Vol 29 Issue 5
2 February 2022
www.champnews.com
HALF PRICE
5 WELD PARADE, BIRKDALE VILLAGE, PR8 2DT
Archer double keeps Port marching on
Veterans Hub opens in town
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
SALE
P A S S I O N I
SOUTHPORT & FORMBY
G O L L E H AU G
LEBEK • POMODORO • MANSTEAD
Life ban for couple who ‘imprisoned’ neglected ponies A TARLETON couple have been banned from keeping animals for life after four severely neglected ponies were found ‘imprisoned in deplorable conditions’. The RSPCA inspector who investigated the case said the extreme level of neglect found will remain with her. She said she had not seen anything like it in her entire career. The ponies, aged around six and seven years old, were unable to stand up naturally due to the level of faecal buildup in the cramped conditions and it is thought they may never have left their filthy stables during their whole life. Three other ponies were found in poor health stabled at premises nearby. Jack Carter, 75, and wife Barbara, 72, both of Bank Bridge, Tarleton,
by Henry James who bred, showed and kept horses for 60 years, both pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences when they appeared before Lancashire Magistrates on Thursday (Jan 20) in a prosecution brought by the RSPCA. The court heard how the RSPCA were called to investigate after a member of the public raised concerns about the welfare of a pony believed to be in their care. RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald attended the address in April last year with Lancashire police. Inspector McDonald said: “The severe lack of care and level of suffering endured by these ponies was prolonged, wholly avoidable and totally inexcusable. Cont. p7
The ponies had to live under these conditions
The proposed Marine Lake Events Centre
How the Enterprise Arcade would look on Eastbank Street
COUNCIL READY TO SPLASH THE CASH! Report by Tom Martin
IT could be an exciting year ahead for Southport after a council financial report shows how nearly £4.5million will be spent on various projects around the town. The local authority published its plans ahead of a Cabinet meeting tomorrow (February 3) when it was revealed how the council are prepared to splash the cash in order to regenerate and improve the resort. Detailed within a Capital Programme for the new financial year (2022/23), it shows how the council will spend £4,494,101 on nine projects in Southport. In highest spending order, these are: l £2,470,894 Marine Lake Events Centre
DREAM BIG
Enormous (950 – 2,700 sq.ft.) apartment homes completed and ready for immediate occupation in the world’s largest brick warehouse
£4.5m earmarked for projects to help regenerate Southport l £891,859 Strategic Acquisitions – Ainsdale for Sandway Homes l £320,488 Ainsdale Coastal Gateway l £292,704 Dunes Splash World essential repairs l £244,000 Southport Enterprise Arcade l £124,117 Southport Pier Project l £80,000 Victoria Baths essential works l £50,000 Southport Theatre & Convention Centre essential maintenance l £20,039 Southport Market redevelopment At the heart of the council’s plans to regenerate the town is the proposed Marine Lake
Events Centre. Due to cost around £30million, which is being largely funded through the government’s Towns Fund, the resort’s flagship project this year will see the construction of a state-of-the-art hospitality venue. It will, promises the council, be a 1,200-seater, first-class events space and will replace the closed-down Southport Theatre and Convention Centre. Other notable projects from the list above is Enterprise Arcade (pictured top right). Continued on page 7
Schedule a viewing with Logic Estates:
0151 920 2404
TobaccoWarehouse.co.uk
THE UK’S LARGEST LETTERBOX CIRCULATION BY AN INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER! 137,945
CHAMPION SERIES
JAN-DEC 2021 100% FREE