Latest news with #Totton
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Government minister visits New Forest housing scheme
The Baroness Taylor of Stevenage OBE, parliamentary under-secretary of state, visited the New Forest. The visit on Thursday, July 31, was to see New Forest District Council's work on housing and homelessness. The visit began at Penman House in Totton, the council's first development to meet the Future Homes Standard, which opened in January. Councillor Steve Davies said: "The baroness was keenly interested in how government policies were being implemented by councils like ours. "Penman House is the pinnacle of our strategic approach to deliver both new affordable housing and greater energy efficiency in our tenants' homes. "With 11 of the 12 flats meeting EPC A, our tenants all benefit from lower energy bills and enjoy the measures which prevent condensation and mould. "I was pleased to convey to the baroness how this council has the skills and ability to respond to government regulation for the benefit of our tenants." Baroness Taylor said: "I was really pleased to visit New Forest District Council's new and innovative social housing scheme at Penman House, Totton, and speak to tenants about living in new energy-efficient homes." Councillor Cleary said: "We were very pleased to welcome Baroness Taylor to the New Forest today."
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Councillor welcomes plan to upgrade part of 'challenging' retail area
A developer has unveiled plans to transform a town centre site by replacing the existing buildings with two new shops and 14 flats. Totton Developments Ltd has submitted an application to redevelop part of Rumbridge Street, a popular shopping area next to the A35 Totton Bypass. Its application says the existing buildings "are of low quality and offer no significant value to the street scene". The site is currently occupied by two commercial units with residential accommodation above, and an outbuilding. The proposed development comprises a three-storey building containing 12 flats and two shops on the ground floor, plus a two-storey building that would deliver two flats. An aerial view of the proposed site and the surrounding buildings (Image: PLC Architects) Totton councillor David Harrison said: "Rumbridge Street has long been something of a challenge in terms of a sustainable retail area. "It suffers from a poor environment, often with traffic congestion backed up from the train gates in Junction Road, and is out-competed by retail offers north of the railway line. "This application might well help refresh things whilst also providing much needed housing opportunities, particularly for younger people. "Longer term, I'm hoping plans to regenerate Totton include making the whole of Rumbridge Street a much more attractive area to both live in and go shopping". An artist's impression of the proposed development at Rumbridge Street in Totton (Image: PLC) Totton Developments has submitted its plans to New Forest District Council. READ MORE: Go-ahead for pan to replace derelict building in Rumbridge Street with seven flats and a shop A design and access statement that accompanies the application says: "The overall footprint of the proposed development is similar to that of the existing ground floor plans. "Improvements to the landscaping will include gravel footpaths, a grassed communal area, and newly-planted hedgerows. "Local amenities are within close proximity to the site. These include an abundance of employment and leisure opportunities for the future occupiers. "This is a sustainable location where future residents will be able to integrate within the community. "The applicant will be seeking to provide the necessary infrastructure to enable a fibre connection to be provided to the new development. "Design features have been carefully considered to provide a development that fits within the context of the neighbouring properties." A planning statement says one of the existing shops on the site is currently empty. "The proposed development seeks to maintain and enhance the existing shopping frontage by reinstating two smaller commercial units located at ground floor."
BBC News
28-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Trainee hearing puppy saves trainer's life in Southampton
A trainee hearing dog saved his trainer's life with his "quick actions" when she suffered a heart a 15-month-old cocker spaniel is being taught by Jeannette Godsell, 58, from Southampton, who began feeling unwell after a training began nudging Ms Godsell, a volunteer for Hearing Dogs for deaf people, before barking the get the attention of a said: It might sound dramatic, but he literally saved my life. I want the world to know how amazing he is." Ms Godsell had returned home from Totton railway station where Watson had been learning how to settle on a train journey and recalled sitting on the sofa feeling unwell."Watson is usually a really chilled dog", she explained, "so I couldn't understand why he wouldn't stop nudging me" which he was trained to do in an said: "I tried to go upstairs and lie down, but he blocked the stairs by standing in front of them. In the end, I gave up and sat back down on the sofa."Watson went into the garden and started barking persistently, something she said is "completely out of character for him" but "it got my neighbour, Sue's, attention"."Sue knew that Watson didn't usually bark, so came round to investigate, she told me I didn't look well and, despite me protesting that it was just indigestion, she called an ambulance."Paramedics arrived and confirmed she was having a heart attack before she was taken to hospital for emergency surgery to have a stent fitted. Ms Godsell said: "The doctors told me that there is a golden hour when you have a heart attack and that, if I had got to hospital half an hour later, there could've been a very different outcome."It's terrifying to think what would've happened if Watson hadn't stopped me from going upstairs, where I would've been alone."Watson will soon be matched with a deaf partner for the next stage of his Godsell said: "He'll always have a piece of my heart - the heart he helped protect." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Swimming club stages gala for local schoolchildren
The gala was made possible as a result of kind sponsorship by The Rotary in Romsey and contributions to core costs by Freedom Leisure and LAB Swim (Image: Romsey & Totton Swimming Club) A swimming club hosted a gala for local schools for "the first time in years". Romsey & Totton Swimming Club invited local schools to Totton Leisure Centre on July 1. Twenty-one events took place, including individual and relay events, with a final fun big float squadron. Advertisement Head coach, Steve Harrison, and head swim teacher, Fran Harrison, supported the children and helped announce and present medals and the winning team's trophy. READ MORE: Football tournament held in memory of 'lifelong saints fan' raises hundreds (Image: Romsey & Totton Swimming Club) This was the first time in many years the club has run the gala, which was sponsored by The Rotary in Romsey and contributions by Freedom Leisure and LAB Swim. With continued support, the club hopes to make the gala an annual event. The event allowed pupils of all abilities to come together and cheer each other on, with every swimmer taking part with enthusiasm. Advertisement A spokesperson for the club said: "The club would like to thank all its volunteers and officials for helping to make a memorable afternoon dedicated to swimming. "The event allowed pupils of all abilities to come together, make a splash, and cheer each other on. "It was great to see swimmers from other schools cheering on their swimming friends. "Every swimmer participated with enthusiasm, giving their best efforts and the whole event embodied the Clubs ethos of being 'a friendly swimming club for all levels.'"
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major food and drinks business that supplies Aldi & Tesco is on edge of collapse with staff ‘totally devastated'
A MAJOR baby food manufacturer is facing liquidation as the business is on the verge of collapse. Workers are "totally devastated" as they are about to lose their livelihood. 1 Nourisher, which produces and supplies yogurts, soups and tray meals to Aldi and Tesco, is reportedly shutting down. The Totton-based firm is set to have its assets sold to settle debts, according to Daily Echo. Devastated workers Around 100 locals who are employed by the company are now facing the grim prospect of losing their jobs. The staff have been crushed to learn the news as they struggle to make ends meet. Team leader Alan Morgan, who worked at Nourisher for six years, told Daily Echo: "Totally devastated after six years. "We had a text saying don't come into work until further notice. "Then we were told that they were looking for an administrator, then they said they were looking for a buyer, then they appointed an administrator, then back to waiting for an administrator, it's all been lies after lies." Alan hasn't received his paycheck for over 12 weeks, and he's not the only worker left to fend for himself. He continued: "Because of this, my bills couldn't be paid. "I had a letter from the landlord seeking possession of my car and bike finance unpaid, struggling to put food on the table, and there are about 50 of us left sorting things out to survive." Liquidation meeting scheduled The company has generated millions of pounds in sales annually, producing goods for companies like Mamia. But it is now awaiting closure with a meeting scheduled in London today to nominate joint liquidators, according to an official notice. Finbarr Thomas O'Connell and Clare Lloyd, both insolvency professionals from S&W Partners LLP, have been identified as the company's potential liquidators. The company is currently led by Ajay Chowdhary who was appointed just a month prior following the dismissal of the former directors. The Sun has reached out to Nourisher for comment. Other closures It comes after a major manufacturer has suddenly shut down due to "very difficult" market conditions. The furniture maker, which supplied "leading brands" across the UK, had to cease trading. Andrew Paul Furniture, which manufactured bespoke chairs and sofas, has closed down after a decline in sales. The firm stopped trading on June 26 after 15 years on the market and is about to go into liquidation. Meanwhile, a popular 138 year old bakery is set to axe 250 jobs following two very difficult years. Roberts Bakers, which supplies products to major supermarkets like Asda, Morrisons, and Tesco, is set to slash its workforce at its factory in Cheshire. The decision follows two years of tough challenges, including a devastating fire in 2023 that severely disrupted operations. The bakery, which employs around 700 people, said it had lost two-thirds of its bread production capacity for over a year after the fire. Why are retailers closing stores? RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis. High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going. However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector. The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion. At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40. The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year. It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year. Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: "The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025." It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024. End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker. It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date. This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023. It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns. The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker. Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations. Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes. Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector. "By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer's household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020."
