A planning application for the construction of a Tesco ‘Click & Collect’ unit in the car park of Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook shopping centre has been withdrawn following objections about its proximity to nearby residential properties.

The supermarket giant had wanted to build the customer collection ‘pod’ at a site on the northern boundary of the car park, immediately behind houses in Dewfalls Drive, but it faced opposition from Bradley Stoke Town Council, whose Planning Committee objected on the grounds that the application was “against the spirit of the original planning permission for the site which was to ensure that retail units did not impact on the surrounding houses”.

Two members of the public also objected on similar grounds, while another expressed support because it would “allow those of us who work during the day to participate in the online shopping arena”.

In a letter sent to South Gloucestershire Council last month, the architects acting for Tesco said they wished to withdraw the application and would be submitting a new one, specifying an alternative location for the facility. The published correspondence does not reveal the new location, but the council has been asked to give feedback on any “issues” it might have with it before a formal application is submitted.

The architects’ letter also confirm the operating hours of the proposed facility as 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

The ‘Click & Collect’ service allows customers to order and pay for their shopping online and then collect it within a chosen timeslot from the customer collection point at the store.

Related link: Tesco ‘Click & Collect’ service

Discussion is open - 3 comments (view) - click here to respond.

Staff and students at Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) are appealing for girls and women from the local community to join them in a local ‘Race for Life’ that takes place on Thursday 27th June at 4pm.

Local people are being asked to “jog, dance or run” 1-mile around the perimeter of the school to raise money for Cancer Research.

A publicity poster for the event promises:

“It will be a fun event, we are hoping students will get involved with wearing fancy dress, face painting, nail varnish and prizes for the best fancy dress outfits.”

Anyone wishing to take part should meet on the Astroturf pitch at the school from 3.45pm on the day of the race.

The school is encouraging boys and men to get involved too “by sponsoring the girls, cheering them on and baking cakes”.

For further information, contact Lauren MacNeil at BSCS (tel: 01454 868840).

Race for Life is the UK’s biggest fight against cancer and the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK.

Since Race for Life started in 1994, an incredible six million participants have raised over £493million, more than any other UK event series raising money to fund cancer research.

Money raised has been used to fund the work of over 4,000 researchers, doctors and nurses dedicated to helping more people beat cancer.

Discussion is open - 3 comments (view) - click here to respond.

A manager based at the Bradley Stoke branch of CJ Hole estate agents has won a prestigious national award that recognises the dedication and hard work of the industry’s lettings professionals.

Karen Rupprecht was named Best Lettings Manager at a glittering awards ceremony hosted at the Lancaster London Hotel on 24th May, in association with The Times and Sunday Times and sponsored by Zoopla.

Twelve candidates were shortlisted for a round of interviews before the panel voted on a final winner. The judges were looking for a very rounded lettings branch manager who displays skill not only managing clients but also managing staff. Karen was nominated by her Director Chris Hill. The judges also noted her efforts in the community and for charity and commented that “Karen shows great professionalism and compassion in all that she does”.

CJ Hole were also presented with a Silver award in the Best South West Lettings Agency category and a Bronze award for their new website, which was acknowledged for its well designed and easy-to-use interfaces that allow customers to “shape the online journey”.

The awards ceremony was hosted by Karren Brady (Vice Chairman of West Ham FC) who is well known as Lord Sugar’s Advisor on The Apprentice and one of the UK’s leading female business speakers.

Photo: Karen Rupprecht (centre) receives her award from Karren Brady at the The Lettings Agency of the Year Awards 2013.

Discussion is open - be the first to comment - click here to respond.

Year 1 children from schools around the Bradley Stoke area entered teams into the Football Festival at the Bradley Stoke Community Festival over the weekend – organised by Martin Lee and other Bradley Stoke Youth FC (BSYFC) coaches. A total of 13 different schools took part, with 10-minute matches throughout the day, which were enjoyed by everyone who was there.

Throughout the year, the teams had enjoyed coaching from the BSYFC staff who went to different schools to run football clubs and sessions. This was when the awards were given to each school, although being presented at the end of the tournament on Saturday afternoon. Various awards were presented, such as ‘Festival of Football winners’ and ‘School Club Link’. These were not awarded for the footballing results at the Festival, as the children are too young and some are better than others.

The schools’ matches were played throughout the day on three different pitches that were set up on the top field at the Jubilee Centre whilst the rest of the Community Festival was going down on the bottom two fields, where live music and a demonstration arena kept the crowds happy with various different shows.

Photo: Football Festival trophy winners. [Photo credit: Robert Harris]

More local sport: A busy weekend for cricket in BS32 »

Discussion is open - 1 comment (view) - click here to respond.

Police are asking van drivers to take extra security precautions after seizing a haul of suspected stolen catalytic converters hidden under bushes in a Bradley Stoke business park.

The ‘cats’ were discovered in Ash Ridge Road, off Woodlands Lane, in north Bradley Stoke.

A member of the public found the hidden items last Wednesday morning (5th June) and police are now making enquiries to identify where they came from.

Neighbourhood Inspector Bob Evely said:

“We’re really grateful to this caller who did exactly the right thing by leaving these items where they were and ringing us immediately. I’d ask anyone with information which could help us track down the rightful owners, or who has any other information which could help, to call us.”

Thieves are stealing ‘cats’ for the platinum they contain, because of the current high metal prices. They’re targeting vehicles with high ground clearance, especially vans like Mercedes Sprinters or four-wheel drive vehicles, and it only takes them a moment to remove the part.

Drivers can take steps to protect their vehicle, including etching their catalytic converter, fitting a ‘cat’ clamp and an alarm.

Inspector Evely added:

“All this security kit is available commercially – look out for products which meet the Secured by Design standard. These marking systems deter thieves because they make the part unique and identifiable – which can help us when it comes to proving a theft.”

Related link: Police in Bradley Stoke (The Journal)

Discussion is open - be the first to comment - click here to respond.