Jamie Singleton

Lightways, an independent specialist lighting shop on New Road near Chippenham, has closed after operating for about 30 years. Owner Geoff Taylor auctioned off the business and cleared the remaining stock while reducing his workload, which also includes a dairy farm and a caravan and campsite. Taylor said he would miss his customers and would continue offering repairs and access to remaining stock by mobile phone, but he does not know what the premises’ new owner plans to do with the site.

A jury found a 16-year-old boy not guilty of murdering or manslaughtering Shayne Hambakachere, who died after being stabbed in Chippenham. The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he acted in self-defence after mistakenly believing Shayne was armed and accompanied by others. The jury reached its verdict after around 12 hours of deliberation.

Chippenham Town Council is reducing weekday opening hours at the John Coles Park splash pad from August 24 to conserve water after Wessex Water introduced a hosepipe ban across Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and Bath. The splash pad will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, while weekend hours and Tuesday SEND sessions remain unchanged. The facility uses mains water that is collected, stored and recycled, and the restrictions affect about 1.4 million customers.

Pound Farm Cafe near Lyneham reopened under the management of landowner Timothy Webb about a week after former tenants Amie and Claire ended their tenancy and closed the business. The family-run farm has restored cafe operations alongside its farm shop, seasonal attractions and bus-based soft play area, while also facing severe agricultural difficulties caused by extreme heat and prolonged dry weather.

Time Out Magazine has highlighted Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon as attractive historic towns that could become easier for Londoners to visit if direct rail links to the capital are restored. Local campaigners and prominent figures, including MPs Brian Mathew and Andrew Murrison, argue that reinstating the former service via Salisbury would bring economic benefits, help attract high-quality employers and require no substantial additional cost. Direct trains from the towns and other southwest Wiltshire locations to London Waterloo were cut after the Department for Transport approved South Western Railway’s proposals in 2021.

Thirteen-year-old Trowbridge student Daniel “Danny” Morris has taken his mathematics A-level roughly five years ahead of schedule and is awaiting his results. Already holding an A in AS-level mathematics, he is expected to begin further mathematics and physics studies, with his family exploring future sixth-form and university options. His mother Clare says he was largely self-taught, has a strong interest in space and engineering, and remains humble despite his exceptional academic progress.

Nobody’s Child will open a 1,500-square-foot boutique at SouthGate Bath on Saturday, August 8, adding to the retailer’s growing network of standalone stores. The store will feature reclaimed and vintage furnishings, and its launch will include customer gifts from Bath businesses The Good Day Cafe and Nice Bunch. Chief executive Jody Plows and SouthGate director Guy Henderson welcomed the expansion, while the brand’s collaboration with Louise Thompson was cited as evidence of its growing fashion profile.

Imberbus Day will return next weekend, offering visitors historic bus journeys from Warminster to Imber and other locations on Salisbury Plain. The abandoned village, evacuated during the Second World War for military training and never resettled, attracts thousands of visitors each year. Tickets will cost £10 for adults and £2 for children, with services running throughout the day. The 2025 event attracted more than 4,000 people and raised £36,956.20 for charities, community groups, museums and heritage organizations, including funds for maintaining Imber’s last remaining place of worship.

Bath City Football Club has agreed in principle to be sold to an investor group led by entrepreneur Andrew Stalbow and including Bath-born Tears for Fears co-founder Curt Smith, who is expected to become a club ambassador. The proposed investors would inject approximately £6 million into the Twerton-based club to develop Football League-ready infrastructure, improve Twerton Park and support the men’s and women’s teams. Bath City’s board and supporters’ society committee unanimously endorsed the agreement, which still requires shareholder approval. The deal includes supporter representation on the board, a community share and protected rights for the supporters’ society.

A motorcyclist was taken to hospital after a three-vehicle collision on the westbound M4 between junctions 14 and 15 at about 2pm. Wiltshire Police said the rider’s injuries were not thought to be life-changing. The motorway was closed temporarily, with traffic held until around 3pm and delays of up to an hour affecting approximately five miles of traffic.

Groups of youths have reportedly broken into, climbed on and damaged the former Avon Tyres factory site in Melksham, while obstructing active businesses operating there. Wiltshire Police issued a section 35 dispersal order after repeated reports of antisocial behaviour, citing safety risks because parts of the site are due to be demolished. Officers will conduct regular patrols, and anyone who refuses to comply or returns after being dispersed may be arrested.

Wessex Water has urged customers across Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire to reduce non-essential water use amid months of unusually dry weather and forecasts of continued heat. The company has not introduced a hosepipe ban, with reservoirs 58% full at the end of July, but demand has exceeded 400 million litres per day for 35 consecutive days—more than 30% above average. Wessex Water says restrictions remain a last resort and is repairing leaks and contacting high-use business customers, but formal measures may be required if demand does not fall. Customers are advised to make small changes such as using watering cans, reusing water, taking shorter showers and avoiding car washing.

The proposed £303 million A350 Melksham bypass remains under review through the Department for Transport’s Major Road Network and Large Local Majors programme, with a decision expected later in the summer. Costs have risen substantially from an initial estimate of £146 million to £303 million. Wiltshire Council is working with the Department for Transport and National Highways to support bypasses for Melksham and Westbury. A recommendation to trunk the A350 and detrunk parts of the A36 could lead to greater national investment and improved capacity on the route.

New computer-generated images show a proposed mixed-use redevelopment of Castle Place in Trowbridge, featuring terrace seating and brick-and-limestone architecture while retaining the listed Market Street frontage. Wiltshire Council approved transferring the freehold of St Stephen’s Multi-Storey Car Park to owner Tahir Ali’s company, Patet Ltd, reportedly for about £3.5 million, enabling demolition and redevelopment. Castle Place’s independent businesses, charities and community groups will be supported during the transition, but traders and organisations expressed sadness and concern about finding alternative premises. The centre will remain open at least until the end of 2026.

The Longs Arms pub in Steeple Ashton, near Trowbridge, has been put on the market for £600,000 after repeated price reductions and previous listings at £995,000 and £750,000. Christies and Co is marketing the historic property. Steeple Ashton Parish Council sought community asset status, arguing that losing the pub and its services would harm the village. Wiltshire Council approved the listing, which remains in force until 2031 and gives the community an opportunity to express interest in buying the pub if it is sold or its use is changed.

Three people wearing black hoodies and white trainers reportedly entered a home on Causeway End in Brinkworth through the back door at around 10:45 p.m. and conducted a messy search. A wedding ring and medals were stolen. Wiltshire Police are investigating reports that property was abandoned between Brinkworth church and Shoemaker Lane and are appealing for witnesses and information.

Two drivers became involved in an altercation after a minor collision between a black BMW and a blue Mercedes at the A36-A350 roundabout near Sutton End, outside Warminster. Wiltshire Police are appealing for witnesses, including anyone with dashcam footage, and have provided a contact reference for information.

Elmsgate Barn, a newly constructed four-bedroom home near Steeple Ashton on the edge of Trowbridge, has been listed for £1.35 million by Woolley and Wallis. The 2,300-square-foot property includes four bathrooms, underfloor heating, an open-plan kitchen and living area, a terrace, detached double garage, office-studio, and gardens with views across the Wiltshire countryside.

A developer has applied to Wiltshire Council to demolish the reportedly dilapidated commercial building at 51 Haynes Road in Westbury, currently occupied by computer repair business Notebooks 2 Go, and replace it with four two-bedroom terraced homes. The proposed dwellings are designed to reflect the surrounding conservation area and include rear courtyard gardens, cycle storage, and drainage improvements. Public consultation is open until August 18, with a council decision expected by September 15.

The Warminster Independent August Market is scheduled to return to the town centre on August 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with more than 100 stalls, food vendors and local independent businesses expected. Organized by Warminster Town Council in collaboration with Warminster Business Network, the event will occupy the High Street, Market Place and Civic Centre. Additional spaces remain available for artists and various vendors, while Mayor Jack Jones described the previous market as a success despite hot weather.

A person died on the railway tracks near Warminster railway station after British Transport Police and ambulance personnel were called shortly after 9:30 p.m. on July 23. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious and that a file would be prepared for the coroner.

An out-of-control bonfire near Devizes Road in Hilperton spread to neighbouring allotments and fields, prompting a major response involving around a dozen fire engines. Allotment owners, residents and a father and son helped firefighters contain the flames, while the A361 was closed and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks isolated power after the fire approached a nearby pylon. The blaze affected thousands of people in the Trowbridge area and was eventually brought under control.

Police are investigating an assault at The Boathouse pub near Bath in which a man in his thirties sustained a bruised neck following a verbal altercation. Officers have spoken with witnesses, remain in contact with the victim, and released an image of a man aged approximately 55 to 65 who may have information relevant to the case. Authorities are appealing for public assistance in identifying the individual.

A new phone repair shop is preparing to open in The Shires shopping centre in Trowbridge, filling the unit vacated by Claire’s after the chain entered administration and closed multiple branches. The closure followed a previous sale announcement and came shortly after the Chippenham store shut down. Another recently closed Bodycare unit in the centre remains empty, marking continued retail turnover in the area.

Police reported children and teenagers climbing onto business roofs and entering derelict buildings in Chippenham, warning parents of risks including unstable structures and hazardous materials. With summer holidays approaching, officers urged guardians to monitor young people’s whereabouts and discuss safety, property respect, and avoiding abandoned sites. Residents were asked to report antisocial or criminal behaviour to Wiltshire Police or call emergency services when necessary.

A £2 billion UK defence contract will use AI‑driven training systems to prepare up to 60,000 soldiers annually, generating 270 skilled jobs and supporting apprenticeships in Wiltshire. Led by Raytheon UK through the Omnia Training consortium, the programme centres on the Combat Laboratory digital platform and is part of a wider £298 billion Defence Investment Plan. Government officials and industry leaders emphasise improved military readiness and economic benefits for local communities, including opportunities for veterans and young people.

Longleat’s Center Parcs in Wiltshire is ranked the best in the UK, cited for its cultural journey, proximity to Longleat Safari Park, unique aquapark, and additional attractions such as an escape room and land train. Reviewer Georgina Fuller, who visited all UK and Ireland locations, praises the park despite noting its high costs. Elveden Forest and Whinfell Forest follow closely behind, while Woburn Forest ranks last due to its smaller size and less appealing lake.

Local opposition has intensified against a proposed 180‑home development between Southwick and Trowbridge, with objections submitted after the consultation period closed. Concerns raised include harm to heritage assets, loss of green space, archaeological significance, flood risks and inadequate design information. Trowbridge Town Council, MP Andrew Murrison, local landowners and the Environment Agency all voiced strong objections. Wiltshire Council is expected to decide on the application by early September.

A former Ford dealership at Leigh Road and Laverton Road in Westbury has been listed for sale or rent, marketed by Carter Jonas with pricing on request. The site includes vehicle showrooms, workshops and office facilities, with over 411 square metres of workshop space. The property previously had consent for demolition and redevelopment into nine homes, though the approval has lapsed. Nearby Ford dealerships saw changes last year, including the Trowbridge location's rebranding to TrustFord following major investment.

A new hospitality and music venue called The Birdhouse is set to open in Trowbridge on July 17, replacing the former Sir Isaac Pitman Wetherspoon location. Operated by Sam Dean along with Claire and Chloe Grist, the venue aims to provide a social space featuring local food and drink, live music, games, and dedicated listening areas. The owners hope the venue will help revitalise the town centre and become a welcoming gathering place for the community.

A landmark exhibition marking the 150th anniversary of St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Trowbridge showcased the church’s history, community life, and cultural heritage. Civic and religious leaders attended a celebratory Mass led by Bishop Bosco MacDonald, and a new statue of St John the Baptist was installed. Curated by Peter Matthews and his wife, the exhibition featured historical artifacts, video recordings, school contributions, and parishioner stories, drawing several hundred visitors and highlighting the church’s longstanding role in the community.

Repair work on the damaged river wall at Westbury Gardens in Bradford on Avon is set to begin after wildlife checks and vegetation clearing. The town council says the first phase will remove loose masonry before engineers assess the wall for further work, with updates to follow as the project progresses.

Police responded to a collision on West Ashton Road in Trowbridge involving a Volkswagen Golf and a Nissan Primastar, closing the road while inquiries were carried out. The 30-year-old Golf driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and later released under investigation, and the road has since reopened.

Warminster is competing for the UK Town of Culture 2028 title, highlighting its independent shops, community warmth and cultural venues such as the Athenaeum Theatre. The bid also emphasizes the town’s popular independent market. The competition, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will award £3 million to the winner and £250,000 to two runners‑up. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised the nationwide submissions and emphasized the importance of celebrating local pride. All entries can be viewed on the UK Town of Culture Digital Map.

Tree removal and preparatory work for the final phase of the River Biss improvement project in Trowbridge will begin on July 27, closing the riverside footpath temporarily. Funded through the Future High Streets Fund, the project aims to enhance safety, address Ash dieback, and create accessible public spaces including new viewing platforms. Wiltshire Council outlined allocations from the £16.3 million grant, with the river project receiving £1.396 million. Planned upgrades include new paths, pocket parks, lighting, benches, and environmental improvements intended to increase footfall and support town centre renewal.

A 67‑year‑old man from Dorset was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a collision on the A350 at East Knoyle that left a BMW driver in his 40s hospitalised. He was remanded into custody after appearing at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court and is scheduled to appear at Salisbury Crown Court in August. Police thanked neighbouring forces for assistance in the investigation.

A longtime visitor to Center Parcs Longleat criticised widespread facility closures and malfunctions at the water park, reporting broken rapids, jacuzzis, children’s pool features and the wave machine. The guest vowed not to return after decades of visits. Center Parcs stated that most pools are operating normally, confirmed some features remain closed for maintenance and said they will reopen as soon as possible.

Princess Anne visited Dorothy House hospice in Winsley to mark its 50th anniversary, meeting staff, volunteers and supporters in recognition of five decades of palliative and end-of-life care. The visit followed the Care Quality Commission’s extension of the hospice’s Outstanding rating. Leadership and local officials highlighted the organisation’s longstanding impact, its training contributions, and its role across Wiltshire and the South West. Anniversary celebrations also included a public event at the Badminton Estate hosted by the Duchess of Beaufort.

Political and business leaders welcomed the approval of Cereal Partners UK’s £66m expansion of its Staverton manufacturing site, which will safeguard about 190 jobs and create 40 more. Local officials highlighted the investment as a boost for Trowbridge’s business environment amid recent losses of other long‑standing firms. The expansion, supported by Wiltshire Council, is viewed as strengthening the area’s industrial base and demonstrating continued investor confidence in Wiltshire.

A long‑vacant former Wetherspoon pub in Trowbridge will reopen on July 17 as The Birdhouse, a new mixed‑use social venue operated by Birdhouse Wiltshire Ltd. Led by Sam Dean, Claire Grist and Chloe Grist, the revamped site will feature affordable food and drink, regular live music, social spaces and a curated audio corner. The team aims to create a community‑focused hub that brings renewed energy to the town centre, with launch event details forthcoming.

A heat health alert has been issued as a third UK heatwave is expected, with high pressure bringing prolonged hot and dry conditions. Temperatures across southern England may reach 34–35°C, with elevated UV levels and continued heat lasting into the weekend. Authorities warn of increased demand on health and social services and advise precautions such as hydration, sun protection, and checking on vulnerable people.

Local politicians and community leaders are intensifying efforts to reinstate direct train services from Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon to London, arguing that the loss of the link has hindered transport connectivity, economic growth and sustainable travel. Wiltshire Council, local councillors and MP Andrew Murrison support restoring the route, citing rapid housing development, commuter demand and business attraction. Bradford on Avon officials are also backing a campaign promoting the return of direct services via Salisbury. South Western Railway has been asked to comment as consultations continue.

Halifax branches in Trowbridge and Swindon will lose their branding as Lloyds Banking Group phases out the Halifax name to streamline its consumer banking operations. Customers will be migrated to Lloyds accounts while retaining existing account details, app design, branch access and staff during the transition. The change follows the recent closure of NatWest’s Fore Street branch in Trowbridge. Lloyds says former Halifax customers will retain familiar features while gaining access to expanded services such as Club Lloyds, Lloyds Premier, Lloyds Ultra and Lloyds Rewards.

ME+EM will open a new store on Milsom Street in Bath on July 11 after minor construction delays. The two‑floor space will be the brand’s eleventh UK location, expanding its presence in historic cities. The site previously housed Ted Baker, which closed in 2024. The company cites strong local customer data and its strategy to grow physical retail as reasons for the expansion.

A Bradford-on-Avon childcare provider, FUNdays Club Ltd., informed parents it will cease trading and enter liquidation on July 6, cancelling all future bookings. The managing director cited worsening circumstances and has begun the legal insolvency process. Parents expressed distress over sudden childcare loss, financial uncertainty and concern for staff. One mother reported paying over £300 and is seeking reimbursement while arranging emergency childcare and unpaid leave. The firm has been approached for comment.

A section of Penleigh Park in Westbury was fenced off after a resident discovered asbestos fragments in soil left from recent footpath construction. Westbury Town Council confirmed laboratory tests identified asbestos and notified the Health and Safety Executive and Wiltshire Council. A specialist contractor will assess contamination and recommend remediation while affected areas remain closed. The rest of the park stays open, with authorities indicating no evidence of broader risk.

A Turkish restaurant chain operated by Trowbridge Turkuaz Ltd has applied for a licence to open a new branch at St Stephen's Leisure Park in Trowbridge, seeking approval from Wiltshire Council to serve alcohol and offer live and recorded music. Local councillors and many residents welcomed the proposal, praising the addition of new dining options, while some preferred alternative businesses for the site. The unit, previously occupied by Chiquito, has been vacant for over a year and sits in a retail park that has recently seen closures and operational issues. The chain already operates several restaurants across southern England, with strong customer reviews noted for other locations.

A gas leak caused by third‑party damage to a pipe led to the closure of Winsley Hill near Limpley Stoke, with a 60‑metre cordon placed by emergency services. Engineers isolated the leak and began full repairs requiring the road to remain closed until 6 July, with a diversion route established. Authorities confirmed no impact on local gas supplies and urged residents and drivers to avoid the area while work continues.

Patrick McCann was sentenced to 44 months in prison after leading police on a chase and crashing into a family’s car on the A350, seriously injuring a 14-year-old girl. The collision caused lasting physical and psychological effects on the family, including PTSD for the parents. Police highlighted the severity of McCann’s reckless driving and the ongoing impact on the victims. McCann was also banned from driving for 70 months and ordered to pay a surcharge.