Liverpool Builds Bridges

A spectacular bridge is set to mesmerise north Liverpool; bringing together culture, communities and civic pride. The 72ft long and 19ft high structure will be located in Walton and will be the focal point of a 3 day, 5 August to7 August 2021, event called Bridge. Each day it will play host to a series of free activities, and for 2 nights an extraordinary outdoor performance is set to wow crowds. From 10am to 5pm, Thursday to Saturday, the community, artists and designers will come together in a series of workshops, conversations and activities which look to discover and tell the story of County ward and the people who live there. At 8.45pm, on Friday and Saturday, a gravity defying circus acrobatics, dance, comedy, theatre and live music experience, inspired by local people's stories, will create a thrilling climax. This will be a FREE ticketed performance and further details on ticketing will be announced on Tuesday, 20 July 2021.

As part of the project, communities will be encouraged to make their own bridges and share stories of bridge building (and bridge burning), using special kits which will be provided. The aim is to bring together people who wouldn't normally meet, to create an astonishing and beautiful structure in public and outdoor spaces. Community groups, Schools, businesses and individuals are welcome to build their own bridges.

To apply to build a bridge, click here:- CultureLiverpool.Co.UK.

As well as building bridges, people can also get involved in the event by:-

► Staging activities as part of the Under the Bridge daytime programme; anything ranging from choirs, fitness classes to demonstrations.

► Taking part in the evening finale performance. Aimed at experienced performers and dancers aged 16+, you must be able to learn a specific choreographed piece and attend a dress rehearsal, on 5 August 2021. Places are limited.

To find out more about how to get involved in this exciting cultural event, visit:- CultureLiverpool.Co.UK.

Bridge will be located at Breeze Hill, Millennium Green; known locally as The Rezzy (which can be found less than 1 mile North of Everton FC's Goodison Park stadium.

The outdoor experience is produced by Coventry based company Imagineer Productions and is created by Artistic Director Orit Azaz. The event has been made possible by:- Culture Liverpool, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, County District Community and Arts Council England.

Bridge forms part of 2 of the pledges made by the City council in March when it set out Liverpool's very own roadmap to recovery. These are The Comeback which aims to support a cultural programme across the City and Next Generation Neighbourhoods which has the ambition to build safe, sustainable and inspiring neighbourhoods. Head to the pledge website to find out more.

Liverpool's Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "This is one of the first Culture Liverpool events to take place under my tenure as Cabinet member, and I'm delighted that it will shine a spotlight on such a tight knit, north Liverpool community. The concept of building bridges is something we can all identify with, and as we move towards normality after such a challenging and unsettling year, this event sends out positive messages around a community coming together and sharing in this wonderful experience. Local people play a key role, and with a number of opportunities for people to get involved across the two days. I'd like to thank residents, local councillors and council staff for their work on making the Bridge happen, and I hope as many people as possible get stuck in in what is set to be a real celebration of Walton and Liverpool."

Orit Azaz, Bridge Artistic Director said:- "The themes of Bridge seem more relevant than ever as we continue to feel the impact of the Pandemic on all our lives. For us, Bridge offers a means of celebrating creativity and inclusivity as well as allowing us to invite people safely back together outdoors to share fun and playful experiences. Bridge also allows us to support artists and creatives through employment opportunities as the outdoor arts sector tentatively, and together, look ahead to a summer of outdoor performances."

Councillor Janette Williamson, the Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and the Third Sector for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said:- "Our culture is what makes us unique as a City Region. It is part of what defines us and plays a key role in all of our lives, and our communities are at the heart of that. Our town centres and high streets play a role in this, being the focal point of our communities so I'm delighted we could support this event through the Town Centre Fund. It's the perfect time to celebrate building bridges, coming together to share stories and to show the importance of community."

Jen Cleary, Director North and Combined Arts, Arts Council England said:- "I'm delighted that we have supported Bridge. After so long apart, it's fantastic that the community of Walton can join together to celebrate their stories and collaborate in creative hendeavours leading to a free spectacular evening finale. As we start to emerge from the Pandemic, I hope that everyone involved enjoys the event and is encouraged to explore more of the great arts and culture available in Liverpool."
 

One Below now open in Southport

ON Friday, 9 July 2021, One Below, the number of stores increased again as it the chain opened its latest shop, in Southport's Town Centre, within the former Poundworldstore, on Chapel Street, next to Southport Station.

The fantastic, British discount store chain, One Below was founded on 29 September 2018, by Yorkshire father and son retail entrepreneurs, Christopher Edwards (37) and Christopher Edwards Senior. The successful businessmen were the original founders of former high street retailer, Poundworld Retail Limited, before it was sold to American private equity conglomerate, TPG Capital in 2014. Since One Below's launch 2 years ago, the independent retailer has opened over 80 stores UK wide with plans for further expansion in 2021. The chain also includes:- St Johns Shopping Centre, in Liverpool's City Centre, along with on Stanley Road, Town Centre, Bootle, plus 10 St Chad's Parade, Kirkby, with other locations within Merseyside being considered.

The bargain retailer offers extremely good products at very reasonable process, probably the cheapest you will find, with over 4,000 products for ₤1 and under. Plus, some incredible finds that are priced above ₤1, but are still increasable value, but unlike some of its rivels, they offer standard products. For example the chocolate bars are the normal size, unlike some offered in their closes rivals for the same price. This includes a wide range of favourite household brands, such as:- Coca Cola, Pedigree, Heinz, Kellogg's and Cadbury's are available, at incredible bargain prices to shop in store. Plus, many popular cleaning names such as:- Astonish, Fabulosa and The Pink Stuff.

Currently, the new One Below chain has created 30 local retail jobs for the Town and it is hoped that this will be the start of a new trend. The fully pedestrianised and the gateway to the Town, Chapel Street, is having quite a retail renaissance, as we also learned that Tesco is also eyeing up a move onto Chapel Street.

Christopher Edwards, who is the Managing Director of One Below Retail Limited, said:- "We're thrilled to be opening our 1st store in Southport. Now more than ever, when times are financially tighter for so many families, we are proud to be offering incredible savings on hundreds of branded shopping essentials and on trend items. It s great to be able to occupy this space, on Chapel Street, offering convenient value shopping for Southport locals. When other retailers on the high street are closing, we're delighted to be able to create new retail jobs in the area. Almost 50% of our team are ex-Poundworld employees who lost their role when Poundworld went in to administration 3 years ago."

The fresh up and coming discount chain has previously opened stores across the UK to queues of shoppers looking to bag a haul of bargains, thanks to its unique savings and product offering.

We asked some of the stores visitors what they thought about the stock on offer. All of them said they where:- "very impressed" and most added they thought the range was fantastic. 3 items created quite a buz, the Hot Cars, a very interesting Lunch Bag, and the essential cleaning range.

For more information about the chain, visit:- One-Below.Co.UK.

It is worth adding that One Below now has stores in:- Rothwell, Leeds Kirkstall Road, Leeds Regent Street Retail Park, Leeds Crown Point, Doncaster, South Shields, Redcar, Wolverhampton, Manchester Fort Retail Park, Nottingham Victoria Centre, Bristol Channons Hill, Sheffield Crystal Peaks, Burton, Bradford, Derby, Ashton, Cardiff, Glasgow The Forge, Glasgow Argyle Street, Rotherham Parkgate, Stockport, Widnes, Hyde, Middlesbrough, Bexleyheath, Luton, Maidenhead, Kirkcaldy, Clydebank, King's Lynn, Kirkby, Wisbech, Huddersfield, Glenrothes, Denton, Merry Hill, Waltham Cross, Wallsend, Hull Kingswood, Hull Northpoint, Gloucester, Ellesmere Port, Coventry, Bradley Stoke, Wrexham, Bradford Forster Square, Swindon, Walsall, Romford, Edmonton Green, Crossgates, Southampton , Liverpool, Ipswich, Bradford Warrington, West Brom, Barnsley, Hartlepool, Castleford, Croydon, Cumbernauld, Bury, West Brom, Shepherds Bush, Banbury, Selby, Glasgow Robroyston, St Albans, Birchwood, Warrington and Rhyl.