A bakery in Burton Joyce has closed its doors for good with the owner telling customers the stress ‘just isn’t worth it’ on social media.
Steph’s Takeaway and Bakery, which is based on Main Street, announced the sad news on their Facebook page on Thursday (13).
She said that since opening a number of customers had raised complaints about the barista machine she was using and the space available in the cafe, which was called Bumbles when it first opened.
She then turned it into a takeaway only selling bakery products and renamed it Steph’s Takeaway and bakery.
But despite the changes, not many people showed their support for the new venture.
She wrote:”I started selling bread which a lot of customers wanted, and the first day was great – and then it stopped. Bread was being thrown away. Some people are saying I never gave the shop a chance but most of them are people that never used me anyway.
Steph also runs a successful tea room also called Bumbles in Epperstone
“So, due to running another successful business that was having to keep this one going I have made that decision to close down Burton Joyce.
“The stress of it all just isn’t worth it.
Steph added: “I hope someone goes into the shop and can give Burton Joyce what they need.
Gedling Borough Council is likely to its raise council tax by 2.99 per cent from April after the authority’s cabinet gave the move the green light.
The Labour-run council’s draft budget for the financial year ahead was discussed at a meeting of senior councillors and officers on Thursday (February 13).
Tina Adams, the head of finance at Gedling Borough Council, presented the plans.
She said Gedling’s Government funding settlement was “disappointing” due to the removal of grants, and that the planned increase in National Insurance contributions has added pressure on budgets.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said rate of employer contributions will increase from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent from April.
This change is expected to add significant costs to local councils across the country.
Ms Adams said: “In terms of the settlements, it was quite disappointing for Gedling.
“There was the removal of two grants, the Funding Guarantee grant and the Services Grant.
“This equates to a reduction of £247,000.
“This was only partially offset by two new grants, the Funding Floor grant awarded at £146,000 and the Recovery Grant awarded at £49,000 equating to a total net loss of £183,500.”
The government announced it would fund the increase of National Insurance for councils, however the final settlement revealed Gedling’s allocation is only £114,000 – against a pressure of almost £400,000.
The council has proposed a 2.99 per cent rise increase in its part of council tax bills for the 12 months from April.
This means properties in Band A will pay an increase of £3.75 per year, while Band D properties will pay £4.38 more per year.
Those in Band C properties will pay an extra £5 per year, and Band D households will pay £5.65 more per annum.
The highest Band H will pay an extra £11.25 per year.
The increase is slightly higher than the 2.98 per cent rise which was also brought in last year.
The authority got a 0.92 per cent increase in central Government grant for the year – significantly less than the 6.8 per cent average Government grant rise for all councils across England.
The cabinet approved the recommendations of the draft budget with a unanimous vote.
The financial plan will be presented at a full council meeting for final approval on Wednesday, March 5.
Final household council tax bills in Nottinghamshire include portions for either the county or city council, plus a district or borough council, and contributions for the police and fire services.
All these authorities are now setting rates for the year ahead, with final total bills known in March.
Three bus services will need to change routes next week as a busy road in Arnold is set to close.
Cross Street will be shut all day on Monday, February 17, Tuesday (18) and Wednesday February (19) for Severn Trent Works.
Turquoise 79, 79A and 79B will divert in both directions between Lidl and Arnold Town Centre using Mansfield Road, Redhill Road, Mellors Road and Church Street.
A number of stops in the town will not be served while work takes place.
The following stops are affected:
James Street, SW-bound Galway Road, SW-bound Furlong Avenue, SW-bound Furlong Avenue, NE-bound Galway Road, NE-bound James Street, NE-bound
Plans to demolish an Arnold pub and replace it with a retirement living block have been approved by the borough council- despite one resident calling it an “ugly, bland, modern building”.
Applicant McCarthy Stone, a developer and manager of retirement communities, is behind the plans to build the 51-apartment retirement complex on the site of the Friar Tuck pub, Arnold.
The plans were approved by Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (February 12).
The pub was originally opened in 1958 by local Daybrook brewery the Home Brewery Company but was run by pub giant Greene King until its closure last year.
The new three-storey block will be available for those over 60.
PICTURED: The Friar Tuck in Arnold (Photo: Greene King)
It will be L-shaped, featuring 36 one-bed and 15 two-bed flats, 22 off-street parking spaces, including two disabled spaces, a communal lounge and a garden.
Speaking during the council committee meeting, Nigel Bryan, Planning Manager at the council, said the pub is currently boarded up.
He also said the development will not have a “significant overlooking or overbearing impact given its on a corner plot and its relationship with neighbouring properties”.
Nearby resident Carol Ball objected to the plans over the pub’s historical importance and safety.
She said: “It should not be demolished, it is part of Arnold’s history despite only being built in the last century.
“This was a brilliant friendly family pub when I visited weekly and felt safe visiting alone or with family and friends.
“There’s not many pubs in Arnold I would feel that safe- in fact there’s no other pub I would feel safe going to on my own.
“I think the proposed building is too high at three storeys- it will just be another ugly, bland, modern building.”
Matthew Serginson, Development Director at McCarthy Stone, said the design of the building “respects the local character of the area”.
He said: “The site offers excellent access to local amenities within the vicinity, which is a key consideration when assessing sites.
“If consented, we expect the future residents of this site will add to the vibrancy of the local area.”
He added the new block is “Supporting needs, opportunities for right-sized, modern, energy efficient homes and freeing up family housing.”
Councillor Sam Smith (Con), questioned where visitors could park with a seemingly lower number of available parking spaces.
He said: “Something of this type of build which will attract more elderly people who won’t have cars, so you would have 0.5 [spaces] per apartment rather than one.
“That equates to about 25.5 [spaces] and it only comes with 22 [spaces]- fine, let’s not fall out over a few spaces.
“But could you just explain where visitors are supposed to park or are they going to use the public car park where the playpark is round the corner?”
Mr Bryan responded visitors could make sure of any free spaces in the development but they would have to use the public car park in close proximity as an alternative.
As part of the approved plans, the developer will contribute £70,000 to improve facilities in the area.
Since 2010, McCarthy Stone has opened 500 retirement developments nationwide, supporting more than 22,500 older people to date.
A Gedling solar farm will now be allowed to operate until 2055 – 15 years longer than originally planned.
Sustainability company Foresight Group applied to Gedling Borough Council in December 2024 to retain the Arnold Lane solar farm for 40 years rather than 25 years.
The site forms part of the former Gedling Colliery and is surrounded by Gedling County Park.
About 1,700 homes are powered by the site using electricty generated by more than 20,000 panels.
The farm began operating in 2015 after original permission was granted in 2014- but a condition of the application meant it was only due to run for 25 years before being dismantled.
This meant it was due to stop operation in 2040, where all equipment would have been removed from the site, allowing the land to return to its original condition.
Proposals to amend the condition and extend the solar farm’s running to 40 years, meaning until 2055, were approved by the council’s planning committee yesterday (February 12).
Claire Turton, Principle Planning Officer at the council said the amendment is justified as a “result of market changes and technological advancements which allow solar farms to be maintained for longer periods”.
According to the applicant, the solar panels are capable of generating electricity for longer than 25 years.
As part of the original planning approval in 2014, an annual £1,000 contribution to enhance biodiversity was also promised.
This has been used by the Gedling Conservation Trust to maintain habitats at the Netherfield Lagoons Local Nature Reserve.
The applicant has agreed to also continue this for the full 40 years of the solar farm’s operation.
Councillor Rachael Ellis (Lab) said: “It’s good news when something that’s already existing can be continued to be used longer than the original predicted lifespan, so I would certainly welcome that.
“There may be no leeway in this, but £1,000 per annum in 2014 [for the conservation trust] is worth considerably more than £1,000 40 years later- I do wonder whether there is any leeway negotiating some kind of increase?”
Claire Turton replied: “It was something the Gedling Conservation Trust also asked for but unfortunately the original [contribution agreement] wasn’t index- linked- I think our hands are tied asking for any more [money].”
Index-linked means a financial payment is linked to rising inflation.
Cllr Sam Smith (Con) responded to this by asking “Can committee have reassurance if there are future applications like this they will be index linked?”
Ms Turton replied that it is usual practice for legal agreements to be index-linked.
Also approved in the same meeting was a separate application for a 32-bed residential centre that offers therapy and holistic treatment to those dealing with addiction and mental health issues.
Existing buildings that used to be occupied by Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Authority in Bestwood Lodge Drive, Bestwood, will be demolished for the new centre to be built.
Guests at the centre self-refer themselves and will have access to 24 hour nursing care and holistic therapy.
The building will have single and group therapy rooms, dining and social spaces, 52 parking spaces, bicycle storage and will be accessed from Bestwood Lodge Drive.
A developer has announced they have completed the purchase of a £25m site for housing in Arnold
Strata Homes’ new development ‘Grace’ will be based on land off Killisick Lane after planning permission was granted in December 2024.
The development will comprise of 45 four and five bedroom detached homes, alongside nine affordable homes.
The new site will be accessed from the south, from Strathmore Road, where an existing road currently terminates. This will be extended to accommodate the new homes.
Biodiversity plans for the development include the planting specimen trees, native hedgerows and a wildflower meadow.
In addition to this, Strata say they plan to retain existing boundary trees and vegetation, including a significant area of woodland. These biodiversity plans aim to create a sustainable home for wildlife to thrive alongside people.
The Section 106 agreement will see Strata contribute a total of £450,000 to fund local healthcare, education and transport. As part of this, the developer has pledged to support local education and employability through employment opportunities on site and training delivered to upskill the local workforce.
The £25m scheme will not only bring much needed homes to the area but also create community links through new pedestrian and cycle links, encouraging sustainable travel and offering accessibility to the wider community and nature surrounding the scheme.
Alan Swain, Land and Partnerships Director at Strata, says “This scheme is one of many to come in our growing Midlands cluster, and we can’t wait to deliver contemporary, energy efficient homes in the Arnold area.
“The team are extremely proud and we cannot wait to see our customers move into their Strata homes and for this neighbourhood to come to life.”
A public consultation for the homes received 39 letters, of which 26 objected to the proposals. Reasons for objection included the impact on nearby roads, the loss of green space, the loss of recreational space for dog walking, and harm to wildlife.
Our readers from across the borough give their weekly take on the biggest issues impacting Gedling and beyond.
Join the debate by sending your letter to letters@gedlingeye.co.uk . Please put ‘Letters’ in the subject line. You can also submit a letter by filling in the simple form below, and it may appear online.
Some letters refer to past correspondence which can be found by clicking HERE
Names and addresses will be withheld by request but must be included in the email.We reserve the right to edit letters.Letters published do not reflect the views of Gedling Eye
There are better transport links elsewhere to other towns in the borough. Both Carlton and Netherfield have a direct train link to the city and onwards to East Midlands Airport and London so surely it would make more sense to set the enterprise centre up near one of the two stations.
With tram plans also being discussed to run near Carlton and Netherfield it would also be more beneficial to have one there. I have not seen any mention of any plans to run it to Arnold.
But as always – Arnold, Arnold, Arnold.
Alan Fagg via email
Thanks topub for putting Gedling on the map
Well done to Beccy Webster and the team at Gedling Inn who have put Gedling on the map with their Forest offer
It has been a joy to see our village all over the national news and television.
It has made me so proud.
One of my relatives who used to live here and now lives abroad also saw it and it made them homesick.
It has been great for Gedling!
We should now all support this pub in recognition for their efforts.
K Walker, Gedling
Glad bus plug nightmare will soon be over
Sir,
I would like to thank Cllrs Sam Smith and Mike Adams for a successful campaign that has achieved it’s aim – to get the bus plug removed on Burton Road.
It has been a nightmare for motorists for many years.
So many councillors just kick the can down the road and blame a lack of funding or grief with Nottinghamshire County Council for any lack of progress when you approach them with a problem.
Smith and Adams are proof that you can get things done if you put in the effort.
Other councillors take note!
Name and address withheld by request
We are getting mugged by big water companies
Sir,
There are some embedded in the country’s infrastructure who are bleeding us all dry whilst polluting rivers and seas on a national scale.
They are the bosses of the privatised water companies.
Severn Trent’s CEO Liv Garfield got £3.2 million last year. North West Water’s CEO Steve Mogford took £3.2 million.
The CEOs of water companies saw their take increase by 20pc last year
But what about us customers?
They get pay rises – we get bill rises!
It’s time the government took back control from this lot who provide a budget service to generate huge profits that would be better put into the pubklic purse than in the pocket of a select few.
Rita Tarkowski , Carlton
Farage could be on for an own goal
Sir,
Many people in my local pub clearly think Reform leader Nigel Farage is the best thing since sliced bread – it is all they ever talk about.
However there is another point of view that says that he has messed up big time.
He clearly wants a right wing government in the UK.
But his actions in helping to create and becoming a leading player in Reform UK have ensured that the right will get exactly the opposite.
He has managed to split the right wing vote in this country down the middle, which simply must rank as one of the biggest political own goals of all time.
Hardly a political mastermind is he!
Anthony Price, Arnold
Got something to say? Send us your letter using the form below
Buying a car is probably one of the biggest money decisions you’ll ever make. It’s a big and expensive piece of equipment that you’re driving around on some of the riskiest terrain ever: South African roads.
Nevertheless, most drivers choose not to get car insurance. Unfortunately, that also means they have no financial cushion for unexpected events like accidents or theft. This can have huge implications for their finances when things go wrong.
Below, we look at just why car insurance is one of the smartest financial moves you can make.
Why is Car Insurance Important?
Why do you need car insurance? Can’t you just save up some money every month? Well, that depends on how big your savings are and how long you’ve been saving for.
If you’re involved in an accident, repairs and liability claims can run into the hundreds of thousands of rands. Will your current savings be enough?
For most people that’s a no – which brings us to our next section.
How Car Insurance Protects Your Finances
Covers repair costs
Comprehensive policies pay for damages to your car after accidents, hailstorms, or fires.
This avoids out-of-pocket expenses that could deplete your savings.
Liability protection
Third-party insurance covers costs if you damage someone else’s property or vehicle.
Prevents legal and financial troubles in case of accidents.
Theft and hijacking cover
With high vehicle theft rates in South Africa, this is vital.
Ensures you won’t lose your finances if your car is stolen.
Add-ons for specific needs
Extras like roadside assistance or tyre cover add more layers of financial protection.
Choosing the Right Car Insurance
Getting a policy that works for you is about balancing your budget with the level of cover you need. Here are steps to find the right car insurance for your finances:
Assess your risks:
Consider factors like where you drive, crime rates in your area, and the value of your car.
This helps you choose between basic cover, comprehensive cover, or additional add-ons.
Compare providers:
Get quotes from multiple insurers to find competitive pricing.
Check reviews to ensure reliable claims processing.
Understand your policy:
Read the fine print to know what is and isn’t covered.
Be aware of excess fees and exclusions to avoid surprises.
Customise with add-ons:
Tailor your policy to include extras like car hire or excess waiver for better protection.
Benefits of Comprehensive Car Insurance
While basic car insurance offers limited cover, comprehensive policies give you broad protection. They cover everything from collisions and theft to natural disasters. Including add-ons ensures you’re financially secure no matter the situation. Though comprehensive insurance has higher premiums, the benefits to your finances during an emergency outweighs the cost.
Final finance thoughts
The right car insurance does more than protect your vehicle; it shields your finances from unexpected expenses. That’s a big worry off your back. Our country is beautiful, but unfortunately, it’s got very high accident and theft rates. The smart move is to take the time to think about your needs, compare car policies, and invest in car insurance to protect your finances.
Did you know that new parents spend an average of 54 hours researching baby gear before ever making a purchase? When it comes to pushchairs, the choices can be overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate the world of versatile pushchairs, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your family’s hectic lifestyle.
The Rise of Versatile Pushchairs
In recent years, the baby gear market has experienced a significant surge in demand for adaptable pushchairs. Among these, the travel pram has become increasingly popular. These innovative designs offer parents the flexibility to move seamlessly from daily errands to weekend getaways without sacrificing on either comfort nor functionality.
Unlike traditional pushchairs, travel prams are engineered with portability in mind. They typically feature lightweight frames, compact folding mechanisms, and travel-friendly accessories. This makes them ideal for families who are constantly on the go or for those of you that are living in urban environments where efficient space management is important.
Features to Look for in a Travel Pram
When looking for a travel pram, keep in mind the following key features:
• Lightweight design: Look for models weighing under 7 kg for easy carrying.
• Compact folding: Ensure that your travel pram can fold small enough in order to fit in overhead compartments or car boots.
• Travel-friendly accessories: Check for included travel bags or compatibility with car seats.
Remember, the best travel pram is the one that adapts to your specific needs while providing comfort for your little one.
The Advantages of a 3 in 1 Pram
For parents seeking maximum versatility, a 3 in 1 pram offers unparalleled flexibility. These multi-functional pushchairs adapt to your child’s growth, transforming from a newborn bassinet to a toddler seat and even a travel system when paired with a compatible car seat.
The benefits of a 3 in 1 pram include:
• Long-term use from birth to toddlerhood
• Cost-effectiveness compared to buying separate pushchairs for different stages
• Adaptability to various lifestyles and terrains
Making the Right Choice for Your Family
Choosing the perfect pushchair is a personal decision that depends on your family’s unique needs. Consider factors such as your living space, travel habits, and daily routines. It’s also crucial to try before you buy – many retailers offer in-store demonstrations or even short-term rentals to help you make a well-informed decision.
Don’t hesitate to read reviews from other likeminded parents and to seek recommendations from friends or family members who have recently navigated the world of pushchairs. Their real-world experiences can provide valuable insights beyond what you’ll find in product descriptions.
Preparing for Your Pushchair Purchase
Before making your final decision, consider creating a checklist of your must-have features. This might include factors like the pushchair’s weight, folding mechanism, storage capacity, and compatibility with other baby gear that you own or maybe are planning to purchase. Don’t forget to factor in your budget, but remember that investing in a high-quality, versatile pushchair can save you money in the long run.
It’s also worth considering your future plans. If you’re thinking about expanding your family, a pushchair that can accommodate multiple children or even convert into a double pushchair might be a wise choice. Additionally, think about the type of terrains that you’ll be walking through most often – city pavements, park trails, or a mix of both – and choose a pushchair with appropriate wheels and suspension.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the importance of after-sales support. Look for brands that offer comprehensive warranties and easy access to spare parts. This can make a significant difference in the longevity and usability of your pushchair.
With these considerations in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to find the perfect pushchair that meets your family’s needs and supports your parenting journey. Happy pushchair hunting and enjoy the wonderful adventures that await you and your little one!
A £200 annual car parking permit is being introduced to benefit regular visitors to Gedling Country Park.
Gedling Borough Council plan to introduce an annual pass and also daily £2 parking charge at the attraction from April 1.
They announced that annual permits for Gedling Country Park will be £200 annually, which is equivalent to 55p per day or £55 per quarter, which is approximately 60p per day to park.
A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: “We previously announced that a £2 daily charge is to be introduced to help support the upkeep and maintenance of the park.
“We can now confirm that, following feedback from the consultation, permits and passes will also be available.”
Free permits will be given to the Trustees and Committee Members of Friends of Gedling Country Park
25 free permits will also be given to volunteers of both Gedling Junior and Gedling Park Run
The spokesman added: “We will be announcing details shortly on how people can apply for a permit before the charges commence on 1 April 2025.”
