Author: Miles Davis

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCA University of Exeter student fell backwards down stairs at the Timepiece nightclub in ExeterSecurity staff at a nightclub acted correctly in dealing with a university student who fell backwards down stairs during Freshers' Week, a licensing committee has said.Lawyer David Dadds applied for a licensing review of the Timepiece nightclub in Exeter, Devon, and said door staff "failed to show basic care".Exeter City Council's licensing committee said it was "appropriate" to pick the woman…

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCMick Skerratt from Exeter Gin runs a gin school as well as producing spiritsA gin producer and drinks maker is concerned the chancellor might increase tax on spirits again in the Budget.The previous Conservative government increased excise duty by more than 10% in August 2023 and Labour increased the tax by another 3.65% in 2024.Mick Skerratt from Exeter Gin said another increase in duty would be a tough blow to take at a time when…

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCTimepiece said staff did everything needed to get the young woman homeSerious concerns have been raised for students during Freshers' Week after a young woman fell backwards down stairs in a nightclub before she was moved out of the club by security staff.The woman, a first year student at the University of Exeter, was seen on CCTV in the Timepiece nightclub in September coming out of toilets supported by friends before she fell backwards down…

Facilities for bus users are set to be improved in two towns after receiving council funding.Devon County Council approved spending of £850,000 on moving and improving bus shelters and changing the road layout around Barnstaple railway station.It will also spend £550,000 on replacing bus shelters and improving information displays at the main bus interchange in Newton Abbot on Sherborne Road.The council said it was also providing £1.4m on supporting bus companies to buy zero emission buses with all…

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCThe family of a young woman who allegedly had her drink spiked are applying for Timepiece in Exeter to have its licence reviewedA student who allegedly had her drink spiked in Freshers' Week is calling for a nightclub to have its licence reviewed.Documents set to be reviewed by Exeter City Council's licensing sub-committee said staff at Timepiece failed to call an ambulance and told the woman to move away from the club on 20 September.Staff…

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCAlison Sheridan, a Conservative member of Exeter City Council, has been cleared of all accusations against her.A councillor who attended a protest against the use of a hotel to house asylum seekers has been cleared of all accusations against her including bullying, harassment and bringing the council into disrepute.Alison Sheridan, a Conservative member of Exeter City Council, wore her council lanyard to a protest outside a hotel in Exeter.The council found Sheridan had "exercised her…

Miles DavisDevon political reporterBBCThe site near Lympstone would be used for growing food and educating children about where food comes fromPlans to create 100 jobs in a food business that would provide local products for school meals and educate children about food production have been turned down.The Goosemoor company wanted to build what it calls an "educatering" facility near Lympstone in east Devon, which it said would generate an estimated £15m for the local economy.The business is based…