Latest news with #communityspace
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Blenheim food truck owners face uncertainty after council buys site
By Kira Carrington, Local Democracy Reporter Peter Blaha, owner of food truck DFC Bakery, hopes to stay on at the High St site that was bought by the Marlborough District Council in May. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington The owners of several food trucks on a vacant central Blenheim lot are worried they will be turfed out after the land was bought by the Marlborough District Council. The 1147m² property, spanning five titles between High St and Wynen St, beside Te Kahu o Waipuna, was bought by the council in May for $1.8 million. Mayor Nadine Taylor said the site was earmarked for development as a community space, and the council would seek input from the public as it explored options. One of the food truck owners, Peter Blaha of DFC Artisan Bakery, said he was notified by the owner about two weeks before the sale that the land was to be sold. Blaha said he hoped the council would allow them to stay put. "I would be happy if we can make some deal with them," Blaha said. "We are small businesses … You invest your money into [the business]. I feed my family, I pay the taxes as well." The food truck owners like parking up in the space next to Blenheim's new library and art gallery, Te Kahu o Waipuna. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington Blaha said the council could incorporate the food trucks into a space that would attract more foot traffic to the CBD. He reckoned the lot could fit 100 people. "You can make [some] kind of small market here, even a small festival," Blaha said. Boseong Jeong, owner of food truck Sasa Express, said while she would have to close shortly as she was pregnant, she was also hopeful that a long-term arrangement could be made that allowed her to stay on at the site. Alson Su, owner of Orange Eats, said he had already been given notice to leave. "They told us the latest we could let this place is mid-June," Su said. "We are still waiting for some other places to move over [to]." A council spokesperson said that under the Reserves and Other Public Places Bylaw 2017, nobody could conduct commercial activity on public land without the council's written approval. "When mobile food truck owners have approached council for space in the CBD in the past, these applications have been declined in deference to other rate paying businesses in the CBD," the spokesperson said. "However, in this instance, council is prepared to work with the food truck operators to both understand their previous arrangements and to look at suitable options going forward." Anna Hamman, owner of neighbouring business The Sewing Store, said it would be great if the trucks could stay. "The food trucks have been a welcome addition actually. It's been quite nice knowing that there's a few little local businesses having a spot there." Jay Sirichan hopes a new community development in the empty lot will bring people back into central Blenheim. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington Jay Sirichan, owner of nearby Japanese restaurant Bento, said the central Blenheim businesses could do with a new attraction. "Business is quite slow. "I would like a new space to make things more interesting for the people in town. "The new library is very good. In the weekend there are a lot of people with their kids. But just, I think it's not enough." * LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Former landfill site in Farnham earmarked for redevelopment
A council is asking people for ideas about how best to transform a former landfill site in site in Weydon, Farnham, served as a landfill from the 1950s until the 1980s when it was closed and sealed with clay to minimise its effect on the Borough Council said the clay covering required extensive repairs, but that it hoped to open a new park at the site by can share their ideas about what should be done to the site, known locally as Brambleton Park, through an online survey until 13 July. Councillor Mark Merryweather, the council's portfolio holder for finance, assets and property, said: "We are still in the early stages of planning, but now is the ideal opportunity for local residents to have a direct influence on the future direction of the project."Over the years, many ideas have been suggested for this site but transforming a former landfill into a genuine and sustainable community space is no small task."We have completed extensive environmental assessments and now we're eager to engage with the community and gather their valuable input."The council has suggested ideas such as an outdoor gym, a café, a children's playground or even a cycling pump track for the 10-acre results from the survey will be used to form a business case. If this is approved by the council, initial plans for the site will be copies of the survey are also available at Farnham Town Council in South Street.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Weybridge Library to open new community hub in August
A new library and community space will open in Surrey this summer, the county council Library Hub in Church Street will replace the current library and will include new facilities as well as spaces for youth support services and community groups.A Surrey County Council (SCC) spokesperson said the new hub will open in August council will also hold a drop in event to share plans with residents from 14:00 BST on 6 June at St James's Church Hall. Elmbridge Borough Council said the hub would house community services in Weybridge when it Turner-Stewart SCC deputy leader said the council is investing in places that "bring our services, support and social events and activities all under one roof for our residents to access and enjoy".She said she was "proud" of delivering "another" library hub, which is "modern, sustainable, accessible and multi-purpose".
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Library and events space opens in Stockport's Merseyway shopping centre
Retail units in a town's shopping centre have been transformed into a library hub and events space. The space in Merseyway in Stockport has been transformed into Stockroom, a "hub for creativity, connection and community", the council said. It will also include a café bar and children's learning space, as well as being home to Stockport's historical Council leader Mark Roberts said it was a "bold investment" in the town centre and an "exciting new chapter". The council said the space would soon host a packed programme of events, activities and cultural experiencesRoberts said: "Stockroom is a bold investment in the future of our town centre – one that puts culture, learning and community right at the heart of our regeneration plans," "Stockroom marks an exciting new chapter for Stockport."The new space hosts several events later for all ages to celebrate the opening:10:00 - 14:00 - Green Fingers - Help bring new planters to life with the National Trust and Merseyway WorkshopFrom 10:30 - Born to Be Wild Child - Family dance party sessions under the parachute11:00 - 14:00 - Quick Draw – Test your sketching skills on Adlington Walk.10:00 - 16:00 - Add your photo to the Chosen Family Album Exhibition - Bring in your pictures and images to include in the Chosen Family Album and see yourself inside Stockroom18:00 - 20:00 - Evening Launch with Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi - A special Stockroom Studios set from Stockport's ownDiscover the Archives – Explore Stockport's past, contribute to our time capsule, or hear from photographer Heidi AlexanderDisco hat making – Make a disco hat, create your own Stockroom story, explore digital art, or leave your mark on our collaborative mural Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Douglas residents oppose plan for compound on playing fields
A group of residents are campaigning against plans for a construction compound on playing fields in the Isle of Man capital. The proposals, submitted by Douglas Council, would see the land on Ballanard Road temporarily used as a compound for the refurbishment of social residents of Ballanard Road and Manor Hotel Road have argued it should remain as a valued community them, Carla Dione said it would affect residents' day-to-day living, create noise and light pollution and "devalue" houses in the area. Local MHK Ann Corlett said she could understand the concerns and would "listen" to the residents and "help them through the process".The compound would work with the storage of materials and their movement around the Willaston estate alongside the delivery and collection of skips for disposal of building debris, the council council sent a letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, to households on Ballanard Road and Manor Hotel Road while other properties adjoining the site were not notified. 'Significant distress' It does not include timelines, a map or details about the duration of the the letter does say the site will be "temporary" and will be made as "inconspicuous as possible".It also confirmed the site will be needed for "several years" but the field would be "fully reinstated" once the development is complete and could include some "enhancements" in the future, and states the playing field is the "only logical area" after a meeting held by resident on Tuesday night, Michael Booth said the proposals had caused himself and nearby neighbours "a significant amount of distress" . He said he expected that the project, if approved, would turn their lives into a "living nightmare for many years to come".The recreational area was "used daily by so many", which included families, children playing, walkers, runners, cyclists, commuters, and was home to a "vast array of wildlife including nesting birds and bats", he said. There were other more suitable locations in and around the Willaston estate, he said, but "we don't believe that these are being seriously considered by the council".Douglas Council has been contacted for a comment. 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.
