Innovation

Plane returns to Heathrow due to windscreen crack

by Amy
written by Amy

A passenger plane from Heathrow to Detroit had to return to the London airport due to a cracked windscreen.

Delta Air Lines flight 017 was carrying 188 passengers and 12 crew on board when the pilot reported the fault shortly after taking off at 11:44 BST on Saturday morning.

The crew followed procedure by returning to London Heathrow, where the plane landed safely a short time later, the airline said.

Some customers were re-booked onto flights later today and those who could not be offered flights until tomorrow were offered meals and hotel rooms, Delta Air Lines said.

The aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, is being assessed and maintenance is being carried out, according to the airline.

No other flights were disrupted as a result of the incident, Heathrow Airport said.

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Business

Council defends Hippodrome demolition decision

by Evan
written by Evan

Derby City Council has defended its decision to use emergency powers to begin demolition work at a historical former theatre over "public safety" fears.

Contractors started pulling down parts of the Hippodrome site in Green Lane on Sunday following a fire on Friday.

It was the latest in a series of recent fires at the site and on Monday, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it was started deliberately.

The decision to start demolition work at the Grade II listed site has drawn criticism but the city council said it had a "responsibility to keep people safe".

Spotted Alvaston – Original
The fire was the latest of many at the derelict site over the years

The old theatre building had been used as a bingo hall before it shut in 2007.

In February, the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust said it hoped to compulsory purchase the site with ambitions to bring it back into use as a music venue.

But now the council has now said it does not know if any of the building can be saved.

The Theatres Trust (TTT), the national advisory body for theatres, said it had recently awarded a grant to the historic buildings trust to progress this work, and was "devastated" by the demolition work.

Its chief executive officer Joshua McTaggart said: "Derby Hippodrome had an irreplaceable social and cultural heritage, much of which is now likely to be sadly lost for the future generations of Derby residents.

"But this is about more than just heritage.

"Until this recent series of fires, there was still a realistic opportunity to save parts of the building and bring it back into use as an independent music venue."

Mr Taggart added the trust was in touch with the council and Historic England to ascertain what remained of the building and next steps.

'Death risk'

Ashley Waterhouse, chair of the Derby Civic Society called the demolition "a great shame".

But the council's cabinet member for street pride and public safety Ndukwe Onuoha has defended the decision.

He told the BBC: "I understand there will be people who are upset because it's a Grade II listed building but ultimately, when you compare that with a possible loss of life if that building comes to collapse whilst people are walking near it or around – then we would be having a different conversation wouldn't we?

"At the end of the day we do have a responsibility to keep residents safe."

Supplied
The building has been used as a theatre, cinema and bingo hall

The roof of the building next to Macklin Street was removed on Sunday and a wall was demolished on Crompton Street, the council said.

On Monday, the authority said the work involved "levelling the basement" so machines could be brought further into the site.

A spokesperson said: "The fire at the Hippodrome on Friday caused severe damage and the structure and integrity of the building is at risk.

"There is now imminent danger to the safety of the public, so emergency planning powers have been used to begin demolition work.

"Derbyshire Building Control Partnership visited the site on Friday and Saturday and have handed it to Cheshire Demolition Controllers to make it safe.

"This work will continue until the building no longer poses a threat to public safety. Currently, we don't know how much, if any, of the building can be saved."

Members of the public have been asked to stay away from the site while the work is ongoing.

The car park on Crompton Street has now partially reopened and Macklin Street remains closed.

Road closures on Green Lane remain in place except for access, the council added.

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Innovation

Bar's licence revoked following crime and disorder

by Morgan
written by Morgan

A city centre bar has had its licence revoked due to crime and disorder.

Northumbria Police had applied for Sunderland City Council to review the premises licence of Cleo's Bar in Park Lane.

Legal representatives on behalf of the force said the action was being taken after three incidents in January, which included a man being hit with a bat by staff.

A solicitor on behalf of the premises licence holder, Kenneth Craigs, admitted there had been a "failure in the management" but argued sanctions should be limited to the removal of Mr Craigs and additional conditions for the licence.

Mr Criags' representation said a new management team was already lined up to takeover Cleo's Bar and keeping it operational was "in everyone's interests" by supporting the night-time economy.

The matter went before the Labour-led council's licensing sub-committee where councillors ultimately ruled the premises licence should be revoked, noting the new management structure did not "address sufficiently their concerns".

'Pushed and punched'

Helen Thompson, solicitor for Northumbria Police, said the force had a "history of involvement" with Cleo's dating back to January 2023, when the premises licence application was first submitted.

But it was three incidents in January this year which led to the licence review, Ms Thompson said.

The first saw door staff strike a man with a bat after a door was damaged, the meeting heard, while the second saw an "intoxicated" member of the public being ejected "by being pushed to the floor, dragged out and punched several times".

Neither incidents were reported to police, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The hearing was told the third involved an "altercation" at the bar, which led to a fight outside that was witnessed by two staff members but not reported to the police.

LDRS
The council agreed the bar's licence should be revoked

The legal representative on behalf of Mr Craigs noted the licence holder acknowledged the incidents were "unacceptable".

"There has been a failure in the management and operation of these premises. It is quite clear that the overarching failure is one of management," he added.

The lawyer said modified premises licence conditions and a reduction of opening hours were measures they would be happy to comply with.

"We are here seeking to engage, to be prepared to put in place any measures which are deemed fit in order to allow the continuation of this business," he said.

Following the conclusion of the hearing, council legal officers noted Mr Craigs could appeal the decision.

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Business

Disposable vape use falling in UK ahead of ban

by Nathan
written by Nathan

The popularity of disposable e-cigarettes or vapes has fallen ahead of a UK-wide ban on their sale on 1 June, a study suggests.

The percentage of people aged 16-24 who mainly use disposable vapes has dropped by nearly half in the last year from 63% to 35%, University College London (UCL) researchers say.

But researchers believe vape users are switching to refillable and rechargeable vapes in anticipation of the ban – instead of giving up.

As a result they warn the ban may only have a "limited impact" on vaping rates as it found vaping in general stalled between January 2024 and 2025 in all adults over 16 after several years of significant growth.

Getty Images
Refillable vapes (top) differ from single use vapes (bottom) as they can be recharged and refilled with vape liquid.

The UK government ban on disposable and single-use vapes is aimed at stopping littering as, in most cases, the vapes cannot be recycled and often end up in landfill or pollute natural environments.

The ban is also aimed at tackling rising rates of youth vaping and protecting children from harm.

GP Dr Helen Wall told BBC Breakfast that NHS advice is "very clear" that vaping should be used as a means to stop smoking.

"But for people who have never smoked, and for young people particularly, to turn to vaping can be quite detrimental," she said.

"Our young people are becoming quite addicted. It's affecting their concentration, they're becoming agitated, their capacity to learn is affected, their developing brain can be affected."

The UCL study looked at survey data on vaping habits in England, Wales and Scotland both before and after the ban was announced.

The study used data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, which collected data on 88,611 people aged 16 and over.

Before the ban, between January 2022 and January 2024, vaping among those aged 16 and over went up from 8.9% to 13.5%.

In young adults aged 16-24, usage increased more sharply, from 17% to 26.5%.

After the ban was announced, researchers found a decline in the number of vapers mainly using disposable e-cigarettes – in all age groups and particularly among 16-24 year olds.

The study only asked vape users about their main choice of device.

Dr Sarah Jackson, who works for the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group and is the lead author of the survey, tells the BBC she thinks "more people are turning to refillable, reusable devices" rather than stopping vaping altogether.

"We often see people change their behaviour in response to impending policy changes before they come into action," she adds.

Disposable vapes are single-use devices, which come pre-filled with vape liquid, whereas refillable and rechargeable (reusable) devices have a longer shelf-life and are often a cheaper way to vape in the long-term.

A reusable vape has vape liquid that can be refilled and a battery that can be recharged.

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Tech

New addiction rehabilitation centre opens

by Aurora
written by Aurora

A new hub offering support to anyone affected by addiction has opened in Blackpool.

The Recovery Hub, on Church Street, is designed to "promote wellbeing, build resilience and support reintegration into the community", the council said.

The team aims to provide practical support and guidance through counselling and sessions including IT and creative activities.

A former addict and support worker said the hub would be "like a lighthouse, offering people hope".

The man, from Blackpool, who did not want to be named, said he had used drugs since the age of 14, adding: "Addiction is a place of isolation, hopelessness and despair.

"This hub is a very visible place showing people that recovery is possible and offering real hope."

The 56-year-old who works in housing support for Jobs, Friends and Houses at Blackpool Coastal Housing describes himself as having been on a "journey of recovery through treatment" for more than 20 years.

The hub is "relaxed and safe" for addicts, a support worker says

He said: "When people are in recovery, they can still face hurdles, even when it seems they are doing well.

"The wonderful thing about this new hub is that it is a relaxed, safe place they can just drop into, there aren't any appointments needed and it is friendly, supportive and really informal."

Sessions will include:

  • SMART therapy – Self Management and Recovery Training
  • Skill building, such as ICT course
  • Music, art and other creative activities
  • Evening and weekend activities
  • Rambling group
  • Tea and toast drop-in

The support worker told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I've spoken to people that have been isolated in their flats, and they've come here.

"I have asked them what is this place to you and they say 'everything' because they have sat in four walls for months at a time.

"So how do you measure that and that the ability to provide a connection for somebody?"

Councillor Jo Farrell said the centre "represents our unwavering commitment to support those who are rebuilding their lives".

BBC Sounds

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Market

'Challenging time' for gymnasts after site sold

by Aria
written by Aria

A teenage gymnast from east London who has faced a "challenging time" since losing her permanent training facility has been selected for two national squads.

Olivia Kosinska, 14, and her teammates were forced to leave the East London Gymnastic Centre in Beckton in December after the freeholder sold the site to a developer and a bid to prevent the sale failed.

A spokesperson for the proposed developer, Linea Homes, previously said the new tenant, which had not been named, would bring "significant health and social benefits" to the community and planned to retain the building as it was.

Olivia is now travelling more than an hour to clubs outside of her borough to train regularly.

Facundo Arrizabalaga
The East London Gymnastic Centre in Beckton was sold to a developer

"Even though we've lost the gym, they're still pushing themselves to do their best and to train hard and to reach their goals," her mother, Justyna Kosinska, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Olivia was selected to represent both the England and Poland gymnastics squads but has chosen to represent the latter this year.

She has been training at Camden Gymnastics Club and Greenwich Royals Gymnastics Club in the interim.

"We are so grateful to those two clubs that they allowed our girls to actually have that opportunity to continue their training," Ms Kosinska said.

"[The travelling] costs us more as a family; the fees are much higher, and we've had to cover the travel costs as well.

"Even though we've lost the gym, they're still pushing themselves to do their best and to train hard and to reach their goals."

Facundo Arrizabalaga
Olivia has decided to represent the Poland squad

Kirk Zammit, who co-manages the charity that runs the East London Gymnastics Club (ELGC), said a long-term home needed to be found for the club soon.

"If a new permanent facility isn't found soon, the club will face closing their elite competitive squad programme," he said.

"We have GB squad gymnasts currently on target for the next Junior European Championships who may struggle to continue in the sport if a new location isn't found."

The club is understood to have viewed a number of locations but has not secured somewhere suitable.

The East London Gymnastic Centre opened its doors in 1997 with the help of National Lottery funding and has supported the careers of several top Olympians.

Hollywood actor Tom Holland also trained at the club in the past.

A Linea Homes spokesperson previously told the LDRS: "Our plans for the site focus on retaining the building and ensuring its financial viability. We have secured a new tenant who will bring significant health and social benefits to the community."

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Tech

Calls for former rugby club site to be developed

by Kelly
written by Kelly

The opposition group on a city council is calling on leaders to sell a former rugby club site to developers to build hundreds of new homes.

Colchester Rugby Club moved from Mill Road in the city to Colchester Sports Park in 2021. The cost of building state-of-the-art sporting facilities was supposed to be covered by developing the Mill Road site.

City council opposition leader, Conservative Paul Dundas, told the BBC: "We need to move this project on and sell it to a developer who can actually get on and do it as the council has demonstrated we can't."

But the council leader, Lib Dem David King, warned against giving "this site away in a fire sale".

"It's a complex location and it has to be developed the right kind of way," King added, saying there was "a huge need for affordable housing" and with "greater control from the council we are aiming for 100% affordable homes".

'Pandemic delay'

But the Conservatives accused the Lib Dem minority administration of "not being ambitious enough".

Dundas argued that 600 homes could be built at Mill Road rather than the 350 being proposed.

The Conservatives argued £30m to build the sports facilities near junction 28 on the A12 was costing £200,000 a month in interest.

The Lib Dem administration said the borrowing costs were "half those being claimed".

The city council leader said the pandemic has delayed developing the site.

King told the BBC that from "this summer we will be into the first releases of sites for sale" and there would be "money back into our coffers to offset the borrowing".

He said work on new housing at Mill Road was expected to start in the autumn and the homes delivered by 2027-28.

The council leader said development at Mill Road would "more than cover what has been borrowed".

Thousands of people use the council-run Colchester Sports Park every week which is home to a gym, sports hall archery, cycle-way and 3G sports pitches.

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Tech

Loft Lines raided as part of immigration enforcement

by Robert
written by Robert

The Home Office has arrested almost 150 people during immigration enforcement raids at workplaces across Northern Ireland since July 2024, new figures reveal.

BBC News NI understands 36 people were arrested at the Loft Lines complex in the Titanic Quarter in Belfast.

The Graham Group is one of the main building contractors on the site.

It is understood that those arrested did not work for the company.

BBC News NI put a number of questions to the Graham Group about the raid but a spokesperson said they would not be issuing any response.

Getty Images

Figures released by the Home Office show that between 5 July 2024 and 31 May 2025, 113 visits resulted in 148 arrests. This marked a 48% rise compared to the year before.

The department said it was part of "a drive to combat illegal working" with a particular focus on tackling employers facilitating illegal working, often subjecting migrants to squalid conditions and illegal working hours below minimum wage.

Restaurants, nail bars and construction sites have been among the thousands of businesses targeted.

Getty Images
Nail bars were among the businesses targeted

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said the government was "committed to tackling illegal working as we intensify our enforcement efforts to disrupt organised immigration networks at every level".

"There must be no hiding place from the law and these figures demonstrate our determination to curb immigration offending and disrupt unscrupulous employers," she added.

"Under our Plan for Change, we are laser focused on fixing our immigration system and securing our borders once and for all."

BBC News NI understands that a major co-ordinated operation reported in March, took place at the Loft Lines development.

Offences ranged from breaching visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work.

Loft Lines is a three-block apartment development located at Queen's Island in the docks area of the city, on land which used to form part of the Harland and Wolff shipyard.

The majority of the 778 apartments will be privately owned and rented out to tenants, but up to 20% of the properties will be constructed as social, affordable homes.

Developers

The lead developers of the site are Lacuna Developments and Watkin Jones Group PLC, while Graham Group are leading on construction.

Watkin Jones PLC declined to comment.

Lacuna Developments have been approached for comment by BBC News NI.

The development has previously been criticised for blocking the view of Belfast's Titanic museum as the apartments are being built in front of it.

BBC News NI understands that 30 of the individuals arrested elected to leave the UK voluntarily.

Five have been placed on immigration bail and are now required to report regularly to the Home Office.

A 16-year-old boy was also being supported by local authorities.

The individual arrested on suspicion of immigration offences has been bailed pending further investigation.

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Tech

Headlines: Dinosaur theft and concert preparations

by Megan
written by Megan

Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.

Our pick of local website stories

Two large animatronic dinosaurs from a Bristol company have been stolen from a car park in Essex, reports ITV News West Country. Raptors World had named the costumes Rexy and Yoshi and said it has been hit "incredibly hard" by the theft.

Parts of the railings at the world famous Royal Crescent in Bath have been removed in preparation for an upcoming Robbie Williams concert, according to Somerset Live.

Burnham-on-sea.com reported on local darts star Gary Anderson winning the European Darts Grand Prix for the second year in a row over the weekend

And the Swindon Advertiser was at the scene of a popular rubber duck race in Wroughton, which saw hundreds of plastic ducks "race" down the River Ray.

Our top three from the Bank Holiday weekend

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Market

Regeneration scheme behind schedule, council says

by Isabella
written by Isabella

A major regeneration project in Staffordshire is behind schedule, according to performance targets set by the local authority.

A planning application for the redevelopment of The Maltings site in Uttoxeter was due to be submitted in February.

The delay was caused by a decision to file separate applications for demolition of the shopping precinct and the regeneration work, bosses said.

The council said an application for the demolition was now due to be submitted this month.

East Staffordshire Borough Council bought the shopping centre in January, following its purchase of the former Co-op building in 2023 alongside the land that it already owns.

The council has previously committed to further improvements in the area, including refurbishing toilets on Bradley Street, upgrading connectivity from a bus station and car park to the high street, as well as installing improved lighting and seating, plus a full pedestrianisation of the high street.

In addition, 12 new electric vehicle charging stations have been installed in the car park.

A consultation on the proposed regeneration work began in May last year and has since ended.

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