THE A1 is fully operational once again following a collision on the road this afternoon.

Our picture shows the scene of the crash which occured around 2pm this afternoon when two lorries collided just past the coachworks.

The carriageway had been reduced to one lane for a time but just before 4.30pm things were back to normal on the road.

THE Peacocks store in Banbridge is closed with immediate effect, with the loss of 10 jobs.

The Peacocks Group’s sale to Edinburgh Woollen Mill was announced today. The closure follows the announcement last month that Bonmarche - previously owned by the Group - is to close it’s Newry Street store also.

Eight people will lose their jobs when Bonmarche shuts its doors.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which is one of the UK’s largest high street chains, has acquired the Peacocks brand, 388 stores and concessions, as well as the business’ headquarters and logistics functions in Wales. The deal has protected around 6,000 jobs in the UK.

The remaining 224 stores were not included in the sale and have ceased trading with immediate effect, resulting in 3,100 redundancies.

Chris Laverty, joint administrator and restructuring partner at KPMG, said, “Like many other retailers, Peacocks suffered from a decline in consumer spending due to the tough economic conditions and this, combined with a surplus of stores and unsustainable capital structure led to the business becoming financially unviable.

“However, a strong brand presence and loyal customer following meant that Peacocks attracted a great deal of interest from both trade and private equity bidders, leading to today’s successful sale. I would take this opportunity to thank the management team and staff for their continued assistance in very difficult circumstances; their support has been invaluable in securing today’s sale.”

RESIDENTS of Scarva Walk have spoken of their terror after having to be evacuated from their homes when one of the flats nearby was deliberately set alight.

The area, which is home to a number of pensioners and people living alone, was covered in smoke and soot on Friday evening as fire officers tackled the blaze after receiving a 999 call around 8.40pm on Friday.

No-one was in the flat at the time and there were no injuries. As of yesterday afternoon the exact cause of the fire had still not been determined.

One woman recalled hearing a bang and opening her door to see thick, black smoke billow towards her. She credited three teens who knocked on her door to alert her to the fire with saving her life.

“If it wasn’t for them I don’t even want to think about what would have happened,” said the woman, who did not wish to be named. “Myself and my son were in the house and we heard the bang, then the three boys came to the door and shouted ‘Mrs, get out of your house!’

“I panicked and when I ran to the front door I could barely see the wee boys for the smoke. I want to thank them for getting me out of there.”

The neighbour told how she then ran to knock on the doors of her neighbours, warning them to get out of the building.

All residents then had to stand outside in the car park for around 90 minutes as the fire crew tackled the blaze.

Some elderly residents said they had been watching television that evening when they got a knock to say they had to get out of the area.

Brian Davies, a resident of the area for almost 40 years, said things could have been so much worse.

“If we had been in our beds I don’t know what would have happened,” he said. “It’s just desperate altogether. It makes you wary of something like that happening again.”

Upper Bann MP David Simpson condemned the arson.

“There is extensive damage to the property and the occupants of the entire block are fortunate to have escaped unharmed. This is a very serious incident and could have ended in tragedy. I commend the work of the police and fire authority for their efforts and I urge the local community to come forward with any information that they may have to the PSNI.”

Local councillor Junior McCrum praised the young men who raised the alarm. “I spoke to some residents and they are greatly indebted to those who raised the alarm. I think they need to be commended for their actions. It is unthinkable as to what would have happened otherwise.”

MORE ON PAGE THREE

THE weekend’s arson attack is the latest in a long line of incidents of anti-social behaviour in and around Scarva Walk, residents have said.

As pensioners stood in the car park on a bitterly cold Friday night hoping no-one would be hurt in the fire and that their flats would escape damage, they recalled other incidents in recent years.

May Ogle, a 72-year-old widow, remembered her shed being broken into last year, and doormats being lifted from the front of her neighbour’s houses and set alight by youths who gather in the area after dark.

Brian Davies, a resident of the area for almost four decades, said he has lost count of the number of evenings he has had to go outside and chase non-residents from the area as they gather to drink, take drugs and cause annoyance.

The 65-year-old said, “I have taken a lot of verbal abuse from them. In this past two years it’s become a whole lot worse I think. There never used to be any trouble round here.”

Both Brian and May said they would like to ask questions of the Housing Executive, which owns most flats in that area.

“I just wonder about the type of people they are housing here,” he said. May said she was concerned that pensioners like herself had to live alongside young people who she said may engage in anti-social behaviour.

“I think it is neglect on the part of the Housing Executive, it’s careless to leave a flat like that empty for months. We could have guessed something like this might happen.”

A spokeswoman for the Housing Executive said the flat was officially occupied at the time, although it seems no-one was in when the fire broke out. They also said they are currently investigating a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area.

The spokeswoman added, “Immediately the Housing Executive became aware of the fire at the property staff were on site to offer advice and assistance to residents and to assess the damage.

“The flats at Scarva Walk are classified as ‘general needs’ housing and are therefore not designated purely for the elderly or mature singles.”

The Housing Executive said they take the issue of anti-social behaviour seriously and are currently dealing with three repossession cases in the district.

“The Housing Executive will continue to work closely with local communities and other relevant agencies to address the issue and we would ask people to come forward and report incidents of anti social behaviour as and when they occur so that appropriate action can be taken against those responsible,” added the spokeswoman.

Responding to one resident’s complaint that her first floor flat does not have adequate fire safety measures, the spokeswoman said, “These flats meet all current fire safety regulations and indeed communal areas and walkways are inspected on a regular basis to ensure there are no obstructions or fire hazards.”

Police in E District are warning local retailers to be wary of bogus telephone calls.

The advice follows recent reports from businesses across Northern Ireland where staff were phoned by a person claiming to be from PayPoint technical services and were then asked to follow instructions to ‘update the system’ or ‘repair a fault’. This enabled money to be taken from the business via the online payment system.

Retailers and members of the public are reminded never to give out personal details over the phone to unsolicited callers. If you are unsure of a caller or feel that something is not right then ask for details to ascertain their identity.

Ask where they are phoning from, where they have got your details from and where they have obtained your telephone number.

Also, ask them if there is a number you can phone them back on or if there is another representative from their company that you can contact.

If you are still unsure about them then contact the company or business to check if the call is genuine. Legitimate companies won’t have a problem with you calling them back.

Anyone who believes they may have been victim of this type of scam or has any concerns should contact Police on 0845 600 8000.

BIG names in local business will be out in force this Thursday for a night of celebrating all that is good in the world of business across the district.

The Leader’s Banbridge and District Business Awards will kick off in the Belmont Hotel at 7pm, with politicians joining businessmen and women for a glitzy ceremony.

The ceremony aims to recognise the talent, entrepreneurship and excellence that exists across the full range of business and commerce in the area.

Featuring a delicious dinner, awards ceremony, and entertainment from well-known Belfast comedian and star of “Give my Head Peace” Tim McGarry, it is sure to make for a fantastic night.

Banbridge Leader editor John Hooks said the night will be a celebration of the many successful businesses throughout the district.

“This is our second business awards and it will again be a chance for businessessmen and women throughout the area to be recognised for their hard work throughout the year,” said Mr Hooks.

“The last ceremony was a great success and we are delighted to be building on that for this year’s awards.

“The Leader is proud to be heading an event which will give recognition to the businesses at the heart of our community in the town and throughout the district.

“Everyone at the Leader is looking forward to what promises to be a great night.”

The awards, which are running on a theme entitled “From Flax to the Future”, have been sponsored by Land Securities.

Brian Henning, Managing Director of the Lotus Group and Stoney Properties, the joint venture partners of Land Securities at Bridgewater Park said : “The Business Awards are a very important event in the local business calendar and we are very pleased to be sponsoring them.

“It’s been a tough year for many local businesses and everyone has had to push themselves that bit harder to meet targets. There will be many people who have worked very hard throughout the year and the evening will be an opportunity to recognise and reward those businesses and individuals for their focus and commitment to meeting and indeed exceeding the needs of their customers.

“Banbridge is a great place to work and to grow your business,. We are firmly committed to the potential and success of the town, with the Lotus Group having recently relocated from Newry establishing new offices in the old Shoe factory site and Lotus Homes, our house builder investing significantly and pushing on with The Lotus Village development at the sit.

“I wish all of the entrants the best for the competition and look forward to a great event and evening.”

The ceremony aims to recognise the wide variety of aspects required for a successful business. The 2012 awards theme pays homage to the long history of individual and collective industry upon which local towns have taken root and flourished and the companies which carry on that tradition today.

PEOPLE living in the Banbridge District are being offered an exciting opportunity to get involved in a groundbreaking healthy living initiative called ‘Give it a Go!’.

A wide range of free activities have been specially organised in the area for the whole of March as part of the ‘Give it a Go!’ initiative – so there are no excuses for trying one or more of them.

Activities include supermarket tours to help you understand food labels, gym sessions tailored to teenagers, healthy eating talks and a healthy living walk, as well as a class on how to grow your own salad bowl. There’s an activity to suit all ages and many interests.

And if you like to stay in shape by swimming, you will be able to enjoy a session at Banbridge Leisure Centre for just £1. This reduced rate will apply during the pool’s normal opening hours.

Banbridge District Council Chairman, Councillor Joan Baird, joined with Martina McNulty, Group Chief, Southern Group Environmental Health Committee, commented: “We are delighted to team up with the PHA, the Southern Trust and neighbouring councils for the ‘Give it a Go!’ initiative. Most of us welcome some help to kickstart or continue our efforts to live more healthily. So this initiative is just the thing to help people be active, eat well and feel good. So go on, ‘Give it a Go!’

Gerry Bleakney, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement with the PHA in the southern area, said: “Eating well and being active are two of the most important things we can do to keep well, feel great and help prevent many of the health problems that are common in Northern Ireland today. Around three in five adults in Northern Ireland weigh more than is good for their health, but by making a few small changes, we can help to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, and feel big benefits to our general health.”

Mairead McAlinden, Chief Executive of the Southern Trust, added: “‘Give it a Go!’ is a really exciting initiative that gives everyone a great opportunity to try out new activities which are both fun and good for you. Information about these activities will be available through all local newspapers, the ‘Give it a Go!’ brochure which is being distributed throughout each council area, and the website at www.giveitago.org.uk.”

‘Give it a Go!’ is a project partnership involving the Public Health Agency (PHA), Southern Group Environmental Health Committee, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Armagh City & District Council, Banbridge District Council, Craigavon Borough Council and Newry & Mourne District Council.

POWER NI, formerly NIE Energy, recently visited Craigavon Civic Centre to participate in one of three ‘Winter Warmer’ events organised by the Promoting Wellbeing Team, Southern Health & Social Care Trust, which provides local residents with an insight into how they can save time, money and energy in their homes.

Power NI’s Wilma Stewart commented, “Through our ‘Face to Face Programme’ we aim to get out and about in the community, delivering presentations on how to save energy and money to our customers, organisations and representative groups, promoting the simple message - what we can do for you.”

Kathy Chambers, Neighbourhood Renewal Co-ordinator, Craigavon said, “We are delighted that 250 older people from the Craigavon area attended these Winter Warmer events which provided valuable information on how to keep their home warm and safe through Winter. We were really impressed by the quality of the presentation from Power NI and learnt a great deal about the help that is available from them.”

With Power NI, paying by Direct Debit means savings for customers. The same amount is debited each month which helps spread the cost of heavier winter bills, allowing customers to stay in control of their bills and helping them budget.

By choosing to pay for your electricity by monthly Direct Debit, you can pocket a 4% discount off your bills, which leads to a saving of up to £40 per year.

Also, with a Power NI ‘Pay as you go’ Keypad, you can save 2.5% discount off every unit of electricity you use. There are various ways to ‘top up’ including the latest outlet via a free ‘top up’ app for iPhone and Android users.‘Pay as you go’ Keypad is free to install and comes with a handy monitor so you can view the amount of electricity you’re using.

For further information on how to save money and energy this winter, visit www.powerni.co.uk/savingenergy or call 08457 455 455. Lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

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