North West of England will receive ₤29.5 million across four Trusts to reduce overcrowding and improve infection control ahead of winter

THE Everton Ladies' Player of the Year Senior Women's Striker, Simone Magill who is originally from Northern Ireland, but now a well known face in and around Merseyside, has been spotted in Southport over the weekend. On 23 May 2021, she took some time out from training to open a new venue, called:- 'Skies' which is located on Lord Street, Southport. Simone, after opening the new cocktail bar, then tucked into a sample of its food menu, before washing it all down with, you guessed it, a cocktail. Adding that she will definitely be back and commenting on the fantastic staff. She was not the only person to do an opening this weekend, with the beer garden also having been launched by Southport's Conservative MP, Damien Moore also said it was a great honour to have been invited to help with the opening of the new venue.

On Sunday, 23 May 2021, just after the opening, Nagender Chindam, Director of Skylight Liverpool Ltd, said:- "After the incredibly challenging period of Covid and Pandemic lockdowns, we are finally very happy to fully open the cocktail bar and lounge restaurant this week. I have introduced our new logo and signage to coincide with the full opening, which was delayed due to Covid19 restrictions. Last year, my team had the honour of having the Mayor of Sefton, opening our Coffee Shop, and this year we have also been blessed with the support of champion football player, Simone Magill, who has inaugurated our cocktail and wine bar. We are also very happy that our Beer Garden was launched, on Friday, 21 May 2021, by the Honourable Member of Parliament, Southport, Mr Damien Moore. That is not forgetting the amazing support we receiving from local people and other famous personalities too, as we start this little venture, within Southport. This has given me great faith in the area's people, and I hope to replay your kindness with fantastic service. We have currently employed 11 people from the local area; some of them just started the 1st job of their lives, since leaving School! So I'm glad and happy to be able to provide not only employment and experience but also the opportunity to allow them to gain added professional certifications they will need to make hospitality their longer term career. I really appreciate all the people and businesses in Southport for their good wishes passed on to us and we thank especially Sefton Council for advice and support to small and medium businesses like us during this challenging period. I really hope we grow by providing best in class customer service and a serene atmosphere in our bar venue with its great Victorian skylight feature."

When we asked why they called the venue:- 'Skies' Nagender told us:- "We have chosen Skies as our new logo, believing it to signify:- 'Skies are the Limit' for Hospitality Industry after recovery from the Pandemic. Also, the name aptly fits with our Skylight window inside our cocktail bar area."

Did you notice that both the international striker and the Member of Parliament have another thing in common other than opening the bar, both are associated with organisations using the colour blue, which is also the bar's official colour, Sky Blue?

Reminder - Celebrate the Return to Junior Team Sports with a Shiny New Kit

UNDER 16 sports clubs on Merseyside, remember that you are being given the chance to win a brand new team strip to celebrate the lifting of lockdown. As junior sporting clubs can finally begin to start meeting and playing again, it's important not to forget the individuals in those clubs who held the group together during the long months of lockdown and worked tirelessly to get everything ready for their welcome return.

Which is why branded clothing and School uniform specialist, Recognition Express, is once again inviting nominations for unsung junior sports club heroes in Southport. The hero will receive a trophy and their prize is a complete new strip for the club.

In previous years, the competition was only open to junior football clubs, but Steve Bibby, Director of Recognition Express North West, has decided to give all youth sports teams an equal opportunity to win the prize for 2021. He is inviting nominations from all organised junior sporting clubs, from tennis and rugby, through to hockey and netball. Said Steve:- "It's been a tough year for everyone but particularly for children with their disrupted Schooling and not being able to meet up with friends and teammates. I know how hard club officials, parents and children themselves have been working to keep up morale during lockdown when clubs couldn't meet to train or play. Getting everything ready for re-opening safely has been a mammoth task for all involved. There will always be that one stand out individual whether it be a coach, parent or a team member who goes that extra mile for the club quietly and without seeking any praise or reward. As specialists in recognition products, promotional items and branded clothing, it makes sense for us to combine donating a new team kit to a local junior sports club whilst recognising an unsung hero. It gives us the chance to recognise the contribution these unsung heroes make and give something back to the community we serve."

Anyone can nominate a junior sports club hero. The competition is open to all under 16's junior sporting clubs playing in Southport. To enter visit:- Recognition-Express.Com and complete the simple entry form. The competition closes, on Friday, 18 June 2021 and the winner will be announced from Monday, 5 July 2021.