Local News

Don’t miss chance to help celebrate Bedford Polish Heritage Day
Find out more about Polish history, culture and traditions when Polish Heritage Day returns to Bedford next Sunday (May 4).

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Major re-vamp for Bedford’s historic Corn Exchange thanks to £2.5m funding
A £2.5 million investment in Bedford Corn Exchange has been given the thumbs-up, marking a major milestone for revitalising the town centre.


Plans for purpose-build GP surgery in Great Barford clear major hurdle after years of campaigning
After years of campaigning by residents and councillors, a new purpose-built GP surgery in Great Barford has cleared a major hurdle – but questions remain about stalled progress on similar health projects across Bedford borough.

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Bedford council scraps advertising for junk food, gambling, vaping and more
Bedford Borough Council has adopted a new policy to ban advertising and sponsorship deals that promote products linked to poor health outcomes – such as junk food, alcohol, gambling, and vaping – across council-owned spaces.


Ex-soldier from Wootton says Open University scholarship changed his life after medical discharge from the Army
Former soldier Daniel Bingley credits an Open University scholarship for disabled veterans for helping turn his life around after he was medically discharged from the Army.


Fire and rescue service deal with hundreds of flooding incidents in Bedfordshire
Firefighters attended hundreds of flooding incidents in Bedfordshire last year, new figures show.


Central Bedfordshire councillor 'sorry' for inappropriate comment - as meeting chairman threatens behaviour sanctions
A member of Central Bedfordshire Council’s executive has apologised to the local authority’s vice-chairman over a casual remark he made at a full council meeting, which was overheard.


Funding boost from government to help smokers in Central Bedfordshire quit
Extra funds are to be used to reduce the number of smokers in Central Bedfordshire from around one in ten adults, or 25,000 residents, a meeting heard.


Huge fire rages through house being built in Wixams
Firefighters tackled a huge blaze in Wixams last night (Thursday) after a partially built house was found “completely on fire”.


Bedford council criticised for 'lack of urgency' over vital healthcare projects
A Labour councillor criticised Bedford Borough Council’s administration for what she described as a lack of urgency in progressing vital healthcare projects — particularly in Kempston.


Call for Bedford council to stop carrying adverts for fossil fuels
A Green councillor has called on Bedford Borough Council to amend its proposed Healthier Advertising and Sponsorship Policy to include fossil fuels.

Rock Choir raise over £40,000 for Comic Relief
Rockies from Dunstable & Luton proud to contribute to fundraising amount!

Bedford pubs have until Tuesday to apply to stay open longer for VE Day celebrations
Bedford borough’s licensed premises have until Tuesday to apply for a VE Day Temporary Event Notice to stay open past 1am


'Good' Ofsted rating for Central Bedfordshire Council's children's services, despite three areas of concern highlighted in report
Children’s services in Central Bedfordshire have maintained a ‘good’ rating, despite three areas of concern, after an Ofsted inspection.


SIM farms: Fraud minister Lord Hanson outlines plans to ban devices used by scammers to con the public
Fraud minister Lord Hanson writes exclusively for the NationalWorld network to explain the government’s plans to ban SIM farms - used by scammers to con the public


Universal Studios Bedford: Councillor warns of potential pressures on housing market and services
Bedford borough councillor warns of the potential pressures Universal Studios could place on local services and the housing market.

Children’s social care services rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted – with real impact for families
The report, published today (Thursday 24 April), highlights the our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality support for children and families, with inspectors praising improvements made since the last inspection in 2022. Ofsted commended us for addressing previously identified areas for d...

Universal Studios Bedford: "The work is just beginning" to manage theme park's impact
Universal Studios’ decision to base its first UK theme park in the Bedford area has brought widespread enthusiasm, but it has also raised serious questions about infrastructure, funding, and long-term local impact.


Investment Brings Fresh Improvements to Dunstable Town Centre
Dunstable Town Council was awarded £91,000 from Central Bedfordshire Council as part of their UK Shared prosperity fund (UKSPF) funding to spend on enhancing the town centre. The funding, which had to be used within 12 months, has given Dunstable Town Council the chance to try out some new ideas an...


Retrospective planning application for Bedford house in multiple occupation and mosque submitted to council
A former gym and martial arts centre in Bedford has already been redeveloped into a place of worship and shared housing — and now the applicant is seeking retrospective planning permission.
