Things are moving to transform Southport Market into a unique food and drink venue

EXCITING plans to transform Southport Market into a unique food and drink offer are set to be presented to Sefton Council's Formal Cabinet, on Thursday, 3 September 2020. The report will recommend the incredible ₤1.4 million redesign and refurbishment of the Town centre market site, creating a modern food and drinks space, along with a flexible events and market area.

The new look market will be an all year round attraction with space for up to 8 delicious food and drinks units, providing a vital boost to the local economy and continued regeneration of Southport's market quarter and King Street. Units will also be available for fresh produce stalls, including the popular Blackhurst Butchers, with all traders being offered turnover rental agreements to ensure low risk to their business.

Funding for the project has already been successfully secured from both the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Southport Town Deal Acceleration fund. If the plans are approved by Cabinet, it is hoped work will begin on the exciting project in late 2020.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council's Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, welcomed the latest stage of the project, saying:- "We know just how much of an important asset Southport Market is to the Town. This ambitious and exciting project is a cornerstone of what the Southport Town Deal is all about and securing additional external funding to completely transform the building shows real commitment from Sefton Council. We fully understand the impact consumer habits and demand has on historical indoor markets and there is a clear need to ensure this impressive venue evolves into a modern and stunning food and drinks space. This project will create fantastic opportunities for new business start ups and job creation, and we have shown our full commitment to helping these businesses to grow by implementing a turnover rental model. We are extremely excited to see the project progress even further and we have been delighted at the wealth of positive feedback and support we have received from residents and businesses so far for this transformation."

Due to an already high demand from prospective new food operators and fresh produce businesses, all potential traders should contact:- Tourism@Sefton.Gov.UK to find out more information.

Bongo's Bingo Reveal Liverpool Xmas Shows at Content

THEY. Are. Back! Yes that's right; Jonny Bongo and the Bongo's Bingo team are incredibly happy to announce something very special is happening this winter in Liverpool. The team are calling out to assemble all of the Wonder (ful) Women, X-Men and many Jokers out there across the City to help make these brand new We Can Be Heroes shows extra fabulous festive fun for everyone. And starting off the whole Christmas season is a very special NHS key worker show;  after all, these have always been our real heroes; on 30 November 2020, with more details coming soon.

We Can Be Heroes theme shows will take place on:- 2 December, 4 December, 5 December, 7 December, 9 December, 11 December, 12 December, 14 December, 16 December, 18 December, 19 December, 22 December, 23 December, 28 December, New Years Eve 29 December 2020, all at Content,  and a special NHS key worker show on 30 November 2020. Dressing up for Christmas shows is very much encouraged, too, and after what has been a very difficult 2020 we know everyone needs a big Bongo's Bingo release.

For anyone with credit, tickets go on sale 5pm, Thursday, 27 August 2020, then any remaining are on general sale from 5pm, Friday, 28 August 2020. Go to:- BongosBingo.Co.UK for tickets and full info.

Jonny Bongo says:- "We are over the moon to be coming back to our home turf for a run of spectacular socially distanced shows all the way through to NYE. We want to make it really special and give everyone some big Bongo's Bingo love for the City, it really has been a very long time coming. Just being able to have everyone together for 16 shows and back in Content will be incredible. We will of course make sure all of the shows are fully socially distanced, with reduced capacity and lots of measures in place. We have been planning this for a long time so it's great to finally get the news out there."

So won't really be too long until its time to dust down your cape, dig out your mask and channel some super hero muscle flexing powers as Bongo's Bingo presents its We Can Be Heroes themed Xmas shows, at Content. Expect all of the usual magic, crazy prizes, music, mayhem and much, much more, at Cains Brewery Village, Stanhope St, Liverpool, L8 5XJ.  Doors open 6pm, with the 1st game starting at 8pm.

Mindsmatter extends service in wake of pandemic

MINDSMATTER, a talking therapy service run by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust for sufferers of anxiety and depression has launched online. The IAPT (Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies) service helps people 16 and over in Lancashire. It offers a range of therapeutic approaches, including:- computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), guided self help, wellbeing groups, and 1 to 1 therapy with either a psychological wellbeing practitioner, CBT Therapist or Counsellor.

Holly Eggboro, Long Term Conditions and Training Academy Manager at Mindsmatter, which is based at Pathways, Bamber Bridge said:- "Lockdown happened quickly and we needed to put measures in place so that we could maintain our invaluable services to our patients.  We also recognised that at a time of great uncertainty and worry, our services would be more important than ever for people struggling during lockdown.It's been really interesting to see how our clients have responded to more online and telephone therapy being made available.  These alternative methods of therapy delivery have given clinicians and our clients' greater flexibility in how they access support during the pandemic. We hope that this also enables those people who may not typically access help to reach out to us. We are hoping to expand our online offer and where possible, we are offering the more traditional sessions in a way that ensures client and staff safety as a priority."

Mindsmatter recently celebrated its latest patient experience figures which showed that more than 95% of its patients had confidence in their therapist and their skills and techniques, compared with the national average of 87.9%.

The results also showed that 94.5% of those surveyed felt staff listened and treated their concerns seriously, which is more than the national average of 91.9%.

The responses came from 164 people who were discharged from Mindsmatter between June 2019 and May 2020 who accessed the service by either referring themselves or being referred by GPs or other health professionals.

The patients were also asked if they felt involved in making choices about their treatment and care, with 84.76% agreeing with the statement compared with the national figure of 80.2%.

74.39% felt the service had helped them to better understand and address their difficulties, an increase on the national figure of 72.2%. Holly continued:- "From the results we are having, we know just how well this service is received, but to have this confirmed by the patients themselves is truly rewarding for all of our staff. We are really pleased with the scores we received in all categories, which reflect the hard work and determination of everyone involved in this service."

For further information on Mindsmatter or to refer into the service, please visit the LSCFT's website.