Traffic hums along the busy Bolton Road, in Ashton-in-Makerfield, where neat front gardens and clipped hedges have become unlikely political battlegrounds.

The houses are dotted with Labour red and Reform turquoise placards. On one short stretch of this road, politics is no longer confined to television studios or social media feeds – it’s literally on the doorsteps.

Within a few hundred yards, five different households display five different political stickers.

Click here for our dedicated Makerfield by-election newsletter with exclusive interviews and analysis

Arguably, they serve as a microcosm of what we have seen and heard across the constituency over the past few weeks: former Labour voters switching to Reform, while some remain loyal to the party.

Neighbours disagree sharply about immigration, trust and overall decline of the country as well as the constituency. Because the stakes couldn’t be higher.

On June 18 the people in Makerfield will go to the polls in a by-election triggered by the resignation of its MP Josh Simons, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster.

Burnham, one of Labour’s most recognisable and popular political figures, is gambling that the personal brand he has built over nearly a decade as mayor of Greater Manchester can overcome wider frustrations with the party nationally.

For Reform UK, the contest presents an opportunity to deliver an embarrassment to Labour in one of its traditional heartlands. This constituency voted Leave in 2016 and, in a seat shaped by post-industrial decline and deep frustration with politics, Nigel Farage’s party believes it has fertile ground.

And nowhere is that contest more visible than on this stretch of Bolton Road. We often hear how the country is divided, but what about a divided street?

Can a neighbourhood stay neighbourly when the political stakes are so high?

While national parties trade blows on television or online, these neighbours still share a fence line.

The MEN managed to knock on four of the five semi-detached houses to find out the answer to that question.

One house stands out immediately. Behind an immaculately kept garden – with trimmed hedges and colourful flower beds that give the place an almost stately feel – a large turquoise Reform banner flutters atop a flag pole.

The Reform “flag flier” is 79-year-old Albert Bretherton. A retired haulier, he says one reason for putting up the banner was practical: to stop campaigners knocking at the door.

But it’s also an act of political defiance.

“All our friends are just fed up with Labour” he says. But a lot of people don’t want to admit they’re voting Reform, because “they’re frightened of getting the racist card chucked at them,” says Albert.

Like many people I spoke to across Makerfield, Albert is a disillusioned former Labour voter, frustrated about immigration, policing, crime and what he sees as Labour abandoning working people.

“Look at the government we’ve got now,” he says. “I predicted what would happen when Labour got in. I knew they would take off them who saved, and got a pension, and give it to them what don’t want to work. They’re Labour’s main policies.”

In some ways, the Reform banner could be construed as a red rag – or turquoise in this instance – to a bull.

But Albert insists there have been no issues with the neighbours “Oh no, no, everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” he says.

He remains critical of Andy Burnham’s record, particularly questioning the efficiency of the public transport policies and urban regeneration projects.

But immigration comes up repeatedly. “I don’t mind immigration but it should be done in a fair way. People should apply and not come on a boat and come to the front of the queue.”

He claims some of the neighbours are only voting for Andy Burnham because “they’re retired and have a house in Spain. [Burnham] wants to go back into the EU.”

Albert doesn’t agree with Josh Simons stepping down as MP and clearing the path for Burnham.

“That’s why they brought Andy in by the back door by the way. I think that’s a bit naughty isn’t it,” he says.

He admits that he liked Josh – “He was alright” – but insists he shouldn’t have stood down.

As for Burnham, he adds: “Since he’s been in Manchester he’s never been back here. He’s a career guy isn’t he?”

A few doors down, one house is bearing multiple Labour placards, featuring the slogan ‘Vote Andy For Us’ alongside an avatar of the Greater Manchester mayor.

The hardcore Burnham fan in this house is a 19-year-old man, who declines to be named.

“I think he’s a great guy, he’s local,” he tells me. He’s voting for Labour because “they’re better than Reform”.

He brings up Rob Kenyon’s old social media posts, adding: “He’s clearly sexist isn’t he?”

The teen says he had an altercation on the street with Reform while they were out canvassing.

This was shortly after Nigel Farage’s visit to Chapo’s at The Caledonian across the road. The Reform UK leader was visiting the pub as part of the party’s ‘Save Our Pubs’ campaign.

“I saw the candidate, Rob Kenyon. I just pulled over in my car, rolled down the window and called him an aristocrat,” the young man continues. “They started taking pictures and said they’d get me done for a Public Order offence.”

Why did he do that?

“Nigel Farage is a Tory at the end of the day and he’s an aristocrat,” he replies.

Reform told the MEN it has no recollection of this happening.

Apart from that, the man insists that conversations with his neighbours are more cordial.

“I do have some conversations with the neighbours. They’re not bothered, we get along,” he says.

Asked about Reform voters, he adds: “I think people are focused on immigration but what’s the problem? I don’t see a problem. I think it’s great for the economy.”

Voting for Labour seems to be in his blood. His parents are voting for Burnham and his granddad “used to go around with a megaphone screaming ‘vote Labour’ back in the 80s,” he says.

For him, Labour identifies problems and implements change, even if Keir Starmer’s performance hasn’t been perfect. Next door the contrast couldn’t be more stark

Engineer Andrew, who declines to give his surname, is Albert’s son-in-law.

He makes no secret of his voting for Reform, with two turquoise placards on his property.

“It’s mainly because we don’t like Keir Starmer,” he tells the MEN. “I want to get rid of him, he’s useless. It’s everything.”

Nigel Farage, on the other hand, is a “good communicator. All the things he stands for is more or less what we stand for,” says Andrew. “We’re working people and we get taxed far too much.”

Reform’s candidate, Robert Kenyon, has faced criticism over previous online comments about various issues, including his position on Brexit, abortion and sexist remarks about women. But Andrew dismisses this as Labour “spin”.

He dislikes Andy Burnham, describing him as “Keir Starmer part two”.

Immigration is one of the main concerns, and says the country is letting in too many people. But he rejects the label of “far right”, describing himself and his partner as “concerned people,” adding: “I’m not racist. My partner’s not racist. We’ve got friends from different religions and that. It’s not a problem.”

For Andrew, the window signs also serve a practical purpose. Since he put the signs up, he’s had no door knocks from any of the parties.

When asked if the different political views cause any tensions on the doorsteps, he gestures towards the neighbours and jokes: “I might not take her parcels in anymore.”

Next door to him, Mike Brumskill has put up a Labour placard because he feared people would assume the Reform sign, on the neighbour’s hedge, was on his house and might present him as a target.

He’s put up Andy Burnham stickers in the window. “I just think he’s a very genuine man, I think he’s got a moral compass,” he tells me. “He’s set himself apart from normal politicians.”

Citing Burnham’s record, including campaigning for the families of Hillsborough and as Health Secretary, he believes “nobody but Andy Burnham would have a chance of beating Reform around here.”

Farage’s vote share has been dented slightly by newcomer Restore, whose candidate, Rebecca Shepherd, is polling at seven percent in her party’s first parliamentary contest.

For that reason, Mike is “so glad” that Restore is “going to take away a chunk of the Reform vote and weaken them.”

Advertisement

A retired police officer and used to putting down riots and disorders, Mike expresses deep alarm over Nigel Farage’s rhetoric.

“I’ll be totally honest with you. I see Nigel Farage as someone like [Oswald] Mosley in the 1930s,” he says. “I really, really am scared of the community tensions.”

Like the 19-year-old Labour voter, Mike brings up Rob Kenyon’s “misogynistic” social media posts.

“I like to think of myself as a decent man and I find him abhorrent,” he continues. “I’ve got three daughters, a wife and granddaughters and I wouldn’t want that man anywhere near politics and power.

“That level of misogyny offends me as a man. My wife was horrified when she saw that and I don’t blame her.

“He’s got the potential to go to Parliament and he’s supposed to represent women. And if you’ve got that contempt… you know I just don’t understand that as a man.”

Yet, despite these sharp divides, Mike remains committed to his community.

“I love my neighbours, they’re really lovely decent people,” he says. “I even love the fella who’s flying the Reform flag. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion.”

Nonetheless, he struggles to understand “how anyone can even contemplate voting for Reform.”

Whichever way Makerfield votes on June 18, the striking thing is that despite all the different political views, people still manage to live side by side. They’ve managed to do something that national politicians increasingly struggle with – disagreeing fiercely without falling apart.

After the by-election the placards will come down. Some will wake up to the results feeling disappointed, others vindicated.

But the people of Bolton Road – and Makerfield overall – will have to find a way to live with the results.

President Donald Trump has compared the UFC structure being built at the White House to the Eiffel Tower and says he may “never, ever take it down”.

The UFC is set to host an unprecedented show on the South Lawn of the home of the United States’ leader in Washington DC on 14 June, to mark 250 years of American independence.

Construction has started, with workers assembling domed arches over a staging area which will become the octagon.

Trump says he may choose to leave the arena standing because it is “attractive to a lot of people”, like when Paris decided to keep the Eiffel Tower.

The famous structure, built in 1889 as part of the World’s Fair to celebrate 100 years of the French Revolution, was planned to be taken down 20 years later before French authorities decided to keep it.

“Many don’t know that it was supposed to be taken down immediately after the World’s Fair,” Trump said on Tiktok.

“They said ‘you know, we sort of like it, let’s leave it up a little longer’. And then they said ‘let’s leave it longer and longer’ and they never took it down.

“We’re building something in front of the White House that’s quite attractive to a lot of people. And I’m looking at it and maybe we’ll never, ever take it down.”

The proposal, which will be considered by North Yorkshire Council’s Richmond area planning committee on Wednesday, would see the restaurant built on a parcel of grassland immediately north of the main Scotch Corner roundabout.

The scheme includes a drive-thru restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a children’s play area, toilets and parking for 55 vehicles.

The location of the proposed McDonalds restaurant at Scotch Corner. Photo: Google.

Four electric vehicle charging points would be installed within the car park, with infrastructure in place to allow a further eight bays to be connected in the future.

In addition, outline permission is being sought for a dedicated electric vehicle charging facility featuring up to 20 charging bays on land to the north of the restaurant.

Supporting documents say this would double the number of publicly available EV chargers in Richmondshire at present.

Planning officers have recommended approval of both elements of the application, subject to conditions and a legal agreement covering highway improvements, biodiversity measures and travel plan monitoring.

The proposed restaurant would operate 24 hours a day and is expected to create around 120 jobs, equating to around 82 full-time positions.

The site sits between the A1(M) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) testing facility and would be accessed via an existing junction on the A6055.

Improvements to the junction, pedestrian routes and cycle access are included as part of the development.

Planning officers concluded the scheme would provide significant economic benefits and is appropriately located close to the strategic road network.

A report to councillors states that although the development would result in the loss of less than one hectare of Grade 3 agricultural land, the impact is considered acceptable due to the site’s location and limited agricultural value.

The application has attracted objections from local parish councils, residents and businesses.

Concerns raised include increased traffic congestion, road safety, litter, the loss of greenfield land and the cumulative impact of further development around Scotch Corner.

In its response, Moulton Parish Meeting said a strategic assessment of the many planning applications in the pipeline for the Scotch Corner area was required before any further schemes were approved.

It added: “There is already a choice of fast food outlets, either planned or existing at Scotch Corner or nearby at the approved Road Chef at Catterick Central and Barton Truckstop.

“Any further development is unnecessary.”

However, both National Highways and North Yorkshire Council’s highways officers have withdrawn their initial concerns following amendments to the scheme and have raised no objections, subject to conditions.

The development would also include extensive landscaping, with 14 new trees, wildflower grassland and additional screening planting designed to soften the appearance of the site and enhance biodiversity.

Russia’s ‘good’ outcome for the next 25 years would involve the use of nuclear weapons, according to a report.

The country’s annual economic forum kicked off on Wednesday in St Petersburg, attended by Vladimir Putin and business heavyweights from across the globe.

Presenting at the conference was Konstantin Malofeev, founder of the Russian Orthodox media network Tsargrad, who presented a ‘Russia 2050’ report with three possible scenarios.

The ‘good’ scenario involves Russia ‘obtaining a clear image of victory in the ideological war’ using nuclear weapons, annexing Ukrainian cities including Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv ‘and so on,’ and seeing the European Union crumble.

A ‘bad’ scenario would see Russia lose its war in Ukraine and be ‘colonised’ by 2050, while an ‘inertial’ result would end in ‘American and Chinese hegemony’ and would see Russia use nuclear weapons by 2036.

Malofeev has vocally supported the annexation of Crimea and has funded efforts to destabilise Ukraine, including Russia’s 2014 Donbas operation.

He is sanctioned by the UK for ‘acting in support of the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine’, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) says he has faced a criminal investigation into his alleged support to separatists in the region.

Malofeev was joined onstage by Alexander Dugin, co-author of the report who is also sanctioned by the UK, US and EU.

The FCDO says he ‘is or has been involved in destabilising Ukraine by being responsible for, engaging in, providing support for, or promoting any policy or action which destabilises Ukraine or undermines or threatens the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine.’

Dugin told audiences at the summit that the unpublished report had already been presented at the Russian Ministry of Defence’s General Staff Academy.

It comes after St Petersburg was attacked in a Ukrainian drone strike the night before the economic forum began.

The city’s governor, Alexander Beglov, said ‘infrastructure objects’ in three districts of the city had been hit on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones had struck several ‘military targets’, including the Petersburg Oil Terminal ‘which serves the war’ and ‘an enterprise in the Tambov region involved in the production of Russian weapons’.

In a post to X, he said: ‘Important facilities on Russian territory were hit last night.

‘I thank our warriors for their precision. Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer. Glory to Ukraine!’

Beglov confirmed in a post on Telegram that clean-up efforts are underway and that several people had been injured, but there were no fatalities as a result of last night’s strike.

MORE: British teenager sanctioned by Russia ‘won’t be intimidated’ by Putin

MORE: How your old fave Watermelon Ice vape became a secret weapon on the battlefield

MORE: Putin loses 1,000 troops a day in fresh wave of Ukraine AI drone strikes

Ask an incoming tourist what the country’s big visitor draws are, and they may well say Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge, Thorpe Park or even Legoland

The best attractions in England this year have been crowned, and the winners may come as something of a surprise.

Ask an incoming tourist what the country’s big visitor draws are, and they may well say Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Stonehenge or even Legoland.

It’s unlikely that they’ll mention the winner of Visit England’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, which went to Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park in Suffolk.

The victory comes off the back of a win at the Visitor Attraction of the Year at the 2026 Suffolk and Norfolk Tourism Awards, so Jimmy’s is clearly having a good year.

The wildlife park is owned by TV star and conservationist Jimmy Doherty, who has presented programmes on both Channel 4 and the BBC. He is best known for the show Jimmy’s Farm, which details the operation of the Essex Pig Company that he and his wife Michaela Furney own in Suffolk.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Advertisement

The park aims to be a centre of excellence for British rare breeds while also housing animals like camels, primates, tapirs and crocodiles. Lions and a tiger were added as recently as October 2025.

The real draw that put the place on the map was the acquisition of polar bears. Jimmy’s Farm built Europe’s largest facility for the species, called “the Lost Lands of the Tundra,” housing rescue polar bears alongside brown bears, Arctic foxes, grey wolves, reindeer and red-breasted geese. The bears are even visible from the train window on the London–Ipswich line.

Getting from London to Ipswich by train takes about an hour from Liverpool Street, but the lack of a bus from Ipswich station to the park is an issue some have confronted. Most visitors end up getting a taxi, which costs around £13 each way. The zoo itself is only part of the site; there are also shops and a restaurant in the farm area, and you can leave and re-enter the zoo with your receipt.

Jimmy’s Farm has 1,800 five star reviews on Tripadvisor, out of 2,400 in total.

“What a great day out, a well thought out place, extremely conducive and focused on giving the animals the best possible environment to flourish and feel comfortable in their habitat,” one happy customer wrote.

“Some beautiful woodland walks, plenty of things to do for children aside from seeing the animals, beautifully situated in the centre of the park, away from the majority of animals. Plenty of choice around the park for eating, whether you want a snack or something more substantial, as well as numerous picnic areas if you bring your own food.”

The winners were announced at the annual event hosted by journalist and broadcaster Sean Fletcher on 3 June at Aerospace Bristol.

Coming in second place in the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year rankings was Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire, where visitors can learn about the code-breaking geniuses who were instrumental in helping the Allied Forces win WWII.

It is clearly a year for farms. The bronze award was handed to Attwell Farm Park in Worcestershire, a family-run petting farm where Pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and ducks are all ready to nibble some feed from your hand.

Gold, Silver and Bronze were awarded in 17 categories selected from 21 local awards. They ranged from ‘Regenerative Tourism Award’ to ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award’ and from ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’ to ‘Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year’.

Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “I am delighted to see so many businesses across England being recognised for their outstanding work, helping to make people’s stays as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

“From hotels and pubs to glamping, museums and experiences, these awards are a real testament to those striving to ensure our tourism industry remains outstanding. Our upcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy will provide a clear, long-term plan to unlock investment, back businesses and showcase more of our great destinations to the world.”

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes added: “The awards are a celebration of England’s outstanding tourism industry and an opportunity to highlight the excellence that makes it world-leading.

“From a hands-on, traditional blacksmith’s visitor experience in the Midlands and a castle hotel and spa set in one of our national parks to accessible and inclusive holidays, these awards showcase the exceptional quality, unparalleled customer service and innovation that drive our industry.

“I congratulate the wonderful range of first-class award recipients, all of whom are so passionate about tourism. They are all deserving winners.”

VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 winners

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

Gold: Hoe Grange Holidays(opens in a new tab), Peak District, Derbyshire

Silver: Nottingham Playhouse(opens in a new tab), Nottingham

Bronze: Attwell Farm Park(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

B&B and Guest House of the Year:

Gold: MonkBridge House(opens in a new tab), York

Silver: One Drake Road and Apartments(opens in a new tab), Devon

Bronze: Holly Lodge Boutique Bed & Breakfast(opens in a new tab), Norfolk

Business Events Venue of the Year:

Gold: Warwick Conferences(opens in a new tab), Warwick

Silver: Nottingham Venues(opens in a new tab), Nottingham

Bronze: The Catalyst(opens in a new tab), Newcastle

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year:

Gold: Clawford Lakes Resort and Spa(opens in a new tab), Devon

Silver: Bredon View Glamping Retreats(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Bronze: Kaya at Blackhill Farm(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Experience of the Year:

Gold: Blacksmithing Experience Days(opens in a new tab), Oldfield Forge, Herefordshire

Silver: The Wizard Walk of York(opens in a new tab), York

Bronze: Make Your Own Distilled Spirit(opens in a new tab), Shed One Distillery, Cumbria

International Tourism Award:

Gold: The Beatles Story(opens in a new tab), Liverpool

Silver: Castle Howard(opens in a new tab), York

Bronze: Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves(opens in a new tab), Devon

Large Hotel of the Year:

Gold: Bovey Castle(opens in a new tab), Devon

Silver: Watergate Bay Hotel(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Bronze: The Grand Brighton(opens in a new tab), Brighton

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Gold: Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park(opens in a new tab), Suffolk

Silver: Bletchley Park(opens in a new tab), Buckinghamshire

Bronze: Attwell Farm Park(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

New Tourism Business of the Year:

Gold: One Acre Wood(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Silver: The Story of Emily(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Bronze: Flora and Fauna Exmoor(opens in a new tab), Somerset

Pub of the Year:

Gold: The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Silver: The Tickled Trout, Barlow(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: The Tollemache Arms(opens in a new tab), Northamptonshire

Regenerative Tourism Award:

Gold: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

Silver: Gladwins Farm – Self Catering Holiday Cottages(opens in a new tab), Suffolk

Bronze: Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre(opens in a new tab), Birmingham

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year:

Gold: Bosinver Farm Cottages(opens in a new tab), Cornwall

Silver: Cedar Hollow @ The Oaks(opens in a new tab), Oxfordshire

Bronze: Rowley Farm Holidays(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Small Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Booking.com:

Gold: The Tempus(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Silver: Peak Edge Hotel(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Cumbria

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:

Gold: Morgan Experience(opens in a new tab), Worcestershire

Silver: Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery(opens in a new tab), Northumberland

Bronze: National Justice Museum(opens in a new tab), Nottinghamshire

Taste of England Award:

Gold: Carriages Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Herefordshire

Silver: Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

Bronze: Blackfriars Restaurant(opens in a new tab), Newcastle

Unsung Hero Award:

Gold: Jayne Chapman – Tatton Park(opens in a new tab), Cheshire

Silver: Viv Smith – National Stone Centre(opens in a new tab), Derbyshire

Bronze: Andy Black – Horses and Ponies Protection Association(opens in a new tab), Lancashire

On Thursday morning, Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court heard that the officer remains in hospital, and is “seriously unwell”, having sustained a broken wrist, a crush injury to a leg which they cannot put weight on, injuries to the head, cuts and abrasions, and is in “a great deal of pain”.

Dr Waldman added: “To build this scenario, we brought together a wide range of international marine and energy datasets, from national targets and spatial plans to seabed depths, wind and wave records, existing infrastructure and projected turbine technologies, to create a realistic picture of what current ambitions might mean in practice.

Simon has visited some of the most remote places o Earth, and has trouble with his broadband

Advertisement

Adventurer Simon Reeve says he has taken extreme steps to get connected to the internet, including scaling scaffolding outside his home. The writer and presenter has travelled to some of the most remote places on earth, including the Arctic, the Congo Rainforest and the Kalahari Desert.

But despite being based in the UK, he is one of millions of Brits living in homes unable to access full-fibre broadband. Slow and unreliable Wi-Fi is the UK’s biggest pet peeve, according to new research by Vodafone. Nearly a quarter rely on hot spotting from their phone every day.

Simon said: “I’ve travelled to some of the most remote places on earth, and I know just how important it is to stay connected. Even at home in Devon I’ve had to resort to wandering around a field, sitting on scaffolding and even banning my son from streaming to combat slow Wi-Fi.”

55% admit taking work calls in unusual spots, including the garden, the car, and even the bathroom when signal dips. For many, losing internet access has meant abandoning the working day altogether, with 18% saying they logged off for the rest of the day.

A Vodafone spokesperson added: “Slow or unreliable broadband is still a daily frustration for millions of people across the nation, whether they live in a remote hamlet or the middle of a busy city. Our research shows just how much it impacts people’s lives.”

Vodafone is launching 5G Broadband, which could benefit around 3.7million houses in the UK who can’t yet access full fibre.

The developer said the jobs ‘will provide a trickledown effect on other businesses’

Two new drive-through units which could create up to 40 jobs have been proposed for a business park in a Cambridgeshire town. They will be next to a planned new Lidl store in Ramsey as part of the wider Ramsey Gateway project which was granted outline permission in 2020.

Consent to display nine freestanding signs and seven illuminated fascia signs was also sought by the applicant, Burney Estates Development Ltd, for plot 9A of the development.

Daren Burney, managing director of Burney Estates, said the company specialises in drive-throughs, with 76 across the country.

He said they hope the project will “regenerate and revitalise the area” and hope to get shovels in the ground soon after a decision is made.

He said: “We don’t cut corners, we ensure our service and buildings are high-quality moving forward.”

A design and access statement submitted by Dovetail Architects said the new units would “utilise under-used vacant land, provide employment opportunities and create an economic boost to the local area”.

They said that up to 40 full and part-time jobs “are likely to be created by the proposals once operational,” adding: “This increase in work force will provide a trickledown effect on other businesses in the area, helping to boost the local economy.”

They said the second unit will house a drive-through restaurant but the tenant is yet to be confirmed. Around 46 car spaces are proposed, including eight charging bays for electric vehicles and five spaces for blue badge holders, and secure storage for bicycles.

Pre-application meetings were held with Huntingdonshire District Council and following this a number of changes were made.

The Starbucks was rotated and repositioned “to ensure primary glazing and active frontages address key views” and “provide a stronger corner feature improving visual prominence and legibility”.

The design of the other drive-through was also changed and a second entrance added “to reflect natural pedestrian desire lines”.

Both units were also shifted north to allow for a “meaningful landscape buffer” and other landscape enhancements to reinforce “the rural edge character”.

The council aims to make a decision on the application before Wednesday, June 17, 2026.

Morgan Burtwistle, known as Angry Ginge, has over one million subscribers on YouTube

Advertisement

The winner of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here tearfully revealed his mother’s pets died in a house fire, but said ‘mum’s ok, that’s what matters’. Morgan Burtwistle, known as Angry Ginge, first revealed that a fire had broken out in his mother’s house on Tuesday (June 1).

The Salford based celebrity shared a video from inside, saying the property ‘burned down’ as he appeared at Soccer Aid for UNICEF on Sunday (May 31). In the video posted to his Instagram Story, the 24-year-old was seen wearing a face mask and rubber gloves as he examined the devastating damage to the property.

In a new update according to ManchesterEveningNews, he revealed his mum wasn’t home at the time as she was with him in London, getting ready to watch her son in the huge charity football match. He said it was the first time in weeks she had stayed away from home, and that usually Soccer Aid would take place at a later date, possibly saving the incident being any worse.

But the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here winner confirmed the heartbreaking loss of his mum’s two cats and a rabbit. Discussing how he found out about the fire, he said on his Twitch stream on Wednesday (June 3) evening: “I was woken up by a phone call off of my mum but my sister answered it.

“I thought, ‘Well, that’s a bit, that’s a bit strange!’ Obviously, my sister, very emotional… She actually used the phrase, ‘Mum’s house has blown up’.

Advertisement

“Instantly, I thought, ‘What the hell? Okay?’”

He went on: “I got sent a picture of the kitchen, etc., and it generally does actually look like it did. The actual shell of the house is still standing but…”

Angry Ginge then emotionally shared: “My mum had two cats and a rabbit in the house. They obviously didn’t survive, so rest in peace, Simba, rest in peace Herbert, and rest in peace Sparky.

“They didn’t make it out which is obviously really, really sad. Unbelievable cats and rabbits, they were… Obviously, I lived with him when I live with my mum in Bacup.”

He then began to break down in tears as he showed pictures of the animals. “I mean, the main thing is that my mum is obviously, she is okay… If my mum was in the house, she wouldn’t have made it out,” he added.

“I suppose that’s the fortunate thing. She weren’t there, ’cause she was obviously in London for Soccer Aid.

“That’s how bad it was. That was the thing, the hardest to think about and deal with.”

The social media star went on to share: “I almost feel as though there was someone looking down that night,” before explaining that he and his mum will document the process of rebuilding the beloved home on his YouTube channel.

“I’m not looking to make money off it before anyone goes there,” Angry Ginge commented. “The insurance is gonna pay out, any money made off the videos, I’ll give to a homeless charity in Manchester.

“I’m not trying to make any money off it at all. But I just feel as though the state that the house is in, and to see the development of what we’ve had to go through, what it looks like now, and to where it’s gonna end up, I think, would be something cool to document.

“I’m gonna make sure that that is gonna be the best house, my mum. ever, ever has, or ever lives in.”

While they are yet to found out how the fire started, he also shared: “I’ll never sit here and say I’m religious or anything like this, but what I will say is, out of those eight weeks, this is the only night she didn’t stay at the house. This is the only night she didn’t stay at the house.

“Okay? And there’s so many things that happened. Soccer Aid’s never normally that week.

“Soccer Aid could have easily been in Manchester, which meant she’d be in the house. So, yeah, I just thank God, I did pray, I did pray, I thanked whomever it may be.

“But, yeah, it’s absolutely mental. And then, obviously, I said, my mum can live there… But, yeah, thank the Lord that my mum’s okay.

“That’s the bigger picture. Mum’s okay, and that’s what matters.”

Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source.