West of England Local News: Business Closures, School Safety Alert, and Community Updates

This report compiles a daily selection of news items sourced from local websites throughout the West of England, alongside notable content from social media platforms. According to Somerset Live, the renowned Jolly’s department store is scheduled to cease operations early next year. This establishment, recognized as one of Europe’s most venerable department stores, is under the ownership of Bath and North East Somerset Council. The council has indicated that discussions regarding a new occupier are at “an advanced stage,” though it has not yet disclosed the future use of the building. Concurrently, Bristol World reports that a well-known pub situated on the A38 in Bristol will close its doors by the end of the year. The online publication suggests the property might be converted into residential housing. Furthermore, in Gloucestershire, Bournside School in Cheltenham has issued a warning to its pupils following accounts of a man behaving suspiciously close to the school premises, as reported by Gloucestershire Live. In a separate development, Swindon Court Court has sentenced a man to jail subsequent to his entry into a woman’s residence via a window and twice raping her while her children were present on the property, according to the Swindon Advertiser. On Facebook, posts from Bath Rugby and Gloucester Rugby concerning the disappearance of former player Tom Voyce have been widely shared. Mr. Voyce went missing recently in a region affected by flooding from Storm Darragh, and search efforts for him are continuing. The Roman Baths are currently undergoing a significant cleaning operation today. This procedure is performed several times annually to prevent the accumulation of algae within the historic waters. Lastly, the choir from Bristol Cathedral has been delivering Christmas cheer to patients on the wards of the Bristol Royal Infirmary through visits and carol singing. For further updates, individuals can follow BBC West’s social channels across Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. Story ideas may be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.