Overnight Theft from Southport store leaves owner devastated

SOUTHPORT Motorcycles, on Eastbank Street, Southport, was broken into resulting in over ₤12,000 worth of damage. The theft took place between 11.20pm and midnight, on Tuesday, 28 July 2020. The owner of the local, independent store, Bernard, is a well known and respected local entrepreneur, who has been struggling with both his health and keeping his business afloat over the lock down. He has been running the mail order side of his business single handed through Covid and has furloughed staff to keep them safe. Also, due to his own health issues, he has had to take extra precautions on top of what is required under new business regulations. This theft is adding to the massive financial hit of Covid and has left him devastated. "Anyone who knows him, knows that he always puts on a brave face, so hearing the upset in his voice just shows the emotional impact this has had on him." said a customer.

Talking to Bernard, he said:- "We were broken into Tuesday night. bikes were stolen, along with other stock and accessories... It's unbelievable. I'm just in shock! I can clearly see, just as can the Police can, that this was a deliberate and targeted attack with the thieves cutting their way in through the front shutters and shop front, its a busy main road, somebody must have seen something. I'm trying to keep my business trading through Covid and want to business to keep going, but I'm now faced with the cost of repairs, that will be over ₤12,000, at a time when all businesses are low on funds and I'm still trying to shield. I have been left completely crushed and wondering WHY? I'm personally offering a reward for information, leading to arrest/s and conviction/s, as these people need to be stopped. They are destroying the local economy and putting livelihoods and lives at risk. If you have any information no matter how little please contact us on:- 01704 500029."

Our Editor has also been told that the items stolen include:- A Kawasaki KLX250 SFF motorcycle, registration ND16 CRZ, in green and white, with only 128 miles and 2 new green Revvi 16s electric kid's bikes.

Please be on the look out also for boxes like the 1 above, as a few of these also got taken in the robbery. If you have any information, no matter how small, dash cams, descriptions, video footage etc. please contact Southport Motorcycles directly or Merseyside Police. You can also contact Crime Stoppers 100% anonymously on:- 0800 555 111 or visit:- Crimestoppers-UK.Org.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company signs contract for new vessel

ON Friday, 31 July 2020, its Board of Directors signed a contract on behalf of the Company with 1 of the world's major shipbuilders, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), based in Ulsan. It follows a week long visit to Korea by senior personnel from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, during which they visited the shipyard where the vessel will be built, viewed a recently completed ship to assess the standard of work and discussed technical and commercial considerations with HMD executives. Work on physically constructing a replacement for the conventional ferry, Ben-my-Chree, is now due to start in mid-2021 after detailed plans are finalised and agreed between builder and buyer. The process began in 2019, when the Company commissioned a tender exercise, during which a large number of shipyards around the world expressed an interest in building the bespoke vessel.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said:- "For some time we have been conducting detailed analysis as we develop plans for major investment in our fleet. I am delighted to confirm that, following lengthy discussions with a leading shipyard in South Korea, we have confirmed specifications for the vessel and today signed a contract with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. This truly is an exciting time in our history and, in the year we marked our 190th anniversary, the new vessel will take the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company forward to our 200th Anniversary and beyond."

The new vessel, expected to commence service in Spring 2023, will be an important part of the Company's future plans, bringing high levels of on board facilities and enhanced freight capability. The Company is also committed to maintaining a third back-up vessel, intended to be the Ben-my-Chree when the new vessel arrives, to enhance security of both passenger and freight links and also help increase capacity during the TT and Classic TT.

Mr Woodward continued:- "The final specification and build programme is still in development but it is expected the new vessel will be slightly larger than the Ben-my-Chree in most respects but with considerably more passenger space. It is also intended to be more environmentally efficient and manoeuvrable in poor conditions. 'Factoring in various technical and logistical considerations for a new vessel, and taking into account the recent public consultation exercise where possible, our aim for when we introduce the new addition is to ensure we provide an even higher level of service to the Island community and our customers."