New pub to be created in town centre as plans approved
Plus: A boy racer is sentenced after injuring spectator near M1
Good morning and welcome to your Thursday briefing of Ashfield News. This week, plans for a pub in a town centre are approved, a new sweet shop opens, a dangerous knifeman is locked up and pictures are released showing the latest on work to the Sherwood Observatory.
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New pub to be created in town centre
A new pub is set to be created in Sutton-in-Ashfield, after planners gave the project the green light.
The new venue will be based in the former DM Furnishings store in Low Street, close to the Idlewells shopping centre, with the furniture store having moved to Outram Street.
In planning documents it was confirmed the independent bar would focus on drinks and that no food would be prepared on site.
Ashfield District Council approved plans to change the use of the unit from a retail shop to a bar on June 20.
Conditions were imposed on the site, which includes no music or live music being played.
Its opening hours have also been set from 12noon to 10pm from Sunday to Thursday and on Bank Holidays.
It will be able to stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays, from 12noon to 11pm.
The council said in approving the plans: “It is considered that the proposal represents an appropriate form of development, bringing a new business and leisure activity into the town centre.”
In a letter to the district council when the planning application was lodged, applicant Dorothy Wyville said: “Cleanliness and presentation are high in our ethos, and we are determined to keep our premises, both inside and out, to the very highest standards to help with the efforts in place to make our area as well presented as possible for not only our community to but also to people visiting it.
“Now that we have gained our premises licence and the lease of the property has been signed we are hugely excited to start operating at our new premises.”
Ashfield News subscription update
As promised in Monday’s newsletter, I want to provide you with an update on plans for a subscription service for Ashfield News.
Firstly, I would like to say thank you to all the readers of this newsletter for your support over the last six months, for sharing the stories we produce and for subscribing.
Ashfield News was set up as I felt there was a need in our community for a news service that solely focused on the district - and your response has shown there was.
To enable the growth of Ashfield News, a small subscription charge is being brought in, of £4 per month or, for a limited time, £30 for the year.
This will give you access to all our updates, future longer reads, and to take part in our discussion forum - all with no pop-up adverts. In addition, 10% of the money raised through the service will go towards supporting charities and good causes in our area.
If you choose to take up a subscription, I would like to say a massive thank you in advance. If you would like to stay as a free member, that’s great and thank you for your continued support, as there will still be free content available for readers.
As this is a new level of service, readers who would like to take up the paid subscription can do so with 20% off for the next year by clicking the link below.
Thank you again for all your support…..And now back to the news!
Teenager seriously injured woman in car meet incident
A boy racer who seriously injured a bystander during a car meet near the M1 has been sentenced.
Harrison Cudworth, 19, was in a high-powered BMW when he lost control of the vehicle on the A608, close to Junction 27 of the M1, in January last year.
The car left the road and crashed into three spectators, one of whom suffered a broken pelvis.
She required hospital treatment and corrective surgery, while the other two victims suffered minor injuries in the incident at about 9.30pm on January 14.
Cudworth, of Ash Grove, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was sentenced to two years and two months in a young offender institution when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, June 25.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Detective Inspector Kate Savage, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The standard of driving displayed by Cudworth was appalling.
“It appears he was showing off by copying other drivers and lost control close to a group of people who had gathered to watch the car meet.
“One of the spectators suffered nasty injuries and was fortunate not to be even more seriously hurt.
“This incident shows car meets of this type can be extremely dangerous places for both drivers and spectators.
“We would always warn anyone against attending these types of gatherings.”
A Public Space Protection Order remains in place in the Junction 27 area to clamp down on antisocial behaviour.
This allows officers to take enforcement action against vehicles engaged in certain actions, including making excessive noise, being driven in convoy and accelerating aggressively.
New sweet shop opens its doors in high street
A new shop selling sweet treats and coffee has opened its doors in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
Anemona Sweets sells “100% homemade” treats from its new store in Station Street and also offers a delivery service.
The team behind the service has operated from pop-up events previously.
But after officially opening at its permanent home on June 16, a spokesperson said: “Thanks for all your support. It was a full day and so beautiful with wonderful people.”
Popular pub’s farewell to customers
A Nottinghamshire Wetherspoon pub has bid a fond farewell to customers - but the venue is set to re-open very soon.
The Regent in Kirkby-in-Ashfield was one of several bars the pub giant put up for sale in the last year.
It has now been taken on by private owners, a notice on the front door confirms.
The note has also thanked customers for their support following the closure, which happened on June 24.
The note reads: “Firstly, we would like to say thank you to our loyal customers for your continuous custom over the past number of years.
“Unfortunately, we will no longer be trading as a Wetherspoons.
“However, we do aim to be re-opened under new private owners within the next few weeks.”
The identity of the new owners remains under wraps, but a message on the pub’s Facebook page confirms it plans to open in early July.
“Dangerous” man locked up after random attack
A knifeman who crept up behind his victim and slashed their face has been jailed.
Shaun Hill had been standing outside a pub in Sutton-in-Ashfield when he saw another man waiting for a taxi nearby.
Hill grabbed the unsuspecting man from behind and slashed his face multiple times, causing a deep gash from his mouth to his ear and a wound to his jaw.
Following the incident in Forest Street at 5.20pm on December 6, Hill walked into the pub and sat down for a drink, where police arrested him minutes later.
Hill, 33 and of Bamford Drive, Mansfield, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife.
After pleading guilty, Hill was given a nine-year extended sentence at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, June 24.
Detective Constable Rebecca Pottage, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a horrendous attack, that was seemingly committed completely at random by Hill.
“The way in which he casually walked up to and away from his victim after doing what he did was truly unsettling to see.
“His decision to target his unsuspecting victim in this appalling manner left the man with devastating injuries and scars to his face that he’ll have to carry forever.
“This incident sadly shows the life-altering impact those who decide to carry a knife can cause to others, as well as themselves.
“We still don’t know exactly why Hill chose to do what he did that evening, but what is clear is that he is a dangerous man who belongs behind bars.
“Bearing this in mind, we’re pleased to see Hill has now received a lengthy prison sentence, which we hope will provide some form of comfort to his victim.”
Huge progress on new planetarium
New images have been released showing the progress being made on the Sherwood Observatory.
The £5m planetarium, in Coxmoor Road, is really beginning to take shape and is on track to be completed on time, despite inclement weather over the last year.
In new images taken by construction GF Tomlinson, people have been given a glimpse of what is happening both inside and outside the venue.
A spokesperson said: “Just when you think progress couldn't get any faster, things pick up the pace again. There's quite a lot going on here.”
Radio centre containers are now being framed at the site and insulation is being installed on the dome.
Inside the building, interior walls are now going up.
The interior will include a café, large conference room and a congregation area for the planetarium itself.
Full details released ahead of Hucknall Fest
Tribute music acts, a Disney princess and members of the Paw Patrol will be among the attractions at Hucknall Fest.
Ashfield District Council has released full details of what people can expect at the free event, taking place at Titchfield Park on Saturday, July 6.
The festival will be open from 11am-10pm and will include a funfair, inflatables, balloon modelling, a food court, bar and market village.
Weather permitting, there will also be a dog show and meet and greet with the princess and Paw Patrol.
The music stage will feature local acts, Eurovision entry Lindsay Dracass and tributes to the likes of Rag n Bone Man, Taylor Swift and Oasis.
The music stage will be ongoing from 12noon through to 9pm.
Traders wanting to take part should email traders@outoftheboxevents.co.uk for an application form.
Robber threatened shop assistant with knife in raid
A robber who claimed to have a knife when he threatened a shop assistant has been put behind bars.
Liam Worton carried out the raid on Peppers Stores in Watnall Road, Hucknall, on January 7, 2023, when he stole more than £860 in cash.
Worton, aged 31, of Chatsworth Drive, Hucknall, was jailed for a total of two years and eleven months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Monday (24 June).
He had earlier pleaded guilty to robbery and shop theft.
Detective Constable Christine Hewlett, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The victim must have been extremely frightened when she was confronted by a robber with his face covered and claiming to have a knife.
“She was simply doing her job and no one deserves to be threatened with violence while at work.
“Thankfully we were able to quickly identify a suspect and arrest Worton. He denied the offence in interview but detectives were able to build a strong case against him during our investigation.
“Anyone carrying out a robbery like this with threats to hard-working members of the public can expect a robust response from the force and I am pleased the judge has seen fit to put him behind bars.”