Southport Now Has First Bliss Hotel in UK

THE award winning 4 star Ramada Plaza Hotel in Southport has rebranded as of 1 January 2019 and is now the 1st Bliss Hotel in the UK. Floor 5 was redeveloped in 2018 into new, modern, stylish rooms and suites with especially made Millbrook King size beds, coffee machines and bespoke toiletries; making it a home from home for guests. The new owners say:- "The Bliss Hotel experience is distinctly different, oozing with individuality, personality with the same team who are committed to delivering an exceptional service, but with some added Bliss sparkle!"  The Hotel will next transform Level 1 Bar, Lounge and Marine Brasserie, in 2019 taking the destination to the next level for weddings, events and dining.

Enda Rylands, COO said:- "Bliss is all about putting the customer 1st, reimagining what hotels are and almost re-writing the rule book. It's an evolving culture for guests and staff that wants to push boundaries. The changes will start to happen over the next few months; but our plans are for the bigger picture and for the years ahead as we build the Waterfront as a national leisure destination."

The hotel is now owned by the Bliss Investment Partners, a Private Office Investment Partnership.  Joint Managing Partner Robert Agsteribbe has been a shareholder of the hotel since it opened 10 years ago. He now with his partners Daniel Broch (Founder of Everyman Cinema's) and Kevin Potter (Managing Director) have huge plans for the hotel and the Waterfront; which includes:- the Southport Theatre, Floral Hall Ballroom and 1 of the biggest conference centres within the UK.

Local health partners are helping people:- 'beat the blues' this winter

HEALTH and social care colleagues in North Mersey are helping people in the community manage their mental health better, throughout January 2019. Everyone experiences mental health issues at some point in their life. Traditionally the beginning of a New Year can be a challenging time. Some people can experience:- depression, anxiety, grief; stress and loneliness during this time and these are all things that can affect a person's mental wellbeing. Local health and social care partners have developed 10 top tips for people to improve their mental health and beat the winter blues:-

1. Speak to someone about how you are feeling:- If you don't feel like you can talk to a friend or family member you can contact Samaritans on:- 0151 708 8888 or Talk Liverpool on:- 0151 228 2300, they can give you free confidential advice and support over the phone 24/7.

2. Try talking to a Woebot:- If talking to someone is too much you can download Woebot, which is an app that helps with day to day mental health tips. This chatbot can help you think through situations with step by step guidance using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It helps you learn about yourself with intelligent mood tracking and hundreds of exercises for you to try out for yourself. Go online now for more information.

3. Get active:- Activity and exercise are great for improving your mental health. There's evidence that exercise can help lift your mood. If you haven't exercised for a while, start gently by walking for 20 minutes every day. Or you can also try out a gym class or go for a walk in your local park? Read more here about exercise for depression.

4. Eat healthier:- Eating a balanced diet of fruit and veg can really help improve your mood, try out some free healthy and you can find some fantastic cost effective recipes online. Some people don't feel like eating when they're depressed and are at risk of becoming underweight. Others find comfort in food and can put on excess weight. Antidepressants can also affect your appetite. If you're concerned about weight loss, weight gain or how antidepressants are affecting your appetite, talk to your GP. See tips on how to eat more healthily.

5. Drink sensibly or reduce your alcohol intake:- For some people, alcohol can become a problem. You may drink more than usual as a way of coping with or hiding your emotions, or just to fill time. But alcohol won't help you solve your problems and could also make you feel more depressed. Read some tips on cutting down on alcohol or for local services visit:- DrinkLessEnjoyMore.Co.UK.

6. Cut down on smoking, or better still give up: New Year is often a time for resolutions and often a time for people to think about stopping smoking. There are a range of free online tools, at:- SmokeFreeLiverpool.Co.UK that you can work through to help you quit.

7. Try something fun:- Why not try and meet new friends and share your interests or try and new hobby? You can get more information about some fun social events to try locally over winter, online now!

8. Stay in touch:- Don't withdraw from life. Socialising can improve your mood. Keeping in touch with friends and family means you have someone to talk to when you feel low.

9. Do things for others:- Check up on elderly friends or family, not only could this improve your own mental health but it could also brighten someone else's day. Pop in for a cuppa or call a neighbour and ask if they need any help.

10. Ask for help:- If you are in a crisis and or if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts ask for help. You can call NHS 111 or visit a local emergency department where a mental health support team will be on hand to help you.

There is lots of support out there, for more information visit:- RLBUHT.NUS.UK/Staff-Blogs.

Plaque to the future

WHEN Jack Stamper was a lad, he used to 'skip' into Town, from Liverpool's Coburg Dock, on the back of the nearest passing coal cart or goods' wagon. Jumping on a horse drawn cart and getting a free lift along the bumpy cobbles, in the shadow of the Docker's Umbrella was an accepted mode of transport back in 1930s Liverpool. And as he rode along, little did the young Jack know that he'd be back more than 80 years later to pay a lasting tribute to the great age of the City's ocean going steam liners. If you follow in Jack's footsteps today and head into the City Centre, along Sefton Street, at its junction with Stanhope Street, you'll see a new addition to the street scene. On the front of The Coburg Pub is Jack's newly installed plaque commemorating the start of transatlantic passenger journeys between Liverpool and New York. The plaque details how shipping magnate Samuel Cunard and partner Robert Napier joined with other investors to form the British and North American Steam Packet Company.

The plaque reads:- "It was on the 4 July 1840 that the 1,500 ton paddle and sail ship, RMS Britannia, loaded up with mail and cargo here at Coburg Dock. It then sailed down river to Princess Landing Stage to take on bard fare paying passengers, before setting off for her maiden voyage, bound for the New World. Britannia reached Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 12 days 10 hours, sailed onward to Boston, before proceeding to New York, its final destination. Such was the success of the service, that the Britannia was joined by the Arcadia and the Caledonia in 1840 and by the Columbia in 1841."

Jack has had a lifelong association with Liverpool's waterfront, he was apprenticed as a ship's carpenter more than 60 years ago. And he is also no stranger to commemorating the City's seafaring history. In 2013 he organised a plaque at Liverpool Pier Head in memory of the RMS Lancastria, which was sunk off the coast of France in 1940. So it's no surprise that Jack approached Liverpool City Council for support with the project and sought permission from The Coburg's landlord, Dean Corbett, to place the plaque on the wall. Jack said:- "Liverpool has a rich maritime heritage that we must recognise and preserve for future generations. The Britannia was the ship that took Charles Dickens to America from Liverpool in 1840. It's a real honour to see the plaque in place and hopefully, it will remind generations to come of how important our great City is."

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson was on hand to unveil the new plaque alongside Jack outside The Coburg. Mayor Anderson added that:- "Jack is a real ambassador for Liverpool's maritime history and it was a privilege for us to support him with his latest project. Liverpool became internationally famous as a seafaring City and it continues to flourish to this day. As well as recognising our proud heritage we are looking forward to a bright future for the waterfront. Plans are underway for the creation of a new Cruise Liner Terminal, which will help to secure more than 500 new jobs. We are also looking forward to the creation of the new Isle of Man Terminal. Both of these projects will play a major part in the continued regeneration of our City and continue our association with the sea for generations to come."