Latest news with #LindaSmith
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Our stunning UK city is blighted by ‘eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into ‘downward spiral'
The centre has become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour GROT SPOT Our stunning UK city is blighted by 'eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into 'downward spiral' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOCALS say their stunning city has been blighted by an "eyesore" shopping centre that needs a revamp. The rundown building has been affected by crime and antisocial behaviour. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Templars Square Shopping Centre is in desperate need of a revamp Credit: Alamy 4 Local politicians are keen for developers to go ahead with plans to revive the centre Credit: Alamy The Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, first opened on May 11, 1965 - 60 years later, there are concerns that it is on a "downward spiral." In March 2022 the property was bought by Redevco, a real estate investment manager and developer, for £38.8 million. They hoped to turn the centre into a mixed-urban scheme, however, they said they are still "some way off" from being able to publicly share their plans. They last held a public consultation in late 2022, with around 9000 locals invited to attend. In the meantime, they are trying to encourage independent retailers to move into the empty units. These delays are leaving local politicians frustrated by the lack of change. The city council had approved redevelopment plans back in 2017 which included building a hotel, restaurants and 226 flats and was set to cost £60 million. These plans were made by developer NewRiver prior to selling the centre to Redevco. Councillor Linda Smith, the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council told Oxford Mail: "The city council aren't holding Redevco back at all. "We understand it's a difficult time for investment in this kind of development. Historic George square statues removed "But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse." As it currently stands she said it is "not fit for purpose" and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Not only is the building ruining the cityscape, but it has also become a hotspot for crime. Police were recently called to the site following reports that groups of youths were having organised fights in mid-March. Annaliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, raised concerns over crime in Cowley earlier this year, and is keen for more resources in the suburbs. There were 189 crimes recorded by the Oxford Cowley Neighbourhood Policing Team in December 2024, largely occurring near Templars Square. Locals celebrated the 60th anniversary of the centre on the 11th May with an Elton John tribute act, a display of three Leyland Princess cars, and an historical walking tour with historian Maurice East. We have approached Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police for comment. 4 Councillor Linda Smith said the building is 'not fit for purpose' Credit: Oxford City Council
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Our stunning UK city is blighted by ‘eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into ‘downward spiral'
LOCALS say their stunning city has been blighted by an "eyesore" shopping centre that needs a revamp. The rundown building has been affected by crime and antisocial behaviour. 4 The Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, first opened on May 11, 1965 - 60 years later, there are concerns that it is on a "downward spiral." In March 2022 the property was bought by Redevco, a real estate investment manager and developer, for £38.8 million. They hoped to turn the centre into a mixed-urban scheme, however, they said they are still "some way off" from being able to publicly share their plans. They last held a public consultation in late 2022, with around 9000 locals invited to attend. In the meantime, they are trying to encourage independent retailers to move into the empty units. These delays are leaving local politicians frustrated by the lack of change. The city council had approved redevelopment plans back in 2017 which included building a hotel, restaurants and 226 flats and was set to cost £60 million. These plans were made by developer NewRiver prior to selling the centre to Redevco. Councillor Linda Smith, the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council told Oxford Mail:"The city council aren't holding Redevco back at all. "We understand it's a difficult time for investment in this kind of development. Historic George square statues removed "But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse." As it currently stands she said it is "not fit for purpose" and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Not only is the building ruining the cityscape, but it has also become a hotspot for crime. Police were recently called to the site following reports that groups of youths were having organised fights in mid-March. Annaliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, raised concerns over crime in Cowley earlier this year, and is keen for more resources in the suburbs. There were 189 crimes recorded by the Oxford Cowley Neighbourhood Policing Team in December 2024, largely occurring near Templars Square. Locals celebrated the 60th anniversary of the centre on the 11th May with an Elton John tribute act, a display of three Leyland Princess cars, and an historical walking tour with historian Maurice East. We have approached Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police for comment. 4 4
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Our stunning UK city is blighted by ‘eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into ‘downward spiral'
LOCALS say their stunning city has been blighted by an "eyesore" shopping centre that needs a revamp. The rundown building has been affected by crime and antisocial behaviour. 4 Templars Square Shopping Centre is in desperate need of a revamp Credit: Alamy 4 Local politicians are keen for developers to go ahead with plans to revive the centre Credit: Alamy The Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, first opened on May 11, 1965 - 60 years later, there are concerns that it is on a "downward spiral." In March 2022 the property was bought by Redevco, a real estate investment manager and developer, for £38.8 million. They hoped to turn the centre into a mixed-urban scheme, however, they said they are still "some way off" from being able to publicly share their plans. They last held a public consultation in late 2022, with around 9000 locals invited to attend. Read more News In the meantime, they are trying to encourage independent retailers to move into the empty units. These delays are leaving local politicians frustrated by the lack of change. The city council had approved redevelopment plans back in 2017 which included building a hotel, restaurants and 226 flats and was set to cost £60 million. These plans were made by developer NewRiver prior to selling the centre to Redevco. Most read in The Sun Councillor Linda Smith, the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council told "We understand it's a difficult time for investment in this kind of development. Historic George square statues removed "But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse." As it currently stands she said it is "not fit for purpose" and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Not only is the building ruining the cityscape, but it has also become a hotspot for crime. Police were recently called to the site following reports that groups of youths were having Annaliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, raised concerns over crime in Cowley earlier this year, and is keen for more resources in the suburbs. There were 189 crimes recorded by the Oxford Cowley Neighbourhood Policing Team in December 2024, largely occurring near Templars Square. Locals celebrated the 60th anniversary of the centre on the 11th May with an Elton John tribute act, a display of three Leyland Princess cars, and an historical walking tour with historian Maurice East. We have approached Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police for comment. 4 Councillor Linda Smith said the building is 'not fit for purpose' Credit: Oxford City Council 4 The centre has become a hub for antisocial behaviour Credit: Alamy
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Oxford shopping centre 'not fit for purpose'
A city's 60-year-old shopping centre is not fit for purpose and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places", a councillor has said. Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, was built in 1965 and currently has several empty units inside and outside. Linda Smith, Oxford City Council's cabinet member for housing, said the council was "impatient" for the centre's owner to "crack on with [its development] ASAP". Real estate company Redevco, which bought the centre in 2021, said complications with the site's ownership structure meant it was "some way off" being able to share plans. Plans were approved to redevelop the centre in 2017, but its then-owners New River sold the shopping centre to Dutch real estate company Redevco for £38.8m in 2021. The company last undertook a public consultation on its plans in 2022 but said no further consultations were currently planned. Speaking to the BBC, Ms Smith said the council was "impatient" for the centre to be redeveloped. "The city council aren't holding Redecvo back at all," she said. "We understand its a difficult time for investment in this kind of development."But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse."Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds previously told BBC Radio Oxford of her "despair" at the state the former site of the Lord Nelson pub on Between Towns said she had been "really pushing" Redevco to begin redevelopment of the site "as soon as possible". Redevelopment 'some way off' Claire Yeadon, asset manager for Redevco, said the company were continuing to "evolve" plans for the centre but was "some way off" from being able to share plans publicly. The company was meeting with the city council regularly and was working to fill the empty units with independent retailers, she added. Meanwhile a display of classic cars at the centre will mark its 60th anniversary on 10 and 11 May. Oxford historian and tour guide Maurice East, who has helped organise the event, said Templars Square had played a crucial part in Oxford's car-making history, but needed to change. "Cowley Centre [as it was previously known] was meant to be the centre of industrial Oxford," he said. "I think it still serves the community in and around this area, but Oxford city centre has re-asserted itself with the Westgate. "I think what [Templars Square] needs is to find a new purpose and [find a new way] to attract people here". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Has the James Webb Space Telescope discovered a 'missing' supermassive black hole? (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists have long believed that monster-sized supermassive black holes lurk at the heart of all large galaxies. That means that the failure to detect such a cosmic titan at the heart of the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, officially known as Messier 83 (M83), has been a frustrating conundrum. Now, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers may have cracked this puzzle, finding the first evidence of a supermassive black hole at the heart of M83, also known as NGC 5236, a spiral galaxy located around 15 million light-years away. "The JWST is revolutionizing our understanding of galaxies," team member Linda Smith of the Space Telescope Science Institute said in a statement. "For years, astronomers have searched for a black hole in M83 without success. Now, we finally have a compelling clue that suggests one may be present." Supermassive black holes have masses millions or even billions of times that of the sun. Situated at the hearts of distant galaxies, these black holes are pretty conspicuous when they are actively feeding and surrounded by gas and dust that they heat, causing them to glow brightly. These regions, known as "active galactic nuclei" or "AGNs," can often be seen even in galaxies that are otherwise too distant and too faint to be detected. This has led scientists to speculate that either the supermassive black hole at the heart of M83 is dormant (not actively feeding on matter), or that the AGN it powers is hidden by a thick shroud of dust. That second explanation is favored by new data from the JWST which takes full advantage of the $10 billion space telescope's unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution. Clumps of highly ionized gas were the "smoking gun" hinting at the presence of an obscured AGN at the heart of M83. "Our discovery of highly ionized neon emission in the nucleus of M83 was unexpected," team leader Svea Hernandez, a European Space Agency (ESA) scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, said. "These signatures require large amounts of energy to be produced, more than what normal stars can generate. "This strongly suggests the presence of an AGN that has been elusive until now." Even the explosive death of massive stars in supernovas couldn't provide enough energy to create the signature spotted by the JWST. That makes an AGN the most likely suspect. But, not the only suspect. The team behind this discovery now needs to eliminate other possible candidates for the creation of highly ionized neon gas, such as shockwaves travelling through the gases that exists between stars, the "interstellar medium." Related Stories: — Is our universe trapped inside a black hole? This James Webb Space Telescope discovery might blow your mind —NASA spacecraft spots monster black hole bursting with X-rays 'releasing a hundred times more energy than we have seen elsewhere' — What would happen if the Milky Way's black hole erupted? This distant galaxy paints a terrifying picture Astronomers will now follow up the investigation of M83 with the Hubble Space Telescope, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). In the meantime, this research proves how effective the JWST is at discovering hitherto unseen structures in the cosmos. "This discovery showcases how the JWST is making unexpected breakthroughs," Smith concluded, "Astronomers thought they had ruled out an AGN in M83, but now we have fresh evidence that challenges past assumptions and opens new avenues for exploration." The team's research was published on Thursday (April 17) in The Astrophysical Journal.
