Get rid of eyesore shops demand angry traders
9:40am Sunday 3rd June 2012 in Local
A SUPERMARKET looks set go back on plans to knock down a row empty shops and replace them with a car park.
Bosses at Asda in Astley Bridge could now extend the store instead.
The supermarket announced plans to demolish the eyesore shops in Blackburn Road earlier this year.
The supermarket was set to replace the units with 36 extra car parking spaces, as well as greenery surrounding the new car park.
But now, neighbouring traders in the area have been left angry that the eyesore is still blighting the Astley Bridge high street. The row of units, which formerly housed Global Video, Subway, Belvoir Lettings and St Andrews Travel, among others, has been boarded up since before Christmas.
Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh said Asda was currently carrying out a traffic survey to determine if extra car parking was needed.
He added: “I have spoken with the manager at Asda and they are carrying out a traffic study so we will have to see what the outcome of that is.”
Store bosses confirmed they were reviewing the plans with a view to extend the store rather than the car park.
An Asda spokesman said: “We are currently reviewing our plans with regards to any potential development at the store.”
One local business owner, who asked not to be named, said: “The site looks a mess. I’m not bothered what they do with it, whether it’s a car park or extending the store. I just want them to get on with it.
“If they are not going to build a car park then the least they can do is demolish the shops in the mean time so it doesn’t look quite so bad.
“Businesses pay high rates in this area and we deserve better. It does not look attractive and it makes us look bad.”
Source: www.theboltonnews.co.uk
City Asda is a big hit (From Worcester News) - Worcester News
City Asda is a big hit
12:20pm Sunday 3rd June 2012 in News
WORCESTER’S newest superstore has had a fantastic first few months and is seeing more than 30,000 customers through the doors every week.
The new Asda store in the centre of Worcester opened to the public in March and has already exceeded the expectations of its manager.
General store manager, Richard Kennea, said: “We’re really pleased with the progress so far and are currently ahead of our business plan.
“We’re still seeing new customers through the doors and are serving more than 30,000 customers per week on average.”
In addition to the positive trading the store has seen success with its community engagement.
The Community Life initiative, which aims to make the area around the store a better place to live and work, has already seen a number of local not-for-profit organisations receive welcome donations from the Asda Foundation.
Dai Lewis, Community Life Champion at Asda Worcester, said: “Customers have been voting in-store by putting tokens handed out at the tills in to one of three marked boxes next to the store’s community board and we have been presenting the winning causes with donations to help improve the lives of local people.”
Source: www.worcesternews.co.uk
Sussex celebrates Queen's Diamond Jubilee - BBC News
Thousands of people have taken part in events across Sussex to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
More than 80 street parties were held in East Sussex, at least 70 in Brighton and scores of celebrations were enjoyed in West Sussex.
Eastbourne's newest lifeboat, named Diamond Jubilee, was among the vessels taking part in London's Thames Pageant.
In West Hoathly and Sharpthorne up to 100 scarecrows lined the streets.
Residents in villages in this part of West Sussex regularly create novelty scarecrows for big national occasions.
Among them are effigies depicting the Queen and Irish Guards.
“Start Quote
End Quote Julie WaltersI am standing in for the Queen”
Scarecrow creator Sean Patrick O'Callaghan said: "There are probably about 100 scarecrows in the area, many made by children."
Actress Julie Walters has taken part in a Diamond Jubilee party in the village of Plaistow, West Sussex.
The star of Educating Rita, Mamma Mia and the Harry Potter series joked: "I am standing in for the Queen. She couldn't be bothered."
In East Grinstead hundreds of people lined High Street to watch a special Jubilee parade.
Young and old cheered as marching bands, charity floats and old military vehicles made their way past the crowds in the town centre.
Eastbourne was set to host a musical special Diamond Jubilee firework display.
Councillor Neil Stanley, of Eastbourne Borough Council, said "This is our treat for music fans with free entry while the temporary works continue at the bandstand.
"This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a free concert on the beach and get a taste of what a great programme we have on offer when the bandstand reopens in July."
Residents in Brighton and Hove were also treated to music from the city's seafront bandstand earlier.
Trees are also being planted throughout the city in 2012 to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year.
See all the latest Diamond Jubilee news and features at bbc.co.uk/diamondjubilee
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Body of man in his 20s washes up by derelict pier... carrying nothing to identify him but his car keys - Daily Mail
By David Baker
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The body of an unidentified man was found washed up by a derelict peir in Sussex this morning in what the police have called an 'unexplained death'.
Now as the police desperately try to discover who the man in his 20s is it appears there is nothing to identify him but his car keys.
A member of the public discovered the body by Hastings' derelict pier in East Sussex at 7.30am this morning.
Unexplained: The body of a man in his 20s was found by a member of the public near this stretch of beach in Hastings this morning
Officers have appealed for help in trying to identify the man, who had been in the water for up to 24 hours, a Sussex Police spokeswoman said.
Having searched the man's soaked through clothes for signs of his identity there was little to help reveal who he is.
According to the police, they are focusing their attention on the car keys found in his pockets, as the most significant lead for discovering his identity.
Detective Inspector Andy Harbour said: 'The man, who we believe is in his 20s, was found washed up on the beach.
'We are treating his death as unexplained.
Investigations: Police hope car keys found in the man's body will help to identify him and are appealing for any information
'We are doing all we can to identify him.
'He has short dark brown hair, is about 5ft 7in and was wearing a shiny black jacket and stone-washed jeans. In his pocket were keys to a Renault car.'
Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
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