Multi million ₤ attraction confirmed for Southport Pleasureland

SOUTHPORT Pleasureland today confirmed that, further to securing a long lease with Sefton Council, its ₤ multi million plans to create a substantial and unique attractions anchor for Southport, the borough, the Liverpool City Region and beyond are to progress. Park owner, Norman Wallis, said:- "We are delighted to have the Council on board and see this as a first step in a very real programme of work to add a new dimension to the Northern Powerhouse landscape. Tourism is 1 of the areas where the UK performs most strongly, and the nature of its appeal is largely around things to see and do. Britain is rich in heritage, beautiful landscape, historic buildings and vibrant culture. We are set to bring to market a large scale portfolio (a series of complimentary attractions organised around a high profile park at its centre) families attraction that will significantly enhance this area's cache. While we can't give any more information about the exact details at this stage, due to contractual issues, what I will say is watch this space. For us, the Town and the North West we're anticipating one heck of a ride."

Safety upgrade for key road junction in South Liverpool

LIVERPOOL City Council has contracted Huyton Asphalt Civils to improve the junction of Menlove Avenue and Cromptons Lane, in Allerton, following a spate of traffic accidents in recent years, 1 of which caused the death of a motor cyclist. The works include new traffic signals, introducing a pedestrian crossing and a new designated right turn lane, in both directions on Menlove Avenue, which became world famous for being the road on which ex-Beatle John Lennon lived with his Aunt Mimi. The ₤500,000 scheme, which is part of a wider ₤3.7m highways safety improvement programme across the City, is expected to complete in May. It is estimated that the works, which also includes new highway drainage, road markings, street lighting and resurfacing the existing carriageway, will require the removal of approximately 10 trees, which will begin on Monday, 13 January 2019. This loss will be compensated with the planting of more than 50 new trees in the area; as part of Liverpool City Council's commitment to replant at least 3 trees for every 1 removed. Some of these trees will be planted in the new junction layout with the remainder planted along the breadth of Menlove Avenue where circumstances allow.  Due to the nature of the works, access and egress onto the footways will be restricted and at times will need to be controlled and on occasions for health and safety reasons, the footway may need to be closed.  Councillor Sharon Connor, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet member for highways, said:- "The Menlove Avenue and Cromptons Lane junction needs a major upgrade. Its safety track record is far from satisfactory and these works will make a huge difference to everyone using it.  The feedback from the local community has been positive and I'm delighted that the tree planting scheme will hugely offset the loss of the ones we need to remove to make these safety improvements."

Jobs for life become a thing of the past

A job for life is a thing of the past, a new survey had revealed, with people now moving job roles more frequently than ever before. In the North West, 63% of those surveyed agreed that a job for life was something they no longer expected, with only 15% in the region having stayed working in a role for more than 10 years. The research revealed that 44% of those questioned in the North West had also completely changed careers at some point in their life, with the top 3 reasons for changing being to either find a better work life balance, search for a new challenge or get a better salary. On a national level, the survey revealed a difference between younger and older workers; with the average millennial already having had as many jobs as those aged 55 have in their entire career. Those aged 25 to 34 have already had an average of 6 different roles so far, as opposed to older adults approaching retirement who have only had a total of 7 jobs throughout their entire working life. But older adults approaching retirement have only had a total of 7 jobs throughout their entire working life. In the North West, 66% of people reported to have had 6 jobs or less in their working lifetimes. Samantha Rutter, CEO at distance learning provider Open Study College, which commissioned the research, said:- "For a long time now we have seen a gradual change within the job market, with people prepared to move around more, rather than settling down into a role that they intend to stay in for their working life. There are many contributing factors, but we know thanks to the introduction of options including distance learning, it's now much easier to take a step back and completely change careers if you feel your current one isn't right for you."

The research, conducted among 2,000 working adults, shows that while over 55's stay in the same role for more than 7 years before moving on, young adults switch jobs after less than 4 years. It also emerged 47% of millennials have already completely changed careers since getting their first job in order to chase a better salary, an improved work life balance or for a new challenge. The study also found the average adult has applied for 23 jobs so far in their career, attending 9 interviews. And with the typical worker staying in the same role for around 5½ years, this means they can currently expect to work in 8 jobs before the age of 65. More than ½ of the employees polled have even moved to a completely different career, ditching their previous profession at the tender age of 31. Those working in retail are most likely to have changed careers, followed by those in the banking and finance sector, public services and hospitality. A bigger salary is the main draw for retraining, but 1 in 3 were on the lookout for a better work life balance. More than 1 in 10 said there was too much pressure in their 1st career, while 17% felt there were no more opportunities for them. In an attempt to get into a new career, 28% of those polled, via OnePoll, have a side hustle on the go, with 86% saying this is completely different to their current career. 1 in 4 of those with a job on the side started doing it in order to build up skills and contacts which they can then turn into a job. And another 35% wanted to gain some more experience in the field before taking the plunge. Samantha added:- "Changing professions can be a life changing decision, impacting your family and much more than just your professional life. So, it's no surprise to see the side hustle is becoming more popular as people experiment in a new field before taking the plunge. Undertaking a new training course is also a good way to test a new profession and put yourself in a much better position to move to a new career. It's also a great way to get ahead of the curve when it comes to changing jobs, even within the same career path."