Liverpool ONE Is One Step Closer To Re-Opening
Photographs by Activate Digital

THE hand sanitiser stations are being installed, the 1 way systems are in place and signage encouraging people to keep left and observe safe social distancing is being mounted; Liverpool ONE is today another step closer to re-opening. Following the Government's announcement allowing all non-essential stores to re-open from 15 June 2020, Liverpool ONE has a clear request for its visitors to:- 'check before they travel.' Once in Liverpool, the heart warming message to everyone is:- "Be Patient, Be Kind, Be Responsible."

The majority of retail stores at Liverpool ONE are expecting to re-open on 15 June 2020 with others to follow later in the month. Donna Howitt, Marketing and Communications Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "We are expecting around 90% of our stores to re-open on 15 June 2020. We are working closely with all of our occupiers to support them in adjusting to the "new normal." Across the estate, signage is now being put into place in preparation to welcome visitors back. We are, however, urging everyone to check before they travel. People should look at our website for the latest updates on what is happening across the estate. All stores that are open, as well as information on future store openings can be found on our website."

Donna added that stores will have their own individual policies in place which the management team at Liverpool ONE is working hard to support. She continued:- "Stores will have new policies and these will vary from store to store. There could be rules in relation to the use of changing rooms and the way refunds and returns are handled. We are keen to see the local economy starting up once more; and people coming out to support local; but the health and safety of everyone is what is of paramount importance. We ask visitors to make responsible decisions about their visit and abide by the guidelines when they choose to visit to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone."

Designated queuing zones are also being put into place but due to the sheer size of the Liverpool ONE estate, its open air layout and wide shopping boulevards, the team expects people to be able to move around freely while easily observing the 2 metre safe distancing rule.

There will be revised opening hours between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday, throughout June 2020, allowing staff to avoid peak travel times. On a Sunday stores will continue to open as normal, between 11am and 5pm. Some stores may choose to open outside of these times. Many of the restaurants across Liverpool ONE will be offering take away and click and collect services until they are able to re-open, subject to Government guidance. For further information visit:- Liverpool-One.com.

Letters to the Editor:-  "Shopping in a lockdown world and Blind People"

"DEAR Editor of the Southport Reporter... Across England, non-essential shops are due to reopen on 15 June. It is expected that, as with shops that have remained open throughout lockdown, visual markers will be used to signify the correct distance from others, 1 way systems and designated queuing areas. With social distancing now part of everyday life it is important to highlight that not everyone can maintain the required distance as easily as others. People who are blind and partially sighted can struggle to know when they are getting closer to someone, or if someone is approaching them. And guide dogs, of course, aren't trained to help in this regard. In general, people are supportive, but there have been occasions when individuals with sight loss have been challenged or even shouted at for coming too close to others, when the reality is they simply weren't aware of it. In such uncertain times, tensions over distancing can rise. But we would ask that if you feel someone seems to be ignoring the restrictions, consider for a moment whether that person, rather than being careless, might not be able to fully see you. Hundreds of thousands of people in England are living with a degree of sight loss. Please be aware that some people do need just a little extra thought." Keith Valentine, Development Director, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)

'Topping out' ceremony to mark major milestone towards completion of new Merseyside Police Headquarters

A 'topping out' ceremony to mark a major milestone towards the completion of Merseyside Police's new Headquarters will take place on Friday, 12 June 2020. Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy and Chief Constable Andy Cooke QPM will sign the last piece of steel which will be installed at the ₤48m centre at the traditional ceremony, which marks the end of the main construction phase of the project. Once the steel framework is complete, work can begin on kitting out the bespoke four-storey Headquarters, which will act as Merseyside Police's flagship base on a key gateway into the City Centre, overlooking Scotland Road and the entrance to the Queensway tunnel, while helping to regenerate the Everton area.

The state of the art 12,800m˛ Centre will bring more than 1,100 Officers and staff under 1 roof once it opens its doors in September 2021, freeing up a number of leased buildings and helping the force to save approximately ₤250,000 a year on its running costs. Construction at the site began in September 2019 after the Commissioner and Chief Constable ceremonially turned the 1st sod at the brownfield site, which is adjacent to the force's existing Station on St Anne Street. Work on the site has continued apace despite the global Coronavirus pandemic, with social distancing practices being implemented by construction firm Willmott Dixon, in order for this major milestone to be reached on time and on budget.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "What an achievement! Back in September 2019, the Chief Constable and I were here to 'turn the 1st sod' on what was a large muddy field but in a fantastic location, looking down over Liverpool City Centre and the River Mersey. Less than 9 months on and in spite of the complications thrown up by Covid-19, this impressive structure has come to life, acting as a proud guardian over this key gateway into the city. We are now a major step closer towards the completion of a brand new, much needed Headquarters for Merseyside Police. Today is an important day for the teams of designers, architects and builders who have been working so hard on this project since planning permission was 1st granted. It is also great news for local people, knowing that it will help breathe new life into their area. This new Headquarters is the visible proof of the determination that the Chief Constable and I share to provide the Officers and staff of Merseyside Police with the best facilities we can afford, to help them fight crime now and into the future. Canning Place opened its doors in 1977 and it has been a loyal servant for the last 40 years, but sadly it is no longer fit for purpose and it is very costly to run. The force needs modern facilities and equipment which will make them more effective and efficient. This new Headquarters will do just that, saving approximately ₤250,000 a year in running costs compared to the existing Headquarters, while helping the force to continue to protect our communities for years to come."

Chief Constable Andy Cooke said:- "It's incredible to see how the building has progressed in the last eight months and I know Officers and staff are excited about moving to the new premises in September 2021. It is vital that we have a building that is fit for purpose, cost effective and efficient. This new HQ will help us to provide Officers and staff with modern and sustainable facilities and equipment, which are vital maintaining our ability to deliver an efficient and effective service for the people of Merseyside."

All the money saved on the running costs of the new Headquarters compared to Canning Place can be directed straight into Frontline Policing.

The new Headquarters has been part funded by capital specifically set aside for the Force's buildings and part borrowed from approved sources, in accordance with the Prudential Code for capital finance. This money is completely separate from the funding used to pay for Merseyside's Police's Officers and staff and cannot be diverted to fund operational Policing.

It is also hoped that a large portion of the cost of the new Headquarters will be recouped through the sale of Canning Place, recently described as:- 'the best regeneration opportunity in the entire country.

The Police Commissioner 1st unveiled plans to build a new Police Headquarters in Everton ward in September 2016 as part of her 10 year plan to modernise Merseyside Police Stations and facilities. The announcement followed a year long evaluation of a host of potential new sites, as well as the potential refurbishment of the existing Headquarters. This process confirmed a new Headquarters would be cheaper to build and maintain and more sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly

Planning permission was granted in October 2018, before site contractors Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd began preparing the site ready for construction to begin. Over the last few months, in line with Government advice, the site has remained open and operating in line with Public Health England guidelines and in compliance with the Site Operating Procedures issued by the Construction Leadership Council.

Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North, said:- "We're proud to be delivering such a landmark and important project for Merseyside Police. Ensuring the Merseyside Police Headquarters are future proofed for the changing complexities of modern Policing is critical and this will be a quality and cost effective environment that will serve Officers, PCSOs and staff for years to come. We share a commitment to leaving a positive and lasting legacy in the communities and economies in which we work, which has seen us invest ₤23m of our project spend to date with local businesses based within 20 miles of the project. The safety of our site teams on site remains the highest priority to us and to reach this milestone in the current circumstances is testament to the strength of the relationships and collaboration between our team, the force and all our local supply chain partners. Over the last few months, the entire site team has been at the forefront of adapting to and innovating new ways of working and embracing technology to keep everyone safe and the project moving forward to completion."