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Here is today's edition of The Nottinghamian:
Hello,
Today's edition focuses on the growing concern around energy bills as we approach the colder months. Bills are set to rise dramatically in October, which could leave many Nottinghamshire residents in fuel poverty. We've been speaking to locals and a St Ann's charity.
We will also discuss the regeneration plans for the Lace Market as well as two Nottingham restaurants winning big at the English Curry Awards. Plus, I have recommended a must-visit restaurant to get the flavours of America without the seven-hour flight.
Unfair bills
People across Nottingham have told of their frustration over 'unfair' soaring bills as a new energy cap increase will put millions of homes under pressure. It means households will see bills soar by £1,578 a year on average.
It comes as energy regulator Ofgem announced the new price cap rise to £3,549, up from £1,971. People across the city said the new prices will not be "sustainable". Nottinghamshire Live has heard how people feel about the new price cap.
Jenni Harding said: "This is not fair, sustainable or possible. All households would need a big increase in pay and/or benefits and pensions to pay this. Peter Tozer added: "Not going to be long before the cost to fuel the house you live in costs more than the house you live in."
"Struggling"
A St Ann's charity which supports vulnerable people by cooking and delivering meals is "struggling" amid soaring food and fuel costs. The Chayah Development Project, run by Hyacinth Francis-Watson through donations and funding, has consequently been forced to start charging for its free services at a time when they are needed most.
The charity also has a purpose-built kitchen where Caribbean meals are cooked for struggling individuals and families living as far away as Eastwood. Ms Francis-Watson said: "We are struggling with our fuel bills. We deliver and now charge £1 a meal, but it is costing us more than the £1.
"We deliver between 80 to 120 meals every Wednesday and by the time I have given the volunteers fuel money, we are really struggling. We used to buy mutton for £60 to be able to cook for around 80 to 90 people. Now I'm spending £120. Per week, per meal, it is looking at £4.50 per person with delivery." Project director Brenda Oriedi added: "We are doing our best to continue." Find out more about the project here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Any mist or fog clearing quickly on Saturday morning to give a bright day with light winds and again the risk of an afternoon shower in places. Maximum temperature 23 °C.
Pollen: Medium
Further reading: Major changes to restaurant deep in the heart of Nottinghamshire countryside
Trivia question: Former politician come presenter Ed Balls used to hang out in which Nottingham pub as a teenager?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Recommendation
Name: Warsaw Diner
Address: 93-95 Derby Rd, Nottingham NG1 5BB
Cuisine: American breakfast diner
Take your taste buds on a tour of the USA with a trip to this American diner. Warsaw Diner in Derby Road serves up traditional US fry-ups with spectacularly on-theme décor. Sit at the counter and watch the food being prepped right in front of you on the open grill or take a comfy seat on one of the red and white booths.
Of course, the menu would not be complete without the typical American items. Expect US-style hash browns, fluffy pancakes and maple syrup. Warsaw Diner caters for meat eaters, vegetarians and children with plenty on offer for everyone at reasonable prices. Each breakfast meal is humorously named to suit the Americana vibe, such as the Good, Bad and Ugly or the BadAss Breakfast.
Most breakfast meals come with bottomless tea or coffee but they also offer smoothies and milkshakes if you want the full American experience. The restaurant is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9am until 2pm as they just have a breakfast menu. I think a Warsaw Diner breakfast will set you up nicely over the Bank Holiday Weekend, so why not give it a try.
Lace Market 'regeneration'
A bar and new apartments will be built as part of a 'regeneration' project for the historic Lace Market. A new bar or café, a shop, and apartments will be added to the existing Victorian buildings on the corner of Woolpack Lane and Stoney Street after Nottingham City Council granted permission earlier this week.
Above the bar, there will be seven one-bed and two-bed apartments and office space. The two buildings were previously used as educational workshops. There have been concerns about the design of the new additions with local residents saying plans would be a welcome addition to the "popular" area if sympathetically designed.
Nottingham Civic Society had raised concerns over whether the new construction would fit into the Lace Market's architectural style - criticising its design as 'alien' to the area. The company behind the plans have argued the proposal "completes this existing building and provides a key frontage onto this main route through Hockley." Read more here.
Triumph for two
Two Indian restaurants have done Nottinghamshire proud after they triumphed in the English Curry Awards 2022. The crème de la crème of restaurants and takeaways from across the country came together in celebration of the curry industry at the Birmingham Airport NEC.
Nawaab Saab was declared Curry Restaurant of the Year for the East Midlands. The restaurant in Nuthall is no stranger to awards, having been crowned Outstanding Restaurant of the Year at the 2021 awards. Vi-Va Indian Street Food in Hockley was highly commended in the Street Food Restaurant of the Year category. The restaurant opened in Goose Gate in January 2020 unaware of what was to come when the Covid pandemic hit the UK.
Owner of Vi-Va, Prashant Jaiswal said: "We not only survived but thrived in the last two years because of the support and love we received from our local customers who admire our food a lot and now it's appreciated on a national level. Our menu has expanded as we had to adapt to the new business environment after the lockdown." Read more here.
That’s all for this week
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today’s trivia question, Former politician come presenter Ed Balls used to hang out in which Nottingham pub as a teenager, is Tap and Tumbler.
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