YM
Christmas
December
Hello and welcome to December’s YM Liverpool!
First up, I’m thrilled to share my chat with acclaimed Liverpool actress Ava Brennan, currently lighting up London’s West End as Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh‘s dazzling production of Oliver!
Ava opens up about the joys and challenges of portraying one of musical theatre’s most iconic characters, and gives an insight into how she juggles her high-profile stage career with family life.
Meanwhile, we’ve got all the winners and best photos from the Crowne Plaza as the prestigious YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards returned once again.
The glittering event was hosted for the fourth consecutive year by Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney, and celebrated achievements across nearly 30 categories, including Property Developer of the Year, Property Agency of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, and LCR Business of the Year.
Elsewhere, the John Lewis team offers its foolproof guide to Christmas party makeup, Annie S unwraps her sparkling festive edit to keep you sleighing all day on the 25th, and our gardening guru Heather Marsh Heather Marsh salutes the enduring appeal of holly.
Plus, I offer my verdict on an afternoon of hospitality at Aintree Racecourse, while Jane Clare shares her festive wine tips to keep your Christmas Day celebrations flowing smoothly.
Finally, on behalf of everyone at YM Liverpool, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.
LAWRENCE SAUNDERS Editor
Editor Lawrence Saunders editor@ymliverpool.com
Design Marten Sealby
ADVERTISING Sales 0151 316 0210 sales@ymliverpool.com
DISTRIBUTION Enquiries 0151 316 0210
When you have finished with this magazine please recycle it.
It’s Finea Life
From childhood dance lessons in Maghull to playing Nancy in Oliver! at London’s Gielgud Theatre, Liverpool’s West End star Ava Brennan shares the joys and challenges of portraying one of musical theatre’s most iconic characters, and how she balances a demanding stage career with family life
words lawrence saunders
Could you share how you first got into acting and where your passion for it began?
I went to dance school when I was two. It was really my mum [who got me into it] – she took me and my sister along. I’ve got a brother as well, but he never went down that route. We were in dance lessons from the start: ballet, tap, and even freestyle disco dancing. From the age of two until 16, I was training. I went to theatre schools in Liverpool, including Loretta Legge in Maghull.
In my teens, my parents brought me to London a couple of times to see shows, and I think that’s where [my passion for acting] really started to grow. But even before that, we were always watching old films at home – ’50s and ’60s classics, like Show Boat. My first VHS tape was Cats
It was definitely my mum who got me into acting. She’s a massive fan of films, theatre, and stories in general, so I was brought up with all of that. I remember feeling properly inspired the first time I saw a show, which was Starlight Express in London.
When did you get serious about pursuing acting as a career?
I think it was when I was about 16, leaving theatre school, that it really clicked. I realised this thing I loved doing as a hobby was actually something I was good enough at to make into a profession. I was doing it purely out of enjoyment, and then suddenly [doing it as a job] became a real possibility.
My first job was panto with the iconic Brian Blessed. And I was being paid for it. I couldn’t believe I was earning money doing something I loved. I’ve done bar work and bits like that, but this is the only proper job I’ve ever had.
Would it be fair to say that playing Nala in The Lion King was your big break?
I think so. I’d done things before that, actually. For about six years I worked in Germany, doing lots of different shows, moving around to different places and touring. I did The Lion King in Germany, and they asked me to come to London to do it. That became my West End debut.
How did you end up working in Germany in the first place?
I did an audition in London at Danceworks for a show called Aida, which Elton John and Tim Rice wrote. It was a German tour, and I was 18, thinking, ‘Oh God, why not?’. After that, I just kept auditioning out there for whatever show was coming into the next theatre.
The treatment in Germany is so lovely, and everyone speaks English when you’re working. You’re taught the language and given a phonetics coach, so I just rolled with the punches and stayed out there.
Then, when they asked me to come back to the West End with The Lion King after doing it in Germany for a year, I thought, ‘Oh, I can be home!’. So it was a bit of a no-brainer.
You recently posted on social media about how 2025 has been a year full of unexpected turns, challenges, and opportunities – what’s that been like for you personally and professionally?
Well, I’ve got a 13-year-old, so teenagers come with their own kind of challenges [laughs], and a 19-month-old daughter as well. Going full-time in Oliver! wasn’t the plan initially, but it ended up being the plan – and I’m so happy about that because I love the role and the show. I didn’t fully appreciate how busy it would make life, juggling home and work, so it’s definitely been a balancing act… day by day. But honestly, it’s been a lot of fun too!
At the moment, I do seven shows a week – most cast members do eight – but they’ve been really kind in giving me Sundays off so I can spend that time with my family.
Doing that many shows in a week must be quite physically demanding?
It is, yeah. It’s quite a physical show, with lots of fights and movement. But like anything, if you do it enough, your body gets used to it, and after that it’s really just about maintenance – making sure I stretch and do what my body needs to be ready for the evening.
Speak, sing, all of it! Honestly, it feels so alien for a Scouser to speak Cockney. With an American accent or most others, I can usually manage, but Cockney… it’s tricky. Everything’s at the front, yet somehow also sits at the back. I was worried it might end up sounding a bit Dick Van Dyke [laughs].
I’d worked with a coach on another show, so I asked her to come and listen. She gave me a few notes, I went away, worked on it, and then applied it to the show. Pretty straightforward process, really.
Nancy features in some of the show’s most famous numbers, including ‘As Long as He Needs Me’, ‘It’s a Fine Life’, and ‘I’d Do Anything’. ‘As Long as He Needs Me’ is especially well-loved. What was it like to perform such an iconic song for the first time, and do you have to place yourself in a particular emotional space to deliver it?
Yeah, the emotion comes from the scene before, with Fagin and Bill Sikes – played by Simon Lipkin and Aaron Sidwell. That scene completely sets up the song.
As long as I’m fully in the moment and being truthful, the emotions are always there. The three of us work so well together; we give each other exactly what’s needed in the scene. It can be different every night, and I think that’s part of why I love doing the show so much. Singing the song is easy when it comes from that emotional place, and honestly, it might be my favourite song to perform of all the ones I’ve done in other shows.
Touching on the other shows you’ve been in, one of the biggest was of course Hamilton in the West End. Was that a big moment for you?
It was, and I don’t think I realised how big it was until I started. Everyone had seen the Disney version, and I’d seen it too, so I knew it would be amazing – but seeing how much people love the show, how they come back again and again, really made me realise, ‘This is something huge and special to be part of’.
Going full-time in Oliver! wasn’t the plan initially, but it ended up being the plan – and I’m so happy about that because I love the role and the show.
I started as an alternate, which was perfect because I’d just had a baby – she had just turned one at the time. I thought I’d do two shows a week and be at home the rest of the time. Lovely. But then things changed, and they asked me to step into the role full-time. And honestly, I couldn’t say no because it’s produced by Cameron Mackintosh, and I love working for him.
At the audition, I sang ‘As Long As He Needs Me’ for the first time, got some notes, and they asked me to sit at the piano and do it again. It felt so natural, even in a situation where you’re supposed to be anxious because you want the job. But I just felt completely comfortable. So when rehearsals started and I went into the show, I wasn’t worried at all – it felt like it fitted.
I never actually imagined I’d play Nancy growing up; it wasn’t a role I had thought about. But as soon as I did it, something just clicked – it felt completely right.
For the role of Nancy, did you have to work on singing in a Cockney accent, or is that something that comes naturally to you?
Lin-Manuel Miranda came over to watch us, and I met him. He’s incredibly generous with his time and energy – a brilliant man.
Speaking of audiences, what have they been like with this production of Oliver!? I watched the show before I joined but I didn’t really know what to expect. I’d seen the film as well of course, which can be quite dark, and I wasn’t sure if the stage version would go down the same route – it did, and that made me even more excited to be part of it. There’s a lot of darkness, and yet the joy always shines through.
I think audiences love it because it transcends generations—it still resonates today. That’s probably why we’re sold out most of the time. The festive season is going to be so busy because everyone associates Oliver! with Christmas, don’t they?
The audiences have been fantastic.
Are you open to returning to television or film in the future, or is your attention firmly on musical theatre now?
No, I just love storytelling in general, whether it’s screen or stage. So whenever an opportunity comes up that I feel suited to – or something I really want to sink my teeth into – I go for it, no matter what it is. Stephen Graham is brilliant at championing Liverpool through stories and film. He’s creating opportunities for local actors to work in the industry without having to be anyone else or adopt someone else’s voice. Projects like The City is Ours and G’wed are just great examples of what’s happening in Liverpool right now, and it’s lovely to see.
And you’re flying the flag for the city too, don’t forget! I suppose. I hadn’t really thought about it, but… thanks! I appreciate you saying that.
Ava Brennan stars as Nancy in Oliver! at London’s Gielgud Theatre until February 2026
Award-winning estate agent partners with local football club
EweMove is offering MSB Woolton FC players and families 10% off its standard selling fee
AN AWARD-WINNING local estate agent has teamed up with Liverpool’s – and the UK’s – largest grassroots football club.
EweMove Sales and Lettings, named Best National Sales Agent in the UK for the fourth consecutive year last month, has partnered with MSB Woolton FC.
Under the partnership, EweMove is offering MSB players and their families a 10% discount on its standard selling fee. Additionally, up to 20% of the agency’s fee will be donated directly to the club to support its facilities and future growth.
Joe Tummino (pictured), associate director at EweMove, will be at MSB’s Simpson Ground base every Saturday morning to offer property advice and support to parents who need it.
He says: “I’ve played for MSB Woolton teams for 15 years, from the junior squads right through to the men’s first team.
“Giving back to the local community, and especially to this club, means a lot to me personally as well as to EweMove.
“Being part of the UK’s largest grassroots club and sharing in MSB Woolton’s journey was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
Founded in the 1930s as Woolton Boys’ Club, MSB now boasts more than 230 teams across all genders and age groups, with over 2,400 regular players.
In February, the club submitted a planning application to install a 50-seat stand at the Simpson Ground, a key step in its bid to join the semi-professional North West Counties Football League.
Paul Crowley & Co spreading Christmas cheer in Liverpool
Law firm supporting Radio City Cash for Kids and L6 Community Centre this festive season
THIS CHRISTMAS, Paul Crowley & Co is spreading festive cheer across Liverpool by supporting children and families in need. The firm is backing both the Radio City Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal and its local L6 Community Centre, helping bring a little joy to as many children as possible.
PC&Co is an official Mission Christmas drop-off centre. New, unwrapped gifts for children of all ages can be brought to its Breck Road reception, where staff will ensure they reach Mission Christmas safely and on time. Every donation helps brighten a child’s Christmas and brings moments of joy to families facing difficulties this festive season.
Laura, charity manager at Mission Christmas, says: “To everyone at Paul Crowley & Co, thank you so much, you are incredible supporting us once again, it’s amazing, we love you guys!”
Alongside Mission Christmas, Paul Crowley & Co’s team is also supporting its local L6 Community Centre, helping provide gifts and festive treats for children who live nearby. By
contributing to both initiatives, the company is helping spread hope and festive spirit to families throughout Liverpool.
As 2025 draws to a close, Paul Crowley & Co owner Julie Jones, adds: “I would like to thank our clients, suppliers, and staff for their support. Your generosity and partnership
make these initiatives possible and continue to strengthen our local community year after year.”
This Christmas, you can help make a difference too. Drop off a gift today at Paul Crowley & Co and spread a little festive magic to children across Liverpool.
Presumption of parental contact – Consult the legal experts
The tragic case of Claire Throssell and her two sons has highlighted the risks in parental contact decisions. Despite warnings about risk, contact was allowed with the father, with devastating consequences, underscoring the need for child-centred legal safeguards
Following years of public attention and campaigning, the Government has committed to removing the legal presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989. This is a major shift in family law. Courts will no longer begin with the assumption that contact with both parents is automatically in a child’s best interests. Instead, decisions must be based on the specific circumstances of each case, with the child’s welfare and safety as the starting point.
Why this change matters
For decades, the presumption of parental involvement was intended to promote shared parenting and ensure children maintained meaningful relationships with both parents. In many families, that remains the right outcome. However, in cases involving domestic abuse, coercive control, or other risks, that presumption could and did place children in danger.
I see every day the emotional and practical challenges for families, especially children. Removing this default position ensures the law reflects what family lawyers have long recognised, contact must be based on trust, evidence, and the child’s welfare not assumed by right. This change is not about restricting parental contact, it is about ensuring no child is forced into unsafe situations because of outdated presumptions. It is about listening to children, weighing evidence, and recognising that safety must always come first.
What families need to know
At Paul Crowley & Co, we have long championed a child-centred approach to family law. The forthcoming legal change reinforces that principle and will shape how courts, lawyers, and parents manage future arrangements.
Families can expect:
• Individual assessment over assumption – Each case will be decided on its facts, taking full account of safeguarding concerns or a history of abuse.
• Greater focus on risk – Courts will carefully consider evidence of harm before approving contact.
• A stronger voice for children –Children’s wishes, feelings, and experiences will carry more weight in determining safe arrangements.
Our role is to ensure these safeguards are upheld, that your voice is heard, your concerns documented, and
your child’s wellbeing remains the court’s guiding principle.
How our Family Law team can help If you are going through separation or are concerned about contact arrangements for your children, our team can provide clear, practical advice suited to your individual circumstances.
We offer:
• A child-first mindset in every case.
• Expert handling of child arrangement orders, prohibited steps orders, special guardianship, and care proceedings.
• Skilled risk assessment and evidence gathering to ensure your case is presented clearly and safely.
• Compassionate, professional representation focused on achieving safe and lasting outcomes.
Legal proceedings can feel daunting, but with the right guidance, they can also bring clarity and protection. Our goal is to help you move forward with confidence and peace of mind.
Looking ahead
The change to the presumption of parental contact represents a defining moment for family law, one that places safety, not assumption, at the centre of decision making. It is a step towards an approach that truly listens to children and recognises the complexities of family life after separation.
Edwina Harkin, and her team are ready to help you navigate this evolving landscape with expertise, care, and integrity.
Edwina Harkin
Head of Family Law, Paul Crowley & Co
Aintree Racecourse
By Lawrence Saunders
|
Modern
Racedays at Aintree are a spectacle in their own right – the roar of the crowd, the thunder of hooves, the thrill of picking a winner. But stepping inside the Papillion restaurant offers a different kind of rush: one that comes with a napkin on your lap, three courses of high-class cuisine, and the occasional sidelong glance at the betting screen without having to elbow your way through the crowds.
Walking into the restaurant, there’s an immediate sense of calm – a rare luxury at any sporting event. You’re not just here to watch the horses; you’re here to experience the day properly, and the room quietly signals that this is about more than just champagne and seats with a view. The friendly Tote staff who frequent your table are a nice touch: you can have a few flutters without having to leave your seat, letting you feel part of the action while still enjoying the delights that come your way from the bar and kitchen.
Speaking of grub... the starter, spiced smoked red prawn with sweet pepper and tomato veil, black garlic purée, and focaccia toast, immediately sets itself apart from the usual tomato soup or generic first course fare. The flavours are unexpected, the presentation thoughtful, and it’s clear someone has
British | £££ | Ormskirk Road, L9 5AS
thought about what diners might want beyond the safe, predictable option.
Moving onto the main, the brown sugar–brined striploin is tender, pink, and packed with flavour. Onions caramelised to perfection, dripping-fried potatoes that manage to feel indulgent without being greasy, and a pea and lovage purée that adds freshness to the plate – it’s a dish that could hold its own in any high-end Liverpool restaurant. Even the bone broth jus deserves a hat tip; it’s subtle but elevates the dish, tying everything together.
Dessert, however, is the revelation of the meal. The tawny port–poached pear with sweet port gel, stem ginger and toasted oat granola, and palm-sugar cinnamon cream cheese doesn’t just taste superb – it looks incredible too. The cream cheese is the star of the dish, and I’d have happily wolfed down a separate bowl of it if given the chance.
Service is a highlight throughout. Attentive without being overbearing, staff strike the perfect balance – you’re looked after, but not hovered over. Drinks arrive at the right time, plates are cleared promptly, and there’s a quiet rhythm that allows you to enjoy both the food and the racing without ever feeling rushed.
The brown sugar–brined striploin is tender, pink, and packed with flavour – a dish that could hold its own in any high-end Liverpool restaurant.
Ultimately, booking the VIP Restaurant Package isn’t about showing off. It’s about experiencing the races properly: savouring good food, having a comfortable base from which to watch the action, and not fighting your way through thousands in the Tatts to find the loo. It’s the antidote to the chaos –refined, thoughtful, and, above all, genuinely enjoyable. With a stacked Boxing Day card this year, featuring the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle, I might just trade my mum’s bubble and squeak for the pleasures of Aintree hospitality (sorry, mum!).
Chic-mas
Annie S unwraps her sparkling festive edit to keep you sleighing all day on the 25th
Sequined
Embellished slippers
H&M £37.99
Embellished dress
Mini dress with ruched flower sash
Bershka
£35.99
Sequined shirt H&M
£54.99
Sequined trousers H&M
£44.99
ZW Collection asymmetric lace top
£59.99
Bow highheel shoes
Bershka
£39.99
Wool blend shorts with faux fur
£45.99
Cream Faux Fur Overlay Jumper
River Island
£54
ZW Collection limited edition sequin trousers
£69.99
detail
Zara
High-heel boots with fur
Bershka
£79.99
Zara
Zara
One foot in THE GRAPES
From fancy English fizz to a sweet drop of Sauternes, Jane Clare shares her festive wine tips to keep your Christmas Day celebrations flowing smoothly
Parties, prosecco, prawns, turkey, sprouts, mince pies, port, red wines and Christmas cake. I bet you have them all in your sights, and that’s just in one afternoon, right? December will be a right palate palaver but do we care? Of course not. And yet… just a bit of food and wine pairing know-how may help to impress the in-laws, your better half, and your own tastebuds as you celebrate Christmas 2025.
If you’re taking the edge off an over-indulgent Christmas Eve then go for a simple, cheap-tastic Asti Spumante. It’s fruity, low in alcohol with a soft, peachy hit (add orange juice!) which will perk you up nicely. (Basically I’m describing my Christmas Day). Save your posh fizz for when guests arrive. And you don’t need to break the bank with your fizz – yes you can go for a Champagne and there’s plenty around. I’ve been bigging up this wine at festive events – Asquith Gardens Traditional English Sparkling Wine (pictured). It comes in at around £18 at Asda – look out for festive deals. Why do I like it? The ‘word on the street’ is that it has links to a top English producer – that aside, it is crisp with fresh green apples, baked apple, dried apples, lemons and a bite of biscuit. If there’s any fizz sipping left to be done as the prawn cocktail arrives then a glass of sparkling will do nicely alongside that pink, plump, lettuce-laced dish. A wine which has a hit of acidity (such as fizz) cuts through smooth, rich, seafood sauce. Other fantastic acidic wines for your prawn starter include albariño (from north west Spain, where grapes are dashed with ocean air) or my favourite, riesling, which shines brightly with lemon, lime and peach. Try Specially Selected Premium Rias Baixas Albariño (£8.99) at Aldi; or Kalkstein Organic Riesling Pfalz (£15.99, Laithwaites). Even the cheapest
pinot grigio will rise to the occasion with lemon-squeezed prawns. Acidic food (that drizzle of lemon) is a friend to wine, helping it taste more fruity. Okay, starters cleared away – how do you go all posh with food and wine pairing when your plate has earthy sprouts, buttery mash, golden roasties, carrots, a blob of Paxo, sausagey things, plus turkey, ham, beef and the rest? Cranberry sauce – even the gooey, chewy parsnips – can make your wine feel less fruity. My advice? Begin with what you enjoy – no words from me should stop you loving your Christmas Day. I always go for a Christmas dinner red such as a pinot noir, or a beaujolais. They’re low in tannins and so they don’t get into a tastebud tug of war with all those flavours on the plate. And as for a white; well again I stay safe and I don’t bring in loads of flavour tussles. I enjoy a white rioja, or a subtly-oaked chardonnay. But… If I’m eating goose, I stick with those wines with high acidity to cut through the fat (that includes pinot noir!). I save my big-hitting wines for the cheese board, Monopoly and Doctor Who. Salty cheese is a friend to big bold reds, softening the tannins and helping them taste fruitier. Oh, and to pudding. Will you have room?
Temperature tips
Sweet food can make a wine taste drier, bitter and less fruity. It’s best to have sweet food with a sweet wine. Remember our Asti, the one you had with breakfast? Pour with your lemon tarts, your trifles. Or better still, pour a heavenly sweet Sauternes with your Christmas pud – or even Tesco’s delicious Finest Dessert Semillon – £7 for half a bottle. I love it.
Have a lovely Christmas!
A port producer passed over this tip to me: Put tawny port in the fridge as soon as the turkey and the trimmings go to the table. By the time you’re ready to serve Christmas pud and cheese, the tawny port will be the perfect temperature. And have you heard of the 20:20 rule?
Take white wines out of the fridge 20 minutes before you want to pour them. This gives them time to relax, they’re not uptight and too chilly. Pop light-bodied reds (such as pinot noir or beaujolais) in the fridge 20 minutes before you want to drink them.
Deposit support for key workers brings homeownership closer at Sundial Place
David Wilson Homes is offering incentive at its new Thornton development
AT DAVID WILSON HOMES’ development, Sundial Place, a beautiful collection of two, three and four-bedroom homes are being built in the peaceful village of Thornton. To make it easier for frontline workers to live in this idyllic setting, David Wilson Homes is offering a significant boost through the Key Worker Deposit Contribution scheme.
Under the scheme, David Wilson Homes contributes £1,000 toward your deposit for every £20,000 of the property price, up to a maximum contribution of £25,000.
The contribution, applied at legal completion, helps to reduce the size of the deposit needed - overcoming one of the barriers to homeownership.
This incentive is available across all David Wilson Homes developments.
The scheme was first introduced to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS. Since, then it has been extended to include those who work in education, emergency
services, pharmacists, the Ministry of Defence, environmental services, National Highways, Transport Scotland and Transport for Wales, probation and prison services, local authorities, the RNLI, foster carers, social, nursery and care home workers.
The Key Worker Deposit Contribution scheme offers a genuine head start for essential workers looking to buy a new home. At Sundial Place, the scheme could make a meaningful difference in deposit affordability.
Ethan and Dillon moved into their new home at Sundial Place after being given £15,500 through the scheme because of Ethan’s role as a registered nurse.
The couple, who moved from the Norris Green and Netherton areas of Merseyside, took advantage of the financial assistance to purchase their first home together having previously lived with their parents.
Ethan said: “When I saw the scheme being offered to the NHS, this really helped sway
our decision, as it was a massive help for our deposit.
“I think it’s really important to offer this Key Worker Deposit Contribution scheme. Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to afford our deposit. We only began looking in November 2024, but this has really helped to accelerate our move and make it affordable.”
Each home at Sundial Place is thoughtfully designed with modern living in mind with open-plan kitchen and dining spaces, stunning gardens, spacious bedrooms and the quality craftsmanship the Five Star Housebuilder is known for.
For key workers, the Deposit Contribution scheme brings the dream of home ownership significantly closer. Prospective buyers are encouraged to visit Sundial Place and speak with the sales advisers to confirm eligibility.
For more information about Sundial Place visit dwh.co.uk or call 0330 1278 276
YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards 2025
Leading figures from across the Liverpool City Region’s property and business sectors gathered on 27 November to celebrate a year of outstanding achievement
THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED during a glamorous ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre, hosted for the fourth consecutive year by Liverpool-born stage and screen star Claire Sweeney.
Accolades were presented in almost 30 categories, ranging from Property Developer of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, and Property Agency of the Year to Build-to-Rent Development of the Year, Young Business Leader of the Year, and LCR Business of the Year.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to veteran television and film producer and executive Colin McKeown MBE. Widely regarded as one of the ‘founding fathers’ of a thriving TV and film production industry outside London, Colin was joined on stage by legendary Liverpool actor Ricky Tomlinson.
The glamorous black-tie event, supported by sponsors Furnish That Room, Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors, Redwing, Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors, Liverpool Student Lettings, Berkeley Shaw Real Estate and The Mistoria Group, also featured a special Q&A with Liverpool City Council’s corporate director of city development, Nuala Gallagher.
The discussion focused on Liverpool’s economic growth and urban development under Nuala’s leadership since her appointment in February 2023. Key topics included progress on major schemes such as Paddington Village, Festival Gardens, Anfield Square, Kings Dock, and the Littlewoods site, with particular attention to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and its early economic impact.
More than 350 guests enjoyed a pre-dinner drinks reception sponsored by Furnish That Room before Nuala’s chat with YM Liverpool editor Lawrence Saunders and a luxury three-course meal.
A special charity raffle also took place in aid of Football For Change and Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside (CFLM).
The YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards 2026 will take place on Thursday 26 November 2026, with entries opening next March. For sponsorship opportunities, please email awards@ymliverpool.com
Roll of Honour 2025
BEST STUDENT HOUSING OPERATOR Rooms4u
Highly Commended: Liverpool Student Lettings
BEST LARGE NEW HOME DEVELOPMENT
Dial House Place, Miller Homes Highly Commended: Balmoral Homes, Elan Homes
BEST SMALL NEW HOME DEVELOPMENT
Brook Street, Birkenhead – Magenta Living and Starship Group Highly Commended: Crawford Gardens, APG Capital
APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
Aquitania, Romal Capital
Highly Commended: New Ferry Phase 1, The Regenda Group in partnership with Wirral Council & John McCall Architects
PROPERTY DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
Legacie
Highly Commended: Romal Capital
EMERGING PROPERTY DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY REDWING Fields Property Group
Highly Commended: Sinergy Developments
BEST AFFORDABLE HOUSING SCHEME Summerfield Close, The Regenda Group
Highly Commended: Longmoor Lane, Torus
URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR
SoapWorks, Legacie & Nexus Residential
Highly Commended: Longmoor Lane, Torus
BUILD-TO-RENT (BTR) DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
Milliners Yard, Allsop Letting & Management & Columbia
Threadneedle Investments
Highly Commended: The James Liverpool
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AGENCY OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY BELL LAMB & JOYNSON SOLICITORS
Berkeley Shaw Real Estate
Highly Commended: Redwing
PROPERTY MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR
The Regenda Group Marketing & Communication Team Highly Commended: Onyx Real Estate Liverpool
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY LAW TEAM OF THE YEAR
Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors Highly Commended: Brown Turner Ross
FUTURE AMBITION AWARD
The Gateway, Legacie and RWinvest Highly Commended: Destination Dingle, The Florrie Community Land Trust (CLT) and The Sovini Group
ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE OF THE YEAR Group/d Architects
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY THE MISTORIA GROUP Marshall Property Highly Commended: Cosi Living
PROPERTY INDUSTRY SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR Furnish That Room Highly Commended: Frank Rogers Building Contractors
MALE BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Trevor Murray, Dowhigh Highly Commended: James McConville, Solo Car Sales
FEMALE BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Amanda Azzopardi, Amanda Azzopardi Aesthetics
Highly Commended: Shez Blundell, Liverpool Student Lettings
CITY REGION CHAMPION SPONSORED BY LIVERPOOL STUDENT LETTINGS
Peter Schriewersmann, Onyx Real Estate, Happy Days Group & Hotel Anfield
Highly Commended: Dave Prentice, Everton Football Club
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS GROWTH
Tate Steel
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Central Park, Nexus Residental
YOUNG BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Jessica Farrell, Popsugar Social
Highly Commended: Joe Duggan and Olivia Maher, Cosi Living
INNOVATION AWARD
Jayde Spa
Highly Commended: Ecogee
MAJOR HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT
Heap’s Mill, Legacie
LCR BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Sterling Plastering Group
Highly Commended: Wyld Sauna
THE COMMUNITY AWARD SPONSORED BY PAUL CROWLEY & CO SOLICITORS
The Regenda Group
Highly Commended: Alleyway Strategic Action Plan, One Vision Housing
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Colin McKeown MBE
Faster than your average conveyancer
Direct conveyancing solutions for estate agents & brokers
Instant 60 second conveyancing quote online
No hidden charges
24/7 case management by mobile app
Award-winning residential conveyancing solicitors
Over 2,100 five-star reviews from our clients on Review Solicitors
By Your Side since 1821
Our foolproof guide will see you through party season
Christmas to try
ON THE HUNT FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY MAKEUP IDEAS? Regardless of how much makeup you usually wear, making the switch to a party look can feel intimidating. This is your guide to some of the best festive makeup trends to achieve a look-and-feel-good glow. For office parties, Friday nights with the girls, New Year’s Eve, and every celebration in between, here’s how to glam up like a pro.
n SEQUIN SEASON
Intense lips = big impact. Rouge Dior Sequin Liquid Duo (£45), from DIOR’s 2025 limited-edition holiday collection, is a double-ended liquid lipstick that creates the brand’s famous sequin finish, topped with a spectacular glossy shine. Available in 10 shades, we love 999 Velvet; a perfectly festive deep red. First, use the coloured end for ultra-pigmented intensity with an ultraglittery finish, then complete the look with the universal gloss for maximised shine. Now you’re party ready.
BRONZED GODDESS
You can count on Charlotte Tilbury to bring the party. The brand’s Hollywood Instant Look In A Palette Dreamy Bronzed Beauty, makes it super-easy to dial up everyday makeup to Hollywood levels of glamour. With three effortlessly blendable eyeshadow shades for sultry eyes, as well as bronzer, blush, glow topper and finishing powder to blur and illuminate, this warm palette captures the glow of A-list red carpet looks.
n HIGH GLOSS
A surefire way to look pulled together (even when you’re in the thick of party season)? Yves Saint Laurent’s spirit-lifting Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss (£35). This is hybrid makeup at its best – combining the nourishing care of lip oil with high-shine gloss colour. The result? Juicy hues and an instantly plumped look that, thanks to fig extract and deeply moisturising oils, feels as much like a lip treatment as makeup. Get glossy and let your lips steal the show.
A polished look doesn’t have to take hours. Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Liner Stick (£29.50) creates the perfect soft, smokey eye with effortless, swipe-and-go ease. Customers rave about its ability to transform, with one saying: ‘it glides on and stays on, with a lovely subtle colour’. Apply on the lash line, add Bobbi Brown’s LongWear Cream Shadow Stick and Smokey Eye Mascara, and enjoy the non-smudging, long-lasting sultry effect.
n LINED LIPS
Fenty Beauty’s clever limited-edition duo (£23) takes the stress out of nailing the pizazz of a life-and-soulof-the-party look. Begin by lining your pout with the Trace’d Out Lip Liner in the bestselling rose mauve shade, then add a generous glide of Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in the all-new holographic purple shade, Grape Splash. Luscious lips just crying out to be teamed with that head-turning sequined dress.
n SOFT AND SMOKY
Joe Tummino Branch Associate
Singer-songwriter Zach Bryan heading to Anfield in 2026
Country star joins stadium’s summer line-up alongside Foo Fighters and My Chemical Romance
AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER Zach Bryan will take to the stage at Anfield Stadium next summer as part of his biggest international tour yet, ‘With Heaven On Tour’.
The chart-topping artist will perform one night at the iconic home of Liverpool FC on Friday 12 June, 2026.
Zach has become a prominent figure in the growing Americana and alternative country scene. Born in Oklahoma and raised in a military family, he served in the U.S. Navy before turning to music full-time. His early recordings were simple, mostly acoustic performances shared online, which gradually attracted a large following. His 2022 single ‘Something in the Orange’ marked a turning point, gaining widespread attention and helping to introduce his style to a broader audience.
Since then, Zach has continued releasing music that focuses on personal themes and a stripped-back sound. His reputation as a live performer has developed quickly, moving from small venues to major arenas and
stadiums within only a few years. Earlier this year he performed to more than 112,000 people at Michigan Stadium – setting a record for the largest single ticketed concert in US history.
Anfield is now a leading destination for global artists, with Foo Fighters and My Chemical Romance also set to take to the
Real-life Cinderella story for star of Christmas show
Tia Larsen steps out from the Shakespeare North Playhouse box office to take centre stage
THERE IS A REAL-LIFE Cinderella story behind the enchanting production delighting audiences at Shakespeare North Playhouse this festive season.
Tia Larsen is stepping away from her usual front-of-house position to play the starring role, with the show running at the Prescot venue’s Cockpit Theatre until Saturday 10 January 2026.
In fact, it’s a double Cinderella moment for Tia after last Christmas when she was chosen as the understudy for the venue’s production of Alice in Wonderland. Then, cast illness meant she ended up appearing for around 40% of the run, playing several different roles, including the White Rabbit, and winning critical acclaim for her performances.
Tia has worked as part of the front-of-
stage in the summer of 2026.
Earlier this year, the stadium welcomed more than 200,000 concert-goers across five incredible nights of shows from Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey.
Tickets for Zach Bryan’s Anfield show are on general sale now.
visitor experience team since the awardwinning Shakespeare North Playhouse opened its doors three years ago, both as an usher and more recently in the box office – where she is currently selling tickets for her own show!
Along with Alice in Wonderland, Tia’s other stage credits include Vignettes at Hope
and
at the
She is joined on stage at Shakespeare North by Emma Grace Arends, Emma Bispham, Thomas Cotran, Elliott Kingsley and Charlie Mae McKevitt.
A new adaptation by writer Nick Lane and directed by Nicole Behan, Cinderella runs at the Prescot theatre until 10 January.
house
Mill Theatre, The Incident (M6 Theatre Company), Approved (SJT theatre)
Den Festival Manchester
Royal Exchange.
DEVELOPMENT
New Wirral scheme offers modern homes in an ideal setting for growing families
From £205,995
NESTLED ON THE EASTERN EDGE of Bromborough, River Walk is a new development by Persimmon, bringing a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes to the area.
Ideal for first-time buyers, growing families, and downsizers, the scheme combines village charm with excellent transport links and everyday convenience.
Phase one of River Walk includes a choice of Persimmon’s most popular house types, ranging from the two-bedroom mid-terrace Alnmouth – an ideal first home – to the fourbedroom detached Rivington, which features an en suite to the master bedroom and an integral garage.
Visitors to the development can now step inside the stunning three-bedroom Kingley show home, experiencing firsthand the layout, design and features that will soon be available to buyers.
Situated near Port Sunlight River Park on the banks of Dibbinsdale Brook, River Walk benefits from a balance of beautiful natural surroundings and everyday convenience. Local shops, cafés, and supermarkets sit alongside the broader amenities of nearby Bebington, while Liverpool city centre is easily accessible by road, rail or ferry.
Outdoor opportunities abound. The aforementioned Port Sunlight Park and Shorefields Nature Park offer gentle coastal walks, ideal for families or weekend strolls. Over on the Wirral’s west side, Royden Country Park provides woodlands, a walled garden, and a café, making it a perfect destination for a summer picnic or a leisurely afternoon in nature.
The area also caters to growing families, with options including the highly regarded Wirral Grammar School for Boys and Girls for secondary and sixth form education. Brackenwood Infant School, Church Drive Primary School, and Christ the King Catholic Primary School –rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted – provide local primary schooling close to home.
For more information about River Walk, call 0151 305 6891 or visit persimmonhomes.com
Give the gift of
An exclusive festive offering from Amanda Azzopardi Aesthetics
Slimyonik
£29
Pelvic Floor
Tightening Chair
£29
When you sign up before 25 December
This Christmas, indulge yourself or a loved one with a year of radiant skin and confidence. Our bespoke Skin Health Membership combines advanced aesthetic treatments, luxury facials, and personalised skincare planning, designed for the discerning client who values elegance and self-care
WHY CHOOSE OUR SUBSCRIPTION?
• Obagi 360 approach
• Medically-led treatments
• Long-term results
• Flexible approach
• Cost-effective solution
THE ULTIMATE 12-MONTH SKIN JOURNEY
• Obagi Bespoke Facial
• Obagi Blue Radiance Peel
• Microneedling with Pen + Serum
• IPRF Microneedling
• PRX-t33 (open pores) (face)
• LaseMD Ultra (facial pigmentation)
• DermaV (facial redness)
• Plasma pen skin tightening
• Plasma pen mole / skin tag removal (3 per session) £189 per month
1 treatment every month tailored to your skin
Suitable for all skin concerns
Deck halls the
From Christmas cheer to year-round garden beauty, Heather Marsh celebrates the enduring appeal of holly
FOR ME, DECORATING THE HOUSE with ‘boughs of holly’ is a must. It not only brings traditional festive cheer but, more than anything, fills me with warm-hearted nostalgia. Back in the day, usually on Christmas Eve, my mother would hurry home with bags of shopping and the inevitable bundle of holly. Wrapped in newspaper from the local greengrocer, she’d carefully arrange it and place it around the house. ‘There’, she’d say, stepping back to admire her work. ‘Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of holly’. And for me, that’s still true today.
Long before holly was adopted into Christian customs, the holly tree was deeply revered in pagan and Celtic traditions. Druids regarded it as a guardian against evil spirits, believing it possessed magical properties. Cutting its branches and bringing them indoors was thought to invite good luck, which is likely where the festive custom first began. Holly also featured in winter solace rites. Its evergreen nature made it a potent symbol of life, strength and endurance in the darkest part of the year. Later, Christians came to view holly as a signifier of eternal life and resurrection.
One of Britain’s few native evergreen trees, common holly, or Ilex aquifolium, is tough
and perfectly suited to our climate, which is why it can be found growing just about everywhere across the UK. Speaking as a gardener, holly shouldn’t be just for Christmas. I value it in the garden at any time of year.
There are more than 500 species of holly, with the berrying varieties being the most popular, and not only with birds and wildlife. Many of the variegated forms are strikingly attractive, even without a single berry in sight. Holly is, sadly, often underrated and not as fashionable as it once was. The Victorians loved the stuff, yet it remains a remarkably versatile staple for any garden.
I appreciate it in all its forms. It creates an excellent evergreen backdrop, particularly during the winter months; it makes a fierce, burglar-proof hedge, its dense, prickly foliage an obvious deterrent; and as a standalone specimen it can be truly striking. Holly grows happily in pots and containers and lends itself well to being clipped into topiary. I’ve just bought two standard hollies for either side of our front door which, decorated with red bows, will add an instant festive touch.
Standalone specimens can be wonderfully sculptural, especially the variegated, berry-free male varieties. We have dear friends with a large, mature holly in their front garden that
provides a fantastic focal point throughout the year.
While growing holly is generally straightforward, there are a few essential points worth keeping in mind. When buying a holly tree this Christmas, even one covered in berries, there is no guarantee it will fruit again next year. Holly is dioecious, meaning plants are distinctly male or female. To produce berries, a female plant must be within roughly 30-50ft of a suitable male pollinator. Wind and insects do the rest. Male plants never bear berries, so identifying the sex of your tree is crucial.
Pruning at the wrong time of year is a common pitfall. Cutting back too early can remove the new growth that will carry the following season’s berries. Late winter or early spring, once the berries have dropped, is the ideal time to prune.
Above all, patience pays. Holly is a slow starter and young plants often take a few years to settle. But with the right conditions, such as free-draining soil and a sunny or even semi-shaded position, holly will reward you for decades. A typical holly tree can live for around 300 years.
Here are some varieties that, trust me, won’t disappoint...
Ilex x altaclerensis ‘Golden King’
A popular variegated holly which, contrary to its name, is a female variety. It requires a male holly nearby for pollination in order to produce its red berries.
Ilex aquifolium ‘Common holly’
These plants are male or female, and berries form only when both are nearby. During flowering, males show pollen-filled stamens, whereas females display a single central stigma.
Ilex aquifolium ‘Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata’
This male, slow-growing variety, with its vibrant yellow-splashed leaves, adds a cheerful touch and brightens up any winter garden.
Ilex aquifolium ‘Silver Queen’
Another handsome variegated form whose name is similarly misleading. It is a male variety and therefore will not produce berries.
Ilex aquifolium ‘Myrtifolia Aurea Maculata’
A compact, slow-growing male shrub with vibrant, yellow-splashed foliage. Its small variegated leaves stand out clearly against the rich green background.
Liverpool Student Lettings: Over a Decade of Trust, Community & Outstanding Service
A people-centred agency that continues to shape a more supportive and connected rental experience
Liverpool Student Lettings (LSL), winners of Best Student Landlord at the YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards 2024 and Highly Commended in 2025, is one of the city’s most trusted, community-driven agencies, proudly supporting students, young professionals, and landlords for over a decade.
Founded by Shez Blundell and Dave Blackman, LSL has grown from a small local agency into a well-respected pillar of Liverpool’s rental market, known for its hands-on service, transparent communication, and genuine care for the people it supports.
Over A Decade of Exceptional Service
Over the last 10 years, LSL has helped thousands of students and young professionals find safe, quality accommodation across Liverpool. From modern apartments to cosy student homes close to campus, Shez, Dave, and their dedicated team have built a reputation for making the rental process smooth, supportive and stress-free.
Their approach has always been about more than property. It’s about connection, trust, and community.
“We’ve always believed it’s not just about renting a house,” Shez explains. “It’s about helping people feel at home in our city whether they’re here for a few years or building their future.”
Dave adds: “We work closely with our landlords to ensure every property is safe, well-maintained, and welcoming. We’re proud to create relationships where both landlords and tenants feel fully supported.”
Trusted by Landlords, Loved by Tenants
LSL’s full-service management including advertising, viewings, vetting, maintenance, and rent collection has earned long-term loyalty from landlords across the region.
One long-standing landlord put it best: “Shez and Dave don’t just manage
properties they manage relationships. They go above and beyond, and that’s rare in this industry.”
Tenants echo this sentiment, often crediting the team for helping them feel settled, supported, and at home in Liverpool.
LSL also takes pride in being a diverse and inclusive employer, offering flexible roles for local students and parents, including those with children who have special educational needs (SEN). This commitment reflects LSL’s wider ethos: community first, always.
A Remarkable Year for Shez Blundell
This year has been especially exciting for our co-founder Shez Blundell, who was Highly Commended in the Female Business Leader of the Year category at the YM Liverpool Property & Business Awards, a well-deserved acknowledgement of her leadership, vision, and impact across multiple industries.
Alongside running LSL, Shez is a dynamic multi-business entrepreneur:
• She is co-founder of The Philharmonic Hotel, Liverpool’s elegant boutique destination on the prestigious Hope Street.
• She is a certified travel expert, specialising in designing bespoke luxury holiday experiences for clients around the world.
• And most recently she launched NISHKI, a lifestyle and wellness brand already making waves across Liverpool for its empowering message of self-love, confidence, and female community.
With its luxury product range and fastgrowing local following, NISHKI has quickly earned media attention and further strengthened Shez’s reputation as an inspiring, forward-thinking entrepreneur.
Her achievements across property, hospitality, travel, and now wellness, reflect her ambition, passion, and dedication to creating businesses that uplift and empower people.
Looking Ahead
As LSL moves into its next chapter, Shez and Dave remain focused on innovation, growth, and continuing to raise standards within Liverpool’s rental market. Plans for digital enhancements, expanded services, and strengthening its community partnerships are already underway.
“We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” says Shez. “But even more excited for what’s ahead. Supporting students, professionals, and landlords has been an incredible journey and we’re just getting started.”
With a decade of achievements behind them and a bright future ahead, Liverpool Student Lettings continues to lead the way in service, community, and care.
Here’s to another 10 years of helping people find their home in Liverpool and to celebrating Shez, Dave, and the entire LSL team for everything they’ve built. Contact us at office@ liverpoolstudentlettings.com Tel: 0151 707 7799.
Liverpool actors join cast of Beatles biopics
David Morrissey, Leanne Best and Bobby Schofield have been added to Sam Mendes’ ambitious four-film project
LIVERPOOL TALENT IS SET TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE in the upcoming Beatles biopics, with three well-known actors from the city joining an already star-studded ensemble. David Morrissey, best known for The Walking Dead, will portray Paul McCartney’s father, Jim McCartney. Leanne Best, recently seen in This City Is Ours and G’wed, steps into the role of John Lennon’s beloved Aunt Mimi. They are joined by Bobby Schofield (This City Is Ours, SAS Rogue Heroes), who will play Neil Aspinall, the band’s trusted confidant and long-serving road manager. The trio join a cast that continues to grow with high-profile names. James Norton (Happy Valley) will take on the role of the band’s groundbreaking manager Brian Epstein, while Harry Lloyd (The Theory of Everything) appears as legendary producer George Martin. Daniel Hoffmann-Gill (Sherwood) joins as devoted roadie Mal Evans, Arthur Darvill (Broadchurch) portrays press officer and close friend Derek Taylor, and Adam Pally (Happy Endings) will play the controversial later-era manager Allen Klein.
Further casting for pivotal figures, including Cynthia Lennon and Ravi Shankar, will be announced in due course.
As for the Beatles themselves – Paul Mescal has been cast as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon, Joseph Quinn will take on George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan will portray Ringo Starr.
The quartet of films marks a landmark moment in music and cinema history, representing the first time Apple Corps Ltd. and The Beatles have granted full life-story and music rights for a scripted project. Mendes’ vision will see each film told from the unique perspective of a different band member, with the narratives intersecting to chart the meteoric rise, cultural impact and eventual dissolution of the world’s most influential band. All four films are set for full theatrical releases in April 2028.
Bold Street ‘cultural institution’ changes hands
Café Tabac is known for its distinctive red frontage and hearty breakfasts
A MUCH-LOVED FIXTURE of Bold Street for more than half a century is set to change hands this December. Ma Pub Group which runs Ma Boyle’s Alehouse and Eatery, Tempest on Tithebarn, Nova Scotia and Newington Temple, has acquired Café Tabac from Baa Bar Limited.
Opened in the 1970s by Rita Lawrence, Café Tabac developed a reputation as a meeting point for Liverpool’s creative community. During the 1980s it was frequented by figures from the city’s post-punk, new wave and alternative scenes, among them Holly Johnson, Pete Burns, Margi Clarke, Ian McCulloch, Jayne Casey and poet Gerry Potter.
Ma Pub Group said all current staff will remain in place and the venue will continue trading under the Café Tabac name.
Elaine Clarke, CEO of Baa Bar Limited, says: “Café Tabac was opened by my Auntie Rita and Paddy Byrne of the Everyman – who sadly passed away only weeks ago – and from the very beginning it carried the spirit of the Everyman’s bold, creative energy.
“Letting go now comes with a heavy heart. But I know that every great institution evolves, and this is the right moment for its next chapter.”
What’s on...
Events not to be missed over the next four weeks
Young Frankenstein, Playhouse Until 3 January
Mel Brooks’ monstrously funny musical bursts to life with madcap antics, memorable songs and spectacular staging. Directed and choreographed by award-winner Nick Winston, this comic classic promises scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.
Until 22 Dec Royal Albert Dock Light Trail, Royal Albert Dock
12-14 Dec A Christmas Carol, St George’s Hall
13 Dec Red Rum Club, Olympia
16 Dec Stereophonics, M&S Bank Arena
18 Dec Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas, Philharmonic Hall
9 Jan Ocean Colour Scene, O2 Academy
Until 11 Jan Liverpool City Region Photo Awards exhibition, Open Eye Gallery
Mary Poppins, Empire From 14 January
Acclaimed Australian stars Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers reprise their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert in this magical production featuring dazzling choreography, stunning effects and classic songs including ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ and ‘Step in Time’.
