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Here is today's edition of The Nottinghamian:
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian seems to have one focus; the cost of living crisis and how it is affecting our city. From strikes to businesses closing down, the financial strain is already being seen by thousands across Nottingham.
It is a time when we are all facing one common challenge and through tough times we are uniting as a city. This edition highlights some of the struggles facing Nottingham residents.
'Completely battered'
The boss of a Stapleford fish and chip shop which has been 'battered' by the cost of living crisis is hoping to find new owners to take on the business, having spoken out about their struggles. The Starfish Traditional Fish and Chip bar in Hickings Lane will remain open until a new owner can be found.
Owner Costa Daniels, who has run the shop for five years, said he was upset about having to place the business on the market. He said: "We are a takeaway which makes good money and we are in a good location in the local area but our costs have just gone up too much. VAT has gone back up to 20%, which comes out of our takings for the week.
"Our energy costs are ridiculous too in that this time last year I was paying £500 for gas and electricity but it is now three times that." He added: "Our margins have just been completely battered. It’s the overall costs of running things as well including my stock." Costa will remain in the shop until it is sold and he hopes it will go to someone who can maintain the high standards they have set and will be active in the community. Find out more here.
Better pay
More strike action took place across the city today with BT and Royal Mail protesters walking out. It follows a pay dispute in many companies and sectors amid the cost of living crisis.
A number of BT workers were seen protesting outside the Bowman Telephone Exchange, on Bath Street alongside Linda Woodings, portfolio holder for housing and planning and ward councillor for Basford. She said: "I am sad to say BT has not decided to come back to the table and talk to us seriously about giving us a pay rise which covers the cost of living increase; not just the one that has gone, but the one we know it is coming this winter as energy bills will rise exponentially."
There was also a Royal Mail picket line outside their city delivery office on Lower Parliament Street where 100% of their staff were on strike, shutting the office down. Labour MP Nadia Whittome joined the strike action this morning and said on Twitter: "Solidarity! #StandByYourPost".
Weather and trivia
Weather: Another day of patchy cloud, sunny intervals and the odd isolated shower tomorrow. Rather warm once again. A sunny evening and clear overnight. Maximum temperature 23 °C.
Pollen: Medium
Further reading: Historic Nottingham business sold after staff made redundant
Trivia question: Garage duo Sleaford Mods may have adopted Nottingham as their hometown but where is frontman Jason Williamson from originally?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Notts says
The end of August marks the approach to winter and this year there has been plenty of talk about what we are set to face, from rising energy bills to the general cost of living increasing. Today's hot topic is: "Are you worried about the winter?"
Andrew Mair, 57, from Reading said: "Not really, I do not get affected by the cold very much and we have locked in our energy bill. I think there is scaremongering, I told my parents about it and they are not worried about it either."
Mrs Cooley, 76, from Long Eaton added: "Definitely, the way they are telling you the way it is going to be. We are pensioners so there is only a certain amount of cash. I do not really know what they could do to help. There is a lot that they should have done before. I think all public buildings should have solar panels on them. They are just being willy-nilly about it, there is no definite."
A woman from Arnold who asked not to be named said: "No, put on an extra layer, draw the curtains and put the blinds down to keep the heat in. I was brought up without central heating. I am not saying it is not bad but we grew up without central heating."
Stepping away
The owners of an award-winning Nottingham bakery have announced they will be 'stepping away' from the business today. In a message to customers, Craig and Rosea Poynter said 'diminishing' family time was among the reasons to hand over the reins of The Bakehouse, in Sherwood.
The Mansfield Road cafe and bakery, which won gold at the World Bread Awards, is expected to be 're-opened by someone else' in a few weeks. In a statement, the owners said: "As the years have rolled by, The Bakehouse has demanded more and more of our time - in part due to covid, and the evolving cost of living crisis. But the thing we have noticed is that the time spent as a family has been diminishing."
Sherwood residents believe their high street remains 'strong' but there are concerns about the impact of rising rents, gas and electricity bills and how they are affecting local businesses. Read more here.
Book donation
Hundreds of books are set to be given to children in Nottingham as the developer behind the new Island Quarter makes another donation. The Conygar Investment Company has presented a cheque for £500 to Nottingham Imagination Library.
The charity, which was set up in 2011, delivers a free book every month to children between the ages of 0 and 5 across many of the city's 20 wards. This is the third successive year the developer has pledged to Nottingham Imagination Library.
The combined donation has meant that more than 700 books have been sent to children in the city. Robert Ware, chief executive of Conygar said: "We’re delighted to continue pledging our continued support for a wonderful charity that does amazing work in Nottingham and around the world.
“It is so important for children to learn to enjoy reading and this scheme, which gives a new book to a child every month, is fantastic. We hope our donation will be able to provide many more books for the children of the city over the next few years and pass on the life-long love of reading to a new generation.”
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, garage duo Sleaford Mods may have adopted Nottingham as their hometown but where is frontman Jason Williamson from originally, is Grantham.
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