News in Ashby

Covid case rates in North West Leicestershire are the highest outside of Leicester according to the latest figures released today (Monday) - on the day the four steps out of lockdown were announced.

The seven-day infection rate in the district remains higher than in recent weeks.

Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown has been met with caution in Leicestershire where a 'worrying plateauing' of infection rates has been revealed.

As the Prime Minister announced how the latest and hopefully last lockdown will come to an end, cases in the city and county have started to level off in the last week or so.

The East Midlands Business Chamber has called for a speeding up of the re-opening of the economy - if the Covid vaccination programme works faster than expected.

But it also says that if there must be support in place for businesses until they can be fully operational again.

Shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality will reopen on 12 April in England if strict conditions are met, under plans being set out by the PM.

The BBC reports that up to six people from separate households could be able to meet in beer gardens from that date.

Labour Councillors on North West Leicestershire District Council have submitted a series of proposed improvements to the Council's budget.

They feature new initiatives to help recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic, as well as additional investment in new council houses and electric vehicle charging points.

All schools in England will re-open to all pupils on March 8 under the Prime Minister's roadmap out of lockdown to be announced on Monday - with outdoor after-school sports and activities also allowed to restart.

And on the same date, outdoor recreation with one other person will also be permitted, meaning people will be allowed to sit together in a park with a coffee, drink or picnic.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council is planning to hold a public consultation about the introduction of a renewed Public Space Protection Order.

This is designed to help the town's economic recovery with a view to safely welcoming back visitors to Ashby once they are allowed following the planned easing of lockdown restrictions.

Virtual tours are to be offered at the state-of-the-art Springfields Independent Living facility in Ashby throughout the coming month - as the project delivered by national contractor Willmott Dixon nears completion.

Building Design and Construction magazine reports that the £12.5million project, due to complete this summer, is being created on behalf of emh care & support and will feature 65 one and two-bedroom apartments at its complex just off Burton Road, alongside communal areas such as a beauty salon, hairdressers and bistro.

North West Leicestershire Police have issued a warning to owners following a spate of thefts - and attempted dog thefts - across the county.

The police are asking dog owners to ensure that their property and any outside space you may have is secure.

A knife-wielding burglar was bitten by the dog he was trying to steal after threatening to stab the householder in the stomach.

Officers are appealing for information after a report of an aggregated burglary in Ravenstone on Thursday (February 18) February.