Newbury’s councillors meet tonight to discuss whether to introduce a smoking ban right across the town. With a ban on smoking in pubs that serve food, some town centre landlords are planning to give up on the cooking. But if a total ban gains momentum, byelaws could be passed to stop people lighting up in the street, the bookies, and prevent office workers from taking ‘fag breaks’. The meeting begins at 6.30pm in the council offices, Market Street.

Supermarket fined

Lidl has been fined £3,185 for blocking up fire doors at its Newbury store twice in the same week. Lidl were found guilty of flouting health and safety laws at West Berkshire Magistrates yesterday.

Council environmental health manager John Priest warned other traders to comply or face a judge.

No vote no voice

Newbury residents are being encouraged to check they are on the voters’ roll for the looming May General Election.

West Berkshire Council estimates 5,000 people have yet to register on the electoral roll, and will lose out on the chance to choose the town’s next MP.

Council head of legal services David Holling said: “Being on the list to pay council tax is not the same. People must register separately to be on the electoral roll.”

Newbury is one of the larger constituencies, with 76,000 voters. As a result, some villages towards Reading will be transferred to Reading West or Wokingham next year.

Salter rubs up council on cinema

West Reading MP Martin Salter has waded into the funding row over Newbury’s new cinema. Labour’s Mr Salter claimed taxpayers in his part of West Berkshire faced paying for a facility they would never use, and accused local Liberal Democrats of tapping up parish councils to foot the £500,000 bill.

Council leader Royce Longton reiterated that the Cheap Street multiplex would more than pay for itself through spearheading the town’s economic growth.

Cllr Longton said: “I find it disappointing that Mr Salter continues to oppose a project which so many local people want. I and the council’s executive are delighted we can now deliver this project at no cost to our council tax payers.”