New life for Keyworth?
Recent events in Keyworth have not given much hope for the future of our village as a focal point for shopping and business activity.
The HSBC bank in Main Street closed for keeps yesterday (16 November).
Keyworth Electrical in The Square will soon close down.
The Post Office in the Budgens store is due for closure in January 2008, though a vigorous local campaign coordinated by Debbie and Sam Boote (with a petition of 486 signatures) is continuing the fight to keep this PO open.
Bob Green's butcher's shop in The Square has been going through difficult times, as have many other local traders. Luckily Bob has shown his confidence (and courage) by renewing his shop lease for another 5 years.
The White House cafe in Main Street is looking for a new owner.
Rumours continue about some other shops.
Storey's hardware shop and the Halifax bank/estate agent have found it necessary to display notices denying that they are going to close.
There are continuing question marks over the future of Keyworth Leisure Centre, and there have been many complaints about the performance of the new operators (Parkwood Ltd.).
The elderly people's sheltered accommodation at Debdale House has all but shut down, and plans for a replacement in Keyworth are going through a public inquiry.
Meanwhile, over in Kinoulton, another vigorous campaign coordinated by David Allen (with a petition of 501 signatures) has been fighting to save the local Post Office from closure. If this PO closes, the future of the village shop (the only one left in Kinoulton) is in serious doubt.
Luckily there are some signs of hope:
A new cash machine has been installed outside Martins newsagents in The Square.
The public car park next to the new Health Centre is now fully in use.
The new police station just off The Square is in operation and is also the location of a Borough Council customer services point on Friday mornings.
Crime levels are edging downwards.
Budgens is prospering, and (thanks to its "magnet" effect) all the shops in the Wolds Drive Parade are in business and appear to be doing well.
South Wolds School is consulting on plans for its future, which may involve a move to "trust" status with more local management and more independence from the local education authority.
Keyworth Parish Council has launched the process of developing the Village Plan under the supervision of a committee of local residents.
Local bus services connecting Keyworth with Nottingham are excellent and heavily used.
The Friends of Keyworth Leisure Centre (coordinated by Ian Machan) are doing an excellent job in liaising with the Borough Council and with Parkwood and in keeping the future of our local pool in the public eye.
The Borough Council is reviewing the provision of car parking and is due to come up with some proposals.
Let's keep up the good work - there's no need to accept a future as a dormitory suburb.
