3+ day, 18+ hour ago (164+ words) A new 5G network has been switched on in Norfolk. O2 has launched its 5G Standalone network, which has been dubbed its most advanced mobile network yet. Customers across Norfolk will be able to enjoy at least 90pc outdoor coverage, with major hubs located in'Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King's'Lynn'and Thetford." The network is available to O2 customers with compatible devices at no extra cost. Dr Robert Joyce, director of mobile access engineering at O2, said:We are investing "2m every single day to improve our mobile network and provide a more reliable experience for our customers. "By expanding our 5G Standalone network to Norfolk, we are upgrading services for local people and are excited about the opportunities the new network will bring. "This customer-centric rollout is about futureproofing our network and will pave the way for exciting customer-led innovations that lie ahead." The upgrades are part of Virgin Media…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (199+ words) A long-awaited paperless ticket system is set to launch on buses across Norfolk this weekend. Tap On Tap Off, a new way to pay for your travel, will make its debut on First Bus vehicles on November 23. Commuters will be able to easily pay for adult fares by scanning a contactless card or payment device on the tap-off readers onboard. " First Bus confirmed they would introduce the payment system in the next 12 months in November 2024 during a crisis talk with Norwich North MP Alice Macdonald. It followed public criticism of the actions of the company's revenue protection officers who were accused of being heavy-handed in penalising infractions. Piers Marlow, managing director for First Bus, said: "This system will mean greater convenience for passengers using contactless payment methods for adult single and return tickets on the bus." A single journey will…...

2+ day, 4+ hour ago (390+ words) Taxpayers could be left with a bill of almost "1m to print and post booklets detailing the candidates in the first ever Norfolk and Suffolk mayoral election. The documents will be sent to 1.3m households across the two counties ahead of the vote next May. The initial distribution costs will be met by Norfolk and Suffolk county councils. Norfolk County Council's Conservative-controlled cabinet is next week due to start the process of tendering for a company to print and distribute the leaflets. Norfolk County Council's County Hall headquarters (Image: Mike Page) Elections for the mayor - who would oversee major projects across the two counties, as well as transport and housing - are due to take place in May next year. The booklet would contain details of the election process and what are known as election addresses by the candidates - where they explain why…...

4+ day, 4+ hour ago (318+ words) Locals in a north Norfolk town are being asked to share their views on proposals to build a new Aldi. The discount retail giant is looking to open its first store in Holt on land off Old Station Way, accessed from A148 Cromer Road. Around 40 new full and part time jobs will be created if the development is given the go-ahead. Aldi would also join other big name supermarket chains in the town, including Budgens and Morrisons Daily. Previous plans were in place to open in Holt, but these were scrapped in 2017 despite receiving planning permission. The new store would create around 40 new jobs in the local area A 1,140 square metre sales area and 98 car parking spaces are planned for the site, including five accessible ones as well as six parent and child spaces. The scheme is said to represent a…...

2+ day, 23+ hour ago (812+ words) Serving Norfolk police officers have warned that their force's diversity and equality policies are making them "less efficient", a MP has said. Rupert Lowe, who represents Great Yarmouth, said officers working in the town had complained to him that policies aimed at boosting diversity and inclusion were undermining their work. The MP raised the concerns at a Westminster meeting of the public accounts committee, of which he is a member. The committee has been exploring the spread of DEI, or EDI (diversity, equality and inclusion) policies in the public sector. Rupert Lowe, speaking at a parliamentary committee (Image: Parliament TV) "A lot of policemen are coming to me in my constituency in Great Yarmouth," he said. "These are operational policemen who are very frustrated by this DEI nonsense." He added: "They come to see me because they are being made…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (140+ words) It was a busy Bonfire Night for fire crews in Norfolk. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service attended 16 incidents between 5pm on Wednesday and 3am on Thursday when Guy Fawkes' Night celebrations were under way across the county. In total, 10 of these were described as "fires in the open", and another one was described as a "grass fire". The fires in the open were located in Walton Highway, Hemsby, Thetford, Hethersett, Gorleston, Sutton, Winterton-on-Sea, Costessey, King's Lynn and West Walton, while the grass fire was in Costessey. The fire service previously urged people to be careful while they were out and lighting bonfires, fireworks and sparklers. "Bonfire Night is one of the busiest nights of the year for our firefighter crews - and we're advising going out to local displays as the safest way to enjoy the night."...

5+ day, 11+ hour ago (168+ words) Marks & Spencer is looking to open five near food stores at locations across Norfolk. The supermarket giant has announced mass expansion plans for 500 new food stores across the country. The retailer is currently scouting out locations for the new shops, with five potential Norfolk locations earmarked. M&S is searching for sites in 500 potential locations to bring its tried and tested format for stores to modernise in existing markets and bring Food stores to new areas. The locations that M&S are looking at in Norfolk are Great Yarmouth, Diss, Holt/Cromer, north Norwich and Wymondham/Cringleford. Alex Freudmann managing director at M&S Food, said: "The strong performance of our new M&S food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK. "Our team want new sites where we could open a large M…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (188+ words) A rock legend has died just a week after announcing an intimate show in Norfolk. Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, best known for his role as bassist in the rock band The Stone Roses, announced that he would be coming to Norfolk next year. However, the 63-year-old has died his family have announced. In a post on X this afternoon, Gary's nephew posted a heartbreaking tribute. In it, he said he would now be 'reunited in heaven with his wife' Imelda, who passed away in 2023. He wrote: "Unfortunately with sad news my uncle Gary Mani Mounfield from the Stone Roses has sadly passed away today. "Thinking of his twins and my uncle Greg at this sad time. He will be reunited in heaven with his lovely wife Imelda RIP Manni Your annoying nephew." News of Mounfield's intimate show at Diss Corn Hall…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (172+ words) Two curry houses in Norfolk have been named among the best in the country. The Oceanic Awards has announced the finalists of the Nation's Curry Awards 2026. Namaste Village in Norwich and Thetford's Raj Restaurant have both been revealed as finalists. The two restaurants have succeeded in different categories in the awards that "celebrate the talents and hard work" of individuals and businesses within the UK's curry industry. Namaste Village is a finalist for Best Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year, while Thetford has been recognised in the Best Team of the Year category. Irfan Younis, founder of Oceanic Awards, said: "We look forward to once again celebrating the finest in the UK's curry scene, recognising the creativity, innovation, and exceptional service that have become synonymous with this beloved cuisine. "The UK's curry industry is a vital part of our culture and…...

11+ hour, 59+ min ago (516+ words) Find, save and share Public Notices that affect you in the area. The Public Notice Portal carries statutory public notices published in local newspapers and is the fastest and most effective way of finding out what is happening in YOUR neighbourhood. Here are five public notices to be aware of across Norfolk this week. The Morrisons filling station in Fakenham (Image: Google) North Norfolk District Council has told Motor Fuel Group, which operates the forecourt at Morrisons in Fakenham, that it can open 24 hours. The group asked the council whether it would be lawful to do so , and a planning officer's report has confirmed there are no guidelines stopping it. Facilities on the site are being expanded, with a larger kiosk which will include food chains Greggs and Burger King. Some 30 new jobs will be created at the services. The…...