Worksop Arsons, Housing List Nears 6000, 'Sofa' So Good For The Tigers & More
Happy Friday readers, the weekend is in sight as we reach another Friday morning and as the Wicked Witch of the West said 'I'm melting'.
I hope you have something nice planned for the weekend but until then .... grab a cold drink, a bourbon and have a read of today's newsletter covering all things Bassetlaw and surrounding areas.
Todays thought for the day ... "What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?”― George Eliot
Enjoy the read and have a great weekend wherever you are reading this.
Justin Doddy, Editor
P.S. If someone forwarded you this newsletter, click here to sign up to get quality local journalism in your inbox.
Appeal after arson attacks on neighbouring homes
Damage was caused to two properties which back onto one another
Detectives are appealing for information after suspected arson attacks damaged two properties in Worksop.
Police were called at 9.34am on Monday (6 July) following reports of fires in a conservatory of a home in Dukeries Crescent and in a garage in Manton Crescent.
The two properties back onto one another but investigations have shown one fire could not have spread to the other.
A joint Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service investigation has found both fires to have been lit deliberately.
The Dukeries Crescent house was empty at the time as it was being renovated, but residents were inside the Manton Crescent address and were awoken by neighbours.
Detective Constable Chloe Baugh, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
"While we are keeping an open mind, we believe separate fires were lit at these two addresses and they could be linked.
"Thankfully no one was harmed but any arson attack is incredibly reckless and dangerous. The fires also caused considerable damage to both properties.
"We have been analysing CCTV footage and carrying out other local inquiries, but we'd also like to hear from anyone with information which could assist the investigation.
"If you live in the area, or were passing by, and noticed anything unusual please get in touch without delay.
"Likewise, if you any relevant footage and have not yet provided it to an officer, we'd like to hear from you."
Anyone who can help should call 101, quoting incident 471 of 6 July 2026, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
'Sofa ... So Good' : A New Name for a Historic Home – Welcome to the KC Sofas Stadium
Worksop Town CEO Pete Whitehead (Furthest Left) and General Manager Ben Tomlinson (Furthest Right) with two KC Sofas Representatives
Worksop Town FC has announced an exciting new chapter, with its home ground officially renamed the KC Sofas Stadium following a new three-year naming rights partnership with the local furniture retailer.
The family-run company, which already sponsors the back of the Tigers' shirts and one of the stadium stands, has strengthened its commitment to the club as Worksop Town continues its remarkable rise through the non-league pyramid.
KC Sofas Company Director Jamie Charnock said:
"I was born in Worksop and have watched their steady rise through the divisions.
"I have been very impressed with how the club has been run during our first season of sponsorship, where we had our logo on the match shirts as well as on one of the stands.
“We are now very proud to be adding to this by sponsoring the stadium for the foreseeable future. This is a football club that has a very rich history, loyal fanbase and a very bright future, and we want to be part of that journey."
Founded in 1861, Worksop Town is the fourth-oldest football club in the world and continues to add to its proud history. In recent years, the Tigers have enjoyed an incredible transformation—surviving a financial crisis in 2020 thanks to supporters, securing promotion to the National League North in 2025, and defying expectations by comfortably retaining their place in the division in their first season back after an 18-year absence.
The club has also become record holders of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup with 16 victories, including an historic three consecutive triumphs, the first club to achieve the feat since 1899.
Significant investment has also seen the stadium transformed with a FIFA-quality 3G pitch, new changing facilities, four new spectator stands and new turnstiles—helping create an even better matchday experience for supporters.
The new partnership marks another positive milestone as Worksop Town continues to build on its proud heritage while looking confidently towards an exciting future.
Credit: Worksop Town FC for content and images.
A New Vision for Independent Living in Bassetlaw
Bassetlaw District Council is exploring ambitious plans that could make a real difference to residents living with life-limiting, progressive and terminal conditions by creating ready-to-move, fully adapted homes when they are needed most.
The proposed scheme would see specially adapted properties made available to help improve quality of life, promote independence and provide a smoother transition into accommodation designed to meet changing needs.
Cllr Lynne Schuller, Cabinet Member for Housing and Estates, said:
“People living with life limiting, progressive and terminal conditions deserve safe, accessible homes, living in properties which meet their often-deteriorating health and increasing reduction in function.
“The properties seek to speed up process enabling us to support people at the most testing of times. It will be an added choice allowing people to live independently for longer, move from a home which may restrict them or undertake assessments.”
The proposal, which was supported by councillors following a motion from Cllr Lynne Schuller and seconded by Cllr John Shephard, will now move to the next stage, where a detailed business case will assess costs, long-term viability and how the scheme could be delivered sustainably.
Cllr John Shephard added:
“We look forward to being able to progress this scheme further, subject to the development and approval of a detailed business case.
“It could make a real difference at a time in a person’s life when they need greater support in ensuring their independence, and ability to have improved quality of life.”
If approved, the new initiative would complement—not replace—the Council's existing home adaptations service and Disabled Facilities Grants, providing another valuable housing option for Bassetlaw residents who need additional support.
📸📰 Content and image credit: Bassetlaw District Council
By: Cllr Julie Leigh, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council 10/07/26
This summer, we're delighted to once again welcome families back to Kings Park in Retford for the return of Panto in the Park.
This free, family-friendly event is always a highlight of the summer, with the Tailgate Theatre Company bringing The Wizard of Oz, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty to life on 10th, 18th and 26th August, with performances starting at 2pm.
Whether you're bringing your children, grandchildren or simply enjoying an afternoon outdoors, it's a fantastic opportunity to experience live theatre in the park, share plenty of laughs and create some wonderful summer memories together.
Looking ahead to next week, Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 14th July to consider a number of important reports, including the outcome of our consultation on the proposed revised Housing Repairs Policy.
We were really pleased to receive almost 600 responses from tenants, leaseholders and other key stakeholders. The feedback was largely positive, with more than 73% (73.43%) of respondents saying they had no concerns about the proposed responsibilities or revised repair timescales.
The proposed changes are designed to help us deliver repairs right first time, plan work more efficiently and provide clearer information about who is responsible for different repair and maintenance issues. Subject to Cabinet approval, the revised policy will then be considered by Full Council in September.
Cabinet will also receive an update on the East Midlands Investment Zone (EMIZ), including the progress made so far, the next key milestones and the opportunities it could bring for investment, business growth and jobs across our district.
If you'd like to find out more, all of the reports due to be considered are available in the Council and Democracy section of the council's website.
We're also making an important investment in how residents can engage with local democracy. A new dedicated Council Chamber is being created for future council and committee meetings, complete with modern sound and video technology.
This means meetings will be able to be livestreamed, recorded so they can be watched back later, and, where appropriate, joined remotely. We know that not everyone can attend meetings in person, so these improvements will make it much easier for residents to keep up with the decisions that affect their communities.
Making council business more open, accessible and transparent is an important part of building trust and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to stay informed about the work we do on their behalf.
Our three interesting facts for today ....
Mary Shelley learned to read using her mother's gravestone
In Texas cowboy boots are tax exempt
Most termites are blind
Get Ready for a Colourful Family Day Out in Worksop
Creativity is set to take over Worksop town centre next month as the FREE Family Art Funday returns with a fantastic line-up of fun activities for children of all ages!
Taking place on Bridge Street on Saturday 8th August from 10am to 2pm, families can enjoy a live graffiti workshop, arts and crafts with the Harley Foundation, free face painting, and a Toy Story-inspired performance from Worksop's own Zebra Dance Studios.
There's even the chance to meet Jessie and Woody between 10am and 1pm, making it a magical day out for little ones!
Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Identity and Place, said:
“We are pleased to be bringing back another free art event to Worksop Town Centre this summer building on the success of last year’s Art Works-op event.
“It’s a great opportunity to support local businesses, with events like this helping to bring people together and encourage more families to visit, shop and spend time here.”
The event is being organised by the Discover Worksop Working Group, with support from local businesses and partners including Bassetlaw District Council, East Midlands Chamber, Harley Foundation, Zebra Dance Studios, DB Signs Associates Ltd, and the Worksop Charter Trustees.
So pack your imagination, bring the family, and enjoy a day of creativity, colour and community in the heart of Worksop!
To find out more things to do, what’s on, places to stay, shop, eat, and play visit www.discoverworksop.co.uk. Or follow us @discoverworksop on Facebook and Instagram.
Bassetlaw District Council says it has repaired and brought back into use hundreds of homes as part of efforts to cut its housing waiting list.
By: Joe Locker, LDRS
Bassetlaw District Council’s housing waiting list has hit 5,700 live applications, new figures show, and there are only 6,546 homes available across the area.
The council says demand for housing is “extremely high”, and efforts are being made to cut the waiting list down.
In a report from Cllr Lynne Schuller, cabinet member for housing and estates, and Alison Craig, head of housing, they said the council has repaired 321 empty homes over the last year, which has enabled them to be re-let at some point in the future.
In total, 272 homes were re-let, and 22 mutual exchanges took place.
Under Right to Buy, a policy first enacted under Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a huge number of council homes have been purchased.
However, there has been a failure to build an adequate number of replacements, which has contributed to the current housing crisis.
According to the authority, 54 Right to Buy applications were completed during the year.
However, the council says it was able to purchase 24 new properties in Worksop, Langold, and Retford to reduce the impact on its stock.
The councillor and officer said:
“Over the next 12 months, we will build new partnerships with external housing providers and support agencies to ensure a variety of housing options are available to customers and adequate support is in place from the start of new tenancies, conduct a review of our voids process and use tenant experiences to improve the time it takes to re-let properties, introduce our new Allocations Policy and undertake a review of the council’s waiting list, [and] upgrade our IT systems to improve the housing application and bidding experience for customers.”
The council’s wider housing stock has undergone, and will undergo further, significant investment.
The investment comes as all social housing landlords must meet the new Decent Homes Standard, and all landlords are being inspected by the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) to make sure new consumer standards are being met.
“To ensure that all properties continue to meet the Decent Homes Standard we have invested over £9.5 million in your homes during 2025/26,” the council adds.
“We continue to carry out stock condition surveys to understand what future improvements are required.”
A further £9.6 million will be invested over the next 12 months to ensure homes meet the current standard.
The properties with the poorest energy efficiency ratings will also get a share of £2.5 million to make improvements.
Furthermore, the council says it has committed a total of £10.6 million over the next five years to maintain estates and neighbourhoods, with programmes that include improving roads, footpaths, parking, fences, and garages.
Some of the work on council properties has included some 22,786 repairs, with 98.69 per cent of all repairs completed within the relevant timescales.
All councils must also adhere to new damp and mould regulations, following the implementation of a new law.
The first phase of Awaab’s Law came into force at the end of October, forcing social landlords to take urgent action to fix dangerous homes.
It comes following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home.
The home was managed by social housing provider, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), at the time.
A dedicated damp, mould and disrepair team has now been set up as a single point of contact for any tenant reporting concerns.
In total, the council has responded to 975 damp and mould cases, which required further works after inspection, and a new repairs portal has been launched so tenants can report a repair, make an appointment, and follow the progress of the repair on their mobile phone, laptop, or tablet.
Thanks so much for reading our local newsletter and for supporting us. We’re committed to providing Bassetlaw with the quality local news service it deserves, but sustaining this work may come with some challenges. Our team is currently discussing how to make Bassetlaw Today financially viable in the long term, and one option we’re considering is introducing a subscription model to help cover our costs.
We want to be open with you about these conversations so you’re aware that a fee may need to be introduced in the future. If that happens, we hope you’ll continue to stand with us and support the publication.
Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk
