Latest news with #revamp
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Unique UK train station dating back 90 years will shut for entire summer to make way for major revamp
A UNIQUE UK train station that dates back 90 years will shut for the entire summer as it undergoes a major revamp. First opening in 1933, it's one of the last in the city to have wooden platforms. 2 2 But for three months next year, Berrylands station, in south west London, will shut whilst its almost century-old platforms are replaced. Network Rail said that the works are "essential" to ensure the maintenance of the station's structure. Whilst the station will be forced to close temporarily, South Western Railway services will continue to run, the operator said. When will the station close? Berrylands station is almost a century old and requires important maintenance works to ensure it can continue to operate. Although the station is only due to close for three months, the project is expected to take nine months to complete. The project will start on May 11, 2026 and is expected to run until August 23. What works are taking place? Network Rail has ensured it will keep residents informed throughout the works with letters detailing the full plans of the project. Both of the wooden platforms will be replaced, while narrow parts of the platform will be widened and new lighting and CCTV installed. New shelters will also be built for passengers as part of the operator's plans to "enhance" customer experience and improve the safety of the platform. Will there be any other disruptions? From March, demolition will begin, as well as works on installing the new platforms and staircases. Network Rail has also warned of intermittent closures on Lower Marsh lane and parking suspensions in Chiltern Drive. Major UK train station EVACUATED sparking chaos for thousands of commuters in morning rush hour Roads may also temporarily close to allow construction materials to be transported to the station. Will there be alternative travel arrangements? Alternative travel options have not yet been confirmed but will be shared with passengers once they have. For now, commuters are recommended to use nearby stations such as Surbiton and New Maldon during the works. Network Rail has said that while some noise and disruption is expected, it will 'work hard to minimise this wherever possible'. The operator added: "This project will ensure Berrylands continues to serve the local community reliably and safely for years to come".
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
The village that can't PAY people to live there - despite offering families £90,000 to move in
An idyllic Italian village is willing to give people €100,000 to move in and revamp crumbling villas - but no one's taking up on the offer. Despite being renowned for its beautiful mountain ranges, the northern Italian region of Trentino has suffered with a declining population in recent years. In response, local authorities launched a new housing initiative aimed at revitalising as many as 33 towns at risk of becoming deserted. Under the scheme, buyers are offered a grant of €100,000 - €80,000 towards renovation and €20,000 to help them purchase a derelict home. The only condition is they must commit to living at the property or renting it out for at least 10 years. Failing to meet these conditions could result in the grant having to be repaid. Applications are accepted in rounds lasting three to four months. The first round opened in May, and by its close on June 30, the initiative had received 291 applications. However, one town, Sagron Mis, failed to attract a single applicant. Nestled at the foot of the Dolomites, Sagron Mis is a commune made up of two villages, Sagron and Mis. It's renowned for its stunning natural beauty and boasts numerous hiking trails and observation points. But despite its appeal, the town does come with challenges. With just one shop to serve its 170 residents, access to essential services is limited. 'We have the post office, the cooperative,' said the town's mayor, Marco Depaoli.' But we are lacking in the presence of a general practitioner.' Still, Depaoli remains optimistic. 'It's not a drama. It takes patience. There is no deadline, it is not a rejection of the town,' he said. 'I wouldn't make it a casus belli.' While no formal applications were received the major says there has been strong interest. 'Fifteen people have contacted our municipal offices to ask what the rule is, how it works, how to proceed to obtain funding,' he said. He also cited the limited housing stock as another hurdle. 'There are about fifteen houses for sale. We need to see if they meet the conditions, and if those who buy them are interested in the financing proposal,' he explained. 'We have several second homes, and people often do not sell them.' Depaoli hopes that when the next application window opens in September, more people will consider relocating to what he describes as a 'beautiful, respected place with great future potential.' The Trentino government has allocated more than €10million to the initiative since it launched in 2024. The scheme includes municipalities in areas like Val di Non, Val di Sole, Primiero, Valsugana, and others. Towns such as Bresimo, Livo, Rabbi, and Vermiglio are participating. Other areas like Primiero, Alpe Cimbra (Luserna), and Valsugana (Castello Tesino, Cinte Tesino, Grigno) are also involved. Both Italian nationals and foreign residents are eligible to apply. President of Trento, the capital of Trentino, said: 'The goal is to revitalise local communities and promote territorial cohesion.' The new scheme comes after the '1 euro housing' initiative launched in Italy in 2017. Several Italian towns, particularly in Sicily, launched initiatives to sell abandoned houses for the symbolic price of 1 euro to combat depopulation and revitalize historic centers. The scheme attracted international attention and led to the revitalization of many towns. Buyers typically need to commit to renovating the property within a specified timeframe and pay associated fees and taxes. A British man who bought a house in Italy for the bargain price of just €1/85p recently revealed he now has hundreds of people desperate to rent it out. George Laing, 32, bought the derelict three-storey property in Mussomeli, a town in Sicily, in December 2022. The Brit purchased the bargain home under a renovation scheme set up by the council. Once George had paid for admin fees, agency costs and energy certificates, the purchase price came to €5,000/£4,300. And George, who works as an antiques trader, now splits his time between Mussomeli and Eastbourne. He says he spent less than £10,000 renovating the home, despite it requiring a lot of renovations. George had to fix the home's leaky roof, set up electricity and have the water supply reconnected. The enterprising Brit did nearly all of the improvements himself but admits there were some difficulties along the way, including when a storm hit and 'buckets of water' came in the house. George revealed: 'I wouldn't say it's a completely glamourous lifestyle, but it's definitely a rewarding one.' The antiques trader has been sharing the journey on his Instagram (@george_laing_) and claims that more than 500 followers have requested to rent the home. He says: 'It's been the best decision I've made. I've got a waiting list of more than 500 people waiting to rent my home out. 'I just use my website and a booking form, I don't have to use or Airbnb - it's edging up to nearly 600 people now.' George has now bought a second €1/85p home in Mussomeli, due to the positive reaction he's had.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Poole Museum's Scaplen's Court reopens after revamp
A museum is to welcome visitors as part of a phased reopening following a two-year, £10.3m Museum in Dorset closed in 2022, and on Saturday visitors will be able to explore its newly restored Scaplen's Court and revamp has been supported by BCP Council, which owns the site, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Arts Council and charitable trusts and interim director Jaine Fitzpatrick said: "Local businesses and community connections are central to the refreshed Poole Museum experience." Scaplen Court has been made accessible for the first time, with the help of a new platform has increased from 60 to more than 250 people, enabling it to host larger events and celebrations. The addition of the cafe on the ground floor and outdoor seating has transformed the space into a community new museum shop will open the following week, while the full museum opens later in the year and entry will remain free. The museum will include six new galleries across five floors, three new maritime galleries, a new ceramics, art and design gallery, and two flexible galleries for touring Fitzpatrick said: "By opening up parts of the site for the summer, we're encouraging residents and visitors to re-engage with us in Poole's historic Old Town whilst building anticipation ahead of the grand unveiling later in the year."This phased approach supports local enterprise, builds excitement, and offers early opportunities to enjoy revitalised spaces and cultural events."Andy Martin, BCP Council's portfolio holder for customer, communication and culture, said: "This transformation of Poole Museum has been nothing short of incredible."The phased reopening is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to enjoy the museum in two exciting chapters." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Britain's 2nd biggest castle is finally reopening after £8MILLION revamp – and will transport guests back to 1320s
BRITAIN'S second biggest castle is finally reopening after £8million revamp. Following two years of conservation and refurbishment work, the public will finally be able to get a peek at the monument. 5 5 Caerphilly Castle is the largest of its kind in Wales and it was constructed in the 13th century. Second only to Windsor Castle, it was constructed by Gilbert de Clare, the seventh Earl of Gloucester. Now, visitors will once again get to experience the grandeur of the medieval age when it reopens on July 19th. Huge rooms to receive renovations include the famous Great Hall and the inner castle ward. Stonemasons, archaeologists and conservation experts were all brought in to make sure guests would be transported back to the 1320s. The public will also get to experience new digital exhibits which will tell the stories of both the building as well as the inhabitants. Visitors will get to learn even more about the men, women and children who lived in the castle over the seven centuries. New areas have also now been made accessible to the public, as tourists will get to see the medieval water-gate passageway. They will see the connection between the Great Hall to the southern lake as major repairs were also carried out to the Inner East Gatehouse. Management have also made features more accessible across the site in the £8million development. This European castle was the inspiration for Disney Jack Sargeant is Wales' culture minister who gushed about the impending reopening. He said: "[The £8m investment] has not only restored this remarkable medieval space to its former glory but has made our shared history more accessible and engaging for everyone. "The Great Hall, interactive exhibits and improved accessibility demonstrate our commitment to preserving Wales' rich cultural heritage while ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations." Meanwhile, housing secretary Jayne Bryant added: "The castle has stood as a guardian for over 750 years, and through this sensitive restoration, we're ensuring it remains at the heart of the town's identity for generations to come." 5 5
CNA
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNA
CNA's website and app have a new look that you can customise
SINGAPORE: CNA's website has been revamped, bringing a slicker look and feel to readers like you. We'd like to walk you through the new features of the revamp with this quick orientation: 1. A new font The first thing you might notice is our new font, Delegate, across all of CNA's sites, including Lifestyle and CNA TODAY. We've introduced the new typeface, by a Mumbai-based typographic designer, to enhance readability for everyone, including readers with dyslexia. The updated font features clearer letterforms, wider spacing and distinct character shapes. This change reflects our commitment to accessibility and ensures that more people can engage with our content comfortably. 2. Your home page, as you like it If you use our app (download it here if you don't have it yet), you'll get to customise your home page as you like. Make sure to update the app to its latest version on your device's app store, if you have not. With this update, you can rearrange your favourite sections, like CNA TODAY, Lifestyle, podcasts and commentary, as well as our new content formats (more on this below), up and down on the home page as you wish. You can do so by clicking 'Customise' on this banner that appears after your app is updated: If you have closed that prompt, navigate to your Settings menu (tap the gear icon on the top right of your app screen) and tap 'Customise Homepage'. 3. Shorts and Visual Stories CNA's podcasts are now within easy reach on the home page, with an improved listening experience. You'll find your favourite shows, like Deep Dive, Work It and Money Talks, and discover new ones you might enjoy, all on our redesigned Listen page. Our new pop-up podcast player makes listening to podcasts a smooth experience. Press 'play' and you'll see new features – adjust the playback speed, and view chapter markers to skip ahead or replay a previous section. You can also move, expand or collapse the player on the app, giving you full control over your listening experience. 5. FAST updates for busy people If you're a fan of our story summaries on FAST, you'll notice it's now a permanent button on the bottom row of your app screen – for those of you using the app. Simply tap it to access the FAST experience from any article you're reading, or from the home screen to read all our top story summaries as they're curated on our home page. Said chief editor of CNA Digital, Loh Chee Kong: 'Given the state of flux the world is in, there's never been a greater need for global news organisations to help audiences stay up to date with the latest happenings and join the dots. However, it can be overwhelming and people need greater control over what they consume and how they consume it. In response to user feedback and surveys, we have revamped the CNA website and mobile app to cater to the trends of people preferring not just to read but watch and listen to different types of content. 'Apart from a refreshed and less cluttered look, there's greater customisation. For example, users can personalise the app home page so that they can easily see their favourite types of content. It will also be easier to find summaries of news articles, podcasts, shortform videos and CNA's award-winning documentaries. There are many other new features as well. Along with CNA's trusted and high-quality journalism on understanding Asia, the website and app revamp will enhance the news consumption experience for our audiences, from whichever part of the world you are in.'
