24 articles tagged
Tesco Extra, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer on Winchester High Street have shut multiple chilled food aisles for a fifth straight day after temperatures topped 30°C. The refrigeration failures follow a week-long heatwave that peaked on Bank Holiday Monday, with repairs delayed by ongoing extreme heat. Customers report empty shelves and long queues as stores struggle to cope.
A £200,000 inclusive soft play facility is set to replace Winchester Sport & Leisure Park’s climbing area, with construction starting June 1. The nature-themed space will feature sensory zones, climbing structures and accessibility upgrades for all children.
The 17-year-old magician from Winchester will perform live on ITV on Saturday after wowing judges with his musical magic act. The city’s businesses, schools and politicians have rallied behind him ahead of the final.
A new indoor play space for under-fives opened in Winchester last week, filling a gap in the city’s childcare offering with themed play zones and coffee for parents. Clemmie’s play café drew a full house on its debut day, charging £9.95 per child for 90-minute sessions.
Gelato sales surge 400% in Winchester as May’s heatwave draws record crowds to local dessert shops. Emergency stock deliveries and packed weekends mark the busiest stretch yet for ice cream businesses since the season began.
A 46-year-old man died from organ failure after mixing painkillers with class A drugs and suffering infected leg ulcers, an inquest heard. Toxicology results and medical records will determine if substances played a direct role in his death.
Inspectors found hidden structural failures at the historic Buttercross, prompting a £250,000 funding request. A Scheduled Monument Emergency Works Notice now forces urgent repairs before further damage occurs.
Six top gyms across Winchester and Romsey have been shortlisted for the 2026 Gym of the Year competition, with public voting set to begin next month. The contest, organized by the Hampshire Chronicle and Romsey Advertiser, highlights venues excelling in member experience and community impact.
Ofsted inspectors found Maples Day Nursery in Winchester to be a safe, welcoming environment where children thrive. While staff were commended for fostering independence and emotional wellbeing, inspectors flagged areas for improvement in behaviour management and curriculum clarity.
Derek Green, former Mayor of Winchester, has pleaded not guilty to a historic indecent assault charge involving a minor in the early 1980s. The case has been transferred to Bristol Crown Court with a trial date pending.
THT Ltd, a Fair Oak-based home improvement business, is transforming a former car workshop on St Cross Road into a state-of-the-art showroom. The 7-pod space will feature working showers, taps, and a kitchen for community events, with a grand opening set for this summer.
A spring garden party at a Winchester funeral home raised over £4,000 for Winchester Youth Counselling during Mental Health Week 2026. Mayor Sudhakar Achwal and local leaders attended the event, highlighting rising youth suicide rates as a critical concern.
A lifelong Winchester resident and former St Luke ward councillor has been elected mayor, vowing to champion local charities and community ties during his tenure. His mayoral year will focus on Winchester Hospice and St John Ambulance.
Jeremy France Jewellers threw an exclusive ‘Something Blue’ event on May 22, inviting 12 guests to handcraft pearl bracelets and bridal hairpieces while sipping signature cocktails. The evening, priced at £35 per ticket, blended crafts, canapés and conversation, aiming to widen the family-run firm’s local appeal beyond its usual clientele.
Planning committee greenlights controversial 3G artificial turf at Kings' School and 69 new homes in Waterlooville. Decision sparks debate over infrastructure strain and green space preservation.
Eight residents from Winchester and nearby areas were celebrated in published tributes last week, each honoring lives shaped by service, family, and quiet resilience. The notices, printed and archived online, serve as a public legacy for those lost between April and May 2026.
A Winchester maths-only tuition centre has transformed struggling students into high achievers, with average GCSE scores rising 34% in half a year. More than 80% of its UK pupils now meet or surpass predicted grades ahead of summer exams.
Temperatures in Winchester soared to 32°C on Monday, kicking off a week-long heatwave that threatens to shatter UK records. The Met Office warns of extreme UV, high pollen, and moderate pollution, urging residents to take precautions amid dangerous conditions.
The charity that delivers audio editions of the Hampshire Chronicle to blind and partially sighted residents celebrated its AGM this week—while urgently seeking new voices to keep its service alive. With 65 listeners and dwindling volunteer ranks, chairman John Richards warns the future is in the balance unless fresh hands step forward.
The 750-year-old Hospital of St Cross has applied to sell alcohol and host events, sparking public debate over licensing objectives. City officials now invite comments until June 16 as authorities weigh the impact on crime prevention, safety, and community nuisance.
A multi-vehicle crash on the M3 southbound near Winchester triggered gridlock for holidaymakers heading out on the late May bank holiday, leaving traffic backed up for miles. Hampshire Police and National Highways are managing the scene as authorities warn of lasting delays.
Winchester City Council will decide May 26 on a controversial planning application to build a four-bedroom house in the garden of Dene Cottage in Swanmore. Neighbours cite privacy loss, sunlight reduction, and overdevelopment as key objections.
Bright Horizons Winchester Day Nursery and Pre-school drew over 1,000 registrations for its live webinar on school readiness, with 170 families joining in real time to learn how to ease their children’s transition. Led by manager Katie, the session emphasized confidence, independence and emotional resilience—not academic drills.
Theatre Royal Winchester will host a sold-out tribute to country legends Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and more on June 7. Soul Street Productions brings decades of hits to life in a night of boot-stomping rhythm and roaring vocals.