A number of hospital Accident and Emergency Departments across Cheshire and Merseyside are currently experiencing very high levels of demand, with the colder weather leading to rising levels of ill health and high levels of norovirus, COVID-19 and flu circulating. In particular, people have been asked not to attend Southport or Whiston hospitals A&E departments in emergency and life-threatening cases.
Fire crews were targeted by "missiles" as they dealt with blazes across Merseyside during last year's Bonfire celebrations. Despite the number of secondary fires officers attended dropping, on four occasions officers were targeted in the line of duty. Over two nights on October 30 and 31, items were thrown at vehicles, and threats were issued as teams attempted to carry out their work. Missiles were thrown at crews who attended a scene on Scargreen Avenue in Norris Green, while eggs were pelted at staff working in West Derby and Leasowe.
Sports Direct is set to move into the former Marks & Spencer store in Church Street after buying up the vacant Grade II-listed building on one of Liverpool's busiest shopping streets. The iconic Compton House was home to M&S for nearly 100 years, but the retailer shut the outlet in August last year and moved into the former Debenhams building in Liverpool ONE. It will take around 18 months to transform the 103,000 sq ft building into a Sports Direct store and gym. The sportswear company is part of the Frasers Group, owned by former Newcastle United boss Mike Ashley.
