Liverpool City Council closes St John’s Market

IN a surprising move, Liverpool City Council has announced that it has been forced to end the tenancy of the small business units within St John’s Market Hall, with immediate effect.

The Market had been in operation since 1822, but I recent years, after a major 'refresh' of its facilities and appearance took place in 2016 (the first full makeover since its redevelopment back in1971) traders have constantly reported problems.

This move to close the Market is reported to have been without warning. In a statement released online the City Council has said that:- "Regrettably, the business owners did not make a viable offer to repay the £1.7m debt that they owe the Council. The Council remains committed to a viable and sustainable future use for the site. This decision has been taken to ensure the Council offers best value for all residents and subsidising individual businesses does not offer that. The closure of the market hall does not impact on St John’s Shopping Centre St Johns Shopping, which remains fully open for business and is unaffected by this action."

In response on Twitter, the affected Traders have responded on the account:- @StJohnsMkt going by the title St John Market Official saying:- "We are in legal negotiations. At least our solicitor. An Officer of the Court thought so. A Council of gangsters acting beyond the law. Spending £2m on the Comms Team to spin. It's a peppercorn rent market. The charges they quote are made up.... Their own consultation said the St Johns Market was a perfect for the City, if cherished and looked after. They turned off lifts. Stopped the escalators. Locked the toilets and took off the signage.... the actions of gangsters. They have taken a planned illegal action once they got the brilliant greatie money as a smokescreen. They can replace a 6 day a week King's Charter Market 1207 with 1day. It's been their plan all along."

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Native American History in Birkdale - UK

AN exciting new course comes to Birkdale this spring. The course will examine the real history of Native Americans on the Great Plains of the American West between:- 1800 to 1900.This course of 10 lessons will concentrate on Native experiences, values, beliefs, spirituality, ways of living and the challenges they faced as the USA expanded westwards over the century. The lessons will examine Native history from an empathic and sympathetic viewpoint, and will show how they resisted theft of their lands, and fought subjugation and cultural destruction for as long as they could. The course starts on:- 5 April 2024, and will run for 10 Fridays, from:- 1pm to 3:30.pm, at the Birkdale Community Hub and Library, (Next to Birkdale Railway Station). The cost for 10 lessons is:- £50. For further details contact Course Tutor David Jones, on:- 07908675818, or email:- DavemJones1948@Gmail.Com.

Ripples Southport has been inundated with inquiries from customers since it won a prestigious national award

RIPPLES, which has a showroom in Southport Town Centre, was named:- 'Bathroom Retailer of the Year' at the KBBFocus awards. The KBBFocus awards celebrate the very best in the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen industries and are 1 of the most prestigious awards within the sector. This year's awards ceremony was held at:- The Brewery, in London, and was attended by the leading players within the industry.

Ripples Southport Showroom Director, Daniel Doherty, said:- "We were delighted to win such a prestigious national award, especially with it being awarded during our 1st year of trading. It was a huge honour to be recognised for what we do by leading figures in the UK bathroom industry. Bathroom industry experts have had a close look at Ripples Southport, judged us and decided we are the best in the country. It is a major achievement for us. To be the new face in town, we didn't think we stood a chance, we were just really pleased to have been honoured as a finalist. We were competing against bathroom businesses of all sizes from around the country, some of whom are very well established and have been around for years. We were gutted that we couldn't be at the awards event itself, but were overjoyed when we heard the news."

The reaction to Ripples Southport winning the Bathroom Retailer of the Year accolade has been overwhelming.

Daniel Doherty said:- "Winning the award has had a very positive impact on our business. It has generated lots of interest both within the industry, and also with customers both here in the North West, and elsewhere. We are very busy! We have been carrying out work here in;- Southport; in Liverpool; in Manchester; in the Lake District; in Yorkshire, in lots of different places. Our word of mouth reputation is spreading too. People love the top quality level of service that we provide and the huge range of choice, from the initial conversation through to installation. Since the award was announced and more work has been coming in, we have been working with more installation teams to complete the orders that people are booking with us. It is fantastic to have Annie Simpson on board with us as our Bathroom Designer, using the latest VR technology to offer a unique walk-through service to customers. We may have won our Bathroom Retailer of the Year Award, but that doesn't mean we have stopped; it has just inspired us to keep innovating and improving what we offer. We are here in Southport Town Centre, for anyone who wants to call in and have a chat with us about what we can offer to suit their needs."

Ripples Southport opened with a brand new showroom in July 2022 under local couple Daniel and Jenna Doherty. It was the 1st ever Ripples showroom in the North of England. Today, Ripples Southport is still located on:- Eastbank Street, in Southport.