Jessica Day-Parker

Whitbread plans to close venues across Essex and the wider UK under its Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Table Table, Cookhouse + Pub and Bar + Block brands as part of a five-year, £250 million cost-cutting strategy. The closures are expected to eliminate around 3,800 roles from the company’s UK and Ireland workforce, although Whitbread says it will redeploy as many affected employees as possible. The group is shifting toward its integrated Thyme restaurant model at Premier Inn hotels, while some properties will be sold or converted into Travelodge hotels. Table Table and Cookhouse + Pub sites are due to close on September 3, Brewers Fayre sites on September 7 and Beefeater restaurants on September 10.

A fire spread across 12 acres of grassland near Howard Way in Harlow, close to the town’s rugby club and centre. Around 20 firefighters attended after being called at 2:31 p.m., while Essex Fire and Rescue Service remained overnight and into the following afternoon to monitor hotspots and extinguish flare-ups. The scene was expected to be handed over to partner agencies, with some smoke likely to continue as the area was brought under control.

Herts Police have appealed for help locating George, a 15-year-old from Hertford who was last seen leaving home at around 3:50 p.m. on July 29. He is described as approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with brown hair and facial hair, and is known to have links to South Ockendon in Thurrock and East London. Anyone with information is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting ISR 341 of 29 July; emergencies or sightings in progress should be reported to 999.

A large grass fire broke out near Burnham Marina on Foundry Lane shortly before 3 p.m., producing smoke, flames, a burning smell and falling ash reported by nearby residents. Crews from Maldon and Burnham extinguished the approximately 100-by-100-metre blaze by 4:22 p.m. Essex Fire and Rescue Service said the cause remained undetermined.

A major field fire on Stock Lane in Ingatestone has drawn around 20 firefighters, with smoke visible from Billericay. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service urged residents to avoid the area, keep doors and windows closed, and leave roads clear so emergency crews can access the incident safely.