A Southport councillor has announced his defection from the Conservative group to Reform UK. Mike Morris MBE, who was last elected as a Conservative councillor in 2022, announced his defection today to the Nigel Farage led Reform UK party. He has been a sitting councillor in Sefton, representing the Cambridge Ward since 2018. Cllr Morris’ biography on Sefton Council’s website has already been updated to reflect his change in political allegiance In an official announcement Cllr Morris made no direct comment about his seven years under the Conservative Party Cllr Morris said: “In Sefton, only Reform can possibly command enough…
Author: On The Spot News
A man has been jailed for six years for domestic-related offences in Southport. Aiden Spillane, 44, of Cockleshell Square, Gosport, in Hampshire, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Thursday 21 August) after being found guilty of sexual assault and two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour. Spillane lived in Southport during the time of his offences, which occurred between January 2016 and August 2023. Detective Constable Rebecca Morgan-Richardson said: “We are committed to tackling any form of abuse or violence against women or girls. “I hope this sentence sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate any violence…
A man has been charged after a firearm and bullets were found in Southport. At around 5.30pm on Saturday 16 August, Merseyside Police received a report of criminal damage at Manchester Road in Southport. Officers attended and detained a man at that location. Following a search of a car, officers found a gun and bullets inside the vehicle just a few hundred yards away from Southport Police Station. Yesterday, Tuesday 19 August, Liam Clarke, 34 years, of no fixed abode but originally from Plymouth, was charged with possession of a firearm without a certificate and possession of ammunition without a…
Merseyside Police are asking for assistance in finding a missing man from Southport. Joseph Ryan, aged 40, was last seen at around 6am this morning (Monday 18 August) and inquiries are ongoing to find him. He’s described as being around 6ft tall, has a medium build, short brown hair and he was last seen wearing a navy blue top and grey tracksuit bottoms. Police are asking residents to call 999 if you see Joseph. You can also pass on any sightings of him via : www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/mp/v2/add-something-reported-missing/ or any other information to @MerPolCC or 101.
A man has been arrested following a firearm, bullets and drugs were found in Southport. At around 5.30pm on Saturday 16 August, we received a report that a man was forcing a communal door and then gained entry into a flat on Manchester Road, causing damage. Officers attended and detained a man who was in possession of a plastic tub containing a large quantity of unclassified pills. Following a search of a car outside the building, officers also found a gun and bullets inside the vehicle. A 34-year-old man of no fixed abode was arrested on suspicion of two counts…
The award winning Farmhouse Kitchen team wowed crowds at the Southport Flower Show earlier today in a packed out Cookery Theatre. Owner Rob Marshall, who boasts three years worth of wins at the annual British Pie Awards, also runs The Grazing Lounge in Southport Town Centre alongside his Blowick based sister business The Farmhouse Kitchen. Rob gave an eye opening demonstration into the creation process behind his award winning pies, pastries and savoury delights to a packed out culinary tent alongside a host of other famous names from the cooking world. The display of hyper local produce precedes Michelin star…
A food challenge celebrity with nearly six million subscribers has become the first person to conquer a brand new eating competition at a Southport restaurant. The Hungry Monk in Cambridge Arcade welcomed Adam Moran, better known as the YouTube sensation BeardMeatsFood, to take on their brand new food eating challenge. The Hungriest Monk Challenge gives you 30 minutes to finish Salt & Chilli Loaded Fries, Gourmet Hot Dog. Franks Hot Chicken Wings, Mac & Cheese, Onion Rings and Double Beef and Chicken Burger with Bacon and Cheese smothered in Monks Burger Sauce. Competitors also get one free soft drink included…
A popular Ainsdale restaurant has thanked hundreds of people for supporting a petition to save their outdoor on street bar. Dolce Vita on Station Road in Ainsdale have been told by council planners they should tear down a pop up outdoor bar area which was reportedly created without permission. The council issued a demand to the restaurant’s owners, sparking a frenzied appeal for support from patrons to keep the bar. A post by the restaurants owners said “You may or may not be aware that Sefton Council have demanded us to remove our outdoor bar. ”According to the council, “the…
A Birkdale house on the market for nearly £800,000 has gone viral after eagle eyed property hunters spotted an unusual feature of the seven bed property. The property was listed on a a popular social media account called ‘Housing Horrors’ which aims to highlight the weird, wonderful and shocking quirks of houses that are for sale or rent across the UK. Despite being listed for sale for well over a year now, it’s taken until this week for the house to gain national attention. Yet it’s not the sprawling gardens, huge bathrooms or immaculate kitchen that’s caught the eye of…
Ainsdale beach car park will remain closed for the time being while our Green Sefton team continue to remove the many thousands of tonnes of soft sand blown up during Storm Floris. The car park has been closed to avoid vehicles becoming stuck in the soft sand conditions. 500 tonnes of sand have already been removed, and the team continue to work tirelessly to improve sand conditions. Green Sefton are undertaking daily assessments and will reopen the car park as soon as it is safe to do so. People planning a visit to our coast this weekend are encouraged to…
A woman has been charged by police following an attempted robbery in Formby. At around 6.50pm on Tuesday 5 August it was reported that a woman asked another one for a cigarette on Church Road, became abusive and making threats, then tried to steal the handbag. Officers attended and following a search of the area arrested a woman. Stacey Marie Vasey, 38 years, of Smithy Green in Formby, has been charged with attempted robbery. She has been remanded into custody and will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 4 September.
Four people from Southport have pleaded guilty to a series of serious offences following a long-running investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit. At Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 5 August 2025, Megan Carney-Borrowman, Sandra Carney, Jordan Borrowman and Adam Yaffe admitted to offences including fraud, money laundering, and the sale of counterfeit goods. The investigation revealed a large-scale operation involving the distribution of fake merchandise, laundering of criminal funds, benefit fraud, and a fraudulent insurance claim relating to a luxury Rolex watch. The defendants are: – Megan Carney-Borrowman, 34, from Southport – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to…
On this day in 1851 Southport’s Chapel Street railway station officially opened as the final terminus in what was then the Liverpool, Crosby and Southport Railway (LCSR). Now unrecognisable from its original appearance when it first welcomed passengers on August 5th, 1851, Southport Station remains the town’s largest transport hub, welcoming visitors to the seaside resort from around the UK. The original station was relatively modest in comparison to later developments, but it quickly became a hub of activity. Services initially ran from Liverpool, making Southport far more accessible to the city’s middle class, who flocked to the town for…
Police are warning parents and young people of the dangers of urban exploring after break ins at derelict buildings across Southport. Police have been dealing with reports of youths going onto the site of the derelict old Hesketh Centre building in Southport and the Sands Pub in Ainsdale. A TikTok account showcasing the interior of a number of buildings around the area has filmed inside the former Pontins site, The Sands Pub and the Shorrocks building in Formby, Police said “The [hesketh centre] building was subject to a fire some months ago. As a result of the fire damage, the…
Vandals have targeted Bedford Park in Birkdale, ripping up dozens of plants and flowers from beds in the gardens. The vandalism, which is the latest in a series of incidents, has destroyed the beds ruining hours of volunteer work which was done in a bid to make Bedford Park look more presentable. Cllr Sonya Kelly bemoaned the latest act of vandalism saying “Once again somebody has pulled up the few flowers we have in the one and only flowerbed in Bedford Park. “Volunteers put time, money and effort in to brightening the park, it is extremely disappointing to find the…
People in Southport are being advised to prepare for any emotional distress they may feel ahead of extensive media scrutiny on the town over the next few weeks. A media spotlight is being shone on the town ahead of the one year on mark from last summer’s traumatic attacks. The coverage begins with a hour long Channel Four documentary broadcast on Thursday July 24th called ‘One Day In Southport’ which features firsthand accounts of the horrific ordeal from at least one survivor and other eye witnesses. National press are expected to be broadcasting live from the town throughout next Tuesday…
Sefton Council leader Cllr Marion Atkinson has insisted that plans to regenerate Southport’s Town Hall Gardens as a beautiful space to in memory of Alice, Elsie and Bebe will not be delayed because of protesters disrupting a recent Council meeting. Hot seat Appearing on BBC Radio Merseyside’s Hot Seat session on Friday (18th July), Cllr Atkinson confirmed the £10 million scheme that was due to be approved at the postponed meeting would go ahead as planned. She said: “We won’t let what happened stop what we need to do.” You can find about the plans for Southport’s Town Hall Gardens…
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued for Southport, with the Met Office cautioning that heavy rain may lead to significant disruption from Friday night through much of Saturday. The Met Office has warned: “Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.” The warning, which covers central and eastern England including the Southport area, highlights the potential for damage to property, transport disruption, and localised power outages. According to the forecast, areas…
Southport-based author and broadcaster John Keith’s new novel “The Shankly Conspiracy” is published this month by Pegasus Books. John, a well known Merseyside football journalist of over sixty years will join Liverpool FC legend Ian Callaghan to sign copies of the book at Waterstones in Chapel Street, Southport from 1pm on Saturday, August 2nd. “I’ve written 33 books, mainly on football, but this is my first novel, “ says John. “It is blend of fact and fiction with a storyline that embraces football, the Elgin Marbles, the Greek dictatorship and, of course, Bill Shankly, a man I was privileged to…
The father of Alice Da Silva Aguiar is preparing to beat six international marathons in a row to raise money in his beloved daughter’s memory. Sergio Aguiar, supported by wife Alex and thousands of Southport residents, will take on the Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Boston and London Marathons in succession to raise funds for Alice’s WonderDance, a foundation in memory of his daughter Alice. A spokesperson for the charity said today “Alice’s WonderDance is officially launched! “We’re so proud to announce our very first fundraising campaign. Last April, Alice’s incredible dad, Sergio, ran the London Marathon in memory of his…
When the world’s top golfers need help with the putting game, they only have one man they can call. Phil Kenyon, from Southport, like most sandgrounders grew up surrounded by the game. An unavoidable bonus of living on Britain’s Golf Coast. His dad was friends with coaches who taught legends Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood among many others. “He would pay me to help him out, carrying his gear around, and was a huge inspiration,” said Kenyon. He quickly realised he “didn’t have the game” to make it as a professional golfer and turned his hand…
Councillors have today met with OpenReach bosses amid fears that telegraph poles could make an unwanted return to parts of the town. Dukes Councillor Mike Prendergast led a meeting at Southport Town Hall with other politicians who pushed the internet provision firm on their latest plans to install fibre optic broadband in the town. It comes after protests throughout 2023 and 2024 from residents in Churchtown who fought against plans to install unsightly telegraph poles. The residents were victorious at the time despite OpenReach saying the installation would result in more homes being upgraded quicker and more efficiently than digging…
Health chiefs are encouraging people to stay sun safe today (Saturday July 12th) as Southport enjoys one of the hottest days of the year so far. The mercury will tip over the 30°c mark today with weather forecasters saying blistering sunshine is all but guaranteed. With its coastline expected to be very busy over the coming days as temperatures soar, Sefton Council is urging people to plan their journeys to avoid queues hours spent in a boiling hot car and disruption for local residents. Sefton’s beaches are in easy walking distance from Merseyrail stations such as Southport, Birkdale, Hillside, Ainsdale,…
Merseyside Police is preparing to welcome large crowds for the Orange Lodge Parade in Liverpool and Southport tomorrow, Saturday 12 July. It’s anticipated that this year’s parade will have a large attendance as it falls on a Saturday and a policing plan is in place ahead of the event. Superintendent Phil Mullally said: “Tomorrow’s parade is expected to be well attended and we want everyone to enjoy the event safely. “I hope this will be an enjoyable day for all those attending as they celebrate with friends and family. “The public will see an increased police presence along the parade…
As we approach July 29th, 2025, we know people have questions about how to remember everyone directly affected by the events of last summer. Your compassion has been a source of comfort to all affected through their darkest days. The shared grief, countless acts of kindness and especially the commitment to honouring the memory of Alice, Bebe, and Elsie have meant more than words can express. This period is incredibly hard for the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie and all of those children and adults injured or who suffered lifelong psychological impact of witnessing the attack, and we acknowledge…
Nearly four hundred people have backed a petition to call on the council to financially support a struggling town centre pub that has temporarily closed due to roadworks. Connolly’s Irish Pub on King Street has been closed temporarily for a number of weeks after its owner said they had been left high and dry by Sefton Council’s Market Quarter roadworks. The council say the disruptive roadworks are part of the Les Transformations de Southport, which will support the town’s businesses by increasing footfall between all areas of Southport town centre. It resulted from people saying they wanted it to be…
A woman has been charged with assault following a disturbance in Southport. Merseyside Police received a report just after 8pm on Saturday 28 June of a disturbance at St George’s Place on Lord Street where a woman approached another woman and hit her. The victim sustained a cut to her nose. Officers attended and a woman was arrested nearby. Deborah Murphy, 39 years, of Fleetwood Road in Southport, has been charged with assault by beating and has been released on police bail to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday 18 August.
This month, Sefton Council is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Antony Gormley’s spectacular Another Place artwork on its Crosby Beach. July 2005 saw the arrival of the 100, 6ft 2”, cast iron figures, nicknamed ‘The Iron Men’ by locals. They now stand as a permanent and striking installation along a two-mile stretch of coast from Waterloo to Blundellands, attracting millions of visitors worldwide. To mark this important anniversary, Sefton Council is organising a touring display featuring stunning photographs taken over two decades by Crosby photographer Ron Davies. ‘Men for All Seasons’ will feature 20 of Davies’ landscape images that capture…
June’s Sefton Economic Forum welcomed the latest new businesses that have been supported by InvestSefton’s collaboration with leading social enterprises, Merseyside Expanding Horizons (MEH) and Safe Regeneration. Sixteen new businesses have been supported by the Government-funded Sefton Business Start Up programme. The initiative provides dedicated business start-up advice, guidance and mentoring to Sefton residents wanting to start their own business. In total, 50 new businesses have been created by the scheme, which has been extended for a further year. InvestSefton, Sefton Council’s business support service, works closely with MEH and Safe Regeneration. Both have thriving enterprises in the impressive Big…
A Southport man has been jailed for 15 years and must sign the Sex Offender Register for life after raping a child and committing a series of sex offences against four other children. Callum Crofts, 22, of King Street, Southport, was found guilty of the rape of a child under 16 last February after a two-week trial in November 2024. He then pleaded guilty in March 2025 to 11 more offences against children. Crofts was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, on Monday 30 June, to a total of 15 years in prison for the following sexual offences, which took place…