Latest news with #LiverpoolCouncil
Wales Online
10 hours ago
- General
- Wales Online
Death of woman crushed by a hotel wardrobe remains under investigation after thee years
Death of woman crushed by a hotel wardrobe remains under investigation after thee years Chloe Haynes, 24, was found dead after being crushed by a wardrobe in a hotel three years ago Chloe Haynes The death of "kind and caring" Chloe Haynes remains under investigation three years after she was crushed to death by a wardrobe at a hotel. Chloe Haynes was pronounced dead in her hotel room following the incident on September 10, 2022. Despite initially arresting three men on suspicion of murder, authorities released them without charges, deeming the fatality an unfortunate accident. Chloe had travelled from the Welsh holiday park where she was working to stay at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool city centre. Liverpool Council's Environmental Health subsequently initiated an investigation. Yet it remains under investigation with the council offered no fixed timeline for its completion, merely confirming the ongoing nature of the probe. The need for answers has further been delayed as a pre-inquest review into Ms Haynes' mysterious demise has been put off, despite originally being scheduled with Liverpool Coroner's Office for Thursday, June 5, reports the Liverpool Echo. Chloe's mother, Nicola Williams, remains desperate to know the full circumstances behind the loss of her "petite and beautiful" daughter, whom she affectionately termed "birdy". Article continues below Chloe, who had a twin brother and four siblings, had travelled to Liverpool for a night out from the Hafan y Mor Haven Holiday Park in Pwllheli, North Wales, where she was employed. Sharing a city centre hotel room with a workmate who later discovered her body, Chloe's tragic incident led to an alarm being raised. Chloe Haynes, 21, who died at the Adelphi Hotel on September 10 Miss Williams from Wrexham said : "Chloe left Pwllheli around 7.40pm and they went to the Adelphi, there was some sort of engagement party or something. By midnight, she had been drinking shots and so on and she was a bit drunk, so her friend has taken her back to the hotel to sleep it off and then he's gone back out. "It seems she has got up out of the bed confused, not knowing where she is, and she's opened the door of the wardrobe maybe thinking it is the toilet or the door to go back out of the room. It was a big, old, heavy wardrobe and it's fallen on her and crushed her windpipe." Miss Williams detailed that Chloe's colleague returned to find a distressing scene in the early hours, crying out for aid. Two fellow guests rushed to assist in lifting the wardrobe from Chloe, yet it was too late to revive her. It was these three individuals who were questioned by the police concerning Chloe's death. Wayne Kenny, a Bootle resident, described his shock at being arrested on suspicion of murder to the ECHO after he attempted to give Chloe CPR. Following Chloe's death, Mr Kenny said: "I was thinking could I get accused for something I haven't done, could they make a mistake? To be thinking that for 10 hours was hard work. " The Adelphi Hotel on Ranelagh Street, Liverpool city centre (Image: Liverpool Echo ) Miss Williams, speaking about her loss, said: "She loved animals. She had a little dog called Archie she was obsessed with. There are so many photos of them together. My little nickname for her was birdy. She was so petite and little and when she ate she was like a little bird. She was quiet, she was somebody who didn't speak unless it needed saying. "But in the last 12 months she was coming out of her shell. She was gaining her confidence and she had a wide circle of friends. She was kind and caring and she seemed to connect with gay men and that was how she met the friend she went to Liverpool with." In the wake of Chloe's death, Liverpool Council conducted spot checks on the premises and on September 22, issued prohibition notices to Britannia Hotels regarding the safety of the wardrobes found in Chloe's room. The spot checks also discovered issues concerning the windows at the hotel. Although not legally required, where window restrictors are installed to prevent falls, they must be kept in good condition. Article continues below Britannia contested the notices regarding the safety of wardrobes and the council agreed to withdraw them after seeing evidence that work had been undertaken to ensure their safety. The company withdrew its appeal against the notice regarding windows and that was affirmed.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Liverpool Council to review events planning after parade horror
Liverpool Council will review its planning of major events in the aftermath of more than 100 people being injured during Liverpool FC's victory parade last month. A total of 109 pedestrians, ranging from children aged as young as nine to a 78-year-old, were injured when a car was driven into crowds of fans during last week's Premier League title celebrations on Water Street. Dozens required hospital treatment after being struck by a Ford Galaxy on Water Street shortly after 6pm on Monday, May 26. Of those, four are continuing to receive ward care. Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, used a cabinet meeting at the Town Hall to confirm the city would review how it plans for all major events following the 'distressing event' on the Bank Holiday weekend. He added how 'no other city' could respond like Liverpool. READ MORE: Liam Gallagher sends 'filthy' message as Oasis rehearsals begin READ MORE: Premier Inn chiefs launch bid to scrap Liverpool £2 hotel charge Paul Doyle, of Burghill Road in West Derby, has since been charged with a series of alleged offences in relation to the incident. He has been accused of two counts of wounding with intent, two charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm, two of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving. The 53-year-old appeared before both Liverpool Magistrates' Court and Liverpool Crown Court on Friday in order to face these charges. A trial date has now been scheduled for November 24 this year, provisionally lasting for three to four weeks. Speaking this evening, Cllr Robinson called the events on Water Street, just yards from the Town Hall 'very distressing.' He added how the incident was a 'dark cloud' that 'cast a shadow over what should have been a great day for the city.' Cllr Robinson said it was now important the legal process was followed and those injured remained at the centre of the thoughts of the council. Alongside Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, the Labour group leader, met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary, with Sir Keir saying the whole country stood in solidarity with those impacted. Cllr Robinson said he was struck by how people had come together to support one another after the parade. He added: 'No city responds to times of crisis like this like Liverpool.' The leader said the council would now conduct a full review of its large events planning to see if any learning can be taken moving forward for Liverpool and the rest of the country. Earlier on Tuesday, two men and two women who were injured during the victory parade were named after a judge lifted reporting restrictions concerning their identities. Restrictions preventing the media from reporting the names of the casualties, their addresses, places of work, schools, pictures or any other information which could lead to their identities being revealed were imposed by District Judge Paul Healey in the magistrates' court last week. An order under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, which protects the identity of the two boys, aged 11 and 17, who were named as complainants, has not been challenged by the media and will remain in place indefinitely. However, reporting restrictions under Section 46 of the same act, which prevented the four adult casualties from being identified, were opposed. And Judge Menary ruled the reporting restrictions should be lifted after hearing submissions from Philip Astbury, prosecuting, and Gavin Millar KC, who was instructed to make representations on behalf of the BBC, ITN, Sky, Associated Newspapers Ltd, Guardian News and Media, and the Telegraph Media Group. The four complainants in question can therefore be named as 18-year-old Ethan Gillard, 52-year-old Simon Nash, 66-year-old Christine Seeckts and 77-year-old Susan Passey.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
New home for Zoe's Place officially signed off by Liverpool Council
Plans for the new home for a much-loved Liverpool children's hospice have been officially rubber stamped by city council planners. Last Autumn, just weeks after a new £3.5m location for Zoe's Place was signed off, the future of the site was plunged into turmoil after it was revealed that fundraising issues had emerged. Fears rose that jobs would be lost and a vital centre that supports families throughout the city and beyond would be lost for good. After a remarkable campaign that brought people together from all walks of life, the millions of pounds needed to keep Zoe's Place going was found. It was confirmed last month that a new independent city charity had been created to allow services to continue. Liverpool Council's planning committee has now signed off formally on the plans put forward for a new home for the charity at Hayman's Green in West Derby. READ MORE: Victims of Liverpool parade named for first time READ MORE: Why the media can't name six of those hurt in Liverpool parade crash Members of the committee gave the green light to proposals in September last year, subject to a legal agreement regarding biodiversity net gain through the purchase of an off-site biodiversity unit worth £25,000. However, officers conceded they had made an error in holding up the approval during a meeting at Liverpool Town Hall earlier today. As a result, the plans can now go ahead as envisioned, with the new single storey development able to support six young people and their families. Officers also gave the green light for a grade II listed former disused church to be repurposed as a meeting place for the city's Kurdish community. For the past 21 years, the former Church of Protestant Martyrs on Salisbury Road has sat dilapidated. In that time it has been subject to trespass, vandalism, theft, and damage from fire and water ingress. Bulldozers had been proposed for the church during its long malaise but an organised campaign secured its place on the listed register almost a decade ago. The site will now be transformed into a centre to be used by the city's Kurdish community, managed by the local Salahaddin Community Organisation. During the building's vacancy several alternative uses have been considered, but not have been financially viable. One scheme that won't go ahead as yet is a new start for the former Bogans Carpets warehouse on New Bird Street. The site has been subject to a number of proposed designs ever since, with Liverpool Council turning down plans in 2022 for an American-style co-living scheme. Ascot Luxury Living Limited had sought permission from the city's planning committee to develop 194 new apartments on the site in a block up to 10 storeys high. However concerns were raised by former Lord Mayor Cllr Richard Kemp about the amount of affordable homes as part of the development. As a result, the application was deferred to allow for further viability studies.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Desperate locals complain convenience store smells like 'fish and death'
Locals say inconsiderate parking, dumped rubbish, and planning issues have made life unbearable around Best Foods Mega - with the smell of 'fish and death' driving residents mad Furious residents living close to a convenience store say they are at breaking point with the chaos, rubbish and a stench of "fish and death". The former Phythian pub on Farnworth Street in Kensington, Liverpool, is now operating as Best Foods Mega, and a wave of complaints has prompted a Liverpool Council investigation. Locals say inconsiderate parking, dumped rubbish, and planning issues have made life unbearable. "People are living in this forced situation," one neighbour told the Liverpool Echo. Among the most vocal is Andrew Rowe, whose parents live nearby. He's been sending weekly emails to council officials, including council leader Cllr Liam Robinson, sharing photos of cars clogging pavements and loading bays. A manager at Best Foods Mega said they are aware of the concerns and cooperating with the investigation, telling The Mirror they are "working very hard to sort the problems". Mr Rowe, who has sent almost a year's worth of correspondence to the Cunard Building, said issues began in 2022. He explained: "I can't remember a time when it wasn't as bad as it is now." Problems included the smell emanating from the fishmonger and takeaway, with Mr Rowe likening the scent to "death and fish at night". He added: "In my job, I've smelt death and a couple of times it was exactly the same." Residents have called the area "the worst street in the city". Mr Rowe said: "People are living in this forced situation, the thing we struggle against is that it's so popular. It doesn't serve a purpose for us here as a community." Due to its popularity, the shop often finds itself surrounded by parked cars, despite the business putting up signs encouraging people not to leave their cars in an anti-social fashion. Mr Rowe said his family had sometimes struggled to get out of their front gate, because of the number of cars left in the road. He said: "There's disgraceful mess left by customers after they've eaten at the takeaway, which they treat as a street vendor. This is a residential street, not a high street or public restaurant." Neighbour Roy Linney, who lives opposite the shop with his wife, Mo, said: "It's constant, seven days a week, from 8am we hear noise, things being loaded right into the night, it's full on." Mr Linney added that he felt frustrated at the lack of action from Liverpool Council. "Everything feels totally drawn out. The way rubbish has been dumped we've seen a big increase in rats, flies and mess like that," he said. In December last year, a planning application was rejected for a three-story extension to the building to incorporate nine flats as well as amendments to the building. According to a design and access statement attached to the application, the business sought to "modernise to accommodate a variety of retail units, including a takeaway restaurant, fishmonger, butcher, clothing store, and jewellery shop, each with ample stockroom storage within the commercial unit." It said the proposed works would "have a positive impact on the local community and economy. By revitalising the commercial scene and providing essential amenities, we will attract new businesses and customers to the area, boosting foot traffic and revitalizing the local commercial scene". This was rejected by city planners who said the development would be "excessive and harmful to the residential amenity and character of the areas due to the associated deliveries, customer visits and comings and goings linked to the nine residential flats". A spokesperson for the city council said it continues to monitor the situation through its enforcement task group. The authority said representatives from its planning, environmental health, highways and parking services teams are "actively engaged in assessing and responding to issues raised by residents". Among these are the failed planning application, resident complaints about a hot food counter and use of the building, and a structure within a council-owned alleyway. Weekly site monitoring has been undertaken, with city council officials reaching out to shop staff to discuss operational impacts on the surrounding area. The spokesperson said: "To ensure swift and robust action, enforcement measures are being applied where necessary. Highways has issued a notice regarding the unauthorised alleyway structure; Environmental Health continues to monitor activities at the fishmongers for any potential nuisance issues such as smells, noise, and waste; and Parking Services is visiting the location to enforce regulations." In the last year, nine penalty charge notices have been issued around the business, while planning officers have begun a review of developments on site "following concerns that unauthorised work has begun upstairs". The spokesperson said it was "important to maintain an open dialogue with both residents and local businesses". The statement added: "Residents are encouraged to continue to report any concerns through official channels as this will ensure proper case documentation and further enforcement where appropriate. "Liverpool Council remains dedicated to upholding planning and environmental standards while ensuring that any actions taken are fair and proportionate. Multiple teams from the council will continue to work collaboratively to address any ongoing concerns regarding this business and the surrounding area." A manager at Best Foods Mega told the Mirror the store was working with the council, community officer, highway officer, and environment officers and talking to them personally. He said: "We are working very hard to sort the problems." In response to parking complaints, he said they have brought in security from 3 to 7pm to control parking. The manager also said the store did "not smell like fish", as it was sold in a closed area of the store, but could possibly smell on delivery days.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'No excuse' warning to litter louts as fines up to £1,000 planned
Litter louts have been warned 'there's no excuse for ruining our streets' as penalties of up to £1,000 could be introduced for environmental offences. Liverpool Council's cabinet is to consider plans to hike up fines for those caught littering, fly-tipping and leaving graffiti when they meet next week. With more than £12m spent each year on cleaning litter and fly-tipping across the city, the local authority is also expected to sign off on a plan to contract a firm to crackdown on environmental crime. Subject to agreement, a three year deal could be agreed with an as yet unnamed company to punish those who fail to keep the city clean. Additionally, the amount that litter louts pay for their offences is also poised to increase significantly. Ahead of that key decision, Laura Robertson-Collins, cabinet member for communities, neighbourhoods and streetscene, has fired a message to those who think it's acceptable to leave their rubbish behind. READ MORE: Comedian 'not welcome at any venues' run by Liverpool club after 'vile' comment READ MORE: Family issue plea after man, 39, goes missing in Peru Between February 2024 and January this year, Liverpool Council received 3,608 requests for street cleansing and 16,683 requests to remove fly tipping, including 3,521 reports of dumped black refuse bags, 3,124 pieces of furniture, 531 shopping trollies and 1016 fridge/freezers. More than 100 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued in an eight month period generated £10,000 in fines from offenders. These will now be increased to reflect the city's new approach. Penalties are proposed to increase for litter and graffiti with a tiered approach towards fly-tipping offences. Breaches of public space protection orders (PSPO) will also be subject to harsher penalties. Should senior councillors agree, the charge for dropping litter will increase to £150, up from £80, with an early payment option of £100 if paid within 14 days. Unwelcome graffiti and fly-posting is also facing sterner punishment, doubling to £200. A tiered approach is being considered which seeks to acknowledge the seriousness of the offence and the estimated cost of removing fly tipped waste. New levels of penalty will be based on a criteria identified by investigating officers, with the dumping of up to three bags equating to a £500 fine. More than three bags but less than a van load would cost £750 while a load equivalent to a light commercial van like a Ford Transit or 'clear evidence of waste being commercial, or business waste transported by an unlicensed waste carrier' would land those responsible with a £1,000 penalty. Anyone who fails to pick up after their dog will also face sterner punishment, with the penalty for not picking up dog mess increasing to £100. A PSPO was introduced across the city in November 2022 to protect Liverpool's green spaces. Cllr Robertson-Collins said: 'Residents have told us that tackling environmental offences must be a priority, and we are committed to taking action. Fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling are a blight on our city and there's no excuse for ruining our streets. 'These tougher penalties send a strong message that it will not be tolerated. Liverpool is a fantastic city that we should be proud to call home, and we all need to do our part in looking after it.' An additional £1.5m was approved during March's budget council meeting to increase environmental enforcement. The council said high levels of litter, fly tipping, poorly managed household and commercial waste make communities 'feel unloved and forgotten.' Cabinet documents outlined how the £80 fine level had not changed for a number of years and fixed penalty levels in Liverpool have remained static during that time. The report added: 'The evidence suggests, particularly for the offence of fly tipping, which is increasing year on year, the level does not act as an effective deterrent to committing the offence.'
