A man has been issued with a three-year football banning order plus fines after assaulting a teenage boy at a match in Southport last year. Sean Ryan, 21 years, from Old Swan, pleaded guilty to the charge of common assault in relation to an incident at the Southport FC v Radcliffe FC game at Southport Stadium last year. Yesterday, Thursday 15 January, Ryan appeared at Sefton Magistrates Court where he was issued with a three-year banning order, carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, and pay £250 compensation plus court costs. The court heard that on 16 September, Southport FC…
Author: On The Spot News
People staying in Southport could soon have to pay around £2 – £3 a night extra as part of a ‘tourist tax’ set to be introduced in the region. The move is spearheaded by the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor and pending a consultation will be in place from 2028. However Southport councillors have bashed the ‘tourist tax’ which goes by the official name of an ‘overnight accommodation levy.’ Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson, said it would be a “great source of revenue” which would stop councils “having to go to government” for funding. She also lauded the positive effects…
Southport FC club legend Eric Redrobe has passed away, aged 81. Redrobe made his debut for the club against Port Vale in 1966, going on to make 192 appearances for the Sandgrounders, scoring 55 goals. He was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2019 and had previously been voted as the club’s greatest ever player as part of centenary celebrations for the Professional Footballer’s Association in 2007. Having earned a reputation rugged, efficient play, he remained incredibly popular at Haig Avenue even after departing the club, and was a regular attendee at Haig Avenue until the time of…
Dog walkers in Southport are being warned to keep an eye on their pets if walking them around Kings Gardens. It comes as park rangers set more traps filled with rat poison to control vermin numbers in the park. Sefton Council’s pest control team have put signs up around the gardens to warn dog owners to keep their animal on a lead and not let them digest any potentially harmful or toxic substances. Harmonix paste has been baited in traps, which if dogs digest can cause issues if consumed in extreme doses. The council chose the specialist paste due to…
A man from Southport has been jailed for sexual offences against a vulnerable woman. Stephen Yates, 47, of Derby Road, in Southport, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Friday 9 January) after being found guilty of nine counts of offences related to sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder (Sexual Offences Act 2003). The offences occurred in 2020 and Yates was charged in October 2024 following a complex investigation. He was jailed for four years and nine months. He was also handed a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Detective Constable Chris Condliff said: “This was…
Households in Sefton that include someone who is terminally ill, will no longer have to pay Council Tax. Sefton Council has introduced a new policy granting full exemption from Council Tax to households where a resident has received a terminal diagnosis. Previously, families facing terminal illness could apply for discretionary reductions. This new policy removes that burden by reducing a household’s Council tax bill to nil, once any other discounts they are receiving have been taken into account. Sefton Council leader Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “This new policy reaffirms our commitment to supporting residents during the most challenging times. “No…
The family of a man who sadly died following a road traffic collision in Southport on Christmas Eve have issued a tribute. At around 5.30am we received a report that a collision had occurred on Marine Drive, between the junctions of Marshside Road and Hesketh Road, involving a black Mini Cooper and 55-year-old pedestrian Simon Coombes. Emergency services attended but Simon was pronounced deceased at the scene. An investigation remains ongoing. The driver of the car stopped at the scene and is assisting police enquiries. Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC, contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on…
Bin collections which are already severely delayed in Southport will only get worse. Some homes in the town have been waiting a fortnight to have their waste taken away, which the council say was due to staffing issues over the Christmas break. However updates this morning have only served to make the situation worse as bad weather and icy conditions have severely slowed down the efforts of bin men trying to catch up with collections. It means those who have already faced delays will have to wait even longer for the bins to be emptied, while those lucky enough to…
Warnings for ice and even snow continue to be in place for Southport over the next few days, with the town suffering from the coldest night of the winter so far. Traffic and transport have been worst hit by the icy conditions and despite the council saying gritters were dispatched across highways, roads remained slippy and pavements were treacherous this morning. National Rail have warned wintry weather could affect train journeys. A council spokesperson said “We grit around 470km of roads across Sefton across 8 routes, covering all arterial routes, bus routes and roads into hospitals as well as some…
Lung Cancer Screening is being rolled out to people in north Sefton, Southport and Formby, from January 2026. Formerly known as Targeted Lung Health Checks, Lung Cancer Screening is a programme for people aged between 55 and 74 who smoke or have smoked in the past. Significant reductions This type of screening – which was offered to eligible patients in South Sefton between 2022 and 2024 – can reduce the number of people dying of lung cancer. Reductions are 26% in men and between 39% and 61% in women. More than 700 lung cancers in Cheshire and Merseyside have been…
A Southport lollipop lady joins a prestigious professor and doctor as they each receive an OBE in the 2026 New Years Honours. Jennifer Turner, who works as a school crossing patrol officer, will be given an Order of the British Empire Medal alongside fellow Southport residents Professor Paul May and Dr Graeme Allan. They have all been nominated and chosen for their unwavering dedication to public service. Jennifer, who works for Sefton Council’s School Crossing Patrol team, has been nominated for ‘services to road safety.’ Professor May, a neurosurgical expert, will be honoured for services to Charitable Fundraising and to…
Police are appealing for information following a fatal collision in Southport earlier this morning. At around 5.30am, we received a report that a collision had occurred on Marine Drive, between the junctions of Marshside Road and Hesketh Road, involving a black Mini Cooper and a male pedestrian. Emergency services attended but the 55-year-old man was pronounced deceased at the scene. His next of kin has been informed and will be supported by specially trained officers. The driver of the car stopped at the scene and is assisting Police enquiries. A cordon was put in place as part of the initial…
A Southport man has been jailed for a stalking and other offences against two women. Andrew Fleming, 41 years, of Hampton Road in Southport, was sentenced to seven and half years in prison with three years on extended licence at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Monday 22 December. The court heard of a catalogue of incidents which took place over an 11 month period involving his former girlfriend during which he tried to get her fired from job, attend other family members addresses looking for her, constantly send messages and made threats to her. He was arrested in November 2023 and…
Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe, the fathers of Alice Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe have been presented with the Helen Rollason Award at last nights BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025. Alice’s father Sergio and Elsie’s dad David ran the 2025 London Marathon. Sergio raised funds to build a new playground at Churchtown Primary School, where Alice was a pupil, while David ran for Elsie’s Story. They were presented with their award by former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler and comedian John Bishop. “I’m very grateful to accept the award tonight but I’m just a dad keeping a promise to…
Traffic is being back up on Marine Drive this morning following an RTC. Police are in attendance following the collision between two cars close to the Fairway Roundabout. Merseyside Police has been approached for comment. Dashcam footage sent to OTS News shows a black BMW appearing to collide with the rear of a red Nissan.
Sefton Council is receiving a share of £1.6 billion in funding as part of the Transport for City Region (TCR) settlement, which paves the way for faster, greener and more connected journeys across the region. The funding is set to revolutionise the city region’s public transport, introduce rapid transit and smart ticketing across the entire network, connect communities and boost economic growth and support major regeneration. In Sefton the funding will support Improvements to Bootle town centre to span rail, rapid transit, bus, active travel, and public realm improvements — whist driving regeneration, support new housing, and creating a modern,…
Southport has been named the best-performing town in the UK for food hygiene ratings, according to a new analysis of Food Standards Agency data published ahead of the festive season. The 2025 report, produced by online training provider High Speed Training, places the North West seaside town at the top of a UK-wide league table with an average score of 4.95 out of 5 across 384 premises. The analysis coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), with consumers encouraged to “look before they book” when planning Christmas parties, family meals and takeaways. High Speed Training…
One of Southport’s best loved eatery empires is once again expanding. The Farmhouse Kitchen, which already boasts three sites across the resort, are set to open their brand new ‘Farmhouse Kitchen On Sea’ eatery in the heart of Ainsdale Village. Opening this Saturday (December 6th) at 28 Station Road, Farmhouse Kitchen On Sea will treat customers not only to luxury coffees but also the iconic and award winning Farmhouse food menu. Owners Rob and Terri Marshall, who boast three years worth of wins at the annual British Pie Awards, also run The Grazing Lounge in Southport Town Centre alongside their…
Southport’s golfers have a new reason to stroll down Lord Street this week, as a dedicated golf shop has returned to the town centre for the first time in years. Lisa and Glyn Richards have opened Hole in 1 Golf at 203 Lord Street, bringing a dedicated golf retailer back to Southport’s high street. Lisa is a keen golfer, while Glyn previously played as a golf professional, and together they are aiming to create a welcoming space for everyone from complete beginners to low-handicap regulars. Hole in 1 Golf stocks a full range of: Clubs – from individual irons and…
Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport, has called on Northern Rail to take action to improve conditions and reliability on the Southport to Manchester line. This follows Patrick’s journey last week, where he live-tweeted the various issues faced when attempting to travel from Southport to Manchester city centre, sharing various constituents’ complaints about the cost of travel, the length of the journey, and the likelihood of trains being cancelled. Following the journey, Patrick has written to the Managing Director of Northern Rail, the Secretary of State for Transport, and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, sharing their experience. In the letter to…
A Gold award-winning show garden designed by Fletchers Group for the 2024 Southport Flower Show has found a new lease of life with We Grow Co, a local social enterprise supporting young autistic people through nature-based work experiences. The accessible garden, titled ‘Wild and Free’, was originally created by Fletchers to reflect its commitment to health, recovery, and inclusive design — themes inspired by the serious injury and clinical negligence clients the firm supports across the North West. Designed with raised beds, sensory features, and wheelchair-friendly paths, the garden was developed as a safe, sociable, and therapeutic space for people…
Sefton Council is planning to step up its fight against fly-tipping and other environmental offences using higher Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to fine the culprits. Using new, national powers given to councils, Sefton is proposing the following to raise the maximum penalty for fly-tipping from £400 to £1,000 and doubling the maximum penalty for littering from £75 to £150. Maximum penalties for Household Waste duty of care breaches would rise from £200 to £500 and from £75 to £100 for dog control breaches. At their meeting next week, Sefton Council’s Cabinet members will be asked to approve these proposed increases.…
At their meeting next week, Sefton Council’s Cabinet members will be asked to approve a report on the future of Sandway Homes as the company approaches the completion of its final approved site. Over six successful years Sandway Homes has delivered 78 new homes in Sefton, 31 of which have been affordable for rent and low cost home ownership. Sandway’s latest site, at Buckley Hill Lane Netherton, which is nearing completion will deliver a further 63 homes. From early 2026, 18 of these homes will form part of Sefton’s council housing stock, the first such since 2026. Sefton Council Leader…
Mike Prendergast, Spokesperson for Southport Conservatives has hit out at Labour’s Budget, saying it is an assault on working people to pay for more welfare spending. Southport Conservatives commented in a press release: “The tax burden on working people is now at a record high and this Budget takes another £26 billion from working people, on top of the £40 billion taken in the last Budget. “Headline measures include the freeze on Income Tax thresholds being extended for another 3 years, capping pension tax relief on salary sacrifice schemes, new property taxes, reductions in the cash ISA limit, taxes on…
Southport & Birkdale Cricket have announced that Trafalgar Road will host Lancashire’s Division Two fixture against Worcestershire in May. Worcestershire will head to Southport on 15 May 2026. Lancashire took to the field at Southport last year against Nottinghamshire, with James Anderson taking a remarkable seven for 35, in what his first Championship match in over 12 months. S&B said on Facebook: “We are incredibly proud to welcome Lancashire back which is a huge achievement for everyone involved. “This fixture is another highlight in what promises to be a fantastic 2026 for S&B, sitting alongside our Golf & Glamping Festival…
Sefton Council has confirmed that admissions to the Chase Heys respite centre have been temporarily paused. Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Admissions to Chase Heys Resource Centre in Southport were paused last week to allow essential maintenance work on ten bedrooms. This decision was made to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone who uses the service. “Chase Heys is a short-stay facility, and following the discharge of 11 residents last Friday, all ten affected bedrooms are now empty. Moves for residents have been carefully managed in a co-ordinated and accelerated way, in line with their existing…
Following engagement earlier in the year Sefton Council want your views on the updated proposed changes to Southport Promenade to support the delivery of “Les Transformations de Southport.” The second drop-in session on the Southport Promenade consultation is tomorrow, Thursday 27th November in the Atkinson. Talk to Sefton Council officers and designers to offer feedback and ask questions and have your say on the updated proposals. 📍The Atkinson, Southport 📅Thursday 27th November 🕖1pm to 4pm 🔗Have your say online on Your Sefton Your Say https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/investment-programmes-and-infrastructure/southport-promenade The Promenade preliminary design includes the Promenade between Nevill Street to Seabank Road. The proposed…
As Southport gears up for an unforgettable 2026, packed with cultural events, InvestSefton is running a number of events to ensure local businesses are ready to make the most of it. Memorable experiences They are designed to help businesses create memorable experiences for customers, to use social media and marketing effectively and to deliver top-level customer service. Each of the free workshops will take place at Eastbank (The Enterprise Arcade), Southport. There are two sessions running from 10am to 12 noon, or from 6pm to 8pm. Free tickets available Tickets are still available for the first of the three workshops,…
Our Girls: The Southport Families is a moving, hour-long documentary for BBC One and BBC iPlayer that follows the parents of three young girls – 9-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, 6-year-old Bebe King, and 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe – who tragically lost their lives in the Southport attack. The documentary will air on BBC One on Tuesday 9 December at 8pm and will be available on BBC iPlayer. Last summer, three little girls had excitedly gone to a Taylor Swift-themed dance class and never came home, a tragedy that shocked the nation. Over the last nine months, a small team…
A stalker who waged a personal vendetta against a hard working pizza restaurant owner because of a Facebook comment has been jailed. Bolton man Colin Cooper subjected the owner of 600 Degrees Pizza – Dan Johnstone – to a deliberate campaign of obsessive harassment over the course of months. The victim never knew his stalker personally and believes the ordeal began through a Facebook exchange on a local food page. A court heard this week how Cooper smashed the window of the premises with a brick, repeatedly spray paint graffiti over the frontage and attack the store with a hammer.…