Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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Royal British Legion selling 4 of its Break Centre Hotels including Bying House, Southport

ON 2 September 2020, we are told that The Royal British Legion has instructed Colliers International's Hotels Agency team to sell four of its Coastal Break Centres:- in Southport (Merseyside), Portrush (Northern Ireland), Bridlington (North Yorkshire) and Weston-Super-Mare (Somerset). The properties are now closed and in excellent condition having received significant investment from the charity and can be purchased individually or for a combined guide price of ₤4.175 million.

Byng House, 30 Promenade, Southport, Merseyside, can be accessed directly from Southport promenade into the reception area. It has 36 en-suite letting bedrooms and if an owner would like to purchase this as an individual asset, offers are being sought in the region of ₤1,650,000.

The property has extensive public areas which have been furnished to a high quality, including:- a bar; activity room; conservatory lounge; hair salon; dining room; day room/lounge; games room and a cinema room. The property also has the potential to be turned into alternative uses (STPP).

Robert Smithson, Surveyor in Hotels Agency at Colliers International commented:- "Southport became popular during the Victorian era and has retained many features from that time, which are especially noticeable along Lord Street, the main shopping area in the town. It is renowned for its beaches and often described as the 'Paris of the North' or the 'Jewel of the North West.' Tourism plays a major role in the Town's economy and in recent years significant investment has been made in the Town's infrastructure, including new sea defences, the promenade and tourist attractions. Apart from the seaside, visitor attractions include the Southport Flower Show, the Air Show, the Jazz Festival and the town's nightlife, as well as bird watching or walking and cycling on Sefton's natural coast. Southport is also known as England's golfing capital with easy access to six championship standard golf courses including the world famous Royal Birkdale, Hesketh, Hillside, Southport and Ainsdale, Formby Hall, and the West Lancashire Golf Club. The popular tourist resort is situated on the coast of the North West and is easily connected to other centres through the motorway network, so would do well from a trading perspective. Nearby towns and cities include Preston (17 miles); Liverpool (20 miles); Warrington (31 miles); Blackburn (32 miles); Bolton (37 miles) and Manchester (42 miles). The Town is also one of the most successful conference destinations in the North West,” added Smithson. It benefits from the 1,631 seat capacity Southport Theatre and Conference Centre, located on the promenade and the nearby 1930's built Floral Hall complex and 1970's Theatre.”

The other Royal British Legion Hotels which are being sold are:-

► Somerset Legion House, 57 Beach Road, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, which has 47 en-suite bedrooms and can be purchased for ₤1,200,000.

► Alderson House, 70 Marine Drive South, Bridlington, East Yorkshire, which has 26 en-suite bedrooms and can be purchased for ₤800,000.

► Bennet House, 17 Lansdowne Crescent, Portrush, Northern Ireland, which has 15 en-suite bedrooms and can be purchased for ₤525,000.

Smithson added:- "The high quality finish of the properties would lend themselves well to a 'boutique' style of operation and the extensive public areas would also make the properties suitable for exclusive use weddings or functions. There is also an opportunity for a new owner to capitalise on the renaissance of the UK 'staycation' market; particularly in the wake of COVID-19 where coastal and country Hotels are considered to be 1 market, which will bounce back the quickest."

The key things you need to know about Manchester Airport

THROUGHOUT the pandemic the Manchester Airport has worked closely with its airlines and retailers to align its operations with passenger demand, to deliver the best possible customer experience. For the last 3 months, are being told that the airport has been operating a range of measures to keep all passengers and staff safe. These include:- wearing face coverings, enhanced cleaning, Perspex screens, bookable security slots, and temperature checks. Manchester Airport has also taken other stops to efficiently meet the capacity and demand for travel, flights and that meant opening up Terminal 2, but a drop in passengers has mean t that flights currently operating from Terminal 2 will now be a move to Terminal 1.

Passengers are advised to check which terminal they're flying from before arriving at the airport, as some airlines are operating from a different terminal than usual. For more information see:- ManchesterAirport.Co.UK/Coronavirus.

Karen Smart, MD at Manchester Airport, said:- "In responding to the recent government changes to quarantine and to efficiently meet the current capacity and demand, we’ve made the decision to close Terminal 2 from tomorrow. This will allow us to provide the best possible customer experience for those that want to travel, safely through our other 2 terminals. In what would normally be our busiest time of the year, it is pleasing to see carriers like Blue Islands launching services from Manchester, offering vital domestic connectivity and also access to our wider route network. I’d like to thank all our passengers for continuing to abide by the measures in place during these uncertain times, and also thank all our staff who have gone above and beyond to ensure safe travel for all."

Passengers should also be aware that they will now need to quarantine on return to the UK if traveling to destinations removed from the travel corridors list. They are reminded to check the latest Government guidance on travel corridors and requirements upon returning to the UK:- Gov.UK.

₤2 million fund for local action on air quality

NEW round of funding opens for Local Authorities to help clean up dirty air for communities. The Government has announced the latest round of funding for local projects to improve air quality across England. Local Authorities can bid for a portion of at least ₤2 million for a wide range of projects to improve air quality and create cleaner and healthier environments. Since it was established, the Air Quality Grant scheme has awarded around ₤64.5 million to a variety of projects benefitting Schools, businesses, and communities, and reducing the impact of dirty air on people's healt.

These projects have contributed to the significant improvement in air quality seen in the UK in recent decades. Levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) particles or liquid droplets in the air which present the greatest risk to public health; have reduced by 9% since 2010, and levels of nitrogen dioxide from vehicles are now at their lowest levels since records began.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:- "Air pollution, and in particular PM2.5, carries enormous risks to human health which is why we are continuing to provide funding to local authorities to help them take action. This is part of delivering on the ambition in our world leading Clean Air Strategy to halve the harm to human health from air pollution by 2030. We know that Local Authorities are in the best position to address the issues they face in their areas and we look forward to receiving ideas for ways to reduce emissions and promote cleaner, greener alternatives...."

Transport Minister Rachel Maclean said:- "I'm delighted to see the launch of the next round of funding for councils in towns and cities across the country to help reduce transport emissions and improve air quality for our local communities. From Schools, to local businesses and households, it's vital that we support a diverse range of projects to create cleaner, greener and healthier places to live...."

The grant application process is competitive, with projects to tackle PM 2.5 particularly welcomed by Defra. The best projects will also develop long term solutions to increase awareness and encourage behavior change.

Applicants in previous years have been awarded funding to test indoor air quality and the effectiveness of filter systems in Schools, develop clean air village projects joining up several London boroughs, and raise awareness around domestic burning and the dangers of using harmful fuels such as coal and wet wood.

Applications for the grant open from 2 September and close, at 12pm, on 14 October 2020.

This fund will contribute towards meeting the objectives of Defra's 2019 Clean Air Strategy, the most ambitious air quality strategy in a generation, which has been praised by the World Health Organisation as:- "an example for the rest of the world to follow..."

It also complements the wider UK plan for tackling roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations, which includes a ₤3.5 billion investment into air quality and cleaner transport. The plan is supporting the uptake of low emissions vehicles, getting more people to cycle and walk, and encouraging cleaner public transport.

Local Authorities in England are invited to apply via Bravo. Further details on how to apply are available on the Air Quality Grants GOV.UK Page.

Total UK cases COVID-19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 1,508 cases and the total number now stand at 338,676, that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be 10 according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is 41,514.

The number of COVID-19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 797. The current number of COVID-19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 82. Daily number of COVID-19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 109.

In England, there are a total of 292,418 confirmed cases. North West - total of 53,857 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

► Liverpool, 2,899 confirmed cases.

► Halton, 744 confirmed cases.

► Knowsley, 1,091 confirmed cases.

► Sefton, 1,711 confirmed cases.

► St. Helens, 1,291 confirmed cases

► Wirral, 2,240 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 1,860 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 1,106 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 2,455 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 1,608 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 2,406 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 2,159 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 8,308 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 4,369 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 2,968 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 1,457 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 2,295 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 1,845 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 2,000 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 1,966 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 1,718 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 1,434 confirmed cases.

► Wigan, 2,339 confirmed cases.

WARNING - Some areas within England which are currently in Lockdown or have Enhanced Restrictions

LOCKDOWN restrictions have been eased in:- Stockport, Burnley, Hyndburn, parts of Bradford, excluding Bradford City and Keighley Town, parts of Calderdale, excluding:- Halifax, and parts of Kirklees, excluding:- Dewsbury and Batley.

According to Government rules, people living in these areas can now:-

Socialise in groups of up to 2 households indoors or in private gardens

► Stay overnight at somebody else's home but must try to social distance

► Book close contact services such as facials and brow or eyelash treatments

► Visit bowling alleys, roller rinks, soft play centres and casinos

► Measures were imposed at the end of July amid a rise in cases.

► Stockport has joined Wigan in being allowed to have 2 households socialise indoors.

But in:- Bolton, Trafford, Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Bury and Tameside it is still banned. In Oldham people are advised not to meet up with other households outdoors as well.

Daily reported COVID deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive COVID test.

Daily and cumulative numbers of COVID-19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected COVID-19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates ... and Important Emergency Notices ...

Total UK cases COVID-19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates
... and Important Emergency Notices ...