New cafe set to open after 'first-rate' chippy closure
Plus: Town centre pub's live music bid
Good morning, readers, and welcome to your Thursday briefing from Ashfield News. Today, a new coffee shop to move into a former chippy, a prolific shoplifter is jailed and much more.
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New owners move into former chippy
A new coffee shop is set to open on the site of a former Ashfield chippy.
The “first rate” Kingsway Fish and Chips shop in Kirkby-in-Ashfield closed just before summer.
Before it’s closure, it had received five-star reviews from customers, as it was praised for its “friendly staff” and “generous portions”.
The shop was gutted in the summer and work has been ongoing inside in preparation for new owners.
Now, the finishing touches on the interior of the site are nearing completion and signs have gone up for the new shop, called Brew-It Coffee and Bakes.
No indication has yet been made as to when the café will open to the public, but it appears staff have been inside preparing for its first customers.
Arrest after reports of man with machetes
Police have made an arrest after a man was spotted carrying two machetes in Hucknall.
The incident in Nabbs Lane was reported at about 3.20pm on Friday, November 22.
Nottinghamshire Police confirmed an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray on Monday afternoon, November 25.
Chief Inspector Chris Sutcliffe, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “While we’re pleased to have tracked down and arrested a suspect in relation to this incident, and our inquiries remain very much ongoing.
“Bearing this in mind, we’d ask anyone who has any information and hasn’t come forward yet to please do so by contacting the police on 101, quoting incident 454 of 22 November 2024, or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“Weapons have no place on the streets of Nottinghamshire. There is never an excuse for anyone to carry a knife in a public place - for the simple reason that doing this is incredibly dangerous.
“As well as obviously putting others in danger, carrying a knife also puts that person at more risk of harm too.
“We continue to take all reported incidents of knife crime extremely seriously. I would urge anyone who is aware of people carrying weapons to report it to us so we can quickly take weapons out of their hands and keep our communities safe.”
Thief jailed after targeting shops
A prolific shoplifter who stole candles, energy drinks, toiletries and chocolates from several shops has been jailed.
Naomi Toor, 39, was identified by CCTV footage after targeting Morisons, Tesco Express and Boyes in Kirkby-in-Ashfield between October 25 and November 16.
Toor, who has multiple previous convictions for similar offences, was arrested in Kirkby on Monday, November 18, after she was spotted in the street by a police officer.
Appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court the following day, Toor, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and one of attempted theft.
She was jailed for 26 weeks and ordered to pay compensation.
PC Daniel Black, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Toor stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods to sell in the local community.
“She and others like her incur significant costs to local retailers, and also cause immense distress to shop staff.
“So I am pleased she has been identified and held to account for these offences, and hope this latest sentence will motivate her to address the issues behind her offending.”
King’s Mill Hospital warning
Bosses at King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield are urging people to avoid its Emergency Department unless they have a serious injury or life-threatening condition.
The warning comes after Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs King’s Mill, Mansfield Community, and Newark Hospitals, closed one of its wards due to a norovirus outbreak.
Nine patients have contracted the highly-contagious virus, known for causing vomiting and diarrhoea, prompting the hospital to close the affected ward to contain the spread.
This comes as the Trust faces significant winter pressures, with its Emergency Department treating twice the number of patients it was designed for.
There have also been reports of patients waiting more than 12 hours for emergency care.
Chief Nurse Phil Bolton said: “Our Emergency Department is here for serious injuries or life-threatening conditions, but demand has soared this week.
“We urgently need the public’s help to manage the pressures.”
Pub wants to offer live music
A Nottinghamshire pub has applied for permission to have live music in its venue.
Officials at The Doghouse in Station Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, say performances will be limited to once a week if the plan is approved by Ashfield District Council.
A spokesperson said all windows and doors will be shut during performances and that sound testing has already been conducted and passed with properties above.
They added: “We wish to be able to have live artists within the pub.
“These will be solo or duo performers finishing no later than 10pm. Their sound will be actively managed by the venue to ensure no disturbance.”
A decision is due on the proposal by January 19.
Full line up for Christmas lights switch on
The full line-up for tonight’s Christmas lights switch on in Kirkby-in-Ashfield has been confirmed.
Santa will be in attendance during the festivities at Kirkby Plaza from 4pm.
The timings for the event are as follows:
4pm: Kingsway School
4.30pm: Fortitude Danceworks
4.50pm: Churches Together Choir
5.10pm: Greenwood Primary School
5.30pm: Christine March School of Dance
6pm: Orchard Primary School
6.30pm: Red Hot Band
7pm: Lights switch on by district council chairman
7.10pm: Kirkby Chorus
The final big lights switch on event takes place at the Hucknall Market Place car park and Hucknall High Street on December 4.