On The Spot News | OTS News - Southport

Respected local journalist Martin Hovden dies aged 70

Tributes have been paid to respected Southport journalist Martin Hovden, who has passed away aged 70. The former editor of the Southport Champion, Martin was a well-known media figurehead in Southport and

2nd December 2022

Iconic HSBC building is safe from latest round of branch cuts

Bosses at HSBC bank have confirmed that the iconic Southport branch of its chain will remain open. It comes as banking bosses say they will close hundreds of branches of HSBC banks,

30th November 2022

Southport Market festive lineup revealed

Southport Market is once again turning into a winter wonderland this festive season for those of all ages! With special visits from Santa Claus and his elves, as well as a magical

30th November 2022

Hundreds expected to need ‘warm spaces’ as temperatures drop below 9°

Buildings across Southport that are acting as ‘warm spaces’ for people struggling or unable to heat their own homes are expected to open this week. Temperatures are forecast to stay below double

30th November 2022

Ex resort doorman abused young girl on her birthday

A young girl was cruelly robbed of her “innocence” after being sexually assaulted on her birthday. The actions of former Southport security guard and doorman Roy Brown, now 77, have had a

28th November 2022

Disabled man beaten with beer bottle in horror hotel robbery

A disabled man was beaten with a glass bottle in a horrific robbery at his Southport hotel room just months before he passed away. Victim Peter Keppie sadly died three months after

26th November 2022

CCTV appeal following bike thefts in Southport

Police have issued CCTV images of two men who may have information that could assist enquiries into bike thefts in Southport. Merseyside Police received a report on November 14th that a bike

24th November 2022

Local Artist works with the community to bring colour to High Park

A bit of colour has been added to Russell Road recreation ground in High Park, Southport with a wonderful mural created by Lisa Langan and the local community. The mural was designed

23rd November 2022

Jenny takes on marathon challenge after dad’s heartbreaking medical diagnoses

A Southport woman is preparing to take on the Manchester Marathon in honour of her father. Jenny Athow’s dad Mike was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, a revelation that shocked the

23rd November 2022

Kind hearted Sandgrounders urged to dig deep for toy appeal

Struggling families who may otherwise be unable to afford to buy presents for their children are being asked to donate to the 2022 toy appeal The Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Clare Louise

23rd November 2022

Hospital to hold annual baby and child loss remembrance service

Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust will hold its annual baby and child loss remembrance service next month. The service is held every December and aims to support bereaved families who are

23rd November 2022

Famous fishmonger closes after FORTY years in Southport

A Southport fishmonger has closed its doors for the final time after serving the town for more than 44 years. The decision to close Wesley Fishmongers on Tulketh Street was made after

21st November 2022

Royal Mail strikes set to cause Christmas chaos in Southport

Six fresh strikes are set to be staged by Royal Mail workers, with many causing Christmas disruption. These new strikes are part of the long-running dispute that workers are having with Royal

21st November 2022

Knives found stashed in bushes around Marine Lake

Police say they have found knives stashed away in bushes around the Marine Lake in Southport and Duke Street Park in Formby. It’s the latest in a series of cop crackdowns on

20th November 2022

Car park plan revealed for Formby pinewoods

Bosses at the National Trust say they want to build a new car park in the middle of Formby pinewoods. The new car park, which has been proposed to help cope with

18th November 2022

Residents face rocketing energy bills

From April the average energy bill for a family in Southport will jump an eye watering £500. The energy price cap is being raised to £3000 and widespread financial support for all

17th November 2022

Cops uncover two shops selling knives to underage children

Two unidentified shops in Southport are no longer allowed to sell knives after they were caught selling the blades to underage children. Southport Neighbourhood Police Officers used a youngster to pose as

17th November 2022

Southport has ‘no rough sleepers’ claim council

A council survey has shown there are no ‘official’ rough sleepers in Southport, despite a number of beggars on the town’s high streets. Sefton Council’s homeless team says that nobody is apparently

17th November 2022

New state-of-the-art vets surgery to open in Southport

A brand new state-of-the-art veterinary surgery is set to open at the end of December on Southport Road in Southport to care for pets in the local area. The new £1.1 million

15th November 2022

Salvation Army launches Christmas present appeal

The Salvation Army in Southport is calling on the community to donate new toys to its Christmas Present Appeal that will support families in need over the festive season. As the cost

15th November 2022

Town centre tailbacks after Lord Street breakdown

Commuters are stuck in long tailbacks in Southport town centre this morning. Two large crossover vehicles were involved in an incident on the roundabout between Lord Street and Albert Road just after

15th November 2022

Tributes paid to deli shop delivery driver with ‘a heart of gold’

Poignant tributes have been paid to a deli delivery driver who passed away this week. Semi-retired Trevor Roberts has been described as a man with “a heart of gold” by his former

13th November 2022

Formby drug baron jailed for 16 years

A drug dealer from Formby has been jailed for 16 years today, Friday 11th November. Terence Page, 40, of Old Mill Lane, Formby, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court for his role

11th November 2022

Thousands set to attend Southport Cenotaph Remembrance service

Southport will once again fall silent to remember those who died in conflict, with a number of Remembrance Day services taking place across the borough this coming weekend. The 2022 Remembrance Day

10th November 2022

Bus driver tricked into giving mannequin a lift

A famous viral prankster has completed arguably his best practical joke yet. Daniel Green from Southport, a decorator and now viral tiktokker, managed to convince a bus driver to load a mannequin

9th November 2022

Nine Southport buildings repurposed into ‘warm hubs’ for freezing residents

Nine buildings and community centres in Southport will be repurposed into specialist ‘warm hubs’ to help residents who cant heat their own homes. All ‘Warm Spaces’ will be heated, safe and friendly

7th November 2022

Emotional Matthew Baldwin finishes fourth to secure tournament place

A ‘tired and emotional’ Matthew Baldwin has secured his place on the DP World Tour this week. The Southport golfer ended up sharing fourth place on seven under with France’s Jeong Won

7th November 2022

Households urged to ensure they use prepayment fuel support vouchers

Sefton Council is reminding households across the Borough who have prepayment meters to ensure they use vouchers sent through the Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme. Vouchers worth £66 were sent out by

3rd November 2022

Police to kick out gangs from Southport town centre tonight

Police will be using special powers to remove large groups of youngsters gathering in the town centre tonight. A dispersal zone has been created to help combat antisocial behaviour in the area

30th October 2022

Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals to hold annual memorial service

Southport and Ormskirk hospitals are holding an annual memorial service next month to allow those grieving the loss of a loved one to remember and reflect. The service will be held at

27th October 2022