Liverpool Mayor speaks out about Liverpool's UNESCO status ahead of international song contest final

MAYOR Of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, has spoken out about the recent stripping of Liverpool's UNESCO status ahead of the final of the City's International Song For Kindness Contest. Liverpool recently lost its UNESCO status but is now soon to announce the Top 10 for its ground breaking song contest in memory of John Lennon.

Liverpool's International Song for Kindness Contest, launched last year, has received more than 1,500 entries from 18 different countries and a judging panel has now been announced ahead of the final and Top 10 performance at The Cavern Club on John Lennon's birthday in October.

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson, said:-"We might have lost our UNESCO world heritage status this year, but this City was built on music. I'm so proud to be working with Tuff.Earth, the Cavern Club, LIPA, Strawberry Fields and TUFF Music to keep our music heritage alive, organisations that stand for the unity of people, and something I'm sure John Lennon would be incredibly proud of."

International charity tuff.earth started the search for the world's best new song of hope and optimism last year, with the aim to raise spirits in what has been a traumatic 18 months for the planet. Inspired by John Lennon's global hit and peace anthem, Imagine, tuff.earth hopes to unearth new songs that embody a message of kindness, whilst offering musicians an exciting opportunity in the process.

A triumph for the City, the inaugural song contest has received 1,569 entries and the Top 10 songs are due to be announced in September before being performed live at the Cavern, on 9 October 2021, John Lennon's birthday.

The difficult task of judging the huge number of songs will be led by the inspiring:- Knoydart Songwriting Retreat which brings together a collective of multi platinum selling songwriters, music managers and a BAFTA award winning Producer. Judges will be considering the theme, the lyrics, melody, composition and originality as they whittle the entries down to the top 50, before more judges are brought on board to decide on the final 10.

Part of the judging panel are the immensely successful:- Shelly Poole and Paul Statham, who have written tracks for superstar artists such as:- Janet Jackson, Dido, Paloma Faith, Kylie Minogue, Marc Ronson, Jack Savoretti, Gary Barlow, Massive Attack and Simple Minds.

Janey de Nordwall, Knoydart Songwriting Retreat co-founder said:- "1 of the positives to come out of this last year is that songwriters have been able to have the time and space to spend writing and we have certainly seen a huge burst in artistic creativity. It's commonly accepted that being involved in the creative arts can have great benefits to an individual's wellbeing and mental health. It's a real honour to be involved in the judging process of this brilliantly conceived contest and it's very exciting. We can't wait to start and then announce the next line up of well known expert judges."

Ahead of the final and Top 10 Cavern Club performance, Bill Heckle, The Cavern Club's owner said:- "It's great to be helping to inspire the next generation of artists around the world and who knows, we might unearth a future star or two. To have Liverpool and the Cavern hosting this celebration of new music inspired by 1 of John Lennon's greatest songs on what would have been his 81st birthday, is a reflection of how timeless his peace and unity message is and how vital it is to keep it going."

The charity behind the contest, tuff.earth, was founded by Anna Prior and Dr. Shamender Talwar in 2011 to bridge community sectors, organisations and government, rebuilding social integration and global community cohesion. Its mission has found support from global leaders and public figures, including:- former US President Barack Obama; HM Queen Elizabeth II; Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan; and President of Iceland, Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson. Tuff.earth's patron is His Holiness Pope Francis.

Charity Co-Founder Anna Prior said:- "The response to our call for songs that promote kindness has been immense and we are delighted that it has resonated with so many people. We are living in challenging times, where kindness can seem to be in short measure and so it is as important as ever that we come together to face these as a global community; as John Lennon wrote more than 50 years ago in Imagine, for:- 'the world to live as 1.'"

In addition to receiving a great deal of international exposure, the winner of the song contest will have their song professionally produced, mixed and mastered by record producer and Head of TUFF Music, Daniel Xander, at Liverpool's iconic Motor Museum studio, known for the likes of:- Oasis, The Arctic Monkeys, Ben Howard and Jake Bugg.

The 1,569 entries from 18 different countries will soon be narrowed down to a shortlist of 50 songs. Following that announcement, the Top 10 will be confirmed and will perform at the Cavern Club final on 9 October 2021; with the winner set to receive international exposure and have their song professionally recorded, mixed and mastered.

Dr. Shamender Talwar summarised:- "This song contest epitomises everything Liverpool is about and stands for. It's great to have the backing of the Mayor of Liverpool and we're very proud to respond to the stripping of Liverpool's UNESCO status in such a kind way as our ground breaking final edges closer."

For more information on the contest and to find out who makes the Top 50, visit:- Tuff.Earth.

Over 5 million people have visited Southport already this year, attracted by exciting new attractions and a staycation boom

THE total number of visitors for the year to date is 5,065,024 which is 16.6% up on the previous year. Year on Year, footfall in Southport is currently 5.1 % higher than 2019; the last normal trading year before the Covid Pandemic; set against -14 % for the North and Yorkshire and -21.7 % for the UK. The impressive footfall figures, compiled by Springboard Research Ltd, shows that the number of people visiting Southport is double the average for the North and Yorkshire Region (8.6&%) and 5 times the average for the UK (3.4%). The growth is being driven by significant government and private investment in the beautiful coastal Town.

The new Beales department store opened last week; the 3rd Beales store in the UK and the 1st in the North of England; while the new Southport Market food, drink and events venue opened in July following a ₤1.4million transformation led by Sefton Council and supported by Town Deal funding.

Southport Business Improvement District (Southport BID) working with contractors IllumiDex UK Ltd created:- 'a boulevard of light' with 300,000 lights along the mile long Lord Street earlier this year to boost the Town's night time economy. The scheme was praised by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Parliament.

And the ₤38.5million awarded to Southport by the Government through the Towns Fund is set to secure schemes including a new Lakeside Events Centre and a spectacular light show in the Marine Lake.

Southport has also been buoyed by the current UK staycation boom with attractions such as Southport Pleasureland now fully operational after lockdown, and popular events such as the:- British Musical Fireworks, Southport Food and Drink Festival and Southport Comedy Festival all returning.

Southport BID Business Engagement Manager Luke Randles said:- "After the difficulties that businesses have faced over the last 18 months, it's fantastic to see how our town centre is emerging stronger than ever. These footfall figures reaffirm the recent feedback we have received from both Southport businesses and residents, and show just how important high quality retail is to our high streets. This data, coupled with the recent streak of news regarding investment, shows that Southport has the infrastructure in place to continue with a positive trend."

The continuing attraction of Southport to visitors has been further boosted by last week's opening of the new 3 storey Beales department store, on Lord Street, following an ₤800,000 investment and leading to the creation of 40 new jobs.

On 12 August 2021 hundreds of shoppers queued outside ready for the grand opening. The busiest day for visitors last week, according to Springboard Research Ltd, was Thursday, when over 43,000 people came to Southport; the day that Beales opened.

Beales CEO Tony Brown said:- "These figures are really good news for Southport. I am incredibly pleased that the opening of Beales has helped to make such a difference, especially in the continued revitalisation of Lord Street. Our new store is currently trading beyond our expectations. We are very pleased with the direction, the product mix and the product placement on offer. We still have more new brands to come in and join us."

Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills Cllr Marion Atkinson said:- "It's fantastic news that there has been an increase in footfall in Southport this year and indicates a step in the right direction as we look for the local economy to bounce back post Pandemic. It also demonstrates the clear confidence being shown by private investors right here in Sefton. The new Southport Market has been open just short of a month now and the overall feedback has been extremely positive. Tens of thousands of residents and visitors have sampled the amazing food and drink on offer there, and I'm certain that their visits are translating into a much needed boost for other business across the town centre. The wider benefits of the Council's investment in Southport is already becoming apparent, not only with the increased footfall, but a number of longer term vacant units around the market now becoming occupied. We look forward to implementing more exciting plans at Southport Market, plus we have the hugely exciting Events Centre to come as the next stage of the Southport Town Deal."