On The Spot News | OTS News - Southport

Lockdown holidaymakers warned of Welsh quarantine plan

Southport residents looking to escape the current harsh restrictions in the town have been told to think again if they’re planning a daring journey across the border. Despite the temptation to escape

5th October 2020

Idling drivers should be punished, say eco campaigners

Southport councillors Pat Keith and Lynne Thompson are urging Sefton Council to take stronger action against drivers who leave their vehicle engine idling for prolonged periods. The council launched an anti –idling campaign

5th October 2020

Shop local this Christmas, urge Southport stores

Whether it’s a shiny new watch, diamond ring, new coat, the latest toys or something even more extravagant, Southport is the place to look this Christmas. That’s the message from a hoard

5th October 2020

Council ‘will not hesitate to take action’ against businesses flouting Covid-19 rules

After making several visits and issuing a warning letter Sefton Council last week issued a Closure Notice to the owner of Skin Kerr in Bootle. Visits to the premises by the Council’s

5th October 2020

Southport FC confirms opponent player tested positive for Covid-19

Southport FC bosses say there is no need to panic after their latest game was blighted by a confirmed case of the coronavirus. The Yellows faced Morpeth Town at the weekend when,

5th October 2020

Birkdale bar shuts as virus case confirmed

A popular Birkdale bar has temporarily shut down ‘with a heavy heart’ after it was confirmed that the premises had experienced a positive case of COVID-19. Management at the Allotment in Birkdale

5th October 2020

Businessman raises concerns over demand for new cycle lanes in Birkdale

A businessman is hitting back at demands from local Lib Dems to drive new cycle lanes through Birkdale Village. Lee Durkin, who has worked in his family business, MD Joinery, since 1997,

5th October 2020

Formby phone lines go down as BT struggle to return service

Businesses in the Formby and Ainsdale area say they are struggling to get their phones working after a nearby telephone junction became damaged overnight. The issue has affected a number of businesses

5th October 2020

Hospital Trust launches virtual ‘open week’ event

Southport and Ormskirk hospitals are welcoming the local community to join their first ever virtual Open Hospital event. Launching on Monday 5 October, the event replaces the usual annual open day. Sadly

5th October 2020

Hero Ben smashes local version of London Marathon

A Southport man has smashed his personal London Marathon, taking on and defeating a leg destroying 26 mile run around the town. Ben Sharples was all set to take on the London

4th October 2020

Southport pubs ‘could shut completely’ before Christmas

Resort Pubs which have struggled to make up for a drastic drop in trade thanks to the pandemic, warn local real ale experts. In more bitter tasting news, chiefs at the Southport

4th October 2020

Gloomy days forecast for a wet week in Southport

Those looking for a sunny respite from the doom of gloom of local lockdown may want to look away from this week’s weather forecast. Heavy and continuous rain from the weekend which

4th October 2020

Town Centre Takeaway offers free food for homeless

A Southport takeaway says it will gladly offer free food to anyone homeless in the resort and in need of sustenance. Marco Restaurant and Takeaway which recently opened on Union Street says

4th October 2020

Southport to face ‘winter of discontent’ warn region’s leaders

Southport and the north of England will face a “winter of dangerous discontent” unless the test and trace system improves, regional leaders have warned. Speaking at the weekend Greater Manchester Metro Mayor

4th October 2020

Our Tommy takes second in Scottish Open

A short putt miss conceded the Scottish Open crown for Tommy Fleetwood as the tournament favourite lost out to first time champion Aaron Rai. Southport’s very own Tommy Fleetwood, tipped to take

4th October 2020

Drivers warned of severe coastal road flooding

Large parts of the Coastal Road between Marshside and Marine Drive are heavily flooded with cars being forced to drive way under the speed limit to avoid accident. Over 14 hours of

3rd October 2020

Callous vandals damage children’s football pitch

Vandals have ripped up new goalposts belonging to a junior football club in Marshside. Ben Minto, a joint Club Secretary at Southport Athletic JFC discovered the damage to the goalposts at Ferryside

3rd October 2020

Horrid rainy conditions play part in St Lukes Road smash

Emergency services were called to a two-car smash at the junction of Hawkshead Street and St Lukes Road this afternoon. The accident occurred at approximately 4 pm this afternoon. Local residents reported

3rd October 2020

Ainsdale man stabbed to death in Spanish house party attack

A man from Woodvale living in Spain has been fatally stabbed in the neck following an altercation with another Brit. The incident happened at a house party in the Costa Blanca area

3rd October 2020

Boo to Boris! Southport says Halloween can still happen

Trick or treating lovers in Southport say they will just find ways to get around the Halloween ‘ban’ imposed on areas under a local lockdown. OTS reported yesterday that Halloween was cancelled

3rd October 2020

Competition heats up to buy rare Southport whisky

A rare and one of a kind whisky bottled exclusively for a Southport festival is attracting dozens of bids at auction. The Bimber Single Cask is currently up for auction and is

3rd October 2020

Budding resort writers can win CASH for their tales

Amateur authors in Southport are being encouraged to enter a local writer’s circle competition where the best story will win £150. The Southport Writer’s Circle are offering cash prizes for the best

3rd October 2020

Desolate and flooded theatre building is ‘suffering greatly’

Campaigners who are desperate to save Southport Theatre say the building is now flooded and riddled with legionella after being shut for over 6 months. Those behind the Save the Southport Theatre

3rd October 2020

Southport FC WILL kick off season today after £10m grant package confirmed

Southport FC will start their season against Morpeth in the FA Cup today, after a financial grant for the National League was confirmed by the government. The grant, an initial £10m over

3rd October 2020

Halloween in Southport is officially CANCELLED

The spooky trick or treating that usually brings joy to thousands of Southport youngsters is now no more. The Prime Minister announced that all areas facing a local lockdown should not take

2nd October 2020

Moore calls for quick end to new virus restrictions on resort residents

Southport MP Damien Moore is keen to see that new enhanced local measures in Sefton will be in place for as short a time as possible. The new restrictions were announced by

2nd October 2020

New restrictions ‘a blow to everyone’ council admits

Responding to yesterday’s announcement by the Secretary of State about new COVID-19 restrictions affecting Sefton and Merseyside Sefton Council Leader, Cllr Ian Maher said: “While I know resident and businesses across Sefton

2nd October 2020

Are you missing the Melody to your life soundtrack?

The melody of a song is musically satisfying and often the most memorable part of the song – the same can be said for the Melody Woodlands Animal Sanctuary currently have in their

2nd October 2020

Dog killed in horrific Southport hit and run

A dog has been killed and it’s owner left injured after they were both struck by a car in Southport yesterday. Police are appealing for any witnesses to the incident after the

2nd October 2020

Southport’s RARE black swan rushed to vets on brink of death

The rare black swan which has delighted ornithologists, tourists and residents alike on Southport’s Marine Lake has been saved from the brink of death, OTS can confirm. An urgent appeal for donations

1st October 2020