SPECTACULAR STORM HITS ISLAND

Photo taken of Cowes during storm

Following a yellow weather warning from the Met Office, the Isle of Wight has become victim to a vicious storm, passing over throughout the night. 

The warnings were issued this morning (Tuesday) by the Met Office as the belt of weather headed northwards through the English Channel. Consisting of heavy showers and thunderstorms, the band of bad weather is due to head further north, easing off as we head into Wednesday morning.

Residents are advised to take care and be aware of potential disruption, as localised flooding and heavy winds may occur.

Despite the bad weather, its made for some great photos as seen above!

FIRST COSTA, NOW STARBUCKS - IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR SMALL ISLAND BUSINESSES?

Starbucks is due to launch its first Island store in the next few weeks, but is this the last straw for the smaller, locally run cafe's?

Costa Newport, Isle of Wight

Newport is a stronghold for independant, Island owned coffee houses and cafe's, from Love Coffee, located 115 Pyle Street, Newport, to the Blue Door Cafe, situated on 18 St James Street. These businesses as well as others are not only locally run, but provide friendly, welcoming and traditional service. However, Costa, the Uk's fastest growing coffee chain, released a new store in place of what was Millets, literally round the corner from these independent firms. 

Costa have also progressed to open a store in Ryde, located 23-24 High street, in placement of a Thorntons store that faced closure. 

With Starbucks soon to open in place of Jessops, 96 St James Street, it's inevitable that the local coffee shops are going to lose business to these corporate giants. 

It's unbelievable how the Isle of Wight Council have approved of these large, powerhouse businesses to be placed in such a position that will certainly take trade from the independent firms, potential for closure and unemployment is a possibility in the near future. Not only this, but competitive pricing and deals that Starbucks and Costa provide are a no match for Love Coffee and the Blue Door as well as others, potentially losing a large number of customers. 

A small consolation is that Starbucks will be providing 15 new jobs with the opening of this store.

Newports charm currently is a lost cause, with all these high street favourites taking place of these Island stores, tourists as well as locals will be more likely but to go for a common, mediocre store in replacement of experiencing what the Island and it's resident's really have to offer. 

island 

FOUR CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO KIDNAP

Four men have been charged with conspiracy to kidnap after a police raid on an Isle of Wight property. 

Kieran Luke Mace, 26, of Parsonage Road, Sandown, and Gordon Frank McIntosh, 42, of Sandown Road, Sandown, both face conspiracy to kidnap allegations. 

Neither of the men submitted pleas towards the charges and both placed in custody. The pair are due to arrive before the court on November 26.

The raid that was carried out took place on a Freshwater property in September, resulting in several other arrests. 

Two other men, Sean Nicholas Lloyd-Fagan, 22, and Scott Trafford Smart, 26, were both charged this week with conspiracy to kidnap and assault causing actual bodily harm. Both men are also due to make an appearance before the Isle of Wight Crown Court this month.

Two other people are believed to have been arrest during this operation. A 47-year-old man from the Island was arrested in September in conspiracy to kidnap, currently on bail until December 3 pending further enquiries. In addition to this, a 19-year-old woman from Freshwater was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.  She is also on bail until November 18 pending other enquiries. 

I find it amazing that such a small Island is causing so much drama, I suppose when there's not much to do this is what people resort to!

NEWPORT'S HMV CLOSURE IN 4 DAYS

The closure of HMV Newport is due to take place on Saturday 19th, following the announcement that the firm's unable to reach an agreement with the landlord of the premises.

The Island only branch has been a high street favourite over the years, however despite petitions and much disregard to the potential closure, the firm has been unsuccessful in their attempt to remain Open. In replacement of the site a convenience store, believe to be the Co-Operative, is set to take over the premises.

In February of this year, the company went into administration, however the Island outlet was soon saved from closure.

The store will continue to operate as usual for the next few days, and all pre orders and deposits will be refunded in due course.

EASTENDERS STAR SPOTTED ON ISLE OF WIGHT

Tv soapstar Steve McFadden, better known as Phil Mitchell from Eastenders, paid a visit to the Isle of Wight this weekend. 


Andrea Langford with Steve McFdden.

Steve and his son Matt were believed to have taken the Red Funnel ferry on Saturday afternoon before heading their way to the nautical town of Cowes, where it is said Matt is attending training courses at UKSA. The actor, who has starred in the world famous BBC 1 show for 23 years, stayed the night at the Caledon Guest House, where he was photographed with the co-owner Andrea Longford.

Often taking breaks away from the hectic London lifestyle, Steve spent his Sunday enjoying the sights of Ventor, where other actors such as Robert Pattinson have been spotted.

SOUTHERN VECTIS - ARE THEY AS GOOD AS THEY MAKE OUT?

Many islanders, as well as tourists, will have had their fair share of experiences from Southern Vectis bus services, from buses catching fire, to drivers forgetting stops, we've all been there.  But are they as bad as they seem? 

Southern Vectis are the monopoly transport provider that operates on the Island Roads, with support from the council to sustain their business. As this is the unfortunate reality, residents of the island have no choice in regards to other forms of bus travel, where as on the mainland operators such as First Group and Stagecoach provide choice for consumers. This monopoly on the Island leads to customers paying unreasonable prices , for example, an adult return to Newport from Ryde is £7.00! This unjustifiable pricing doesn't create a positive image for the company, considering an adult cash single in London is £2.40!  

If a company is going to charge this much, you'd expect a quality service, however the green tubs that dot around the island tend to be driven by unpredictable drivers. Drivers have been known to miss stops, be rude to passengers and drive inconsiderately, such as skipping lights and speeding. This style of driving and lack of care for the customer portrays a negative image over the company and the council, but, as there is no other choice, consumers still obey to their ever dictating ways. 

These factors need to be looked into deeply to help restore faith in the people that depend on this service, whether its for commuting or leisure services. However, its not all bad news for the firm.

The firm has had a big focus on helping the environment. By investing heavily in newer, larger vehicles,  these buses are not only more accessible, they also emit fewer greenhouse gases. Across their fleet, 26% of vehicles now have Euro 4 or Euro 5 engines, which meet the latest European standards. In addition to this, timetables have been changed so that buses are more frequent, creating for a more accessible way to travel.

With this increase in services, the company has broadened out to provide community bus services, such as the Wootton central service. These community run, local services that connect more frequent buses to outreach areas are helping to connect areas of the Island as well as broaden a sense of community. 

Overall, although the firm has focused highly on the environment and attempted at community work, their almost dictatorship over customers needs to be looked at, as well as a much required improvement in customer service!

STUDIO SCHOOL SET TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 2014

A new, totally different format of state school is to be set up on the Island, aiming to provide the education required for 14 - 19 year olds to help support their future careers. 

Located in East Cowes, the school will deliver GCSE's and A-levels in a new way through extensive use of work experience and employer-led projects. Having a 9-5 day, the site will feel more like a workplace than a school to the small group of 400 students that will attend. The school is set to specialize in marine manufacturing and offshore engineering, with links to employers who are committed to the development of the school, such as the Associated British Ports (ABP),Carswell Gould, Navigate IT , SeaSafe Systems Ltd, UKSA and NSR Flooring. 

This new format of school encourages students to develop skills like punctuality, good communication, reliability and team-working, whilst gaining a strong grounding in basic subjects such as English and Science.

In times of low youth employment, I feel this new layout of teaching and industry links will help to reduce the number of students who are out of work and unsure what career they want to pursue, whilst providing professional, well paid careers. However, many youngsters may realise that work isn't really as fun as it first seems!

STRIKES DUE TO TAKE PLACE

Firefighters and teaching staff across the country as well as on the Isle of Wight are set to go on strike within the next few weeks, following disputes over unfair pay and pensions.

The strikes, taking place on the 17th of October for teachers and the 19th for Firefighters, have been organised following previous strikes that didn't seem to prove effective. 

Teaching staff across the Island who are apart of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWUT) as well as the National Union of Teachers (NUT) will be taking place in the strike, causing many schools on the Island to close down. To find out whether you'll be effected by the strikes, please look at the school closures on this link http://www.iwight.com/news/Teacher-strike-action-status-of-all-school .

Meanwhile Firefighters will be preparing for their 5 hour strike on the 19th at Newport and Ryde Fire Stations in support of the FBU's strike action. During this time, fire and accident cover will be continued by non-FBU members who will attend life-critical events, such as fires and traffic accidents. Fire control will not be affected by the strikes, so if you need to call 999, do so!

Although there are mixed opinions on these protests, I feel its only fair to let the people have their say!