Leeds city centre Post Office branch to move sites
A Post Office spokesperson said the company had made a commitment not to close any of its directly owned branches - but some may be moved into other businesses.They said the same range of services would be available in the new branch on Lands Lane, which would be open seven days a week.The changes would be made before Christmas to avoid disruption during the company's busiest period, the spokesperson added.Staff working in the Post Office's directly managed branches would be offered a choice to move to work for any new owner or take voluntary redundancy, according to the company.
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The Herald Scotland
7 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
We should learn a lesson from America's can-do attitude
But rather than looking at the alleged injustices of one high-profile incident, as the Orgreave Inquiry will do, it is surely just as important to explore the wider social and economic injustices inflicted by the decline of mining and other traditional industries. The most recent State of the Coalfields report from Sheffield University, which explores the condition of former mining communities across the UK, concludes that in Scotland these areas 'still display acute social and economic disadvantage'. It is something which Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee has also touched on in its inquiry into industrial transition across Scotland. Read More: All of which underlines the necessity of sustainable reindustrialisation, the kind which rather than delivering here today-gone tomorrow employment, instead brings good jobs, skilled work and properly rewarding pay. These things should not be too much to expect. But for those who have fallen through the cracks in society in the years since the decline of older heavy industry, it has often felt that way. Now, with Scotland and the rest of the UK well placed to drive forward the industries of the future, a new era of opportunity is before us. That is why I'm delighted that we are on the verge of securing no fewer than 1,200 jobs for Ayrshire, in a development that promises to lock in growth, opportunity and community wealth for the long term. The UK-based undersea cable manufacturer XLCC is poised to deliver 900 manufacturing-related jobs at Hunterston, making the area a key hub for European and global development of technology which will help power the next generation of renewable energy projects at home and abroad. With global demand for high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables rapidly outpacing supply, the company aims to build the world's biggest and most advanced HVDC manufacturing facility here in Scotland. It is hard to overstate the importance and significance of this project. For years we have been told that Scotland, with its huge green energy potential, is on the verge of a new industrial revolution which can provide the jobs and energy security we so badly need. Too often however, it has felt like we have been waiting and waiting for that long-heralded promise to become a reality. That is why the XLCC project is so vital, and so exciting. In addition to the jobs at Hunterston, 300 additional jobs are expected to be created in Kilmarnock , with the multi-award winning HALO enterprise and low carbon innovation centre identified as the preferred location. I have developed HALO over many years in the 28-acre site of the former Johnnie Walker bottling plant in the town. These posts, including project delivery and sales teams, will drive and support the manufacturing facility at Hunterston. The XLCC development has been in the pipeline since 2020, and like HALO will only be delivered through partnership between the private sector, unions, local authorities and both the Scottish and UK Governments, all working at pace to ensure this massive opportunity is secured. There are two other points worth making in relation to this promised jobs windfall for Ayrshire. Firstly, I would urge both the Scottish and UK Governments to do more to speed up the pace of investment in regeneration and reindustrialisation, including the easing of planning laws to make such development easier. Checks and balances, along with due process, are important when it comes to planning. But too often we are forced to wait too long to turn potential into reality. And delays are one reason we see valuable jobs going to other countries instead of being created here. That links directly to the second point, which is just how important it is for the manufacturing bases for the industries that will power the rest of this century to be based in this country. Scotland may have an abundance of natural resources when it comes to our energy potential. We are blessed with huge advantages when to green power, in addition to the oil and gas which is still an important part of our energy mix. But that only counts for so much if the infrastructure and industrial gain required to exploit those resources is outsourced to other nations. The arrival of XLCC in Scotland will be a powerful counter to the notion that we have to look elsewhere for energy manufacturing. And, as Scotland and [[Ayr]]shire witnessed during the visit of US President Donald Trump, we could do worse than take a leaf from the playbook of America's can-do attitude to business, enterprise and opportunity. We have the resources, and we have the skill – we just need the political will to ensure potential becomes reality. Dr Marie Macklin CBE is a leading Scottish businesswoman and investor.
STV News
7 minutes ago
- STV News
Dedicated task force removes thousands of pieces of chewing gum from city streets
Thousands of pieces of chewing gum have been removed from Aberdeen city centre thanks to a £27,500 grant. The clean-up on Union Street comes after Aberdeen City Council became one of 52 areas across the country that successfully applied to the Chewing Gum Task Force. Aberdeen City Council co-leader councillor Ian Yuill said: 'This additional action to remove chewing gum really helps with the shared aim of improving the city centre. 'The area should be pleasant and attractive for the benefit of all businesses, visitors, and residents. 'The £27,500 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force is a welcome boost to enable more cleaning and to introduce signage aimed at preventing the unacceptable practice of discarding chewing gum. 'The collective work is important and will hopefully be able to make a lasting difference.' Cleaning teams use a machine to remove detritus from the pavements to see the gum, and then they use heat and low pressure to melt the gum away. Aberdeen City Council Net Zero's environment and transport vice convener, councillor Miranda Radley, said removing gum takes 'time and money' and has urged residents to keep the streets clean. 'The council's cleansing team work hard keeping Union Street free of litter. 'We'd ask people, as always, not to drop litter, including chewing gum, as it is unsightly and its removal takes time and money.' The £27,500 grant awarded to Aberdeen City Council was part of a UK-wide chewing gum task force grant scheme. The scheme was established by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. The task force, a new fund aimed at helping authorities clean chewing gum from the UK's towns and cities, has given £7m to councils across the UK. Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: 'Chewing gum continues to be an unsightly form of litter in our public spaces – though thankfully the scheme is leading to significant reductions. 'People need to remember that disposing irresponsibly of their gum causes harm to our environment as it takes years to decompose naturally – and, ultimately, costs the public purse to clean it up.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Sun
I have to scrub paint off my shop as nightmare neighbour claims it ruins ‘historic feel' of town – but everyone LOVES it
SHOPOWNERS have been forced to scrub paint off the outside of their café after a nightmare neighbour claimed it ruined the 'historic feel' of the town. Council officials have ordered the bosses to get rid of a giant teapot painted on their 700-year-old building but the owners say everyone loves it. 5 5 5 Tony and Thomas Vickers proudly had the name of their Old York Tea Room professionally hand-painted above their business in the heart of historic York. But the cursive artwork triggered a bureaucratic backlash after it emerged the work was done without planning permission on the Grade I listed premises. A local heritage stickler launched a one-man protest accusing the couple of "vandalising" the building. Despite backing from hundreds of customers, and even support from Hollywood legend Bette Midler, 79, city council bosses ordered the sign-writing to be painted over. Town hall planners condemned the black-font lettering and teacup logo as "too dominant". Tony, 46, who launched the tea room with partner Thomas, 45, in February 2023, said: "We paid a lot of money for the sign and we didn't realise we had done anything wrong. "We did it without permission because we were naive, and when we put in a retrospective planning application we thought we'd reach some kind of compromise. "We created a tasteful sign that reflects the beauty of the building, and yet we've been treated like it's vandalism, or like we've put up a massive neon sign. "You walk around York and see painted signage on buildings everywhere – but somehow ours has been singled out." The Vickers said the signage was designed to reflect the historic charm of their 14-seat café, formerly a candle shop in one of York's oldest buildings. Hollywood Icon Jason Statham Surprises Local Cafe But the paint job sparked fury from a local campaigner, who compared the lettering and teapot to defacing York Minster or Buckingham Palace. Gordon Campbell-Thomas, 75, even staged a one-man protest outside the tea shop, bearing a placard reading: "This is vandalism". He said: "The building dates back to 1316 and is a Grade-I listed, meaning it's of similar importance to York Minster, St Paul's Cathedral, or even Buckingham Palace. "Not only has the café business scrawled the words The Old York Tea Room; it has a large brown teapot in the process of appearing to pour tea." York City Council claimed the sign 'detracts from the building's exceptionally fine architectural and historic character.' The appealed decision was then upheld by the Planning Inspectorate who concluded that the "playful" paint job had a "harmful impact" on the building. The couple now fear potential customers will walk past them on Lady Row, which dates back to 1316, because they are unable to fix any signs to the building. Tony and Thomas are instead using a sheet of painted plywood to advertise themselves to customers - but fear that too may fall foul of council officials. Thomas said: "This wasn't just a sign. It was part of how we survive. Without it, people don't even know we're here. "We only have space for a few tables upstairs so we are reliant on takeaway coffees and cakes. "If York wants to become a museum instead of a living city, they're on the right path, because businesses can't survive like this." Among the tidal wave of support was Hollywood legend Bette Midler, who backed the Vickers in their fight to keep the sign. Outside the tea room, customers said the original paintwork had made the street "more pleasant" and "added warmth". York resident Nicola Topp, 43, fumed: 'I absolutely loved the sign. It was tastefully done, all hand-painted in beautiful cursive. It added character and charm. "If they'd said make it a bit smaller, fair enough. But to say it has to go entirely? "They've been totally singled out. It's hard enough running an independent business – you're trying to pay taxes, cover insurance, pay the mortgage. "And insurance on this building is astronomical because it's one of the oldest houses in York. "To me, being the oldest house in York should come with more privilege, not more red tape. "The sign suited it perfectly and respected the building's history. "You've got Tesco right across the street with A-boards, an ATM stuck in the wall, and no one bats an eye. But a hand-painted teapot is apparently crossing a line. "It's pure hypocrisy." The tea room posted on Facebook ahead of its whitewash, telling customers: "We will look quite different and we are so worried folks will just walk by. Please don't forget where we are. "Our signage will be gone. We have tried so hard to keep it but the time has come. "We do hope those who demanded its removal are happy with themselves." Mr Campbell-Thomas posted pictures on social media outside the newly-whitewashed cafe, giving a thumbs-up. He said: "It's been a long road, I personally have been vilified on social media and threatened with violence by people who disagreed with the stance we were taking, but I'm pleased that sanity has prevailed." 5 5
