A lack of progress on repairs to Southport Pier has caused “largely increased” insurance premiums, according to a Sefton Council document. Just days ahead of the third anniversary of Southport Pier’s ‘temporary’ closing, a report to the Audit & Governance Committee has confirmed that the local authority is now being forced to pay significantly higher insurance premiums. The report confirms: “a largely increased premium was imposed in relation to Southport Pier. Insurers were forced to gain costly support from Co-Insurers in this regard due to not having the appetite to insure in full given the lack of progress to date…
Author: James Cave
A residential address on Hart Street is the subject of a significant police inquiry this evening. Members of the emergency services, including police and army personnel, have been seen entering a property on Hart Street opposite Flooring UK. A number of official vehicles remain on scene at the Flooring UK courtyard, with officers stationed outside the property. Police confirmed that a search warrant was executed at the property and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team conducted further investigations on one item, later confirmed to be a “disused firework” The road remains open to vehicles and residents at this…
Disruption from the public gallery caused the cancellation of a full Sefton Council meeting this evening, with police eventually called to Southport Town Hall. Members of the public, a number of whom wore Merseyside Residents Associaion lanyards, sought to protest over matters related to Net Zero policies, immigration and 5G masts. A group of about 30 to 40 members of the public traded insults with councillors, with Mayor of Sefton Councillor June Burns initially calling a temporary halt to the meeting, before cancelling it definitively 20 minutes later. Towards the opening of the meeting, as the usual “Questions raised by…
A proposal to re-establish a 24/7 children’s accident and emergency department at Southport and Formby District General Hospital has received strong support from Southport residents — but has prompted concern among some in Ormskirk, where the current children’s A&E would be closed under the plan. The Shaping Care Together programme has identified two options for reforming emergency care in the area, either co-locate 24-hour adult and children’s services at Southport, costing approximately £33m, or at Ormskirk, at a one-off cost of over £80m. Southport’s Labour MP Patrick Hurley, and West Lancashire’s Labour MP Ashley Dalton have both called for the…
A public inquiry into the July 2024 Southport attack has formally opened at Liverpool Town Hall. The statutory inquiry, chaired by Sir Adrian Fulford, aims to examine the systemic failings that allowed a teenager to commit a deadly knife attack at a children’s dance event on Hart Street. Sir Adrian opened proceedings on Monday, delivering a measured but forceful statement outlining the scope of the investigation. He confirmed that the attacker, referred to only as “the perpetrator” or “AR” to protect victims’ welfare, was responsible for the deaths of three young girls and the injury of ten other people. Sir…
A long-awaited return of children’s accident and emergency services to Southport may be on the horizon, following the release of a key NHS report which identifies Southport Hospital as the preferred location for co-located adult and paediatric A&E services. The recommendation forms part of the Shaping Care Together (SCT) programme, a major initiative aimed at redesigning emergency care provision across Southport, Formby and West Lancashire. Patrick Hurley MP for Southport said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to bring back the children’s emergency services our town deserves. Southport’s proposal is the top scoring and clinically preferred option. But…
A newly-created “Mission Growth Fund” could help reopen Southport Pier, according to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. The Chancellor told the House of Commons today during the Spending Review speech: “The renewal of Britain must be felt everywhere. Today I’m pleased to announce additional funding to support up to 350 communities, especially those in the most deprived areas. “Job creation and community assets are vital to our growth mission. But too often regeneration projects are held back, gathering dust in bureaucratic limbo. “We will establish a ‘Growth Mission Fund’ to expedite local projects that are important for growth. Projects…
Prince William, the son of Princess Diana, has given his full backing to the removal of a memorial fountain to make way for an incredible and lasting legacy garden in the town centre, OTS News understands. Images unveiled yesterday depict a redesigned Town Hall Gardens which will be billed as a ‘open air child and family friendly’ events space, with the familes of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Aguiar set to lead the regeneration. The Government will provide £5m of the expected £10m cost, with Sefton Council and Liverpool City Region each providing £2.5m worth of funding. Work…
Police in Kuala Lumpur have confirmed the death of missing Southport man Jordan Johnson-Doyle, according to a Malaysian news website. Local news outlets report that Johnson-Doyle’s body had been discovered at a building site in Bangsar on the outskirts of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Johnson-Doyle had been travelling solo across South-East Asia while working remotely as a software engineer. His last known location was Healy Mac’s Irish Bar in Bangsar on 27 May. Police say no “criminal elements” were discovered at the scene. Johnson-Doyle’s family have travelled to Malaysia after an earlier update yesterday, where police confirmed a body…
Liverpool-based property developers Kieran Malone and David Cunningham are set to take over Southport Football Club. The pair confirmed that the Big Help Group, headed up by Peter Mitchell, have left the club. The Big Help Group remains the subject of a Charity Commission inquiry which Southport FC has admitted is affecting progress towards a full majority share transfer. A statement from Southport Football Club on Wednesday said: “Dear Supporters, we want to inform you of recent developments regarding the ownership of Southport Football Club. As many of you know, The Big Help Group, along with Peter Mitchell and the…
A “birthday party” to celebrate what would have been Adolf Hitler’s 136th birthday has led to a police raid in Southport. British Movement North West posted pictures of themselves at the Duke of Edinburgh in Market Street, Royton, last month eating a swastika cake. Nine people were arrested yesterday, Wednesday 9th May, during raids conducted by Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of breaches of Section 18 of the Public Order Act. The pub’s owners said that they had been tricked by the group and were not aware of the group’s intentions. Greater Manchester Police executed warrants in Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford,…
A Southport man sent to prison for his role in the civil disorder outside Southport Mosque has been released just eight months into his three year sentence. Drummond was among a group walking towards the mosque on St Luke’s Road the day after the Hart Street attack. As the group was challenged by officers, he punched an officer to the face and was later seen dismantling a wall and throwing bricks towards officers. In August, the court heard that Drummond had 14 previous convictions for 19 offences from 1988, which prosecutors said show a “history of violence”. A spokesperson for…
A formal inquiry into the 2024 knife attack at a Southport children’s dance event on Hart Street has launched today, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced. Rudakubana admitted to the murder of the three girls on the opening day of his trial in January, after changing his plea to guilty for three counts of murder, and a range of other offences. The inquiry is tasked with reviewing Axel Rudakubana’s background, including any interactions with social care, health services, educational institutions, criminal justice agencies and will hear evidence from those who were directly impacted and from relevant authorities involved in his…
Southport’s Labour MP Patrick Hurley is calling on local residents to take part in his latest initiative – The Big Conversation 2025. Described as a wide-ranging listening exercise, the campaign invites Southport constituents to share their views on the national and local issues that matter most to them. The survey, which is being distributed to homes across the town and is also available online, asks residents to rank key national priorities including the cost of living, healthcare, jobs, housing, and climate change. It also probes into local concerns such as access to NHS services, anti-social behaviour, support for young people,…
Southport’s Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups have expressed concern over proposals by Sefton Council to secure contributions from developers toward maintaining and enhancing Southport’s visitor infrastructure. The proposed charge for qualifying developments is £2,680 per 100m² of new or converted floorspace, for schemes of 100m² or more. Sefton Council say the visitor infrastructure in Southport, which supports tourism and significantly contributes to the local economy, is under significant strain due to high visitor numbers and limited Council budgets. The Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) proposes that certain types of development projects, which directly benefit from tourism, contribute financially to the maintenance…
Southport’s Farmhouse Kitchen has been shortlisted for an award at the prestigious British Pie Awards. The Farmhouse Kitchen, located on Old Park Lane, previously secured four Bronze Medals in the annual national competition. This year, the team submitted eleven different pies, including four new flavours alongside seven customer favourites. Organisers confirmed the shortlisting this week, confirming the Farmhouse Kitchen have secured a top three entry, although the exact category(ies) and medal will remain secret until the awards ceremony. The winners of Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be announced late on Friday, 7 March, following a special awards lunch held…
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has declined an application to assist in financing repairs of Southport Pier. Leader Councillor Marion Atkinson confirmed the decision at a full meeting of Sefton Council last night at Bootle Town Hall. The decision does not currently appear on the NLHF decisions website. Sefton Council has committed to providing £3m towards the expected £13m repair bill, after the pier was “temporarily” closed in December 2022. Despite being a Grade II listed building, the repair works hold valid Listed Building Consent required for the repairs. “This is an absolute hammer blow for the Pier’s hopes” said…
Emergency services remain in attendance at West Street this morning following a stabbing outside Enelles Glass House. The Facebook page for Ennelles Glass House confirmed after 11 pm that “somebody was stabbed … outside the venue”. “The police and ambulance were quick to the scene and the victim is OK.” Forensic work at the scene will continue this morning while police review CCTV images. A statement from Merseyside Police said: “Detectives are appealing for information following a stabbing in Southport last night, Friday, 21 February. “At about 7.40pm, officers were called to Lord Street, following reports that a man had…
Attorney General Lord Hermer KC has declined to submit the case of Axel Rudakubana to the Court of Appeal, after calls were made to review his sentence. Patrick Hurley MP and Sefton Conservative Group were among those calling for Rudakubana’s sentence to be reviewed under the “unduly lenient” scheme. Rudakubana was given a sentence of life imprisonment, with a minimum of 52 years before he can be considered for parole, the second longest determinate prison sentence in British judicial history, for the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe at Hart Street in July of…
Patrick Hurley, Southport’s Labour MP, and the Southport Conservative Association have called on the Attorney General Richard Hermer to review the custodial sentence handed to Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana on Thursday. Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to imprisonment for life, with a 52-year term before he would become eligible for parole. Presiding, Mr Justice Goose said it was likely that Rudakubana would spend the rest of his life in prison. Rudakubana avoided a “whole life order”, where he would never be eligible for release, due to him being under the age of 18 at the time of the attack. The 52-year…
Axel Rudakubana, who earlier this week plead guilty to the murder of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years. Following a dramatic and often distressing day at Liverpool Crown Court, Justice Goose told the courtroom that Rudakubana “planned to kill as many as he could” and would likely never be released from prison. Rudakubana avoided a “whole life order”, where he would not have been eligible for parole, due to being under 18 at the time of his offences. Ahead of his trial, which…
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced the government will hold a public inquiry, to determine how Axel Rudakubana was able to conduct the murder of three girls despite being known to a range of state agencies. Rudakubana, now 18, earlier plead guilty to a range of offences including the murders of Bebe King, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe. In a statement, Yvette Cooper said: “The families and the people of Southport need answers about what happened leading up to this attack. “The perpetrator was in contact with a range of different state agencies throughout his teenage years.…
Axel Rudakubana has had pleas of ‘not guilty’ entered on his behalf at Liverpool Crown Court today, after refusing to speak when arraigned for the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Aguilar and Bebe King. Rudakubana made no audible response as he was arraigned of 16 different charges. Appearing via videolink from HMP Belmarsh, Rudakubana is charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, one charge of the production of ricin and one charge of possessing material likely to be useful to a terrorist. Mr Justice Goose has entered ‘not guilty’ pleas on all counts, having confirmed…
Town centre businesses in Southport have experienced a dramatic downturn in turnover, with reductions ranging from 40% to 70% following the events of July 2024, according to a report presented to Sefton Council. A report to Sefton Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee claims: “Following the tragic incidents in Southport on 29th July 2024 business in the Town Centre reported a dramatic drop in business, this continued throughout the summer and has shown little signs of recovery.” “Many businesses are reporting between a 40%-70% drop in turnover, furthermore July 2024 was the worst July on record for rainfall with many hospitality…
Southport MP Patrick Hurley has told constituents he plans to vote against a bill that could legalise assisted dying for terminally ill patients. MPs will be given a free vote in the Commons on Friday on a private members bill introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. The bill would enable patients wishing to end their lives to seek independent assessments from two doctors before applying to a High Court judge. In a social media video, Patrick Hurley told constituents that “thousands” of people had contacted him regarding the issue. Before his election, when asked at a hustings event earlier this…
A significant emergency services present is operating on Albert Road, with firefighters from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service extinguishing a blaze at the former Hesketh Centre building. OTS News understands that emergency services were informed of the fire in the middle of the night. As of 8:00am, six appliances remain on scene. Park Road and Albert Road are closed to traffic approaching the junction. Firefighters have not entered the building, due to the risk of collapsing roofs and ceilings. The building was recently sold at auction, but it remains unclear whether the sale has completed. Land Registry documents seen by…
Axel Rudakubana once again refused to engage with Liverpool Crown Court during a plea and preparation hearing on his charges of murder and attempted murder this afternoon. Rudakubana, now 18, appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh for the proceedings. He is accused of the murders of Alice Aguilar, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Bebe King, following a brutal attack on Hart Street in July. The charges against him include three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and one count of possessing a bladed article. Additionally, Rudakubana faces separate charges for possessing information that could be useful to someone…
Councillors could vote to give pensioners in Southport hoodies sponsored by local businesses to keep them warm this winter. Conservative group leader Mike Prendergast has proposed the suggestion as part of a wider motion to tackle the Government’s cutting of the winter fuel allowance for pensioners not in receipt of pension credit. The Winter Fuel Payment, sometimes called the Winter Fuel Allowance, is a financial support measure the UK Government provides to assist older people with their heating costs during the colder months. It is usually available to people born on or before a specific date, with payments ranging from…
The suspect charged with July’s attack at Hart Street will face additional charges after it was revealed he accessed an Al-Qaeda manual and ricin was found in his home. Axel Rudakubana will appear via videolink at Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow. Rudakubana will be charged with one offence under the Terrorism Act after allegedly accessing a pdf entitled: “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual.” He will also face one charge of the “production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, contrary to Section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974”. Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy…
Those involved in the violent riots outside Southport Mosque in July have now collectively received over 100 years of prison sentences. The unrest erupted on 30 July, just a day after the tragic murders of three girls—Alice Aguilar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe—at a dance holiday camp on nearby Hart Street. More than 50 police officers were injured during the violence. OTS News is tracking the cases of individuals named or arrested by Merseyside Police in connection with civil disorder offences on 30 July. Of those, 46 are known to have received a custodial sentence, totalling 106 years and…