Minister for Skills officially opens Edge Hill's new Life Sciences hub

THE UK Skills Minister officially opened Edge Hill University's cutting edge Life Sciences building on:- Thursday, 25 September 2025, marking a major milestone in the University's commitment to advancing scientific education, research and Regional innovation.

Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith met with the University's senior leaders and enjoyed a tour of the £17.4million facility, which features advanced teaching spaces, industry-grade equipment and specialist labs including:- a histology suite, cell culture laboratories and molecular biology room.

The building will serve as a hub for research and skills development in areas such as:- biomedical science, biochemistry and plant science, and is designed to support the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals and bioscience innovators.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister for Skills praised Edge Hill University's investment and vision:- "I was really impressed by the new Life Sciences building, which represents exactly the kind of ambition we need to strengthen the UK's position as a global leader in science and innovation through our Plan for Change. Universities like Edge Hill are crucial to breaking down barriers to opportunity in their Region while driving growth and opportunity in cutting edge industries nationwide. It's great to see students getting hands-on experience of the world of work alongside advanced technical skills."

The new building is part of a wider transformation of Edge Hill's expertise in science, which includes:- the advancement of research in cancer, neurobiology, genetic skin conditions and ageing, reinforcing the University's growing reputation in health, medical and environmental research.

Professor Michael Young, Vice Chancellor of Edge Hill University, welcomed the Minister and highlighted the building's role in shaping the future of life sciences:- "We are proud to be investing in facilities that match the excellence of our teaching and research. The Life Sciences building is not only a cornerstone of our campus but a springboard for new partnerships with industry, the NHS and research organisations; all focused on improving health, sustainability and scientific discovery."

An exhibition entitled The Jones Nature Prints, created between:- 1876 and 1880 by Arthur Mowbray Jones of Bristol, was also unveiled in the building's foyer. The collection celebrates the remarkable artistry and scientific precision of Jones' pioneering and distinctive method of recording plants. These rare impressions capture the Victorian spirit of discovery which is still inspiring students, researchers and the wider university community today.

The event follows Edge Hill's success in the recent Guardian University Guide 2026; the University ranked in the top 10 for biomedical science and biology, and placed top 20 for the percentage of students who were happy with their choice of university 15 months after graduation.

Find out more about studying at Edge Hill University and opportunities for continuing professional development, expert consultancy and knowledge exchange.

Southport Pier £20m restoration thanks to:- 'people power and the strength of our community in Southport'

BEING awarded up to £20 million for the restoration of Southport Pier is a demonstration of:- "people power and the strength of our community in Southport."  The news was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she visited Southport recently. It will see work starting soon to carry out repairs along the 2nd longest pier in the country at:- 1,108 m (3,635 ft) long. The much loved landmark that has stood proudly on our Town's coastline since 1860.  The restoration is expected to take:- 12 to 14 months to complete, with work expected to start next year.  It's brilliant news for many local businesses including:- for Silcock Leisure Group, which operates Silcock's Carousel, Silcock's Funland and Silcock's Family Pier Restaurant at the entrance to the pier.  Operations Manager Serena Silcock Prince was interviewed for her views by BBC North West Tonight, which was the part of a programme celebrating the funding for the pier at:- 6.30pm, on:- Monday, 29 September 2025.

She said:- "We are elated to hear that the Government is providing up to £20 million in funding to restore and reopen Southport Pier, which is such a treasured landmark for our Town. It is the most incredible news we could have heard. It was wonderful to see Chancellor Rachel Reeves pay a visit to Southport to see the pier for herself ahead of making this announcement. It's the best possible outcome after many months of campaigning by so many people. When we organised a public meeting about the future of Southport Pier at Silcock's Family Pier Restaurant earlier this year, over 400 people turned up and for many there it was standing room only. It demonstrated the passion that local people have to want to see the pier reopened. The people of Southport really deserved and wanted this to happen. On a poll run by Stand Up For Southport, nearly 2,000 people took part with 97% of respondents saying they wanted to see funding provided to repair the pier. It showed how united the community has been in wanting this to happen. Everyone in our Town; families, businesses; we all want our pier open again! Southport MP Patrick Hurley has been brilliant and very determined in lobbying the Government and putting forward Southport's case in Parliament. We are very grateful for the support from Sefton Council which put everything in place ready for a funding bid to be made, including:- completing a full survey and securing Listed Consent planning permission for the pier's restoration. Now the funding is secured, they are all ready to go. A big thank you to the family which runs the GABA Foundation, they spoke personally with the Prime Minister about how much it meant to Southport when they visited 10 Downing Street. They really drove home just how important Southport Pier is for children, young people and families in our Town. We really appreciate all the media interest and media support from organisations in Southport, the Liverpool City Region and across the country, who have done so much to highlight this issue. They include BBC Radio Merseyside, with Kevin Duala and his team doing an outside broadcast from the pier in June as part of a full week spent live on air from Southport. I gave a talk recently at the Heritage Open Days Festival where I spoke from a personal point of view about how special Southport Pier is to me and my family. My maternal grandmother ran the famous cafe on stilts that overlooked Southport Pier. I have grown up with it being very much part of my life, and lots of people living and working here feel the same. When we are able to walk down the pier again, I will feel proud at having played a small part among many people in its restoration. Well done to the community of Southport for making this happen, through their determination and their pride in our heritage. People power and the strength of our community has made this happen; by working together, we have shown that Southport can achieve anything."

Restoring pride in communities is a vital part of the Government's Plan for Change to drive economic growth by attracting businesses, opportunity and jobs to every part of the country. The up to £20 million investment, which is subject to completion of a full business case assessment, will support Sefton Council, owners of the Grade II listed pier, with its restoration. It will support local jobs, attract tourism and opportunity in Southport and the wider Liverpool City Region.

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