9 May

Aldi Reveal Northgate Plans to Town Council

aldi
Aldi makes it;s case to Town Council

At a specially arranged meeting this week, Supermarket chain ALDI, presented plans to Bridgwater Town Councillors confirming their intention to relocate their Eastover store onto the Northgate site. Elliott Saunders, from Aldi properties and David Williams from Planning Potentials, said a decision had been taken and planning permission was now being sought which would enhance Aldis shopping opportunities in Bridgwater and fit in nicely with Town and District proposals for the much heralded Northgate site.

Northgate had been the site of a major battle between town and district council for several years over the latters plan to put a gigantic Tesco Extra on the Brewery field and the site of the former workhouse which Town Councillors feared would be disastrous for the existing town centre and instead the site should encompass features which were leisure led whilst enhancing the green open space. A compromise position was reached over the years and the Tesco proposal withdrawn in favour of a new primary school , which is now up and running, and a leisure complex based around a multiplex cinema and associated outlets on the former Splash site. With plans to increase and landscape the green area of the Brewery field in the pipeline along with the celebration mile access from town centre to docks, the last piece of the jigsaw was the Glass Cone end of the site, earmarked for either a hotel or a small supermarket. The Aldi proposal to purchase the site is now on the table. Continue reading “Aldi Reveal Northgate Plans to Town Council”

1 May

Town Anger at Latest Plans for Post Office Closure

New Post Office
Eastover post office to close

News that Bridgwater Post office in Eastover will close on Friday May 4th was met with anger by Bridgwater Town Council leaders who had fought to secure this site for a Town Centre Post Office in a fierce campaign back in 2012. Bridgwater Town Clerk Alan Hurford said “BTC has  been working  throughout to keep the Post Office in town – ideally where it is and have done more than most in trying to keep it open where it is and to offer alternative solutions, some of which show promise – two or three interests so far – all passed onto PO people.  We are making every effort including next Tuesday and the objection to the planning application at the SDC Development Ctte where we will again make representation

A spokesperson for the Post Office said: “Regrettably Bridgwater Post Office will be temporarily closed from this Friday due to circumstances beyond our control, as the company operating the branch on our behalf is ceasing trading.This unfortunately means that the premises, that we do not own, will no longer be available for Post Office use.We are very sorry in advance to our customers for any inconvenience caused by this unplanned closure.We are working hard to restore Post Office service to the area as soon as possible, and the vacancy is advertised on our website https://runapostoffice.co.uk – we would encourage anyone interested in this new business opportunity to get in touch with us. In the meantime, alternative branches in the area include Dunkery Road, Parkway, Hamp and Wembdon.”

The Eastover Post Office branch, had been subject to much debate after a planning application was submitted to convert it into a new tanning salon Continue reading “Town Anger at Latest Plans for Post Office Closure”

28 Apr

Bridgwater Town Council Seeking New Town Clerk as Hurf Hangs Up His Boots

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Alan Hurford Outgoing Bridgwater Town Clerk

Bridgwater Town Council was set up in 2003 and since that time its only Town Clerk has been local footballing legend Alan Hurford. Now at the age of 70 , Hurf is hanging up his boots and Bridgwater needs a new enthusiastic and dedicated Town Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer with a brief to “achieve Council objectives, and to drive high quality initiatives to further improve the well being of the community.”

With application forms now available and candidates recommended to drop in to the Town Hall Office on Bridgwater’s busy High Street to have a word with Hurf about what the job entails,some things are already clear. Alan Hurford says “The successful candidate will have a flexible approach leading a small team with the ability to motivate, and develop excellent working relationships with Councillors and the local community. Good asset and project management, office administration and financial management skills are essential coupled with a knowledge of council procedures and local government law. The Town Clerk will be required to respect and uphold the traditions and ceremonials of the town.To be considered for this key role, the applicant will be expected to demonstrate wide ranging experience at a senior level. A background which shows continuing development is highly desirable. Knowledge of the town of Bridgwater and appropriate qualification(s) e.g. CiLCA would be an advantage but not essential. As all BTC appointments the post will be subject to a three-month probationary period.” Continue reading “Bridgwater Town Council Seeking New Town Clerk as Hurf Hangs Up His Boots”

12 Apr

New ‘Men’s Shed’ Opens in Bridgwater

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Colin Gorton flanked by Mayor and Mayoress cutting the Men Shed ribbon.

Westover ward councillors Kathy Pearce ,Brian Smedley and Leigh Redman joined Bridgwater Mayor Graham Granter as he cut the ribbon this week to launch the Bridgwater Men Shed – the first local version of this growing national phenomenon, in it’s Westover location along the canalbank down Old Taunton Road. Men’s Sheds are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation.

Men’s Sheds (or Sheds) are similar to garden sheds – a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. The difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite. They’re about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter. Continue reading “New ‘Men’s Shed’ Opens in Bridgwater”

10 Apr

Thinking Big in Bridgwater This Weekend

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UWE students ‘thinking big ‘ in Bridgwater Town Hall with Councillors and planners

Last year Bridgwater Town Council helped to fund the CIAM 6 conference at the Bridgwater Arts Centre, a project that commemorated the 1947 gathering when the worlds leading architects and town planners got together in our town to consider the brave new world of post war urban design. As a result of that conference, present day architecture students from the University of the West of England have been in Bridgwater imagining what we could do here with our booming little town….and their results will be on display and up for public discussion in the Angel Place this Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th April.

But remember…they’re not necessarily going to happen and it’s all about ‘thinking outside the box’. Continue reading “Thinking Big in Bridgwater This Weekend”