Mountain Warehouse have submitted a planning application in order to facilitate a branch opening in the former Marks & Spencer’s store on the High St, Weston-super-Mare A new Heritage Statement (dated June 2026) has been submitted regarding proposed ground-floor façade alterations for the former M&S building, paving the way for its new occupier: Mountain Warehouse. A summary of what is being proposed includes; refining the shop front and modernising the exterior with new door

Yesterday afternoon, North Somerset Magistrates’ Court granted a three-month extension to the closure order imposed on a business premises in Weston-super-Mare that had been found to be involved in the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes. The extension comes after the shop was originally forced to close by police in January against a backdrop of numerous allegedly vape related health incidents in the town. A spokesperson for Avon & Somerset Police said; “The extension follows o

The star has discovered on his travels over the years that when you are six foot four inches tall, it’s hard to find comfort for the night. It seems he likes to become a hotel inspector - just like the ones in his own 1970s BBC sitcom – and check out the rooms before he agrees to check in anywhere. One B&B owner has revealed how Cleese turned up, unannounced, at her luxury property in the village of Uphill – where he was born - looking for a bed for the evening. But after he

A 15yr old girl has accused a hotel cleaner of grabbing her and making inappropriate comments whilst she stayed at The Savoy Hotel, Weston Independent News can exclusively report The male who is alleged to have carried out the attack has been described as a light brown male with a heavy accent and broken English, according to the girls mother Avon & Somerset Police are investigating a report of an assault at the hotel. No arrests have been made as of today. The girl who can n

A major road safety scheme aimed at reducing collisions on one of North Somerset’s busiest roads has been proposed by North Somerset Council. Photo: Google Maps The plans would see speed limits reduced along the 3.8-mile section of the A370 between M5 Junction 21 and Hildesheim Bridge in Weston-super-Mare, following concerns over the route’s long-standing collision record. The dual carriageway carries around 35,800 vehicles every day but, despite an overall decline in road tr

“Welcome to the first of our regular updates from the Weston Neighbourhood Policing Team.” Inspector Lee Kerslake (Photo: Avon & Somerset Police) “Weston, like any busy town, presents a wide range of policing challenges. Every day we respond to calls ranging from domestic abuse and burglaries to road traffic collisions, missing people, anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes. The list could easily fill this entire article, which would probably make for a fairly boring re

Emergency services are at the scene of a house fire reportedly on Rigger St in Locking Parklands. Eyewitnesses have reported a property well ablaze with the roof having collapsed and a significant amount of smoke can be seen in the vicinity. It is unknown at this time if there have been any injuries Avon & Somerset Fire Service have been contacted for a statement

Cllr Mike Bell (Lib Dem), the leader of North Somerset Council has been criticised by parents after he called on schools to "show flexibility" over children's attendance on Monday as England play Mexico in the World Cup with a 1am kick off. In a social media post on Facebook Cllr Mike Bell said: "After England’s qualification for the last 16 of the World Cup, the next big match against Mexico kicks off at 1am GMT on Monday 6 July. That is, admittedly, a bit of a late kick-off

Depending on what we do, one side won’t be happy’ - Weston police inspector explains difficulties force faces dealing with young people gathering at Marine Lake A Weston police inspector has outlined the difficulties law enforcement face when dealing with groups of young people gathering at Marine Lake. Anti-social behaviour at the lake has been a frequent topic of discussion in Weston since it was the scene of a “number of issues with litter, antisocial behaviour and inappro

Cllr Terry Porter, the Conservative member of North Somerset Council, representing the Hutton and Locking ward has died. Cllr Porter served as councillor on North Somerset Council since 2009 and during that time chaired the Community and Corporate Organisation Policy and Scrutiny Panel (during the previous Conservative administration). He also served on a number of committees, including the Planning and Regulatory Committee, where he was Vice-Chair until his recent passing Cl

Police were called to Worle Community School earlier this month after a student was found by the school to be in possession of a kitchen knife. Weston Independent News had been told by a source that is familiar with the incident and spoke to us on a condition of anonymity, that during the incident the student in question was placed in a room away from other students and police were called. The source further alleges that the school did not initiate a lockdown procedure becaus

South West Ambulance Service are urging people to choose the right NHS service for their needs as the region struggles with record breaking temperatures. The service has also urged registered GoodSam responders, trained volunteers or off-duty medical professional who uses the GoodSAM app to respond to cardiac arrests. A spokesperson for SWAS said; “We're currently experiencing exceptionally high demand for our 999 service across the South West Our people are working incredibl

A 16-year-old boy has been cleared of all charges after a jury found him not guilty of both the murder and manslaughter of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe. Aria Thorpe (Photo: Avon & Somerset Police) The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of his age, stood trial at Bristol Crown Court over the past ten days. He had been accused of killing Aria at a property in Weston-super-Mare on 15 December 2025. Throughout the trial, he denied both the murder and manslaughte

After North Somerset Council's original proposals offered closure in every scenario, a grassroots campaign to save Worle Library has succeeded in securing a Town Council debate for a community-run alternative. A motion by Cllr Catherine Gibbons will be put to the Town Council on Monday, asking for support for a communityrun option in Worle. North Somerset Council launched a 12-week consultation between July and October 2025 as it sought to make £433,000 of savings from librar

The jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a 16-year-old boy accused of murdering nine-year-old Aria Thorpe. Aria died after suffering a stab wound to the chest at her home in Weston-super-Mare, in December last year. The defendant, who cannot be identified because of his age, denies both murder and manslaughter. Aria Thorpe. (Photo: Avon and Somerset Constabulary) As the jury began deliberations on Tuesday afternoon, Mrs Justice O’Farrell reminded jurors of

An investigation is underway after a man and a woman in their early twenties were assaulted in Weston-super-Mare. The couple, who were returning home from a night out, were approached by an unknown man on Hildesheim Bridge between 4am and 5.30am on Sunday 3 May. Following a brief verbal exchange, the offender subjected the male victim to a violent assault, causing him to lose consciousness and suffer significant facial injuries, which required hospital treatment. A370 Hildesh

The Extend Learning Academies Network have announced the primary schools that are to close this Wednesday and Thursday as a result of the Red Extreme Heat Weather Warning. The schools are; Banwell Primary School Bournville Primary School Locking Primary School Mead Vale Primary School Mendip Green Primary School Milton Park Primary School Oldmixon Primary School Walliscote Primary School Windwhistle Primary School Photo: Extended Learning Academies Network

A ‘dangerous predator’ has been jailed for more than 10 years for the rape of a teenage girl and for engaging in sexual activity with other teenage girls. Pascal Bitton, a 35-year-old man from Weston-super-Mare, was sentenced at North Somerset Court on Thursday 11 June. Pascal Bitton, 35, of Weston-super-Mare, was sentenced at North Somerset Court on Thursday 11 June. (Photo: Avon & Somerset Police) He was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sex

This morning (Monday 22nd June) the Met Office has issued a Red Extreme Heat weather warning for Weston-super-Mare with temperatures expected to hit 40 Celsius. Photo: Met Office A spokesperson for the Met Office said; “During the heatwave expected to affect a large part of England and Wales this week, the highlighted area now looks increasingly likely to see a two to three day period where maximum temperatures in the shade exceed 37 Celsius, perhaps rising to 38 to 40 Celsiu

Weston-super-Mare’s Labour Councillors have reacted to the sudden resignation of the Prime Minister and leader of their party; Keir Starmer, after months of pressure towards his premiership, his reign of Prime Minister has ended off the back of disastrous local elections results across the country for the Labour Party. A leadership election will not take place with a new Prime Minister in post by September. The former Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham who recently battered Re