Home Blog Page 619

Wetherspoons boss blasts government over ‘serious pandemic response flaws’ after pubs get hit with tougher new tier restrictions

Emily Sanchez
-
2
Wetherspoons boss blasts government over ‘serious pandemic response flaws’ after pubs get hit with tougher new tier restrictions

Wetherspoons has highlighted what it calls ‘the government’s serious pandemic response flaws’ in a special edition of their in-house magazine.

The chain, which operates pubs in Arnold and Carlton, has produced a 23 page online edition of Wetherspoon News, its pub magazine with articles from leading academics, doctors and other commentators, highlighting serious flaws in the government’s reaction to coronavirus.

Propel reports the publication will also be available in Wetherspoons pubs from December 3.

The magazine arrives a day after it was revealed that pubs will feel the brunt in the new tier system unveiled yesterday.

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said current policies will cause the loss of ‘a million jobs’ in the industry.

PICTURED: Wetherspoons chief Tim Martin

He said: “When pubs reopened after the first lockdown in July, a sensible set of regulations was agreed between UK Hospitality, the civil service, local authorities and other interested parties.

These regulations worked well, trade slowly recovered from very low levels and transmissions of the virus in pubs, as verified by the test and trace system, were extremely low. However, since then, the rules have constantly changed, without consultation, on an arbitrary basis, causing mayhem, unemployment and economic dislocation across the hospitality industry.

No one in the government seems to have any experience of running a business – and their current policies seem destined to cause the loss of a million jobs in hospitality, with further ‘ripple effect’ job losses throughout the economy.”

He added: “The most disturbing aspect of government behaviour is its lack of candour. It is now purporting to end lockdown in December. However, for pubs on tier two and tier three, lockdown, in effect, continues and unprofitable trading is certain to continue for the indefinite future – combined with the impossibility of making plans in the face of capricious and unpredictable regulations.”

Here’s how revised tier system will impact people and businesses in Gedling borough

Emily Sanchez
-
1
Here’s how revised tier system will impact people and businesses in Gedling borough

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today outlined his Winter Covid Plan which included details of a revised tier system.

Before lockdown, Gedling borough was placed in tier three along with the rest of Nottinghamshire.

Although tiers will remain when lockdown ends next Wednesday (December 2), the tier rules have now been strengthened to prevent the virus returning and also the need for further national lockdowns.

The lifting of the national lockdown from December 2, will see:

  • Non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and leisure facilities reopen across the whole of England
  • Collective worship, weddings and outdoor sports resuming, subject to social distancing, across the whole of England
  • The “rule of six” will return – meaning people will no longer be limited to seeing only one other person in outdoor public – across the whole of England
  • The previous 10pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants will be extended to 11pm, with last orders at 10pm.

In Tier 1 areas, people will be urged to work from home wherever possible.

Prime Minster Boris Johnson briefed MPs via video link due to having to isolate

In Tier 2 areas, pubs and bars must close unless they are serving substantial meals along with alcoholic drinks, which was previously a tier three restriction.

In Tier 3 areas all pubs, bars and restaurants must close except for delivery, takeaway and drive-through. Hotels and indoor entertainment venues must also close in these areas.

It is not known which tier Gedling borough will resume under but Mr Johnson this will be announced later this week and ‘probably on Thursday’.

He told MPs this afternoon that his plan “is designed to carry us safely to spring”, when it is hoped vaccines will be in place to help stop the spread of the virus.

Mr Johnson said: “By the spring these advances should reduce the need for the restrictions we have endured in 2020 and make the whole concept of a Covid lockdown redundant.”

The PM told MPs he was “sorry to say” more areas will fall into higher levels of restrictions than they were in previously, at least temporarily.

But, by abiding to the tougher tier restrictions and the use of rapid turnaround tests, areas should also be able to move down the scale more quickly’.

Mr Johnson said that by maintaining pressure on the virus using tougher restrictions will enable people to see more of their friends and family over Christmas.

You can find the full plan here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-winter-plan

Police officer ‘bitten on arm’ while making arrest in Arnold

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Police officer ‘bitten on arm’ while making arrest in Arnold

A police officer was allegedly bitten on the arm while trying to arrest a man following reports of a domestic incident in Arnold .

Officers were called to Heddington Gardens at around 6.50pm on Sunday (November 22) following reports of a domestic incident.

It is claimed the officer was bitten on his right arm as he tried to detain a man at a property.

Police Sergeant Neil Langham is leading the investigation. 

police-stock

He said: “Whilst being restrained and handcuffed, he has bitten the right bicep of the attending officer, causing a visible injury.

“A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and breaching his electronic tag. He remains in police custody for questioning.

“Officer assaults are totally unacceptable.

“Every day, our officers put themselves at risk to help protect the safety of the public and sadly, that can sometimes lead to incidents where police are injured.

“We take these incidents very seriously and will ensure that they are investigated thoroughly. Appropriate action will then be taken against those who are found to be guilty of such offences.

“Thankfully, the officers in this incident were not seriously hurt.”

Pubs and restaurants in Gedling borough expected to bear brunt in revised tier rules

David Bratton
-
0
Pubs and restaurants in Gedling borough expected to bear brunt in revised tier rules

Pubs and restaurants in Gedling borough could bear the brunt in a revised tier system being drawn up for after lockdown which would allow local churches, gyms, shops and cinemas to reopen.

The new Covid Winter Plan is set to be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson later today at 3.30pm, with a new tier system included.

The Daily Telegraph has today reported that the new measures are expected to be tougher than those put in place prior to lockdown.

Gedling borough had been in tier three before country-wide restrictions were introduced on November 5.

Under the old tiers, pubs in tier three could still remain open if they could operate as restaurants, while in tier two they could keep trading as normal but customers could not mix indoors with anyone from another household.

The 10pm curfew for hospitality is expected to be scrapped and instead last orders will be called at 10pm with an hour’s drinking up time before a new curfew time of 11pm. But this concession will be of little use to any borough pubs and restaurants placed under tier three.

It is still hoped that these restrictions could be relaxed for Christmas, allowing most pubs and restaurants to trade.

Camra’s national chairman Nik Antona CAMRA today slammed the plans, calling them a ‘kick in the teeth’ to publicans.

He said: “Publicans across the country will be angry this morning, and they have every right to be.

PICTURED: Nik Antona called the new restrictions a ‘kick in the teeth’ for publicans

Once again, the hospitality sector is being singled out for further restrictions without evidence. This is a blow to the vast majority of publicans who have invested money and time into making their premises COVID-secure, and for the consumers that were using pubs to socialise safely.  

“CAMRA is particularly dismayed to see the extension of the ‘substantial meal’ requirement to pubs in Tier 2. Yet again, decision makers are punishing wet-led, community pubs.

“Publicans now face an excruciating wait for further details on which areas will sit in which Tier – and after that many will have to make agonising decisions about the future of their businesses.  

“If the Government wishes to continue with these unfair and un-evidenced plans, it must announce a proper, sector-specific support package or we will see mass pub closures and mass job losses as communities lose their beloved locals forever.” 

While there is bad news for Gedling borough’s pubs, other restrictions could be lighter than under the old tier system.

It is expected that it will be announced that all borough shops will be allowed to open in all tiers, together with gyms and places of worship, while recreational sport, including golf, tennis and organised team sports can resume.

Cinemas like The Bonington will only be allowed to reopen in tiers one and two, and the advice to “work from home if you can” will remain in place.

It won’t be known until later in the week which tier will be enforced at the end of lockdown on December 2.

MPs are expected to be briefed later this week and also have their say before a final decision is taken.

QR codes on taxi driver badges are being introduced to boost passenger safety in Gedling borough

David Bratton
-
0
QR codes on taxi driver badges are being introduced to boost passenger safety in Gedling borough

Passengers using cabs in Gedling borough will now be able to easily find out if their taxi driver’s licence is genuine and valid following the introduction of new safety measures.

QR codes on vehicle plates and drivers badges will make it simple to verify that the cab licence hasn’t expired or been faked.

Gedling Borough Council‘s new QR code security feature will be rolled out on all future licence applications and renewals.

The QR code can be accessed using a smart phone camera. The code will take the user to a secure website that will show them the vehicle and driver details, expiry date of the licence and verify the licence is valid.

The QR codes will make it easier for council inspectors to check the taxi driver’s licence is valid

The council say the QR codes are being introduced as an added security measure, making it easier for licencing officers to check licences are valid, while offering an additional layer of peace of mind for passengers to know the vehicle and driver they are using are correctly licenced.

It will also make it more difficult for taxi licences and plates to be counterfeited.

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said: “The safety of passengers is our priority and any measures that can improve this are always welcome. 

“These new QR codes will allow passengers to be reassured that their drivers are correctly licenced and their vehicles are safe to enter. As more and more people can now use QR codes quickly and easily using their phone cameras, this will improve safety standards and make it easier for our licencing enforcement teams to inspect. 

He added: “Our drivers have also welcomed this additional security check which they can use to show that their details are up to date and it also makes it more difficult for counterfeit licences to be created.”

They asked – you let them know: Residents tell police where to catch speeding drivers in Gedling borough

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
14
They asked – you let them know: Residents tell police where to catch speeding drivers in Gedling borough

Scores of people took up the challenge from Gedling borough police officers to tell them where they want to conduct speed checks carried out in the area.

Officers put out an appeal last week on social media inviting locals to let them know where they should be targeting their efforts.

Over the weekend officers carried out checks in Lambley, Burton Joyce, Calverton and Woodborough.

Officers said that drivers stuck to the speeding limit whilst they monitored a section of Spring Lane in Lambley. But despite not catching anyone going over the limit, they did seize a 4×4 which had been declared off-road.

Officers seized this 4×4 during a patrol in Lambley

Police teams seized class B drugs and stopped three speeding drivers during a return visit to Main Street in Calverton after a similar operation last week. This time they targeted a different section of the main route through the village.

Only one speeding motorist was spotted and stopped on Church Road in Burton Joyce.

On Bank Hill in Woodborough three speeders were caught in around 30 minutes with the highest being 45mph in a 30 mph area.

A police spokesman said: “Following your suggestions we have been making the rounds at the areas you feel need us most.

“Anyone that has suggested a location that we haven’t been to yet, we will get there soon.”

“Drivers: please remember to stick to the limits, which is especially important in residential zones. The cold dark days and nights are upon us and the weather and road conditions are only going to get worse.”

Online Christmas service to be held at Gedling Crematorium next month

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Online Christmas service to be held at Gedling Crematorium next month

A virtual Christmas carol and Remembrance service will be held next month at Gedling Crematorium to help give people the chance to feel festive during these uncertain times.

The crematorium, on Catfoot Lane, near Lambley, will be webcasting the one-hour service on Wednesday, December 16, at 7pm.

The Westerleigh Group, the UK’s largest independent operator of cemeteries and crematoria, usually hosts Christmas Carol and Remembrance services at all its 34 sites nationwide, including Gedling, which people can attend in person.

Covid-19 restrictions mean that, like many other live events, this is not going to be possible this year, so the Westerleigh Group has come up with an alternative so ensure that people don’t miss out altogether.

Earlier this year, the group announced it had invested in new webcasting services because of restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend funeral services.

Now, that technology is going to be used to ensure everyone can view a virtual service, which will feature a mixture of traditional carols and readings.

Gedling_Crematorium
PICTURED: Gedling Crematorium

Kevin Browne, site manager at Gedling Crematorium, said: “We wanted to make sure we could provide something this year that would definitely be able to take place, regardless of whatever lockdown restrictions may, or may not, be in place.

“We know that it won’t be quite the same as our popular live services, which we very much hope to be able to return to hosting again next year.

“But Christmas is likely to be different for most people this year. And with so many other seasonal events being cancelled, such as live concerts and Christmas markets, we wanted to ensure we could still offer a way for people to join in a festive activity and to remember their loved ones at this time of year.

“In some ways, the fact that it is going to be so different this year may make these webcast services even more memorable.”

A link to the service will be put onto the Gedling Crematorium website so that people will be able to view it on December 16. It will then be available on-demand.

There is no need to register in advance in order to view the services, and no tickets are required; people just need to visit www.gedlingcrematorium.co.uk and click on the link.

The Magpie Circle: Bob Worthington lifts lid on life under Jimmy Sirrel and being part of that all-conquering 70s County side

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
The Magpie Circle: Bob Worthington lifts lid on life under Jimmy Sirrel and being part of that all-conquering 70s County side

Gedling resident Paul Mace produces a regular Notts County podcast featuring former club players and managers.  This week it’s the turn of Bob Worthington who recalls the Jimmy Sirrel era when a young Kevin Keegan christened Meadow Lane as ‘the land of the giants’. Each week at Gedling Eye we’ll be sharing the podcasts with our readers.

Kevin Keegan, Neil Warnock, Sir Bobby Charlton, Harry Redknapp and Brian Clough all have one thing in common ….

… all have been on the receiving end of some defensive ‘treatment’ from former Notts County left back Bob Worthington.

Worthington, a mainstay of Jimmy Sirrel’s all-conquering side of the early 1970s, lifts the lid in a revealing Magpie Circle podcast about Notts’ fearsome defensive wall which also included Brian Stubbs and David Needham.

His alumni of opponents who didn’t get past him included Keegan (Scunthorpe), Warnock (Rotherham reserves), Charlton (Preston North End), Redknapp (Bournemouth) and Clough (Sunderland reserves).

“Kevin Keegan christened us the ‘the land of the giants’ because we had such a tall team. I didn’t used to worry too much about marking Kevin, he was a young, small lad in those days,” recalls Worthington.

“Neil Warnock did a bad tackle in a reserves game on one of our lads. I caught him and the ball at the same time and he went six feet up in the air.

“When I clattered Bobby Charlton playing for Preston at the end of his career, he just looked at me from the ground in disdain.

“I was 16 playing for Halifax reserves at Sunderland in Brian Clough’s comeback game from injury. I wished him all the best.

“I came up against Harry in Notts v Bournemouth games which were always very tasty. Before the warm-up as we walked onto the pitch, I threw Harry a ball and said take a touch, ‘cos you won’t get one in the game.’

Worthington’s hilarious anecdotes also include how he celebrated his only goal for Notts in over 200 games by dropping his shorts and giving a V sign to Magpies supporters for barracking the team.

And his vain attempt to try to help younger brother Frank Worthington pass his medical for Liverpool at the second time of asking.

Have your say on Gedling Borough Council policy promoting equality and diversity

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
Have your say on Gedling Borough Council policy promoting equality and diversity

A consultation is being launched by Gedling Borough Council on its new Equality and Diversity Policy, with residents being invited to have their say. 

The new policy sets out clearly the commitment that the council has to promote equality and diversity both within the organisation and through service delivery and how it aims to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and challenge inequalities. 

A survey has been launched today and will be open until December 18.

Residents can have their say by visiting www.gedling.gov.uk/haveyoursay

A report was presented to the council’s cabinet members in November to announce the plans. The report highlighted how the council has already embedded into its corporate plan objectives to reduce poverty and inequality, provide support to the most vulnerable, to improve social mobility and life chances, improve health and well-being, reduce health inequalities and reduce levels of loneliness and isolation.

The draft policy also sets out how equalities and diversity will be further embedded across the council. This includes senior leaders, members and officers, acting as ambassadors for equalities and diversity.

Gedling Borough Council

The policy includes an action to establish a corporate Strategic Equalities and Diversity Group, chaired by the Portfolio holder for Young People and Equalities, Councillor Viv McCrossen.

As part of the consultation, residents can read and review the action plan proposals for the policy and the draft version of the policy itself. 

The council has been carrying out a number of actions as part of its work to improving equalities, which includes carrying out a Disability Confident Employer assessment, the adoption of the Menopause in the Workplace Policy and the creation of specific roles within the cabinet that focus on equalities.

The consultation is now live at www.gedling.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Portfolio Holder for Young People and Equalities, Councillor Viv McCrossen said: “I am very pleased that we have launched this important piece of consultation to show our commitment to equality and diversity in our organisation.

“We hope that we can get a significant response to this policy proposal so we can make sure that the final document is fit for purpose that will help us to meet the objectives set out in our plan for the borough.

“The deadline for residents to have their say is Friday, December 18 and I hope as many of you as possible take part.”

‘You can still get everything you need’: Businesses on Victoria Retail Park remind shoppers about essential stores and click & collect openings

Gedling Eye Reporter
-
0
‘You can still get everything you need’: Businesses on Victoria Retail Park remind shoppers about essential stores and click & collect openings

Businesses based on Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield are reminding shoppers ‘you can still get everything you need’ despite lockdown regulations being in place.

While non-essential retail is closed at the retail park until the planned reopening on Wednesday, December 2, several essential stores that remain open, as well as some for click & collect and takeaway.

Essential stores that remain open to the public are B&Q, Boots, B&M, M&S, Pets at Home and Halfords.

Also, Click & Collect is open for Next and Argos. Greggs, Costa and Subway remain open for takeaway, as well as the Mcdonald’s drive-thru for any late-night snacking.

A spokesman for the retail park said: “The management team have taken every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors during this period. This includes additional cleaning and hygiene measures, asking visitors to comply with social distancing rules at all times, and introducing queue-management where necessary.  

“Whilst the park plans to reopen on the Wednesday, December 2, government advice will continue to be adhered to, and any announcement of store updates will be included on our website and social media pages.”

To keep up to date with the latest reopening details and social distancing rules, please visit Victoria Retail Park, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter: 

Facebook: @victoriaretailpark

Twitter: @VictoriaRPNots

1...618619620...1,020Page 619 of 1,020