The last of the Debenhams stores close

AFTER over 200 years on the high street, Debenhams will close its doors on for good, and that included the Debenhams retail outlet in Liverpool ONE, on 15 May 2021, bringing an end to this iconic department store chain's run on our High Streets. The chain's 1st store was opened in 1778, on Wigmore Street, in Central London, by William Clark, selling fabrics, bonnets and parasols. It quickly grew, but the chain has struggled in recent years and in 2020 the historic firm went into administration, and bought for ₤55m by online giant Boohoo. Boohoo, we are told will now make it as an online only brand.
 

Very small sinkhole opens up again in Formby Village

A very small sinkhole has appeared again on Chapel Lane, Formby, on the pedestrian crossing, outside the Iceland Store. Sefton Council. This is 1 of many small road surface defects that are commonly found around Formby's roads. Most  of these issues are down to port maintenance that results in potholes forming, with some developing into bigger issues.

Motorists and other road users can report a pothole issue to the Local Authority who maintain that section of the highway, in the case of issues within Sefton you can contact the Council's Highway Maintenance service by visiting:- Sefton.Gov.UK or in an emergency, if out of hours, you can call:- 01519226107. Sefton Council states that an is an incident which provides an immediate risk to health and safety, such as missing gulley cover, missing manhole cover, carriageway collapse or roadway collision damage.
 

Dobbies hosts bee brilliant virtual event with Neal's Yard Remedies to celebrate World Bee Day with Merseyside customers

DOBBIES, the UK's leading garden centre retailer, is marking World Bee Day (20 May 2021) for Merseyside customers with a virtual event hosted by natural and organic health and beauty company, Neal's Yard Remedies.

Following on from the recent launch of their #sustainabledobbies campaign, the experts, at Dobbies Garden Centres, are teaming up with Neal's Yard Remedies in this virtual event, to share top tips on making Merseyside gardens a bee-friendly haven. Bees are one of the most vital elements of our eco-system, but with several species now in decline, it's more important than ever that we all play our part to support these precious pollinators, and World Bee Day serves as a timely reminder to celebrate their significance in our daily lives.

The virtual event will start, at 7pm, on 20 May 2021, and will be hosted by Tipper Lewis, Brand Ambassador for Neal's Yard Remedies. Tipper will provide attendees with top tips on the best blooms for bees, and share advice on how to maximise a garden's 'pollen power', so that everyone can play their part in creating a sanctuary for bees in their gardens this summer.

Tipper will also introduce guests to Neal's Yard Remedies' Bee Lovely product range, which is lovingly crafted with ingredients such as honey and beeswax. Every purchase from the Bee Lovely collection helps to support bees across the world, with a percentage of each purchase donated to bee friendly charities. Lucky attendees will also be given the chance to experience the range for themselves too, with the opportunity to win one of five Bee Lovely:- 'Head to Toe' gift sets during the event.

Alongside this, Tipper will be on hand to answer any questions viewers may have, including advice on the best blooms and bushes to plant to attract bees, and how to ensure that gardening techniques are sustainable and bee friendly at every turn.

Tipper Lewis, Brand Ambassador for Neal's Yard Remedies, said:- "Bees are hugely vital to so many things in our daily lives, from the food we eat to the flowers in our gardens and even the skincare we use. The team at Neal's Yard Remedies and I are very excited to share our knowledge, passion and love for bees of all kinds with Dobbies' Merseyside customers, and we hope they'll enjoy learning more about them as we celebrate World Bee Day."

The Neal's Yard Remedies expert event is part of a series of free virtual events that Dobbies is hosting this Spring. Following a successful programme of Facebook Live sessions in 2020, they provide a virtual alternative to regular events usually hosted instore. Further events have already been announced for the coming weeks, including a virtual event on roses, Britain's favourite flower, hosted by Dobbies' Horticulture Director, Marcus Eyles. Advance booking is essential for the virtual events, which are hosted on Microsoft Teams, making it quick and simple for viewers to log on and join in the event from the comfort of their homes.

The sessions are free of charge and exclusively available to Dobbies Club members. For those who aren't yet members of Dobbies Club, membership is free and signing up is quick and simple, giving access to a variety of benefits, special offers and exclusive events. To sign up for the Dobbies virtual event with Neals Yard Remedies, visit:- Dobbies.Com.