Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Welcome to Friday’s coronavirus (COVID-19) latest insights, a roundup of our analysis related to the pandemic.

The COVID-19 infection rate varied substantially across age groups in the week ending 5 February 2022, remaining highest for those aged 2 years to school Year 6.

Overall trends were mixed in UK nations, with the infection rate rising in Scotland and Northern Ireland in the week ending 5 February but falling in Wales. The trend was uncertain in England in the most recent week.

The Omicron BA.1 variant is currently the dominant variant across the UK; the sub-variant BA.2 has increased substantially in Northern Ireland and some regions of England.
Read the latest insights

Could it be a renaissance of Whittlesey –
Post COVID – it is very much looking so.

Having reported in the past few days several ‘new’ businesses coming into our town centre, opening up what has been a long term closure of many -Pre-COVID.

Could it be that Whittlesey overtakes Seattle as the Coffee capital of the world – who knows the way things are going.
Looking very much like the ‘Old NatWest bank Building’ will be Coffee Culture 2022

We are being told of the lifting of COVID restrictions coming in the near future, some take this meaning now…..not so see below todays release from another Govt Department…
Confusing – Always – In that case play safe.

At next weeks WTC Planning Meeting on the Agenda is F/YR22/1006 –
To view application and documents – Click Here – FDC Planning Portal
On Market Street there is a building which has been known locally as ‘The Monastery’
(debate whether it actually was). Some 6 years ago a local businessman Mr Peter Grice, spent a considerable amount in renovating the building, during this time a number of ‘paintings on the walls were discovered’ – these were looked at by experts and reports were written.
The plan was for accomodation in the form of a small (boutique hotel) and cafe, however worked stopped for some reason and since 2018 has been left more or less unattended.
The plans submitted now include all accomodation/and an extention at the rear, retail on the ground floor front.
The building sits within Whittlesey Conservation area and has to conform with the legislation for that type of building.

Another project which will see the re-opening of a long time closed off building.

Problem – always, lots of accomodation within the block, some have cars where do they park…. Market Street believe it has a 2 hour parking limit – try telling that to some that park 24/7 and wonder why shoppers can not park nearby.

Original 2016 indicative plans

Some of the artwork within the building

Reovation work 06th December 2017 ©RG

     
Competition is competition, – Business is business – some will survive and some will not,
better than empty shops.