Extensive works to revamp Royal Birkdale golf course are nearing completion in time for the prestigious venue to host the 2026 Open. The second stage of Works revolve around a huge redesign of the course including the creation of new holes All work is set to be finished and grown in for the club to host the Open in 2026. The redesign includes changes to the fifth and seventh holes, the removal of the existing fourteenth hole, the alteration of the existing par-five fifteenth to become the new fourteenth hole, and a completely new par-three fifteenth hole. “At its core,…
Author: On The Spot News
On Social Work Day, Sefton Council is proud to celebrate its social workers across Children’s and Adults Services who make a difference to the lives of individuals and families across the borough. Social work in Sefton involves supporting children, young people, adults and families who are facing challenges or need some support to move forward. It is about approaching a situation with compassion and understanding and building resilience of individuals and families while working together across police, education, health, voluntary and other sectors to ensure families and people in Sefton receive holistic support and support them to navigate change. Cllr…
Three males have been charged following a robbery in Southport earlier this month. At around 9.35pm on Friday 14 March, police were called to a report that a man in his 30s had his mobile phone stolen by three males on Chapel Street in Southport and then ran off. It was further reported that a man in his 50s was assaulted and robbed on Wesley Street and had his wallet, mobile car and house keys stolen and then ran off. The victim sustained swelling and bruising to his head. Officers attended, carried out a search of the area and arrested…
Sefton Council has honoured its longest serving Councillor as part of its 50 year celebrations. Southport Councillor Sir Ron Watson CBE has served on Sefton Council since its inception half a century ago and had previously been a member of Southport Town Council before that! Now Cllr Watson, affectionately referred to as ‘Sir Ron’ by colleagues and officers alike, has been honoured by the Mayor of Sefton Cllr June Burns and Leader of the Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson, to thank him for his decades of service. Sir Ron, who has always represented the Conservative Party while serving on the Council,…
Another Southport celebrity has ruled out a working return to their hometown. Comedian Lee Mack has confirmed he will never perform a stand up routine in Southport, saying he would be far too nervous. The household name claimed that it would cause him too much unrest to perform in his hometown because he would recognise people in the audience. He gave an interview to the Liverpool Echo this week saying “ I’ve never done a gig in Southport and I never will. “It just feels wrong for me to do that. It’s just the nerves. It’s too close to home.…
A heartfelt appeal to create a new playground for children at Churchtown Primary School in memory of Alice Aguiar and Bebe King has officially surpassed its goal of £250,000. £254,793 has now been raised as of Sunday morning and it follows a nationwide plea by Alice’s father on BBC News yesterday morning. This new playground, which has been proposed by Alice’s parents as a way of honouring her memory, will serve as a joyful, healing space for all our pupils. It will be a place where they can do what children do best – play, explore and grow, and is…
Southport’s premier pie making duo from Southport is leaving their competitors to pick up the crumbs after storming to a double win in the British Pie Awards 2025. The Farmhouse Kitchen, run by a mum and son duo, on Old Park Lane won best pie in the country in two different classes while being highly commended in two others. The pair each entered their own specialities this year, with the spoils being shared as both mum and son each took home ‘class winner’ which is a league above the gold medal category. Judges were wowed by Mrs Farmhouse’s Fish Pie…
A warning has been issued not to give cash or make card payments to people purporting to be civil enforcement officers. Reports have been made to say a number of people have been scammed by an individual pretending to be a Sefton Council warden fining people in Botanic Gardens, Southport. The individual who has not been identified has believed to have asked park users to pay ‘on the spot’ fines for allegedly breaching public space protection orders. This includes littering and dog fouling. However the council has now warned anyone who may be approached by this individual to call the…
Police have closed off part of Scarisbrick New Road this morning after a car lost control and ended up on its roof. The incident happened near to the Richmond Pub and has seen the road partially closed to traffic between Kew Roundabout and Haig Avenue. The driver of a yellow car lost control of their vehicle and the car ended up on its roof. Eye witnesses say the driver managed to escape the car with help from passers by and was out of the vehicle by the time emergency services arrived. Police have closed off the road and drivers are…
Please share and help police find missing 36-year-old TJay Waters from Southport. TJay has been missing from home and he was last seen on Fridy 7 March on Eastbank Street. Extensive enquiries are ongoing to find him. He is 5ft 9in tall, of slim build, and blonde hair. TJay was last seen wearing navy blue padded jacket, black tracksuit pants, black trainers with an orange stripe. However, he may now be wearing an orange t-shirt, grey tracksuit pants and white trainers. He is known to frequent the Southport and Lancashire areas. Please pass on any sightings via our form https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/mp/v2/add-something-reported-missing/…
Almost 300 responses have already been submitted to Sefton Council’s consultation on the second stage of its Les Transformations De Southport project. “Les Transformations de Southport” is a scheme that will improve connectivity across the whole town centre. It includes improved pedestrian facilities, better links to the railway station and the creation of new public spaces for hosting events. Phase 2 looks at potential changes to how people travel around the promenade and surrounding streets. The proposals aim to make accessibility and connectivity better for people between the town centre and the iconic promenade of Southport. People are being asked…
Detectives in Sefton are appealing for information following a suspected arson in Southport on Saturday night, 8 March. At around 9.05pm, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) informed police of a car on fire at a garage on Leyland Road. The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported, although significant damage was caused to the car. Forensic, CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing. Detective Inspector Sara Lang said: “We initially believe that this was arson, and we are keeping an open as to why this happened. To set a vehicle alight is reckless in the extreme and put anyone…
A man from Southport has been jailed for eight years for raping a woman. Adam Francis, 32, of Holmdale Ave, Southport, denied the rape but was found guilty and sentenced today, Friday 7 March, at Liverpool Crown Court. He was also given a restraining order preventing him contacting the victim for life and made to sign the sex offenders list for life. During his trial, the court heard how Francis had raped a woman in Ainsdale in the early hours of Sunday 5 May 2024. Following a complex investigation, detectives arrested Francis and he was later charged with the offence.…
A town centre restaurant has reportedly closed its doors with little notice to its staff, it’s been claimed. Staff at Bistro Pierre on Lord Street say the French cuisine based restaurant and bar has closed its doors for good leaving them without jobs. They claim they turned up for work ‘as normal’ this morning to be told by bosses that the business is to be closed. There has been no formal explanation given for the reasons behind the restaurant closing but the location has already been removed from the chain’s website and the restaurants Google page has already been updated…
An Ainsdale man who was formerly employed by Liverpool City Council has been charged as part of a huge investigation into corruption in the city. Andrew Barr, formerly the council’s assistant director of highways and planning, 51, of Ainsdale, has been charged with conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and bribery. The charges are part of Operation Aloft, which was launched by police to look into the the awarding of commercial and business contracts from Liverpool City Council between 2010 and 2020. The former Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, has been also been charged with bribery, misconduct in…
Two snowy owls kept as pets at a home in Ainsdale have gone missing. An appeal has been launched today by Ainsdale resident Jenna Daulby for anyone who may know or have seen the pair of bright white coloured owls to come forward. The pair of owls, which have lived at the home and been family pets for a number of years, escaped and could be anywhere in the Ainsdale area Jenna said “Two snowy owls missing ainsdale area. “if they’ve landed in your back garden please let me know asap we’re gutted. “They have been family pets for years…
An alleged unrestrained and dangerous dog that attacked a post man last year in Ainsdale is still causing Royal Mail workers to fear for their safety. Its resulted in the delivery company making the unusual decision to completely suspend delivering letters and parcels to the Burnley Road area of Ainsdale. Police however say they don’t have enough evidence to progress the case any further at this time. The Liverpool Echo first reported the revelations, which have been confirmed by Royal Mail. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Deliveries to Burnley Road remain suspended due to a dog being out unrestrained that…
Used or discarded newspapers are desperately needed by the volunteers and staff who run the Botanic Gardens Aviary. The team say they are in need of donations of old and discarded newspapers which go into the aviary cages to help manage the amount of bird mess generated by the parks’ flock. The council closed the Aviary last month and it remains shut to the public due to a nationwide bird flu warning. While the birds are getting some respite from their human admirers, their homes still need regular cleaning and maintenance. An aviary spokesperson said “we have put a box…
As part of National Empty Homes Week Sefton Council is tackling the issue of Empty Homes in a number of different ways. One of these, they have warned, is through Council Tax to encourage owners of empty properties to bring them back into use. Owners of empty properties that are empty for over a year are charged an additional premium of 100% of the Council Tax charge. This means a total payable of 200% of the full Council Tax charge. Properties which have been empty for five years are charged a 200% premium making a total payable of 300% of…
A Southport councillor says he has never seen a worse state of the infamous Knob Hall Lane road surface. Cllr Mike Sammon says he wants Sefton Council’s Highways team to ‘show compassion’ and help residents of the unadopted road to fix the state of the carriageway. He said “Been delivering Knob Hall Lane area and I’m sorry to see the road surface looking worse than ever. I think this is a pretty unique case in that it is an unadopted road with adopted roads off it – you have to drive down Knob Hall Lane to get to them. “Newer…
Families in Southport will start to see improved end-of-life care as the government brings in major upgrades to hospice services in the town. After lobbying hard on behalf of local hospice Queenscourt Hospice, local MP Patrick Hurley, welcomed the biggest investment in a generation for hospices, ensuring that hospices can continue to deliver the highest quality end of life care possible for their patients, families, and loved ones. The improvements will help ensure that during life’s most challenging moments, patients and their loved ones receive the highest quality care in the most appropriate and comfortable settings. Hospices will begin receiving…
Four out of five parents want the Prime Minister to do more to stop the circulation of extremist video content online in the wake of the Southport tragedy. The Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), which carried out the study, has warned the PM that he must urgently intervene to stop more “preventable tragedies”. The suicide prevention charity says OFCOM have been too slow to implement the Online Safety Act. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the MRF, said: “Online threats propelled by fluid ideologies have been thrust into the spotlight after the Southport killings and are driving deeply disturbing new trends, including…
European Ryder Cup hero Tommy Fleetwood admits he is “so honoured” to be awarded with a prestigious honorary fellowship by Liverpool John Moore University. The Southport born golfer, 34, will be presented with an honorary fellowship during the university’s spring graduation ceremony at Liverpool Cathedral later this month. The seven-time DP World Tour winner now resides in Dubai. Fleetwood is receiving honorary fellowship as a result of his sporting achievements and support of LJMU’s world-leading School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The English golf hero launched his Tommy Fleetwood Academy in 2019 to broaden the pathways available to bring more…
Sefton Council is reducing the opening hours of its office at Southport Crematorium to one day per week as the public continues to move online for information. Handful A recent study showed that most visits to the office were from funeral directors. These were mainly to collect ashes, which they can continue to do from other crematorium staff. In-person enquiries from the public, such as memorial orders and genealogy queries, have dropped to a handful per week. Information about cremation services at Southport is available via the council’s website, at www.sefton.gov.uk/cremation, or by telephone on 01704 533443. Face-to-face appointments From…
Police have today issued a tribute on behalf of the family of Cathy Doherty, who sadly passed away aged 52 at a property in Meols Cop Road, Southport last Wednesday, 26 February. Her family said “We are all devastated by the loss of our sister Cathy. “She was fun loving, kind and considerate. “She will be greatly missed by all her family. “Please can we ask that your respect our privacy at this traumatic time.” This incident remains an unexplained death pending further enquiries. Two men arrested last week on suspicion of murder have been conditionally bailed.
Southport in Bloom has secured a place in the 2025 Britain in Bloom UK Finals, as one of only four finalists in the Coastal category. The 44 finalists from across the UK will compete to be crowned winner in one of the eight categories, and secure an RHS Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze award. One of the category winners will then go on to be named Britain in Bloom Overall Winner for 2025. The community gardening groups are looking to impress the judges in the summer with their efforts to improve their local area. Each group will be judged…
A Southport man has been arrested and charged following a robbery at a convenience store in Birkdale at the weekend. At around 10.10pm on Saturday 1 March, officers were called to a robbery at Spar on Liverpool Road where it was reported that a man had entered the store, stole cans of beer before assaulting a shop assistant and then made off on a push bike. The victim sustained slight injuries from the assault. Yesterday, Sunday 2 March, Callum Rimmer, 23 years, of Shaws Road, was charged with robbery. He has been remanded into custody and will appear at Wirral…
A four time winner of the illustrious British Pie Awards are hoping to once again be a crust above the rest. The Farmhouse Kitchen, situated on Old Park Lane, have served up a mouth watering eleven different pastry based delights before judges at the British Pie Awards. The annual celebration of the classic slice of homecooked life is a well baked tradition across Britain and sees pie makers from Lands End to John o’ Groats battle it out to be the best. Southport’s very own Farmhouse Kitchen are no strangers to the competition and are hailed as a four time…
Three men have today, Friday 28 February, been jailed after a man suffered serious life-changing injuries after falling from the rear of a van during an attempted theft in Southport. Police were contacted at 8.25pm on Friday 19 July last year after the 20-year-old man fell from the rear of the moving white Peugeot Boxer van as he attempted to intervene in a suspected motorbike theft on The Promenade/Leyland Road. The man, who is now 21, suffered head and chest injuries during the incident. He was taken to hospital where he still continues to receive treatment. Mason McLean, 20, of…
Detectives have arrested two men following the unexplained death of a woman in Southport on Wednesday evening, 26 February. At around 6.03pm, police received a report from the ambulance service of a woman in her 50s being sadly found deceased at a property on Meols Cop Road. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances into the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained. A 48-year-old man from Kirkdale and a 60-year-old man from Ainsdale were arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody. They have since been conditionally bailed pending further enquiries. Anyone with information is asked…