News reports located on this page = 3.

Urban Splash announces more new businesses to move into the iconic Liverpool Matchworks

THE award winning regeneration company Urban Splash has welcomed more new businesses into the Matchworks estate in South Liverpool, completing deals on 19,000 sq ft of office, studio and light industrial space. The transactions mean that the estate is now 90% occupied, with just 20,000 sq ft of space now available. The versatile business park offers a range of well designed spaces within restored Grade II Listed buildings. Recent deals have seen a studio let to Britanie Greys Beauty Clinic Ltd (2,758 sq ft) as well as existing tenant The Bookyard which has renewed its 5,509 sq ft studio lease once more. The estate also offers office space, with new tenant Robert James Solicitors moving in this month, as well as light industrial spaces in the Match Factory; 6,049 sq ft of that was let to facilitate existing tenants' Global Beauty Products Limited expansion; a deal which means the Match Factory is now fully occupied.

Urban Splash commercial manager Nicky Harries said:- "Matchworks has a unique appeal, something which has helped us attract many businesses over the years. I'm delighted that even during 2020, we have reached our highest ever levels of occupancy and would like to welcome all of our newest occupiers to the estate."

As well as the range of space on offer, Matchworks also transcends the 9 to 5, giving tenants additional amenities such as the Climbing Hangar; a climbing facility and coffee house which opened over the summer; and the 247 gym; Nicky continued:- "Modern businesses have flexible working attitudes which make for a less rigid working day. There's also a huge investment into workplace health and wellbeing; that's why we've worked so hard to cultivate an environment here which allows businesses to easily invest in that, offering their employees well designed workspaces and fitness and catering facilities while they're here. Being outside of the City means that we also have the physical space to offer more. Add to that our human approach as a landlord; with flexible terms helping businesses unable to make long-term plans right now; and it's easy to see why the Matchworks has been so successful this year."

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Matchworks can visit:- UrbanSplash.Co.UK.

Local residents in Southport are asking Sefton Council to start collecting garden waste throughout the year

THE Local Authority currently collects waste via people's Green Wheelie Bins from March through to November each year. This year's final collections are due to take place over the next couple of weeks. That leaves no Green Waste Collections for residents throughout the whole of:- December 2020, January 2021 and February 2021. Birkdale Conservative activist Lee Durkin said he has been contacted by a number of people who are keen to see the green bin collections continue for the whole year.

He says many residents prep their gardens over the Christmas period ready for Summer. "During the 3 months over Winter when Sefton Council's Green Waste Service is not available, people with access to cars can transport their waste to Southport Waste Recycling Centre, at Foul Lane, Kew. Unfortunately Veolia, which runs the recycling centre, is currently advising people to only turn up for 'essential visits' only, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Residents are able to fill their green wheelie bins with grass clippings, tree and shrub clippings, weeds, dead flowers and leaves."

Lee Durkin added:- "A number of green fingered residents have contacted me requesting a year long green bin collection service. Currently the green bin collection ends during November and doesn't resume again until March. Many residents tend to their gardens throughout this time which includes pruning and preparing flower beds. By offering a year long service people will be able to enjoy the mental wellbeing of gardening for the whole year."

Southport MP Damien Moore also commented that:- "Southport is a very green Town. In a Town that hosts the famous Southport Flower Show, people are very proud of their gardens, and tend to them all year round. I have been contacted by a number of residents who are keen to see the green waste collection become available through all 12 months of the year rather than just 9."

Steve Rotheram wants your views on the future of jobs, housing and transport across the Region

METRO Mayor Steve Rotheram is calling for people across the Liverpool City Region to have their say and help shape the future of the Region; with big implications for everything from jobs and housing, to transport and health.  Launched on Tuesday, 10 November 2020, the 2nd stage of the "Our Places" consultation will help form the blueprint for the City Region's approach to planning and development for years to come. In addition to an online survey, the Combined Authority will be conducting a series of consultation events with community groups to help ensure that local people's views are central to the Region's priorities.  Responses will influence the Combined Authority's 1st Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), which will set out a strategic framework for the development and use of land moving forward for at least 15 years. When complete, it is thought that the SDS will be the 1st in the country outside of London. The 1st stage of the consultation focused on asking people what they wanted the plan to cover. It set out specifically to hear from communities whose voices tend to go unheard in the planning process and won a prestigious National Planning Award for its innovative approach to engagement. Of 2500 respondents, more than 42% were young people, more than ½were from neighbourhoods among the most deprived 10% in the country, and 18% were from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. The 2nd stage of the consultation will take the same approach and will concentrate on people's vision for the Spatial Development Strategy, alongside its objectives in 5 key areas:-

►  Climate change and the environment.

►  Health and wellbeing.

►  Inclusive economy.

►  Placemaking and communities.

►  Social value.

It will also consult on a number of suggested policy areas, including air quality, active travel and employment skills. Anyone wanting to have their say on planning issues and the development of the SDS should visit:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK where they can comment on a range of different policy themes.

Speaking about the consultation, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "When I 1st ran to be Mayor, it was because I was excited by the potential for more decisions to be taken locally and for local people to have a much bigger say about the future of their communities. With 'Our Places', we're putting local people's views front and centre when it comes to developing the Region's policies. Your views will help us make important decisions about the future of everything from jobs and transport, to health and housing right the way across our Region. We might be in a difficult time at the moment, but your answers could help decide the direction of our Region for years to come. I'm really keen to hear from you so, if you get a chance, please take a couple of minutes to fill out the survey."

Councillor Graham Morgan, the Combined Authority's Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Framework, said:- "Our Spatial Development Strategy will be really important in informing decisions across our Region for years to come. We're really keen to hear from you so we can make sure that it really represents the views of people in communities right across the Region. We had a fantastic response to the 1st round of consultation - especially among groups that wouldn't normally engage with these sorts of things. Please take the time to fill out the survey and ensure that your voice is heard."

The SDS is a statutory planning document. When it is published, it will form part of the 'development plan' for the City Region's 6 Local Councils alongside their own Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans. The policies that make up the SDS, when finalised, will be considered when determining planning applications across the City Region. After receiving all responses, the Combined Authority will review them and take them into account along with any evidence needed as it drafts the policies. A draft of the SDS will then be presented to the Combined Authority followed by a 13 week consultation when the public will be able to comment on specific policies.