Haider Saleem

Woodside Drive-In Cinema in Birkenhead must leave its waterfront site beside Woodside Ferry Terminal by March 2027 after Merseytravel, which owns the land, sought its return. Co-owners Karen Hall and Kevin Wood plan to relocate, initially looking elsewhere on the Wirral, but have not secured a new site. The cinema began as a temporary six-month attraction in 2018 and became popular for seasonal screenings, family events and proposals, attracting about 50 cars per screening and up to 75 during the autumn and winter. Hall says the two employees are expected to move with the business and remains confident it can continue elsewhere.

Mohammed Al Masri was sentenced to eight years in prison for raping a woman he approached in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens after a night out. He offered to arrange a taxi and posed as a good Samaritan, but took her to his home in Abbey Hey, where he raped her while another man remained in the room. Police located the address after the victim's boyfriend shared her location and arrested Al Masri. He denied the offence and claimed the sex was consensual, but was convicted at trial. The victim described severe fear and lasting emotional trauma, while police and prosecutors said Al Masri had deliberately targeted a vulnerable woman.

Ian Rush has helped assemble “All You Need Is Rush,” a career retrospective opening at Liverpool's Anfield museum on 14 August 2026. The exhibition features his trophies, Golden Boots, match balls, shirts, international caps and memorabilia from Liverpool, Juventus and Wales, alongside a hologram presentation. Rush, Liverpool's record goalscorer with 346 goals in 660 appearances, said revisiting the items made him emotional and brought back memories of his major club and international achievements, including the 1986 FA Cup final victory over Everton and Wales's 1991 win over Germany.

A nine-year-old girl alerted volunteers to a fire at Stockport Cricket Club on 18 July, prompting play to stop and children and spectators to move to safety. No one was injured, and the match resumed after about 45 minutes. The club says the incident was part of a wider pattern since 2022 involving fires, trespassing, vandalism, racist graffiti and threats to staff. Greater Manchester Police identified six related reports between April 2025 and January 2026, while the volunteer-run club reported rising repair and security costs and declining bar takings. Stockport Council said it was working with the club and other partners to deter unauthorised access and improve safety in Cale Green Park.

Liverpool City Council's planning committee has indicated that it is minded to refuse Liverpool FC's request to keep a road beside Anfield permanently closed to vehicles, despite planning officers recommending approval. Residents and councillors said the closure had worsened traffic and harmed community relations, while the club and Counter Terrorism Policing North West argued that reopening the road would create pedestrian and vehicle-attack risks. A final decision is still pending, and the application also seeks permission for concerts and other major events in July for one additional season.

Eleven roads in Huyton, Merseyside, were closed after a black Cupra left Liverpool Road and crashed into a lamp-post shortly before 02:00 BST. Merseyside Police and emergency services attended the scene, but no information about possible injuries had been released. Police urged people to avoid the area and appealed for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage.

Businesses and landlords in Liverpool have been urged to inspect and maintain rooftop bird netting after two gulls were found trapped and injured at The Albany apartment block. One gull died after suffering a broken pelvis, while the other was taken to an RSPCA wildlife centre. The RSPCA warned that damaged netting and gaps can cause entanglement, dehydration and starvation, although properly fitted netting remains legal and can be humane. Natural England said suitable mesh and regular maintenance are required because wild birds, nests and eggs are protected by law. The RSPCA also reported a separate gull trapped for about 48 hours at Notre Dame Catholic Academy, which agreed to remove its rooftop netting.

A large woodland and grass fire in Macclesfield Forest prompted a major response involving ten fire engines, specialist units and helicopter water drops supported by United Utilities. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service urged the public to avoid the area due to rapidly changing conditions and heavy smoke, asking residents to keep windows closed and drivers to maintain clear access routes. Firefighters are using wildfire equipment and sectoring the scene, coordinated through an incident command unit with support from Cheshire Police.

Local hospitality businesses near Royal Birkdale reported substantial boosts in sales during The Open, with pubs and coffee shops seeing up to fourfold increases in turnover. Owners highlighted increased demand, higher operating costs and strong community support. The event attracted more than 300,000 visitors and generated positive economic impacts across Sefton and the Liverpool City Region, with commitments secured to host future tournaments.

Crowds gathered in Chester as the 22 Multi-Role Medical Regiment exercised its Freedom of the Borough, a civic honour granted in recognition of its service. Troops marched with bayonets fixed, while soldiers and spectators expressed pride in the regiment’s role. Chester’s Lord Mayor emphasised the city’s long military history. The unit, based at Dale Barracks since 2024, supports military operations with medical care and traces its lineage to a 1914 clearing hospital, with past deployments including work during the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone.

A Manchester bakery owner criticised The Voice UK after receiving a request to supply free cakes for guests and judges in exchange for exposure. Rich Myers of Get Baked described the request as disrespectful to small businesses and posted the email on Instagram, prompting an apology from Lifted Entertainment, which produces the show. The company said the request was inconsistent with its standards and promised it would not happen again. Myers said similar approaches were made to other independent businesses and hoped the incident would discourage such practices.

A 21-year-old student from Skelmersdale underwent urgent surgery for parotid gland cancer during Freshers' Week but continued her studies despite facial paralysis and ongoing treatment. Supported by family, charities and her university, she completed her course, studied abroad in Chicago and has now graduated with first-class honours, hoping to build a career behind the camera in television.

Self-taught pianist Brad Kella returned to Liverpool ONE to unveil a blue plaque marking his first public performance there in 2014. The recognition follows his win on Channel 4’s talent show The Piano, after producers discovered an online video of him playing at the centre. Liverpool ONE dedicated the plaque during its Tickle the Ivories festival, which places free-to-play pianos around the city. Kella expressed gratitude for the honour and encouraged aspiring musicians to take advantage of public pianos as he once did.

North African football fans in Greater Manchester are preparing to support Egypt and Morocco in their World Cup quarter-finals against Argentina and France. Local supporters, including Egyptian and Moroccan expatriates, plan gatherings and watch parties, expressing excitement over their teams’ progress and a sense of community while following the tournament from abroad.

Tributes honour former Knowsley MP Sir George Howarth, who has died aged 77 after nearly 38 years in Parliament. Leaders including the Commons Speaker, Prime Minister and defence secretary praised his long service, ministerial roles under Tony Blair and commitment to his constituency. Local officials highlighted his decades of advocacy for Knowsley and his support for major community projects, noting the lasting legacy he leaves in the borough.

Chester’s historic Pacific Pool is expected to reopen in autumn after remaining closed since it was drained during the Covid-19 pandemic, which damaged its Victorian tiles. Repairs and financial pressures delayed its return, but a significant donation from the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation has underwritten operating costs for nine months, enabling restoration work to proceed. The reopening will allow the charity-run Chester City Baths to expand lessons and club sessions, continuing a long tradition of serving the local community.

Emergency services responded to a suspected arson attack outside a shop in Liverpool, where firefighters found the blaze already extinguished by police officers. One person was treated for minor smoke inhalation and taken to hospital. Detectives are conducting house-to-house checks, CCTV reviews and forensic inquiries, and have appealed for witnesses while keeping an open mind about the motive.

Sefton Council plans to close the long‑running aviary in Southport’s Botanic Gardens in March 2027, citing welfare guidance, ageing infrastructure and financial pressures. Keeper Connor Atherton expressed surprise and disappointment, arguing the costs were minimal for a free attraction that also serves as a rescue centre. The council committed to rehoming the animals and ruled out euthanasia. A public meeting has been scheduled as the aviary remains open pending further discussion.

Birkenhead Park will receive £2m from the Local Regeneration Fund to support restoration work and improvements aimed at securing UNESCO World Heritage status. The funding, approved by Wirral Council, will restore historic features, improve accessibility and enhance visitor facilities as part of the wider Birkenhead 2040 regeneration programme. Local officials highlighted the park’s value as a major attraction and its potential to boost the area’s reputation, economic activity and wellbeing.