14/12/2011 Look East - East

In BBC tonight: Hundreds of jobs to go at Thomas Cook as the company

announces an annual loss of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Welcome to BBC Look East on another day dominated by grim economic

figures. Also in the programme: The region's

jobless figures jump by 26,000, so why can't this Cabinet making

company find new apprentices? Norwich will get an extension to

its bypass as the Government stumps up �86 million.

And an Alpine adrenalin rush Good evening. First tonight, at

Thomas Cook, one of the region's biggest companies, has announced it

is to close hundreds of high-street shops as part of a huge shake-up in

the way it does business. The company has been in trouble for

some time, but today be found out how bad it is. A pre-tax loss of

nearly �400 million, compared to a profit of �42 million last year.

The good news - the jobs of all 2,000 staff at the company

headquarters in Peterborough appear to be saved. The bad news - six

shops here in the east are earmarked for closure, and more

could follow. This from Richard Bond.

It is a time of year when people plan their next holiday, but as far

as Britain's biggest sat -- second biggest tour operator is concerned,

not enough of them are actually booking. Many families hit by the

squeeze in living standards can only dream of sunnier climes, and

that has meant a drop in bookings for Thomas Cook. There are a number

of shops that are not profitable, so these 200 that we are into

consultation with, these are not profitable and if we cannot make

them profitable we will have to close them. These are the branches

under threat. They trade as Thomas Cook or the Co-op. One of the

criticisms of Thomas Cook is that it has spent recent years building

up its presence on a high street at a time when holiday booking is

going online. I would mainly do it on line, it is the way I do most

things now. It seems a bit of a strange thing to go into a shop and

buy a holiday. I buy lots of stuff online. I would not feel confident

purchasing a holiday online because to which you go to if there was a

problem with that? Now, as you walk in the Majorca sun,...

To Thomas Cook pioneered a package holiday in the 1950s but times have

changed. The business of flying people out to the Mediterranean and

putting them up in cheap hotels is no longer where the money is to be

made. Frankly, I am delighted to be on a cheap holiday but, like many

people, I will probably fix it up myself. They are moving upmarket

and saying that they are going to get more exclusive - fewer holidays

but hopefully more exclusive. The volcano in Iceland the shut off

European airspace last year, and the Arab Spring caused a fall in

trouble to the Middle East and North Africa. With major economies

of recession, it looks like being another tough year for Thomas Cook.

Richard Bond is here now. If we have booked a holiday with them

should we be worried? No. All of Thomas Cook's holidays are

protected under a licence scheme. They are fine. This company has got

into cashflow problems, though. It is a huge company with annual sales

of nearly �10 billion. It has got new bank funding now, it is cutting

its costs, selling some assets to reduce its debts. It should be

doing better. Six shops, we think, going in this

region. Is it going to disappear from the High Street altogether?

it is pruning the high street, not abandoning it. Most Thomas Cook

Holidays are still booked in branches. Yes, they need to

increase their presence on the Web, but I think that, in the future,

travel shops are going to be like bank branches - fewer of them. But

they will still feature on a high street.

Figures released today show that unemployment in the East has gone

up. Between August and October, the number of people looking for work

rose to 218,000, an increase of 26,000, 7.2% of the workforce is

now unemployed. And with so many young people looking for work in

the region, you might think that firms offering apprenticeships

would be inundated, but it has not proved that simple for one company

near Thetford. Here is our chief reporter.

This company of cabinet-makers is a 35-year-old business with a

�500,000 a year turnover. It uses exotic woods to produce its

products. Now the boss is looking for an apprentice or two. This 21-

year-old from Lithuania joined five years ago. I think the hardest

thing was my language. I have gone through that barrier now, so it has

gone really well. This man, his father came to the UK

as a Ukrainian refugee after the Second World War, joined as a 16-

year-old. I am quite proud of what I can do and what I have done. I

shall carry on doing it. Get out there and give it a go. You have to

get hands-on, you have got to get dirty. Don't be afraid of a bit of

muck and hard work. It will eventually pay off. Cabinet making

is a very, very rewarding skill. We would like to take apprentices on

from Thetford and the surrounding area. The last individual who came

to us simply could not cope with coming to work in the morning. If

you asked my colleagues, you would say that they would prefer to sit

in front of computer screens and not do a hard day's work.

Why does no-one wants to be an apprentice cabinet-maker? I know

those kegs of 16 to 18 on the estates, and I can see that they

are eager to work, but it is low paid. They are interested in easy

money, quick money. They know that they can get benefits and live on

them. There is no reason to work for the same money if you can just

sit at home and get the benefits. Then, on his way from the Jobcentre,

along came 18-year-old Ben. He has just completed a Prince's Trust

course and, wait for, likes nothing better than doing a bit of

carpentry. I would definitely do it. You would like to apply? Yes, I

would. Will he really apply? Could he get the job? We will keep you

posted. We would like to know how the

economic situation is affecting you this Christmas. Are you cutting

back? We would like to hear from you. You can call us, send an e-

mail or visit our Facebook page. We will tell some of your stories

later in the week. The police and fire service are

investigating a number of huge straw fires in the Fens, including

one of several thousand tons. The fires are all near the A142 between

Ely and chatterers and are being treated as suspicious. Our reporter

is at Witcham Toll now. His big stack of straw has been

burning for about 20 hours now. It could burn for several days yet,

but what you cannot see is that, behind this massive stack, there is

another big stack of straw. That is not on fire but the fire crews are

having to keep a close eye on that and they are hoping that the wind

does not suddenly changed direction. We have had conflicting information

today as to the exact amount of straw that has caught fire. I am

told that this is about 50,000 tonnes. They reckon there is about

another 15,000 tonnes a couple of miles down the road in that

direction. The orders of the local straw burning power station say it

is nowhere near that much. They say they have only lost about 14,000

tonnes of straw in this instance. Either way, it is going to be

burning for some time to come. These fires have been burning all

day. It was around Llodra 30 pm yesterday when the fire service

were first called. Thousands of tons of straw on fire. One large

stack at Witcham Toll and several others in the area. The police and

fire service are now investigating possible awesome. We know that,

when the first crews arrived, there was once that that was on fire. At

this point Mackin time, we are just moving in with the crime action

team to see if we can see any evidence around that stack.

stacks were destined for a nearby power station. In the short-term,

we will be able to manage. We have other straw elsewhere. We will

bring it in from longer distances. It will give us some logistical

issues over Christmas and New Year but nothing we can't handle.

Residents and nearby businesses were told to keep their windows and

doors closed. The sky was lit up with orange flames about 100 feet

high in the air. I thought it could only be the straw stack. So it

appeared that that was what was, indeed, on fire.

The stack is expected to burn for several days. The fire crews can

only try to prevent it from spreading further while the

investigate how want why these fires started. -- while they

investigate. These fires are being treated as a

suspected arson and the police are now appealing for anyone who saw

anything slightly suspicious last night or anyone who has any

information to get in touch to try to help them with their inquiries.

They also say that they are going to put on extra patrols here to try

and ensure that this does not happen again. Back to you.

Thank you. Later in the programme: The roller-

coaster ride that has become an internet sensation.

And, is it going to snow? With some severe weather

approaching from the Atlantic overnight tomorrow, there will be

snow for some of us. Join me later BBC Look East has been told that a

man from Clacton who died from stab wounds was about to become a father.

Liam Mearns was found in the street last night and died soon after. A

murder investigation is under way. Flowers for their friend Liam

Mearns who died here last night. They described the 21-year-old as a

legend and a beautiful person. Now attend stands at the place where he

was found bleeding to death from stab wounds. Residents had been

left shocked. I was coming back with my friends and I sold loads of

police everywhere. There was a body just lying there and all the police

were around. Everything was shut off.

Police have spent the day conducting fingertip searches of

this feria as part of their murder investigation. They have discovered

a number of weapons, including a knife. Police are keen to reassure

the public that this was not a random attack but that everyone

involved knew each other beforehand and were from this area. Now people

here are being asked to report anything they find which may be

relevant. They are asked not to touch it but to call the police

immediately. This evening, ten people remain in custody, men and

women, both teenagers and adults. The investigation now continues

into how this father of two was murdered. Tributes to him are

A foster from Clacton killed his former partner just one day after

being released from prison. A jury took two hours to find Lee Thompson

guilty of murder. Adjudged at Chelmsford Crown Court jailed him

for a minimum of 15 years. Lord Hanningfield will be banned

from returning to the House of Lords until he has paid back

expenses he wrongly claimed. There were fears that the former leader

of Essex County Council would go back to the House of Lords and uses

daily allowance to pay off the debt. Lord Hanningfield was jailed

earlier this year for claiming expenses he was not entitled to.

I knew northern relief road for Norwich is going ahead after the

Government promised �86 million from a fund set off -- from a fund

set up to kick-start infrastructure problems. There will be nine miles

of dual carriageway. Norwich has had a southern bypass

for almost 20 years. The traffic moves freely. But if you want to

travel in and around the north of the city then it is less efficient.

Today the Government said it would provide �86.5 million towards a

more than distributor road which will cost in total �111 million.

Absolutely ecstatic. We have been waiting so long for it. The

government is going to give us this full might of money. We are saying

the money is there. We think it can make a positive difference, but it

must come alongside a proposal from Norfolk County Council to ensure

there is sustainable Transport alongside it. We think that can

happen. Work has already started on those sustainable schemes. This is

part of a new bus development. Groups which have campaigned

against their distributor road say the announcement is a victory of

sorts, but they say the new road is still an necessary. We want to see

a sustainable transport strategy for Norwich based on public

transport and walking and a local raid -- and the local rail. There

are still hurdles for a Norfolk council to Clear, but it is hoped

that new jobs and new homes will be created.

If all goes according to plan at the new distributor road will be

completed by 2017. Crimestoppers has offered a reward

for information that helps find the killer of a woman who died almost

20 years ago. Natalie Pearman was working as a prostitute when she

went missing in 1982. Her body was found five miles away from Norwich.

Crimestoppers say they would like to hear from a caller who told

police that they have seen her getting into a car in King Street.

A post-mortem found that she had been suffocated.

In football Southend are out of the FA Cup. They lost their second

round replay 1-0 against Bolton. Tonight if gels furred can beat

Macclesfield they will be at home to Bolton from the Premier League.

-- if Chelmsford. A private company from Sweden has

been appointed to run a free school in Suffolk. The Breckland Free

School Trust considered with the three birds before making their

decision. The contractors were �21 million over the next 10 years.

The Prime Minister visiting their Norwich free school earlier this

year. Three schools are one of the Conservatives' favourite ideas.

They cannot be run for profit. More are in the pipeline. Britland

middle school is due to be closed next year by the county council.

Parent and teacher -- parent and teachers formed a trust.

It is not possible to say how much profit the company is going to be

able to make. It is less than 10 %. The company currently runs 18 free

schools and Sweden. Critics say the decision to award it the contract

is a further blow -- is a further Coming up - this be the way to get

down a mountain. -- their frightening way to get down a

mountain. I would like to try that!

A homelessness charity says it has seen the number of people looking

for help rise by one third in one year. The warning from the Umbrella

Trust in Ipswich comes as churches get together to set up winter night

shelters. They will be open for two months.

Tonight final preparations are under way and the launch of the

winter shelter is unprecedented. Seven churches are involved. It

means there will be a night shelter open in the town every night from

now until mid-February. Is there a need? Earlier today I visited a

charity that provides support during the day to the homeless.

The Umbrella Trust is a place where people are not judged but helped.

A square meal. Access to medical services. Support and advice. When

you get to rock-bottom that helps. It is amazing what people will do

for you. We are homeless. Drink keeps you warm. At this time of

year we get really busy. Everyone just Johnson. -- everyone just

jumps in. In the past year the number of homeless people they have

helped has risen by eight one-third. It is continuing to rise. This man

lost his job, his home, and ended up living in a tent. When you get

back down to the bottom, you try to get back up, but you keep on

slipping down. All of a sudden you have somebody who is going to help

you. For many people here turning their lives around is a matter of

life or death. Someone was found unconscious a few weeks ago and

they died a few days later. She was in her early 30s. In the new year

this man stars we have. He hopes it is the beginning of a new life. --

he starts rehab. Let us have a word with one of the

organisers. How many people are you expecting? We are expecting eight

people tonight. The what services will you provide? We will provide a

warm bed and a warm meal and breakfast in the morning. You have

had a huge response. A lot of volunteers are helping. We have had

over 300 volunteers which has been fantastic. Thank you.

Let us go back into the area where the bedroom is and have a word with

acquired your man. This is an interdenominational initiative.

This always comes to the forefront at Christmas, and it is an issue

that is forgotten across the year. We must not forget this once we get

beyond Christmas. People who were homeless have been out there for

some time. If we do not get them into accommodation before then they

will be back out on the streets. This is also an opportunity to

provide help and support, not just a bed for the night. That is right.

The contact lot of different agencies who can help them.

demand is definitely there. They are expecting those beds to be full

tonight. A film shot by a man sitting on

what amounts to be a tin tray speeding down the side of a

mountain has become a sensation on the YouTube.

Repeated on the BBC website at lunchtime and it became one of the

most watched videos on our website also. But it comes from an unlikely

source. Before the mayor of Cambridge

issued her rebuke -- when the mayor of Cambridge issued her rebuke it

was a big hit on YouTube. Or we ahead of that is somebody

going down a mountainside with no brakes. What kind of crazy Eddie it

would do this? The chief accountant of a local authority in Suffolk?

Surely not. But when that this man comes home from work at the local

council you are most likely to find them applauding his latest exploits

as a thrill rider. This is called an Alpine coaster. I thought I

would go for it without any breaks. This is one of my scariest

experiences ever. A lot of people who have ridden roller-coaster as

has said the same thing. The say this is something special. Even his

friends are surprised at how his film has taken off. An internet

site in the United States published it. Then other people watched it.

David is not a new two World achievement. He helped to set the

world and naked roller coasting record last year. He has a

certificate to prove it. You would like to have a go at

that! I love roller-coaster, but that! I love roller-coaster, but

not naked! Here is the weather: We have got a

storm approaching. It is heading our way. It is going to bring

Severe weather. Tonight it will be mainly showers. Clearing skies and

light a wind means it will get cold. Temperatures will dip down to

freezing. Of widespread frost expected. Wintry showers could make

conditions on the roads AC. Tomorrow will be mainly dry with

sunny spells. Into the afternoon it stays mainly dry. In the evening

things shift. You can see the area of low pressure. It will bring rain

with that and some of that will turn it to sleet and snow overnight

on Thursday. Tightly-packed isobars beneath it means that wind speeds

will pick up. It could mean strong wins for us. There will be plenty

of rain. They will be some sleet and snow. -- there will be. Friday

itself looks cloudy with further outbreaks of sleet and snow. The

weekend will be mainly dry but very cold. There may be isolated wintry