PUBLISHED: 10:33 06 February 2019 Jessica Hill Braintree High Street, Picture: Braintree District Council Archant Cash-strapped town centre stores that are buckling under the weight of outgoings are being offered some help by councils in Suffolk and north Essex - but is it a case of ‘closing the gate when the horse has already bolted?’. Braintree District Council is the latest council to announce plans to cut business rates, and the cabinets of Mid Suffolk and Babergh district councils are also set to back the new discretionary business rate reduction scheme, which could mean one third off bills for retail and other businesses across the two districts.Local independent retailers in these districts could benefit from a slice of around £800,000 in business rate relief, which was announced by central government in the Autumn budget. The proposals comes at a time when high street stores are in fierce competition with online traders. Many … [Read more...] about Suffolk and Essex High Street stores kept afloat by rates relief for small businesses
High street stores
Halesworth: Care home manager used patients’ bank cards to withdraw cash, shop on the high street and make online purchases
PUBLISHED: 10:35 20 September 2014 Colin Adwent New in-patient submissions have been suspended for three months at Southwold Hospital due to nurse shortages Archant © 2006 A Suffolk care home manager has been spared jail after fleecing three vulnerable patients out of a total of more than £12,000. Jodie Finney, of Carnoustie Drive Lowestoft, was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, when she appeared before Ipswich Crown Court.The 31-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to six offences of fraud by abuse of position.In addition to her suspended sentence Finney was given an 18-month supervision order with a 300-hour unpaid work requirement.All three of Finney’s victims were being cared for at Woody Point, a residential care home in Brampton, near Halesworth.The frauds took place between October 23, 2012, and November 21 last year.At the time Finney was acting manager at the care home, a large five-bedroomed bungalow … [Read more...] about Halesworth: Care home manager used patients’ bank cards to withdraw cash, shop on the high street and make online purchases
Bank branches closures are speeding up high street decline, report finds
PUBLISHED: 08:30 13 August 2018 | UPDATED: 08:30 13 August 2018 The Barclays Bank branch in Eaton, which is to close. Bank branch closures are hastening the decline of other high street traders, a new report says. Picture: Archant Archant The recent raft of bank branch closures is hastening the loss of local shops on the high street, new research suggest. A survey released by Nottingham Building Society found that 46% of shop owners blame the loss of a local bank branch in the last three years for negatively impacting their business, while 24% said it contributed to them going out of business within the last five years.Small business owners are suffering as a result of lower footfall, with around 36% of consumers saying they would make fewer visits to their town or village once their local bank branch closed.Around 40% said they would make at least three fewer visits a month as a result.Shop owners in areas affected by branch closures estimate that their annual revenue dropped by … [Read more...] about Bank branches closures are speeding up high street decline, report finds
This high street store is selling Tommy Hilfiger jewellery for as little as £34
Tommy Hilfiger has released the most beautiful collection- and it's not as expensive as you would think. The top designer brand- which is known for it's collection launches with no other than the model of the moment Gigi Hadid, now has an affordable jewellery line we could all get our hands on. H Samuel is one of the high street stores to stock some of the new collection pieces- AND some of them are even in the sale. Shoppers can pick up some items with HUGE reductions- including these Gold Plated Beaded Bracelet , Gold Plated Heart Stud Earrings and Rose Gold Plated Beaded Bracelet with £15 off and this Gold Plated Beaded Necklace with £27 off. See the full collection here AND- keep an eye out for the new campaign face of Tommy Hilfiger Watches and Jewellery which we will know very soon. … [Read more...] about This high street store is selling Tommy Hilfiger jewellery for as little as £34
Suspected break-in at high street store
THIS was the scene in Northbrook Street, Newbury, this morning (Tuesday) following a suspected break-in at WH Smith. Police taped the store off between 8am and 9am and could be seen inside talking to staff members. Thames Valley Police have yet to provide any official information. Last November 20, Camp Hopson department store in Northbrook Street was broken into between 1am and 2am. On that occasion the offenders made off with clothing and perfume. Police subsequently arrested four men aged 41, 29, 36 and 30, all from Southampton, on suspicion of burglary. … [Read more...] about Suspected break-in at high street store