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Free swimming causes a splash
A FREE Swimming initiative has caused a splash in Warrington with
more than
12,000 children and young people attending in the first 2 weeks. 4
Golden Gates Leisure Centres are taking part in 'Free Swim for
Kids', which runs until 4th September and in the first three weeks
12,153 children and young people have attended compared with 10,500
for the full 6 week summer holiday last year.
Every child under the age of 16 and students in full time education
up to the age of 18 are being urged to take advantage of the free
swimming event, following a major £40,000 funding boost from the
Council as part of its commitment to improving the health and well
being of youngsters in every corner of the borough. The removal of
the price barrier gives children the chance to swim as often as they
want during the 6 weeks of the summer holidays. To access the free
session, turn up and admission will be on a first come first served
basis. The open sessions may be extremely busy and access will be
limited depending on the number of swimmers in all pools.
This offer applies to all children under the age of 16 or young
people in full time education up to the age of 18. An adult must
accompany children under the age of eight in the pool at all times.
- The centres involve include: -
- Broomfields Leisure Centre 01925 268768
Fordton Leisure Centre 01925 572504
Great Sankey Leisure Centre 01925 724411
Woolston Leisure 01925 813939
Cllr Maureen Banner, Executive Board Member for Well Being, said:-
"This is fantastic news and I am very pleased that this
initiative has taken off and so many of our children and young
people are enjoying their swimming. I hope this continues throughout
the full 6 week holiday."
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A 3rd of North West
Independent Retailers Aware of Fake Cigarettes in Their Area
A new survey has found that 32% of independent retailers in the
North West are aware of counterfeit tobacco products in their area.
The survey by the Tobacco Alliance, which represents 17,000
independent retailers across the UK through its "Retailers Against
Smuggling" campaign, also found that nationally 20% of retailers
have seen fake tobacco products sold in pubs, clubs and car boot
sales while 8% were aware of counterfeit product being available in
shops.
Blackburn retailer, Solly Khonat, the North West Spokesperson of the
Tobacco Alliance, commented:- "These findings are extremely
disturbing and demonstrate how much the comparatively new problem of
fake tobacco products is affecting our society. The livelihoods of
independent shopkeepers like me all over the UK are already under
threat because of the effects of tobacco smuggling on our sales. The
ready availability of counterfeit will only add to these problems."
The survey found that 22% of independent retailers in the North West
are considering closing their business as a result of the effects of
tobacco smuggling on their sales. Furthermore, 28% of those surveyed
said that they have to consider reducing staff.
Blackburn retailer, Solly Khonat, the North West Spokesperson of the
Tobacco Alliance, commented:- "According to the survey, 74% of
retailers nationally believe the way to tackle the problem of
tobacco smuggling is for the Government to reduce or freeze the tax
on tobacco. This would bring tax levels more in line with the EU,
eradicating the huge price difference between tobacco here and that
in mainland Europe, and so remove the incentive for smugglers to
carry out their crime in the UK. I only hope the Government takes
note."
Mark Francois, MP, Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury,
commented:- "This survey raises an extremely important issue.
Not only is the sale of smuggled tobacco having a damaging effect on
independent businesses but it is also apparent that counterfeit
tobacco seems to be particularly rife. The Government needs to act
now to tackle smuggling before the situation gets any worse."
Liverpool retailer, Richard Marsh, commented:- "I am not
surprised the survey found that 90% of independent retailers didn't
think the Government was doing enough to combat tobacco smuggling.
It is about time levels of tobacco tax are addressed in order to
protect independent businesses like mine."
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