Continue Arcades is bringing its unique gaming experience to Taunton with the launch of a second venue on East Street. The new location builds on the success of the Plymouth site, offering unlimited access to a variety of retro and modern games under one roof.
Visitors can enjoy an extensive selection of machines, including classics like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Street Fighter IV, alongside modern arcade titles and pinball favourites. The pricing model is simple: one entry fee – £13 for adults (16+), £10 for children aged 4–15, and free for under 4s – provides full access to every game, encouraging a more relaxed and extended stay.
Founded by Austin Wood, Continue Arcades was developed as a community-first alternative to coin-operated arcades, with a focus on accessibility and fun. Inspired by his time in the US, Wood wanted to reinvent disused spaces into inclusive venues for social gaming.
“Continue Arcades is about bringing people together through gaming,” Wood said. “We wanted to create a space where everyone, regardless of age or gaming experience, can enjoy themselves without the constant need for coins.”
The Taunton branch also offers a variety of drinks including soft options, beers, ciders, IPAs, and pre-mixed cocktails. Unlimited warm popcorn is available at a modest additional cost. The environment is designed to be family-friendly while still appealing to seasoned gamers and casual visitors alike.
Doors officially open on 4 April, with regular hours of operation: Sunday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm, Friday from 11:30 am to 11:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.
The expansion reinforces Continue Arcades’ mission to create welcoming, all-ages entertainment spaces where gaming nostalgia meets new-gen excitement.
A small business client has seen a swift and successful resolution to an MHRA investigation, thanks to prompt legal action from Makwana Solicitors, who resolved the matter in just a few days following instruction.
The case centred around a young business owner who also acts as the sole carer for his family. The MHRA had contacted him after discovering he had inadvertently been selling a prescription-only medicine online without proper authorisation. He ceased all related activity immediately upon being informed and fully engaged with the agency’s process.
Makwana Solicitors quickly assembled and submitted a robust response to the MHRA’s Compliance Notification. The firm presented the client’s early cooperation, his personal situation, and the absence of intentional wrongdoing. Their detailed representation included records of product sourcing, testimonials, medical documents, and forward-looking plans for compliance checks and audit systems.
The MHRA reviewed the submission and opted to close the investigation shortly thereafter, choosing not to take further action.
The client later shared his appreciation, stating: “Very professional service from Shella and her team – the matter was resolved with MHRA within a matter of days. You can tell that Shella and her team really care about their clients. This is something that I have rarely seen from others and I am very thankful for their service.”
Commenting on the outcome, Shella Makwana, Principal Solicitor, said: “This case demonstrates how timely, transparent, and expert legal representation can make a decisive impact during regulatory investigations. We’re proud to have supported our client through a challenging experience and to have achieved a fair and proportionate resolution.”
Makwana Solicitors specialises in guiding small businesses and individuals through MHRA-related investigations, compliance procedures, and potential criminal exposure tied to commercial practices. For further details, visit www.makwanas.co.uk
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced benefit cuts worth £4.8 billion as she outlined her economic plans for the UK in her Spring Statement.
Meanwhile, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), responsible for assessing government spending plans, released its latest economic forecasts.
It revealed taxes will rise from 35.3pc of gross domestic product (GDP) to a new high of 37.7pc in 2027-28.
The chancellor blamed increased global uncertainty as the OBR halved Britain’s growth forecast for this year to 1%. Inflation is forecast to average 3.2% this year, up from 2.6% previously forecast.
However, the OBR indicated that without taking action, Ms Reeves would have missed her goal of balancing the nation’s books.
She also told the House of Commons that the government would be running a budget surplus of £6 billion by 2027-28, adding: “I said at the election that we could not simply tax and spend our way to prosperity. We need growth.”
Reeves said additional savings would be clawed back from Universal Credit (UC).
She added: “The OBR (Office for Budget Responsibility) have said that they estimate the package will save £4.8 billion in the welfare budget, reflecting their judgments on behavioural effects and wider factors.
“This also reflects final adjustments to the overall package, consistent with the Secretary of State’s statement last week and the Government’s Pathways to Work Green Paper.
“The universal credit standard allowance will increase from £92 per week in 2025-26 to £106 per week by 2029-30, while the universal credit health element will be cut by 50% and then frozen for new claimants.”
Tom Clougherty, executive director of the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, said: “The chancellor is right to cut spending rather than raise taxes again, and the cuts she has made are welcome. There is, nevertheless, a sense of unreality about all this. Policy is being determined by an arbitrary, moving target – a fiscal rule – rather than with any long term, principled strategy in mind.
“When you look at the sluggish growth forecasts, and the enormous liabilities the state will encounter as the population ages, Britain’s cycle of fiscal events feels a lot like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.”
Mike Parkes, technical director at GoSimpleTax, said: “The chancellor once again mentioned plans to tackle tax avoidance and evasion, announcing further investment into HMRC to raise an additional £1 billion. While this is likely to be aimed at serious and intentional offenders, it’s a reminder that it’s more important than ever for self-employed people to stay on top of their finances and tax obligations to avoid falling foul of any clampdowns.”
There were also plans announced to raise defence spending to 2.5% by April 2027, funded by international aid cuts, while NHS England is be scrapped, with savings to fund patient care directly. It was also muted that a plan to cut civil service costs by 15%, would save £2.2 billion by the end of the decade.
The OBR said that housebuilding will reach a 40-year high, hitting 305,000 homes a year by the end of the forecast period.
The government will launch a construction training package to train up to 60,000 workers to build the homes, as well as investing an additional £2 billion in social and affordable housing.
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns for Propertymark, said: “The Spring Statement had a clear focus on the vital role housing plays in the UK economy and as part of the UK Government’s plan for growth, so it is encouraging to hear that planning reforms will boost national income.
“However, workforce challenges remain and it’s vital that local councils have the resources required to deliver effective planning and infrastructure so communities up and down the country and the wider economy really benefit.”
XFrame, the pioneering force in modular construction, has achieved a remarkable double victory at the prestigious Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) Awards.
The company secured both the Sustainable Innovation of the Year and the Innovation of the Year accolades, for its revolutionary approach to sustainable construction, reinforcing its position as a true disruptor in the industry.
FIS Awards celebrate excellence in the interiors and fit-out sector, honouring organisations that push the boundaries of design, technology, and sustainability.
XFrame’s cutting-edge approach to construction—centred around reusable and adaptable framing solutions—has set a new benchmark for sustainability and efficiency, making a significant impact on the industry’s future.
Bridgehead Agency is proud to be a component of XFrame’s success – a strategic collaboration that has played a pivotal role in propelling XFrame’s innovations onto the global stage.
As an expert international growth consultancy, its expert guidance and market insights has enabled XFrame to expand its reach, achieve industry recognition, and position the company at the forefront of sustainable construction technology.
XFrame’s solutions challenge traditional construction methods by introducing fully reusable, low-carbon framing systems that drastically reduce waste and improve efficiency. The company’s modular designs allow for rapid assembly and disassembly, offering an adaptable and circular solution for commercial and residential developments.
These innovations have garnered significant attention, not only for their environmental impact but also for their ability to drive cost-effectiveness and operational flexibility in construction projects.
Carsten Dethlefsen, co-founder and managing director of XFrame, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the recognition gained through winning the FIS Awards. XFrame may be new to the UK market, however has been delivered extensively across Australia and New Zealand so presents a ready made circular building solution.
“We look forward to leveraging the exposure FIS has provided us and rapidly growing into the UK market through our partnership with Bridgehead Agency”.
Paul McIntosh, founder and CEO of Bridgehead Agency, said: “XFrame’s vision aligns perfectly with the growing global demand for sustainable and circular construction solutions. Our collaboration has been centred on accelerating their impact and bringing their groundbreaking technologies to a wider audience.
“These awards are well deserved and highlight the industry’s recognition of XFrame’s game-changing innovations.”
With this latest achievement, XFrame continues to lead the charge in sustainable construction, proving that innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
As the company looks to the future, it says its commitment to pioneering sustainable solutions remains stronger than ever.
England Women A began their tour of Australia with a three-wicket victory over Australia Women A in their opening T20 at Hurstville Oval today.
The tourists needed 10 runs off the final three overs and two economic overs from Tess Flintoff (four runs) and Heather Graham (three runs) set up a tense finish.
However, wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath held her nerve, dispatching Sianna Ginger to seal victory.
Mahika Gaur impressed (2-10), bowling Tahlia Wilson lbw on the first ball of the match as the hosts fell to 4-43. Warwickshire’s Georgia Davis took two wickets including that of the dangerous Madeline Penner while Mady Villiers and Emma Jones took a wicket apiece.
A 49-run stand from Penna and Rhys McKenna steadied the Australia A innings before Flintoff and Ginger made 23 runs off the final two overs as the hosts finished on 117-6.
In reply, England A T20 captain Grace Scrivens (35) and Paige Scholfield (36) led their side to within touching distance of victory, before both were dismissed by Lauren Cheatle in consecutive overs.
Bess Heath (18 not out) calmly secured England Women A victory in the first match of the series.
The two sides will play two more T20s in Hurstville before heading to Cricket Central for three 50-over contests.
The series will finish with a four-day match at the same venue from April 12.
England Women A: Grace Scrivens (captain), Seren Smale, Paige Scholfield, Freya Kemp, Bess Heath (wicketkeeper), Mady Villiers, Emma Jones, Issy Wong, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Mahika Gaur, Georgia Davis
Batter Bryony Smith has been ruled out of England Women A’s tour of Australia due to illness.
The Surrey captain, who was originally selected in the white-ball squads, did not travel with the core group and following medical investigations in the UK, a decision between ECB and Surrey medical teams was made for Smith to withdraw from the tour to continue her recovery ahead of the new domestic season.
A Met officer has been dismissed without notice after being convicted of assault.
PC Jonathan Marsh of the East Area Command Unit, appeared before a misconduct hearing on Monday.
The hearing considered all the evidence and found that PC Marsh breached the standards of professional behaviour for authority, respect and courtesy, equality and diversity and discreditable conduct at a level of gross misconduct.
The chair heard that PC Marsh was convicted of assault at City of London Magistrates’ Court on January 29.
On the evening of November 13, 2022, PC Marsh and colleagues were called to a report of criminal damage in Atlanta Boulevard in Romford.
On arrival, PC Marsh mistook another man for the suspect, despite him telling the officers that he called police.
PC Marsh attempted to place him in handcuffs before taking him to ground and punching him on the head.
The man was subsequently identified as the complainant, and was de-arrested at the scene.
Chief superintendent Stuart Bell, in charge of policing in East Area, said: “All police officers know they will be held to account for any use of force, and any use of force must be reasonable.
“On this occasion, PC Marsh went beyond the level of force necessary and it is right that he has to face the consequences of his actions.
“I would like to apologise to the victim of the assault. This incident should not have happened and it is a matter of profound regret that an innocent member of the public was injured in this way.”
PC Marsh was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months.
He must also complete 150 hours unpaid work, pay £1,500 compensation and a statutory charge of £154.
PC Marsh will be placed on the barred list held by the College of Policing. Those appearing on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct or His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
The body of a newborn baby has been found in Notting Hill and police are urgently appealing for the mother to come forward for her own welfare.
Officers were called at 12.46pm yesterday, to the end of Talbot Road, on Powis Gardens, following a report that the body of a baby had been found in a bag, left outside a church.
London Ambulance Service also attended and the baby was declared dead at the scene.
Officers remain in the area and urgent enquiries are ongoing to locate the baby’s mother. The baby’s gender or exact age has not been established.
Superintendent Owen Renowden said: “This is an extremely sad and shocking matter and officers are working hard to establish the circumstances around what has taken place.
“This investigation is in the early stages and our immediate priority is to locate the baby’s mother, who we believe may have very recently given birth.
“If you are the baby’s mother and are reading this, please come forward to police or medical professionals. You must feel very frightened but please let us help – we are really worried about you and it is vitally important you get medical assistance and support. You can walk into any hospital, or a police station.”
Anyone who may have any information about this incident should contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD 3431/25March.”
Zutec, a top-tier provider of construction and property technology solutions in the UK and Ireland, has announced that it now supports building data for more than 30% of the UK’s Build-to-Rent (BTR) high-rise units—firmly establishing its leadership in the rapidly expanding sector.
With growing client adoption and usage across their portfolios, Zutec’s influence in the BTR space continues to rise. Its platform plays a critical role in simplifying asset management, meeting digital safety obligations, and ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance.
As of early 2025, the UK had more than 100,000 BTR high-rise units—defined as properties over 18 metres or seven storeys—with 25,700 added in 2024 alone and over 57,000 more under development. Zutec currently manages data for over 30,000 of these units via its advanced Handover and Asset Management tools.
Solving Real Problems for Asset Owners
The fragmented nature of building information and the challenges around safety legislation have made managing residential assets increasingly complex. Zutec addresses these issues through a robust suite of tools covering digital handover, document organisation, Building Safety Act (BSA) compliance, and real-time inspection data capture for fire door checks and façade remediation. These features ensure the continuity of a secure, accessible information trail—the so-called “golden thread.”
Where Zutec is used during construction, building manuals are already integrated into the system by completion, giving operators a single data repository for future operations. Zutec also enables bulk migration of legacy data into its platform, unifying disconnected files and formats to provide a portfolio-wide view.
Maria Hudson, CMO at Zutec, said: “The Build-to-Rent sector requires confidence in their data to manage assets efficiently, make informed decisions, and stay compliant with evolving regulations. With nearly a third of all BTR high-rise units in the UK hosted on our platform, we’re building that confidence by helping the sector structure and streamline building information management in one accessible system. As regulation tightens, we’re committed to supporting more BTR providers in consolidating their approach and ensuring compliance with ease.”
Key Customers and How Zutec Helps
Notable BTR customers partnering with Zutec include Greystar, Grainger, Realstar, Moda Living, Touchstone Resi, Get Living and Essential Living. These clients leverage one or a combination of the following solutions:
Specifying Digital Handover Building Manuals: Under a framework agreement, BTRs can specify that their developers/contractors use Zutec for digital building manuals across all in-progress construction projects, ensuring documents and data are standardised and delivered consistently in one platform. This simplifies handover to asset management and provides easy access to information for all stakeholders as information is hosted in one place.
Digitising and Migrating Existing Building Information: Zutec consolidates legacy building information, often stored in various formats across multiple systems, into a single platform for digital handovers, O&M (Operations & Maintenance) manuals, and BSA compliance. As a live record, the platform also provides an audit trail of tracked changes and version control, ensuring critical data is never lost or inaccessible.
Solutions for Fire Door Audits and BSA Compliance: Zutec’s cloud-based, mobile Fire Door Audits solution captures, stores, and updates inspection data in real time using standardised forms and checklists. Automated compliance tracking, photographic evidence and digital signatures strengthen audit trails and compliance verification, and instant alerts and reminders prevent missed inspections and overdue corrective actions.
Additionally, with Zutec’s BSA Dashboard, users can streamline safety documentation when managing thousands of documents across a portfolio making compliance more manageable and ensuring the right information is present, correct and accessible to those that need it.
To speak to a Zutec expert, request a demo, or find out more about how Zutec works with BTRs today and how the company can help with everything from construction of buildings to asset management and compliance, please contact [email protected].
She taught you to feed yourself, use the potty, helped when you fell down, held your hair back, made multiple packed lunches and completed a zillion school runs. Now it’s your turn to give something back to those brilliant women in your life.
It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday, so here are a few of our favourite suggestion to say a big thank you to HER.
Olive you, mum
What about the gift that keeps on giving? Tree2myDoor is sharing some unique and sustainable gift ideas for every type of mum – from the plant lovers to the gardening novices.
Not only is a plant a symbolic gesture of your love and appreciation but it will be sure to brighten up any home or garden and has added health benefits including reducing stress! Add a touch of the Med to her home with this thriving tree, which can be potted or planted. Sit and wait for your very own olives.
Hilton Macarons has drawn inspiration from nature with its latest delicious offering of hand made macarons. The limited edition botanical range is the perfect sweet treat balancing florals and fruits. With six new flavours for her to sink her teeth into, including Rhubarb & Orange Blossom, Rose, Raspberry & Lychee, and more, they come wrapped in a gorgeous box.
Hilton Macarons are handcrafted in Suffolk, using the finest ingredients, natural fillings and free range eggs. They’re also vegetarian, gluten-free and alcohol-free.
If mum is all about a movie on the couch, how about the soft Bedsure GentleSoft™ Blanket, available in 16 colours and a variety of sizes? Its comforting design provides warmth and style, all year-round.
Its fluffy and ultra-cosy softness make it perfect for bed or on the sofa, and its classic ribbed pattern makes it complementary to your existing home. Colours resist fading even after multiple washes, which is what we like to hear!
If mum sees herself as the next Mary Berry, she’ll want to get her hands on her very own cake stand to show off her offerings! We love this white classic style from the Mary Berry range.
Made from fine China, it comes packaged in the Mary Berry Signature box, making the stand ideal for gifting for all occasions. And best of all, if all of that Victoria Sponge doesn’t go, it’s completely fridge and freezer safe.
If she loves bubbles, you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Champagne Tattinger Brut Prestige Rose NV. Prestige Rosé’s aromas are fresh with wild strawberries and a hint of spice.
On the palate this lively, fruity, fresh and elegant wine is balanced and smooth with good length and persistent flavours of crushed wild raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant. Dreamy – and a great match for fruit or cheese. She will love to receive this as a gift!
If you’re going for a traditional mother’s day, how about a gorgeous gift and card rolled into one? Flowercard features popular blooms cleverly tucked away inside a gratefold card.
Created by a British artist, this is a great option for those on a budget. With a great choice of flowers including pray carnations, gypsophilia, pittosporum and more, there is plenty to take her fancy!
If she loves nice aromas around the house, incense sticks are a winner! These beauties from Temple of Incense are so long-lasting and there are lots of great scents to choose from.
We love the Jasmine Blossom which is floral with hints of musk. There are some spicy notes along with a whisper of fruitiness. They come in different sized boxes, up to 10 sticks.
If mum loves her cooking, a new pan is a great gift. Featuring the latest PFAS-free ThermolonTM ceramic non-stick coating on high quality reinforced aluminium in a range of delicate pastels including Mint Green, Sky Blue and Sunshine Yellow, Greenpan.co.uk has the perfect offering.
From individual pans to sets with various sizes and tight-fitted lids, there’s the right pan for every task making meal preparation easier and more enjoyable.
Available: greenpan.co.uk – prices start at £95 for a 2-piece pan set
*
Greenfingers
If mum loves creative goods, she will adore her very own artisan bonsai terrarium! These amazing miniature gardens are made by hand and designed to thrive indoors.
Creating their own microclimate within the glass vessel, terrariums require very little maintenance all year round. Available in all shapes, sizes and configurations!
This digital touchscreen photo frame keeps Mum or gran connected to their most cherished memories with a vibrant touchscreen display.
Effortless photo uploads via the Skylight App make sharing simple, whilst family and friends can even email photos directly to the frame, bringing new moments to life in seconds, no matter where they are in the world. Genius.
KAJI in Manchester will open its doors on Sunday for the first time to offer a 4-course tasting menu of world-inspired delights this Mother’s Day (30 March), the highlight being a KAJI style roast beef from legendary Chef-Patron Steven Smith.
From chargrilled asparagus and drunken rice to ox cheek stuffed Yorkshire puddings, wagyu fat roast potatoes and sticky toffee pudding, the menu is sure to give mums the well-earned treat they deserve.
Hudson’s Field Nursery has announced its recent “Good” rating from Ofsted, a significant achievement reflecting the nursery’s commitment to providing high-quality early years education.
The rating comes as a result of the nursery’s first inspection since opening in September 2023, highlighting the successful implementation of a strong key worker system, an ambitious curriculum, and effective partnerships with parents and the wider community.
The Ofsted report recognised the nursery’s strengths in supporting children’s communication and language development “expertly enriched to extend, challenge and stretch children’s knowledge and understanding of the world.” The report also identified how children’s rights, wishes and feelings are prioritised and those with disabilities and special educational needs are well supported.
Hudson’s Field Nursery seeks to distinguish itself through a combination of structured learning activities and a strong presence in the local community. Notably, they have established connections with the local Fairfax House Care Home, Hudson’s Field Rugby Club and provide regular visits to Finkley Down Farm. The Nursery also sponsors the Under 10’s girl’s football team at Salisbury FC.
Facilities at the nursery include: a soft play area, sensory and role-play rooms, and a large outdoor space, providing varied learning opportunities. There is also great emphasis placed on cultural capital, celebrating the diverse backgrounds of its children and families through various events and activities, such as stay-and-plays, a barbecue party, and community book distribution.
Clair Fusco, Finkley Group Manager, stated, “We are immensely proud of this ‘Good’ Ofsted rating. It validates the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for every child.”
Meghan White, Manager of Hudson’s Field Nursery, added “Our core philosophy is very simple: happy staff, happy children, happy parents. We believe that by fostering positive relationships and providing enriching experiences, we can truly empower children to thrive.”
The “Good” rating marks a significant milestone in the nursery’s ongoing mission to excel in early years education.
