Ray Bonsall

The Groove and Grind Mini Record Fair will take place at Wallasey Beach CIC in Wallasey on Saturday, August 22, and Calderstones Mansion in Liverpool on Sunday, August 23. Running from 11am to 4pm, the events will feature thousands of records across multiple genres, local food and drink, an open bar, and DJ performances. The Calderstones event will also be followed by The HandleBards’ open-air production of Macbeth. Further fairs are planned across Merseyside from late August through December.

A £3.59 Morrisons Too Good To Go bag contained £18.65 worth of mostly vegetables, noodles, mushrooms and salad. Although the haul produced several meals and offered apparent savings, much of the perishable food was difficult for one person to use before it spoiled, and some was discarded. The bag may have suited a family or group better, but the reviewer would not be in a hurry to order another.

Nile Rodgers and CHIC performed for a second night at the Salt and Tar festival in Bootle on August 17, closing the 2026 five-day event. The concert featured CHIC classics, covers of David Bowie and Madonna songs, and a tribute to former bandmate Bernard Edwards, while photographs captured the large, enthusiastic crowd despite rainy weather.

Liverpool Shopping Park has secured planning permission for an £8 million final expansion adding 40,000 square feet of retail space and taking the site to 277,000 square feet. Existing tenant Marks & Spencer will relocate to a 24,500-square-foot M&S Foodhall under a 15-year lease. Derwent Estates expects construction to begin before the end of 2026, with the park currently 97% let and already hosting 30 national retail and leisure brands.

Hundreds of people queued outside the Specsavers store on Halsall Lane in Formby from early morning to buy glasses for the partial solar eclipse expected across the UK. The store reportedly sold out at around 11:15 a.m. after 200 to 300 people joined the queue, contributing to unusually busy conditions in the town. With retailers widely sold out, safety guidance warned that looking directly at the Sun without proper protection can cause painless, permanent retinal damage, while indirect viewing methods such as a pinhole viewer were recommended.

Rob Watson, a Dundee-born DJ and former Radio City producer, has opened Northern Star Records on Rose Lane in Mossley Hill. The shop sells vintage and contemporary vinyl, including Merseybeat rarities, rock, reggae, folk, indie and newer artists, while offering to source records requested by customers. Watson aims to preserve the personal service of traditional record shops and connect the business with Liverpool’s arts community through a planned podcast with neighbouring bar Black Cat and a networking noticeboard for local musicians.

Derry-born baker Danny Black left an administration career to establish Dónall's Irish Bakery, a Liverpool-based pop-up specializing in Irish treats such as soda bread, Guinness chocolate cake, fifteens and scones. He sells at markets across Merseyside, including Croxteth Hall and Woolton Village, and hopes the bakery can recreate the accessible, social culture of Irish bakeries while helping address loneliness and connect Liverpool's Irish and wider communities. Although he would eventually like a permanent shop, competition on the high street has led him to focus on market stalls, where he is introducing Irish baking to new customers.

James Barber, 52, of St Helens, pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornographic images, including 16 Category A images. Prosecutors linked the material to a sexual attraction to children, while his defence cited long-term cocaine and alcohol use and claimed he had since begun addressing those problems. A judge described the offending as vile and warned of the risk of reoffending, but imposed a three-year community order with drug rehabilitation, unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements instead of immediate imprisonment. Barber was also given a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements, with imprisonment possible if he breaches the conditions.

Two men were detained after a group of males fought at the junction of Smithdown Road and Hawarden Avenue in Liverpool at around 12:45pm on 30 July 2026. Witnesses reported smashed glass, harassment of shop staff and men taking metal bars from a skip. Police, ambulances and emergency crews attended, while officers worked to identify everyone involved and establish the extent of any injuries.

Matthew Hodson, 39, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates' Court to four shoplifting offences and four breaches of a criminal behaviour order after stealing £516.50 worth of goods, mainly alcohol, from an Asda store in Ellesmere Port. The offences occurred between July 19 and July 24, shortly after he received a suspended prison sentence and a five-year order. He was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.

Cheshire Police are appealing for information to locate 43-year-old Scott McGuffie, who is wanted for breaching a protection from harassment order. McGuffie was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court in 2024 to three years in prison after admitting to harassing a former partner, breaching a non-molestation order and sharing private sexual images with intent to cause distress. He has links to Widnes, Warrington, Halewood and Liverpool and has 17 previous convictions for 16 offences. Members of the public are urged to contact Cheshire Police or Crimestoppers with information.

Aldi has named Croxteth among 25 UK priority locations where it is seeking a site for a new supermarket. The retailer is pursuing freehold, leasehold or long-leasehold properties with good visibility and access, as part of a wider expansion programme involving more than £370 million of investment this year and a long-term target of 1,500 stores. Aldi says new stores will improve access to affordable food and create jobs. Separately, it has sought permission to convert Liverpool’s Buzz Bingo hall at Wavertree Retail Park into a new store, potentially creating up to 50 jobs.

The Marvellous Market scheduled for Kirkby town centre on July 25, 2026, has been cancelled because of forecast high winds. The monthly event usually features independent traders and makers selling items including jewellery, fashion, food, gifts and beauty products. Knowsley Council’s next planned market is in Huyton on August 1, while markets also take place in Prescot. The council said the programme returned in 2026 after a positive response the previous year and is intended to increase town-centre footfall and support local businesses.

Liverpool ONE will host a free pop-up racing yard on August 22, marking the opening of the sixth National Racehorse Week. Organised by Great British Racing, the event will let visitors meet racehorses, try jockey-riding activities, watch farrier and physiotherapy demonstrations, and learn about racehorse care. National Racehorse Week runs from August 22 to 31 and offers more than 15,500 free places at 96 venues across England, Scotland and Wales. Similar pop-ups are planned for London and Portsmouth, while Liverpool ONE has also recently displayed a large grass portrait of golfer Tommy Fleetwood.

A Lancashire-based plant nursery, HD Plants Limited, is holding a one-off open weekend at its 15‑acre Euxton site, offering thousands of discounted indoor and outdoor plants with savings up to 75 percent. The event features free entry, free parking, onsite gardening advice, and a £10 voucher for future orders from its Hedges Direct or Simply Plants brands. Marketing director Lewis Fraser says the weekend provides a rare chance for customers to shop in person and secure bargains ahead of next summer.

An HMRC error affecting self-employed workers who registered between 2015 and 2024 may have prevented Class 2 National Insurance contributions from being recorded, potentially reducing State Pension entitlements for around 800,000 people. HMRC will contact those affected from spring 2027, with priority given to individuals nearing State Pension age. Impacted workers will be allowed to make voluntary NI contributions back to 2015 at original rates. The issue has been resolved for new registrations from the 2024–25 tax year onward.

Temperatures in Merseyside and the wider UK have eased following a heatwave, but long‑range forecasts from the Met Office indicate a return to very warm conditions by early August. Above‑normal temperatures and settled, dry weather are expected through the month, particularly in southern regions, though northern areas may still see occasional rain and thunderstorms. Short‑term forecasts show a cooler but largely dry weekend in the North West with temperatures near seasonal averages. Climate scientist Mike Kendon notes that shifting temperature patterns reflect broader climatic changes across the UK.

Plans have been submitted to replace the former Beaufort Care Home in Burscough with a 2,289‑square‑metre Marks & Spencer Foodhall, featuring parking, cycle facilities and sustainability measures. The project, backed by Commercial Development Projects Ltd, would create around 70 jobs and revive a long‑vacant site. Environmental assessments identified some habitat loss, with developers proposing off‑site biodiversity measures and new landscaping. West Lancashire Borough Council will review the application.

Police are investigating the death of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe after she was found with fatal injuries at her home in Haytor, Dartmoor. Detectives believe she was attacked around midday on July 8, shortly before she missed a scheduled Channel 5 interview, prompting production staff to send unanswered messages. Newly released correspondence shows she sent a final text reading “Panic over!!” minutes before the suspected attack. Her last public appearance was a TalkTV interview earlier that day.

Police are investigating the killing of former Conservative MP and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead in her Devon home. A 28‑year‑old man was arrested in Rotherham, where officers recovered a red car and searched a property linked to the suspect. CCTV reportedly shows a man leaving the address with a wooden stick on the morning of the suspected attack. Police say the incident is not believed to be terrorism‑related or politically motivated and urge the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues.

A prolonged UK heatwave is expected to continue into next week, with temperatures surpassing 30°C across England and Wales and reaching 28°C in Merseyside. The Met Office reports that 2026 has set multiple temperature records, while the UK Health Security Agency has issued a Yellow heat health alert through Wednesday due to risks for vulnerable groups. Emergency services warn of increased wildfire and water‑related dangers, and the public is urged to stay hydrated, avoid excessive sun exposure and protect against high UV and pollen levels.

England’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway secured a World Cup semi-final against Argentina, who defeated Switzerland. The match will take place on July 15 in Atlanta and be broadcast on BBC One. Spain and France contest the other semi-final. If England advance, they will meet the winner in the final on July 19 in New York-New Jersey, aired on BBC and ITV. A potential bank holiday has been hinted at by Prime Minister Keir Starmer if England win the tournament.

Connor Doyle has transformed his personal mental health struggles into a community‑focused venture by launching the Social Cup, a mobile coffee shop on Liverpool’s waterfront that encourages conversation and connection. After receiving support from his family and local business groups, he renovated the van himself and uses social media to promote mental health openness. Regular customers are drawn by both the coffee and Doyle’s willingness to share his own experiences, which he hopes encourages others to talk. The business collaborates with local independent bakers and prints positive messages on cups to uplift visitors. Doyle continues to support suicide‑prevention charity James’ Place as an ambassador and recently attended the opening of its Birmingham centre with Prince William. He is also partnering with other local wellbeing advocates to promote positivity along the waterfront.

The UK is set to experience sustained heatwave conditions with temperatures exceeding 30C in parts of England and Wales and a provisional peak of 33C recorded in Devon. The Met Office expects the very hot weather to continue into the following week, with potential thunderstorms in southern areas. Health authorities have issued amber and yellow heat alerts warning of significant risks, including heat-related illness, wildfires, and water incidents. UV and pollen levels are forecast to remain high, prompting advice for sun protection and caution near coastal waters.

Police continue to investigate the death of Ann Widdecombe, who was found with severe head injuries at her Devon home. Officers believe she was attacked around midday on July 8, nearly a day before her body was discovered. A previously arrested man has been released and is no longer a suspect, while investigators pursue multiple lines of inquiry and have chosen not to release further details, including suspect descriptions or CCTV footage. Tributes have been left near her home, and messages show her final communications before she stopped responding. Widdecombe, a Reform UK spokesperson, made her last media appearance the morning she was believed to have been attacked.

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Police report continued progress in the investigation into the fatal attack on Ann Widdecombe, confirming that no further details will be released to avoid compromising enquiries. A previously arrested suspect has been released, and the search for a white male attacker continues. Officers believe Widdecombe was assaulted the day before her body was found, and a significant police presence remains in Haytor Vale as forensic work continues. Authorities urge the public not to speculate and to share any relevant information through official channels.

Liverpool-born midfielder Thelo Aasgaard, a member of Norway’s World Cup quarter-final squad, also releases music as Thxlo, blending electronic, rap and alternative styles. His tracks maintain a recurring space theme and attract thousands of monthly listeners on Spotify. Raised by professional cellist parents, he credits musical discipline as influential in his football development, with his mother highlighting parallels between the rigorous practice required in both fields.

Woolton Village Market returns on July 11 with around 35 traders offering handmade products and local produce. Additional markets on Allerton Road and Lark Lane will also operate later in July, each featuring a range of food, crafts and artisan goods. Woolton’s popularity is highlighted by its previous accolade as the North West’s Best Place to Live.

Bodycare is reopening on UK high streets with 17 new stores after entering administration and closing around 150 locations in 2025. The relaunched chain features redesigned stores, expanded product areas and upgraded branding, with most new branches situated across northern England. Additional openings are expected as part of its broader expansion plans.

Wallasey Village’s high street is characterised by independent shops, cafés and traditional businesses, offering a contrast to nearby chain‑dominated areas. Key stops include popular cafés such as Stollies and Yummy's, a large pets and exotics shop, and Lou & Mart, known for its Spanish Basque cheesecake. Heidi's Sweet Shop provides a nostalgic draw for families and schoolchildren. The area also benefits from proximity to the coast, with Wallasey Beach accessible within a short walk and supported by community activities at Wallasey Beach Club CIC.

An award-winning independent Liverpool coffee shop, Bean There, has opened a new takeaway outlet called The Side Door on Penny Lane, offering sandwiches, breakfast items and speciality coffee. The expansion adds to the business’s existing sites on Smithdown Road and Rose Lane, where baked goods are produced daily. The new shop caters to quick-service demand and allows online pre-orders. The opening was well received, and the business recently gained national recognition when head baker Sebastian Zimmer-Lachman earned a Gold award for its white sourdough at Britain’s Best Loaf Awards.