YM Liverpool January/February 2023

Liverpool comedian John May hits the road

ello and welcome to the first YM Liverpool of 2023!

Kicking off the new year we’ve got a fascinating interview with Liverpool funnyman John May as he prepares to embark on a 1,100mile trek across the country in support of local charity Weapons Down Gloves Up.

The Walton-born actor, who became a viral sensation in 2020 thanks to his comedy character sketches, spoke to me about what motivated him to take on such a colossal challenge and revealed some of the celebrities who will be showing their support along the way.

Meanwhile, Annie S presents her Valentine’s Day-inspired fashion picks, the interiors team at John Lewis shares its top tips and tricks for a happier home, and Jon Atkinson presents four red wines to be enjoyed at a cooler than conventional temperature.

Plus we shine the spotlight on a new development from Keepmoat Homes located in the heart of Birkenhead, and Tom Beattie gives his verdict on The Reader Bar & Restaurant.

Last but not least, our gardening expert Heather Marsh explains why when temperatures plummet, nature can help banish those winter blues and make us smile when we need to most.

Until next time!

January, viral sensation John May is set to embark on a 1,100-mile trek from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Merseyside boxing initiative Weapons Down Gloves Up (WDGU). We caught up with the Walton-born actor and comedian during a break

O’GROATS

Most people will know you from the viral videos you started creating during lockdown but you were acting way before you did those. Can you tell us how you first got into the profession?

I owned a barber shop for 17 years and one of my customers was always trying to persuade me to attend acting classes with him, but I was too busy with the business to do it. In the end, he signed me up anyway and I thought ‘bloody hell!’. So I started going to these classes in Manchester and I absolutely fell in love with it. When you’re acting you become transparent – it’s a chance to drop the mask and be yourself.

Had you ever thought about acting before that point? Did you take drama at school?

No. People like me don’t become actors. I’m from County Road in Walton! I never thought I could do something like this until I actually started to do it. I approached an agent to represent me and began getting auditions. As well as my work on the likes of Coronation Street, Doctor Who and Time, I’ve done 32 television commercials all over the world. My first acting job was on a £32 million film with Damian Lewis and Bob Hoskins called Will They flew me out to Istanbul and I literally didn’t have a clue what I was doing! I blagged it but they made my part bigger so I must have been doing a good job. I didn’t tell them until the last day that it was my first film!

I did a McDonald’s commercial after that where I said ‘orange McFlurry!’ in a really scouse accent. When that aired I started getting recognised and people would say ‘there’s that fella off the Maccies advert!’. There’s was even a Facebook page about my character and

words lawrence saunders

LongWinding The & Road

GLEN MORANGIE LOCHNESS FORT WILLIAM LOCH LOMOND EDINBURGH HADRIAN’S WALL SETTLE LIVERPOOL LLANGOLLEN EASTNOR GLASTONBURY WADEBRIDGE LAND’S END

people were getting tattoos of him! I was working full-time as a barber during this time so juggling that with darting down to London twice a week for auditions was quite hard. I’m still well and truly in the mix when it comes to acting though. I recently got a job on Sky’s Brassic a BBC drama called I think I’ve got a good attitude towards acting. A lot of people pin everything on [becoming a full-time actor] but I don’t. The majority, including myself, need a job on the side.

Speaking of jobs on the side, I know you run weekly acting classes in Kirkdale. Do you find teaching to be a rewarding experience?

Yes, I do. As I touched on before, I think acting is all about being you and a lot of people actually struggle to be themselves but that’s what we do in the classes – we give people permission to be themselves and to be vulnerable. I became addicted to the acting classes I went on because I didn’t realise at the time that it was a space where I could be vulnerable and truly be myself. We get people from every walk of life coming to the classes, from those in their seventies to kids as young as 17, as well as mothers and big hairy-arse men!

This

in his preparation to find out what motivated him to take on such a gruelling challenge and why WDGU is a cause very much worth supporting

JOHN

I was a marathon runner before I started the barbers. Even though I wasn’t sporty in school, my brother asked me if I fancied running a marathon and I was like ‘go’ed!’. My first race took me five and a half hours – I thought I was coming last at one point! But within 18 months, I’d knocked 90 minutes off my time and finished 98th out of 7,000 at the Blackpool Marathon. A few years after that I’d become really overweight and decided to enter a men’s physique competition. I lost five stone and got up on stage in front of tonnes of people. What I’m saying is, I like a challenge!

Last year, I was at a point in my life where I’d had the barber shop for 17 years and I felt like I had completed that particular challenge, so I sold the business. Not long after, I was considering what I could do with all the new time I had on my hands and the idea of walking from Land’s End to John O’Groats just popped into my head. Call it a mid-life crisis if you want, but I wanted a restart and to simplify everything. I’m hoping the walk will allow me to undertake some self-reflection and make me realise what it is that actually makes me happy. A lot of people work hard and they might be creating a life for themselves, but they are also creating a sort of prison for themselves at the same time. A bit

What is Weapons Down Gloves Up?

Weapons Down Gloves Up (WDGU) is a Merseyside-based initiative, run entirely by volunteers, which offers 16-25-yearolds who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs), the chance to take part in boxing camps as well as providing education and employment opportunities. John will be raising money to help WDGU get more young people into work and onto a career path they can be proud of.

contacted them, originally just to set up a Just Giving page for the initiative, but the team got heavily involved with the organisation of my challenge.

It costs about £400 per young person that goes through the programme. This not only teaches them boxing but discipline, structure and accountability. WDGU also guarantees each person employment at the end of the course. I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for these young kids to go down a different path – a positive path of guidance.

Some of the sports stars involved with WDGU will be joining

Tell us about this walk then, what made you decide to take on this challenge in particular?

Call it a mid-life crisis but I wanted a restart and to simplify everything. I’m hoping the walk will make me realise what it is that actually makes me happy.

HIS ORY

Guitar groups are on their way out, Mr Epstein” was the infamous line allegedly uttered by Decca Records executive Dick Rowe following The Beatles ‘commercial test’ for the label on 1 January 1962

In what has gone down as the biggest blunder in music history, Decca favoured local group Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.

To make things worse, The Beatles had travelled down to London for the audition amid a fierce snowstorm – a journey which took them 10 hours after their driver and then roadie, Neil Aspinall, took a wrong turn.

The band’s spirits would be somewhat lifted four days later however when they came top of a popularity poll run by Mersey Beat. Upon hearing the news, John, Paul, George and Pete were overjoyed, knowing that the endorsement couldn’t be ignored and they would soon sign a recording contract.

Today, there are just three known surviving copies of Mersey Beat ‘Vol. 1 No. 13’, one of which you can see on display at the Liverpool Beatles Museum.

The following day on 5 January, ‘My Bonnie’, which had been recorded in Hamburg the previous June with Tony Sheridan, came out on Polydor. This was the first commercial release of a record bearing The Beatles’ name.

Later that month, the band agreed their first, and last, management contract with Brian Epstein. The ‘signing’ of the 5-year deal took place at Brian’s office at the NEMS record store on Whitechapel, Liverpool. Epstein was to receive a quarter of the band’s earnings, yet to prove his worth, he did not officially sign the contract until the following October.

On 16 January 1964, The Beatles started a run of 18 days of concerts at the famous Olympia Theatre in Paris. They endured a tough opening night with their amplifiers failing on three separate occasions. The audience was

unimpressed but good news was awaiting the band at their hotel. Brian had received a telegram announcing that, in the coming week, ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ would chart at number one in the United States. The celebrations which followed were so triumphant that Brian even allowed himself to be photographed wearing a chamber pot on his head! It was whilst in Paris that the band cut German language versions of ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ and “She Loves You’ on 29 January – their first and only recording session outside of England for Parlophone.

The following January, John flew to Switzerland with Beatles’ producer George Martin and their partners. The trip was meant to give John an opportunity to learn how to ski for a scene in the band’s upcoming film Help!. On the first night at the hotel, John and George were entertaining their other halves when George fell and broke his foot. There was to be no skiing for the Fifth Beatle, however, John did play two new compositions for him during their Swiss sojourn which would take the band in a new direction. ‘Norwegian Wood’ was about a previous affair he’d had and with John’s wife sitting only a few feet away, George felt uncomfortable and asked the Beatle to play the next song, ‘Ticket to Ride’. John would later comment: ‘It was the first heavy song The Beatles ever did, it was heavy before there even was heavy!”

We end this month’s round-up with perhaps The Beatles’ most iconic show, which took place on the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters on 30 January 1969. They played just nine songs in 42 minutes, three of which were repeated before the police arrived and ordered them to stop – not before John got in one of his most famous lines however: “I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we’ve passed the audition”. The entire set was filmed and footage was used in the 1970 film Let It Be – it was to be their final gig. In January 2022, the newly mixed audio performance was released for worldwide streaming.

From the band’s infamous first recording audition to its final live performance, January has been a milestone month for our Fab Four down the years

words and pictures leslie priestley

This month in

ANITA PONNE; VECTOR_BROTHERS; ARZU GOKMEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Restaurant review

The Reader Bar & Restaurant

By Tom Beattie | Bistro | ££ | 103 Mount Pleasant, L3 5TB

Situated in the former home of Cuthbert’s Bakehouse on Mount Pleasant, The Reader Bar & Restaurant is aiming to put a new twist on dining with a focus on excellent food and giving something back. It would be difficult not to feel compelled by The Reader’s mission statement and its commitment to ethical employment and offering skill-building opportunities to those ‘who need it most’. Its programme promises to offer customers a quality dining experience which supports work in the city to transform lives through literature and reading aloud.

In many ways, what’s not to love? After all, the eatery combines two things Liverpudlians pride themselves upon – having a good time and solidarity.

As my guest and I arrived, we were straight away struck by the venue’s charming appearance and agreed it would be hard to resist on a cold winter’s night. Stepping foot inside, the welcome was warm and after being seated at our table by the affable Timiebi, we

immediately felt right at home. Settled into our surroundings and having worked up an appetite while shopping in town earlier that day, we decided to try the pre-theatre menu which offers two courses for £20 or three for £26.

Essential to our visit was of course discerning whether the food matched the undoubtedly innovative idea behind the restaurant and so it was time to get going with the grub.

My guest plumped for the White Leek and Truffle Soup with crème fraiche & toasted sourdough to start, while I went for the Ham Hock Terrine served with homemade piccalilli and toasted sourdough bread.

Before long, our dishes arrived and immediately made an impression, not only in terms of presentation but also with the level of dedication which had clearly gone into creating two plates of food which were both flavoursome and moreish. My guest remarked that her soup was amongst the ‘best [she’d] ever had’, with the fresh ingredients and effortless combinations of flavours leaving a real impression. We were told by our waitress Timiebi that this represented the chef’s signature dish and it was certainly one to be proud of.

I’m pleased to report that my ham hock terrine was similarly excellent, combining pleasingly with the homemade piccalilli, which was a real highlight.

Having been quite taken aback by the quality of our first courses, it was time to choose our mains. My guest went for the roast chicken supreme with a Chestnut and Wild Mushroom Bisque, while I ordered the braised pork belly.

The high standard of our starters was very much maintained, with my pork belly combined with sprouts, pistachios, bacon and parmentier to create a flavour sensation. On top of this, the sage squash purée was, quite simply, a stroke of genius.

My guest was similarly impressed with her dish, as the roast chicken worked in perfect harmony with the Hasselback potatoes and chestnut/wild mushroom bisque.

Whilst my dining partner stuck to a cup of tea to round things off, I simply could not resist the Chocolate sticky toffee pudding with Cheshire Farm Cointreau and orange ice cream drizzled with toffee sauce. A unique and refreshing take on a truly classic dessert.

Speaking with chef Jeff Gardner, it’s clear he has poured his all into this venture. With 20 years of experience in kitchens around the city, Jeff sees this as an opportunity to put everything he has learned into action and to offer the people of Liverpool an outstanding dining experience as well as making a real difference in the community.

I have a feeling that The Reader will earn itself a special place in the hearts of diners across this city. We cannot wait to return.

The Reader combines two things Liverpudlians pride themselves upon –having a good time and solidarity.

Draped neck t-shirt £17.99, Zara

Flannel fleece hooded dressing gown £26, Loungeable @ Next

Drawstringdetail dress £39.99, H&M

the look That’s

Fall in love with Annie S’s Valentine’s inspired fashion picks

Long sleeve long pants satin set £32, Loungeable @ Next

Patterned dress £39.99, H&M

Super chunky mule slippers £16, Loungeable @ Next

Pocket tweed jacket £89.99, Mango

Striped sweater £35.99, Mango

Suede highheel shoes £69.99, Zara

Collared rib-knit dress £29.99, H&M

Texturedweave blazer £49.99, H&M

Floral print T-shirt £25.99, Mango

Floral print trousers £32.99, Mango

Accepting a police caution –consult the legal experts

If you are contacted by the police in England to attend an interview under caution, often referred to as a voluntary interview, it is important that you understand the seriousness of what you say or don’t say to the police. The criminal law team from Paul Crowley & Co solicitors will provide you with free expert legal advice and accompany you to the interview so that you are aware of any consequences should you accept or refuse a caution

A voluntary police interview can seem very informal, however the interview will be recorded and can be used as evidence resulting in the commencement of criminal proceedings.

What is a police caution?

A caution is a formal notice given when you admit to an offence. There are two types of caution:

Simple: Issued where there is enough evidence that the police think there would be a possibility of conviction if there were a court case. You must also have admitted to the offence and agree to accept the caution.

Conditional: These are the same as simple cautions except have conditions attached, which, if you don’t follow, will result in you being charged and required to go to court. They could include conditions such as repairing criminal damage or going to treatment for drug abuse.

What is the police caution wording?

The wording of a Police caution is: “You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention

when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence” . Our expert lawyers at Paul Crowley & Co will be able to advise you as anything you say to the police will be recorded and used as evidence.

When are cautions given?

Cautions will only be offered to you where the offence is very minor or if you are a first-time offender. If you already have a caution and are accused of another offence, it is unlikely you will be offered another unless the offences are minor and unrelated to each other.

What does not accepting a caution mean for you?

If the police have sufficient evidence and you refuse the caution, they will likely charge you with the offence and you will be required to attend court to make a plea. This could potentially lead to a criminal conviction, which is more serious than a caution.

Should I accept my caution?

Does

a

police caution go on your record?

Yes, it will be recorded against you on the police national computer so you will have a criminal record. Police cautions are disclosed on standard and enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) service checks for 6 years after they are issued, but they can appear on your record for longer than that because the police have the discretion to disclose cautions even after this time period if they feel it is relevant.

If you are already employed, find out what your contract says about disclosure of cautions. If you are planning on applying somewhere where they are likely to carry out a standard or enhanced DBS check (like teaching or care work) then consider whether the caution is related to that employment. You would also want to know whether the offence is eligible to be filtered after a certain amount of time.

If you have been offered a police caution, call our friendly team of experts at Paul Crowley & Co and we will provide you with initial free legal advice. If you ask for a solicitor at the police station, Paul Crowley & Co will attend within 45 minutes.

Emma Smith Director, Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors

The £4.7m project is the firm’s maiden scheme in the popular area and will see eight large detached homes built. The site’s drainage and roads are complete, with construction of the properties now underway.

The development stands above the River Alt, with views southwest towards Liverpool Bay and the Welsh mountains. Southport-based RAL is the architect, with Hassett Homes’ Chloe Officer acting as the scheme’s interior design manager.

Jamie Blennerhassett, managing director of Hassett Homes, says: “The market for well-designed and well-built executive homes will always remain strong in a suburb like Formby.

“Our level of pre-sale enquiries is our highest yet and I’m delighted with our progress on site.

“Our customers demand quality and attention to detail so our focus is always on the standard of build and choosing the right fixtures and fittings.

“We like to focus on convenience, too, such as providing fitted carpets and high-quality hard flooring so that customers can move their belongings straight in and begin enjoying their lovely new home immediately.”

The new properties will include bathroom fixtures by Vado and Duravit and kitchen fittings by Roundel – as well as additional smart features and high-end specifications such as underfloor heating and large picture windows.

Potential purchasers are being asked to register their interest now, with the first homes available to reserve from Easter.

News of Hassetts’ latest development follows confirmation that all nine homes at its scheme on Long Lane in Aughton sold within 30 days of release. The project comprised six semi-detached and three detached properties, designed around a private courtyard.

EMMERDALE ACTOR MICHAEL PARR is heading to the Epstein Theatre this February to star in Rita, Sue & Bob Too! alongside Crissy Rock and Hollyoaks’ Jessica Ellis.

Based on the 1987 British film of the same name, the play tells the story of Rita and Sue, two working-class girls from a rundown council estate who are about to finish their final year at school.

The Regal Entertainments production has seen previous runs at St Helens Theatre Royal, breaking box office records since 2011.

Michael Parr will play the role of Bob and will be joined by a cast which includes comedian Crissy Rock as Mother and Jamie Greer as Dad, along with Jessica Ellis (Michelle); Jenna Sian O’Hara (Sue) and Kay Nicholson (Rita).

Michael says: “I had so much fun playing Bob in my hometown at St Helens Theatre Royal that I couldn’t refuse when I was asked to perform the show in Liverpool too.

“The Epstein is a great venue and I know Liverpool audiences are going to love this comedy classic.”

Director Chantelle Nolan adds: “Following its huge success at St Helens Theatre Royal, we are delighted to bring the show to our sister venue.

“The show went down a storm, we have a great cast and Liverpool audiences are in for a treat.”

Rita, Sue & Bob Too! is at the Epstein Theatre on Hanover Street from Saturday 11 February – Sunday 19 February

AN INTERNATIONAL domestic cleaning business which began operating in the UK in 1984 has announced a new Liverpool franchise.

Joining more than 70 other Molly Maid franchise owners across the country, Eric and Mandy Moss will be providing “reliable and high-quality domestic cleaning services” to thousands of residents in Liverpool East.

As a family-run business, Eric and Mandy chose to partner with Molly Maid because is it a “well-established and trusted company, with a great reputation throughout the UK”.

Eric adds: “I am looking forward to providing a local service, with local staff, to help clean people’s homes.

“We know that every home is just a little different, so we will take the time to get to know you, and your specific needs.

“Our teams of friendly and fully trained maids will bring their own equipment as well as Molly Maid’s own range of eco-friendly cleaning products, thereby offering a hasslefree service.”

Molly Maid was founded in Canada by Adrienne and Chris Stringer in the late 1970s. From their kitchen table, they started a business concept which has grown to clean about 15,000 homes around the world each day.

Rita, Sue & Bob Too! is a gritty tale of love, lust, and the ultimate test of friendship

Eric & Mandy Moss awarded Molly Maid franchise for Liverpool East

LIVERPOOL-BASED HOUSEBUILDER Hassett Homes has offered a first look at its latest development, The Marram, at Wheatstone Road in Formby.

in focus DEVELOPMENT

Contemporary, connected living in the heart of Birkenhead

Two, three & four-bedroom homes starting at £166,995

SITUATED ON ILCHESTER ROAD, North Birkenhead, The Docklands is a new development from Keepmoat Homes expertly crafted for modern everyday living.

Boasting a choice of two, three and four-bedroom energy-efficient properties with fixed prices starting from £166,995, the scheme is proving popular with both first-time buyers and those simply looking for a change.

Each home has a light and airy design, whilst providing plenty of space for all the family. Showcasing modern fitted kitchens, large lounges, creative storage solutions and transformable living spaces to suit every need, every property can also be tailored and upgraded through Keepmoat Options.

The scheme’s unique location provides the ideal balance between day-to-day suburban convenience and access to Wirral’s stunning coastline, countryside, local independent shops, and fantastic schools. It’s also a great hub for commuters, with Birkenhead North train station just a few minutes’ walk away, providing easy access to Liverpool centre, Hoylake and New Brighton.

Currently, homes at The Docklands are available to reserve online with a range of extras including upgraded kitchens and monthly mortgage contributions. Keepmoat is inviting prospective buyers to view showhomes at the development to see for themselves what living in one of these stunning homes would be like.

To learn more about The Docklands call 0151 909 3738 to speak with one of Keepmoat’s sales executives or to book an appointment visit www.keepmoat.com/ thedocklands-birkenhead

happier Make yourhome

FROM DECLUTTERING TO REARRANGING, from bringing in nature to adding personality, there are many ways that you can make your home feel more welcoming.

Sometimes it’s the smallest of gripes that can leave us feeling unsatisfied or subconsciously frazzled, so checking in on how your home makes you feel can completely change your mood.

Stuck on where to start? This room-by-room guide to making your home happier will help get your creative juices flowing.

Ever wondered if your home can impact your mood? Aim for a happier household by putting these tips and tricks to use

n CREATE A RESTORATIVE HAVEN

Bedrooms should be a place to relax, unwind and reset for the new day ahead. Work some magic on yours by concentrating on the area where you rest your head. High-quality bed linen in breathable materials such as cotton or linen will treat you to a better night’s sleep, helping you to wake up on the right side of the bed.

Your bedside table should be a simple area. Style yours with a table lamp, some books or magazines for nighttime reading and a small succulent plant for a little extra greenery. Leave your phone downstairs in the evening to avoid unnecessary staring at screens before you sleep or immediately after waking up.

n CREATE A SOCIABLE SPACE

Your living room is one of the most-used areas of your home. It’s where you’ll gather as a family, spend time unwinding with a book or watching TV, and it also acts as an entertaining space. Creating somewhere that oozes a comforting ambience is vital.

To achieve this kind of mood, there are a number of things you can look at. Focus on layout and try to bring your sofa and accent chairs around a central coffee table. This will help with the flow of conversation, creating a more sociable space.

Lighting is also key to creating a space that makes you feel at home. There are three types you need to consider – ambient lighting comes from your main ceiling fixture, task lighting is used for lighting direct areas, and accent lighting creates something with more feeling. You should use all three to create a successful design scheme.

Don’t forget to also include lots of personal touches in this area. Wall art and decor will bring your personality to the space, in turn making it an enjoyable place to hang out.

n GET ORGANISED IN THE KITCHEN

Considering that the kitchen is the most functional area of your home, it can be hard to put your personal stamp on the space. However, the first step to a happier kitchen is to get organised. Arranging your cupboards so that the most used items are in the front will make cooking and cleaning easier, avoiding the unnecessary mess that needs to be tidied up later on.

Adding open shelving will also help you to add colour and texture to the room, acting as an excuse to purchase fun and colourful tableware items that can be displayed in their own right. Remember, just because it’s for cooking, it doesn’t mean it can’t be playful too.

n TIDY DESK, TIDY MIND

Your home office should be a place that’s practical, productive and inspiring. Paper and pens all over the place will never be a good look and a mess can distract from the real tasks at hand. Get started by organising your desk with some statement desk accessories and storage, popping anything non-essential out of sight. Task lighting is also important here; it will help you to focus and brighten the room on any darker days. With the sensible improvements out of the way, it’s time to think about colours and textures. Your office should be energizing to look at so personal touches are important. Artwork and decorative objects will help it become an enjoyable place to be in. For a final touch, add plants and flowers to the space, both of which are proven to lift your mood.

n SET UP YOUR OWN SPA

Often the bathroom can be the only place where you can gather your thoughts and spend a little time on your own, so creating a restorative vibe is essential. Reflect on the items and objects that make you feel at your most calm and incorporate them in any way you can. That might be your favourite candle, organisation for your toiletries, or some of your favourite pieces of art.

Try to give your bathroom the feel of a spa. Invest in good quality towels that are kind to your skin, and develop a morning and evening routine that helps to bring a sense of structure to your life. It’s not always about ‘stuff’ when it comes to making your home happier. Hanging plants around a window space will maximise your natural light and also help to bring some greenery into this functional area of your home.

n BRING THE BAR HOME

If you can’t get to the bar, bring the bar to you! Your dining room is the ideal place to set up a home bar situation, popping in a glamorous bar cart or cabinet to store your favourite tipples and glassware.

It’s these additions to your home that elevate it into somewhere you love to spend time with your friends and family. Think about how you can make dinnertime special by having different options of plates, bowls and glasses that you can mix and match over time.

Even upgrading your cutlery could make all the difference. Changes in these areas can be satisfying and will help you to feel visually fulfilled. After all, who needs to head to a restaurant when you can set the scene at home instead?

GET THE LOOK

BROUGHT TO YOU IN ASSOCIATION WITH JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM

long

New boutique hotel offering ‘affordable luxury’ for just £36 a night

Owners of The Phoenix Pods are excited to welcome guests from around the world during May’s Eurovision Song Contest

Anew £500,000 boutique hotel is offering “affordable luxury” for as little as £36 a night following the success of its sister establishment.

James Winters and Rob Edwards of Edwards Winters Developments transformed The Phoenix Hotel in Kirkdale from an abandoned building to a luxury hotel, with rooms quickly selling out to football supporters and travelling businesspeople.

It has also become the location for post-match recordings of the popular Liverpool FC fan podcast The Anfield Wrap, while musician Willow Smith, daughter of Hollywood actor Will Smith, booked out the entire property during her recent visit to Liverpool.

Now, following their success in Kirkdale, James and Rob have opened a second site, The Phoenix Pods on Vauxhall Road, minutes from the city centre and its iconic waterfront.

The new venue boasts widescreen televisions and private shower facilities in each of its 32 rooms, as well as free WiFi and a spacious communal area for larger groups and those enjoying a longer stay.

James says: “The ethos of The Phoenix Hotel is, and will always be affordable luxury. The Phoenix Pods are no different.

“We provide guests with the highest standard of accommodation while ensuring our prices remain honest and competitive in the city centre.

excited to host guests from around the world for Eurovision in May!

“You can reach all parts of the city centre on foot from The Phoenix Pods whilst having a luxury room to come home to with first-class service. We are proud to be adding to the heritage of Liverpool city centre and providing our services to the millions of visitors each year.”

To Chill, or

Not to Chill?

THIS TOPIC CAME TO MIND when I was in Queensland recently, where of course, it is the height of summer. We were enjoying a lovely meal at a nice restaurant on the Sunshine Coast, but the Barossa Valley Grenache we ordered was, to us, unacceptably warm when it arrived at our table. Given that daytime temperatures Down Under were around 30°c (sorry!) it was perhaps not surprising, but my request for an ice bucket was duly obliged – problem solved, and the wine was far more enjoyable once it had cooled down.

Cards on the table, my beloved and I generally enjoy our reds at a lower temperature than most people anyway, but I firmly believe that the optimum temperature to drink any wine is the one that suits you best. That having been said, there are some well-established ‘rules’ that have stood the test of time.

White wines chilled, but how cold is that? Basically, the colder one serves any wine, the more the aromas and flavours will be suppressed – on which basis if you’ve picked up a £3.99 from the bargain bucket, then most likely the colder the better. However, if you have paid top dollar for a decent Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet, then by serving

Bardolino ‘Torre dei Vescovi’ Colli Vicentini 2018

it too chilled, you will potentially miss out on a lot of the complexities and nuances on offer. Personally, I would recommend enjoying better calibre whites at ‘cellar’ temperature, in the 11-12°C range, with the notable exception of Champagne which, in my humble opinion, should always be served well-chilled!

My first memory of chilled red wine is from family holidays in Spain – having breakfast in a local bar where locals would call in en route to work for a slice of tortilla, a cool tumbler of Vino Tinto and an espresso to kickstart their day! Personally, I wouldn’t opt to actually chill any red as such, but there are plenty that I enjoy at a cooler temperature, say the aforementioned ‘cellar’ temperature. Broadly speaking, these are lighter, fruity reds such as Beaujolais, Bardolino and some southern hemisphere Pinot Noirs. As a rule of thumb, fuller-bodied and more tannic reds don’t work so well at cooler temperatures, but even so, it’s easy to serve those too warm, something that I find some restaurants are often guilty of.

Here are some reds which in my view, could be enjoyed at a cooler than ‘conventional’ temperature.

Bardolino is, to all intents and purposes, a lighter version of Valpolicella. Made from any of the same mix of grapes, and although also grown in the Veneto region, Bardolino is slightly further west and quite literally on the eastern shores of Lake Garda. Pale ruby in appearance and light in body with delicate tannins and plenty of red cherry and cranberry fruit, this is an ideal bottle to try at a cooler temperature. £8.25

Unbelievable Red

Debbie Hooper makes this vibrantly fruity red from her base at Gravel Junction winery at Klapmuts exclusively from Pinotage grown in Paarl. It has a deep purple hue despite being light-bodied, with appealing aromas of ripe, berry fruit and just a hint of spicy oak. The palate meanwhile, is juicy and well-balanced. Pinotage was ‘invented’ in the 1920s by Professor Abraham Perold at Stellenbosch University by pairing Pinot Noir with Cinsault. So ‘technically’ it is a hybrid, although having been around for pretty much a century, it has established itself as a true variety these days. £7.95

Fleurie ‘La Madone’ Domaine des Chaffangeons 2019

This is a lovely Fleurie from a 2ha plot within the famous ‘La Madone’ Lieu Dit – combining delightfully perfumed aromas of red fruits and violets with flavours of cherry and redcurrant alongside gentle tannins and good length. Fleurie was often described as the most ‘feminine’ of the 10 Cru of Beaujolais – I’m not sure that such a description would fly these days but it is arguably the most famous of those 10 storied villages to the north of the region. One of the things that sets the area and its wines apart is the Gamay grape variety which is used exclusively for red wines here. It is thin-skinned, meaning less tannic wines with good acidity, making them ideal to serve a little cooler. £13.95

Chinon ‘Les Roches Cachées’ Sauvion 2020

Chinon lies roughly 30 miles southwest of Tours and is one of the ‘big three’ villages of the Loire Valley for red wines made from Cabernet Franc. This particular wine, from the highly regarded Sauvion stable, has a vivid ruby appearance that is classic Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. Definitely a red to enjoy at a cooler temperature thanks to its haunting, perfumed aromas of slightly herbaceous blackcurrant leaf and violets, combined with a gentle tannic grip on the finish. £11.95

It’s perhaps an odd time of year to ponder the concept of consuming wine at a cooler temperature, particularly red wine, but bear with me, writes Jon Atkinson

SITUATED IN THE HIGHLY DESIRABLE suburb of Allerton, this unique four-bedroom property has been recently renovated to an exacting standard with high-specification features throughout.

Highlights of the ground floor include an open plan dining, kitchen and lounge area with a Sonos sound system in the ceiling and a three-metre quartz worktop housing a 3-in-1 instant boiling tap and pull-up sockets.

Off the kitchen is a handy utility room complete with an integrated washer/dryer and access to a shower room which benefits from underfloor heating.

Onto the first floor and the staircase gives way to a landing with a frameless glass balustrade leading to all four bedrooms. The master possesses an en suite and a fully kitted out dressing room (formerly the fifth bedroom).

The fit-out of the spacious family bathroom is in keeping with the rest of the property – boasting a free-standing bath, stone resin shower tray and underfloor heating.

Outside there is a lawned garden to the rear with a sunny aspect and to the front, electric gated access to the paved driveway leading to a large garage.

To arrange a viewing, contact Abode Allerton on 0151 601 3003 or via allerton@abode-group.co.uk

Meet the Aintree-born entrepreneur who transformed her homebased jewellery business into an award-winning, multi-million pound brand worn by countless celebrities in just six years

Q&A Charlotte Donoghue

Founder of Say It With Diamonds

Can you tell us a little about your background and how Say It With Diamonds (SIWD) got started?

I’ve always been self-employed and before SIWD I had my own candle company. It was a bit of a fluke how SIWD started. I wasn’t really into jewellery until I received a necklace from a very expensive shop as a gift. My business partner and I decided to see if we could replicate the item and it went from there. We sort of fell into the business, to be honest.

Did you notice there was a gap in the market for quality yet affordable jewellery?

Absolutely. People in Liverpool like nice things. Does the name of a shop actually really matter? Gold is gold and diamonds are diamonds, regardless of where you go, it’s just certain stores have a bigger markup because you’re paying for the fancy shopfront. When you go to Cartier, or any of the high-end jewellers, it’s all the same gold and all the diamonds come from the same place. You’re just paying for the name and the Bond Street rent!

How did you establish your supply base for the jewellery? Was it difficult to develop your contacts in the industry?

It was at first. We travelled to many different countries to find more and more suppliers. We also went to the HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, which was a real game-changer. Attending this prestigious trade event allowed us to cut out the middleman and find the suppliers ourselves who had come to exhibit from all around the world.

What were the first couple of years like after you launched SIWD?

We started the business with a total investment of just £500 and each piece was made to order for each customer. Some time went by before we were able to start making large bulk stock orders. We began by ordering the most popular initial jewellery pieces and built it up from there.

How important was social media to SIWD and increasing sales? Particularly when you were just starting out? It was key back then but nowadays the public doesn’t buy into [influencer marketing] as much because they think people are getting paid to post – which most of the time, they are. Social media isn’t genuine anymore, it’s become almost like a catalogue.

Have sales been affected by the current cost-of-living crisis and consumers maybe not wishing to splash out on as many luxury items?

Sales have actually increased by 15% from last year. We’re in the gift industry and people still want to buy gifts for their friends and family. The festive period was very busy – our decadent Christmas crackers, which we launched for the first time in December, sold out in a matter of

Speaking of physical stores, Tessuti in Liverpool ONE began stocking SIWD pieces in August 2022. How big of a milestone was that for you? It was great, and a very proud moment for me. Very has also starting stocking our products online, which was a big thing as its a massive national company. Partnering with more brands is something we’re going to be working on this year.

From your first store in Cavern Walks to your current location in the Met Quarter, you’ve created plenty of jobs for the city. How proud are you that you’ve been able to do this?

Very! We’ve got 22 members of staff and the girls who were with us right at the start are still part of the business today. We don’t have a big turnover of staff.

Finally, tell us about the plans SIWD has for 2023?

To keep working on our national strategy and building up our brand in different regions. We also want to get into some larger department stores.

Construction work starts on £140 million Heap’s Rice Mill redevelopment

Mixed-use scheme will include new homes, luxury underground spa and museum

Legacie Developments has officially started work on its £140 million redevelopment of Heap’s Rice Mill in Liverpool city centre.

The property company, which has recently secured planning permission for a luxury underground spa inside the former mill, is delivering a mixed-use regeneration scheme featuring apartments and commercial space.

Legacie will build 620 homes on the site, featuring one and two-bedroom units, with the surrounding land being transformed into a 16-storey apartment block.

Previously used by Joseph Heap & Sons Ltd – which once ground rice for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies – it is one of the last surviving warehouse complexes in the area. The Grade II-listed building on the edge of the Baltic Triangle has been empty since 2005, and has had planning permission since 2014.

The developer has partnered with international sales agent, RWinvest, to promote the scheme, and has reported unprecedented demand, with 80% of the units already sold. As well as the apartment scheme, a new hotel is being constructed next to the main warehouse.

Meanwhile, in a special nod to the site’s 18th Century origins, a museum celebrating its unique history is set to be erected in the reception area of the building.

The development is expected to complete by the summer of 2025 and will create more than 150 jobs during the construction phase.

John Morley, founder and CEO of Legacie Developments, says: “This is going to be another game-changing development from Legacie.

“The site is held in high regard by the people of Liverpool and we have started work on a sensitive redevelopment that pays tribute to the history of the building but also delivers a modern living complex complete with first-class facilities.

“We are incredibly excited to have started work on this iconic project. It is a significant addition to our portfolio.”

Michael Gledhill, managing director of RWInvest, adds: “Heap’s Mill will be an

iconic development, bringing back to life a historic building which has sadly been left derelict.

“Legacie’s sensitive restoration of the mill, together with a state-of-the-art spa

and luxury apartments, will help breathe new life into this part of the city centre.

“It is going to be a fantastic scheme for Liverpool and we are excited to see it through to completion.”

Michael Gledhill, Managing Director of RWInvest (middle left) and John Morley, Founder and CEO of Legacie Developments (middle right) alongside Legacie construction workers

RECIPE of the month

Chicken, leek & apple casserole

PREPARATION TIME: 10 minutes COOKING TIME: 55 minutes SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 30g unsalted butter

• 8 chicken thighs

• 2 Braeburn apples, peeled, cored and cut into wedges

• 500g leeks, trimmed

• 1 unwaxed lemon, zest and juice

METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Heat ½ the oil and butter in a large casserole dish over a medium-high heat, add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden all over (about 10 minutes). Transfer to a plate and set aside.

2 Heat the remaining oil and butter in the

• 150ml dry vermouth • 1½ tbsp Dijon mustard • 250ml chicken stock • 150ml crème fraîche

• 5 sprig/s thyme, leaves picked • 5 sprig/s tarragon, finely chopped

Takes inspiration from classic, creamy French casseroles. The leeks release gentle flavour into the sauce while they braise. Serve with mash and buttered greens or a warm crusty baguette.

• 1/4 x 25g pack flat leaf parsley, leaves chopped, to serve

casserole, add the apples and cook until beginning to caramelise (5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside with the chicken.

3 Cut the leeks into 3cm pieces and add to the pan; cook over a low heat for 6-8 minutes until softened but not coloured.

4 Add the lemon zest, fry for 20 seconds, then deglaze the pan with the vermouth, scraping the base.

5 Stir in the mustard, then add the stock and crème fraîche. Bring up to a simmer before returning the chicken thighs, skin-side up, to the pan along with the apples. Scatter in the thyme and tarragon; season.

6 Cover, transfer to the oven and braise for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through with no pink meat remaining.

7 Stir in the lemon juice and scatter over the parsley.

A touch of frost

JANUARY IS SUCH A STARK MONTH and not, if I’m honest, one I’d choose to start a new year with. Dark, cold and wet, all signs which remind us we are very much in the depths of winter. The first full moon of the year is the aptly named Wolf Moon, cold and chilling it looks down on our earth below and makes me pine for brighter days head. But, before we sink into despair, nature can still prove itself a seasonless tonic for our wellbeing if we only give it a chance. So, on the days when Jack Frost has been about and the sky is blue and the air crisp, try to take full advantage and get yourself outside.

Even if it’s only while you scrape the car windscreen or gingerly walk the children to school, spare a moment to admire all the newly created frozen beauty around you. Stepping out into that crisp white stillness brings instant peace and tranquillity.

This frozen landscape is nature’s winter wonderland, fleeting but truly spectacular. Rather than endure this time of year as some say they do, why not embrace it? I guarantee you’ll feel better for it and with so much to see and relish why not take some photos too? There’s nothing nicer than curling up later by the fire and admiring nature’s frozen delights that you’ve been lucky enough to witness.

On a Cold and Frosty Morning Everything in the garden gets a makeover when the frost comes. I always try to leave my ornamental grasses as long as possible before cutting them back, so if you’ve not raised them to the ground already, you’ll find pampas, miscanthus and sedge take on a new lease of life and look stunningly beautiful with their white frostings.

Just about everywhere you look, every plant, tree and shrub looks

better for that ‘touch of frost’. Seed heads like teasels, alliums and sea holly appear as if sprayed with glitter as they sparkle and shimmer in the early morning light. The birds also love these and are a valued source of food for them right now, but more about that later.

Hydrangeas and buddleia’s flower heads, perennials like rudbeckia and helenium, and even the odd rose that has escaped pruning, all get the frosty treatment. Meanwhile, frost-covered rosehips look good enough to eat and are actually perfectly edible and packed with vitamin C.

While the effect of frost might bring a pleasing aesthetic element to our green spaces, sharp frosts can do a lot of damage in the garden. Prolonged cold snaps, when temperatures drop below zero as we have seen recently, are the ones to look out for. A hoar frost, fuzzy ice which forms when water vapour in the air comes into contact with an

object that is below freezing, can also be particularly damaging. However, what matters most is the toughness of the plant and if they are considered half-hardy and therefore susceptible to frost. Even mulching with a thick blanket of autumn leaves to protect my tender perennials, I still lost some of my real favourites recently. African daisies (osteospermums), which I’d only just established and had flowered all summer long, were frozen out overnight – leaving that tell-tale mound of blackened dead stems. Others like agapanthus, cordyline, fuchsias and dahlias are all ones to protect if you want to see them bloom again next summer. I grow some of these and other tender plants in pots and promptly move them indoors as soon as the temperature drops. The ultimate protection of ‘overwintering’, which many dedicated gardeners practice, is to lift tender plants that you really value. Transporting them to a sheltered sunny spot with a thick covering of mulch, or moving them to a greenhouse or conservatory, will help protect them. As climate change takes its toll, we are likely to see more of this kind of extreme weather and will just have to try and do our best to deal with the consequences. However, we can only do so much and must realise that whatever precautions we might take, sometimes frost damage is just unavoidable. That’s life, and certainly gardening for you, full of challenges which thankfully don’t outweigh the rewards.

SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THE BIRDS

Leaving extra food out for garden birds is crucial at this time of year. Food is harder to come by for our feathered friends as it’s much more difficult for them to dig in frozen ground for worms and grubs. Smaller types like the blackbird, bluetit and robin are most vulnerable and need to feed at an accelerated rate in winter in order to survive. With that in mind, here’s a simple, inexpensive recipe for garden bird fat balls.

Garden bird fat balls recipe

This is great fun to do with kids and also teaches them at an early age about caring for our wildlife and the amazing natural world which is right here on our own door step.

INGREDIENTS

Suet or lard

Shop-bought bird seed, sunflower seeds, raisins, sultanas, grated cheese, chopped dates, assorted unsalted nuts or uncooked oats

METHOD

1. Mix one part dry ingredients with two parts melted suet or lard 2. Using your hands, squeeze the mixture together and then roll it into balls

3. Leave to set in the fridge

4. Once hard, place into wire bird feeders

A LOCAL VIDEO TRANSFER COMPANY

which has helped more than 200,000 people retain and relive cherished family memories is to close.

Before the shutters come down at AVS Liverpool for the final time at the end of March, the store is hoping to reunite former customers with their uncollected tapes.

Countless attempts have been made to contact the owners of seemingly forgotten videos which include irreplaceable footage of birthday parties, weddings, christenings and communions.

The story of AVS began more than four decades ago when owner Pat Denny bought a video camera in order to document her children’s early years so they could one day share the footage with their own kids.

Pat, who runs the business with her husband Phil, started to be asked by close friends if she could record various family events for them, and the idea for AVS was born.

Initially based above a video rental shop (Rocket Video) on Queens Drive, the company went from strength to strength –creating corporate, promotional and training videos for various companies.

AVS also carried out filming in the Liverpool Women’s Hospital for a TV programme and produced several local history

pieces – including one on the Swinging ’60s narrated by the late great Ken Dodd.

Over the last eight years, the store has focused more on the transferring of old cine film, VHS tapes, camcorder tapes and slides to DVD, USB sticks and hard drives.

Paul Denny, son of Pat and Phil (pictured), says: “Each DVD has a picture from the video on it, but for GDPR reasons we are unable to share these on social media.

“I’ve done a lot of texting around and we have managed to reunite a couple of the disks with their owners, including one in Australia,

but there are still plenty left in the shop.

“It would be a shame for people to lose these memories so we’re hoping as many former customers will visit the store before it’s too late.”

Anyone who thinks they may have a video still waiting to be collected from AVS can contact Pat or Phil on 0151 228 9365. AVS

Liverpool is located at 755d Queens Drive, Broadgreen, L13 4BS (under the Rocket flyover). Open: Tuesday to Friday 10am4pm and Saturday 10am-2pm

Clatterbridge Hospital,

The number of presents delivered to the firm’s head office on Breck Road in Anfield is said to have “far surpassed” what the company received in 2021.

Pictured at the Mission Christmas sorting depot are Paul Crowley & Co’s Chloe Welsh and Alison Roche, who volunteered to help prepare Christmas gifts before they were distributed to children throughout the North West.

LOCAL SOLICITORS PAUL CROWLEY & CO has placed on record its thanks to the people of Liverpool after it received a remarkable number of gifts in its role as a designated drop-off point for Radio City’s Mission Christmas Appeal.

Mersey Care and staff at Paul Crowley joined together with the wider public to help support the project’s aim that no child should be left without a gift on Christmas morning.

SHARING MAGICAL MOMENTS ONCE AGAIN AT ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC ACADEMY

DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, the idea of bringing the local community together wasn’t an option for St Nicholas Catholic Academy; however, the school spent the last few weeks of its first term spreading some magical Christmas joy.

St Nicholas’s, based in Liverpool city centre, had the pleasure of welcoming back its enthusiastic parental community to witness some amazing performances.

Nativity plays were at the top of the agenda, with performances from all year groups, including ‘Whoopsie Daisy Angel’, performed by the academy’s reception and nursery pupils, ‘Little Angel Finds Her Wings’ performed by Years 1, 2 and 3, and finally an amazing rendition of ‘Scrooge’ performed by Years 4, 5 and 6.

Not only did St Nicholas’s welcome families back into school for its Christmas plays, but they also invited local care home residents in for a very special serving of Christmas dinner. Residents enjoyed tasty treats

served by staff, as well as musical performances by the school choir. With some of the visitors not leaving the care home for a few years due to the pandemic, they truly enjoyed their afternoon with the pupils.

The academy’s previous term brought the community back together and saw a bit of normality return for staff, pupils and families.

Martin Davies, headteacher at St Nicholas Catholic Academy says: “We’ve really missed having our parental community join us for such magical moments.

“It’s been amazing to share the life of the school once again.”

LIVERPOOL FRIENDS HELP OVER

Calvin Eden and Oba Akinwale created Loud Speaker in summer of 2019

AN ORGANISATION SET UP by two friends who met at Liverpool University has delivered more than 1,000 motivational workshops to young people across the UK.

Calvin Eden and Oba Akinwale launched Loud Speaker in 2019 and now have contracts in place with the likes of Hugh Baird College, Trafford College Group, Everton in the Community, Blackburn Rovers F.C., Aston Villa F.C., and the University of Central Lancashire.

Calvin, 27, and Oba, 30, are passionate about giving young people a level playing field when it comes to expressing themselves; they want everyone to have the tools to take on life’s challenges and reach for opportunities along the way, without feeling uncomfortable in their abilities to speak or present.

The duo were working for the same organisation delivering youth programmes before Oba was made redundant and they decided to launch Loud Speaker in the summer of 2019.

Loud Speaker now has four full-time staff members, one part-time employee and 20 seasonal staff members who help deliver the confidence-boosting workshops up and down the UK.

Calvin says: “For us, Loud Speaker delivers a compelling message to the young people of today. It’s about understanding the psychology of our behaviour and that of the young people we influence, leaving them with something memorable from our workshops.”

Oba adds: “Working with over 100,000 young people has been a fantastic achievement, but we’re looking at ways of scaling Loud Speaker to reach as many young people as possible, giving them an opportunity to undertake our workshops and gain confidence from them.

“We hope to embed the programme into the curriculum for schools, colleges and universities, reaching students who will be imminently making major career and life decisions.”

100,000 YOUTHS WITH CONFIDENCE WORKSHOPS

Primary school welcomes back local community following pandemic

For Change shortlisted in Social Mobility Initiative of the Year category at Burberry British Diversity Awards

THE BURBERRY BRITISH DIVERSITY AWARDS has released its shortlist ahead of the annual ceremony which will take place in London on 22 March.

The awards celebrate leading diversity and inclusion champions, recognising achievements over the past year across ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and religious beliefs.

Football For Change (FFC), launched in 2021 by Jamie Carragher, Trent AlexanderArnold, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Conor Coady alongside Liverpool-based PR firm ThisGeneration Communications, is nominated in the Social Mobility Initiative of the Year category and will go up against major businesses such as Virgin Atlantic and HSBC UK.

Through fundraising and grant-making, FFC aims to lift young people out of poverty by giving them the tools to build better

futures. Since 2021, the team has raised over £700,000 at two high-profile fundraising events which have been backed by stars including Sir Rod Stewart, Noel Gallagher and Olly Murs.

The Burberry British Diversity Awards takes place at Grosvenor House, London, and will be co-hosted by presenter, diversity expert and award-winning author June Sarpong OBE alongside NHS doctor and BAFTA award-winning television presenter Dr Ranj Singh.

Linda Riley, founder of The Burberry British Diversity Awards, says: “We are incredibly proud to once again be recognising and celebrating those organisations, companies and individuals who consistently work to advocate and promote diversity, equality and inclusion.

“Over the past year, our nominees have realised great achievements, championing diversity of race, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, religious belief or social mobility.”

FOUNDED IN 1974 to support vulnerable children, adults and families across the Liverpool City Region and North Wales, Local Solutions works with thousands of people every year.

In the wake of Ofgem announcing the energy price cap would rise by 80% to £3,549, the charity launched its Community Living Room at the Carers Centre on Edge Lane to offer people a place to keep warm and enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake amid the problems they might be facing due to spiralling fuel and food costs.

Hazel Brown, head of communities at Local Solutions, says: “During the COVID lockdowns, people stepped into the world of an unpaid carer and experienced the struggles they face on a daily basis – not being able to leave the house and all of the associated difficulties that come with that.

“Now the world has opened back up again but people are still really struggling, even worse than before, and once again the charity sector is stepping in to help.

“The consequences, if we chose to sit back and let people deal with this awful cost-ofliving crisis on their own, would be fatal.

“That is why it’s so important people come to us for help. Pick up the phone or come and

visit us, use the open days that we are running to get help. There is support out there.

“No question or issue is too small and our team here at Local Solutions is absolutely brilliant.”

To find out more about Local Solutions and the work it carries out, visit: www.localsolutions.org.uk

Conor Coady, Anthony Gordon, Olly Murs and Toni Duggan with Rae Brooke, CEO of the Community Foundation For Lancashire and Merseyside