9 November 2026

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Latest news from across Bedford Borough, when and where you want it. The Bedford Independent is your best source of Bedford news on mobile, tablet and desktop.

The Bedford Independent was founded to provide the people of Bedford Borough with a modern news desk that would give them easy access to genuine and unbiased Bedford news. We are independent in ownership and opinion.

Our mission is to inform and inspire the people of Bedford. To do this we will work hard to bring them the news that matters to them from our town centre to the most rural of the Borough’s villages.

Our editorial team are NCTJ trained and abides by the IMPRESS Standards code of conduct and our own stringent, modern ethical editorial policy.

Compact housing around Tempsford could protect Bedfordshire countryside from new town sprawl

A University of Hertfordshire report warns low-density housing wastes land and isolates communities, urging decision-makers across Bedford Borough to adopt compact designs that protect...

A cut above: Bedford’s Kade Burgess expands from local barber to wholesale brand

When we first interviewed Kade Burgess for the Bedford Clanger back in 2012, he was an award-winning barber making a name for himself on Midland Road in Bedford. With a sharp eye...

Review: Celebrating the life of pioneering prison reformer John Howard

A recent exhibition held at the Basement gallery of the Bunyan Museum (6 August- 5 September 2026) centred on the life and work of the legendary prison reformer John Howard to mark the...

Midland Road businesses handed Closure Orders over illegal tobacco supply

Two businesses on Midland Road in Bedford have been closed by the council's Trading Standards team for supplying and distributing illegal tobacco. The two shops on Midland Road...

The Bedford Sports and Physical Activity Awards are back for a 31st edition

The Bedford Corn Exchange will once again play host as the Bedford Sports and Physical Activity Awards return for a 31st edition. A total of 14 prizes are up for grabs across club, individual...

Great Bedfordian: Best-selling novelist Ruth Hogan

Novelist Ruth Hogan was born and educated in Bedford, where she still lives with the latest in a long line of rescue dogs. After graduating from Goldsmiths with a degree in English and Drama...

Midweek relief for Bedford rail commuters as EMR strikes suspended

Bedford train passengers will see a full timetable running midweek after the RMT union suspended planned strike action, though potential disruption remains in place from Sunday...

Bedford Antiques Fair returns as Gemcap Events continues its success story

The popular Bedford Antiques, Decorative & Art Fair returns for its fourth exhibition, as father-and-daughter team Rodney and Nicola Weeks build an exciting future for Gemcap Events...

Monthly column: Closing the gap between fact and perception

Most crime in England and Wales is falling – but the public thinks it's rising. In fact, they are wrong about crime on nearly every measure: from how many people fall victim to the...

Bedford Indies: The Eagle Bookshop

This month's indie spotlight is on the Eagle Bookshop, Bedford's second-hand bookshop on St Peter's Street. It was opened in 1991 by Peter Budek and was a mainstay of Castle Road...