Former Shorrocks Hill Country Club becomes a film location

A new Netflix thriller is now being filmed at the old Shorrocks Hill Country Club, located in Formby, on the junction of Lifeboat Road and St Luke's Church Road and Bushby's Lane. RED Company Production are filming the upcoming crime drama Stay Close, from Sunday, 21 February 2021 until Friday, 26 February 2021. Traffic management is in place in the area and the National Trust car Park is still open, but people are being reminded that national travel restrictions, due to the Pandemic, are still in place and will be enforced by the Police.

The mini series, we are told, is based on New Jersey writer, Harlan Coben's,  New York Times bestselling novel, of the same title, Stay Close.  We are told that the plot is said to make you poses the question of how much you can ever really know someone...

The all star cast includes lead actors:- Cush Jumbo, as Megan; Richard Armitage, as Ray; and James Nesbitt, as Broome. But the team behind the production remain tight lipped. Also, Eddie Izzard we are told, will be making her television comeback in this new Netflix crime drama. We are also told that this dark series about secrets and lies is expect the series to be released later in the year or at the start of 2022.

The production, Stay Close, we are told, will shoot over 6 months with a focus of the filming in Manchester, but also in other places throughout the North West. This is 1 of the many productions due to start for finish filming over Spring 2021, within the Liverpool City Region.

40 MPs tell Chancellor and PM, act now or see 'extinction' of UK nightlife

THE All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Night Time Economy, a cross party group of more than 40 MPs, has today published the findings of its recent inquiry into the impact of Covid which warns that the sector is at risk of:- 'extinction' unless the Government takes urgent action. The MPs urge the Prime Minister and Chancellor to bring forward a sector specific grant package and a detailed roadmap for reopening the sector to avoid:- 'irreversible losses' that would create:- 'Ghost Towns' across country and hinder the wider economic recovery.

The report, entitled:- 'Covid19 and UK Nightlife,' looked at the impact of the Pandemic and Government support for businesses in the night time economy, including:- night clubs, bars, pubs, live music venues, festivals, and supply chain businesses. It involved a survey which received over 20,000 responses from consumers, employers, employees, and freelancers in the sector. Key findings of the survey included:-

► 85% of people working in the night time economy are considering leaving the industry.

► 78% of all employees in the sector had at some point been on furlough.

► Businesses in the night time economy had on average made 37% of their total workforce redundant.

► In the 2nd half of 2020, businesses in the night time economy traded at an average of 28% of their annualised pre-Covid turnover.

► Only 36% self employed nightlife workers have been able to claim the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

In addition, the report includes numerous detailed personal testimonies of those in the sector describing how the Pandemic has affected them. A copy of the report is available at:- NTIA.Co.UK.

Outside of periods of forced closure, night time economy businesses have seen numerous and changing restrictions on their ability to trade, including curfews, social distancing measures like the:- 'rule of 6,' the loss of vertical drinking, and requirements for a 'substantial meal' with alcohol. Businesses have faced significant costs and investments in adapting to new conditions, and many, including a majority of nightclubs, have been unable to trade at all.

The inquiry examined written submissions from hundreds of businesses and Local Authorities, including the Greater London Authority and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, key trade bodies UK Hospitality and UK Music as well as the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS).

The joint DCMS/BEIS submission recognised the importance of nightlife to the economy as a whole, noting that after the 2008 financial crisis the sector:- "helped drive the UK's recovery more generally." Despite this, the inquiry found that economic support for the night time economy had been "insufficient." containing significant gaps.

Jeff Smith MP, Chair of the APPG and a former self employed DJ, warned that the prospect of many night time economy businesses going bust would leave Town and City Centres across the country looking like 'ghost towns,' noting the important role these spaces play in local economies and communities.9,10 He commented:- "Our world leading night clubs, pubs, bars, and live music venues are cornerstones of our communities. They drive so much economic activity both locally and nationally, and bring hope, joy and entertainment to millions across the UK. Our findings today reveal this industry is on its knees, in desperate need of additional support from the Government and a concrete plan for reopening. Without these interventions, many of these viable businesses will go under, leaving City and Town Centres resembling ghost Towns. If the Government is serious about its 'levelling up' agenda it must act now to save this sector and avoid untold damage to the social fabric of this country."

Some of the key recommendations for Government included in the report were:-

► Extending the furlough scheme until businesses can operate without restrictions, and extending VAT and business rates relief through 2021.

► Producing a roadmap for reopening late night venues based on the vaccination programme and mass testing.

► Expanding eligibility for the Culture Recovery Fund and proving a sector specific support package.

► Providing a Government backed insurance schemes and solutions to spiralling commercial rent arrears.

► Introducing a Treasury backed scheme to boost demand once restrictions are eased.

► Appointing a UK Government Night Time Economy advisor.

The Grapes, Pub, Liverpool commented:- "We will need assistance when finally open as we'll have huge debts and continued reduced income due to distancing etc."

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, commented:- "We are pleased to support the APPG for the Night Time Economy when it became clear our industry's needs weren't being heard by policy makers. But it gives me no pleasure today to announce the findings of this report, which confirm the devastating impact that the Pandemic has had on UK nightlife. Every day I speak with the dedicated people that make up this industry; from artists to engineers, bar staff to security, and production to promoters; they have shown great resilience in the face of adversity. But resilience only gets you so far without the required support. We need more assistance and a detailed plan for reopening now. Otherwise, much of what defines a night out in the UK will be lost forever."

Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO UK Hospitality, said:- "The impact of COVID on the hospitality sector has been overwhelming, but it has been particularly acute for the Night Time Economy. Nightclubs have been closed for almost an entire year, with precious little for them to look forward to. We cannot underestimate the contribution these businesses make both socially and economically. Nightclubs are charismatic businesses and they are the proving grounds for the country's budding musical talent. We stand to lose a huge amount if we lose our nightclubs. The report makes for sobering reading; particularly worrying is the statistic that 85% of workers are considering leaving, but it also provides the Government with a plan to save this sector. The report provides a clear plan to lay the groundwork for the recovery, of this important part of our economy and culture."

UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku Goodwin said:- "We are not asking to reopen before it is safe to do so, but if our sector is to survive through this Pandemic then we require urgent clarity about the months ahead and some indication of when live music will be able to return. We have done a huge amount to reduce the risk of Covid transmission by working with the Government to develop safe working practices, engaging on testing pilots and by looking at all possible options to make festivals and venues as safe as possible. What we need now is a laser like focus from the Government on how we can work together to get live music back as swiftly and safely as possible."

It is worth noting that 60% of Town Centre revenue is generated after 6pm. Also the Night Time Industries Association estimates that the Night Time Economy contributes ₤66 billion per year to the UK economy, accounting for 1.3 million jobs and 8% of the UK's total workforce. This includes a vast supply chain of sole traders and suppliers, alongside supporting thousands of freelancers and auxiliary businesses.
 

Breakdown of total workforce redundancies by businesses type:- ► Nightclubs - 51%. ► Bars - 32%. ► Pubs - 26%. ► Live music venues - 36%. ► Supply chain businesses - 40%.

Breakdown of Q3Q4 trading levels by business type:- ► Nightclubs - 20%. ► Bars - 32%. ► Pubs - 43%. ► Live music venues 28%. ► Supply chain businesses - 19%.