Mecca Bingo in Southport to close permanently

WE have had the very sad news that Mecca Bingo, in Southport, is to close permanently. This is a fantastic venue inside, that must be saved. It was formerly the Garrick Theatre, which was built in 1932, built on the site of Frank Matcham�s Opera House which was destroyed by fire in 1929. It was converted into a cinema for a short time back in 1957, but with a number of cinemas already established, it later became a bingo hall. Recently the grade 2 listed building has a capacity for 1,008 and has been extremely popular. This location would make an amazing location for a new Concert Venue, but many locals are now worried that this amazing building might be bulldozed. We contacted Mecca Bingo for a comment on hearing that this former theatre or music hall, located on Lord Street and Garrick Parade, Southport, will no longer be opening for a comment. John Dyson, Operations Director, at Mecca Bingo, has replied saying:- "On behalf of everyone at Mecca Bingo, in Southport, we are very sad to confirm that we will not be reopening our club in May and will be closing permanently. Mecca Southport has been a part of the local community for many years and we want to say a huge thank you to every single one of our incredible customers for their loyalty and support; we will miss you very much. Mecca plays a very special part in the community and has done for 60 years, bringing people together in our clubs and online. We wish all of our colleagues and customers well for the future. We don't have any further information on the future of the club or comment on staff."

Britannia Hotels prosecuted in connection to a serious incident at the Wales Hotel

SEFTON Council has successfully prosecuted Britannia Hotels after a guest at its Prince of Wales Hotel, in Southport, sustained life changing injuries due to falling through rusted iron railings, in May 2018,

Fiona Townsend, the Council�s Senior Lawyer told Sefton Magistrates Court that the railings to prevent people falling down the 6ft drop to the basement lightwells were missing in 1 location and badly corroded in numerous other areas. The Council had issued an improvement notice after the Company failed to make the area safe with suitable fencing over 3 weeks after the incident. She said:- "Britannia Hotels could not demonstrate that a system was in place to check and maintain the iron railing regularly. Its risk assessments failed to address the hazard of a fall from height as happened to guest Deborah Henshall and did not refer to the iron railings. The company fell short of the appropriate safety and the systems it had in place were not sufficiently adhered to or implemented. It had failed to make appropriate changes following prior incident and had allowed breaches to continue over a long period. This led to the incident, which has had a substantial and long term effect on the Ms Henshall�s ability to carry out normal day to day activities or on their ability to return to work."

In a Victim Statement, Deborah Henshall told the Court after a full body scan, at Aintree Hospital, she was told she had two spinal fractures, a broken left big toe and blood on her lungs due to the sternum and rib fractures. She had also sustained a head injury, concussion and trauma. She said she was distressed over how her life has changed since the accident, before which she was working 2 jobs. In her statement she wrote that she had been off work since the accident had lost both jobs and is currently on Universal Credit and personal independent payments. She wrote:- "I am still suffering everyday with severe pain. I used to be a very outgoing and very social within my group of friends and family this accident has caused me so much pain and distress that I feel will never back to the person I was before this accident."

Fining Britannia Hotels ₤80,000 and awarding costs of ₤6821.92, District Judge Wendy Lloyd said:- "I take both Britannia�s previously good character and guilty plea into account, but others were exposed to risk of falling into the light well, a number of people were potentially at risk. I extend great sympathy to Ms Henshall. This amount is in no way a representation of what I think her injury is worth. This is a fine on health and safety failings."

Afterwards, Fiona Townsend said:- "Sefton Council is always keen to work with businesses to provide help and advice on how they can maintain health and safety. But, as this case shows, we will also take action where health and safety standards are not maintained, particularly when this failing has had serious consequences."

Southport's hospitality are starting to open again

SOUTHPORT'S hospitality venues have been opening up again after a year of restrictions. We headed out and about on 12 April to see what was happening within the Town Center. We are happy to report that today, the interest has not died, with the few venues that have opened so far reporting that they are doing well. On 12 April 2021, Southport Town Center had a Sunny start to the ending of some of the Lockdown Restrictions within England. This meant some of the Town's many small businesses could open again and that included the Town's many unique bars and pubs. Sadly, only outside catering is allowed, but still, this has come as a very welcome relief for many of the area's independent venues who have been hit hard over the last year by the restrictions. Sadly not all have survived, but those who have said they are looking forward to fully reopening again.

Please remember that social distancing is still very important. You should stay 2 meters apart from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble where possible, or 1 meter with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings) if you cannot stay 2 meters apart. Please don't take unnecessary risks, as the last thing we want is to go back into Lockdown.

Since 12 April: 2021, in England, you are now allowed to:-

1. Reopen some non-essential retail.

2. Personal care services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen, including those provided from a mobile setting.

3. Public buildings such as libraries and community canters can reopen.

4. Outdoor hospitality venues can reopen, with table service only.

5. Most outdoor attractions including:- zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) can reopen.

6. Some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds can take place.

7. Indoor leisure and sports facilities can reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household, or support bubble.

8. All childcare and supervised activities are allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)

9. Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes, and other commemorative events can take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens.

10. Self contained accommodation can stay open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble.

11. Care home residents will be able to nominate 2 named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test)

12. You should continue to work from home if you can and minimize the amount that you travel where possible.

What are your thoughts on this and also if you want to know what the current restrictions are, please go to:- Gov.UK/Guidance.

Further information about support for Sefton businesses who want help to open is available at:- Sefton.Gov.UK/BusinessSupport.

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 2,472 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,375,814 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:- 23 within 28 days of positive test, 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:- 127,123, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 150,419.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 2,537. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 377 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 230.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,824,441 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 602,356 confirmed cases.

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

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-
Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 48,313 confirmed cases.
12

► Halton, 11,907 confirmed cases. - ERROR -

► Knowsley, 17,322 confirmed cases. 1

► Sefton, 23,796 confirmed cases. 11

► St. Helens, 17,003 confirmed cases. - ERROR -

► Wirral, 24,189 confirmed cases.
5

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

32,250,481 7,857,396

Jab Stats correct as of:- 12 April 2021

The Vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the Vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca Vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.