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ITV News
18 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
The Langton Arms pub where wife died after falling down cellar handed £240k fine
The owners of a pub where a customer died after falling through an unlocked cellar door has been ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling more than £285,000. Julie Hyatt, 57, was having lunch with her husband, Paul, and friends at The Langton Arms at Church Langton, near Market Harborough, in Leicestershire, in May 2023. She hadn't been drinking and was following signs to the toilet, when she opened an unmarked and unlocked door, not knowing it was to the pub's cellar, and fell down a steep flight of stairs. Mrs Hyatt suffered serious injuries from which she died in hospital 12 days later. At Leicester Magistrates' Court, the RedCat Pub Company, based in London, admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act by exposing persons not in its employment to a risk to their health and safety. At the hearing, held on the second anniversary of Mrs Hyatt's funeral, the company was fined £240,000 and ordered to pay costs of £43,633.06p along with a £2,000 surcharge. In determining the level of fine and costs, District Judge Nick Watson said he had taken into account that RedCat's parent company had a turnover of more than £120million. He said he wanted to "bring it home to shareholders and management that they must take health and safety seriously". He added "Any sentence that I impose could not equate to the loss of Mrs Hyatt to her family and friends." In statements read to the court, it was revealed Mrs Hyatt and her husband had been looking forward to retirement and moving to the Norfolk coast. Married since 1987, they shared many interests and a passion for sport with Mrs Hyatt being a Leicester City season ticket holder for more than 30 years. The court heard that Mrs Hyatt's death was foreseeable. The company had failed to properly train staff and had left customers confused by inadequate and inconsistent signs. In a statement read to the court, Richard Lewis, CEO of RedCat Pub Company, expressed his "sincere personal regret" as the death was "entirely avoidable". The company said it accepted full responsibility. "We are genuinely very sorry ... We have plainly failed the Hyatt family. We will do all we can to prevent anything of the like happening again," added Mr Lewis. The court heard the company had since put in place risk assessments and evaluated the way in which it conducts staff training in relation to health and safety. ITV News Central Correspondent Peter Bearne sat down with the Paul Hyatt last year, who is still waiting for answers more than 12 months after his wife's death. In the time that passed, Paul, from Countesthorpe, repeatedly contacted the council for updates on the case, but said he has got nowhere. Paul has learned Harborough District Council have brought in a solicitor from another council to help with the case. In 2024, the council asked Paul for Julie's death certificate, something that the family won't get until after the inquest. ITV News Central is also aware of two other similar cases elsewhere in the country which came to court in 12 months. Speaking to ITV News Central, following the incident, Paul said: "It was hell at the time. I was in some very, very dark places." He added: "I just wish somebody would go in and shake that department up and get this sorted. Enough is enough. All I want is justice...I lost my wife." In response, Harborough District Council say that they sympathise with Mr Hyatt's frustrations. They told ITV News Central this case is a complex and lengthy criminal investigation, and they're unable to comment on its progress. "Specialist legal resource, they added, was allocated without delay. They said they've liaised with Mr Hyatt and his solicitor as much as they can, but there's a limit to what they can disclose."The Redcat Pub Company, which runs the Langton Arms, said: "We have and will continue to fully co-operate with the investigations being carried out by the authorities with regards to this incident."
ITV News
07-05-2025
- General
- ITV News
Where you can watch VE Day celebration beacons being lit across the Midlands
More than a thousand beacons and several hundred 'lamp lights of peace' will be lit to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The event celebrates Victory in Europe - when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. Commemorations started on the May bank holiday and run through until Thursday 8 May, which is VE Day itself - with other events also taking place at the weekend. It is an opportunity for the nation to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation from across the UK and Commonwealth, through a series of national and regional events and activities. To mark the milestone, a series of beacons will be lit across the country simultaneously at 9.30pm on Thursday, May 8 - and many will be ignited across the Midlands. The beacons and lights will not only be lit to commemorate human lives that were lost, but also to remember the millions of animals taken from family homes and farms to aid Allied forces during the conflict. Here at ITV News Central we have created a list of beacon lighting events taking place across the region for people to attend and celebrate the occasion. DERBYSHIRE Crich: Crich Beacon Lighting, Crich Tramway Village. 8pm to 10pm. Limited parking will be available (at owner's risk) at Crich Tramway Village overflow car park on Plaistow Green Road, closing at 10.15pm. Dronfield: Dronfield will celebrate VE Day 80 with a beacon lighting at Sindelfingen Park on the night of Thursday 8 May. Residents are asked to start gathering at Sindelfingen Park at approximately 8:45pm on the evening. Rosliston Forestry Centre: 7pm to 10pm. Picnic and beacon lighting. People are welcome to wear 1940s style clothing, bring picnics, play games, dance, celebrate. Hub cafe will be open until 9.30pm for cakes, sandwiches and hot drinks. There will be 1940s songs in the cafe at 7pm. Swadlincote: 9pm to 9.30pm. There will be celebrations of the lighting of the lamp of peace at Eureka Park on Thursday 8th May. People are being encouraged to meet at the Eureka Park Memorial Gates, Midland Road, Swadlincote, DE11 0AN. Bosworth: It will take place at Bosworth Battlefield at 9.30pm. Other events taking place to mark the anniversary include a celebration event at the 1620s House and Garden in Donington-le-Heath on Saturday 10 May, and a week-long series of children's activities at all 16 council-managed libraries, as well as the five museums. Lutterworth: Beacon lighting at Coventry Road recreation ground from 7pm to 10pm. Beacon will be lit at 9.30pm. Entertainment from Lutterworth Town Band and 1940s trio The Boswell Project. Loughborough: Charnwood will mark 80 years since VE Day with a special beacon lighting event at Queen's Park in Loughborough. The Granby Street gate to the park will remain open throughout the event to allow people to exit following the beacon lighting. There will also be beacon lightings and other events in Anstey, East Goscote and Mountsorrel. Quorn: 9.30pm. VE Day 80 Tribute reading and Beacon Brazier lighting at Stafford Orchard in Quorn. The Tribute will be read and beacons lit across the Nation bringing all together at this moment in time. Stafford Orchard, Station Rd, Quorn, LE12 8DE. Oadby: A beacon lighting event is taking place from 8pm at Brocks Hill Country Park, Oadby, with music from Wigston Band and Wigston Community Choir. A flag raising is also taking place at 9am on 8 May outside the Brocks Hill Council Offices - all are welcome to attend. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Bingham: Beacon lighting event taking place from 8.30pm until 9.30pm in Market Street. Kimberley: From 8.30pm. There is a beacon lighting ceremony at the Chapel on the Hill. People will gather at the War Memorial for the Proclamation at 8am, from there there will be a raising of the VE Day official flag at 9am at the "W" Garden. From 8.30pm people can gather at the Chapel on the Hill for the official beacon lighting ceremony. Stapleford: The beacon lighting ceremony will take place at the Old Mill Club in Mill Lane, where the community may gather for the traditional lighting of the beacon. A former military person from the Stapleford Combined Services will read the official proclamation before another SCS member lights the beacon. Finishing with a bagpiper. Everyone is invited to the Little Chippy afterwards for complimentary fish and chip supper funded by Stapleford Town Council. 'Lights symbolise peace' Bruno Peek, pageant master of the commemoration, said the flames from the beacons and lights symbolise peace and remember the millions of lives lost to war. 'In my personal view, we need to use every opportunity possible to promote peace with the way the world is going at the moment,' he told the PA news agency. 'People from all walks of life who are unable to light beacons can take part by lighting a lamp light of peace, with the flames from the lamp lights and the beacons representing the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of war.' WEST MIDLANDS COVENTRY AND SOLIHULL Coventry: 7pm to 9.40pm. The city centre will host a VE Day Street Party in Broadgate. This free, family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, a big screen, and plenty of nostalgic fun. It will be an evening of performances, vintage music, Bhangra dance and moving tributes, before the lighting of the beacon to honour the past. Those attending are invited to attend in 1940's style dress and are welcome to bring picnics to enjoy throughout the event. Glass items will not be permitted. Solihull: Beacon lighting at Elmdon Park. It will begin after 9pm and includes poetry readings and music from a piper in the park beside Elmdon Church. Prior to the beacon lighting, there will be a service at Elmdon Church from 7.30pm to 8.15pm, after which refreshments will be served to guests. Parking will not be available in the church car park. Visitors are encouraged to walk or use public transport. BIRMINGHAM Sutton Coldfield: Beacon lighting at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Church Hill, Sutton Coldfield. The evening will include the ceremonial lighting of the beacon as well as an opportunity to speak with history groups to recount and share memories of past VE Day celebrations. Parking will not be available at the church. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free, and all are welcome to attend. STAFFORDSHIRE Kidsgrove: The town council will be holding two events to to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE DAY. Early in the morning at the Town Hall the proclamation and the raising of the flag will be held. At 9.30pm the lighting of the Beacon at the Memorial Garden on The Avenue will take pleace. Cheadle: There will be a celebration of the 80th anniversary at St Giles the Abbott Church in Cheadle. Events start at 9am with the raising of the flag at St Giles. At 9.15am there will be a memorial service at the Animal Memorial. From 5pm people can view the display of Second World War memorabilia. 6.25pm will see the reciting of the proclamation by the town crier. At 6.30pm there will be bell ringers followed by a Jazz from from 6.45pm. There will be a community choir between 8pm and 9pm before the beacon is lit at 9.30pm. Newcastle-under-Lyme: Queens Gardens, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 1BL. from 9pm, People are being encouraged to assemble in Queens Gardens, in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre. A beacon lighting tribute to mark VE Day will be lit at 9.30pm. WARWICKSHIRE Royal Leamington Spa: Beacon lighting event taking place from 7.30pm at Newbold Comyn to remember and give thanks to all those who fought for our freedom. The beacon will be lit at 9.30pm. As it will be dark at the time of lighting the beacon, please ensure you bring with you a torch or other adequate lighting. Kenilworth: From 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Kenilworth Town Council will be hosting a commemorative event at Kenilworth Castle featuring a service by the Royal British Legion, a performance by school choirs, a piper and the lighting of a beacon in one of the Castle's towers. Stratford-upon-Avon: From 6.30pm bells will ring at Holy Trinity Church. At 7.20pm the official opening of the Bandstand, followed by a performance from the City of Coventry Brass Band, then the procession will take place to the Garden of Remembrance. At 9pm there will be a short service of commemoration and at approximately 9:30pm the lighting of the beacon will take place. WORCESTERSHIRE Worcester: A full day of commemorative events is planned on Thursday 8 May, culminating in a community celebration and beacon lighting ceremony at Fort Royal Park. Proceedings will begin at 9am with a flag-raising ceremony in Cathedral Square. At 11am, the front of the Guildhall will come alive with a street party-themed performance by school pupils from Tudor Grange Academy Worcester and Tudor Grange Primary Academy Perdiswell. In the evening, the festivities will move to Fort Royal Park for a party in the park, kicking off at 6.30pm. Residents are encouraged to bring a picnic and soak up the celebratory atmosphere. The evening will conclude with a moving ceremony beginning at 9pm, including a Drumhead service, wreath-laying, and commemorative speeches. At 9.30pm, a ceremonial beacon will be lit, bringing the day to a close.
ITV News
01-05-2025
- Climate
- ITV News
Birmingham bin strike: how could the heatwave impact your rubbish?
Central Birmingham bin strikes Health Weather The situation might be improving, but piles of rubbish still remain on the streets of Birmingham. The strike is now in its eighth week, with talks expected tomorrow (Thursday 1 May) between Unite the Union and Birmingham City Council, with mediators ACAS present. As those negotiations happen, the UK is set to experience the warmest temperatures in 76 years. There are already fears about the public health risk associated with rats and bacteria from the bins, but the hot weather is set to exacerbate the problem. Waste disposal expert Dan Peakman from says heat can make bins smell worse, and increases the prescence of bacteria and rodents, as well as the risk of fires. Fires Speaking to ITV News Central, Dan said: 'The plastic that bins are made from isn't likely to catch fire just from sunlight unless it's under a glass roof or a plastic roof which might magnify the sun slightly. Usually they're just likely to melt or change shape slightly. 'Be careful putting paper, cardboard, any kind of fabric or anything that's combustible like aerosol cans - make sure you split up that kind of waste." Dan is encouraging people to find a shady spot to store bins. 'If you know that the hottest point of the day is roughly around 2pm or if the sun comes in from a particular direction, then put your bin round the side of the house. 'If you're lucky to have a storage unit or something with a cover on, sticking that over will stop that direct sunlight, the same way we sit in the shade when it gets too hot.' Bad smells and bacteria In regular waste bins, heat and humidity can create a breeding ground for bacteria. It can also create bad smells, as heat speeds up the decomposition process and results in odor-causing molecules becoming more volatile. Dan says: 'The bin itself is easy to clean. Sometimes just spraying it down with a hose, or just get a kettle out there to run some water into it. Maybe some fairy liquid or bleach just to try and kill those smells and get rid of the bacteria every couple of weeks. 'Ensure that you're cleaning out tins and plastic containers when you recycle. 'You've also got to be conscious of not leaving your food waste bin outside all the time. Most likely it's flies that are going to be attracted to the food." Pests and rodents Dan says bad smells can attract pests and rodents - like flies and rats. He says: 'Sticking something heavy on top on your bin is going to detract pests, and if you can keep the bins away from your driveway or curbside until the night before, that's the ideal solution. 'If you have it out on your street, that's a bit of a buffet for the rodents coming up and down the street.' "Bins lids need to be closed and rubbish properly bagged up" Birmingham City Council told ITV News Central: "Since the council declared a major incident on 31 March we have been able to deploy our fleet in full and on time. We have now removed all excess waste and returned to scheduled collections within our contingency plan for household waste, meaning one collection per week per household. "We have repurposed between 40 and 60 housing and street cleansing vehicles and deployed multiple 'grab trucks' to clear large rubbish piles each day, prioritising 15 of the most affected hotspot wards. "Residents are encouraged to put out their rubbish on their collection day as usual. Bin lids need to be closed and rubbish needs to be properly bagged up. Those that can, can also make use of our Household Recycling Centres, which have extended opening times."
Daily Mail
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Celebrity Big Brother's ratings drop to lowest in reboot's history for a final as it only pulls in 1.9million viewers and fails to rank in top five ITV shows of the night despite starry cast
Celebrity Big Brother's ratings dropped to the lowest in the reboot's history for a final and fell short of ITV 's top five programmes of the night, despite a star-studded cast. The iconic reality series came to an end on Friday night, with Jack P. Shepherd being crowned the winner and Danny Beard finishing as runner-up. While the series delivered no shortage of drama - particularly with Mickey Rourke dominating headlines early on before his removal from the house - the 2025 series averaged the lowest ratings yet for a CBB final. Overnight figures revealed the episode peaked at 1.9million viewers, with an overall average of 1.6million - a drop from last year's peak of 2million and average of 1.7million. Celebrity Big Brother overall ranked seventh in ITV1's top ten shows on the night, falling behind a strong line-up led by Coronation Street. The hit soap topped the leaderboard with a peak of 3.1million viewers and an average of 2.9million. It was followed by Emmerdale, ITV News Central, the Party Election Broadcast, ITV Evening News and The Chase - all of which outperformed the reality show's final. Its another blow for the show after the launch night only managed to pull in an average of 2.71million live viewers. This was around one million viewers less than last year's launch of the rebooted celebrity edition of the reality show, which was the first series on ITV. However, in a big win, the Big Brother brand has now surpassed a colossal 100million streams on ITV, with the new series generating over 20million streams on ITVX (an increase on the first series). Away from ratings, Corrie star Jack, 37, couldn't contain his shock as hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best revealed that he received the most votes from the public during Friday night's live final. In his first exclusive interview, Jack told AJ and Will that he was 'blown away' by his victory and 'didn't expect it', admitting he had JoJo 'nailed' as the winner. Talking about how he went from the most-nominated housemate to the winner, the soap star admitted: 'I figured that I might annoy a few people and they might not know how to work me out but I guess I was liked by the end.' Before Jack's interview, Drag Race star Danny exited the iconic house after being revealed as the second-place star. He got emotional as he opened up on how much he loved his time in the house as 'himself' without the wigs and makeup. Meanwhile, Dance Moms star JoJo looked elated as she got a podium finish on the ITV show in third place. Speaking to AJ and Will, she revealed she thought 'everyone was going to hate her' and is 'so grateful' for finishing in third. Talking about her letter from home, JoJo admitted: 'For me, I felt like the whole time in the house I was all in there then when I got the letter my brain went running outside the house and I felt so disconnected.' She added: 'Being away from everything you know and the super publicness of my life, I've always seen what people had to say about me and felt a pressure. 'You can't hide in there, you're down to your most vulnerable self but now I'm terrified to watch it.' Just before, comedian and actress Donna Preston, 38, walked out of the door in fourth place to huge cheers from the crowd chanting her name. Donna was told she received the fewest amount of nominations out of all of the housemates - just two throughout the series. When asked about her odd nomination reasons, the star admitted: 'I think I was a bit naughty, wasn't I? I honestly didn't have anything bad to say about anyone.' And opening up on her close friendship with Danny Beard, she sweetly quipped: 'As soon as I saw Danny I knew he was my comfort blanket and I knew I was going to be amazing friends with him.' Chris and Chesney Hawkes were evicted from the house in sixth and fifth place. The Love Island star was told by AJ and Will that he would be the first to leave the house at the beginning of the live final. Then, just moments later the One And Only hitmaker, 53, was revealed to be in fifth place, following behind Chris. As he was interviewed by Will and AJ, Chesney emotionally quipped: 'I'm trying not to cry, I keep seeing my wife.' Throughout the night, the vote kept being frozen to evict the housemate with the fewest votes, with the viewers then being given five new free votes each time. The remaining six finalists had an emotional last dinner together on Thursday night, where they talked about their memories in the house, before enjoying a disco. During their speeches, JoJo described Chris as 'a vital part' of her life that she didn't know was missing, with Chris describing the Dance Moms star as 'his person'. Meanwhile, Danny said it was 'amazing' to conquer the experience as himself and as 'Daniel'. After the nail-biting live final, fans rushed to X to react to Jack being crowned winner, writing: 'Jack drinking tea all season and wins the whole thing. Legendary. #CBBUK #CBB #CelebrityBigBrother.' 'What do you mean Danny didn't win…#cbb #cbbuk.' 'He was the most real of them all. I'm so pleased for him.' 'The British public making someone with a dry sense of humour and a tea addiction the winner of celebrity big brother feels weirdly patriotic #CBBUK.' Applications for the next series of Big Brother are open. Hopefuls looking to embark on the ultimate social experiment can apply to be a part of the next series of Big Brother set to air in 2025.
ITV News
25-04-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Central Lobby - April 2025: Are we creeping closer to the EU?
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has told ITV News Central, the Government is looking to reset relationships with Europe, nine years since the historic Brexit vote. New research suggests a realignment of trade on goods and services could help boost the UK economy by more than 2% a year. Alison Mackenzie's guests this month: Dr Jeevun Sandher, the Labour MP for Loughborough
