March 2009 Archives

A SHOPKEEPER who was stabbed during a botched robbery two weeks ago has returned to work.

Harvinder Ubhi, 51, was attacked at the News Hut, in New Windsor Street, Uxbridge, defending his store from a robber.

He returned to work on Monday, after vowing not to let the episode deter him from serving the community in which he has worked for over 25 years.

He said: "My wife is glad to have a lie in now I am back."

A FAMILY business which has thrived for nearly fifty years has made the decision to close for good.

The Craftsman jewellers, in High Street, Uxbridge, will shut its doors on March 31 leaving another empty unit, and just one independent jewellers in the town.

Julie Franklin, 57, who owns the shop, said: "Its not as easy to make a living nowadays, our lease was expiring and I'd had enough.

"People are coming to shops like us for advice and then going and buying on the internet.

"They want our knowledge, and you can't get that online, especially with jewellery.

"It is a bit of a shame because at the larger jewellers the staff aren't all experts.

Mrs Franklin's husband opened the shop in the early 60s but he died 15 years ago and she carried it over.

"It just seems like the right time to close up, it was a big decision but it seems like the right one.

"I will miss the customers and the interaction, because they become friends, you get to know people.

"They are disappointed that another family business is leaving the town, I suppose they'll go to Grants (the remaining independent jeweller in the High Street)."

The Craftsman is the second independent jeweller to close this year after Andrich Jeweller's in the Mall Pavilions, Uxbridge, ended its tenure after 25 years in the town.

Mrs Franklin, who was born in Ickenham added, "We are now trying to get rid of all stock, we have massive reductions on everything."

Ben Franklin, her son, said: "I'm very sad that things have had to end like this, with little or no independent shops left in our towns."

FED-UP with the heavy flow of traffic for the town centre, residents are pushing for full time parking restrictions.

Petitioners have raised 46 signatures from people living on roads next to The Chimes who find their roads full up on weekends from shoppers who pinch their parking spots.

The proposed 24/7 parking scheme would affect Montague Road, Iffley Close, Grove Road and Grove Way, Uxbridge and would be an extension of the current residents only scheme which operates from 9am until 5pm Monday to Saturday.

Their petition states: "Our family and friends including ourselves, cannot park in the above roads at weekends and evenings because of all the shoppers using the Chimes and parking in our roads. We are fed up with all aggravation of trying to park."

The meeting will be held on Wednesday (18/3) at the Civic Centre at 8pm.

PLANS to develop two 'eco-friendly' houses on a patch of land renowned for its protected species were rejected at a planning meeting last night.

Debate lasted nearly an hour, but the south planning committee decreed that the plans were not practical.

The island is a patch of land surrounded by Fray's River in Cowley and the plans angered residents who live in Ferndale Crescent, Cowley, who made strong objections to the plans and had the backing of Uxbridge MP John Randall.

The committee decided the wildlife which includes, herons, kingfishers, swans, and foxes was worthy of protection, and feared approving these two houses may lead to furhter development.

The land is also a flood plain, which naturally raised concerns about the safety of the development.

What do you think? Leave a comment below. For full story read next week's Gazette (18/3)

A NEWLY opened Polish foodstore was broken into on Tuesday morning.

Police were called to Polish Deli, in Windsor Street, Uxbridge at 7.51am after reports of a burglary.

Officers believe entry was made through the front door, at this stage it is unclear what was taken.

The shop has only been open for two weeks after moving from its previous location in Baker's Road, Uxbridge.

A NEW networking opportunity for Uxbridge businesswomen launches today (5/3).

The Athena Network, already has 70 successful groups across the country and meet today to launch a new Uxbridge group.

The group will meet at the Nonna Rosa III restaurant in Uxbridge High Street, and will meet there monthly on the first Thursday of each month.

The Uxbridge group was set up by Athena regional director Gill McKay, who launched her own company six years ago after 20 years in the corporate sector.

She said: "I have a passion for connecting people so they can achieve great success and growth, both personally and in business, and these are the key goals of Athena."

Members around the country have found that in a tough economic climate, netowrking has proved to be an even more vital and effective way to promote and build business relationships.

If you are interested call Gill McKay on 0208 567 4455 or e-mail her at gill.mckay@theathenanetwork.com

THE former Rockingham Arms pub will be demolished and make way for flats, if a planning application is granted.

The application was recently lodged for two two-storey semi-detached flats and four two-storey terraced flats to be built on the site in Rockingham Road, Uxbridge.

Each flat would consist of three bedrooms, and parking facilities are included in the application.

The Rockingham Arms pub closed last summer after falling victim to the credit crunch and has been left empty ever since.

What do you think? Leave a comment below or call the newsdesk on 01895451030 or e-mail dancoombs@trinitysouth.co.uk

A MAN has been landed with a £565 fine for illegally dumping one bag of rubbish.

Martyn Hall, 28, of Brearley Close, Uxbridge, pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Magistrate's Court on Tuesday to dumping household waste in the area.

The court heard how he dumped his bag outside the gates of the Household Waste Centre in Aylesbury and correspondence found inside the waste traced it back to Hall.

The Magistrate fined Hall £300, while he was ordered to pay £250 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge bringing the total to £565.

A MOTHER has been left infuriated with the lack of help she has received with a rat infestation in her garden.

Nuala O'Connor, a 30 year-old florist who lives on Chippendale Waye, Uxbridge, will not let her nine year-old son play outside because she is worried about his safety.

She says the rats are a result of the derelict house next door which is uninhabitable, apart from the rodents who have set up home in its garden and have been running onto her property.

She said: "I can't let my son play in the garden, and with Spring coming up its not on.
"It's disgusting, I would not even buy my own house.

"We are not talking about one rat, we are talking about two or three rats a day. They invaded my property, and the Council do not do anything."

Waste has built up in the neighbouring gardens, providing the perfect home for a rats nest.

Both Ms O'Connor and her neighbour, who asked not to be named, claimed to have contacted Hillingdon Homes, who are responsible for the property, to let them know of the problem.

Both claimed to have called the Council four times since December, and subsequently an expert from the Health and Environmental Agency came to visit the estate early January.

Although he confirmed the houses were being overrun by rats at the time, no further action has been undertaken since.

When contacted by the Gazette, Hillingdon Homes acknowledged the reports of the rats and confirmed it would look into the situation.

Tim Price, chief executive, said: "Hillingdon Homes is working to remove any debris in gardens that may be attracting rodents and treating areas where necessary to ensure that the issue is rectified."

TIPS on paying bills and computer training form the practical assistance on offer at a new skills centre.

The new centre, named Perfect Start, in Redford Way, Uxbridge has been set up for people with learning disabilities.

Cllr Philip Corthorne, cabinet member for adult social care, health and housing at Hillingdon Council, said: "Perfect Start is ideally placed in central Uxbridge to build links with local employers so residents with learning disabilities have better opportunities to get into work."

The centre, launched in partnership with disability charity United Response is also running an onsite shop where people can sell on the cards and gifts they have made and develop customer service skills.

Advice on opening a bank account and budgeting are also available, and it will also help people find employment training and job opportunities.