Benefits being paid to people in Weston-super-Mare cost the taxpayer an estimated £249m during the last financial year, according to research by The Taxpayers alliance An astonishing 1 in 13 working aged adults are assessed as Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) with the overall Universal Cresit bill for the 2025/26 year estimated to have cost taxpayers over £139m with 11,497 households claiming. LCWRA is a health related category within the Universal Credit

New powers have come into force to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour, following Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston-super-Mare, work with local businesses and police leaders to push for stronger action. Dan Aldridge has welcomed the introduction of new Respect Orders, which came into effect on 26 October 2026, giving courts stronger powers to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour and help make Weston’s streets and neighbourhoods safer. The new orders follow Mr Aldridge’s conti

Weston-super-Mare’s Poundland, along with all other stores in the UK could collapse within days as the directors recruited to steer Poundland through its emergency sale process less than two weeks ago are on the brink of resigning, heightening the risk that one of Britain's biggest discount retailers will collapse within days, risking thousands of job losses. The trio of board members appointed less than two weeks ago are expected to quit after a disagreement with Poundland's

Residents living near a house that previously accommodated young male asylum seekers fear a return of anti-social behaviour unless adequate supervision is put in place when the property is occupied again. The house on Gerard Road in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, accommodated four young male asylum seekers from 2023 until earlier this year, when it was unexpectedly left vacant. During that period, neighbours reported a range of problems, including a persistent smell of ca

Tributes have been paid to a loving father and grandfather who was “adored beyond words” following his tragic death at the age of 53. David Doyle, from Bridgwater Road, Weston-super-Mare, died when he was involved in a single-vehicle collision while riding his motorbike on the A370 near Bleadon at around 2pm on Sunday 4 October. His devoted fianceé Danielle, his son and daughter Paige and Jordan, and his nephew Leon, have written a poignant tribute to a man who “always made u

The Labour Party could withdraw from the power sharing agreement on North Somerset Council over the Green Party’s “Zionism is racism” policy, Weston Independent News has learnt. During the Green Party’s national conference earlier this month, a motion was passed that stated that Zionism should be treated as any other form of racism and commits the party to a single Palestinian state across all of historic Palestine. As reported by Politico; The Labour Party nationally has con

Weston Hospice has been forced to issue a statement dispelling rumours circulating on social media today that the much loved hospice is about to close A spokesperson for Weston Hospice said: “Weston Hospicecare is aware of a rumour circulating on social media this morning that we are about to close. We can reassure you that this is completely untrue. Like all hospices, we face cost pressures, but we are not even cutting our front-line services, let alone closing, and be assur

North Somerset Conservatives have called on the Liberal Democrat leader of North Somerset Council, Cllr Mike Bell, and his Labour deputy, Cllr Catherine Gibbons, to demand that their Green partners publicly reject the Green Party’s “Zionism is Racism” policy, or remove them from the council’s Executive. The motion was passed at the Green Party conference in Brighton on 4 October by 1,022 votes to 813. It states that Zionism should be treated as any other form of racism and co

North Somerset Council is renewing its warning to residents, particularly young people and parents, about the serious dangers of entering the former Grand Atlantic Hotel site in Weston-super-Mare. The warning follows ongoing reports of trespassing, so-called "urban exploring", anti-social behaviour and incidents causing harassment, alarm and distress to local residents and businesses. A court order is now in place at the site. This means that entering the site is no longer

Residents across North Somerset are encouraged to stand together against hate crime and report incidents during Hate Crime Awareness Week (10-17th October). North Somerset Council's Safer Communities Service is raising awareness of what hate crime is, how it affects individuals and communities, and the support available to those affected. This year's Hate Crime Awareness Week theme is solidarity with those affected by hate crime, with a particular focus on refugees and peop

The retail chain Poundland is in talks with potential buyers, with executives working with an Irish property development group on a management buyout. But a union representing shopworkers warned that the retailer could fall into administration if that deal falls through, putting thousands of jobs at risk. If the company does fall into administration it would be yet another blow to Weston’s High St. Photo: Weston Independent News The news comes less than a year after Weston-su

The replacement of Winterstoke Road bridge is now expected to open in early 2028. This revised timeline reflects an extension beyond the previous target completion date of summer 2027. During periods of high rail temperatures over the summer, piling beside the railway had to stop because the work could affect the stability of the track. North Somerset Council and Octavius are reviewing the remaining work to see whether the reopening date can be brought forward. Photo: North S

The iconic former TJ Hughes store on the High St in Weston-super-Mare has been transformed into 44 brand new apartments with a retail store on the ground floor Photo: DP Interiors Southwest Ltd A spokesperson for the company said: “Our team is proud to reach the final stages of work on the former TJ Hughes building right here in Weston-super-Mare – a huge refurbishment transforming the site into ground-floor retail space plus 44 brand new apartments across the upper floors.”

Youth and adults are being invited to an open evening this week (Monday 5th & Wednesday 7th), to explore what it means to be an army cadet as the platoon seeks new cadets and adult volunteers. With Weston-super-Mare having a strong military background, the cadet forces are an ideal route for young people interested in learning new skills or joining the armed forces. The cadet platoon is also seeking adult volunteers to support the work they do.

Police have a confirmed that terrorism has been ruled out after a man was arrested in Worle yesterday afternoon for possessing explosive substances. The incident, which resulted in over 150 houses being evacuated was arrested for possessing explosive substance as well as the original offence of fraud which was the initial reason police attending his property. Today, a second non-residential site was searched by police near Hewish in relation to the incident, however no items

Police have cordoned off a large area of Worle this afternoon after a search of a property uncovered “suspicious substances and items”. An Exposive Ordnance Disposal Unit is en route to the scene and residents of homes within 100m of the property are not allowed to return home. The following roads are within the cordoned area in Worle where access may be limited in some or all of the road: Becket Road, Wesley Drive, Courtenay Walk, Becket Drive, Christian Close, The Larches,

A spokesperson for Bournville Primary School said: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, Bournville Primary School will be closing by 12:00pm today, 29 September 2026 having been alerted by the water company, Bristol Water, of a burst water main on land adjacent to the school. All children and staff are safe and unaffected, as there is currently a sufficient amount of drinking water available. The school will close at 12:00pm. Pupils should be picked up by their parents o

The average price of diesel at petrol stations in Weston-super-Mare has hit £2 a litre with analysts warning much higher prices could still be seen at our forecourts. The only fuel station in the town not to be at £2 or more is Tesco on station road which is 197.9p today (Monday 28th September). The most expensive diesel price is a whopping 217.9p for their premium diesel range. It comes as national reports have suggested the country is running out of diesel, with fears rates

Mendip Green Primary School on Greenwood Rd, issued a letter this afternoon to parents after emergency services attended the school due to a “medical emergency” involving a member of staff. An initial statement issued by the school via their Facebook page said: “Dear Mendip Green School parents and carers. We currently have a medical emergency on site due to a situation with a member of staff. A number of emergency services have attended the site. Regrettably, we need to canc

by Inspector Lee Kerslake “This month, I want to make a direct appeal to children, young people and their parents. Recent social media posts have highlighted multiple instances of 'Urban Exploring' happening in dangerous local buildings. Over the summer, we have seen a marked increase in people entering derelict and abandoned properties, most notably the Grand Atlantic Hotel. As a result, we have written to the parents of more than 70 local young people who have been found on