The mum and dad of a Southport three year old are appealing for help and support after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Just a few short weeks ago, 3-year-old Oscar Brown was a cheeky, happy, and healthy little boy — full of energy, laughter, and love for life. Four weeks later, his world and his parents lived changed forever as Oscar was diagnosed with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. The tumour is large, inoperable, and located on his brain stem — affecting the way he walks and moves. His mum Katie said:…
Author: On The Spot News
Council chiefs have shot down claims they’re involved in the removal of a knitted spitfire outside the Atkinson. The life sized display has been on show since mid October and was taken away this afternoon, sparking a flurry of complaints about it not staying for Remembrance Sunday in two days time. Many said the council should be ashamed of themselves and did not show respect to armed forces veterans with reports claiming the Spitfire was away in favour of the town’s Christmas Tree. However Sefton Council have waded into the online dogfight to deny any involvement in the controversial move,…
Giant Chandeliers, world class circus performers and never ending rainbows will all be on show in Southport next year as part of a hugely ambitious programme of new cultural events. As one of the UK’s most historic seaside destinations, Southport has long drawn generations of visitors with its elegant boulevards, Victorian architecture and flamboyant history. For over two centuries, it’s been a place of performance, spectacle and eccentric entertainment with visitors from Napoleon III to Judy Garland revelling in Venetian Gondolas taking over the water, Elephants parading on Lord Street, Camel Races on the beach and famous street entertainers diving…
Repair and refurbishment works to Southport Pier are expected to get underway in early 2026, Sefton Council has announced today. Once they start the works will take approximately fourteen months to complete The Local Authority’s Cabinet will consider a report next week (Thursday November 6th) which outlines plans to commence work as soon as possible on the iconic Southport Pier. A full restoration of the unsafe structure, which has sadly been closed since December 2022 for health and safety reasons, will now take place thanks to a £20 million investment from the UK Government’s Growth Mission Fund. The funding announcement, confirmed…
Lady Marina Dalglish MBE is set to be appointed as Independent Chair of the project board overseeing the regeneration of Southport’s Town Hall Gardens. The appointment will see Lady Dalglish MBE sit alongside the families of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe and funders as the ambitious legacy project progresses in the heart of Southport Town Centre. This follows the conclusion of the first phase of a dedicated engagement and consultation exercise to seek the views of residents, businesses and visitors on the future look and offer provided by the revamped Gardens. The historic space will undergo its…
Following on from reports of plant thefts in the Borough, Sefton Council is seeking the community’s support in protecting and respecting public gardens. The Hesketh Park Heritage Group reported that brand new plants and shrubs were uprooted and stolen before they could take pride of place in the park’s display gardens. It was later learned that, alongside the many plants bought by individual volunteers and volunteer groups, some had been bequeathed to Hesketh Park by a local couple in their will. The Council is urging people across the Borough to leave plants and flowers untouched, allowing them to be enjoyed…
Police have issued a s35 dispersal zone around Duke Street park in Formby following an increase in reports of antisocial behaviour. The order runs from 5pm today, Friday 17 October until 5pm on Sunday 19 October and includes the area outlined in the map including Long Lane footpath, Church Road, Liverpool Road, Altcar Lane, Hoggs Hill Lane, the railway line, Kirklake Road, Woodlands Road, Wicks Lane and Freshfield Road. The Section 35 which is under the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, gives officers and police community support traffic officers powers to: Require anyone to leave the area and prevent them…
A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for child sex offences committed in Southport. Marcin Laskowski, 39 years, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday 7 October, to 14 years in prison with six years extended licence thereafter. He was also issued with an indefinite restraining order against the victim, an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and is required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life. Today’s sentencing relates to child sex offences Laskowski (of no fixed address but lived in Southport) committed in January where he had engaged in sexual activity with a 14-year-old…
Fire crews have been called to Russell Road in Southport this afternoon after a car exploded. The silver car, believed to be a Renault, burst into flames near Russell Road playing fields just after 2pm this afternoon. People are being warned to stay away from the area after reports that the fire was causing parts of the car to explode. The fire appears to have started in the car’s engine bay. The driver is understood to have managed to safely get clear of the vehicle before the fire took hold. Fire crews have been called and are en route to…
A controversial plan to buy the Salfordian Hotel in Southport has now been rubber stamped. Sefton Council cabinet today approved the acquisition of The Salfordian Hotel in Southport to provide temporary accommodation for some of Sefton’s most in need households. Permanent homes Purchasing the former hotel will enable the Council to assist eligible homeless households while it helps them find permanent homes. It will continue the building’s 60-year history of providing a refuge for those in need. The Salfordian was acquired by Salford Council in 1963 to provide sheltered and safe accommodation for residents and carers. Recently Salford Council approached…
Merseyside Police are appealing for information following increased reports of paramotors being flown at Crosby beach. A paramotor is a powered paraglider and consists of a wing, a backpack-mounted engine, propeller system and a harness. Pilots must abide by aviation law, including the Air Navigation Order. In recent weeks, Merseyside Polie have received numerous reports of pilots using paramotors on Burbo Bank, next to Crosby beach. It’s been reported that pilots have been using a field next to the coastguard at Burbo Bank, which is a popular site for visitors, and they’ve gone on to travel extremely low to the…
Southport’s MP has welcomed the ‘wonderful’ news that the town’s decommissioned Pier finally has the money to be repaired. The council has previously said it will cost at least £15 million to fix, with £3 million already sitting ‘ready to go.’ “The Chancellor has announced up to £20 million to restore our historic Southport Pier,” the MP Patrick Hurley announced earlier this evening. This brings the current confirmed total repair pot to £23 million. He continued “I’m absolutely delighted this funding will help protect an important part of our towns heritage, bring it back to life, and ensure it can…
Sefton Council is working closely in partnership with other councils across the Liverpool City Region (LCR), as well as Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority (MRWA), to introduce new weekly food waste collections. Forthcoming legislation for councils across England, means all local authorities will be required by law to collect food waste from households every week. This is part of a new government plan called Simpler Recycling, which aims to make recycling easier and more consistent across the country. The goal is to reduce the amount of food going to landfill, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and turn food waste into green…
Yesterday South Rural task force received reports of males hare coursing in Bickerstaffe, Ormskirk. Police attended and detained 3 males, interviewing, seizing items off them and finally reporting them for wildlife offences. For those wishing to come into Lancashire committing rural crime this is what will happen to you. A police spokesperson said: “The two dogs with the group decided police officers were better people to be with and ran to the nearby officers. These dogs have been taken to kennels and are being looked after and cared for. For those who will comment ‘it’s one for the pot’ and…
Detectives have charged a Liverpool man with multiple crimes against businesses in Merseyside and Cheshire. As part of an ongoing investigation, Darragh Dunne, 35 of Lancaster Street, Walton has been charged with the following offences: • Burglary other than dwelling at Occulo Lounge, Lord Street, Southport on Saturday, 31 August in which cash was stolen • Burglary other than dwelling at Bonobo Bar and Canteen, St John Street, Chester on Sunday, 24 August in which electrical equipment was stolen • Burglary other than dwelling at The Beer Place, Foregate Street, Chester on Wednesday, 13 August in which electrical equipment was…
Alzheimer’s Society Sefton have teamed up with Southport Macmillan Centre to organise Sefton’s first ever cancer with dementia event. It will take place on Monday 29 September at the Bold Hotel, Lord Street, Southport from 10,30am to 2pm. It will take the form of speakers talking about local services from both charities, as well as exercise, wellbeing, welfare benefits and other support. In addition there will be representatives from Southport Memory Clinic, Sefton Carers’ Centre, Compassion Acts and Southport Hospital’s Admiral Nurse Team. Barry Lyon, Service Manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Sefton said, “We don’t want this event to be…
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward following a serious collision in Birkdale on Thursday 11 September. At around 8.10pm, it was reported that a white MG HS car had been involved in a collision with a male pedestrian on the Coastal Road, near to the public footpath adjacent to Selworthy Road. Emergency services attended the scene and the man, aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. A 54-year-old woman from Ainsdale was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless/inconsiderate driving and driving whilst…
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a serious collision in Birkdale last night (Thursday 11 September). At around 8.10pm, it was reported that a white MG HS car had been involved in a collision with a male pedestrian on the Coastal Road, near to the public footpath adjacent to Selworthy Road. Emergency services attended the scene and the man, aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. A 54-year-old woman from Ainsdale was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless/inconsiderate driving and driving whilst unfit…
The team behind children’s grief counselling service Bebe’s Hive have unveiled their brand new town centre hub. Bebe’s Hive, which was set up in memory of Bebe King, will take over the former Sefton Council One Stop Shop in Cambridge Arcade. The building has set disused for a number of years when the council moved its one stop services to the nearby Atkinson. Bebe’s mum and dad, Lauren & Ben King, said: “Since May, we’ve been quietly working behind the scenes and today, we can finally share the news. “Bebe’s Hive will soon open its doors down Cambridge Walks, at…
Sefton Council is proposing to implement a legal order to give local people more influence over properties being used for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The order – known as an Article 4 Direction – would mean any plans to turn a house into an HMO would have to seek planning permission. Just a couple of months after issuing a similar order for Aintree, the council is now seeking to apply it to the whole borough, as residents have continued to raise concerns about HMOs. Councillor Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “Since taking action across the borough, and…
Sefton has been officially named as one of the first areas in England to lead the rollout of the NHS’s new Neighbourhood Health Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at transforming how health and care services are delivered in local communities. Backed by £10 million in national funding shared across all 43 sites, the programme aims to develop integrated neighbourhood health systems that bring care closer to home, particularly for people living with multiple long-term conditions. Sefton’s selection as a pioneer reflects its strong track record of partnership working and innovation in community-based care. The successful application to be part of…
Southport’s skyline is about to dazzle like never before! The British Musical Fireworks Championship 2025 returns to Victoria Park on 27th–28th September, and this year, it’s bigger than ever. For the first time ever, experience the UK’s most breathtaking pyro-musical displays paired with a full-colour DroneSwarm light show, a fusion of fireworks, music, and cutting-edge drone artistry lighting up the night sky. It’s a show you won’t want to miss. It takes place over the weekend of 27th–28th Sept and Tickets are available now – Head to www.seetickets.com/event/british-musical-fireworks-championship/victoria-park/3245506 Not everyone has welcomed the return of the annual show however with…
Conservative Group Leader on Sefton Council, Mike Prendergast has put forward a motion for the forthcoming Sefton Council meeting at Bootle Town Hall calling for the return of full 24-hour emergency care services at Southport Hospital, including a dedicated Children’s A&E department. Since 2003, Southport has been without full emergency care services. Children needing urgent care are currently sent to Ormskirk Hospital, with the nearest service between midnight and 8am then only available in Liverpool. The motion follows the publication of proposals from the Shaping Care Together Joint Committee, which has put forward two options for the future of local…
Sefton Council is seeking the views of local families to have their say on a new way of working to bring together health, social care, education and more to help families get the right support at the right time. The Families First Partnership Programme is a national initiative to help improve children’s social care across England. It encourages services to work together and take a more joined-up, family-focused approach to early help and child protection. The programme focuses on: Giving the right Family Help at the right time Creating Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPTs) Using Family Group Decision Making to involve families in planning Sefton Families First…
A film focusing on the history of King Street is set to launch at Southport’s Bijou Cinema. Created by the Spectrum Alliance Merseyside, the film promises to delve into the fascinating stories and hidden secrets behind King Street. The film is set to premiere on Tuesday, 14 October at 1.30pm at Southport’s Bijou Cinema on Post Office Avenue. Tickets are free. This documentary has been created and edited entirely by a group of autistic adults from Spectrum Alliance Merseyside andis a Built Round Us project,funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund through the Southport Townscape Heritage Project in 2025. For…
An electrical fire broke out on Southport Pier in the early hours of this morning. OTS News understands the fire brigade were called out just after midnight to a fire on the beachside of Southport Pier. Images show the blaze centred around the halfway house, a former ice cream pavilion, as well as an area of decking. The fire was quickly put out by emergency services including three fire engines from Southport. Merseyside Police were also called to the scene. Southport Pier has been closed for a number of years due to the need to significant refurbishment and repair. A…
A popular town centre restaurant has closed its doors for the final time. Staff at the Hungry Monk Alehouse and Kitchen thanked their customers both old and new in an emotional farewell post shared earlier today. The restaurant’s owners say they have made the difficult decision to close to focus on family, with the restaurant’s owner sadly in ill health. It has been a staple of the town centre for eleven years and was a popular venue due to its famous tribute acts and eclectic decor. A post by the Monk’s Facebook page says: “It’s with heavy hearts that we…
The first stage of a dedicated consultation and engagement process into the future of Southport’s Town Hall Gardens has launched today (Tuesday, August 26th). A £10 million regeneration project for the Lord Street site was announced earlier this summer after the gardens became a key focal point for the community since the tragic events of July 2024. Thousands of people gathered in the gardens for a community led vigil, the visit of HRH King Charles III and, more recently, a three minutes silence to honour everyone directly impacted by the events of last year. Funded by Central Government, the Liverpool…
Southport golfer Tommy Fleetwood has claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory, winning the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Fleetwood held off a late surge from Patrick Cantlay to secure the $10m victory on Sunday evening. Finishing with a total of 18 under, Fleetwood played a solid final round that saw him end the day two under par, winning the competition by three shots, brushing off some mid-round inconsistency to finish strongly. His maiden victory comes on his 164th PGA Tour competition entry. Speaking to NBC, Fleetwood said: “You just keep learning. There was Travelers, Memphis and…
Emergency services are currently dealing with an incident on the rail line between Formby and Hightown. Merseyrail have warned passengers that as a result services between Southport and Liverpool are at a partial standstill, with trains only running from Hall Road to the city centre. Passengers needing to get to and from Southport are being given rail replacement busses, while Arriva have said they will accept train tickets on their 47 and 300 services. Stagecoach’s X2 route will also take train tickets during the disruption. A Merseyrail spokesperson said “Due to emergency services dealing with an incident between Formby and…