Liquidators called in as Southport Theatre operator goes under

THE Southport Theatre and Convention Centre (STCC) is among many businesses that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus lockdown, that was imposed on 23 March 2020. The firm, Bliss Space (Southport) Ltd, hose registered office is located in Blakeney, Holt, have been running the venue as a "caretaker" for the last 2 years and was in discussions with Sefton Council, to take it over fully. Sadly, thanks to the trading conditions caused by the pandemic and the uncertainty about the rest of the year and next year, it has devastated the venues income. This has lead to the operator having no other option, but to place the company into liquidation. Bliss Hotels Ltd, a separate company to Bliss Space (Southport) Ltd has said:- "Our thoughts are with our colleagues, friends and customers who will have been effected by the closure of STCC. We want to reassure you that Bliss Hotels Ltd remains committed to its vision of raising the bar in hospitality on the Waterfront here in Southport. A dedicated contact email has been established for any queries relating to:- STCC@DRPartners.Com."  Sefton council have since said that the venue is still going to be a major part in the Seaside Town's future. If you have been affected by this or any other businesses going under in the Liverpool City Region, or neighbouring countries, please let us know via emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Hugh Baird College student raises spirits at local care homes

HUGH Baird College Public Services student, Alex Smith, has recently taken part in Sefton Council's brand new campaign, #showthemyoucare. The campaign aims to help bring cheer to residents of local care homes who are unable to see their loved ones during this challenging time. As well as being a full time student studying Public Services at the College, Alex is also part of the Liverpool Tattoo and decided to take part in the campaign by playing a series of songs on his bagpipes at Roxburgh House Care Home, Hawthorne Lodge Residential Care Home and Abbegale Lodge.

Alex Smith, Hugh Baird College Public Services student, said:- "I've loved playing the bagpipes since for as long as I can remember. My Grandad served in the Cheshire Regiment of the British Army. He inspired me to follow in his footsteps and play the bagpipes as he did. Something so simple like today, really does raise spirits and puts smiles on people's faces, even if it's only for a couple of minutes. I am really proud to be part of such a great campaign."

Lesley Cook, Manager at Abbegale Lodge, said:- "Alex was fabulous, he really did brighten the staff and resident's afternoon with his performance in the garden area at Abbegale Lodge. The smiles he brought to some of our ladies faces on our Dementia Unit with his Kilt and Bagpipes, will live on for many days to come! We cannot thank Alex, Hugh Baird College and Sefton Council enough for making our day so special."

Cllr Paul Cummins, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said:- "The need for us all to socially isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is vital but it is having this unseen impact for residents in Thornton Hall and Lodge and residential homes right across Sefton. I would urge anyone who can to brighten up these older and sometimes vulnerable people's lives by dropping off a little gift. We want to #ShowThemYouCare but we want them to do it locally. If you have older relatives living in residential care but they are in another part of the Borough, you can donate to your local home in the knowledge that someone else is donating locally where they live. When you are shopping, you could buy a cake or some sweets or if you're worried about keeping fit during this period of enforced inactivity and want to get rid of that spare packet of biscuits, donate it to their local residential home."

People wanting to leave gifts can drop them off at the door during their daily exercise. Details of other care homes across Sefton where people may want to leave gifts for residents can be found at:- SeftonDirectory.Com.

CLA responds to Agriculture Bill outcome

THE Agriculture Bill was debated in the House of Commons, on Wednesday, for the report stage and subsequent 3rd reading. Following the outcome, the CLA has issued the following response.

Looking at transition, the CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- "It is deeply frustrating that calls to delay the start of the transition from direct payments has been ignored by the UK Government. It's crucial, more than ever, that farming businesses are given the right information so they can plan for the future and adapt to the new system. The Environmental Land Management Scheme has the potential to be a world leading land management policy and it deserves to succeed; but if the transition starts before the details are fully understood then it puts farmers in a very difficult position. Government should publish full details of how the new schemes will work in practice and how we will transition, as soon as possible."

On trade the CLA President, Mark Bridgeman, commented that:- "We're also disappointed that the trade amendments didn't pass. It was notable that a wide coalition of farming organisations and environmentalists came together to make our concerns known. We hope the Lords will allow for more time to closely scrutinise the risks to food production in this country of not having a level playing field with international competitors in the next stage of the Bill. We owe it to British consumers to ensure that any food that we import under any potential trade deals meet the same high standards of animal welfare and environmental protection as is expected of UK food producers. Importing food produced to low animal welfare and environmental standards to undercut UK farmers is unacceptable."

What are your thoughts on this? Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

Letters to the Editor:- "The curtain closes for Southport Theatre"

"WHERE Ken Dodd took to the stage on Saturday and only came off on Sunday, and me and my late wife caught the milkman delivering his full fat cream to the rest of the population dreaming their nights away. Where the Krankies gave a new meaning to:- "never work with children."

Where Bobby Crush tickled his ivories and Cinderella did go to the ball. Where Ben E King haunts the empty passageway,. carefully treading over spent popcorn
and chatting to the ghosts of entertainers past, And where Wigan Ukulele Band shared the stage with the Houghton Weavers.

As I walk past, I'll imagine the faint echo of laughter, as Jimmy Cricket once again reads a letter from his Mammy, and Orville the Duck has us thinking he's real.

He is……isn't he?

We'll miss you, as the booking hall stays empty of customers, the front door stays locked and a "for sale" sign signals the end of an era, and the faint strains of Ken Dodd singing "Tears For Happiness" echoes round the silent dressing rooms."  Writer, poet, George Melling - Th'Owd Chap.