No More Balaclavas, New £8 Million Business Fund, New Community Hub & More
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Time to put the kettle on and see what biscuits are in the cupboard.
Today's Quote of the Day - “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." — Saint Augustine
Enjoy the read, please email us if you have a story for us and have a great day wherever you are in Bassetlaw.
Justin Doddy, Editor
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NFRS Launches Around The World In 80 Days Charity Challenge
Staff at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will collectively travel 25,000 miles (40,000KM), the equivalent of a journey around the world, in just 80 days, while raising money for Fire Fighters Charity.
Every mile counts.
Whether you walk, cycle, run, swim, row or take part in any other physical activity, you can help move us closer to our goal.
The challenge is open to everyone, including staff, family members, friends, supporters and members of the public. You can submit your miles in support of any NFRS station, department, or team, helping them climb the leaderboard and putting your chosen team one step closer to the top.
To get involved, simply complete the form below each time you'd like to contribute mileage, and keep an eye on the leaderboard (also below) to see how everyone is performing. Your involvement can be as simple as logging the miles completed on your daily dog walk.
Together, we're aiming to travel around the world and raise as much money as possible for Fire Fighters Charity
Please record your miles honestly - you have from 1 September to 20 November 2026. Please note that you have to submit your contributions in km, so please convert them before entering your total.
Content courtesy of NFRS
Operation Reclaim: 'There really is nowhere to hide' - Balaclava restrictions to be enforced from September 15
Young people who wear balaclavas to intimidate members of the public and cause anti-social behaviour in the city centre will face the consequences from September 15.
Nottingham is set to become one of the first cities in the UK to introduce restrictions on the wearing of face coverings such as balaclavas.
The order, which has been backed by the public, will provide police officers and council officers the power to require a person to remove their face covering where their identity is being concealed to commit crime or anti-social behaviour.
There are number of powers available to the police including £70 on-the-spot fines, confiscation of the face covering and referral into our Immediate Justice Programme.
This is where young people must carry out community work such as litter picking or graffiti removal in the city centre.
Those who continue to flout the order could be issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order, which will see them banned from the city centre indefinitely.
Evidence gathered by Nottinghamshire Police identified more than 180 city centre incidents involving face coverings or balaclavas between June 2025 and June 2026.
Around 75 per cent of the incidents analysed took place in locations such as Old Market Square, Clumber Street and the area around the Victoria Centre.
The measure is not a blanket ban on face coverings.
It will only be used when officers reasonably believe it is being used in connection with crime, anti-social behaviour or intimidating conduct. Clear exemptions will protect people who wear face coverings for legitimate reasons, including religious, health, medical or work needs.
City Commander, Superintendent Chris Pearson, said:
"There is only one reason that young people come into the city wearing balaclavas – and that is to conceal their identity to commit crime and intimidate members of the public and our business community. Not any longer. Your time is up.
"Any person found to be wearing a balaclava or similar face covering in the city centre, and we suspect they are involved in crime or anti-social behaviour, will be stopped by our officers. We will then use all the powers at our disposal to ensure they cannot wear that item again.
"This is all about disrupting criminality. I can't be clearer – we don't want you in our city centre if you are going to cause these problems. Residents have had enough. Businesses have had enough. We've had enough.
"With the introduction of our facial recognition van and our high-visibility city centre patrols, there really is nowhere to hide.
"We hope that other parts of the country will look at what we are doing in Nottingham and that these measures will become introduced in other towns and cities."
This is all part of Operation Reclaim, a partnership approach to tackling the major issues impacting the city centre including youth anti-social behaviour, illegal e-bikes, drug dealing, rough sleeping, weapon carrying and retail crime.
Anti-social behaviour in the city centre has reduced by 42 percent since the inception of Op Reclaim.
The new restriction will come into effect on Tuesday 15 September.
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden said:
"This restriction makes it easier for police and partners to stop crime and antisocial behaviour in its tracks by taking away the veil of anonymity that some people try to hide behind.
"It also gives the majority of people who enter our great city the peace of mind and increased confidence that they will be safer, because any criminals who come here will find it increasingly difficult to operate without being seen by the city's multi-agency array of high-visibility officers, network of CCTV cameras, and facial recognition cameras.
"And I'm delighted that our Immediate Justice programme can be used by people who fall foul of this ban, as it will mean they will be made to swiftly and very visibly pay back the community they have harmed."
Courtesy of Nottinghamshire Police
New Community Hub Opens at Keyes Court
Residents in Mattersey and Mattersey Thorpe are set to benefit from a modern new community hub following the completion of a major refurbishment project.
Keyes Court is now serving as the new home of the village's Community Centre and Tenant and Resident Association (TRA), following its relocation from Cunningham Close. The revitalised facility will provide an important focal point for local activities, events and social gatherings for years to come.
The building has undergone a complete transformation, creating a modern, welcoming and accessible space for residents and community groups. Improvements include the removal of an internal wall to create a larger lounge area, and a refurbished kitchen with new appliances, including a fridge and microwave, helping to ensure the facility is well equipped for a variety of activities and events.
Sarah Dance, Mattersey Parish Councillor, said:
"It is wonderful to see Bassetlaw District Council provide this modern and accessible community facility for Mattersey and Mattersey Thorpe.
“As the new home of our Community Centre and Tenant and Resident Association, Keyes Court will become a real focal point for community life, bringing people together, strengthening connections and creating new opportunities for residents to meet, socialise and take part in local activities."
The refurbishment was delivered by Bassetlaw District Council's contractor, United Infrastructure, as part of its social value commitment to supporting local communities, creating lasting benefits and investing in neighbourhood spaces.
Jason Hurren, Assistant Project Manager said:
“We’re enormously proud to have delivered this major refurbishment at the Community Centre at Keyes Court. The works have breathed new life into the building, creating a larger, more welcoming and practical space that will serve as an important focal point for local activities, events and social gatherings for years to come.
“It is easy to underestimate the important role facilities like this play in bringing people together, reducing isolation and strengthening communities. For us, this project was about much more than refurbishing a building; it was about creating a space that the whole community can use, enjoy and feel part of.”
Further improvements include a brand-new front entrance featuring a secure coded access system, as well as updated signage to enhance the appearance of the building.
Cllr Lynne Schuller, Cabinet Member for Housing and Estates, said:
"We are delighted to see the completion of this fantastic community facility for residents at Keyes Court. The improvements have transformed the space into a modern, welcoming and practical venue that can be enjoyed by the whole community.
"Community spaces play an important role in bringing people together, helping to reduce isolation and providing opportunities for residents to socialise, take part in activities and build stronger connections. I am pleased that, through partnership working, we have been able to deliver a facility that will benefit residents for years to come."
The Community Centre at Keyes Court is available to hire Monday to Friday between 9am and 9pm. To hire the facility, contact Housing Admin on 0800 590 542 or email housing.general@bassetlaw.gov.uk.
New £8 Million fund to help East Midlands companies grow
Firms across the East Midlands will be able to access grants to invest in new equipment, technology and energy-saving measures through a new £8.1 million business fund.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward has committed the funding to help businesses across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire invest, grow and become more productive over the next four years.
Over the lifetime of the programme, the Business Investment Fund is expected to support about 500 businesses and unlock £19m in additional investment from businesses.
Mayor Claire said:
“Businesses across the East Midlands are navigating an increasingly challenging and uncertain economic climate. While many have ambitious plans to grow, improve productivity and become more competitive, the risks and costs associated with investing can often hold them back.
“This fund is designed to help make that investment less risky, giving businesses the confidence to invest in the new equipment, technology and energy-saving measures that will strengthen their productivity, resilience and long-term competitiveness.
“By supporting businesses now, we can help create and safeguard jobs, unlock further private sector investment and build a stronger, more resilient economy for the East Midlands.”
Business fund
The programme will have two funding strands and will be aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Business Growth and Productivity Grant will support businesses to invest in machinery, equipment, technology, innovation and expansion projects.
The Business Energy Saving Grant will help businesses invest in energy efficiency measures and lower-carbon technologies, helping them reduce energy use and cut costs.
Businesses receiving grants will also be connected to wider advice and support services, helping them get the most from their investment and plan for longer-term growth.
Improving productivity
The business fund investment is expected to help businesses improve productivity, create and safeguard jobs, become more innovative and reduce their exposure to rising costs – supporting a stronger and more resilient regional economy.
The fund is expected to launch late in 2026 and will use existing business support channels, including online applications through the Growth Hub website, and will connect businesses with other support available across the region, including Scale Up – Business Support, Start and Sustain and the Enhanced Growth Hub.
The Business Investment Fund is part of the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s £107m Local Growth Fund, which is supporting economic growth and investment across the East Midlands.
It is focused on five areas designed to tackle barriers to growth and create new opportunities across the region:
- Opportunity Escalator – helping people access employment and skills pathways that support growth;
- Business Growth and Investment – supporting businesses, investment and boosting tourism;
- Cluster Development and Innovation – strengthening priority sectors and the region’s wider innovation ecosystem;
- Strategic Development – supporting key sites, infrastructure and regeneration opportunities;
- Thriving Places – investing in digital connectivity, regeneration of high streets, rural areas, and community energy.
Together, these investments will support businesses, communities and places across the region, helping to create the conditions for sustainable and inclusive growth and more opportunities for local people.
Content courtesy of East Midlands Combined County Authority
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Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
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