News reports located on this page = 2.

Matalan supports the NSPCC this Christmas with exclusive Pantosaurus plush toy

JUST in time for Christmas, Matalan has created a soft toy of the NSPCC's Talk PANTS campaign mascot, Pantosaurus. The friendly pants wearing dinosaur has helped over a million parents talk to their child about keeping safe from sexual abuse, and explaining; in age appropriate language and a catchy song; how their privates are private. This Christmas, Matalan is supporting the campaign by releasing an exclusive cuddly version of Pantosaurus, to help parents start that important conversation with their child. Half of the profits from the sale of the cuddly dinosaur will also go directly to the NSPCC. Matalan is 1 of the NSPCC's longest running partners and has raised more than ₤10.7m for the charity to date, from in store fundraising activities, charity balls, and employee fundraising including marathons, skydives and more.

Since 2015, Matalan have sold NSPCC merchandise in their stores and the charity's latest products; including shopping bags, badges and keyrings, colouring books, crayon sets and lunch bags with 100% of proceeds from these areas going directly to the children's charity. Jeff Howarth, Director of Marketing for Matalan, said:- "We love the new NSPCC Pantosaurus toy, and we're sure our customers will too. We're proud to have such a long running and successful partnership with the NSPCC. We're sure Pantosaurus will be a firm favourite this Christmas. Helping raise money to support children and young people across the UK is more important than ever."

Tess O'Callaghan, NSPCC Fundraising Manager, said:- "The plush Pantosaurus looks great, and proceeds from it and the sale of our bags, books and crayon sets will go towards helping young people who need it most, so we're hugely grateful to everyone who picks up a treat while Christmas shopping this year."

Founded in 1985, Matalan's mission has always been to give families outstanding quality at outstanding prices. 12 million UK families each year trust Matalan with their family budgets; to provide the range, style, quality and value that enable them to run a happy family home. As of September 2020, Matalan has an impressive 228 UK stores and 36 International franchise stores within Europe and the Middle East, supported with a rapidly growing online channel. With increased lockdowns happening and the Christmas holidays approaching, the NSPCC expects demand on their services to increase, and want to make sure no child is left to cope alone. The Pantosaurus soft toy costs ₤7 and is available to buy online and click and collect, and will also be making a debut appearance in Matalan's Christmas TV advert, so stay tuned! Throughout the Pandemic, the NSPCC has ensured it is still here on the front line for children, supporting those who need Childline and our other services most. To find out more, including how you can help the NSPCC and Childline, go to:- NSPCC.Org.UK.

Les Transformations Des Southport

PLANS have been revealed that are set to support Southport's return to the grandeur of Victorian England, when it was the country's 2nd most popular tourist destination. The project, dubbed:- "Les Transformations de Southport," looks at interconnectivity across the whole City Centre, from improved pedestrian and cycling routes in the City Centre and waterfront, to the creation of new public spaces for hosting events.

A key proposal of the Southport Town Deal submission included a bid for funding to facilitate the early phases of this project, which could deliver around 30,000sqm of new, accessible, well connected high quality public spaces, providing priority for walking and cycling in support of clean growth. The 1st phase would include a new civic events space, on Lord Street, and public realm enhancements in areas adjacent to the key strategic projects identified within the Town Deal bid.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, explained:- "While living in exile in Southport in 1838, Prince Louis Napoleon, later Emperor Napoleon III, was so inspired by the grandeur of Lord Street that he ordered Baron Haussmann to model the reconstruction of Paris on it. Les Transformations de Paris made the French capital the "Southport of the South."

Les Transformations de Southport will ensure we again fulfil the potential of our public realm spaces, on Lord Street and beyond. "When we carried out our extensive consultation on the Southport Town Deal bid, the connection between Lord Street and the Promenade, the need for maintenance of existing infrastructure to create safe spaces accessible for all emerged strongly as priorities."

The illumination of Lord Street, lighting within the landscape of the iconic City Centre Boulevard, will be a key feature of this exciting project, which aims to address connectivity and congestion issues between the seafront area, the City Centre and the Railway Station, including elements of improved signage and way finding around the Town. The recently launched Southport Townscape Project (a partnership between the Council, Southport BID and the Heritage Lottery) recognises the links between Lord Street and the Promenade, as an area of priority investment. The hope is that this project will deliver significant improvements on key routes, providing an improved visitor experience on arrival and in the City Centre, resulting in increased focus and footfall for the City Centre.

Cllr Atkinson continued:- "The City Centre is dominated by North South movements, particularly by vehicles, resulting in relatively poor (East West) connectivity between the seafront area and the City Centre and there are many competing demands for highway space which can be difficult to accommodate. The post Covid19 decline in public transport use may also create additional pressure on the highway network to accommodate private vehicles. If we can address these issues, provide infrastructure which allows for more walking and cycling in the City Centre, along with the associated health and well being outcomes, it will provide an entirely different proposition for visitors, strengthening Southport's vibrancy, attractiveness and accessibility, and enhancing visitor numbers."