and Becky Tsang, who all want to regenerate the buildings and invest in the town centre. John Ennis and George De La Cour give MP Josh MacAlister a tour of the building (Image: Submitted) A soon to be a father-of-five, Mr Ennis, who also owns Rainbow City play centre at Haig Enterprise Park, with his wife, said he wants his children to love and appreciate the town's history and heritage. He told The Whitehaven News: 'Myself and my business partners are going full steam ahead to bring glory back to Whitehaven. We have a lot planned and are working closely with Josh MacAlister and Emma Williamson and the council team along with other businesses. 'We are hoping to give luxury accommodation to doctors, nurses and families visiting patients to the West Cumberland Hospital. We are also building a two-bedroom coach house to the rear of Irish street. The directors of GB Ennis Partnership - John and Sophie Ennis, George De La Cour and Becky Tsang (Image: Submitted) 'We are in the process of acquiring the old Mason's building, where we will be refurbishing the upper floors to again provide luxury accommodation. 'The ground floor we will be fitting out as a commercial unit were we will be offing a business to go in on a rent-free period to help them succeed and also to help them grow their business. 'We are looking to do this with a lot of derelict buildings in Whitehaven. We are working closely with the masterplan of Whitehaven to bring it back to its glory days.' GB Ennis Partnership are also in the process of buying Mason's on Roper Street (Image: Submitted) Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, has welcomed Mr Ennis' plans and said he has discussed how they can be tied in with wider regeneration plans he is working on with Cumberland Council and deputy leader, Emma Williamson. Mr MacAlister said: 'I'm committed to delivering a bold and ambitious regeneration of Whitehaven town centre. But for it to be successful, we also need private investors to come forward with their own complimentary plans. 'That's why I was so excited to meet John Ennis and his business partners to discuss their ideas for bringing some of Whitehaven's iconic buildings back into use. This is exactly what we need as we start to develop the masterplan and secure the funding to deliver it. Josh MacAlister MP and cllr Joseph Ghayouba get a tour of the Irish Street building (Image: Submitted) 'I look forward to working with John and other potential developers in the coming years to ensure that Whitehaven reaches its full potential. If you've got a good idea, reach out and I'll do what I can to help make it happen.' Cllr Williamson said: 'I couldn't make the walkabout but met with John and his colleagues, Becky and George later on. It was amazing to hear his thoughts surrounding our town. 'Like myself, John is born and bred here and has fond memories of our little town. It's people like John that will help form and drive our masterplan for Whitehaven. I'm looking forward to us all shaping the future of Whitehaven.' Cllr Joseph Ghyaouba, who leads the empty shop sub-group on the Whitehaven Town Centre Board, said: 'I have been pushing for action on empty properties since my election and it's great to see a new owner engaging with us to turn the town around. My offer remains open to other property owners to get in touch.'
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Reading to Calcot route to get eight more electric buses
A town is set to get another eight electric buses and four charging points thanks to £1.3m of funding from central buses will operate on the yellow 26 route between Reading town centre and buses will arrive in summer 2026, when they will join the existing fleet of 24, which are due to start running on the purple 17 and claret 21 routes in councillor for transport John Ennis said the funding announcement was "excellent news" and the new buses would make travelling by bus more appealing. "The number of people travelling around Reading by bus is on the increase and the introduction of these new double-deckers will provide a smooth, comfortable journey for passengers while having zero impact on air quality," he said. The funding from the Department for Transport follows a successful joint bid by Reading Borough Council and Reading Williams, chief executive officer of Reading Buses, said he was "delighted"."Our new electric buses promise to bring significant improvements to the journey experience for our customers, from a smoother ride to full air-conditioning provided by an electric heat pump," he said. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
