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MPs call on Chancellor to raise gambling taxes

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A cross-party group of MPs has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise taxes on the gambling industry in the forthcoming Budget. The recommendation arrives as the government faces pressure to fund social programmes, with gambling taxation emerging as a significant fiscal opportunity.

The Treasury Select Committee’s statement, published in early November, has urged the government to recognise different types of gambling and adjust taxation accordingly. This position aligns with recommendations from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and the Social Market Foundation (SMF), both of which have proposed raising Remote Gaming Duty from its current 21% to 50% for online casinos, increasing Machine Gaming Duty from 20% to 50%, and raising General Betting Duty from 15% to 25%. These organisations estimate such measures could generate between £2 billion and £3.2 billion annually for the Treasury.

One paragraph of the report highlights the rapid growth of online and remote offerings, where the shift to digital platforms has been significant. Modern gambling platforms increasingly offer diverse products ranging from sports betting to casino games and beyond, blending traditional gambling habits with modern technology. Some platforms even accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (source: https://esportsinsider.com/uk/bitcoin-casinos), opening up for the future’s gambling habits. By adjusting tax policy to evolving market formats, the government could both safeguard existing revenue streams and plan for future growth.

The current tax system on gambling remains inconsistent across formats. General Betting Duty on horse races and football stands at 15 per cent, Machine Gaming Duty (covering high-street slot machines) sits at around 20 per cent for the most popular machines, and Remote Gaming Duty is approximately 21 per cent. Casino Gaming Duty varies between 15 per cent and 50 per cent depending on the venue and stakes. The Treasury Select Committee has recommended that the government maintain differentiated rates rather than merging all these into a flat duty.

From the industry perspective, organisations such as the Betting & Gaming Council highlight that the gambling sector contributes considerable employment, sporting sponsorship and tax revenue already, with estimates of around £4 billion in annual taxes and support for over 100,000 jobs. Industry representatives suggest that tax increases of the scale proposed would lead to significant job losses. The council also argues that the increases could push customers toward unlicensed, unregulated operators, ultimately reducing government tax revenue rather than increasing it.

Supporters of the tax change emphasise that the measure could help fund social policy priorities, including removing the two-child benefit cap. They argue that the financial modelling shows a tax rise in the sector could yield a meaningful contribution toward broader public-spending objectives.
Government officials have indicated that the Budget will include a review of gambling taxation, though details remain under consideration. As Chancellor Reeves has said, operators in the sector “should pay their fair share of taxes” and the Treasury is examining how the regulatory-tax framework might evolve. With the Budget approaching, the sector will be watching closely.

A Smoother Approach to Managing Your Medical Needs

Nick Salt
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A Smoother Approach to Managing Your Medical Needs

Managing your health can feel like a challenge, particularly when life is already busy. Whether you need a routine appointment, support for a long-term condition, or guidance on available services, navigating the system often requires time and persistence.

Fortunately, digital health technology is transforming the experience for patients across the UK. By offering streamlined tools and simpler ways to access care, these platforms are making everyday healthcare management far more convenient.

Improving Access to Primary Care

One of the most common frustrations for patients is difficulty accessing a GP when needed. Busy phone lines, long waiting times, and limited appointment availability can make booking a consultation feel stressful. Digital solutions are helping to address these issues by providing faster, more flexible options for arranging care.

For anyone moving home or seeking a practice that better fits their lifestyle, finding the right GP can also be a hurdle. Modern platforms now make this process significantly easier. Services such as Bookable Health allow individuals to find a NHS GP with Bookable Health, helping them register quickly with a suitable practice. This reduces administrative delays and supports a smoother start to their healthcare journey.

Convenience Through Digital Appointment Systems

Once connected to a practice, patients are increasingly benefiting from streamlined digital services. Online appointment booking, remote consultations, and electronic prescription requests are becoming standard across many parts of the NHS. These tools give patients far greater control over when and how they receive medical support.

For those with busy work schedules, caring responsibilities, or mobility challenges, the ability to consult a GP from home is particularly valuable. Virtual appointments also help reduce the pressure on surgery waiting rooms and create a more efficient workflow for healthcare teams.

Enhanced Access to Specialists

Digital innovation is not limited to primary care. Many specialist services now offer online profiles, appointment scheduling, and clearer pathways to treatment. Patients can review provider information, compare services, and choose a clinician who matches their preferences and needs.

This greater level of transparency empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their treatment. It also helps reduce delays caused by administrative bottlenecks or slow referral processes, creating a smoother overall experience.

Reliable Information for Confident Decision Making

Many people feel uncertain when researching symptoms or treatment options. This can lead to confusion or unnecessary worry. Digital healthcare platforms offer carefully curated, evidence-based information presented in an accessible way. As a result, patients can feel more confident when discussing concerns with their GP or specialist.

Improved understanding often leads to better engagement with treatment plans and preventive healthcare, contributing to long-term wellbeing.

Enhancing, Not Replacing, Human Care

While digital services offer many advantages, they exist to support healthcare professionals, not replace them. By removing administrative barriers, technology allows clinicians to spend more time providing personalised care and meaningful guidance. Patients benefit from quicker access and more efficient services without losing the human connection that is essential to good healthcare.

A More Seamless Healthcare Experience

As demand for accessible healthcare continues to grow, adopting a smoother, digitally enhanced approach is becoming increasingly important. From easier GP registration to faster specialist access, online tools are reshaping how patients manage their medical needs. For anyone seeking a simpler, more efficient way to coordinate their care, modern digital platforms provide a reliable and patient-friendly solution.

Greener double-decker buses with USBs and wi-fi to serve bus passengers from Burton Joyce to City

Emily Sanchez
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Greener double-decker buses with USBs and wi-fi to serve bus passengers from Burton Joyce to City

Six ultra-low emission buses will soon be serving bus passengers in Gedling borough thanks to a partnership between Nottingham City Transport (NCT) and manufacturer Wrightbus.

Representatives from NCT recently visited the Wrightbus factory in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, to look over the new StreetDeck Ultroliners that will be going into service on the operator’s long distance Pathfinder bus service between Nottingham, Burton Joyce, Lowdham and Southwell.

The new buses have free Wi-Fi and USB chargers installed. They also boast comfier seats, space for two wheelchairs, a table on the upper deck and improved accessibility features, including hearing loops and next stop displays that all customers can see.

Meeting stricter emission limits than the 2014-built buses they will replace, the six next generation StreetDeck Ultroliner buses are Ultra-Low Emission Bus (ULEB) accredited, with an 80% decrease in NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) emissions and lower particulate matter (PM) emissions.

Anthony Carver-Smith, head of Marketing and Projects at NCT said: “We were very pleased to be able to visit the Wrightbus factory and see the new Ultroliners for ourselves before they enter service soon. The new buses represent a significant upgrade to the buses currently operating on the Pathfinder 26 route, which are more than a decade old.

“The new buses are cleaner and quieter and provide a much more pleasant experience for passengers on this long-distance route.”

Founded in 1946, Wrightbus employs 2,300 people across its operations, with a further 7,500 jobs in the supply chain.

John McLeister, Wrightbus MD of Sales for UK and Ireland, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the team from Nottingham City Transport to our factory in Northern Ireland and show them their new buses.

“We recognise that zero-emission buses are not suitable for every route, but through the combination of the latest technology both from our suppliers and from our teams in Ballymena we are able to produce a bus that keeps both noise and emissions to a minimum without compromising on passenger comfort.”

Roadworks and closures planned for Gedling borough this week

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Roadworks and closures planned for Gedling borough this week

Take a look at the roadworks and closures scheduled for Gedling borough’s roads for the week beginning December 14

Make sure to plan your journey and check before your travel as these planned works could affect you. 

Avon Road, Gedling
11 December – 15 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Bramble Drive, Carlton
10 December – 12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Burntstump Hill, Calverton
10 December – 11 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Works location: Burntstump hill

Crookdole Lane, Calverton
09 December – 11 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Flowers Close, Arnold
11 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Georges Lane, Calverton
11 December – 12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Honeywood Drive, Carlton
12 December – 16 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Killisick Road, Arnold
11 December – 12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Lowdham Lane, Woodborough
11 December – 12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Oxton Road, Calverton
11 December – 12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Pavilion Road, Arnold, Nottinghamshire
12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Peters Close, Arnold
10 December – 12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Sir John Robinson Way, Daybrook
11 December – 12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Wembley Road, Arnold
10 December – 12 December
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Housing development paused for more than a year on track to have all homes handed over by Autumn 2026

Lauren Monaghan
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Housing development paused for more than a year on track to have all homes handed over by Autumn 2026

A housing development which was paused for more than a year due to a contractor’s collapse is on track for completion by autumn 2026.

The Birch Fields development on Rolleston Drive, near Arnold, hit a bump in construction after the collapse of contractor Ilke Homes in June 2023 which left dozens of unfinished homes exposed to the weather.

Ilke Homes had been appointed to build 131 affordable homes by the housing association Jigsaw Group. However, 43 modular homes – some with no roof – were exposed to the elements for around 12 months and subsequently torn down, as a new contractor was found.

This was to ensure all homes were fully compliant with the requirements of the NHBC, the UK’s leading provider of new home warranty and insurance.

Factory built homes Arnold
PICTURED: The first of 141 homes arrived at Rolleston Drive in 2022

Morro Partnerships took over the construction of the site in June 2024 and Jigsaw Homes Group says the scheme is still on track to complete in 2026

So far, 42 homes have been handed over, and the remaining 89 properties will be handed over in stages between now and August 2026, where the “sales of the shared ownership properties are going well, with all homes in the first phases sold or on hold”.

Of the homes, 85 are affordable rent homes, allocated by Gedling Borough Council to meet housing need, and 46 in total will be made available through shared ownership in phases.

Garnet Fazackerley, operations director of Jigsaw Homes Group said: “Although we faced an incredibly challenging time following the collapse of Ilke Homes in 2023, we remained committed and confident that we could complete the scheme and provide much-needed affordable homes.

“We are on track to do this, with all homes being finished to a high standard and with NHBC warranty following stringent quality and compliance checks. Together with our development partners Morro, Homes England and Gedling Borough Council, we look forward to seeing the scheme completed next year.”

Borough Councillor, David Ellis (Lab), told the local democracy reporting service: “I was disappointed when [Ilke Homes] went under because we’d been to see them. The houses looked like everything you could want from a house.

“We know that housing is becoming expensive and lots of people are having problems getting on to the housing ladder. We know there’s a shortage of housing, people living in temporary housing, it’s important we get more affordable and social housing.”

Once completed, the scheme, which is part-funded by Homes England, will have 46 two-bedroom homes, 72 three-bedroom homes and 13 four-bedroom affordable rent homes, along with electric vehicle charging points and several with solar panels and air source heat pumps.

Best places to go on a date in Nottingham, England

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Best places to go on a date in Nottingham, England

Best Places to Go on a Date in Nottingham, England

Nottingham is built on sandstone riddled with caves, anchored by a castle that has stood for a thousand years, and scattered with pubs older than most nations. The city pairs well with dates because it offers range without requiring much planning. A couple can eat Michelin-starred food beneath power lines, drink in a pub where crusaders once gathered, or walk through parkland where deer outnumber people. The venues here suit different moods and budgets, and most sit close enough to reach on foot.

Finding Your Kind of Date in Nottingham

Nottingham has a knack for pairing history with good food and low-key activities. The city sits on a network of sandstone caves, around a castle that has stood for a millennium, and is dotted with pubs that predate most countries. Couples here can pick from places that suit their pace, from fine dining under pylons to swinging on wooden seats while eating Indian street food. What follows is a list of locations worth considering when planning a date in this part of England.

Relationships and What People Seek in Nottingham

Nottingham draws people with different expectations for connection. Some arrive hoping for something casual, others want long-term partners, and a fair number seek specific dynamics like sugar daddies in Nottingham. These preferences shape where people end up spending their time.

The city’s layout supports most arrangements. Quiet parks suit slower conversation, pubs work for informal meetings, and formal dining allows for something more staged. A person’s intent tends to dictate the venue before anything else does.

Nottingham Castle

The castle underwent a £31 million restoration and now covers 1,000 years of local history across its grounds. A single ticket costs £15 for adults and grants unlimited visits for 12 months. Children aged 15 and under enter free, with up to three allowed per paying adult. From April 2025, a combined ticket covering Nottingham Castle, Wollaton Hall, and Newstead Abbey costs £30.

Inside, couples can find Hood’s Hideout, a medieval-themed adventure playground, and Robin Hood Adventures, which uses storytelling screens and interactive gaming tables to depict medieval life. Winter hours run from November 3rd 2025 to early February 2026, with the site open 11am to 4pm. Visit Nottinghamshire notes the castle is a five-minute walk from Old Market Square and close to the train station.

Restaurant Sat Bains

Sat Bains holds two Michelin stars and has kept them since 2011. The restaurant sits in an industrial estate outside the city centre, beneath pylons and a flyover. Diners can choose between seven or ten course tasting menus in the main dining room, at the Chef’s Table, or in the Development Kitchen. The Kitchen Bench option offers a three-course lunch or dinner for £145.

Great British Chefs describes the focus as championing Midlands produce through modern technique. The Michelin Guide adds that food waste goes into a closed-loop composter for the kitchen garden, honey comes from on-site beehives, rainwater is collected, and solar panels generate power. The largest table seats six, and the full restaurant holds up to 28 guests.

Wollaton Hall and Deer Park

Wollaton Hall sits on a natural hill three miles west of the city centre, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland. It is a Grade I listed Elizabethan building that now houses Nottinghamshire’s largest Natural History Museum. Deer herds roam the grounds. The hall served as Wayne Manor in The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.

From April 2025, adult admission is £15 for a year-long pass. Children under 16 enter free with a paying adult, up to three per ticket. WePop will launch a Winter Light Trail from November 26 to December 31, 2025. Themed tours include Architecture, Spooky Ghost Tours, Tudors, Kitchens, and Garden tours, all requiring advance booking according to Visit Nottinghamshire.

Finding Your Kind of Date in Nottingham

Nottingham has a knack for pairing history with good food and low-key activities. The city sits on a network of sandstone caves, around a castle that has stood for a millennium, and is dotted with pubs that predate most countries. Couples here can pick from places that suit their pace, from fine dining under pylons to swinging on wooden seats while eating Indian street food. What follows is a list of locations worth considering when planning a date in this part of England.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

This pub claims to have opened in 1189, which would make it England’s oldest surviving inn. It sits at the base of Castle Rock, attached to caves carved from sandstone that were reputedly used as a brewhouse during the medieval period. Legend holds that King Richard the Lionheart and his men gathered here before departing for Jerusalem.

The interior includes several bars, snug lounges, and walls lined with relics of Nottingham’s past. Visit Nottinghamshire says meals are served daily from 11am to 10pm in the Rock Bar, and visitors can sit by the fire in Yorkie’s Lounge or use the garden. The Original Nottingham Ghost Walk starts here on Saturday evenings at 7pm.

City of Caves

Nottingham has over 900 caves beneath its streets, the largest network in the UK. The City of Caves offers public access to a sizable section, including WW2 air raid shelters and a medieval tannery. Tickets now provide unlimited entry for a year from purchase. Adult admission is £8.75, and a joint ticket with the National Justice Museum costs £21 for adults.

The entrance is at the bottom of Garner’s Hill Steps next to Nottingham Contemporary, using postcode NG1 1HF. Advance booking is recommended, especially for weekends and school holidays. The official website advises bringing headphones for the audio guides.

The Hockley Arts Club

The Hockley Arts Club spreads across several floors, each with a different theme. One room resembles a Victorian saloon bar, another is styled as a botanical electric garden. The interiors are dim, unusual, and designed for lingering. DesignMyNight describes it as suitable for couples looking for more than a standard bar setting.

The cocktail menu is long and the seating encourages proximity. For a date that benefits from atmosphere and a bit of strangeness, this works well.

Mowgli Street Food

Mowgli serves Indian street food under fairy lights, with seating on wide wooden swings. Dishes include Yoghurt Chat Bombs, Fenugreek Kissed Fries, and Aunty Geeta’s Prawn Curry. The menu leans plant-based, and portions are shareable.

The owner holds an MBE for services to the food industry. The vibe is energetic but not loud, making it suited to first dates or early-stage conversations.

The Arboretum

The Arboretum holds over 800 trees and sits on Waverley Street, postcode NG7 4HF. Entry is free. The paths allow couples to walk side by side rather than sit face to face, which reduces the pressure of constant eye contact.

It is one of the more romantic spots in Nottingham, according to local guides, and it costs nothing to visit. For dates that benefit from movement and low stakes, this is a reliable choice.

Penny Lane Arcade Bar

Penny Lane is in Lace Market at Fletcher Gate, postcode NG1 1QQ. The bar combines arcade games with food, drinks, and a vintage ice cream machine. Tokens cost £1.25 each.

The Notts Edit recommends it for casual dates. The games provide something to do when conversation slows, and the tone is informal enough to take pressure off both parties.

Lost City Adventure Golf

Lost City Adventure Golf operates at The Cornerhouse on Burton Street, postcode NG1 4DB. Two 18-hole courses are available, themed around the Inca rainforest: Temple Trail and Sacred Skull. A round costs £10 per person, and there is a Tiki bar on site.

The Notts Edit notes that crazy golf works for people without athletic ability and still offers the structure of an activity. For dates where doing something together is easier than sitting still, this venue is a practical option.

National Ice Centre

The National Ice Centre is at Bolero Square, Belward Street, postcode NG1 1LA. Skating sessions cost £9 for adults and run at scheduled times. For beginners, there is a warmup zone with advice sessions every 30 minutes covering how to get started and stay upright.

The venue operates year-round, so it works regardless of weather. Couples can skate together or learn at the same time, which tends to level the playing field.

Train passengers in Gedling borough reminded to check for journey changes when new timetable comes into effect on Sunday

Gedling Eye
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Train passengers in Gedling borough reminded to check for journey changes when new timetable comes into effect on Sunday

Train passengers in Gedling borough are being reminded to check if their journey has been altered by East Midlands Railway’s timetable changes which take affect from Sunday (14).

The new timetable introduces many improvements to services across the region.

Burton Joyce and Carlton are set to benefit most with both stations getting an increased number of hourly trains.

Carlton will receive an hourly Sunday service, increasing from 12 to 28 services. Burton Joyce will get an hourly service throughout the day on weekdays and Saturdays.

Carlton and Burton Joyce will now have direct services to and from Lincoln throughout the day without having to change at Newark Castle as you do now. 

The train operator said the “significant” adjustments will take effect on Sunday, December 14, and are designed to “improve performance, connectivity and capacity across the network”.

It also provides a strong financial case for the railway, supporting Transport UK and EMR’s sustainability while enhancing the customer experience.

Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: “This timetable brings many changes to the way we operate our regional services and to make sure they don’t miss their service, customers are advised to visit our website or journey planners and check to see how they are affected.

“The timetable is great news for our customers and the economy of the East Midlands. It makes best use of our available fleet and will be supported by our £28 million regional refurbishment programme, delivering a more comfortable and consistent customer experience.

“It will realise opportunities to operate more train services across the Regional network, introduce new journey opportunities, and build-in performance improvements.”

The timetable will bring a host of benefits including:

  • More than 2000 extra seats on EMR services to and from Lincoln on a weekday and more than 3000 extra on a Saturday
  • New direct journey opportunities – including Matlock to Cleethorpes and Crewe to Lincoln
  • Improved local calling patterns – with more trains at Hykeham, Burton Joyce, Radcliffe, Attenborough and Spondon.

Calverton Young People’s Centre reopens following refurbishment and roof repair

Emily Sanchez
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Calverton Young People’s Centre reopens following refurbishment and roof repair

A youth centre has reopened following an extensive refurbishment, including a brand-new roof.

Calverton Young People’s Centre had been temporarily closed down so work could take place to ensure it met essential health and safety standards.

Led by Nottinghamshire County Council and working with Arc Partnership, the council’s construction partner, the centre received a new roof, energy efficient lighting, a modern heat pump heating system, renovated toilets, and refreshing new décor.

Pom Bhogal, head of Young People’s Service for Nottinghamshire County Council, said:
“Young people’s centres are a vital part of our communities in Nottinghamshire – they offer safe and supportive environments for young people in our county.

“It’s brilliant to see Calverton’s centre reopen its doors. The refurbishments have made this building an excellent place for the young people in Calverton and the surrounding area and gives them somewhere safe to go and have fun and relax.

“These youth clubs are not just a place for young people to wind down, they’re a space where they are valued – our committed youth workers also support and encourage them, helping a lot of the young people that come here to engage in activities, learn and really shine.”

Dan Maher, managing director at Arc Partnership said: “It’s been a privilege to support the redevelopment of Calverton Young People’s Centre. The improved space now offers a safer, more sustainable and more welcoming environment for local young people to enjoy.”

Members of the county’s youth service, young people and councillors, including Councillor Rory Green, the council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, celebrated the relaunch of the centre in an evening event on Wednesday (3). The busy event featured climbing walls, air hockey and table tennis tournaments, wall art and music, and photobooths to remember the evening.

The doors were officially reopened with a ribbon cutting, led by the council’s Madam Chairman Jan Goold with speeches by young people from the area, and attendees got to go on a tour to see the improvements.

Young people’s centres provide safe spaces for young people, with trusted youth workers and fun and engaging activities. During the closure period, the council’s youth work team continued to engage with young people in creative and meaningful ways through detached and outreach work, ensuring that the services they needed remained accessible.

Nottinghamshire County Council also operates a mobile youth service provision, as well as a number of Link Clubs specifically designed for young people with disabilities.

Police issue warning to online shoppers in Gedling borough over doorstep delivery thefts

Emily Sanchez
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Police issue warning to online shoppers in Gedling borough over doorstep delivery thefts

Gedling borough’s online Christmas shoppers are being urged to take steps to reduce their chances of falling victim to doorstep parcel thieves. 

With the Christmas countdown now in full swing, many people are ordering items online and having them delivered to their homes — and police say this makes it a prime time for opportunistic theft. 

If delivered to your home and left unattended, parcels can be easily stolen by doorstep thieves. 

Parcel

In previous years, a spate of thefts involving parcels containing hundreds of pounds worth of goods, left outside people’s homes were reported.

Police are now urging online shoppers in the borough to take appropriate action when ordering items online, ensuring they are protected to help prevent parcel theft. 

Superintendent Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Things you could do to reduce the risk of doorstep theft include tracking your parcel to ensure you or someone else is at home for the delivery. 

“You should also ask for your deliveries to be diverted to trusted neighbours or friends if you’re not going to be home. If this isn’t possible, attempt to rearrange to a time when you know you will be in or choose to collect it instead. 

“This type of crime is preventable, and we’re asking everyone to do all that they can to stop this crime happening. 

Here are some things you could do to reduce the risk of parcel theft…

– Track your parcel to ensure you or someone else is at home for the delivery 

– Install a video doorbell; this can be connected to your mobile so you are notified immediately of any delivery, and is easier to install than a full CCTV system 

– Install a security light and/or CCTV 

– Arrange for your parcel to be delivered to a trusted neighbour, or other family members who will be at home 

– Use an off-site locker service for frequent deliveries, or for expensive items; these parcel boxes are more likely to be in busy, safer locations – such as supermarkets – rather than secluded areas which could be targeted by thieves 

If you have ordered a delivery which has not arrived, first contact the delivery company and sender. 

If you think a parcel has been stolen or notice anyone acting suspicious, you can make a report online or by calling 101. 

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Big plans for 18th Century Papplewick Pumping Station in new year after restoration

Joe Locker (LDR Reporter)
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Big plans for 18th Century Papplewick Pumping Station in new year after restoration

The director of the most complete Victorian pumping station in the country has big hopes for the site in the new year – after it was removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register following a £500,000 restoration project.

Papplewick Pumping Station, in Rigg Lane, Ravenshead, has all of its original features, machinery, and grounds – including the ornate pump house which features two 13-tonne beam engines that still work today.

Constructed between 1882 and 1886 in a Gothic Revival style, the pumping station provided fresh water to people in Nottingham for almost 100 years.

It was in continuous operation until 1969, before later opening as a museum in 1975 under a trust.

Ashley Smart, who has been the museum director for 19 years, took the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) for a look around the site following its removal from the risk register.

He said he hopes a planning application for a new visitor centre will be approved in the new year, before surveyors can stop by to draw up costs for this next big project.

“Three pieces have been restored – the boundary wall, the engine house porch, and the chimney as well,” Mr Smart said.

The 120-feet tall chimney had been deteriorating – with chunks of brick falling from above – before its restoration.

“When the team put scaffolding up on the chimney, they found it had a lean to it, more than we had thought,” Mr Smart continued.

“It’s an amazing view up there. It has been re-pointed, and we’ve replaced bricks that were falling. That was the risk.”

He recalled the chimney had been hastily capped off with a concrete slab when the pumping station first closed in 1969.

Later in 1975, when the trust that took over fired up the boilers, steam couldn’t escape and caused quite the stir for people observing from the engine room, Mr Smart said.

The chimney cap was later removed, allowing the site to function as it does today.

As well as the chimney, a green decorative porch on the engine house has been rebuilt and repainted, while the site’s boundary wall has been refurbished.

Money for the project came from Arts Council England‘s Museum Estate and Development (MEND) fund, as well as Historic England and the site’s landlord, Severn Trent Water.

Dozens of volunteers keep the pumping station in full working order.

Maintenance work includes topping up the beam engines with oil, which have 96 individual top-up points across each colossal structure.

Ornate décor in the engine house, depicting the life-giving properties of water, has also been seen to by the volunteers and repainted.

Under new plans, which have been resubmitted to Gedling Borough Council this year, a new multifunctional space to facilitate an exhibition and dining area could be created.

An open-air café dining area would be complimented by an adjoining exhibition space, separated by a glass wall.

The visitor centre would be built in the style of a nearby coal shed, and act as shelter for a number of other relics from Nottinghamshire’s past.

“What we hope for the future is that we can have a new structure that can cover the engines that are outside and exposed to the weather, and also an area where we can do temporary exhibitions and other displays at the front of that building,” Mr Smart added.

“Hopefully next year we will get that all approved and we can start getting a quantity surveyor in to give us an idea of the actual costs, and then we can go out and start fundraising.

“For us we are maintaining the past. Other people enjoy coming here to learn about the past, but also enjoy the beautiful surroundings, the grounds, the pond, the buildings themselves. It is a very peaceful place and people do comment on that.”

Mr Smart says the maintaining the pumping station is further helped along thanks to his idea to host weddings on the site.

Since he first enacted the idea in 2008, the station now hosts around 15 weddings every year.

Visitor facilities were first built in 1991, and a major restoration of the beam engines and pump house was completed in 2005, following a £1.6m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

As well as the beam engines, the site houses several other engines, which are also demonstrated on steaming days.

One is a colliery winding engine from the nearby Linby Colliery, which was built by Robey & Co of Lincoln in 1922.

It is the only operational steam-powered winder in Britain.

Outside the main engine building is a triple expansion engine, made by the Kilmarnock firm of Glenfield & Co. in 1897.

It was used at Stanton Ironworks near Ilkeston, where it supplied the site with hydraulic power.

In 2002, two engines were obtained by the museum from Player’s Tobacco Factory.

A single-cylinder oil engine, which formerly generated power for the arc lights on the projector at Bolsover Cinema, is also kept at the museum.

Historic England said: “A major £500,000 restoration project has been completed at Papplewick Pumping Station, thanks to grants from ourselves and Arts Council England‘s Museum Estate and Development Fund, allowing it to be removed from our Heritage at Risk Register.”

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