Wearing a face covering will be mandatory in shops and other public spaces across England from Friday to stop the spread of coronavirus.

People will also have to wear a mask, scarf or bandana that covers the nose and mouth in shopping centres and indoor transport hubs, like bus and train stations.

When it comes to buying food, the law will depend on where you're eating it.

Face coverings will not be mandatory in pubs and restaurants.

Announcing the latest guidance, the Department of Health and Social care said:

Quote

"There is evidence to suggest that, when used correctly, face coverings may reduce the likelihood of someone with the infection passing it on to others, particularly if they are asymptomatic."

Coffee shops and takeaways

People will need to wear a face covering in coffee shops in England under new regulations due to come into effect on 24 July.

The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed face coverings will be needed in shops such as Pret a Manger if people intend to take their food and coffee away.

However, if they sit down to eat or drink, they will be able to remove their face covering in that area. Takeaway outlets will also fall under the same criteria.

Those who fail to follow the new law could be fined up to £100 - brought down to £50 if paid within fortnight.

Children under 11 and those with disabilities are exempt, and people can remove face coverings for valid reasons like being asked to do so in a bank or to prove their identity if buying age-restricted products.

Who is exempt from wearing a face mask?

The same exemptions as for public transport will apply under the updated guidelines, with children under 11 and people with breathing problems not required to wear a covering.

Anyone who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability is also exempt.

Under the new rules, the below groups are not required to wear a mask:

A child under the age of 11

An employee of the transport operator, when they are acting in the course of their employment

A constable or police community support officer acting in the course of their duty

An emergency response member of staff, such as a paramedic or fire officer acting in the course of their duty

An official such as a border force officer, acting in the course of their duty

If you are onboard public transport but remain in your own vehicle, such as a car ferry

Other exemptions listed include those with a disability or a physical or mental illness, and anyone travelling with a deaf person who relies on lip-reading to communicate. 

Customers in shops will also be allowed to remove them if they are required to present identification for purchasing alcohol and other age-restricted products.

Following a month of free parking in council car parks to support local businesses (charges resume Saturday 25 July), a county-wide review of parking charges has been launched.

The review will look at the parking charges and concessions structure with a view to encouraging people to visit our towns and city centre while making the best use of the available spaces and reducing congestion.

Local stakeholders will be asked for their input as part of the review, which is expected to be completed later this year.

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport explains:

Quote

 

“It will always be necessary to have some parking charges – to control the availability of spaces and congestion in the very high demand areas and to encourage people to walk or cycle into town where they can.

“The council has not made major changes to its parking charges since February 2016. Exactly what the revised charging structure looks like will depend what stakeholders tell us and may include concessions such as no evening charging, cheaper rates for car parks that are a little further away, and so on. It would be good to find the balance that allows for a quick drop-in or pick-up but generally encourages people to park a little further out and walk in, to spend much more time in our shops and hospitality outlets.

“It is critical we get the views of retailers and our hospitality sector to achieve a balance that works for everyone.”  

 

Beryl bikes cycle hire will be FREE for the first 30 minutes of all journeys ending in a Beryl Bay during the summer holidays.

The FREE scheme starts from next week until the end of August.

It's been a year since the bikes were introduced to Hereford and there are now 200 of the green bikes in the city.

#HerefordVoice #HerefordNews #Hereford

New leisure facility to include soft play, mini gold, arcade, laser tag and bowling to open in Eign Gate Hereford after plans were passed.

We originally reported on this planning application back in April 2019 on our Facebook page HERE and planning was finally granted with conditions in June this year.

Work has began today to turn the former Pound Stretcher shop into a complete indoor leisure facility.

The idea is to create a leisure facility with soft play, minigolf, an arcade, laser tag, bowling, a function area and an ancillary café, plus bar on the first floor. Although aimed at people of all age ranges, the focus would be on children, teenagers, young adults and families.

The owners of The Shack Revolution confirm that they will be taking over The Booth Hall and have some new and exciting plans in mind.

The hall which dates back as far as 1380 was damaged by fire in 2010 and Elevate Properties have been busy restoring it as a restaurant and hotel. 

James Manning from The Shack Revolution said:

Quote

“We’ve got some exciting plans lined up for the iconic Booth Hall, we are keeping them under wraps for the time being but rest assured the Booth will be back!”

Manbro Developments and the Shack Revolution owners James and Rich Manning have acquired the Booth Hall from Elevate Property Group for an undisclosed figure.

History:

The hall is thought to have been built between 1380 and 1400 and is said to be mentioned in a deed of 1392. In 1392 the building was acquired by the City by licence from the King because they had no place in which the Sessions of the Justices of Assize or of the Peace or the Pleas of the City might be held. It seems to have been used by the Mercers Company for their Guild Room from C16 until at least 1756. The basement was used as a freemen's prison. The building finally became an inn at the end of 18th or beginning of 19th century, and the Great Room was lost sight of in later alterations until the collapse of a chimney in 1919 revealed the presence of the carved roof.

The Wasp Guys

The Wasp Guys is a family run company, originally from Hereford, we spent 20 years living and building our business in Oxted, Surrey. As a team we have been successfully eradicating wasp nests throughout Surrey, Sussex, Kent and London for over 20 years. We now have a family base both in Hereford and Surrey and our small family  team can therefore provide an excellent service to both these beautiful places.

We can nearly always offer a same day service or you can book us for a specific day that suits you. Please note we operate 7 days a week throughout the Summer, from 7am to 9pm. Our trained technician will invariably be with you for about 15 minutes. 

Generally all signs of wasp activity around the treated area will be gone within an hour. It's very rare we fail with our 1st treatment. If there were to be any activity after 48hrs, we would return and re-treat the wasps nest free of charge. 100% Guaranteed.

 Call Nick now: 07761  232470  

THE WASP GUYS (Nick's Wasp Nest Removal) have the expertise to rid any wasp or hornet problem you may have, quickly and efficiently. All work is 100% guaranteed and always at a low price.
We are fully insured and DBS (formerly CRB) checked. For a local, efficient, friendly service call us today. 

Click here for the website and see over 600+ genuine Checkatrade reviews! 

‘Click and Collect’ service for books and green garden waste bags will be available from today at Hereford, Leominster, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye libraries

As part of phased reopening plans, Hereford, Leominster, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye libraries have launched a 'Click and Collect' service for pre-ordered books and green garden waste bags.

Although the library buildings will remain closed for the time being, the entrance foyers to the libraries will be available as Click and Collect pick-up points for the pre-ordered books and bags and for customers to return library items.

The Click and Collect points will be open:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 2pm – 4pm

Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am – 1pm

To use the Click and Collect service for books, customers will need to complete an online form and the library staff will put together a selection of books.  Customers will be contacted when their order is ready to collect. For assistance or further information please contact libraries@herefordshire.gov.uk or telephone 01432 261556.

Green sacks for garden waste that have been pre-ordered online may also be collected from the Click and Collect libraries. Customers must order and pay for the sacks online and allow at least two working days before their visit as there will be no financial transactions at the sites at this phase of the re-opening process. Details of how to order and collect sacks from the library sites, along with information on any other outlets selling sacks can be found at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/gardenwaste

The council is following national guidance for libraries by taking a phased approach to reopening to ensure the safety of customers and staff. Risk assessments have been completed and safety measures put in place, including the quarantine of all returned items for 72 hours before being returned to stock in line with Public Health England guidelines.

The online library services remain as popular as ever and includes resources like Ancestry family history, which library members can now use free from home. The BorrowBox eBook and eAudiobook app has thousands of free titles available, including the latest bestsellers and children’s books, and the brand new PressReader service provides access to a wide range of popular newspapers and magazines.

Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet Member for Commissioning, Procurement and Assets, said:

Quote

“Our library Click and Collect service is the first step in reopening our cultural services in a ‘COVID-19 secure’ way. Cultural services continue to play an essential part of our health, wellbeing and prevention of social isolation. With this in mind, we are working hard to get all of our library, museum and archive services open to the public as soon as it is safe to do so. All the safety measures we put in place now will be reviewed as we continue to open the rest of our cultural services in the near future.  Thank you to everyone for your continued support to this critical sector.”

To find out more about library services, and how to join if you are not already a member, please see the library section of the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/libraries

Winter flood recovery work continues in Herefordshire the Environment Agency are having to raise our river gauge at Ross by 1.5m in light of the huge levels seen over the Winter.

New gauge will be up and running by September and available via the Environment Agency website HERE

Thank you to Dave Throup for the information and images.

Three people have been charged with drugs related offences following their arrests in the Redhill area of Hereford on Monday 20 July.

Mohammed Khan, aged 23, of Villa Street, Birmingham, was charged with conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (crack cocaine) and conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (heroin), possession of criminal property, assault of a constable in the execution of his/her duty and escape from lawful custody.

Hakeem Griffiths, aged 20, of Coombe Road, Birmingham, was charged with conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (heroin) and conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (crack cocaine).

Sophie Easterbrook, aged 35, of Stanberrow Road, Hereford, was charged with conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (heroin) and conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug (crack cocaine). 

They attended a virtual court at Birmingham Magistrates Court today. Khan and Griffiths were remanded to prison and Easterbrook was bailed.

The arrests were part of West Mercia Police’s crackdown on County Lines drug dealing.

A decision paper has been published (16 January 2020) that outlines the work that will take place to assess the Hereford bypass and Southern link road schemes while carrying out a wider review of the transport strategy for Hereford.

Cllr John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said:

Quote

 

“We need to ensure any major transport scheme has a positive impact on the county to address congestion and air quality, and is consistent with the council’s declaration of a climate emergency. We have also broadened the scope of the review to examine alternative transport options in light of the changing national and local policy context. These schemes have a permanent impact upon the environment which last for generations to come, so we must make the right decision.”

“This review gives us the opportunity to consider options that deliver improvements more quickly, including the possibility of an eastern link road and river crossing, removal of traffic lights on key routes, emergency response arrangements to remove breakdowns on the A49, an electric bus fleet for the urban bus network and improvements that provide safer routes to school.”

 

While the review is under way a number of transport and travel schemes will be progressing, including the development of a high quality transport hub at Hereford railway station and improvements to public spaces and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians across the city.

The decision will be taken by Cllr Harrington on Friday 24 January 2020. The review is expected to take around six months to complete and will include consultation with the public and stakeholder organisations.

The purchase will enable the council to safeguard and decide the destiny of this facility in the heart of Hereford

Herefordshire Council has today (Friday 12 June 2020) purchased the leasehold interest and a section of additional freehold in the Maylord shopping centre in Hereford.

The council had retained the freehold of most the four-acre site since it was developed in the late 1980s. Acquiring the site allows the council to take full control and decide the future of the facility.Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet member for commissioning procurement and assets, explains the reasons why the purchase of Maylord shopping centre is so important:

Quote

 

“We have a vision for our county, as set out in our County Plan, where we encourage and strengthen our communities, support local businesses and the economy, and ensure we make space for arts and culture. The purchase of the Maylord shopping centre absolutely supports this.

“We view the future of this area, which is in the heart of our city, as so much more than a retail outlet. We will now have the ability to create a vibrant place where people will want to visit, live, work and do business. We want to open the door of opportunity to local businesses, individuals and the wider community, providing them with a central space and shopfront that they wouldn’t previously have had access to.

“We are sensitive to the impact Covid-19 is having on businesses and livelihoods. This allows us to think differently about the opportunities we are able to offer so we can build back better, in a way that supports the whole county. This is now a community asset and we can only make best use of the all the space available if we involve our communities and let them help shape its future.”

 

A management company will fully manage the site including rental and maintenance requirements. This provides the expertise for managing the site’s running and doesn’t require additional council resource. The fees of the management company will be covered by rental income

Hereford recycling centre closed after car hits pedestrian

Hereford's recycling centre has been closed today (July 21) after emergency services were called to the site this morning following reports of a collision between a car and a pedestrian.

Emergency services are currently at the scene, please avoid this area if possible.

Old picture taken we think around the 1890's of boys from the Working Boys Home Bath Street Hereford.

More fabulous old photographs can be found on our Old Hereford Pics page

Moovit4u is a award winning removals & transport company

Based in Herefordshire. Moovit4u was voted best of Hereford business of the year and  best of the UK’s removals and transport business of the year, you can be sure you’re in safe hands when you come to Moovit4u. Specialising in both domestic and commercial removals, we are very proud of our reputation locally and have worked hard to establish ourselves as being very reliable and professional but friendly and affordable too.

Moovit4u are specialists when it comes to the transportation of high end goods and we have plenty of experience when it comes to moving larger items such as pianos and grandfather clocks etc. Fully insured, we also feature same day delivery / collections both locally and nationally, weekdays or weekends, 24/7 within mainland UK.

Over night on Thursday 16th July an Apollo twilight bike was stolen from the Mayberry Avenue area Hereford. If anyone has any information about this please contact South Wye Police (SNT) or call l01.

The body of a woman has been found in the river Wye close to the Rowing Club in Hereford.

A member of the public noticed the body this morning (18 July) and fire crews from Hereford & Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to the location along with local police officers.

A body was recovered from the water and while formal identification has not yet been made, officers strongly believe it to be that of missing June Adams, from Bromyard. June went missing yesterday evening around 5pm and was last seen near Hereford train station.

Specialist officers are supporting June’s family through what is an incredibly difficult and tragic time.

West Mercia Police would like to thank the public for their support and for sharing our appeal last night.

The 1.6m (5.2 ft) high bronze statue was sculptured by Brian Alabaster and was funded by a benefactor called Clive Richards as a "thank you to the city".

The city's mayor Councillor Brian Wilcox said of the statue when it was unveiled in July 2012

Quote

"Every measurement has been checked and tested. It's an exact replica of a Hereford bull and it's brilliant"

Brian Alabaster was awarded the commission for a life size Hereford bull for Hereford City centre and he said;

Quote

I modeled the bull from life using a modern working bull on a local farm as inspiration. This involved a fully hands on relationship with the bull and many weeks getting to know him in detail.

Agenda
Council - Friday 17 July 2020 10.30 am

Item 7: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

To agree amendments to the constitution relating to the Health and Wellbeing Board and new pavement licensing legislation

Pavement license appeals

14. On Thursday 25 June 2020 the Business and Planning Bill was introduced by the
Government, this is being fast tracked through Parliament and anticipated to be law by
the end of July 2020. The Bill amongst other matters introduces a new form of pavement
licence which will allow food and drink businesses to put tables, chairs and temporary
counters etc. on the “highway” outside their premises for their customers to use.

15. This new pavement licence will replace the current highways amenity licence for a
temporary period until 30 September 2021. The new licence process will be streamlined
in terms of determination. It is currently proposed that there will be a 5 day
consultation/publicity period followed by a 5 day period for a decision to be made. If the
application is not determined within the 10 days then it will be deemed to be granted. All
licences decided on and granted will be valid for a minimum of 12 months. A deemed
licence will not be valid beyond 30 September 2021.

16. Licences will be subject to national conditions and locally determined conditions, which
will need to be justified.

17. There is not a proposed statutory right of appeal for decisions made on pavement
licences under this proposed legislation therefore the draft guidance on pavement
licences (outdoor seating proposals) published by MHCLG on 25 June 2020 suggests 
that councils “may wish to consider the scope of an internal review process, for example
permitting appeals to their Licensing committee”.

18. It is suggested that the appeals will be conducted on the same basis as licensing
hearings.

19. As the legislation is not yet in force, it is suggested that authority is delegated to the
monitoring officer to include this function in the licensing subcommittees functions if no
right of appeal if provided for in the legislation. 

Is there a charge for the licence?