A £25,000 campaign has been launched to showcase Kirkby Lonsdale as a perfect destination for visitors Kirkby Lonsdale’s Information & Gift Shop has teamed up with Cumbria Tourism for the project which has been backed by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is being supported through Westmorland & Furness Council The aim is to attract visitors from within a two to three–hour drive time while also encouraging locals to take advantage of short stays and days out on their doorstep aims to raise the profile and reputation of Kirkby Lonsdale as a year-round visitor destination through a targeted seasonal programme of marketing and PR It will also provide support to help businesses to market themselves as they look to rebuild and drive footfall to a range of independent retailers There will be a nine-month programme of strategic PR activity to promote Kirkby Lonsdale and the surrounding area as a short-stay destination, alongside the creation of fresh town photography and video, and ongoing content creation for the town’s dedicated website, www.kirkbylonsdale.co.uk Cumbria Tourism’s team will also be providing business support to help Kirkby Lonsdale businesses build their own individual social media marketing and PR skills and leave a longer-term legacy through a series of face-to-face training sessions and resources they can use in their own marketing JAC Beeson is a local business owner and director of Kirkby Lonsdale Community Interest Company which is committed to promoting the town and its attractions through the town’s information & gift shop JAC says: “Whether old friends or new faces our Visit Kirkby Lonsdale campaign is all about encouraging people to enjoy this hidden gem nestled between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District and within easy reach of both the Trough of Bowland and the coastal scenery of Morecambe Bay “Not only can visitors step into the outdoors – and benefit from the numerous wellbeing benefits that brings to all ages – but they can also experience first-hand the array of award-winning hotels “Kirkby Lonsdale is renowned for its abundance of high-quality independent retailers and this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all they have to offer too “There will be lots of ways for the businesses themselves to get involved and we will be speaking to them direct in the coming weeks to help them maximise the different opportunities on offer.” added: “Hot on the heels of Kirkby Lonsdale being named as one of the best places to live in the UK we are thrilled to be working with the town’s business community to promote the town as an unmissable place to visit “This campaign will focus on driving a renewed interest in discovering – or rediscovering – Kirkby Lonsdale and stimulating year-round tourism highlighting the variety of ways people can visit shop and enjoy the tremendous hospitality on offer.” The town suffered a devastating fire in December in the town centre, which resulted in a man losing his life. Over 100 residential properties and 84 business properties in the town centre were also directly impacted by the fire. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox *We hate spam as much as you do. Privacy Statement Phone: 01768 862313Email: admin@cumbriacrack.com Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited No: 12475190VAT registration number: 343486488 © 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme A Section 60 Order will be introduced in parts of Kirkby in response to a stabbing yesterday evening The order will be active from 6pm today (Thursday 1 May) and will remain in place for a 24 hour period The measure has been introduced following an incident on Whitefield Drive A 15-year-old boy suffered a number of stab wounds to the body and a 14-year-old girl suffered a single stab wound to the chest Both are currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening A 14-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in custody where he will be interviewed by officers patrols have been increased in the area to provide reassurance to the local community and an investigation is ongoing The area (see map) covered by the Section 60 order covers the areas of Tower Hill and Westvale under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals across the area and is designed to prevent serious violence Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Andy Robinson said: “We understand the shock this incident caused in the community and this is just one of the many measures we’ve put in place to reassure the public “There continues to be increased patrols in this area and the order will give those officers on the ground the ability to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying weapons or planning any criminality and strengthen their ability to protect the community from any further disorder and residents will see more police patrols this evening and tomorrow I hope their continued presence is reassuring and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to those officers “We have deployed a number of Section 60s before and will continue to deploy them where we believe they can assist our efforts to keep people safe.” Anyone with information about criminality and disorder is asked to DM @MerPolCC message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 You can also pass information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 © Copyright 2021 Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council | Terms & Conditions | Cookies | Privacy policy Credit: Google MapsA 16-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl are in hospital following a stabbing in Merseyside Merseyside Police said officers were called to Whitefield Drive in Westvale following reports of two teenagers being stabbed Both have been taken to hospital to have their injuries assessed A road closure is in place on Whitefield Drive at the junction with Harriers Crescent Police urged people to avoid the area while officers conduct their enquiries Detective Chief Inspector Cath Cummings said: “We understand the concern that such a serious incident will cause in our communities especially given the young age of the victims I would urge anyone with information to make themselves known either to officers in Westvale this evening or by reporting to us directly or via Crimestoppers was passing or lives nearby shares what they know so we can establish what happened and find those responsible “There will be a significant police presence in the area tonight as we carry out this vital work and we are speaking to local businesses and residents to gather information Anyone with information is urged to contact @MerPolCC on X Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online Bus operators Stagecoach have announced the trial of a new 918 bus service to Everton Stadium at Bramley Moore from Kirkby Town Centre This new route will connect to the stadium via Croxteth Stagecoach will continue operating its established 919 service from Liverpool City Centre and the 939 service from Bootle Bus Station The 919 and 939 will continue running from two hours before kick-off while the new 918 will operate to a dedicated timetable starting three hours before kick-off No details have been confirmed about the third test event to take place at the new Everton Stadium but it is expected to take place at some point in July this year Interim Operations Director at Stagecoach MCSL said: “The recent test events at Everton Stadium have given us the opportunity to hear directly from supporters We’re excited to trial the 918 route to better serve fans travelling from North Liverpool and nearby communities “With the addition of the 918 and ongoing support from the 919 and 939 routes An impactful drainage improvement scheme has been completed for a village in Lincolnshire that saw river levels rise dramatically during recent extreme weather Roughton Lane and Kirkby Lane in Kirkby on Bain have had the work carried out to drains The work started last September and has now been completed.   This scheme has been funded by a portion of the £20m capital funding allocated to the county council as part of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority devolution deal.  On site this week for the conclusion of the scheme said: “We are delighted at the completion of these works to help the people and businesses of Kirkby on Bain and those who travel through the village.   “As we have seen in the wake of the recent extreme weather that left its mark across the county several areas of Lincolnshire have suffered the devastating impacts that flooding can bring.  I’m extremely pleased to see the work completed on this drainage improvement scheme that will help prevent future surface water flooding incidents in the village.”  with one section of road in Kirkby on Bain being closed at a time New large drainage pipes were installed under Main Street and Church Lane to increase the system’s ability to deal with more surface water New drainage gullies and non-return valves were also added.   A thorough cleaning of the village’s drainage system was also cleaned out and the adjacent paths and roads were resurfaced Cllr Bradwell added: “With the works now complete we have been able to go some way to lessening the worry of residents and businesses during heavy periods of rain This is a great example of our drainage improvement schemes across the county bringing a very real difference to Lincolnshire people’s lives.  “Whilst this is a terrific improvement for the area There is work still to do on the nearby River Bain and we will continue to liaise with the Environment Agency on what it can bring to further reduce the risk of flooding there.”   For further information about flooding and drainage work in the county, please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/flood-risk-management.  All content © 2025 Lincolnshire County Council A Section 60 Order has been introduced in Kirkby giving officers additional powers to search suspects following incidents of violence in the area The order is in place from 10:53pm last night (Wednesday 12 March) and will stay active until 10:52pm tomorrow night to help prevent further incidents of disorder and criminality a serious incident in Beattock Close resulted in two teenage boys being injured He was arrested on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent and has been taken to a police station for questioning gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence The area covered is shown on the map and encompasses the whole Kirkby area Knowsley Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “We have introduced this Section 60 as an additional response to disrupt those who would look to commit acts of violence in our community Increased numbers of officers will be in the area today and tonight to carry out this work and we would encourage people to speak to us and pass on any information “This order will give us the powers needed to stop and search people in the area and to tackle those who look to carry weapons or get involved in any criminality Extra officers will be in the area to search any individuals or groups causing such issues and to provide reassurance to the vast majority of law-abiding people in the community “Such action isn’t about bothering anyone going about their daily business or preventing young people from meeting with friends It’s simply about taking action to reduce violence and make sure that everyone can feel safe where they live “I also want to reiterate my message from yesterday Parents and guardians have a massive part to play in this so please ensure that you know where young people in your care are and raise any concerns with police or our partners in the local authority Knife crime and violence destroy lives and we will do all we can to reduce this risk “If you have any information about this particular incident or any crime issues affecting you in Kirkby please come forward and help us make the community a safer place.” message ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook’ Knowsley Council’s Planning Committee has tonight (3 February 2025) approved plans for 800 new energy-efficient homes in the heart of Kirkby The planning permission also means further investment into the town as a result of the Council securing  £7.7m of Section 106 contributions through the planning process from the developer Barratt David Wilson Homes The planning application includes a mix of two as well as 10 bungalows and apartments on land to the South of Cherryfield Drive in Kirkby Town Centre Homes will also be fitted with electric vehicle charging points The plans will include a range of homes to help meet all housing needs including 80 affordable homes those looking to downsize as well as homes for older people These properties will help to meet the growing demand for homes in Knowsley and the City Region thanks to £7.7m of Section 106 developer contributions secured the development will also result in the following investments: Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development said: “This is a great opportunity for Kirkby to further build on its economic growth in recent years The proposals will provide more much needed new homes to meet the rising demand we are seeing and targets we are being set nationally to tackle the housing crisis this development is more than just new homes it’s another key part of our regeneration vision for Kirkby The plans will bring high quality homes into the town and more people into the town centre – which can only be a good thing for local businesses and for future investment that we all want to see “Importantly this development will also contribute positively to the local area bringing major investment through £7.7m of section 106 funding for the benefit of all residents.” The brownfield land to the South of Cherryfield Drive has been earmarked for development for many years The site was identified in the Council’s Housing Land Disposal Programme to meet housing demand The new homes created in Kirkby will help to meet demand for homes in Knowsley and are in an ideal location within walking distance to the town centre with good public transport links the site is well connected to the open spaces through the Kirkby Brook green corridor connecting Mill Dam Park and the wider cycle network Further details will be available on Knowsley News and Barratt David Wilson’s website as the plans progress Further investment is coming to Kirkby with work due to commence by McCarthy Stone on St Chad’s Drive to create new retirement homes for over 55’s in the town centre Knowsley Council’s Cabinet endorsed plans to dispose of land on St Chad’s Drive in order to bring forward a proposal for much-needed retirement homes in Kirkby Town Centre McCarthy Stone’s plans include the construction of 53 new homes which offer specialist provision for people aged 55 and over The development includes shared ownership and gives older homeowners the option to continue to own their own homes in a specialist scheme By providing shared ownership for older people the proposal will help people to “right size” and thereby free up housing in the borough which is more suited to families and younger people Demand in Knowsley for such properties has been identified through the Council’s Housing Needs Assessment and the development of the Knowsley Housing Strategy 2022-2027 The plans will bring a highly accessible town centre site back into use and will also help to create greater footfall in Kirkby Town Centre The 0.89 acre site comprises the former St Chad’s Clinic The site was used to provide temporary car parking whilst permanent car parking was being constructed as part of the adjacent retail development and on the land to the South of Cherryfield Drive Now that these large new car parks are completed and open There are 460 short stay car parking spaces as part of the new retail development and 242 short and long stay car park spaces nearby on land to the south of Cherryfield Drive the existing Kirkby Town Centre multi-storey car park has been fully refurbished and provides a further 372 short and long stay spaces “We are delighted to be commencing our exciting new development in Kirkby Town Centre which has recently benefitted from significant investment making the town an attractive place to live “Our development will provide new retirement homes which are easily accessible to the growing offer and amenities in the town We are expecting strong demand for these new homes.” Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development added “It’s great to see further investment in Kirkby Town Centre with work due to start on new homes in the very near future “This site will provide much-needed homes and more choice for over 55’s in the borough “I am very pleased to welcome McCarthy and Stone and new residents to Kirkby and I look forward to seeing this scheme progress over the coming months.” while a teenage girl had a single stab wound to the chest Credit: Liverpool EchoA 14-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after two teenagers were stabbed Police were called to Whitefield Drive in Kirkby at around 8.25 pm on Wednesday where they found a 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl with stab wounds The boy suffered "several stab wounds to the body" while the teenage girl had a single stab wound to the chest with their injuries not believed to be life threatening Merseyside Police has now charged a schoolboy with attempted murder as well as possession of a bladed article in a public place He has been remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Youth Remand court on Friday 2 May Officers have also arrested a second suspect – a 15-year-old boy - on suspicion of attempted murder and s18 wounding with intent He is currently in custody where he will be questioned by detectives which gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals will remain in place in the area until 6pm on 2 May Detective Inspector Graeme Osborne said: “Even though we have made arrests and a charge our investigation remains ongoing "We are continuing to appeal for anyone with information to come forward Knives have no place on the streets of Merseyside and we will continue to do everything within our powers to find the people carrying and using weapons and bringing them to justice.” Anyone with information about criminality and disorder is asked to message @MerPolCC on X, or Merseyside Police Contact Centre on Facebook or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 The ongoing regeneration of Kirkby Town Centre continues to be a priority for the Council Significant progress has been made in recent years particularly after the Council bought the town centre for £43.6m in 2019 in order to kick-start its development Just two years later in 2021 and despite having to progress during the lockdowns arising from the COVID-19 pandemic the Council completed the delivery of a major new retail extension for the town with 94,000 feet2 of modern new space  This successful project helped to boost the local economy by £15.3m per annum A new Train Station has also been delivered at Headbolt Lane and the multi-storey car park in Kirkby Town Centre has been transformed into a modern “travel hub” thanks to £2.2m of funding secured from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority The refurbishment of the car park directly led to new tenants signing up for accommodation in the adjacent Central House offices and will now help support this next phase of regeneration Following the success of the work over the last few years a further phase of new retail in Kirkby Town Centre has now been agreed by the Council’s Cabinet (on 15 January 2025) and will provide a further 29,000 feet2 of modern retail space Plans also include promoting the “Kirkby Gateway” opportunity site (off Hall Lane) – this site of the former Kirkby Civic Building and Kirkby Swimming Pool has the capacity to deliver new homes and commercial office space to serve the town Through public consultations in Kirkby (“What Makes A Good Town Centre?” in March 2020 and “Let’s Talk About Kirkby” in 2024) many Kirkby residents have consistently asked for a more diverse range of shopping facilities This further phase of retail has been actively marketed to identify interested parties who would be prepared to deliver  As a result of wider investment in Kirkby and the success of the new retail development which has been delivered by the Council there is now strong market demand for further retail space to provide services which local residents want Regeneration and Economic Development Cabinet Member said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce a further new phase of retail development in Kirkby Town Centre  I know that local people have been asking for a wider offer in terms of retail in the town and I’m hopeful that we will be able to secure tenants very soon and then progress these plans “Kirkby has been identified as a great business location – footfall in the town has increased by a massive 160% and Kirkby Town Centre was highlighted by the Financial Times as one of the top three areas to best recover from the pandemic the newly refurbished travel hub has been a catalyst for businesses locating to Kirkby “Kirkby really is a fantastic location – for businesses visitors and investors – and I am looking forward to seeing the expansion of our retail offer.” Residents from Kirkby in Knowsley have created a brand-new cookbook with a Mediterranean-inspired diet to help try and curb the issue of obesity and its associated health risks The Kirkby Kitchen Cookbook features 26 healthy recipes that can all be cooked in an air fryer or slow cooker and replicate family favourite meals such as fish and chips or chicken nuggets but with simple twists that make them more nutritious and better for your overall health Cost has also been considered in the creation of the recipes which use simple easy to source ingredients and each meal is fully costed to help people to balance their budgets as well as their diet The group also had input from doctors working in primary care diabetes and liver medicine in addition to an Association for Nutrition registered nutritionist The project was funded by the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board Registered Nutritionist and Senior Lecturer from Liverpool John Moores University says: “The Mediterranean diet is well-evidenced  to be one of the healthiest diets worldwide This cookbook aims to improve the health of the residents of Kirkby by adapting already loved recipes into the Mediterranean style you can reap the benefits of the Mediterranean diet without having to give up the foods you love.” Liver Doctor and Researcher at the University of Liverpool says: “A common side effect of obesity is fatty liver disease which can increase your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure Eating a diet which contains more vegetables fish and white meat and less saturated fat and sugar and processed or red meat will lead to immediate and long-term health benefits including weight loss and a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.” Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Health says: “This is a brilliant initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of so many people in Kirkby and beyond the students from Liverpool John Moores University have been able to understand the challenges people face when trying to improve their diet They’ve produced a simple cookbook alongside some fantastic supporting resources – including instructional videos – to make sure that people can take control of their health through their diet.” The cookbook is free to download online at https://www.kirkbykitchen.co.uk/ Kirkby Gallery is set to host a brand-new exhibition “Made on Merseyside 2,” celebrating the rich tapestry of creative connections and industries flourishing in Knowsley and the wider Merseyside area and the Gallery is inviting the local community to contribute to the exhibition Running from 15 September to 12 December 2025 the exhibition will shine a spotlight on the region’s contributions to music and the compelling stories of local writers Building on the success of the original “Made on Merseyside” in 2019 the new exhibition will delve deeper into the borough’s cultural and creative landscape The first “Made on Merseyside” exhibition celebrated local businesses and products “Made on Merseyside 2” aims to highlight the artistic talent within the community Visitors can expect to see a fascinating array of objects and documents that illuminate the many captivating stories that have shaped the local cultural scene Key elements and display themes within the exhibition will include: If you have any memorabilia that evokes memories of local music gigs, TV series filmed in the area, or encounters with local writers – be it products, photos, gig tickets, posters, t-shirts, or even just a memorable story about the Merseyside cultural scene – the gallery would love to hear from you. You can email tina.ball@knowsley.gov.uk Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “We are thrilled to be bringing back a new and exciting iteration of our popular ‘Made on Merseyside’ exhibition we are focusing on the incredible creative talent that has emerged from Knowsley and the wider Merseyside area From iconic films and television shows to influential musicians and talented writers and this exhibition will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate these achievements and the stories behind them We encourage everyone to help shape this unique exhibition with their own stories and memorabilia and to join us at the gallery in the Autumn to discover the fascinating contributions made right here on our doorstep.” Anyone interested in finding out more about the “Made on Merseyside 2” exhibition or how they can contribute can email tina.ball@knowsley.gov.uk Newtown Gardens and Kirkby Market in Kirkby town centre are hosting a range of free Come along and be entertained with a range of musical acts including Dene Michael (Black Lace) Baby D (who rose to fame with “Let me Be Your Fantasy”) and Ian Van Dahl (rising to fame with “Castles in the Sky”) as well as a range of local acts from the local community  Kirkby-based Marvellous Markets is bringing their Artisan Market to Kirkby with a range of hand-made gifts to help you to get your Christmas shopping started as well as a range of cakes and bakes  Get into the festive spirit with Stray Horns playing a range of Christmas carols and favourites to entertain you whilst your shop Come and meet Santa and his helpers and ensure you share your wish list with Santa in time for the big day Every Friday (Friday 29 November – Friday 20 December) 1pm – 5pm Every Saturday (Saturday 30 November – 14 December) 11am-3pm Saturday 21 December – Tuesday 24 December 11am-3pm as well as take part in Christmas craft workshops and face painting Kirkby town centre will see the Christmas Crackers walkabout act as well as hear King Brass Band performing a range of festive tunes There’s also a craft workshop and face painting Buddy the Elf and The Grinch Street Theatre come along and meet your favourite characters from the iconic festive films Elf and The Grinch Buddy will be spreading Christmas cheer in his own unique way whilst The Grinch will be causing his usual mischief  Marvellous Markets will be returning on Saturday 21 December 2024 for a festive-themed market with a range of unique festive gifts just in time for Christmas and of course mince pies and mulled wine Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayohits radioliverpoolnewsKirkby: Teenager charged over double-stabbingPolice have also arrested a 15-year-old boy A 14-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder over a double-stabbing in Kirkby which left two other teenagers in hospital were seriously injured in an attack at a bus stop on Wednesday night (30 April) Police have also arrested a second suspect on suspicion of attempted murder and wounding with intent It is believed the stabbing relates to an early incident involving a group of youths on Tithe Barn Lane Extra police officers are currently patrolling Kirkby and have been given stop and search powers "Knives have no place on the streets of Merseyside and we will continue to do everything within our powers to find the people carrying and using weapons and bringing them to justice.” First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898) In response to a question asked at Council on Wednesday 22 January 2024 relating to differential building costs in Kirkby and Huyton and whether Kirkby’s development was going to be left as an “unfinished project” Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development confirmed that there aren’t any differences in building costs and that Kirkby is not an unfinished project “We are unapologetically ambitious when it comes to regenerating our town centres and it is that ambition that has made Knowsley the place it is today – a place that is the envy of many A place with multi-million-pound regeneration schemes in delivery across the borough as whole Regeneration schemes that are backed up by robust and strong business cases was not simply paused because there was a shortfall in funding it was paused because the cost increases meant its business case was undermined the cinema industry has struggled financially with a number of operators sadly no longer in existence Members were also updated that there is a strong business case to deliver the ambitious plans for Huyton and that the Council is proactively seeking financial support to deliver this scheme Cllr Brennan added “Just to be clear it is not the case that it is Huyton at the expense of Kirkby or indeed Prescot or Halewood come to that matter This Council is committed to delivering all of them and our track record to date demonstrates that we will “I cannot be clearer that this council remains committed to delivering an evening economy for Kirkby and that economy will be strong and robust officers are working tirelessly to deliver the right evening economy for Kirkby and sound progress is being made so much so I am hopeful that in the coming months I will be in a position to make positive announcements in relation to both family leisure as well as a food and beverage uses for the town centre.” A Section 34 Dispersal Zone has been introduced in Kirkby town centre as a response to an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area The order runs from 4pm tonight (Thursday 27 March) until 11.59pm tomorrow night Increased patrols will be in and around the town centre to provide a visible presence and deal with any incidents that arise The dispersal zone covers the area shown on the map Hall Lane and the areas contained within this boundary The order comes under Section 34 of the Anti-Social Behaviour & Policing Act 2014 which gives police officers and police community support traffic officers powers to direct people who are engaging in antisocial behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents These powers will not be used for anyone visiting the area and going about their daily business officers have the power to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour Should a person who has previously been directed to leave the area return Kirkby Neighbourhood Local Policing Inspector Andy Robinson said: “The use of such an order is never a decision taken lightly but it is necessary in view of recent incidents which have included abuse and intimidation of businesses “The order means that we can enhance our powers to protect residents businesses and visitors to the town centre none of whom should be exposed to a minority of youths who show a complete disregard to others “Those officers in the area can now approach people they suspect may be there to commit anti-social behaviour or other crimes If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action “I would also urge parents and guardians to know where the young people in your care are “If anyone returns to the town centre after being directed not to by police they could well find themselves being arrested Anyone who has been issued a Direction to Leave notice not to come back into the area during the time that has been specified to them by officers you would be committing an offence and could end up in custody.” You can pass any information on anti-social behaviour via our social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter or ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook You can also follow ‘Knowsley Police’ on Facebook and ‘MerPolKnowsley’ on X for updates and advice The Society of Wood Engravers 87th Annual Exhibition will be hosted in Knowsley this year The exhibition is a celebration of the enduring art and craft of wood engraving and will be at Kirkby Gallery from 6 May to15 August 2025 This marks the first time in over 25 years that this prestigious exhibition has taken place in the North West of England The Society of Wood Engravers was founded in 1920 and the 87th Annual Exhibition showcases over 120 meticulously crafted prints highlighting the diverse styles and subjects of contemporary engravers from the UK and internationally “We are incredibly excited to host this stunning exhibition,” said Cllr Shelley Powell “Wood engraving is a truly remarkable art form and this exhibition demonstrates its enduring appeal and the exceptional skill of its practitioners.” “And once again our local communities will benefit from having a world class art exhibition on their doorstep Local schools will be taking part in special workshops and there will be events and demonstrations taking place throughout its time at Kirkby Gallery.” The Entrance Gallery will feature ‘Letting in the Light’ a captivating book art exhibition also running from 6 May to 8 August 2025 explores the theme “Letting in the Light” through diverse printmaking and bookmaking techniques offering visitors the chance to acquire original artworks The Society of Wood Engravers 87th Annual Exhibition runs from Tuesday 6 May until Friday 15 August and Letting in the Light  runs from Tuesday 6 May until Friday 8 August Kirkby Gallery is located at the Kirkby Centre Opening times are Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) and Saturday 10am – 1pm (last entry 12.30pm) Wharfe Lane getting an improved road surface and longer life it’s a case that the current surface of the road has worn down across years of normal traffic use and is now getting to the end of its workable life.  “Improving the top layers of the road in the way we have planned means that we’re not only raising braking and grip performance for road users but also sealing in the road to protect it from the worst types of weather which will greatly increase its lifespan.”   The works will be carried out at Wharfe Lane March 17 and have a scheduled end date of Monday Work times onsite will be from 07.30 to 17.00 No weekend works are planned.    A road closure is required for the duration of the works with a diversion route in place throughout to reduce the amount of disruption on the local traffic network the road closure will reopen at the end of each shift.  the signed diversion route will be; C609 Main Street / C605 Rime’s Lane / A153 / C608 Wharfe Lane / C609 Kirkby Lane and vice versa.   Cllr Davies added: “These works will cost around £150,000 and will bring a very noticeable uplift to the local traffic network.   “The work here is another part of our ongoing roads maintenance plan for the county and whilst we are getting this scheme delivered I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone effected for their patience and understanding We will do everything possible to minimise disruption including lifting the road closure at the end of each shift.”   For up-to-date information about this and other roadworks, please visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/roadworks.   Wirral's independent local news website armed police were called to Whitefield Drive in Westvale to reports of two teenagers being stabbed Detectives believe the incident may have been linked to an earlier dispute which took place between a group of youths in the Tithe Barn Lane area and are appealing for any witnesses to come forward An investigation remains ongoing and house-to-house and witness enquiries are being carried out locally “Our initial enquiries suggest there may have been an earlier incident in the Tithe Barn Lane area and we believe that there are people who may have witnessed this “It was a pleasant summer’s evening and we know that there would have been people in and around the Westvale area and I would appeal for anyone who saw anything or captured something on their mobile phone or dashcam to contact us “We know incidents such as this involving young people causes a great deal of concern for our communities but I want the public to know we are working hard to proactively drive down knife crime in Merseyside “Preventing young people from being drawn into knife crime is a big priority and we are tackling this by working with partner agencies and charities including Merseyside’s Violence Reduction Partnership to identify young people at risk and help them turn their life around is clear – this places you in a dangerous situation and actually increases your chances of becoming hurt.” Anyone who believes they can assist the investigation is asked to contact @MerPolCC on X, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online via Give information anonymously | Crimestoppers with reference 25000358289 Image: GOOGLE Email us at news@birkenhead.news The Government has unveiled its Plan for Neighbourhoods with £1.5bn being allocated to 75 towns across the UK over the next 10 years This is the previously allocated £19.5m under the previous Government’s “Long Term Plan for Towns” fund The plan focusses on three long-term aims – to build thriving places strengthen communities and empower people to taking back control instead of “sticking plaster” policies Each area will benefit from a ‘Neighbourhood Board’ local businesses and grassroots campaigners to set a vision for the future of their community The funding will focus more explicitly on community regeneration that is fully-funded as well as doubling the policy options that local areas can choose to spend money on businesses and community campaigners and it will decide on how to spend the funding choosing from options that include rejuvenating highstreets “I’m delighted that the Government has today confirmed Kirkby’s £19.5m funding allocation we had already started to make inroads in Kirkby by asking the community about their priorities and we had convened our first Board meeting but progress had to stop due to the change in Government and waiting for clarity on whether the funding would continue we will pick up again where we left off and develop our Neighbourhood Plan working with the local community to deliver on the issues that are important to them.” The funding will be released from April 2025 and the Plan for Neighbourhoods areas were chosen based on a number of factors including deprivation and healthy life expectancy Some cookies are essential to make our website work we'd like to set other cookies to show us how our website is being used Market Street in Kirkby Lonsdale has reopened to vehicles Over 100 residential properties and 84 business properties in the town centre were directly impacted by a devastating fire in the early hours of Sunday December 8 the council addressed the immediate dangers posed by the damaged structures including a combination of demolition and structural scaffolding particularly concerning the compromised front of the Old Market Hall These critical stabilisation efforts were completed in two weeks allowing residents to return to their homes and businesses to begin reopening before Christmas.  The temporary measures required to secure the area resulted in Market Street being too narrow to safely accommodate both pedestrians and vehicles The width of the scaffolding has been reduced to enable the road to be reopened to traffic Additional concrete blocks have also been brought in to counterbalance the structural requirements of the scaffolding redesign and reduction in width Further site clearance works have taken place on the former Taylor’s building including rubble removal to create a site compound space lessening the number of road closures needed in the future once efforts towards rebuilding works start.  work has been carried out to improve the pedestrian footway at St Mary’s Court to allow safe passage of pedestrians and the road reopened today just after 5pm Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities said: “Reconnecting the town in this way is a major milestone in the town's recovery While the emotional impact will never fade entirely Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to doing everything in our power to support the community through this in the months and years ahead – and supporting the town's economic recovery.” said: "Reopening the road in time for the Easter holidays is a major step in the town’s recovery and we are delighted to have been able to overcome the many challenges we faced to make it happen It will take a bit of getting used to vehicles being back and we ask pedestrians and drivers to take extra care in that area." speaking on behalf of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership said: "The community deeply appreciates the support from far and wide show in the aftermath of the devastating fire cafes and bars and accommodation providers We hope visitors and residents will continue this by shopping local and discovering the unique offer of Kirkby Lonsdale and it’s strong have relocated and reopened in new premises within the town and have begun to start trading again This is fantastic news and we look forward to seeing them and the town going from strength to strength." The existing weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes (except for access) will continue to be in place with the diversion for HGVs to remain in place between Hop House Lane to the A65 and the one-way system down Market Street and Main Street is now reinstated Hoarding will be put up in the coming weeks and fencing currently in place will be replaced The council’s highways team will monitor the area to ensure the new arrangements remain safe for road users and pedestrians and that the one-way system is being used properly.  Free parking at Wellington Court has now ended and charges have been reinstated by Booths with effect on 1 April 2025.  Council officers are currently working with the Community Recovery Partnership to develop a town recovery strategy community and humanitarian/welfare matters The strategies are being informed by information gathered at the regular public meetings and the meeting for businesses arranged by Lizzi Collinge MP in Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club on 17 January.  The three key aims of Kirkby Lonsdale recovery are:  The Community Information Hub in St Mary’s Church has been stood down a message and call back service continues to be operated by the Community Cupboard at this time please call 015242 36404 and leave a message.  The Community Cupboard remains open for support and offers of donations Food bags can be collected anonymously from St Mary's Church or call the Community Cupboard on 015242 36404.  The Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal launched by Cumbria Community Foundation at the request of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership to help support the immediate and long-term recovery of people affected by the fire  The appeal launched with a donation of £50,000 from Westmorland and Furness Council and is focussed on individual hardship caused by the fire and will broadly support the following:   Click here to donate to the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal. Click here to find out more about the Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Recovery Appeal. More than 70 initial grants for immediate aid to people in urgent need have been made A second round of grants will be made shortly. The Go Fund Me page set up by Lunesdale Hall (Institute) charitable trust working with Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership and Cumbria Community Foundation has closed Discussions are taking place around the governance of grants from this fund and the disaster recovery appeal Further information will be available on the Kirkby Lonsdale website soon.  The fire caused significant internal and external damage to buildings near Taylor's Contractors were mobilised on the evening of 9 December to address these issues While progress has been delayed due to the need to safely disconnect a gas main further works are expected to resume later today the council is working to preserve the historic frontage of the Old Market Hall despite the challenges presented by the extensive damage Westmorland and Furness Council remains committed to delivering a caring ensuring the safety and well-being of all those affected while preserving the heritage of this much-loved town For more detailed information, please see the Kirkby Lonsdale - Q&A fact sheet There is lots of useful advice on what to do after a house fire on the British Red Cross website This includes helpful information on how to get important documents replaced Click here for advice on what to do after a house fire. You can also ring their support line – their team can help you to work through the steps you can take to start your recovery and offer emotional support The team is unable to offer financial assistance Call the British Red Cross support line on 0808 196 3651 impartial and confidential advice on a wide range of areas including debt consumer issues and any other problems.  You can contact them in the following ways: Cumbria Community Foundation have established an Appeal Fund and are closely working with others to ensure a joined up approach Click here to find out more about the appeal fund. Who can apply?• individuals or families whose homes and possessions have been damaged by the fire.• individuals or families who are suffering hardship due to business closure linked to the fire and the loss of income to their household Full details about eligibility are on the website If you haven’t already registered for support please contact the Community Hub on 015242 36404 We know that it can be harder to recover from this kind of event when you have additional responsibilities There are lots of specialist organisations that can offer support If none of these organisations seem appropriate to your needs please ask at the Community Support Hub for help to find other support organisations If you provide (unpaid) help and support to a friend or family member Carer Support South Lakeland support all unpaid carers from age 5 upwards; they can help you to find appropriate support and have an outreach worker who’s often in Kirkby Lonsdale Telephone 015396 815970 email admin@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk Click here to find out more about Carer Support South Lakeland. Age UK provide a wide range of support to older people (aged 50 and over).  Their helpline number is 030 300 30003 and there’s more information on their website Click here to find out more about Age UK South Lakeland. It’s completely normal to find an event like the recent fire distressing even if your mental health is normally good But if you find yourself struggling over the coming weeks Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides 24-hour access to mental health care you can speak to a member of the team where you can discuss your current mental health needs You don’t have to have used their services before or to have been diagnosed with a mental health condition Click here for more information about support available from Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. They’re open 12 noon to 11pm Monday to Friday Call 0300 561 0000, text “Mind” to 81006, or click here to find out more about Mindline Cumbria.  Kooth provides free, safe and anonymous online mental health support for young people. Click here to find out more about Kooth. Shout provides 24/7 mental health support by text – just text “Shout” to 85258.  Click here to investigate the wide range of resources on the Shout website. Click here to access other mental health resources on the Every Life Matters website.  advice and guidance tailored to social enterprises is available from the Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership Click here to find out more about Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership  For further enquiries please contact Becx Carter at CSEP on 07786 678283 or click here to email becx.carter@secumbria.org.uk Some businesses may already be in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief or have other rates reliefs for their premises. If you are unsure about eligibility for rates relief, please contact us at counciltax3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or call 0300 373 3300 The council has suspended issuing business rates recovery or reminder documents for affected premises for the remainder of 2024 Any business can cancel their direct debit mandate if they do not want payments to be collected this month Business rates exemptions can be awarded for periods when occupation of the premises has been prohibited Ratepayers can ask for a temporary reduction in Rateable Value where there is “local disruption” by contacting the Valuation Office.  Click here to find out more about asking for a temporary reduction in Rateable Value. The council can also award longer-term business rates relief on the grounds of hardship Click here for for further information on how to apply for longer-term business rates relief on the grounds of hardship Enterprising Cumbria can provide free 1-2-1 adviser support from specialist partners Support can be tailored to your business needs during this recovery period Click here to find out more about Cumbria Accelerator or contact Programme Manager Leslie Rickerby at leslie.rickerby@enterprisingcumbria.org.uk For support with business continuity or disruption call 0844 257 8450 or email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk. emotional and local support contact Robin Sadler on 07831 260119 Council officers will be working with the Community Recovery Partnership in the new year to develop a town recovery strategy Email econ.dev3@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.  Click here to find out more about Invest in Westmorland and Furness. Cumbria Tourism promotes the area regionally Contact info@cumbriatourism.org or call 01539 822222 My Cumbria Card – businesses can add an offer for free at any time and Cumbria Tourism promote this free of charge to all members, via social media, events and so on. Click here to find out more about the My Cumbria Card. Subscribe today and we'll email you the latest newsletter updates about your new council Choose from a range of topics so that you only receive emails about the areas and services which interest you the most Subscribe to news updates New Help improve this site by giving feedback Only use this form to give us feedback about how the website is working - If you want to tell us about an issue or problem with our services, or you need a response to an issue, please contact us Sign our campaign for a grant funding review Knowsley Council bought the town centre for £44m in 2019 The second phase of the project will feature an additional 29,000 sq ft of shops fronting Telegraph Road following the completion of the 94,000 sq ft phase one next door in 2021 Knowsley Council is ready to resume the regeneration of the Kirkby town centre site it acquired from St Modwen for £44m in 2019 after the project was paused following completion of the Morrisons-anchored initial phase A 1.4-acre site currently partly occupied by surface car park is earmarked for redevelopment into a 24,000 sq ft discount supermarket and a separate 5,000 sq ft unit “Credible national retailers” have shown an interest in the £4m project according to a report to Knowsley Council’s cabinet The council plans to borrow £2m to part-fund the project and anticipates to make the money back from rental income within five years While phases one and two of Kirkby town centre’s regeneration are given over to retail and a gym – Home Bargains and PureGym feature alongside Morrisons in phase one – a later project billed as Kirkby Gateway features plans for a hotel This scheme would be constructed immediately south of phase two according to an indicative masterplan Other completed projects within the town centre masterplan include the redevelopment of the site’s multi-storey car park and the refurbishment of the former Barclaycard building Plans to deliver a cinema on the site of the town’s former library have been in the pipeline since 2020 but were paused by the council in 2022 due to rising costs. Read our comments policy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" We don’t want more retail stores we and charity shops what we really want is proper restaurants where you have table service and entertainment like turning the old bms into say a bowling alley or a roller disco Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s funding injection would allow staff to move out of offices earmarked for demolition which would set in motion the Huyton Village Project masterplan £163m project to enhance the town’s centre The budget supermarket chain has earmarked nine acres north of Cables Way for a food store in a scheme now approved by Knowsley Council Register for free North West property intelligence Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" Development will take place in four phases Housebuilder Barratt David Wilson is expected to pay £7.7m in Section 106 contributions following the go-ahead for land south of Cherryfield Drive The 56-acre Cherryfield Drive site has long been a part of plans for the regeneration of Kirkby town centre and was sold by the council to BDW in September 2021 as part of a housing land disposal programme Two rounds of consultation then followed as the developer finalised its plans a number that had shrunk to five following the second round Summer 2023 saw the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority increase the project’s brownfield support grant from £4.65m to £11.5m Some demolition is still required: part of the site formerly housed Knowsley Community College The professional team includes planner Asteer Homes will be fitted with electric vehicle charging points Most of the homes will be three- or four-bed with 371 homes and 316 dwellings respectively in those size bands would be in the south-east of the site to the south of the leisure centre A 284-home second phase would be in the north-west of the site (where the college is) with phase three’s 218 plots in the central section of the site and the area bounded by Whinberry Drive and Pondwater Close would be to the north-east of the site to the north of the leisure centre and bounded by the existing car park The Section 106 developer contributions are earmarked for: Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development said: “This is a great opportunity for Kirkby to further build on its economic growth in recent years The proposals will provide more much needed new homes to meet the rising demand we are seeing and targets we are being set nationally to tackle the housing crisis The plans will bring high quality homes into the town and more people into the town centre – which can only be a good thing for local businesses and for future investment that we all want to see.” The project will be designed to connect to open spaces through the Kirkby Brook green corridor Should the project be delivered as envisaged it would bring towards a close a development story that has been live for most of this century led a project that would also have seen Everton FC relocate to Kirkby before the Secretary of State threw out the plans Tesco sold the town centre retail core to St Modwen in 2015 the developer later selling on its holdings to the council BDW’s proposals can be viewed in full on Knowsley’s planning portal Are these houses anywhere near Kirkby’s two Merseyrail stations 80 affordable homes out of 800 being built Greedy Knowsley council continuing their plans to turn Kirkby into a concrete jungle with minimal greenspace Its great to see the regeneration of this brownfield site getting the nod from Knowsley’s planning committee despite the usual outrage from the NIMBY parade If we can’t support building homes on sites like these we have no hope The selfish letter writing home owning objectors out in force no doubt Working in partnership with Knowsley Council the regeneration specialist is looking to advance a £163m development programme The City Visitor Charge will haul in an estimated £9.2m over the next two years The Chair of the Kirkby Town Board and Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development have shared their disgust at an article in a national newspaper which characterised Kirkby as having a “ghastly air of desertion.” by journalist Christopher Howse failed to acknowledge the ongoing investment into the town and instead used historical stereotypical anecdotes and his own negative views to paint a inaccurate and disappointing picture of Kirkby in 2025 Max Steinberg has written to the journalist directly I read your article published in the Telegraph dated 1 April My initial thought being it must be an April fool for an article that in its first line states –  as fact – something completely untrue (something your own article later proves) I also wonder if you intended to come across as utterly condescending – as you certainly achieved it You begin by stating: “the town has repeatedly been promised regeneration but it has yet to materialise.”  There follows rather long and rambling selective history of Kirkby designed to paint the town and its people in the most negative light as you state yourself much later in the article the reality is that £43.8 million has been invested in regenerating Kirkby town centre in recent years led by the local Council – when the private sector failed to  deliver – has brought the community a local Morrisons supermarket something you also acknowledge the town had not had for decades And would not have had for longer if the Council hadn’t stepped in Yes – that retail offer does include ‘fast food’ outlets Work is also progressing on a second phase of retail development that will deliver a further 26,000 sq ft of modern space which has already attracted serious interest from major brands – further demonstrating the tangible commercial success of the town the retail development alone has already created an additional 500 jobs for local people as well as boosting the local economy by £15.3m per annum – something else you have failed to mention There have also been 940 new homes built in the last 5 years helping to boost the population highways improvements and a new Kirkby Market All of this information is publicly available and should you have wished you could have mentioned but you carefully chose not to – so as not to ruin the fun of sneering at others and making judgements about areas that are not your own you use an anecdote from a resident in 1963 and a police report from 1975 all backed up with comments from a Pevsner Architectural Guide – not exactly relevant sources to assess the high street in Kirkby in 2025 But clearly these sources do seem to help you hammer home your message that Kirkby is to be firmly looked down upon frustrated hopes etc also help you to drive home your views I will refrain from commenting on the fact you also mention the tragic death of James Bulger I am sorry that the prospect of a visit to Kirkby left you with some “trepidation” but as you remark yourself the “people here lack the methodical hostility often apparent in London,” so hopefully it wasn’t too difficult a visit for you in the end And whilst I am sure that my letter will have no influence whatsoever on your opinion of our town or its people Views that are based on a real understanding of the town and its people I am more than familiar with Kirkby – its history and also its potential too That’s why I was delighted to be appointed as the Chair of the Kirkby Town Board back in 2024 this Board was created specifically to oversee a further £20 million of investment into the town An investment that will be guided by local people who we have actively consulted with and will continue to talk to about the future of their town – a town that they are quite rightly proud of I make no claim that the town’s regeneration is complete – there is still considerable work to be done but Kirkby is far from the forgotten wasteland you describe I will leave you with some real facts about Kirkby Facts that regrettably didn’t make it into your article but that are actually relevant to a commentary on Kirkby’s high street and might have been useful to include – for context: whilst you clearly wanted to paint a picture of decline and desperation they are readily available to anyone – including journalists – who are actually interested in understanding the town It is incredibly disappointing that you chose not to do this and instead provided a misleading and prejudiced article from start to finish I think people – not just those in Kirkby – have the right to expect better from a national media outlet Rayonewsuknews14-year-old arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after Kirkby double stabbing Two teenagers are in hospital A teenage boy has been arrested following a double stabbing in Kirkby on Wednesday night Emergency services were called to Whitefield Drive in the Westvale area at around 8.25pm after reports that two teenagers had been stabbed A 15-year-old boy suffered multiple wounds to the body while a 14-year-old girl was treated for a stab wound to the chest Both remain in hospital in serious but stable condition Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in custody Police say he will be interviewed by detectives CCTV and witness enquiries are being carried out locally Detective Inspector Graeme Osborne said: “Our initial enquiries suggest there may have been an earlier incident in the Tithe Barn Lane area and we believe that there are people who may have witnessed this Rayo is the home of your favourite radio stations and podcasts - get the app on iOS & Android, or head to hellorayo.co.uk Bauer Media Group consists of : Bauer Consumer Media Ltd Merseyside Police said the teenager had also been charged with wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article in a public place after two teenagers were allegedly stabbed in Kirkby on Wednesday The boy has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Liverpool Youth Remand court on Friday The two injured teenagers are still in hospital where they remain in a stable condition A second suspect – a 15-year-old boy – has been arrested as part of the investigation and is currently being questioned by detectives in custody A high police presence remains in the area to provide reassurance to the public and a S60 order which gives officers increased stop and search powers Read more from Sky News:Starmer suffers defeat in first by-election as PMNHS may offer over-the-counter weight loss jabs Detective Inspector Graeme Osborne said the investigation was “ongoing” despite the developments “We are continuing to appeal for anyone with information to come forward,” he said “Knives have no place on the streets of Merseyside and we will continue to do everything within our powers to find the people carrying and using weapons and bringing them to justice.” Merseyside Police has asked anyone who may have information about the alleged incident to get in touch Tel: 01377 828 121  Email: info@greatdriffieldradio.co.uk Privacy Policy | Competition Terms | Contact us Three men have been jailed for murdering a 36-year-old man following a drive-by shooting in Merseyside Rikki Berry died after a balaclava-clad man riding an electric bike fired four shots at him in Quarryside Drive The electric bike was travelling on the pavement but in convoy was a black Ateca Cupra being driven in the same direction on the road The car and the bike were alongside each other outside Mr Berry’s address Williams and Walsh were both present to oversee the killing Telephone evidence showed the three men were in contact with each other in the run-up to the murder They were all together in the Cupra minutes before the shooting as they drove to conduct a recce of the scene the defendants dropped their phones and Williams left the Merseyside area bullet casings were recovered from the scene of the shooting  DNA matching Walsh was recovered from one of these casings Williams was arrested on 24 July 2024 at a rural property in Woolston he ran from the property and was found hiding in undergrowth Walsh was interviewed on 31 July 2024 but denied any knowledge of the killing He said he was an old friend of Williams and the calls between them on the day were to order drugs when DNA evidence from the scene was put to him  He declined to answer police questions All three men were subsequently charged with murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.  Walsh and Williams served defence statements naming Smith as the gunman.  Smith pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life but continued to deny murder all were following guilty of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life after a trial lasting nearly four weeks at Liverpool Crown Court Williams and Smith must serve a minimum of 31 years in jail before they can be considered for release Walsh must serve a minimum of 30 years.  Senior Crown Prosecutor Nicola Wyn Williams of CPS Mersey-Cheshire execution-style murder committed on a summer evening in July "Rikki Berry was at home with his partner and young children when four shots were fired at him by Smith.  "It was only a matter of chance that no-one else was injured or killed by the gunman’s actions  The car and bike were acting in tandem Merseyside Police had identified the defendants as suspects the Crown Prosecution Service had authorised murder charges and all three were before the court "This has been a difficult and dynamic case I’m grateful to all those involved in supporting the investigation and prosecution in achieving today’s convictions." Find out what's new at the Crown Prosecution Service's digital News Centre Browse & search Popeyes® UK has announced that it will be bringing its Louisiana-style fried chicken to Kirkby with the launch of its new drive-thru restaurant on Monday 17th March 2025 at 11am Marking its third launch in Merseyside and its 73rd nationwide since landing in the UK Popeyes® will once again be pulling out all the stops for the new opening Popeyes® will be showcasing its New Orleans hospitality with exciting giveaways for locals on launch day the first three people queuing both on foot and in cars will win free Chicken Sandwiches for a full year* the first 100 customers will be rewarded with a free Chicken Sandwich customers need to be one of the first 50 pedestrians in the queue or one of the first 50 vehicles in the Drive-Thru lane Guests looking to visit on launch day are advised to get down quickly to beat the round-the-block queues which have become synonymous with Popeyes® UK restaurant openings with eager chicken fans queuing at the Lord Street restaurant from as early as 10pm the night before fried chicken fans in Kirkby will be able to get a taste of the full Popeyes® menu including fan-favourites like the iconic Popeyes® Chicken Sandwich All of Popeyes® chicken is marinated for 12 hours on-site in its signature blend of bold Louisiana seasoning then hand-breaded and battered for its signature ‘Shatter Crunch’ – complemented by tasty extras like biscuits and Cajun gravy The brand-new Saucin’ Boneless and Hot Wings range will also be available from opening day New Orleans-inspired flavours: cheesy Garlic Parm  Each portion of the Saucin’ range features a ‘whole lotta sauce’ smothered over its iconic spicy Hot Wings or all-new boneless chicken breast pieces The breakfast menu will also be available from 8am on Tuesday 18th March Featuring British breakfast classics with a Louisiana twist Cajun Hash Browns and indulgent Nutella-topped buttermilk biscuits Breakfast will be available 8am until 11am every day, and will even include a Breakfast meal deal for just £1.99—consisting of the Chicken Brekkie Roll, a Cajun Hash Brown and a drink and can be claimed exclusively through the Popeyes® UK app, available to download here now “Our new Kirkby restaurant follows the success of our two other locations across Merseyside and is all about delivering flavour-packed food and a warm We look forward to being part of the local area and serving up our famous shatter-crunchin’ fried chicken to the people of Kirkby very soon.” READ MORE: Duke Street Food and Drink Market welcomes new vendor By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Conditions and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Explore Liverpool about news We never share your information with anyone Stay up to date with all the best articles Explore Liverpool is a central hub for the Liverpool City Region helping not only visitors and students but also residents of the city Knowsley’s Crime and Communities team recently organised a successful community impact day in Kirkby Town Centre with community safety partners and other local agencies Catch 22 and Victim Care Merseyside engaged with residents shoppers and town centre businesses as part of the community impact day The theme of the day was ‘Report and Support’ encouraging people to look out for and report signs of drug-related activity The focus of the initiative is for residents to report where the supply of drugs is being undertaken but to take a sympathetic and supportive approach to those who are dependent on the drugs encouraging them to access local treatment and recovery services community safety partners in Knowsley are encouraging people to look out for the signs of drug-related activity and understand the impact the illegal drug trade has on communities Report drug related offending to the police on 999 (in an emergency) or 101 or contact Crimestoppers to provide information 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website Support those with drug and alcohol addiction by signposting them to Change Grow Live Knowsley on 0151 482 6291 You can find more information about the initiative here said: “This initiative and the community impact day is a good example of Knowsley Better Together partnership working The illegal drug trade can have a devastating impact on communities This initiative encourages people to report the trade and to signpost users to the treatment and recovery services they need.” The HENRY Healthy Families: Right from the Start group is coming to Kirkby this month Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young (HENRY) 8-week programme offers parents a chance to share ideas and gain new skills and tools to help their little ones flourish It’s for families with children 0 to 5 years old addressing lifestyle issues in a supportive and fun environment The weekly sessions will start on Friday 24 January, 9.30 to 11.30am, at Northwood Family Hub, The Pride, 2 Simonswood Lane.  To book your space on this free course call 0151 443 5633 or email: earlyyearsservice@knowsley.gov.uk Seven HENRY programmes were delivered in Knowsley from 2022/23 to 2023/24 reaching 46 children aged between 0-5 and 40 parents Feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive for all seven programmes : Knowsley’s iconic Owl and Pussycat sculptures are continuing their tour around the Borough and are now located in Kirkby town centre until the end of October The sculptures have already visited Huyton Village Centre Halewood and more recently Prescot town centre you’ll be able to find 27 Owls and Pussycats in total which can be found in fifteen different locations across Kirkby town centre including the William Shakespeare themed “A Midsummer Night Owl” and a Beatles-themed “Owl-y Need Is Love” were inspired by the famous Edward Lear poem and all have a unique design that reflect a part of Knowsley’s history and culture They were created and formed a pivotal part of the programme when Knowsley hosted the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture in 2022 Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “It’s great to see the spectacular Owls and Pussycats continuing their tour around the Borough Halewood and Prescot have loved to see them out and about when they visited and Kirkby residents businesses and visitors will love them too “Public art trails like this are fun for all ages and are such a great way to explore the local area It’s the perfect summer holidays activity for families.“ You can pick up a trail map at Kirkby Gallery or download it here: Owls and Pussycats Kirkby Trail Map Share your photos with us on social media using #OwlAndPussycat The Leader of Knowsley Council visited one of the community projects which has received a grant from the Winter Wellness Fund to see the work that taking place to support residents. In total, 30 community groups and voluntary organisations across the borough received grants of up to £5,000 from the £110,000 programme – funded from the Council’s Public Health budget. Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, visited the Eco-Therapy Garden in Towerhill. The project provides a hot meal and a warm, safe space for people of all ages to every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, alongside the foodbank and outdoor therapy garden offer. The Leader spoke with a number of volunteers at the centre, along with service users to understand how the project and grant funding was supporting them. Advertisement cookies to view the content." data-cli-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LpM9w7GjlAA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen> Winter Wellness Grants enable community and voluntary sector organisations to help people to keep warm through the winter by addressing fuel poverty and the cost of living as well as addressing social isolation and loneliness A wide range of projects were awarded funding this year These include those offering winter food packs stay and play sessions and cooking lessons A full table of activities based on location is available below The Winter Wellness Grant programme is now its third year and has been vital in enabling groups across the borough to support people during the winter months particularly those who are most at risk from cold conditions and especially those on lower incomes and those not living in energy efficient housing The Winter Wellness Fund supports the delivery of projects over the winter months The current round of grant funded projects are now coming to an end but many of the organisations will continue to run other projects throughout the year Cllr Graham Morgan said: “I was delighted to visit the Eco-Therapy Garden and speak with volunteers and service users “The Warm Cosy Home Project is a vital service to many of our residents who might experience social isolation or struggle with cooking a healthy “Spending time at projects such as this demonstrates the importance of the Winter Wellness Grants programme.” The Eco Therapy Garden is located at Tower Hill Community Centre Ebony Way, L331XT. You find out more about the charity on Instagram and Facebook