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Here is The Nottinghamian from Tuesday, December 13:
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian brings news of big changes coming for Nottingham city residents. It comes after Nottingham City Council revealed its financial plans for the nest four years bring multiple cuts.
We will also take a look at a store closure on Bridlesmith Gate as well as a Nottingham music festival winning a top award. Plus we look back into Nottingham's past winter spells.
On the rise
Nottingham City Council is planning to raise council tax by the maximum amount allowed and review parking charges across the city due to a funding gap of more than £30million next year. The authority has released its proposed financial plan for the next four years - and despite the significant cuts, the council said they are still not enough to balance its books next year.
The new savings planned for next year are so far are worth £29m and they include reviewing fees and charges at car parks, leisure centres and museums, withdrawing the wheelchair hire service at the Victoria Centre and stopping the collection of household bins put out on the wrong day. Changes to adult social care are also being planned, including more independent living support instead of residential or nursing care, as well as the cutting of 110 jobs at Nottingham City Council.
Meanwhile, the authority is also proposing to increase tariffs for EnviroEnergy customers, review the grants it gives to community groups and mothball two floors at its Loxley House headquarters. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in his budget that local councils would now be able to increase council tax by 4.99% without a referendum, and Nottingham City Council is planning to do so for the next two years.
The authority then plans to raise council tax by 2% for the following two years. Read more here.
Another closure
A major high street brand is set to close its store in Nottingham with all of its stock reduced to clear. Jack Wills on Bridlesmith Gate is to shut in January - and with all stock on sale for 20% less, much of the shop is already showing empty rails.
It has been a difficult time for the brand which has struggled to recover over the past two years with multiple closures across the UK. Jack Wills was bought by Mike Ashley, of Frasers Group and Sports Direct, after it was put into administration in 2019. It began immediately shutting shops, with 50 closing in one year.
It has been a busy few months for Bridlesmith Gate which is currently undergoing a period of transformation. The street, which was once known for its fashion, struggled in the years before and during Covid but has been bouncing back thanks to independent brands which have set up on the street. Read more here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Very cold on Wednesday, with freezing fog only slowly clearing. Brighter later with some sunny spells developing, although further wintry showers affecting eastern areas. Maximum temperature 3 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Nottinghamshire firm enters administration with nearly 30 jobs lost
Trivia question: What is said to have happened at the Church of St Mary in Edwinstowe?
The answer to today's trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Notts nostalgia
As temperatures plummet across Nottingham this week, I have often looked up to the sky to see if I can spot any sign of snow. In recent years, snowfall has been unpredictable and at times felt like we may never see a white Christmas again.
Yet this year, the cold temperatures are back. There have been large amounts of snowfall across the country which Nottingham seems to evade. I know people either love it or hate it, but you can't deny snow gets us into the festive spirit.
In January of 2021 we had a couple days of snow. As pictured, adults, children and even dogs got wrapped up in their warmest clothes and headed to their nearest park for a play. Who knows if we will be covered with a blanket of snow this year. It certainly seems cold enough!
Award winners
Nottingham's charity music festival Beat the Streets has won a top award. It scooped a national UK Festival Awards title for making the greatest community impact.
Since launching in 2018, the festival has donated £320,000 to Framework, a charity working to support rough sleepers. Beat the Streets received the Sarah Nulty Community Impact Award at a ceremony this month for its vital work to support the homeless in Nottingham.
Beat the Streets is organised by DHP Family, whose managing director George Akins said: “I’m really proud of what we have accomplished so far. Going into this winter, what Beat the Streets provides is needed more than ever and we hope to build on this success to enable us to help Framework support rough sleepers for as long as we can.”
As well as donating all the ticket income and bar spend, more funds are raised through the sale of specially-created merchandise and a tombola, plus encouraging donations to a food bank on the day. Tickets priced from £10 minimum donation are on sale now. Read more here.
That's all for today
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today's trivia question, what is said to have happened at the Church of St Mary in Edwinstowe, is it is where Robin Hood married Maid Marian.
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