Latest news with #Staines
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for Staines four-star hotel by River Thames fall through
Plans for a riverside four-star hotel in Surrey have fallen through after the council decided that the project was "no longer practical".Spelthorne Borough Council had been working with Arora Group to agree plans to regenerate the land under Bridge Street car park in Staines, which would include developing the the council has now said it has agreed to terminate the lease for the site, subject to approval at a full council meeting in Sexton, leader of the council, cited the upcoming reorganisation of local government as a driving factor in the decision. She said: "While this was a difficult decision, it reflects our responsibility to adapt to new priorities and the reorganisation of local government means we must reassess what is right for Staines."We remain committed to creating a vibrant future for the town and will work closely with the community as we plan the next steps for this important site."Under the original plans signed in February, Arora had agreed to lease the site to develop the site of the car park and neighbouring Hanover development would have included creating a four-star hotel by the side of the River declined to comment on the decision.A council spokesperson added that it would be continuing to look at future options for the site, which will continue to operate as a public car park in the government reorganisation plans will see councils in Surrey disbanded and reformed into a number of unitary authorities as part of national government devolution plans.
Telegraph
22-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Surrey council plots ‘pointless' second homes tax raid
Councillors have agreed to launch a 'pointless' tax raid on second home owners in Staines, despite concerns no one will pay up. Spelthorne Borough Council has just 76 second home owners on its books, yet it has agreed to bring in a 100pc council tax premium from April 2027. Critics argued the small share of second home owners – which equates to 0.2pc of the Surrey borough's housing stock – will avoid paying the levy by making use of exemptions. Owners can swerve the additional rate for 12 months by listing their property for sale, without having to commit to a transaction. The home can also be marketed for let. Spelthorne Council, which was more than £1bn in debt as of January, became the latest local authority to tax second home owners following a meeting on Thursday. Local authorities in England were given the power to charge a double tax premium from April 1 under laws passed by the previous Conservative government.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- The Sun
Missing man's family ‘drank water from same reservoir where his decomposing body was left to rot for 6 months'
THE FAMILY of a missing man were drinking water from the same reservoir his body had been decomposing in for six months. Glen Godfrey's body was found six months after he was first reported missing last December, despite police reassuring his family that divers had scoured the King George VI Reservoir in Staines, Surrey. 4 4 The 38-year-old's devastated relatives claim that Surrey Police assured them his body was "100% not in the water", after experts explained it would have resurfaced after 37 days. The reservoir, located near Heathrow Airport, belongs to Thames Water and supplies drinking water across London. Glen's mother, Denise, reported him missing 18 days after he was last seen in Staines on December 4 last year. His bereaved cousin, Amy McGill, slammed the "dismissive" cops after his body was eventually discovered in the same body of water by a Thames Water employee on May 13. She also accused them of failing to question two people who were allegedly with Glen right before he died and saw him jump in the reservoir. Speaking to The Sun, Amy fumed: "We, as a family and as a community, were drinking water from the very reservoir where Glen's body was decomposing. 'Glen's body was finally discovered in the reservoir, a body of water that police had repeatedly assured us had been thoroughly searched twice. "We've begged the police for answers and transparency, but they've been extremely dismissive. 'They don't want to tell us what they found in the post-mortem exam. "These are really important details that could lead us to the truth as to what happened to him. 'I don't know, for example, if he had any water in his lungs, drugs or alcohol in his system, or anything else. 'We were told by water recovery experts that Glen was 100% not in the reservoir, claiming that flotation occurs after 37 days. 'And yet, Glen was later found right there." The family, from Ashford, Surrey, said they have unanswered questions as to why his body did not resurface after 37 days. They decided to take matters into their own hands, leading untrained searches with public volunteers themselves. A GoFundMe page was also set up to fund the desperate search, raising more than £5,000. Amy said: 'We privately funded specialist search teams and even brought in search dogs. 'These dogs signalled Glen's presence in the reservoir, months before his body was found. 'The police dismissed these indications as 'just silts of mud'. 'Glen's family, friends, and even strangers, conducted our own daily searches, risking our safety without proper equipment or training. 'We could never thank these selfless individuals enough. "Surrey Police would make Facebook posts and our community would ask questions why they didn't check properly. 'The police would delete their posts, even after editing them, silencing conversation and avoiding responsibility.' They have also launched a petition to create "Glen's Law" after their six month battle for answers. The law calls for better accountability from authorities, compassionate communication between families and authorities, family liaison officers and consideration of third-party involvement. On the petition's official page, the family said: 'Glen's story is not unique. 'Across the nation, families face the abyss of uncertainty when a loved one goes missing, especially in cases involving bodies of water. 'We demand a change; we need 'Glen's Law,' a national framework to ensure immediate, professional, and effective responses to all missing persons cases.' Recounting Glen's last steps, Amy added: "His last known moments were with a homeless man and woman. 'Their accounts were troubling and inconsistent, yet they were never treated as persons of interest. "Glen was seen withdrawing money from his bank, telling the cashier he was going to a party. 'Hours later, he vanished at their camp on Staines Moor, never to be seen alive again. 4 'When we reported him missing, we asked why there was no attempt to report that he's just gone missing. 'The homeless pair bizarrely claimed that he randomly took off his boots, jumped over 8 feet fences and into the water. 'If that did truly happen, you'd be concerned and let someone know. Instead, they shrugged it off as 'he just ran off'. 'What's even more alarming is that we've received hundreds of messages from members of the public who encountered the two individuals Glen was last seen with. 'Many of these messages contain chilling stories of threats, intimidation, and even fear for their own lives.' The family's local community hailing from surrounding areas such as Staines, Ashford, Hounslow and Heathrow have taken to social media to share their thoughts. One Facebook user wrote: 'Maybe if Surrey Police listened to the poor family, six months they have been through this! 'No support from Surrey police for this family at all. It's absolutely heartbreaking.' Another added: 'Isn't the reservoir used for drinking water? 'How can Surrey Police not search this more extensively? '6 months worth of drinking water with potential human remains in? 'Not only let the family down. Let the wider community down as well. "Disgraceful response.' In response, Surrey Police defended its "robust" investigation into Glen's disappearance. A spokesperson for the force said: "We continue to offer our thoughts to Glen's family following the sad discovery of his body at the King George VI Reservoir in Stanwell earlier this year. 'Following the report to Surrey Police on 22 December 2024, we carried out a robust investigation to initially find Glen, and subsequently when his body was found, to rule out any third party involvement in his death. 'We explored various lines of enquiry, including reviewing CCTV and phone records. "We also carried out interviews with those Glen was last known to be with, released public appeals for information and conducted extensive searches in the vicinity of where he was last sighted. "This included using specialist search and rescue teams, underwater sonar equipment and dive teams to assist in finding him. 'We have remained in contact with Glen's next of kin, and are aware that some members of his family continue to have questions around his death. "The matter is now an investigation that will continue by the Surrey Coroner and an inquest will take place in due course. "We have attempted to engage with Glen's wider family to provide additional support at what remains a difficult time, and have encouraged them to use our complaints process if they remain unsatisfied with Surrey Police.' Thames Water has been approached for comment.
The Guardian
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘People thought I was off my face': indie rockers Hard-Fi look back at adrenaline, addiction and a life of excess
Hard-Fi formed in 2003 in Staines, Surrey. Frontman Richard Archer, guitarist Ross Phillips, bassist Kai Stephens and drummer Steve Kemp released their debut album, Stars of CCTV, in 2005. Featuring Cash Machine, Hard to Beat and Living for the Weekend, it reached No 1 in the UK, sold 1.2m copies worldwide and earned Brit awards and a Mercury prize nomination. The band released two further albums before going on hiatus in 2014. They reunited in 2022 and released a new EP in 2024. This shoot was for an interview in the Big Issue. I still wear those clothes now, but back then a good jacket or pair of sunglasses was a suit of armour. With the right pair of shades, I could face the Terminator. The more extrovert elements of being a frontman didn't always come naturally, so at times I was playing a larger-than-life character. I wasn't that confident performing – not to the extent I'd puke up backstage, but I'd get nervous and try too hard. I was also a bit gobbier and swearier back then. A lot of people thought I was off my face on coke, which I wasn't. Adrenaline is powerful stuff. I often had this outsider feeling – as if there was a party going on we weren't invited to. We'd go out in Staines rather than Camden, but, even though we weren't part of the 'scene', our shows kept selling out. By 2006, it felt like we were on a train that was getting faster and faster. For years, we'd tour and do promo, with no days off – all of which was exciting but exhausting. The whole time I thought: 'We can't stop, we can't screw it up.' There was so much pressure that I didn't get a chance to stop and soak it in. After our third record, the label said: 'We're not going to make another album with you.' I wanted to keep the band going, but the energy wasn't there any more. Ross had his first child, money was getting tight and I realised we should move on. In the years since, I've been writing and producing for other artists. In 2020, I got in touch with the guys and suggested we do something. I was thinking, 'Will people actually turn up?', but we sold out the Kentish Town Forum in 10 minutes. And here we are! I had never worn a flat cap in my life. It was not my thing, so I felt self-conscious. But this was 2005 – I felt self-conscious permanently. I was almost certainly thinking: 'Right, a flat cap, is it? I'll just stand here and try to look tough.' Before Hard-Fi, I was on the dole. I'd go in and say: 'We've got meetings at a record label, the band might actually happen.' They'd reply: 'Sure. Have you thought about getting a job at HMV?' When we signed to Atlantic in December 2004, the dole office thought I was making it up. I was shocked, too – so much so that I wanted to hide my portion of the advance in a pillow case. That approach continued whenever the band had success. As soon as anything good happened, I couldn't celebrate. I just felt fear. Our debut album was recorded in a taxi office covered in cheap asbestos tiles that looked as if they'd been painted yellow, but it was nicotine. They'd turn to dust if you touched them, and there were rats living in the roof. It was grim, a really nasty place. All of which made the more glamorous parts of the band more surreal. James Blunt invited us to a party at his place once. I was introduced to Paris Hilton. She looked me up and down, twice, then turned and walked away. Being in Hard-Fi is half family, half military operation. Rich is the colonel. I am the sergeant – I crack the whip. Ross is a private – 'Yes, sir!' – and Kai is more likely to be awol. We are solid, but we can bicker about all sorts. I get wound up the easiest. I get the hump about anything. After the group went on hiatus, I wanted to use my brain, so I ended up retraining as a nutritionist. Do I help the band eat healthily now? Not remotely. Twenty years later, I am still the same guy. Although, these days I would have the confidence to say no to the flat cap. Those Versace shades definitely helped me get into character. When I joined the group, I realised I was probably not in the best place for what could be a really exciting opportunity. I wasn't getting enough sleep or living my best life, so I had to sharpen up and straighten out. I had a lot of respect for Richard, I had come across Steve at university, and I got on with Ross straight away – we were both just lads from Staines. Before Hard-Fi, I was doing pest control. We used my van for some of those early gigs, and, as I had tough guts, I wasn't bothered by much. Once someone dropped something down a toilet and I grabbed it out with my hand. When the taxi office had an ant infestation, I said: 'Why do you think they're here? It's not for the tunes. There's sugar everywhere.' When our first single made the Top 20, I couldn't believe it was happening. Looking back, I don't think I responded well. Artistically I stepped up to the plate, but personally I lost the plot. My impostor syndrome was huge, and I was dealing with it by becoming dependent on alcohol. There wasn't much talk about addiction back then. To some extent, it was encouraged by the industry. After we were dropped, we had a good break from each other for a fair few years. During that time, I went on a real journey – bad habits returning, and losing a loved one. But I also got the chance to become a good father. I feel positive about life now, but mixed about what's happening with the band. As much as it's exciting to live a bit of 2005 again, because of the crazy curve I've been on, there's apprehension there, too. We were considered 'urban' by the press, so most of our early shoots were done in car parks or bus shelters – anywhere that looked grimy. This one would have been a pleasant change. My outfit is standard Hard-Fi clobber – a black polo and army surplus. I felt comfortable in that – ready to go. I was only 21 when Hard-Fi took off, and the last one to join. I was nervous, but they were an easy bunch of fellas. I'm the youngest of three siblings, I go with the flow, and I applied that same mentality to being in Hard-Fi. It's almost impossible to wind me up. Only my kids can – they've got special skills. In 2005, we were out every night and away from home for months on end. It was great, but I found doing red carpets stressful. Even after four pints, I look like I'm thinking: 'Ahh. What the fuck.' When the third album came around, I started having kids and I thought it was time to get a job. Music stopped for me for a few years – my guitars were put in a cupboard to keep them away from the kids. As we started up the group again, I realised I had forgotten how much I loved playing. But it is a different dynamic this time around. Back then I was just making music. I had zero responsibilities. I knew absolutely nothing at all.
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cat from Staines among contenders for National Cat of the Year
A cat from Surrey who has saved her owner's life on multiple occasions is a finalist in this year's National Cat event, organised by charity Cats Protection, highlights the impact cats have on people's Void is one of three contenders in the Incredible Cats category which recognises those who have raised the alarm in an emergency or prevented a is able to alert owner Laura Welch when she is about to have a medical episode linked to her heart condition, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia. Ms Welch, from Staines, said: "The cardiac episodes can flare up multiple times a week – I get a lot of pain, a really high heart rate and get dizzy like I'm going to pass out. "I don't know where he learnt it but Void knows to alert me before it happens. He sprints over at full speed and gently taps me over and over again until he sees that I'm listening."She recalls one occasion when she was in bed and Void "sprinted up the stairs at full speed" to alert her to an episode. "I woke up 10 minutes later and he was sat right by my head and I realised I'd had a seizure. I trust him, I really do," Ms Welch for the National Cat Awards is open and will run until 31 July. Category winners and the overall National Cat of the Year will be announced during a ceremony in London on 24 September.
