Pub's plan for former cinema as new owners take over
Plus: New sports pitches announced for district
Good morning, readers, and welcome to the Thursday briefing from Ashfield News. Today, the new owners of a town pub are set to bring a former cinema back to life, new sports pitches to be created in various areas of the district and much more.
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Old cinema could be brought back to use
A town centre pub has announced a number of changes after new owners took over the venue.
The ownership of The Regent in Kirkby-in-Ashfield has changed hands after re-opening in the summer, when Wetherspoon left the site.
In an online post, officials confirmed new owners were in place at the end of January and said they were “changing some things for the better”.
The bar will be bringing in a number of weekday meals deals and live acts will be performing every weekend.
But the former cinema, located on the upper floor of The Regent, will also be brought back to life as part of the raft of improvements.
A spokesperson said: “As some of you may have seen, we are making some small changes in house to clean up the place and make it look better so please bear with us whilst we do these.
“The Theatre upstairs will be getting refurbished and back open for the community to use and we have ideas for a function room/snooker hall for our other room, too.
“If anyone has any suggestions to help better your community local, please let us know.”
The original cinema opened in 1930 with space for 650 people.
It closed as a cinema in 1965 and was converted into a bingo hall. Part of the site was reopened as a cinema in 1988 alongside the bingo club.
The cinema closed again in 1993 and the building was shuttered until 2003, when another attempt was made to run it as a cinema.
But this was ultimately unsuccessful and it closed in 2005 and was later launched as a Wetherspoon pub.
New sports pitches planned for district
New sports pitches will be created in Ashfield and existing facilities refurbished as part of a new project.
Ashfield District Council has teamed up with the Football Foundation to create Playzones in five areas.
Playzones are new or refurbished outdoor mini pitches which are designed for football and other sports.
They are designed to tackle inequalities in physical activity and access to facilities.
New pitches will be created at Stamper Rec in Skegby and Morven Park in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
Meanwhile, existing facilities will be refurbished at Cowpasture Rec, Leamington, Titchfield Park in Hucknall and at Selston High School.
PlayZones have a multi-use games area with built in goalposts, hoops and/or nets, surfaced with tarmac or a synthetic surface.
A council spokesperson said: “We undertook a consultation programme with 500 residents asking for their views ahead of finalising the plans.
“These included women and families, community groups, schools, and users of current facilities.
“The majority of those asked were supportive of improving sports facilities and said they were keen to see activities such as football, basketball, tennis, bootcamps, bike riding, netball and roller-skating made available.”
It is expected work will be carried out during the early part of this year with the aim of them being ready for use by the autumn.
Arrest after police pursuit through town
A man was arrested after a police pursuit involving a stolen car through Mansfield.
A Honda Civic was reported missing from a property in Morgana Road in the town at 7.15am on Friday, February 21.
The car was spotted by officers in an unmarked police car and a “pursuit” through Mansfield then took place.
The vehicle, which had damage to its left front wheel, was boxed in and brough to a stop in Berry Hill Road at about 11am.
A 43-year-old man was arrested and charged with theft, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.
He appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and was remanded into custody.
He is due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on March 14.
Inspector Christian Chell, of Nottinghamshire Police's Operational Support team, said: “This vehicle was spotted, followed and bought to a safe a stop on the same day it was stolen.
“More importantly, members of the public were also protected from harm thanks to the work of our expert police drivers.”
More funding for Ukraine scheme
Nottinghamshire County Council has announced it will top up funding for the Homes for Ukraine scheme for the next financial year.
The move was announced on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, Monday, February 24, and will help Ukrainians settle in the county.
From April 2025, the Government is due to reduce its base payments from £500 to £350. The new council contribution of £150 is designed to ensure hosts continue with the same level of support.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme is designed to allow individual residents in the UK to sponsor named Ukrainian guests. Guests can live and work in the UK for up to 18 months (reduced from 36 months in February 2024) and access benefits, healthcare, employment, and other support.
For anyone who has a spare room and thinks that they can help email homesforukraine@nottscc.gov.uk or see the dedicated page www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/business-community/support-for-ukraine for more details