New Brighton Beach Clean Up with Team Pura

A new eco-friendly baby care brand, based in Cheshire, headed to New Brighton Beach, on Friday, 31 July 2020, on a mission to rid the beach of existing litter. Pura, is a family run start up that aims to make eco-friendly parenting easy and affordable. Their range of 100% plastic free baby wipes launched back in June 2020, with the help of Brand Ambassador, Diversity star and Presenter Ashley Banjo. Celebrity supporters also include:- Strictly's star, Actress and Radio Presenter Gemma Atkinson and 'Happy Mum Happy Baby' creator Giovanna Fletcher. Pura Co-founder Guy Fennell explained:- "As a family we often head to it for a day out, but this time we wanted to rid the beach of existing litter. It was shocking to see how much plastic waste was on the beach. We would love to see everyone make the switch from plastic to plastic free wipes, as we could see 1st hand just how bad it is getting on our beaches, doing this clean. It's all about driving change and leaving the right legacy for our children. Parents too often have to compromise on quality or price for environmental friendliness. At Pura, we want to empower all families to care for their family, their environment and their budget without compromise."

You can also find out about more about beach cleans at New Brighton  and other beaches throughout the UK on:- LoveMyBeach.Org.

Creative industries can play a key role in the Covid-19 Recovery

COUNCIL'S across the country are backing the creative industries to help drive economic recovery in local areas, the Local Government Association and Creative Industries Federation has been set out. he LGA, which represents Councils in England and Wales, has published a guide to help Councils to support their local creative industries recover from the Coronavirus pandemic and to boost the creative economy. Latest Government statistics show that creative industries; including:- small and medium businesses and organisations, that specialise in:- arts, culture, design, music and TV and film; contribute more than ₤111 billion to the UK economy. Many Councils are trying to continue supporting the creative industry in their local areas, despite significant funding pressures as a result of the pandemic. The handbook will help Councils learn from best practice when looking to implement new creative economy strategies in their areas, ensuring that the creative industries can play a key role in the national economy recovery.

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA's Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said:- "Local creative industries can be the cornerstone of recovery for our communities and local economies from the impact of COVID-19. Councils have a unique perspective of viewing the creative economy through place and this guide will help Councils across the country to unlock the potential of their creative communities to bounce forwards towards a better society and economy. We are calling on the Government to support this work and to ensure that Councils retain the planning powers they need to curate their communities and grow their local economies."

Caroline Norbury MBE, Chief Executive of Creative Industries Federation and Creative England said:- "Our creative sector is an economic powerhouse. The creative industries bring people into our towns and Cities. They are intrinsic to building atmosphere, to a sense of place and civic pride, and investment into creativity is critical if we want to level up the country. In order to build back better, we must learn from the past. Research shows that following the 2008 financial crash, previously strong Regional creative sector growth trends fell away, and growth coalesced around fewer clusters once more. Experience shows that when crisis hits, the Regions suffer. As we plan for an economic recovery, Regional focus is key. We need to use local knowledge and devolved power to build tailored, community owned responses from the bottom up."

You can read the LGA's 'Councils' role in supporting their local creative economy' here.