Latest news with #GavinCallaghan
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
All the locations Aldi wants to build new stores as Basildon plans revealed
Basildon is set to welcome a brand new Aldi as part of the supermarket's nationwide expansion push. The store is Basildon is due to open in 2026 at the Westgate Shopping Centre, replacing JD Sports and OneBeyond. The news, announced by Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan, marks a major milestone in the council's plans to rejuvenate the town centre. This comes after Aldi revealed its list of priority locations across the UK where it would like to open new stores. Mr Callaghan hailed the development as a 'real coup' for the area, promising 'hundreds of jobs' and increased footfall as part of broader efforts to attract major retailers and bolster the night-time economy. The arrival of Aldi will also bring a revamp of Westgate's parking system, with 90 minutes of free parking on the surface level car park to be introduced. Read more Dozens of colourful penguins waddle into Southend for start of new art trail 'I cried with shock' - Southend man proposes to Timberlake superfan at Essex concert This is a move aimed at tackling long-standing frustrations over punitive parking charges. The Basildon announcement coincides with Aldi's wider plans to grow its UK footprint. Following a public call for location suggestions, the discount retailer has revealed priority areas across the country where it hopes to open new stores. Braintree, Essex Harlow, Essex Rayleigh, Essex Bromley, Greater London Chesham, Buckinghamshire Balby, Doncaster, South Yorkshire Ealing, Greater London Ferndown, Dorset Hitchin, Hertfordshire Kenilworth, Warwickshire Kirkby, Merseyside Largs, North Ayrshire Pickering, North Yorkshire Ponteland, Northumberland South Croydon, Greater London South Shields, Tyne and Wear Tadcaster, North Yorkshire Uckfield, East Sussex Warwick, Warwickshire Wellingborough, Northamptonshire Witney, Oxfordshire Worthing, West Sussex
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hot air balloon festival to 'highlight popularity of Basildon' this summer
THE skies above Basildon will come alive this summer as the town hosts an exciting new family-friendly hot air balloon festival. Spanning the last weekend of July, the Essex Balloons and Tunes festival will take place at Basildon Sporting Village and feature live music, tribute acts, and stunt shows alongside breath taking hot air balloon demonstrations. The choice of Basildon as the location for the county-wide event has been welcomed by Labour's council leader, Gavin Callaghan, as a sign of the town's growing status as a leisure destination. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. Festival - Basildon Sporting Village will host the balloon festival (Image: George Pizani) 'We're delighted to be able welcome such an exciting nationwide event to the borough, which will give residents the opportunity to enjoy some fantastic, family-friendly fun while creating lifelong memories, right here on their doorstep,' said Mr Callaghan. 'This three-day extravaganza has something for everyone, and it highlights the growing popularity of Basildon as one of the top events destinations across Essex.' While the focus of the Balloons and Tunes festival will be the impressive hot air balloons set to hover above Gloucester Park, attendees will also be able to enjoy tribute performances to popular artists, high-energy motocross stunt shows, character meet-and-greets and firework displays. Win - Mr Callaghan says the festival is a sign of Basildon's growing popularity (Image: Basildon Council) In addition to tribute performances, musical entertainment will be provided by The Only Way is Essex's James Argent. The event will be delivered by Balloons and Tunes UK, who run similar festivals across the country, and run from Friday July 25 to Sunday July 27. A description from Balloons and Tunes UK reads: 'Our festivals offer a vibrant mix of attractions, including spectacular hot air balloon shows, stunning performances, exciting Funfair Rides, and a diverse line-up of live music.' Under the leadership of Mr Callaghan, Basildon Council has been working to boost the town's leisure and hospitality offerings. Plans are currently being drawn up for a 5,000-seat live entertainment arena and hotel in the town centre, which Mr Callaghan hopes will be the go-to destination for touring artists and shows in Essex. You can find out more about Essex Balloons and Tunes as well as purchasing your tickets at
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Registration opens for Basildon's first ever half marathon
RUNNERS in Basildon are set to hit the streets as the town holds its first half-marathon later this year. The Basildon Half Marathon will be organised by RunThroughUK and will see amateurs and athletes from across the borough test their metal on Sunday September 14. Registration is now open for the event, which promises to be a 'supportive and rewarding' challenge for runners of all abilities. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. 'This is an exciting time for our borough - the first ever Basildon Half Marathon,' said Jack Ferguson, Labour councillor for culture, sport, children and young people. 'RunThroughUK have hosted events all over the UK, and now they're coming to Basildon to get runners of all abilities involved. 'I can't wait to see everyone at the start line on September 14 - it's going to be an incredible day.' RunThroughUK organises and hosts running challenges across the country, but this year's will be the first half marathon to take place in Basildon. Excitement - Council leader, Gavin Callaghan, has welcomed Basildon's first ever half marathon (Image: Basildon Council) A spokesperson for RunThroughUK said: 'Whether you're chasing a new PB or completing your first ever half marathon, everyone is invited to be part of this fun, supportive race day. 'The course offers a mixture of urban and countryside roads with gentle undulations, making it both a rewarding challenge and a great day out. 'With a Junior Race included, it's a family-friendly event perfect for getting young runners involved too.' In addition to a child-friendly race, the half marathon is also set to feature a 'vibrant event village' complete with food, drinks and music. Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of Basildon Council, is keen to make the upcoming half marathon a community-wide event. 'If you want to raise money for charity, if you want to walk it, if you want to get involved in anyway, then please do,' he said. 'It's going to be a great event, if you're not going to run, make sure you've got the date in your diary so you can come out and cheer from the side-lines.' Basildon Half Marathon will take place on Sunday September 14 and you can sign up at
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Change is happening': Basildon Council leader celebrates one year in office
'MAJOR change is happening' – that is the message from the leader of Basildon Council as his administration celebrates one year in office. Gavin Callaghan took over the leadership at the start of last May and has been pursuing an 'ambitious agenda' including the return of weekly bin collections, an increase in council homes and the purchase of the Westgate shopping centre. Despite Mr Callaghan's claims of widespread success, the leader of Basildon's Conservative council group has said it's only a matter of time before difficult decisions will have to be made. 'Belief has returned to Basildon,' said Mr Callaghan. Proud - Gavin Callaghan has hailed a year of successful achievements (Image: Basildon Council) 'You can see it and you can feel it. Over the past year, we've focused on what matters most to local people – and the results are clear.' 'One year on, I'm proud to say change is happening – and it's for the better,' added Mr Callaghan. 'We're fixing the basics while building a better future. Basildon deserves no less.' We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. 'We're not finished – we're just getting started. Thank you for believing in Basildon. The progress we've made together is only the beginning.' Improvements - Mr Callaghan recently celebrated the purchase of around 100 new units of temporary accommodation (Image: Basildon Council) Last month, residents saw a return to weekly bin collections and the scrapping of unpopular reusable recycling sacks following an overhaul of the council's waste management system. Council and temporary accommodation residents have also seen additional investment in their futures with the building of more than 100 new council homes and the securing of £16million for repairs and maintenance. Upcoming - The Basildon Health Centre is expected to open in the Eastgate later this year (Image: Basildon Council)Other achievements pointed to by Mr Callaghan include the purchase of the Westgate Shopping Centre to allow for the construction of a huge live entertainment arena, the approval of 1,163 new homes and the ongoing creation of new healthcare facilities in Pitsea and Basildon. However, the leader of Basildon Council's Conservative group, Andy Barnes, has questioned Mr Callaghan's claims of success. 'Whilst the presentation is slick, what residents are really interested in is delivery,' he said. 'The administration isn't being upfront about the costs of things like changing the waste system and building a new arena. Before long, the council's debt position will force them to make the difficult choices they are avoiding now.'
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Record-breaking 114.39 tonnes of bulky waste collected for free in Basildon
A record-breaking 114.39 tonnes of rubbish was collected at a waste collection event in Basildon. The Crunch, which took place across Basildon's main towns on March 29, saw more waste collected than the last two Crunch events combined. The event, held across six locations, gave residents the chance to dispose of bulky items and accumulated waste at no cost. Basildon Council's refuse crews were on hand to ensure waste was disposed of properly and responsibly. The first Crunch of the year, following three successful events in 2024, saw a total of 114.39 tonnes of waste collected. This comprised 62.03 tonnes of general waste, 21 tonnes of wood, 10.54 tonnes of metal, 5.66 tonnes of electrical waste, and 15.16 tonnes of non-recyclable materials. Basildon Council's refuse crews hard at work (Image: Gavin Callaghan) Basildon Council remains committed to providing efficient and sustainable waste and recycling services throughout the borough. Aidan McGurran, councillor responsible for environment and leisure, said: "The first Crunch service of the year was a huge success, and it was fantastic to see so many residents getting involved and taking pride in their communities. "We are especially grateful to those who helped their neighbours access the service. "During Saturday's event alone, we collected 114.39 tonnes of waste - more than we did in the last two Crunch events combined. "Residents have told us they want this valuable service to continue, and we've listened. "I am proud to say we're delivering on that promise and more. The event was held across six locations in the Basildon borough (Image: Gavin Callaghan) "This is just the beginning of our efforts to improve waste collection, and we're excited to kick off weekly waste collections starting on April 28." A special thanks was also extended to the dedicated waste team for their hard work in assisting residents and ensuring proper disposal of their waste. The Crunch service was supported by each of the council's area committees in Basildon, Billericay, Laindon and Lee Chapel North, Pitsea, Westley Heights, and Wickford. The Crunch service is part of a larger initiative to improve waste management in the borough.
