Shop announces closure after 30 years
Plus: New building plan for primary school
Good morning and welcome to the Monday briefing from Ashfield News. This will be our final newsletter of 2024 as we take a short break over the Christmas and New Year period.
As it is our final newsletter of the year, today’s edition is available to our free subscribers. But if you would like to still take advantage of our one year anniversary discount to access all our content - what a Christmas treat! - you can do so by clicking the link below. If you don’t already subscribe, you can also click below to add yourself to the mailing list and get Ashfield News straight to your inbox each week.
Town shop closes after 30 years
A Nottinghamshire gift and book shop has closed its doors after 30 years in business.
Volunteers at Engage Gifts in Watnall Road, Hucknall, announced in October the store would be closing.
They said at the time increasing costs and reduced footfall had led to them making the decision.
The shop was a social enterprise run by volunteers from churches in areas including Hucknall and Linby.
It focused on Christian-themed gifts and products.
Following its final day of trading on November 30, a spokesperson said: “Today we shut our doors for the last time.
“It has been a real pleasure to work at Engage Gifts and with the fantastic teams of volunteers we have! Also our customers are fantastic and we will miss you all.”
The stock remaining at the store went to the Mansfield Christian Book Centre.
School releases new building plan
A new garden room could be built at Kingsway Primary School in Kirkby-in-Ashfield as part of a new development aimed at improving facilities for the school’s pupils.
Proposals have been submitted for a new garden room at the site.
A 65-metre picket fence would also be installed as part of the development.
Officials say the facility would offer a modern space for pupils to take part in various activities.
A decision is due on the project by February 12.
Dog breeder banned over multiple offences
An Ashfield dog breeder has been convicted of multiple animal welfare offences and banned from operating after concerns over the treatment of her dogs sparked an investigation.
Tracy Hovel, formerly of Parkway in Sutton-in-Ashfield, and now living in Worksop, ran a lucrative business breeding Labradoodles and selling puppies under the name "Briemdoodles".
The 62-year-old was reported to have earned more than £140,000 from her operations.
Ashfield District Council launched an investigation after several welfare concerns were raised about the animals in her care.
The case, which marked the council’s first prosecution under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, resulted in Hovel’s conviction on six counts related to poor animal care.
Nottingham magistrates found Hovel guilty of overbreeding bitches, failing to keep puppies with their mothers, neglecting to provide enrichment or clean drinking water, and failing to prevent the spread of diseases and parasites.
She was also found guilty of not providing the local authority with the necessary documentation on the dogs she used for breeding and the puppies she sold.
During the trial, the court heard that Hovel had made substantial earnings from the business. She was fined £800, ordered to pay £3,000 in costs, and given a victim surcharge of £360.
Hovel was also disqualified from owning or dealing with animals, including breeding, transporting, or influencing how animals are kept, for five years.
However, she was allowed to keep one dog as a pet.
Councillor Tom Hollis, Deputy Leader of Ashfield District Council, said: “It is important animals are protected against unscrupulous breeders, and where people do breed in Ashfield, the Council will ensure regulations are adhered to, to ensure the health, wellbeing and welfare of the animals are protected.”
Fire service warning over pressure calls
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning to local business owners after a private company began making unsolicited sales calls, claiming to be working alongside the service to sell fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers.
The company has been pressuring businesses to purchase their products, primarily across the Bassetlaw district, over the past two weeks.
The fire service says this company does not work in partnership with them and is not endorsed by their service.
A spokesperson said: “We have been made aware of a private company forcefully attempting to sell fire safety equipment to businesses in the area.
“We want to reassure local businesses that this company does not have any official connection with us. We do not promote or endorse any fire safety suppliers.”