Elliot Jessett

A homelessness project run by Roger Smalley at Liverpool's St Bride's Church may lose its longstanding Thursday evening venue after 30 years. The service has provided about 60,000 meals and a dependable support network for vulnerable people, but church officials say they need the evening for a new recovery-focused project and have offered an alternative day. Smalley and volunteers fear changing the schedule could disrupt the routine and cut off people who depend on the service, while further discussions are planned.

Hollywood executive Ari Emanuel’s Mari Group has agreed to acquire ATG Entertainment, operator of Liverpool’s Empire Theatre and around 70 venues across the UK, US, Germany and Spain, in a deal believed to be worth approximately £4.5bn. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and closing conditions. Ownership of the Empire building will remain with the charitable Merseyside Trust Ltd, while ATG will continue managing its commercial operations and maintenance under a sublet agreement. Mari Group says it plans to preserve, modernise and invest across ATG’s theatres, including expanding opportunities for local artists and audiences.

The Very Group transferred 530 customer-care jobs to outsourcing company Teleperformance, with some roles now being relocated to South Africa. Workers in Liverpool and Bolton say promised redeployment has not materialised, colleagues have been placed on gardening leave and some face redundancy, while others have been asked to train overseas replacements. The Very Group says no redundancies were made as part of the TUPE transfer and that staff were supported; Teleperformance says alternative roles depend on suitable vacancies, working patterns and training requirements. USDAW is supporting affected employees amid widespread uncertainty, financial hardship and declining mental health.

The stalled Islington Quarter housing scheme in Liverpool has been renamed Abbey Row and is expected to begin construction in the final quarter of 2026, subject to Building Safety Regulator approval. Bentry Capital’s in-house contractor, Mellior Construction, plans to deliver 241 homes in Phase 1, with more than 70% reportedly pre-sold and completions targeted for 2028. The wider development is intended to provide more than 1,000 homes and include amenities such as a gym, cinema, co-working lounge, rooftop terrace and retail space.

Residents near the former Liverpool Party Pads venue on Walton Road describe years of all-night parties, noise, litter, property damage and anti-social behaviour. Although the premises has reportedly not operated as a short-term let for more than a year, the building remains in poor condition, with disrepair, dangling electrical fittings and accumulated rubbish. Liverpool City Council says it has instructed the owner to address multiple issues and is monitoring the site, while residents and local councillor Trish O'Brien say the response has been inadequate. The venue's former owner, Stephen Charlesworth, was previously convicted over fire-safety breaches, and the property's lease is now held by SC Holdco Ltd, with ongoing legal matters and no settled plan for future use. A return to short-stay accommodation has not been ruled out.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival returns for its 24th year with a ten-day programme themed around the concept of home, featuring performances, exhibitions, workshops and family events across Liverpool. Led by chair Afrah Qassim, the festival continues its mission to celebrate Arab heritage, support artists from the region and its diaspora and promote cultural understanding. The schedule includes music, film screenings, artist talks, culinary events and a major family day at Sefton Park Palm House.

Hundreds of BT Group jobs in Liverpool are at risk as the company plans to close its office in The Plaza, potentially relocating staff to Manchester or Leeds. Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, local MPs and Liverpool City Council have urged BT to reconsider and explore alternatives to retain jobs in the city. Around 601 employees, including 999 call handlers, face possible relocation or redundancy. The Communications and Workers Union is pressing BT to maintain a Liverpool presence, arguing the move would cause significant disruption to workers and their families. BT has begun consultation and says it will consider all feedback while supporting affected staff.

Local councillors warn that parts of Liverpool are being overwhelmed by unregulated HMOs as property owners exploit gaps between licensing and planning systems. A long‑running nine‑bed HMO in Anfield was denied a certificate of lawfulness despite having held a licence for years, prompting questions about how it operated without planning approval. Councillor Joe Dunne criticised Serco, the Home Office and Liverpool City Council for insufficient checks, while the property owner said it assumed permissions were already in place. The council acknowledged resident concerns and said enforcement and cross‑department coordination are being strengthened as investigations continue into suspected breaches in areas such as Tuebrook.

A long-disused Grade II–listed pub in Liverpool city centre remains boarded up despite decades of interest and multiple expired planning applications. Research shows Liverpool City Council owns the freehold, with no active redevelopment plans currently in place. Local residents have expressed nostalgia and concern, while the council states it recognises the building’s heritage value and supports restoring historic assets when viable opportunities emerge.

BT Group plans to close its Liverpool city centre office, putting more than 600 jobs at risk, including BT Business staff, Openreach workers and 999 call handlers. The company is considering relocating some employees to Manchester or Leeds, offering relocation packages or enhanced redundancy. Local representatives including MP Kim Johnson and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram have criticised the lack of consultation and urged BT to reconsider, arguing Liverpool offers strong conditions for continued operations. BT says the decision follows a strategic review as it modernises its estate, with consultation set to begin later in July as the lease expires next March.

Liverpool City Council refused a retrospective application to continue using St Joseph’s House in Childwall as a 35‑bed HMO, citing inadequate living conditions including poor light, privacy issues, and insufficient communal space. The council determined that previous use did not establish lawful HMO status, despite historic licences. Local Liberal Democrat councillors criticised enforcement failures, while council officials said action depends on reported breaches. Donna Properties, which purchased the building in 2024 and invested in refurbishment, plans to appeal and disputes claims that residents face poor conditions.

A long-vacant former bank building in Everton is set for online auction with a guide price of £230,000, after previous demolition and redevelopment plans expired. Once home to Coopers Upholstery, the site is being sold by Joint Fixed Charge Receivers following a borrower default. A prior proposal for a six‑storey apartment block by Erin Strategic Land Limited has lapsed, with the developer now in insolvency. The freehold sale will be conducted by Landwood Property Auctions on July 15.

A Sefton children's home operated by Theophelian Limited received an upgraded Ofsted rating of Good following significant improvements in safeguarding, leadership and consistency of care. Inspectors reported more effective management, stable staffing and better support for family contact. The company credited its restructuring and investment in staff and systems for the progress, highlighting improved outcomes for the child in its care.

Residents in Maghull are raising urgent concerns over the deteriorating condition of Moss Side Lake, where falling water levels have caused wildlife deaths and safety hazards. Confusion over responsibilities between Persimmon Homes and management company RMG contributed to disputes over fencing installation and charges to residents. Initial investigations confirm no drainage damage, but water inlets lack a connected supply following demolition of former hospital buildings. Residents and Cllr David Leatherbarrow argue that promised remedial works and required environmental reviews remain incomplete, calling for immediate action to address risks to children and local wildlife. Persimmon maintains that water level changes are natural and says it is willing to fund further ecological work while RMG addresses its administrative errors.

Residents near Anfield voice strong frustration over Liverpool FC’s proposal to permanently close part of Anfield Road, accusing the club of breaking earlier assurances that the road would reopen after stadium expansion. Councillors question the club’s integrity and raise concerns over insufficient security risk assessment, loss of trees and parking spaces, and increasing disruption from events and concerts. The club cites rising hostile vehicle threats and improved pedestrian flow as reasons for the closure, supported by Merseyside Police. Liverpool City Council says it is increasing enforcement and cleanup efforts, while the planning committee has delayed a final decision pending a site visit.

Liverpool residents and community groups celebrated after the Planning Inspectorate dismissed appeals for two rejected housing developments in Croxteth and Kirkdale. Both proposals, backed by companies linked to the same directors, were criticised for lacking affordable housing and threatening valued green spaces. The Rotunda community organisation led opposition to the Kirkdale scheme, highlighting the site’s importance for recreation and the need for better-quality, community-led housing. Inspectors found insufficient justification for the developers’ limited financial contributions and cited harm to local character, trees and open space as reasons for upholding the council’s original refusals. Community leaders now plan to pursue their own affordable housing initiatives in partnership with Liverpool City Council.

The UK Defence Investment Plan confirms a strategic shift toward drone technology and reduced emphasis on shipbuilding, but existing Ministry of Defence contracts at Balaena Birkenhead remain unaffected. Balaena’s leadership welcomes the plan as an opportunity to strengthen Britain’s maritime industrial capacity and support skilled employment in Merseyside. CEO Simon Gillett highlights the shipyard’s readiness to meet Royal Navy needs and contribute to national security, while the MoD reiterates its commitment to sustaining the UK shipbuilding industry and enabling future contract bids under the Hybrid Navy strategy.

Britannia Hotels announced a major redevelopment programme for the Adelphi Hotel and confirmed the appointment of four new directors as it approaches its 50th anniversary. The company continues to face criticism for long-term decline of the property and ongoing legal proceedings following the death of a guest at another Liverpool site. Britannia also updated plans for the closed Pontins Southport location, with proposals submitted to Sefton Council. The new board will lead refurbishment efforts and oversee improvements across the brand’s portfolio.

Teachers at St Margaret’s Church of England Academy plan to strike on July 15 after a ballot showed overwhelming support for industrial action over excessive workload, working conditions and alleged broken promises. The National Education Union says negotiations with All Saints Multi Academy Trust have failed to resolve concerns affecting staff wellbeing and student education. The trust says it respects the right to strike and will implement plans to maintain operations and minimize disruption, promising to keep parents informed of any changes.

A century‑old mock Tudor pub in Old Swan, The Glasshouse, has been sold after six years of vacancy and deterioration following its 2020 closure. Residents describe the site as an eyesore due to rats, broken windows and fly‑tipping, but welcome news of the sale and hope for a new pub, restaurant or independent hospitality venue. Previous redevelopment plans, including commercial units and flats approved by Liverpool City Council and proposals involving Optimum Group, never progressed. Howsale, the auctioneer, has secured a buyer, with details of future plans expected after administrative steps are completed.

Leasehold campaigners Katie Kendrick and Cath Williams recount how discovering escalating costs and restrictive terms in their leasehold homes sparked a nationwide movement to reform England and Wales’ leasehold system. Their National Leasehold Campaign helped influence key legislation including the Leasehold Reform Act 2022 and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which target unfair ground rents and push toward commonhold ownership. Despite reforms, many existing leaseholders remain trapped by high fees and devaluing properties, prompting continued pressure for wider changes such as banning new leasehold flats and capping ground rents. The government plans to advance the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, while trade bodies like the Residential Freehold Association oppose some measures, citing financial risk.