ALL WHITE TAXIS
SOUTHPORT & FORMBY
66April April2022 2022
Vol 29• Issue 14
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Hospice founder to step down
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
School raises £30k to buy community bus
PLEASURELAND BOSS IN CALL FOR REVIEW OF MAJOR EVENTS IN RESORT Report by Tom Martin SOUTHPORT Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis is asking for a review of major events taking place in the town centre – because he claims road closures have a detrimental impact on local businesses. Mr Wallis made his appeal after last weekend’s Southport Splash World Triathlon, which took place on Sunday and meant a number of roads needed to be closed, including part of the Coastal Road. The businessman believes that road closures will have a substantial impact on a number of Southport businesses looking to recover from the pandemic, and is keen to see more consideration being taken over where triathlons and other events should be allowed to take place in future. He said: “We have been closed as a seaside town based on seasonal trade and someone at Sefton Council who approved these road closures does not understand
CASH OR CARD IN ALL CARS
Harry’s ‘thank you’ run for amazing Alder Hey A SPORTS-mad youngster who is only able to lead such an active lifestyle thanks to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, has completed a running challenge to give something back to the ‘amazing’ staff. Harry Corfield was diagnosed with developmental dysplasia of the hips, also known as ‘clicky hips’, and at 21 months old he had to have surgery to reconfigure his hip joint. Thankfully it was a complete success and even though he still needs checkups, there are no signs of his past condition slowing him down! Harry, now aged 10, is able to play football and does Taekwondo and, as his proud mum Rachel put it, “pretty much any other sport available to him!”
Road closures - such as those in place for last weekend’s Splash World Triathlon - are having ‘detrimental effect on town centre businesses’ the detrimental effect that closing roads and car parks has on our local economy in Southport. “I would question whether events like this bring any financial benefits to the town. Anyone in the race is either racing or as soon as they finish can’t wait to get home for a shower and a rest. The number of spectators is very, very limited and they
Norman Wallis
‘This event would be better for everyone if it was held in a more suitable location, perhaps in Bootle or Formby or Crosby, but not here in Southport’
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Enormous (950 – 2,700 sq.ft.) apartment homes completed and ready for immediate occupation in the world’s largest brick warehouse
spend little if anything at all and then disappear home. “Unfortunately this is a perfect example of a lack of knowledge that ends up in a very detrimental situation for Southport. “This event would be better for everyone if it was held in a more suitable location, perhaps in Bootle or Formby or Crosby, but not here in Southport. “I had to pay full rent during the Covid19 pandemic, I had no concessions. Pleasureland will lose a lot of money due to the road closures because of a lack of joinedup thinking for events such as this. “I have spoken with the organisers of other events and we have rearranged things so there is no harm but no-one mentioned to me that The Southport Splash World Triathlon was taking place until it was all done and dusted.” Continued inside
Wonderful
Harry during his run
After a recent check-up at Alder Hey, Harry saw an advert for a 5k run at Haydock Racecourse and asked his mum if he could take part to raise money for the hospital. He finished the run, on Sunday, in just 34 minutes and four seconds, raising more than £600 for the hospital. Rachel told the Champion: “He’s really pleased with his time, and over the moon with how much he has raised so far.
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