Negotiations over future of popular cafe and violent man banned from shops

This week's round up of Ashfield News

Mar 21, 2024

Hello and welcome to your latest edition of Ashfield News. This week, Ashfield District Council has issued an update on Rumbles Cafe and a happy couple celebrate 75 years of marriage.

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Update issued on Rumbles Café

Ashfield District Council has released a statement as negotiations continue over the future of Rumbles Café.

The venue at Sutton Lawn was facing closure as the authority informed it was preparing to raise the rent from £50 to £7,000.

Officials from the community café raised fears the move would force them into being evicted, and prompted a backlash from residents and customers alike.

The issue has continued since the summer.

Now, Ashfield District Council officials say they are ‘working hard to find a resolution’, though they admitted there would likely still need to be a rent increase.

A spokesperson said: “We recognise the important work Rumbles Catering does in offering opportunities for people with disabilities to work in an inclusive and safe working environment. This is reflected in the minimal rent they have been paying to run the café at Sutton Lawn for over 15 years. Due to the reduction in government funding for local services and increases in energy costs, we can no longer afford to subsidise a profitable café to the levels it has previously.

“We have a duty to ensure the terms of our leases on all Council owned buildings are fair and proportionate to everyone, including the taxpayer, and with this in mind a new lease for a substantial period of time was offered which included Rumbles becoming responsible for their own utility costs and cleaning.

“We are disappointed that negotiations have proved unsuccessful thus far and remain fully committed to safeguarding the future operations of the café so that people can continue to enjoy good food and drinks at the park.

“We have ambitions for Sutton Lawn and we want the café to be part of these plans so we will continue to work towards a resolution.”

Violent man banned from shops

A ‘violent’ criminal is banned from entering shops in Sutton-in-Ashfield after threatening an Ashfield District Council community protection officer.

Ricky Clark, 28, must also pay compensation to his victim after threatening the warden in Lammas Close, Sutton, on January 1.

The officer was sent t the street to investigate a report of anti-social behaviour, where he found Clark, of no fixed address, in a flat complex.

Clark threatened the officer, forcing them to retreat outside the building, and then continued to pursue the victim.

Clark admitted using threatening words and behaviour when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on February 14.

He was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order and told to pay compensation to the victim.

In addition, a criminal behaviour order was granted on Wednesday, March 13, by Mansfield magistrates.

The order prevents Clark from entering any part of the Idlewells Shopping Centre in Low Street, entering Asda in Priestsic Road, or entering any part of Lammas Close.

The order also prevents Clark from engaging in behaviour, such as begging, and swearing and shouting, that could cause nuisance or annoyance to any person or commit or threaten to commit acts of violence to any person in the District of Ashfield. The order is in place for 2 years.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: “Clark has been reported to Nottinghamshire Police by lots of local residents for their anti-social behaviour and violence within the locality.

“The courts have reviewed the evidence, and believed it necessary to issue the order, which not only sets out clearly to Clark where he cannot go, but also what he cannot do. Should Clark make the unwise choice to breach the order, he will be brought before the courts and could face prison time.

“It is thanks to evidence gathered from local residents and retail staff, as well as reports made to police through 101 and 999 that the courts are able to issue such an order. I would like to encourage any local resident to please continue reporting anti-social behaviour and persistent issues, like begging, within their community so that the police can take the necessary actions and put forward the evidence to back this up.”

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Plans for pub and derelict land

Officials plans have been put forward to convert a Nottinghamshire pub into a home.

Documents show all signs would be removed from the outside of The Maypole in Dawgates Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Internally, four bedrooms would be created on the first floor, with an additional bedroom on the ground floor.

On the ground floor level, there would also be two seperate living rooms, a dining room, kitchen and study.

Meanwhile, plans have also been submitted to Ashfield District Council to create a three-storey block of flats and two shops in Hucknall.

The buildings would be create in South Street, with the residential block containing six apartments.

The site backs on to the Half Moon pub and is currently derelict and overgrown, having been stripped and used for storing building materials.

A decision is due on the plans by May 14.

75th wedding anniversary celebrations

Congratulations to Annesley Woodhouse couple Stella Walton and Jan Fejfer, who have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.

Stella, 93, and Jan, 99, met at a dance at the Bentinck Miners Welfare following Jan’s arrival from Poland to work at the Bentinck Pit – he’d previously fought in the Second World War.

The couple married at Basford Hall on March 19, 1949.

They have lived in Annesley Woodhouse throughout their married life and have five children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Free life skills workshops

Free life skills training is coming to Ashfield thanks to the £3.2m UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Essential Skills for Life Programmed will be delivered by not-for-profit group Futures, on behalf of Ashfield District Council.

The programme is designed to support the unemployed with skills such as confidence, budgeting, basic digital skills and motivation to help them gain employment.

The Range opens

The Range has officially opened its doors in Hucknall.

The bargain giant has taken over the former unit occupied by Wilko in Central Walk, which has stood empty since October last year.

Ashfield Independents Councillor Lee Waters said: “Today was a red letter day for us. When Wilko went into administration in August –Independent Councillors Dave Shaw, John Wilmott and I held an urgent meeting with Councillor Jason Zadrozny and the Leadership of Ashfield District Council. We immediately tasked the Council to find a new anchor tenant and are delighted to welcome The Range to Hucknall in March and the jobs and prosperity they will bring.

“Favourable trading conditions like our 2 free hours’ parking – delivered by Ashfield District Council was extremely attractive to them. This is another example of the decisions of Ashfield District Council paying dividends for our town. With our Levelling Up fund bid being successful and now The Range opening its doors – this last fortnight has been the most momentous for a generation for Hucknall.”