Stratford-upon-Avon News
The latest Stratford-upon-Avon news: planning decisions, council and crime updates, business and community stories, each linked back to its official source.
Top story
The Ivy Stratford Opens in Former Debenhams: 154 Seats
The Ivy is open at 33-35 High Street, empty since Debenhams left in 2020: 154 seats, 100+ jobs, 8.30am opening. Three more units there have no tenants yet.
More stories
Food hygiene
Stratford Food Hygiene: 28 Fives in September, None Lower
All 28 food hygiene ratings published for Stratford-on-Avon district in September are 5s. August's lows: a 2 for Hotel Indigo and a 1 for The Frog at Bidford.
Council
Stratford Taxi Rules: Plan to Keep Cars 12 Years, Not 6
Petrol and diesel taxis could run to 12 years old, hybrids 15 and electric cars with no limit. Card payment would be compulsory. Comments close 21 December.
Crime
Stratford Crime Figures: Violence Up 8%, Car Crime Down 31%
2,620 crimes were logged within a mile of central Stratford in the year to July. Violence rose 8% and vehicle crime fell 31%. Where, and what changed.
Planning
Stratford Council Tells Birmingham to Plan More Jobs Land
Birmingham's plan finds 64.89ha of local jobs land against 134.5ha of need, and none for the wider region. Stratford says the gap lands on neighbours.
Planning
Southam A423 Roundabout Approved, Pillerton Priors Refused
The road into Southam's 217 homes is approved. The same night, councillors refused 3 to 5 homes at Pillerton Priors, going against their officers' advice.
Council
Windsor Street Car Park to Be Demolished, Cabinet Told
Windsor Street multi-storey and three Gateway buildings face demolition. 243 spaces would become about 90. Cabinet decides on 5 October, with £1.5m set aside.
Police
Stratford Sergeant Gets Scouts' Highest Gallantry Award
Sgt Charlie Thompson has the Scouts' Bronze Cross for stopping a man setting himself alight at a Stratford petrol station. It follows a police bravery award.
Council
Stratford Council This Week: May 2027 Vote Back On
District elections on 6 May 2027 are now expected to go ahead. Scrutiny meets on 30 September, a taxi policy consultation opens, and Cabinet papers are out.
Planning
Southam 217 Homes: A423 Roundabout Vote Tonight
Councillors backed the homes on 26 August, then deferred the only road in. It is back tonight: a three-arm roundabout, a toucan crossing and 73 objections.
Schools
Alcester Academy Ofsted: 1 Exceptional, 5 Strong
Its first report card since 2022 rates personal development exceptional and the other five areas strong. GCSE pass rate 68.5%, against 45.4% nationally.
Jobs
Stratford Claimant Count: Under-25s at Five-Year High
345 under-25s in Stratford district were claiming in August, the most in at least five years. The total rose 80 to 1,870, ending four months of falls.
House prices
Stratford District House Prices Rise £6,010 in a Month
The district average rose 1.5% in July to £396,753, the sharpest rise in Warwickshire and the first gain in four months. Flats are still losing value.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Arrests: CCTV Tracked Car to the Maybird
Town CCTV, BID wardens and Maybird security tracked a car across Stratford and three people were arrested. Police.uk logged 47 shop thefts in July.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford Council Abolition Paused, 2027 Vote Back On
The plan to abolish Stratford-on-Avon District Council in April 2028 is paused. The May 2027 election is now for its 41 district seats, not a unitary.
Alcester
Alcester Plan Adds 8 Green Spaces: Comments Close 23 Oct
Alcester's revised neighbourhood plan protects eight more green spaces, 19 in all, and sets a 10% biodiversity floor. Comments close 5pm on Friday 23 October.
Sport
Wellesbourne Cricket Club Girls Get £6,000 for Net Lane
Wellesbourne Cricket Club's girls' programme, running since 2024, gets £6,000 from Persimmon Homes to add an all-weather net lane for year-round training.
Alcester
Three Tuns Alcester Withdrawn From Thursday's Auction
Bond Wolfe has pulled the burnt-out Alcester pub from its 10 September sale, days after the council was asked to buy it. No decision has been published.
Leisure
800 at Stratford Leisure Centre After £175k Gym Refit
More than 800 came to Saturday's open day marking a £175,000 gym refurbishment. Council papers show the sauna and play area came from developer money.
Alcester
Three Tuns Alcester: Council Asked to Buy Burnt-Out Pub
Cabinet meets on 7 September to decide whether to bid for the fire-damaged Three Tuns, which Bond Wolfe auctions on 10 September with a £50,000 guide price.
Planning
Stratford District Land Supply 2.21 Years: 4 Sites Backed
The district can show 2.21 years of housing land, not five. Officers back all four village sites at Wednesday's Planning Committee, over 73 objections.
Bidford-on-Avon
Bidford Petrol Station Rebuild Approved, Shop Open to 11pm
The car showroom and MOT workshop at 95 High Street go, replaced by a bigger shop with a food counter, six EV bays and two jet washes. Closing times are fixed.
Town centre
Empty Shops in Stratford, Alcester and Southam Face Auctions
Cabinet decides on Monday 7 September whether to consult on powers to auction the lease of any shop empty for a year. Kineton has the worst vacancy rate, 20%.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Barclays Stratford Shuts at 3pm Today Until 4 September
Barclays at Market Cross closes at 3pm on 26 August and reopens on Friday 4 September. The council granted a new lease and a works licence five days ago.
Business
Stratford Shop Front Grant: Up to £5,000, Independents Only
The district council has put its remaining £32,000 Evergreen fund into shop front grants worth up to £5,000, half the cost, for independent businesses only.
Cycling
Tour of Britain Times: Wellesbourne 12.32pm, Shipston 12.59
The race reaches Wellesbourne at 12.32pm and Shipston at 12.59pm on Sunday. Village-by-village times, the two climbs, and the Burton Dassett one-way system.
House prices
Stratford House Prices Fall a Third Month to £392,574
The district average fell 1% in June to £392,574, a third monthly drop and £6,652 off March's peak. Stratford was the only Warwickshire district to fall.
Planning
Stratford Scout hut rebuild approved after 52 objections
The New Broad Street Scout HQ rebuild was approved on 17 August with 10 conditions, including no audible music after 11pm and obscured first-floor windows.
Planning
Southam: 217 homes recommended for approval on 26 August
Officers back 217 homes at Home Farm despite 43 objections, because the council can show only 2.21 years of housing land against the five it needs.
Planning
Stratford Planning: 3 approved, Scout hut still undecided
Three of four schemes at Stratford's 12 August Planning Committee are approved, nine homes among them. The Scout hut still has no decision notice.
Community
Stratford climate fund: 12 groups share £84,477
Twelve village halls, clubs and parish councils share £84,477 from the council's climate fund. £115,523 is left, and the next deadline is 12 October.
Jobs
Stratford-on-Avon claimant count falls for a third month
1,845 people claimed unemployment benefits in Stratford district in June, a third monthly fall but up 210 in a year. The 2.2% rate is well below the UK's 3.9%.
Planning
Stratford Scout hut rebuild back before planners tonight
Refused in 2024, the New Broad Street Scout hut rebuild is back before Stratford planners tonight with approval recommended, despite 52 objection letters.