The Ashby Business Improvement District (BID), accompanied by new town mascot Sir Zouch (or 'Zouchie), has officially launched a new free hopper bus trial.

Following the official launch on Friday 28 November, the free bus will operate every Friday and Saturday from now until 28 February 2026.

A spokesperson for Ashby BID said: 'We hope residents will find the new hopper bus service a great addition and benefit to the town.

'It aims to better connect people living on the outer estates and bring them in to use the town's facilities in a convenient way.

'If the trial proves to be successful and well supported, them we will look at how it can be extended in the future.'

The hopper bus will have two routes, both starting and ending by Costa. Route 1 will cover from Willesley to Tesco Extra and Route 2 will cover Malvern Crescent to Westfields.

Route 1 (Photo: Ashby BID)

Route 2 (Photo: Ashby BID)

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Ashby BID is a locally-focussed organisation that funds and carries out projects to improve the town's local economy and businesses. It is funded by a mandatory levy that is paid by businesses within a designated area of the town and hopes to draw more visitors and shoppers into the town centre.