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BBC News
6 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Harlow town centre regeneration projects set to start
A date has been set for the start of a multi-million pound town centre regeneration project, a council Council said work on the transformation of Market Square, the main shopping area in the Essex town, would start in October and is expected to finish next plans have been supported by a £23.7m injection from the government's Towns Fund and include new bars, restaurants, shops and homes."This is about more than bricks and mortar – it's about restoring pride, attracting investment, creating jobs, and giving our residents and visitors a place they love to spend time in," council leader Dan Swords said. The Conservative councillor added: "When the construction starts and the changes take shape, people will see that this is not a dream or a distant plan – it's happening now." The plans also include a water feature and open-air market and the restoration of a forms part of a wider package, including a £15m rebuild of the town's bus station, which is due to start this in the town, works to improve the area around the Playhouse theatre will begin in September. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Age
16-07-2025
- The Age
Brisbane, why don't you cross the river?
A straw poll of co-workers and friends revealed that while some would happily cross the river, many don't. One, who lives in New Farm, said she rarely went south. Another – a Gaythorne resident – said he was slowly trying to cull his southside friends. And another said it was close to a year since he'd crossed the river, other than to hit the Gateway Motorway north out of town. Loading Losers, clearly, but not really: these are folks I'd consider to be invested in Brisbane as a multifaceted, multicultural city, with different neighbourhoods to explore. It's just that they no longer have an inclination to do so – perhaps because of a lack of time, or other commitments, such as kids or family. I remember an ex-girlfriend who talked continuously about being bored with Brisbane and needing an overseas holiday. But try to get her out of Teneriffe? Not a chance. Like I said, ex-girlfriend. Even a restaurateur in Morningside who's a regular source asked recently, 'What are you doing over here?' My answer was, it's my job. It was and is, but that was also a bit of a cover story. My own inclination to explore Brisbane began when I was young, still working in restaurants, and invested in becoming a journalist. I didn't have any cash with which to travel the world, so I'd travel my own city instead. I'd drive to Inala – where almost a quarter of the population is Vietnamese, or of Vietnamese descent – for banh mi or pho. I'd check out Moorooka and its tight cluster of African restaurants. Or I'd visit Market Square in Sunnybank – you don't need to blur your eyes too much here to imagine you're in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong. For those who don't habitually cross the river on days or nights off, I'd implore you to do so. Head to Sunnybank and eat at Kingsfood or Glamorous Wok, or even further south to discover Ru Yi Dim Sum in Sunnybank Hills. Seek out Pho An in Inala for some of the best Vietnamese noodle soup in the city, or grab a banh mi from Scotts Road Takeaway and take it to nearby Rocks Riverside Park. Or visit Brisbane's bayside for cracking eateries such as Manly Boathouse, The Arsonist, and Chumley Warner's British Fish and Chips. If you're coming from the south, drive to Milton for a succulent Chinese (well, Cantonese) meal at China Sea, or neighbouring Paddington for unctuous Italian at Elementi and small-producer wines at Noir. Daytrip to industrial Northgate to check out brewpubs such as Aether and Fick, before heading on to Nudgee for fish and chips at Pam's Cafe 88, or Sandgate for legit Italian at Acciuga. Look, I get it. There are groceries to buy, family events to attend, and kids to deliver to sports, dance classes and swimming lessons. But maybe try to link those commitments with a visit to part of the city you haven't explored. Sit and eat, or just grab a coffee if it's all you have time for, then wander and people watch. Some of this might come down to how we view city living. Outside our local community, is a city a place that feels inherently dangerous, or safe? I'd argue that in Brisbane, it's very much the latter. On those Sunday nights, when I'm maybe a little dusty, I'll drive across the Story Bridge and just keep going, past the Princess Alexandra Hospital, through Annerley. By the time Beaudesert Road begins to straighten after its descent from Moorooka, your only company is the street lights, a few cars, and the occasional semi beginning its overnight run maybe south or west.
Sydney Morning Herald
16-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane, why don't you cross the river?
A straw poll of co-workers and friends revealed that while some would happily cross the river, many don't. One, who lives in New Farm, said she rarely went south. Another – a Gaythorne resident – said he was slowly trying to cull his southside friends. And another said it was close to a year since he'd crossed the river, other than to hit the Gateway Motorway north out of town. Loading Losers, clearly, but not really: these are folks I'd consider to be invested in Brisbane as a multifaceted, multicultural city, with different neighbourhoods to explore. It's just that they no longer have an inclination to do so – perhaps because of a lack of time, or other commitments, such as kids or family. I remember an ex-girlfriend who talked continuously about being bored with Brisbane and needing an overseas holiday. But try to get her out of Teneriffe? Not a chance. Like I said, ex-girlfriend. Even a restaurateur in Morningside who's a regular source asked recently, 'What are you doing over here?' My answer was, it's my job. It was and is, but that was also a bit of a cover story. My own inclination to explore Brisbane began when I was young, still working in restaurants, and invested in becoming a journalist. I didn't have any cash with which to travel the world, so I'd travel my own city instead. I'd drive to Inala – where almost a quarter of the population is Vietnamese, or of Vietnamese descent – for banh mi or pho. I'd check out Moorooka and its tight cluster of African restaurants. Or I'd visit Market Square in Sunnybank – you don't need to blur your eyes too much here to imagine you're in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Hong Kong. For those who don't habitually cross the river on days or nights off, I'd implore you to do so. Head to Sunnybank and eat at Kingsfood or Glamorous Wok, or even further south to discover Ru Yi Dim Sum in Sunnybank Hills. Seek out Pho An in Inala for some of the best Vietnamese noodle soup in the city, or grab a banh mi from Scotts Road Takeaway and take it to nearby Rocks Riverside Park. Or visit Brisbane's bayside for cracking eateries such as Manly Boathouse, The Arsonist, and Chumley Warner's British Fish and Chips. If you're coming from the south, drive to Milton for a succulent Chinese (well, Cantonese) meal at China Sea, or neighbouring Paddington for unctuous Italian at Elementi and small-producer wines at Noir. Daytrip to industrial Northgate to check out brewpubs such as Aether and Fick, before heading on to Nudgee for fish and chips at Pam's Cafe 88, or Sandgate for legit Italian at Acciuga. Look, I get it. There are groceries to buy, family events to attend, and kids to deliver to sports, dance classes and swimming lessons. But maybe try to link those commitments with a visit to part of the city you haven't explored. Sit and eat, or just grab a coffee if it's all you have time for, then wander and people watch. Some of this might come down to how we view city living. Outside our local community, is a city a place that feels inherently dangerous, or safe? I'd argue that in Brisbane, it's very much the latter. On those Sunday nights, when I'm maybe a little dusty, I'll drive across the Story Bridge and just keep going, past the Princess Alexandra Hospital, through Annerley. By the time Beaudesert Road begins to straighten after its descent from Moorooka, your only company is the street lights, a few cars, and the occasional semi beginning its overnight run maybe south or west.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Views gathered on future Market Square vehicle ban
People are being encouraged to share their views on the future pedestrianisation of a town square after a bid to ban vehicles during winter previously divided opinion.A consultation, which will run until 26 August, has been launched by Castletown Commissioners on its future policy on banning vehicles in Market new local authority board said it planned to keep the summer closure but reverse previous plans to extended that to winter, instead only shutting the space for community consultation also includes plans to shorten the period of time the square is shut under the summer closure. Under the proposals, the summer closure would begin from the first Saturday in May instead of the current 1 reinstatement of parking would also be brought forward to the first Monday in September from the end of that month. However, the space is proposed to be closed during the Easter weekend each year. The local authority said it planned to put movable barriers in place to enforce the existing vehicle ban on Arbory Street and Malew local authority is also proposing to provide general disc parking within Barracks Square, including disabled parking and delivery bays for services to businesses and properties within pedestrianised of Castletown Commissioners Tony Brown said the board "believes it is important to consult with the town regarding major proposals such as this that will have an impact on residents and businesses".The process will run alongside another wider consultation on parking in the local authority said it would consider feedback and publish its final proposals before implementing the changes, which were hoped to be put in place in of the proposals have been made available at Castletown Town Hall and online. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
West Northamptonshire Council launches a draft masterplan
People living and working in a town that is undergoing significant regeneration were being asked to help shape the next 15 years of its development.A town centre masterplan has been drafted for Northampton, and the council wanted businesses, residents and community groups to read it and share their Northamptonshire Council has come up with six aims, including revitalising the riverside, restoring heritage buildings, and providing better business leader James Petter said: "This masterplan is more than just buildings and plans, it's about creating a town centre that reflects the pride, priorities and everyday lives of the people who call Northampton home." He said it was "a once-in-a-generation chance to help shape the future of your town centre".He added: "Whether you live, work, study or simply spend time in Northampton, this is your opportunity to have a real say. Share your ideas. Tell us what matters." Several large regeneration projects were already lined up for Northampton's town centre, such as the newly revitalised Market Square, plans to regenerate Greyfriars, the redevelopment of former M&S and BHS stores, and the new Castle council said the draft masterplan will "build on this momentum" and help to "ensure future investment is focused on the right places".Its priorities also included creating a walkable, better-connected town, new homes and neighbourhoods that support town centre living, and a cultural and social for a range of housing on currently underused or vacant sites, including homes for families, older people and young professionals, were also identified. The council has launched a new website where people can fill in a short survey and view the proposals. The portal will close on Sunday, 10 August, and the authority said all feedback will help to shape the final masterplan, which will be published later this said: "Don't miss out. This is your town, your future, and your chance to be part of something truly transformative." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
