A Southport resident is now the world’s oldest living man at the age of 111. Previously John Tinniswood, who made national headlines in 2021 for saying the secret to a long life is a Chippy tea, held the record for being the oldest man in the UK. However the youthful centenarian is now a world record holder after the passing of a 114 year old Venezuelan man. He was born in Liverpool the year the Titanic sank, he’s survived two world wars and was already 50 when the Beatles had their first hit. A lifelong Liverpool fan, John worked as…
Author: On The Spot News
A man claims he was stabbed by an unknown assailant in Ainsdale beach earlier this week. Despite not needing hospital treatment for his wounds, the male has since reported the incident to Merseyside Police. They are now investigating the case. At around 10.30am on April 1st, a man aged in his 40s reported he had been assaulted whilst out jogging in an area of the sand dunes next to the Coastal Road, near Westbourne Road. The man says he was attacked from behind by an unknown male and had sustained a stab wound to his stomach. The suspect is described…
Businesses in Southport say they are facing eye watering price hikes to have their rubbish taken away. One family run firm in the town showed OTS news copies of their latest Commercial Waste collection contract with the Council that has rocketed by over £500 a year. The charge for the same recycling bin in 2023 was just £158 but an invoice shown to OTS News now states the same business will now be charged £551. Admin fees are also increasing. The business owner, who asked not to be named, said: “I really don’t know what to do. “I’m trying so…
Police have arrested three people in connection to a stabbing in Southport on Friday 29 March. Just before 8pm, Merseyside Police received a report that a man in his 50s had been assaulted inside a property on Meols Cop Road. Emergency services attended the scene and the man was taken to hospital with multiple slash wounds. He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. A 17-year-old male from Southport has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a 25-year-old man from Southport has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. They both remain…
Police have confirmed that a woman died after receiving emergency medical treatment on Chapel Street on Sunday morning. The circumstances that led to her death are not being treated as suspicious. A large emergency services presence was visible for a number of hours on Easter Sunday. OTS News understands that CPR was administered by emergency services at the scene. The woman has not been named by police. A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said this morning: “We can confirm emergency services were called to Chapel Street, Southport just after 9.15am on Sunday (31 March 2024) following concerns for a woman who…
A Southport man is currently in a critical condition in hospital after he was stabbed multiple times last night. A huge police response was launched in Meols Cop shortly after 8pm on Good Friday evening after reports that a man in his 50s was stabbed at a house on Meols Cop Road. He is in hospital in a critical condition and police are yet to to arrest anyone in connection to the attack. Detectives have insisted they believe the incident is ‘isolated’ and have told residents not to worry. Detective Inspector Gavin Mulcahy said: “An investigation is underway and is…
Earlier this year Alcedo Care moved into their new premises on Hoghton Street, and on March 27th hosted an open day, welcoming members of our community to spend time with the team, enjoy arts, crafts, singing and dancing, learn more about careers in care, and what packages of care might look like in the future for themselves. Recruiters Jess and Katie had a productive day, taking enquiries from skilled care workers and nurses about careers with Alcedo who will now begin the onboarding process to join the team. But the highlight of the day was the singing and dancing session…
A popular greeting cards store in the heart of Southport has closed its doors for the final time after 60 years in the town. Plaza Cards announced last year that they would be forced to shut down with an initial closure date of January. Despite the store remaining open past that date there was little hope of a change of heart and the team at Plaza Cards bid a final farewell on March 20th. The store on Lord Street had been open since 1964 and generations of Sandgrounders have shopped there for greetings and condolence cards. The team said “…
As, over the coming months, the borough of Sefton marks the 50th anniversary of its creation, those people and places that make it a fantastic place to live, work and visit are being honoured. Unique and wonderful To mark Sefton reaching its half century, having been formed on 1st April 1974, the Council wants to throw a spotlight on what makes Sefton a unique and wonderful part of the UK. With its world-famous, 22-mile coastline, Sefton is home to nearly 280,000 people, to thousands of businesses, to rare wildlife, world famous events and a number of famous faces. Personal stories…
OTS News has been contacted by a veterinary nurse in Southport to say they have treated a number of cats with air rifle wounds over the last few days. Police are said to be looking into the matter after vets reported that at least three cats have been shot at with air rifles in the High Park area of Southport. OTS News understands that vets have seen a distinct increase in the number of cats being seen with wounds from air rifle type weapons. The incidents have been reported to the police who are now understood to be investigating. Pet…
People in the North West are being urged to look out for a Southport man who has been missing since the weekend. Colin Chapman was last seen by friends and family two days ago and has not been heard from since. His daughter has launched an emotional plea for help to see if anyone may know Colin’s whereabouts. The 53 year old man is understood to be with his white van. The registration number is FL07 OYV. Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 immediately.
An award winning pizza parlour which has just launched a new venue in Hillside has been the victim of vandalism. Unidentified individuals daubed unintelligible graffiti across the shop frontage of 600 Degrees in Hillside last night. Parlour owner Dan says the incident happened sometime between 9:45pm and 10:45pm on Friday evening. Defiant staff say they won’t be put off by the vandals, who appear to have only struck at the pizzeria and nowhere else. The Hillside shop remains fully open and taking orders for Saturday evening, with Dan saying “maybe it was because we don’t do pineapple?” “Either way we…
A top-rated Southport home care company is giving back to the community by hosting a special open day packed with family entertainment. Alcedo Care, based on Hoghton Street, will open its doors on Wednesday, March 27th, at 9 a.m. for a fun-filled event featuring games, informative sessions, and even insights into working in the care sector. The event promises to be invaluable for those considering care for loved ones, exploring careers in the sector or simply fancying a break and a free brew. An Alcedo spokesperson said: “We have great things planned, from arts and crafts to singing, music and…
A deep pot hole near to the Guelder Rose pub has caused a car tyre to ‘explode.’ A Skelmersdale man is demanding the council ‘fix the roads’ after he struck a pot hole on the Marine Parade roundabout a few nights ago. The tyre ‘popped’ as the wheels of his car smashed into the hole one evening. His front passenger tyre was completely broken in the incident. The furious motorist is now demanding the council fix the roads and sort out the hundreds of pot holes that have appeared around the town.
The BBC has launched a scathing mini-documentary into the ‘disrepair’ of Southport Pontins. The 20-minute documentary, filmed over the last six months, aired today on the BBC. It is entitled ‘Pontins: Ruined and Rundown?’ and examines the recent closure of the Southport holiday camp and two others. Photos of the Southport site within 12 months of closure show ‘extensive mould’ in chalets, broken doors, damaged window frames and balconies with rusted or missing fittings. Staff from Southport interviewed by the BBC allege numerous failings within the mini-documentary including a swimming pool that leaked into a restaurant underneath, crumbling walls and…
Police are appealing for information following a reported burglary in Southport when several sentimental items were stolen, including a motor racing suit once worn by the late Niki Lauda. The residential burglary on Stanley Street was reported at around 7.30pm on Monday 11 March and it’s believed the offence occurred within the previous 30 minutes or so. Among the items stolen included a motor racing suit and a helmet once worn by Niki Lauda, which has sentimental value to the owner. These items had also been signed by the former Austrian racing driver. An investigation is underway and if you…
Overgrown trees and thorny bushes on Dover Road are set to be finally cut back after causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage to cars. The overgrown sharp plant life has been poking through fences along the stretch of road in Hillside. A number of cars driving down the road have reported their paintwork being significantly damaged as they cannot avoid hitting the trees due to the size of the road. Now furious drivers and locals have brought in Environmental Health to take the landowner, Network Rail, to task over the issue. Councillors say they will now get serious with…
The government has announced plans to rein in the installation of new telegraph poles for broadband across England. The move was announced amidst simmering tensions between Norwood/Churchtown residents and Openreach, who plan to install telegraph on a number of local streets. Police have been called to a number of peaceful protests from residents. In a letter to broadband operators, Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said communities feel they “have no control” over how infrastructure like telegraph poles is deployed locally. She referenced frustrations over the “duplication of overhead fibre networks” in some areas. Lopez stated it is “more important than…
Southport Air Show bosses have confirmed the Red Arrows will perform across both days of this years air show. It takes place on Saturday and Sunday July 13th-14th. Last year the Reds were forced to cancel their display after being stuck on the runway at Blackpool Airport due to rain on the tarmac. While it caused a huge disappointment, bosses will be hoping that this new announcement will boost ticket sales for the 2024 show. The Typhoon and Battle of Britain flight have also been confirmed. Under 16s will once again go free to the weekend but others are being…
An IT glitch has forced McDonald’s restaurants in Southport to stop taking orders today. The issue which has affected restaurants across the UK and even overseas meant that till systems have stopped working and staff can’t take payment for food orders. It means hundreds of hungry and thirsty customers have been forced to go without if trying to get food at the counter. However some have said they can still place orders via the McDonald’s app. A spokesperson told OTS News “We are aware of a technology outage currently impacting our restaurants nationwide and are working to resolve this issue…
A Birkdale campaigner says people in the resort need to do all they can to keep Smedley Hydro open. The Trafalgar Road based government building is allegedly on a long list of sites the Government are looking at considering winding down, according to fears raised by ex Councillor David Barton. As part of an ongoing audit into operational strategy by central government, an appraisal review is being carried out by officials concerning the future use of the Hydro building which employed hundreds of people in Southport. Mr. Barton said: “I am imploring anyone and everyone to back this crucial community…
A Southport bakery is celebrating after three of its pies won a Bronze Award at the prestigious British Pie Awards last Friday. The Farmhouse Kitchen saw off tough competition from almost 900 entries to take home the accolade. The award is a further success for the Farmhouse Kitchen, who picked up another Bronze award last year in the ‘Steak & Ale’ category. The three award-winning pies were: ‘The Mother Clucker’ – a chicken, ham and mushroom pie – ‘The Southport Athletic JFC pie,’ and ‘The Queenie’. The bakery has been producing its award-winning pies for over four years. While the…
Southport shoppers splashing their Christmas cash have helped to boost the local economy for the first time in more than half a year. UK wide the economy grew by 0.2%, official figures show, boosted in the most part by sales in physical shops. This is an early estimate, but signals how the UK, which entered recession at the end of 2023, is faring. It comes as the council once again set out gloomy news that council tax will rise by 4.9% in April meaning people will pay around £100 more per year than they did in 2023. Liz McKeown, director…
Openreach has been asked to suspend telegraph pole work scheduled for this week in Southport and hold a constructive dialogue with local residents. The call follows a meeting between council Highways Officers and Sefton Cabinet Member Cllr John Fairclough with Norwood Councillor Greg Myers, who outlined to them residents’ complaints over Openreach’s work programme approach. Part of a government-backed push to improve broadband speed nationwide, the work has caused issues in several communities across the country. While the upgrade programme is welcomed, says Cllr Myers, telegraph poles for many Southport residents are not. Crucially, he believes Openreach’s approach to dealing with…
A NHS worker who was subjected to intense emotional and physical abuse before she was rescued from a night of horror in a Southport hotel has now spoken out about her ordeal. Hoping it will help others to see telltale signs of abuse, NHS administrator Karla Greenwood has laid bare the aganisong ordeal she suffered at the hands of then boyfriend Lewis Greenwood. The relationship, which started off with red flags, eventually boiled over into a night of terror at an unnamed Southport hotel and spa that saw hotel guests step in and rescue Karla from physical abuse. Karla told…
A town centre Italian restaurant has won the coveted title of ‘Best Restaurant 2023’ Volare, the popular family run Italian on Lord Street, scooped the Restaurant Critic’s Best Restaurant Southport 2023 award after wowing mystery diner judges. A team of expert mystery diners extensively travels across the UK each year to discover the finest restaurants and food establishments. Judges say they are dedicated to providing food lovers with the ultimate guide, ensuring optimal word choice, structure, readability, and eloquence. Volare has been at the heart of Lord Street since 2007, and recently underwent a huge refurbishment and expansion. Partners and…
Politicians will tonight vote to increase your council tax bills by 5% meaning bills could rise by more than £100 a year. Sefton Council will meet in Bootle Town Hall this evening where all indications point to a vote to put your bills up from April 1st. A majority vote is expected in tonight’s key decision which will also see the Southport Park & Ride service scrapped in a bid to save money. Council tax has risen ever year for the past five years causing a financial headache for many and leaving others to struggle with even more dwindling funds.…
The Sainsbury’s Meols Cop megastore opens tomorrow morning after ten years of controversies. Set to welcome thousands of shoppers and create hundreds of new jobs, the huge superstore on the Meols Cop retail park had been a contentious subject for politicians and locals since plans were first revealed in 2015. Council chiefs told the Liverpool Echo they were first made aware of the supermarket giants plans to abandon Lord Street and build a megastore out of town ten years ago in 2014. What followed was a decade of controversy which ended in the High Court and an unusual restriction that…
Dickinson Parker Hill Solicitors, based in Derby Street, Ormskirk have recently presented a cheque for £5,886 to Twinkle House following their annual Charity Will Month last November. Each year, Mike Prendergast and Leanne Duff, Partners at Dickinson Parker Hill, and their colleagues hold a Charity Will Month to support local charities and good causes and this year Twinkle House in Skelmersdale was one of the beneficiaries. Since 2009, the Dickinson Parker Hill Charity Will Month has helped raise almost £160,000 for local charities. Clients from across West Lancashire have benefitted from being able to put in place Wills to ensure…
Civic buildings in Sefton will be lit up this Saturday to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s criminal invasion of Ukraine. Bootle and Southport’s town halls and The Atkinson will be illuminated at the weekend to show the Borough’s support for Ukrainians, Russians and everyone else who is opposed to Vladimir Putin’s war. Since the start of the war in February 2022, more than 180 Sefton households have provided safe places for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict to live. Around 460 Ukrainian adults and children and adults have come to the Borough through the national Homes for Ukraine scheme. Sefton Council…