Portsmouth News
WHO WILL TAKE IT ON?
Portsmouth’s skyline is bracing for change as the city council launches a hunt for a new operator to helm the Spinnaker Tower. With the current agreement expiring this year, officials have appointed specialists Colliers to find a partner capable of...
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‘DON’T GET IN’
Portsmouth councillors have sounded the alarm over “out of control” Wolverhampton-licensed taxis operating in the city, citing grave safeguarding risks. During a licensing committee meeting, members highlighted that Wolverhampton’s cheaper, faster...
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‘HOW COULD WE BE HAPPY?’
Disgraced funeral directors Richard Elkin, 49, and Hayley Bell, 42, have each been jailed for four years at Portsmouth Crown Court for what police described as a “shattering” betrayal of trust. The pair, who ran Elkin and Bell Funerals in Gosport,...
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‘HE COULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED SOONER’
A damning investigation has revealed that Hampshire Constabulary allowed serial rapist Bruno Sala to attack multiple women after ignoring reports from one of their own officers. Victoria Tomkins, a veteran of 16 years, reported being raped by Sala in...
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LUXURY £70K TAKE-AWAY
A former Southsea takeaway owner must repay over £70,000 or face jail after splashing cash on luxury brands instead of settling a decade-old tax debt. Zhang Jin Chen, 52, ran Fortune House on Albert Road for years while dodging VAT payments. After...
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HAVE AN ABORTION IF YOU WANT A CAREER
A “horrific” culture within the Royal Fleet Auxiliary is forcing female sailors to choose between motherhood and their careers, with some reportedly seeking abortions to remain in service, it has been claimed. Staff told The News that “restrictive”...
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‘DISAPPOINTING’
A much-touted green scheme to charge ships alongside at the city port has yet to be used months after being completed A flagship £24.4m netzero project at Portsmouth International Port is at risk of becoming a “redundant asset” due to soaring energy...
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A NEW ERA
Work is set to begin on Elevation 1907, a landmark £5m regeneration project at Southsea’s historic Kings Theatre. The ambitious scheme will transform derelict adjacent shops into a brandnew entrance foyer, bar, and flexible rehearsal studio, while...
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Let’s help our fellow fans
Construction firm PMC Construction has launched a £100,000 fundraiser to support matchday staff left unpaid following the insolvency of Portsmouth FC’S food provider, Piglet’s Pantry. The Worthing-based caterer collapsed after the postponement of the...
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AONCEINA GENERATION OPPORTUNITY
Portsmouth City Council has greenlit the search for a Master Developer to lead the transformative City Centre North project. Following “positive market interest,” the long-awaited regeneration aims to deliver up to 2,300 homes, new commercial hubs,...
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HITTING A HIGH NOTE
The city’s flagship music festival generated a massive £27m for the local economy in 2025 according to a new report. Organisers confirmed that it was also a landmark year for philanthropy, donating a record-breaking £173,484 to important charities...
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‘WE NEVER GAVE UP’
A grieving mother has fulfilled a final promise to her daughter as the Government unveils a revolutionary 10-year National Cancer Plan. Sophie’s Legacy, founded after 10-year-old Sophie Fairall died from rhabdomyosarcoma in 2021, has campaigned for...
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FIGHT IS JUST BEGINNING
An independent Portsmouth brewery has warned soaring business rates are crippling the night-time economy and putting businesses under threat. Staggeringly Good Brewery says its rateable value will rise from £76,500 to £89,500 in April 2026, sending...
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A LANDMARK VICTORY
A Royal Navy family from Fareham has won a “landmark” Court of Appeal battle against Hampshire County Council after their son’s special educational needs (SEND) support was unlawfully axed during an overseas deployment. Warrant Officer Glen Clifton...
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NO PAY AS PANTRY IS BARE
Casual matchday staff at Fratton Park have been hit by the news that they will not receive outstanding wages as Pompey’s catering partner Piglet’s Pantry heads toward insolvency. A letter sent to workers revealed that the Worthing-based firm was...
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£80M TO BACK ‘DEFENCE SKILLS’ AT UNI
The University of Portsmouth (UOP) is set to battle for a slice of a new £80m government investment designed to turbocharge defence sector skills and bolster national security. Defence Minister Luke Pollard visited the university’s “fantastic”...
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‘THERE WAS NO COVER UP’
Portsmouth City Council has broken its silence to firmly deny accusations of a “coverup” regarding a high-profile court case that sparked local protests and social media firestorms. The controversy erupted after Reform councillor George Madgwick...
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WEATHER Storms help make January one of wettest on record
A large amount of rain led to last month being one of the wettest on record. A string of low-pressure weather systems moving across the UK from the Atlantic, with repeated outbreaks of wet and windy conditions, saw England get 50 per cent more rain...
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HISTORY REVEALED
Admiral Lord Nelson’s legendary flagship, HMS Victory, has entered a “bold new stage” of its £42m conservation project, offering the public a once-in-acentury glimpse into its inner workings. As “The Big Repair” intensifies, the 260-year-old vessel is...
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YOUR DAILY LOWDOWN ON LIFE IN PORTSMOUTH
While most couples worry about rain, Allen and Sarah Harvey faced cracking ice shelves and a tiny tuxedoed gatecrasher. The Portchester pair got married on the Antarctic Peninsula - a rare ceremony believed to be the first of its kind in the...
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HEALTH One in four people no longer drinking alcohol
Almost a quarter of people do not drink alcohol – with young people and increasing numbers of men shunning booze, new figures suggest. Data from the Governmentbacked Health Survey for England found 24% of people had not drunk alcohol in the last 12...
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‘WEHAVEA POWERFUL STORY TO TELL’
Portsmouth’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2029 is gathering pace - with the bid timed to coincide with the centenary of its city status. Council leader, Cllr Steve Pitt believes the accolade would provide a “vote of confidence” for the island city,...
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PORT’S £200m BONANZA FOR CITY
Portsmouth International Port has cemented its status as a national powerhouse, contributing £195m to the local economy and supporting 5,200 jobs nationwide. A new report by Oxford Economics reveals the council-owned hub generated £400m for the UK...
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TALKING POINTS Net zero policies and Brexit comparisons
Issues focusing on net zero policies and Brexit appear on today's letters page. The first letter advocates for green energy technology and net zero policies to ensure economic competitiveness and climate resilience, emphasising that education is vital...
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A BADGE OF DISHONOUR
Portsmouth motorists are being warned to “show consideration” as fines for illegally parking in disabled bays skyrocket. New data reveals a 50 percent surge in penalties over the last five years, with 1,921 tickets issued in 2024 alone. Hotspots like...
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HEAD OVER HEELS
With Pompey only one place above the relegation zone and John Mousinho’s squad struggling with injuries, this is a crunch match against the old rivals Southampton in more ways than one. The game against Saints at St Mary’s in September ended in a 0-0...
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‘EVERY MILE IS FOR ROSIE’
A community is uniting to honour Rosie Mae Priddy, a devoted mother-of-three who died of a cardiac arrest. Aged just 32, Rosie had spent the last four years building a life in Ibiza but remained a beloved figure in her home village, Stubbington. To...
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DON’T LET OUR CLUB DOWN
Hampshire Police have vowed to “stop those intent on causing disruption” as Portsmouth prepares to host Southampton for their derby match this Sunday. Chief Superintendent Simon Dodds, Gold Commander for the operation, warned that fans may encounter...
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MY DOG HIDES
Portsmouth is set for a massive cultural windfall this Easter as internationally-renowned street artist My Dog Sighs launches a city-wide treasure hunt. To celebrate Portsmouth’s centenary, the artist will hide £100,000 worth of art across the streets...
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FACE OF EVIL
A “dangerous offender” has been jailed for 30 years following a horrific campaign of sexual and physical abuse against a young girl. Michael Lashley, 38, began abusing the victim when she was just three years old. Over several years, Lashley, from...
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A hard day’s write
A teenager’s brush with The Beatles is heading to auction. In 1963, Elizabeth Salt – then Mcbrierty – met The Beatles at Southsea’s Savoy Ballroom, getting her arm signed by the Fab Four—only for her father to insist she wash it off. Fortunately,...
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‘END OUR DENTAL DESERT’
The University of Portsmouth has secured Dental Authority Status, marking a “transformative” step toward opening the South East’s first dental school. The move addresses a critical crisis in a city labelled a “dental desert,” where just 15 NHS...
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COASTGUARD Search and rescue helicopters move base by 100 miles
Two search and rescue helicopters based in Kent have been relocated nearly 100 miles away to Lee-on-thesolent. HM Coastguard's operator Bristow said it relocated the aircraft after the “suspension of out-of-hours access and the introduction of...
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U WEED US
A popular former fancy-dress shop in Portsmouth city centre was transformed into a threestorey cannabis farm. Police discovered 300 cannabis plants, valued at £160,000, after SSE engineers reported suspicious electricity activity at the vacant...
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FLYING HIGH
Peter Crabtree from Purbrook has proved that sustainable habits trump “quick fixes” after shedding more than four stone to fulfill a lifelong dream of flying in a Spitfire. The flight was a gift from his sister, but Peter was too heavy for the vintage...
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Campaigners say ‘no’ to new off-licence
A “disturbing” slingshot attack has left 29 pigeons dead near South Parade Pier, sparking a police investigation. Wildlife rescuers from Portsmouth Pigeon People and West Sussex Wildlife Protection discovered the birds washed along the shore,...
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HUGE SURGE IN 999 CALLS
Health chiefs are urging the public to use 999 only for life-threatening emergencies following a surge in demand. South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) reported a nearly 20 per cent rise in calls in the past week, jumping from 14,769 for the period...
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FROZEN OUT ON HIS 50TH
A Gibraltar-based Pompey fan’s 50th birthday celebration turned into a “nightmare” after a 2,500-mile pilgrimage ended in a frozen washout. Louis Bruzon, the man behind the “Gibraltar Monkey” social media account, travelled to Fratton Park for the...
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SAVE OUR FLAG
A historic Union Jack flown during the Battle of Trafalgar faces an uncertain future as campaigners scramble to prevent the relic from being sold overseas. The flag, which flew from HMS Royal Sovereign in 1805, bears the battle scars of Nelson’s...
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BACK IN BUSINESS
The M27 has reopened a full day ahead of schedule following a massive Christmas engineering operation between Junctions 9 and 11. The motorway, closed since Christmas Eve, utilised an innovative “box slide” technique to install a 6,000-tonne concrete...
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‘PROUD AND PASSIONATE’
The skies over Southsea Common erupted in technicolour last night as Portsmouth launched its centenary year as a city. Families gathered at Castle Field for a spectacular fireworks display, marking 100 years since the 1926 decree granting us city...
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PUBLIC GOING POTTY OVER POTHOLES
Our region’s road network is under mounting pressure as significant potholes reappear across the county, including along the busy London Road in Widley. The deterioration comes as official figures reveal a staggering 59 per cent drop in highway...
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‘IT’S THE BEST PRESENT EVER’
Worthy recipients from across our region have been named in the newly announced New Year Honours list. Among them is the cofounder of a vital Second World War veteran support group who says she is “humbled” after being awarded a British Empire Medal...
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WOULD YOU PAY MORE?
Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire bosses are weighing an unprecedented gamble to plug a projected £2.9m funding gap. With reserves dwindling and a “sustainable future” at risk, Chief Financial Officer Rob Sarfas warned that current stop-gap measures...
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WE’RE FEELING MORE STRESS AND ANXIETY
The number of people in Portsmouth being hospitalised with stress and anxiety has risen sharply. NHS figures show there were about 13,155 hospital admissions which resulted in a diagnosis of anxiety in the NHS Portsmouth area in 2023-24 – up 8.5 per...
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COURAGEOUS DULCIE IS A REAL STAR!
A Portsmouth youngster who was able to explain her cancer symptoms has received a special national award for her courage. Dulcie Gee was three when she told mum Jade her head hurt and that her eye wouldn’t stay open. Shortly afterwards the family...
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A BRAY IN A MANGER
A surprise seasonal delivery has brought festive joy to an animal sanctuary - at a time when it needs it the most. Hayling Island Donkey Sanctuary is celebrating the unexpected birth of a foal to one of the rescue donkeys, April. The little colt...
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WE NEED THIS… WE’VE GOT TO WIN!
Gemma Nichols believes the passionate people of Portsmouth are ready, willing and able to take the crown of UK’S City of Culture. As the CEO of Portsmouth Creates, she is helping to spearhead the bid for the 2029 crown. Gemma brings with her the...
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Mou: ‘We had to stop the rot in away games’
John Mousinho applauded the return of Pompey’s bite - and their best goal of their season - during a battling point at Derby. The struggling Blues sought to build on the previous weekend’s crucial 2-1 victory over Blackburn and did so with a 1-1 draw...
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‘WE WON’T DELAY’
Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt has vowed that local elections will proceed in May, despite government offers to postpone them. Liberal Democrat Cllr Pitt slammed the Labour government’s “chaotic” handling of Local Government Reorganisation...
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FINLEY FINDS HIS VOICE AGAIN
The parents of a Portsmouth teenager have spoken of their “absolute elation” after their son spoke his first words following a life-changing stroke. Finley Butcher, 15, was found collapsed at his home in July. The active teenager was rushed to Queen...
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THIS WAS AVOIDABLE
A coroner has concluded that a loving, long-married couple, found dead at their home last year, died during a “psychotic episode” experienced by the husband who had recently stopped taking his mental health medication. The bodies of Christopher...
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PLEASE, MASK UP
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust is urging visitors to wear masks in key areas of Queen Alexandra Hospital as cases of flu and norovirus escalate across the region. The measure applies to the Emergency Department, SDEC, AMU, and other...
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FOOTBALL SAVED MY LIFE
Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop has revealed his professional football career ‘probably’ saved his life after he was diagnosed with an enlarged aorta heart valve in July 2024. Speaking for the first time since his surgery in London, Bishop described...
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Help bring baby George home for Christmas
Minutes after the joy of welcoming their son, Alice Morby and Danny Cussen, from Fareham, were hit with the terrifying news that baby George had a rare congenital heart condition. Born at Queen Alexandra Hospital, George was swiftly diagnosed with...
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SAVE OUR SANCTUARY
A donkey sanctuary has been forced to close its doors after severe flooding made opening “impossible” - wiping out a vital source of income. The sanctuary on Hayling Island, home to 33 rescued donkeys, launched a Gofundme appeal three days ago as a...
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‘Summer signings still stepping up’mous Sport
John Mousinho admitted none of Pompey’s summer signings have consistently performed yet at Championship level. But the Blues boss underlined it’s still a very formative stage of their Fratton careers, for the 11 new faces who arrived in the last...
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Port Solent gets into the festive spirit
Port Solent Christmas market brought festive cheer on Saturday and Sunday with local makers and artisans manning over 100 stalls. There were performances from Igloo Music, Portsmouth Salvation Army Brass Band and The Hill Brothers – plus Santa!...
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HIGH STREET REVIVAL
The leader of Gosport Borough Council has praised the “revival” of the high street after a number of independent businesses opened in the past 12 months. Peter Chegwyn commented on the turnaround of the high street with 33 independent stores opening...
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SHARE SOME LOVE
In the headlong rush towards Christmas, people are being urged to stop and think of those who are living on the margins - and ‘share some love’ with them. This year marks the 23rd running of the Comfort and Joy campaign to bring a little happiness...
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DEMOCRACY POSTPONED
A shock decision by the government to postpone the first Hampshire and Solent mayoral elections until 2028 has triggered a wave of anger and frustration among candidates. The plans to delay the votes from May 2026 affects four regions and allows more...
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SUPERSTAR SCARLETT
A mum and dad whose daughter plays for the AFC Portchester youth team are fundraising after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour following a routine eye test. Twelve-year-old Scarlett Billingham was fit, active and thriving at school, with no signs...
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RIP ‘JUDGE’
Emotional tributes have been paid to cricket legend Robin Smith, describing him as ‘the greatest of all time Hampshire Cricket heroes.’ The former England international batsman, who was known as the Judge, died on Monday aged 62. He had battled...
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Lights fantastic
There was plenty of festive cheer in the air at the Gosport Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday. There were stalls, live entertainment and free activities ahead of the highlight of the day, which was the big Christmas tree light switch-on.
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WELCOME HOME
Thousands of service personnel have been reunited with their families in time for Christmas as the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales and its support ships returned yesterday. The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier and the Type 45 destroyer...
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MURDER PLEA WAS ‘UNDER DURESS’
A man serving a life sentence for the horrific murder of his ex-wife at their son’s graveside is launching an appeal, claiming the killing “was never premeditated.” Martin Suter, 68, was jailed for more than 27 years after repeatedly stabbing...
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Unwrapping the Lidlest prices is More to Value.
Findings based on Independent price comparisons of 70 items by Which? every day in October 2025.
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Switch-on event is a fun-packed night out
The wet weather didn’t dampen spirits in Fareham at the weekend for the town’s Christmas lights switch-on. There was an all-day Christmas market, with community performers, street performers and a visit from the cast of panto Beauty and the Beast....
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A RIGHT DAMP SQUIB
Anti-immigrant protestors were left “humiliated” at the weekend after being outnumbered by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) counter protestors. In November, the Rise Up Portsmouth Facebook page, formerly Portsmouth Torch before it was removed from the...
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‘STOP THE DODGY SHOPS’
City MP Amanda Martin has launched a major new campaign, “Back Our High Streets – Stop Dodgy Shops,” demanding stronger government action to protect local trade from what she terms “dodgy vape shops, cowboy barbers and fake American candy stores.” The...
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IF THE CAP FITS...
A Falklands War veteran has been reunited with his lost service hat, thrown into the sea four decades ago as his ship, HMS Glamorgan, sailed into Portsmouth in July 1982. Marine Engineer Mechanic Steve Audley, 63, was part of the crew on the only...
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EX-MP FEARED ‘CREEPY STALKER’
Former Portsmouth North MP Dame Penny Mordaunt has told a court that an “obsessive” man who allegedly stalked her was a “real threat.” Dame Penny, who served from 2010 to 2024, recounted a relentless stalking campaign by Edward Brandt, 61, stating it...
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SMELLING ARAT
A severe rat infestation at MOD Southwick Park, home to the Defence School of Policing, Security and Guarding, has forced police instructors to abandon their offices. Sources claim reduced funding for pest control led to the crisis at the site,...
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NEVER FORGET
The sacrifices of the fallen who served our country weigh heavy on the shoulders of Portsmouth residents – as the city unified to remember them at the annual Remembrance Sunday parade. Large crowds gathered in Guildhall Square yesterday morning to...
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