North Somerset Council may seek permission to push council tax above the usual 5% cap next year as it battles a £25m budget shortfall. The authority is in talks with the government over “ exceptional financial support ,” which could allow it to avoid a local referendum and impose a higher increase. Normally, councils can raise tax by 3%, with a further 2% for adult social care. Council leader Mike Bell said the council is “ doing everything we can ” to close the gap. “ That i

Every Child Needs Christmas is returning this year and the organisers need your help to create happy memories for local children in Weston-super-Mare and surrounding areas. The scheme which is run by volunteers was launched in 2013 by Sara & Khurm Arshad. Sara, who runs the popular and well known Bentley Road Bakery operating out of Wick St Lawrence and is supported by a whole host of volunteers and local businesses. Sara Arshad who created the scheme said; “ The campaign is

Get ready to unwrap the ultimate festive treat as Seren Dippity presents Weston Super Bare: Christmas Cracker! — a sparkling night of music, dance, and comedy at the Front Room, WSM on 29th November 2025. Featuring the dazzling talents of Ruby Derriere, Suit Kase, It’s Llywellyn, Natalie Sings, and The Bearded Idiot, this cabaret is set to sleigh audiences from start to finish. Whether you’re naughty or nice, this is the place to be for a holly jolly good night out!  To grab

Road closures have now been lifted and police have left the scene after significant parts of Weston-super-Mare town centre were cordoned off whilst a Explosive Ordnance Unit attending the scene to assess a “suspicious item” contained with a bag near Weston College. Officers found the bag just before 3.30pm on West St and established a cordon to secure the area whilst the bag was being investigated. As a precaution a Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended the scene and asse

Weston Independent News has been issued a statement by Avon & Somerset Police regarding the ongoing police activity in Weston-super-Mare town centre tonight; “Police have closed West Street in Weston-super-Mare after finding a rucksack containing a suspicious item. Officers found the bag just before 3.30pm on Sunday 9 November. As a precaution, they set up a cordon pending the arrival of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to assess the object. A 39-year-old man of no fixed

Weston Town Centre is currently cordoned off by police after reports of a suspicious package. Knightstone Rd and Lower Church Rd are closed with police on the scene. There has been one report that at this time has not been verified that a male suspect has been arrested as the scene. This is a developing story and Avon & Somerset Police have been contacted for a statement.

A Weston parent has been been left £150 out of pocket after being a victim of fraud from a roaming light toy stall during Weston Carnival. Hannah Farnell was with her young children when she purchased two light-up toys from a roaming seller near Weston College. Each toy was £10 each however Hannah was charged over two transactions £20 and then a further £150 for the toys. Posting on social media Hannah Farnell said; “ I’ve been scammed at the carnival tonight. I asked the men

Avon & Somerset Police have thanked the public for their vigilance after they were notified of a suspicious male that when searched was found in possession of a knife. Avon & Somerset Police said; “Thanks to a vigilant member of the public, officers at Weston Carnival were able to swiftly respond to a report of a suspicious individual Thanks to their quick thinking and willingness to speak up, the person in question was located, searched and a bladed article was taken off the

Avon & Somerset Police have issued an appeal for the public’s help in locating a wanted man from Weston-super-Mare. George Ford, a 30-year-old, who has links to Weston-super-Mare, is wanted for breaching the terms of a court order. Avon & Somerset Police request that if you see him then please call 999 quoting reference number 5225290497 or 101 if you have any other information.

North Somerset Council has been forced to spend more than £300,000 on “ numerous maintenance issues ” at a poorly constructed car park that is losing around £250,000 a year. Carlton Street Car Park, built in 2012, has suffered such serious structural problems that its upper floors have remained closed since November 2023. The council pays over £500,000 a year to lease the Weston-super-Mare multi-storey, yet reported a £269,000 loss on it in the last financial year. Carlton St

A man from Weston-super-Mare has been sentenced for an offence of affray committed during the Bristol riot in 2021 Jacob Dolphin, 24, of Weston-super-Mare, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday 23 October. Dolphin kicked out at officers on five occasions and threw an object during the riot outside Bridewell Police Station on 21 March 2021. He pleaded guilty to the offence and received an 18-month community order and will have to complete 170 hours of unpaid work. H

Work starts today on the Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare as part of North Somerset Council’s renovation plans. The council’s vision for the seafront site is to provide purpose-built indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces, increase capacity and elevate the Tropicana’s status as a nationally significant multi-use entertainment venue. Following an open procurement exercise, the council has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction to strip out and demolish the existing 1980s interna

A statement released by Avon & Somerset Police says; “ Our 101 non-emergency call service is currently unavailable due to a system fault. This should not impact on our ability to respond to 999 calls, but would politely remind the public this should only be used for urgent emergencies only. Anything which doesn't need an immediate response can be reported online at https://orlo.uk/cXf86 Engineers are working hard to rectify the fault and we'll let you know when the 101 servic

The Old Town Quarry in Weston-super-Mare, located just up the road from Grove Park, reopened yesterday after being closed since August 30th 2023, much to the disappointment of holidaymakers and local regulars alike. The site, owned by North Somerset Council, was previously operated by Weston-super-Mare Civic Society, and was a beloved location for nature enthusiasts, dog walkers, and daytrippers, who came to the retired quarry to indulge in refreshing beverages from the Rowa

Behind the slogans about “putting Britain first” lies a lack of substance and, too often, a willingness to mislead.

Rodney Bunzly has been jailed for 12 years for non-recent sex offences against a child

A campaign launched by Weston’s MP Dan Aldridge and supported by Weston Labour Party is fighting to save the future of Worle Library and has received widespread support from the local community. Worle Library was visited 22,000 times in 2024/25. However, following the discovery of wet rot and damp in February the council said it cannot afford the significant costs required to repair and maintain the building.   North Somerset Council has suggested that libraries marked for cl

Emergency services are on the scene of a serious accident on the A370 heading out of Weston-super-Mare between Hutton Moor Roundabout and Airport Roundabout. A vehicle can be seen at the scene on its roof and it is expected the road will be closed for some time. Police are currently on scene and other emergency services have been seen to be en-route

Last Wednesday, young people from across North Somerset gathered for the first time at Weston-super-Mare’s Town Hall to discuss their...

The first phase of the project will see the construction of a new health centre and GP surgery which will replace the Graham Road surgery.