As Bitterne Park Stores and The Songbird cafe close for good, new plans for the units – and a celebratory event - have been revealed.

The remotorisation of Above Bar could see an implementation and extension of the controversial Dutch-style ‘shared space’ scheme, already seen by Holyrood Church on the High Street.

Grassroots community media is about connecting people, sharing stories, and keeping local life alive. In this digest+ audio, Anna Carr chats to Deb Wilkes all about 'The Itchen Sink', a hard-copy newsletter for St Denys. Listen now on digest+ - free. 

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

City council planners have approved proposals to convert Pre-Bar – for many years known as The New Inn in Bevois Valley, a pub said to date back to at least the early 1870s - into flats.

Residents are being invited to Riverside Park to take part in a throw rope demonstration during a River Itchen visit by the Lord Mayor, hosted by the Maritime Volunteer Service.

Reach local readers and back community news: promote your product or service on bitternepark.info today, book online in minutes...>>

In this digest+ audio, Deb Wilkes chats to Anna Carr, leader of Noisy Joy - a women’s singing group meeting in Bitterne Park that Anna describes as “raucous… playful… and tender”. Available now for subscribers, and free from April 2. 

Wessex Lane plans expected to be submitted this week
By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents are celebrating the University of Southampton’s decision to call a halt to controversial student flat plans for Avenue Campus, with the focus moving to other developments, including at Wessex Lane.

Southampton Action, which supports vulnerable groups, says it’s looking for volunteers to help sort donated clothes at its storage space in Townhill Park.

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

The make-up of the major council restructure across Hampshire has now been revealed, with Southampton forming part of a new South West Hampshire unitary council.

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents will be able to report missed bin collections and make complaints… over the phone to an artificial intelligence voice bot.

This recording is a lot of fun! It's the second of our live shows, from May 2012, featuring local bands Neko Roshi, Old Culture, poet Matthew West and your hosts The Spiraltones. We've finally brought it back from the archives and made it available to listen again on digest+. Free. Enjoy! 

A new multimedia exhibition exploring climate change through themes of access, care and collective survival is set to open at a city arts venue.

A fire that broke out to the rear of City Plumbing on Cobden Avenue was extinguished by fire crews on Friday (March 20).

By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter

A Southampton MP has vowed to continue making the case for the city after it missed out on receiving any money from a £1.4 billion national flood defence investment.

In this council video, Friends of Riverside Park chair Paul Jenks explains how money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is being used locally, and gives background about what the group gets up to. Read more to see the video.
• Park friends hosting AGM with park ranger talk

Residents can recycle small electricals from March 20 at Bitterne and Portswood libraries, which are taking part in a wider city pilot.

Friends of Riverside Park will hold their AGM at 7.30pm on Thursday, March 26, at The Old Chemist, Bitterne Park Triangle, with a talk from city park ranger James Stubbs.

The council welcomed feedback from dads and male carers who attended an event held at Trago Lounge in Portswood on Wednesday (March 18), aimed at helping to shape more inclusive family support across the city.