Latest news with #BBCRadioMerseyside
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Man charged with murdering shopkeeper
A man has been charged with murdering a shopkeeper on Merseyside. Nilani Nimalarajah, 44, died in hospital after being found with stab wounds at Low Cost Food and Wine on Stanley Road in Bootle on 20 June. Nimalarajah Mathiyadaranam, 47, of Warrington Road in Widnes, Cheshire, has been charged with murder and possession of a knife or pointed item in a public place, as well as two breaches of restraining orders, Merseyside Police said. He was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Det Ch Insp Alan Nuttall urged people not to share material related to the incident online and said the force continued to appeal for anyone with information to come forward. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Related internet links HM Courts and Tribunals Service
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Liverpool City Council leader's warning over HMOs
Plans to use houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) to tackle homelessness in Liverpool cannot just be rolled out "in the most deprived communities", its council leader has said. Liverpool City Council is looking at a range of measures to address a shortage of temporary accommodation, and tackle the rise in rough aims to secure longer-term temporary accommodation than is offered at present, and ensure that bed and breakfasts and hotels are used as a last resort.A report to be considered by the council's cabinet next week says increased levels of rough sleeping and homelessness are partly due to more no-fault evictions and rising rents. The report says HMOs are one way of giving people somewhere to live in the medium term, and are less costly than hotels and bed and on the Hot Seat phone-in on BBC Radio Merseyside, Robinson admitted that HMOs were controversial in many parts of the city, not least in the Kensington ward which he represents. He said there had been issues with HMOs in the local area for "many years" and restrictions had been introduced to limit planning approval for them in certain parts of added there needed to be "an appropriate spread" of HMOs across the city and that "it cannot be solely in the most deprived communities, because that's not fair".HMOs for people moving on from rough sleeping could be "anywhere in the city, any district, any region". 'Unprecedented' The average number of people seen rough sleeping in the city each night between April and September 2024 was 30, an increase on the average of 22 people seen per night over the same period in Council plans to use a range of temporary accommodation services including HMOs and studio flats to meet the needs of homeless being considered by cabinet next week said the authority will not hold any leases, tenancies or licences of the properties, but it would procure a service providing a minimum number of properties with all property and tenancy related functions delivered by the are currently 1,635 households in temporary accommodation, with around 1,100 in B&Bs or documents said there had been "unprecedented demand on the council's Housing Solutions Service in recent years and an increase in homeless presentations, with the service receiving an increase in requests for help and assistance from those at risk of homelessness". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wirral regeneration chief 'off work' after inquiry launch
A council chief is "absent from work until further notice" as an urgent inquiry into a town centre regeneration scheme of regeneration Marcus Shaw is in charge of Wirral Council's major plans to revive parts of the borough like Birkenhead and to build thousands of of Mr Shaw's absence was shared with councillors on the same day that council leader Paula Basnett said further investigation was required into Birkenhead's generation scheme. Wirral Council and Marcus Shaw have been approached for comment. Basnett announced the urgent investigation into the scheme last week, the Local Democracy Reporting Service scope of the inquiry has not been revealed, but deputy council leader Julie McManus previously suggested it would look into what was happening with council projects, why there were delays, and any further costs as a the latest update, Basnett said: "Following an initial review into the Birkenhead Town Centre project, it has been determined that this matter needs to be further investigated and, as a precautionary move, we have taken steps to make changes in this area while the review takes place." 'Fresh start' She said the authority's regeneration programme continued to move forward on key projects. She added: "When I became leader of Wirral Council I promised a fresh start, drawing a line under what had gone before and moving forward with pace and purpose."She said she was clear she would take the necessary action to make sure the considerable sums of public money the authority had been entrusted with were spent announced a review of regeneration projects when elected leader, saying this would "establish where we need to focus to make sure we get a grip".Currently, hoardings are up across Grange Road, Charing Cross, Conway Street, and Europa Boulevard in director Jason Gooding, who is acting chief executive while Paul Satoor is currently away from his role, said he "will share further information when I am able to".Mr Gooding said he would be covering the role alongside legal director Jill Travers and finance director Matthew Shaw joined the council as assistant director of asset management and investment in March 2023. He became the interim director of regeneration following the sudden departure of Marc Cole in 2024 before being appointed on a permanent basis in regeneration director was the fifth to be appointed since long-term figure Alan Evans left the role in 2022. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
St Helens World of Glass museum fears closure over rising costs
Staff at a museum dedicated to a town's glass manufacturing history have said they fear rising costs mean they "won't be able to keep our doors open" after three free World of Glass venue in St Helens, Merseyside has been visited by more than 1 million people since opening in director Sarah Taylor said: "It's just got a bit difficult lately - we are seeing rising costs with energy costs and staffing costs."More than £10,000 has been donated to the venue, run by an independent charity, after it launched a crowdfunder to raise £50,000 to help it remain open. Ms Taylor said: "We're just in a position now where if we don't raise the money, we won't be able to keep our doors open in the next three months."The museum recently reduced opening days to lower running costs, with the museum closed on Mondays and local library, which is located at the venue, will remain open on those days. Councillor Sue Murphy, cabinet member for culture at St Helens Borough Council, described the museum, which offers glassblowing demonstration and school visits, as "a much-loved visitor attraction that plays a vital role in preserving and sharing our borough's rich industrial heritage".She said that "now more than ever, while our town centre is undergoing transformative regeneration to restore its vibrancy and vitality, we sincerely hope they can find a sustainable path forward".The council said the building receives 100% relief on its business rates and is supported by council officers' advice on external funding sources. Core funding for UK arts and cultural organisations fell by 18% between 2010 and Taylor said: "Despite the continued support from valued partners like St Helens Borough Council, the financial pressures we face as a charitable organisation have become unsustainable under current conditions."We've been in the centre of St Helens culture for the past 25 years and want to be around for the next 25 and beyond." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wedding bid blocked at 'dignified' coastal venue
A landmark described as "seemly and dignified" by planning inspectors has been denied permission to host weddings. Fort Perch Rock, a coastal defence in New Brighton which dates back to just after the Napoleonic wars, is home to a cafe bar, function rooms and exhibitions. Its owners wanted to use it to hold marriage ceremonies, but a lack of disabled access to its upper floors meant its bid was denied by Wirral Council. Owner Douglas Darroch told planners on Friday he "could have turned [it] into a casino or a strip club but that is disrespectful to the building", adding: "We are trying to find ways to generate cash to take the building forward." Mr Darroch added that people had asked in the past about using the venue for weddings. He said: "It's part of our business plan to bring life to the building which we are trying to do now... with the escape room, cafe, and the museum opening next year." Councillors raised concerns about the walkway into the fort, disability access and fire risk management. The building, which is 32 ft (9m) high, was completed in 1829 and is due to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its foundation stone being laid next year. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Wirral Council
