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Liverpool author Dr Deborah Cohen examines how social media, influencers and AI are reshaping how we look after our health.
If you want help about your health or you’re looking to lose a few pounds these days, you’re as likely to look online as you are to book an appointment with your GP.
But Liverpool author and doctor Deborah Cohen prescribes a dose of scepticism in her new book, Bad Influence: How the Internet Hijacked Our Health, which explores how we can separate medical fact from the fiction we can find on our phones and computers.
As NHS waiting times grow and face-to-face appointment decline, influencers have stepped into the breach: with celebrities telling us about their personal journeys, savvy sellers offering solutions, and ChatGPT prescribing treatment plans!
And Deb, a former science editor for ITV News and health correspondent for BBC Newsnight leading their Covid coverage, explains that while platforms like Instagram and TikTok can offer support and community, they’re also ‘galleries of medical anxiety and vulnerability whose primary function is to drive consumption’.
Deborah Cohen said:
“All these changes are happening, and I think it was speeded up by Covid when people were using TikTok and social media for health information,”
“Health is becoming a highly profitable commodity.
“I was at my auntie’s house in Allerton, and a cousin came round who had bought an AMH test (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) promoted on Insta and she thought it would tell her how fertile she was because she was trying to get pregnant.
“And I thought, but it’s not going to do that.
“I was also talking to lots of mates – none of them conspiracy theorists, none of them with medical backgrounds – and they were all searching for information on HRT, or ADHD, or tests and treatments online. Some were self-diagnosing. And one said, you really need to write about this.
“When I started, I didn’t know where it, or I, would end up.”
Deb – who is speaking at the Festival of Data at Liverpool ACC on February 6 – soon realised that away from traditional sources of support and expertise there were ‘new players in town’ when it came to looking after our health.
She added:
“There are tech platforms, we have got influencers who are making money in all sorts of different ways, and I was interested to see what impact that was having.
“I spoke to 200 people, influencers, content creators, marketing agents, academics, and doctors, to get a 360 view. But what I ultimately thought was that these platforms are geared towards entertainment and shopping, they’re marketing and commercial platforms: and what do these things together do to our health?
“What happens when you put health on a shopping platform? If you look at trending videos or reels, a lot of them have commercial incentives, where you make money and you want as many views as possible, and that clearly influences behaviour.
“I’m not black and white about it; there’s good and bad. But while medics and academics have long been used to declaring conflict of interest, that doesn’t happen on social media (or not enough).
“And I wanted to encourage people to think sceptically about what they read.”
Deb explores how the average person can tell what’s helpful and what’s a waste of money from private companies selling weight loss drugs and celebs selling supplements, to digital ads promoting costly tests and AI-powered diagnoses. And, crucially, what could be harmful.
She said:
“There are well-meaning people out there and social media does encourage community. It encourages people to learn about their illnesses, and people feel listened to – we saw that with women’s health.
“But people are using that and exploiting that to sell them stuff they don’t need. You have people telling you you’re broken and selling you the protocol that will ‘fix’ you.
“I can see real benefits,”
“It can help and it will be interesting to see what happens with ChapGPT in areas where you can’t get appointments.
“We are seeing huge changes in health care.
“It might be good. I interviewed a breast surgeon who had breast cancer herself, and she found support and tips when having chemo about what to eat, and she was sent lots of love, and having that community can really help, especially if you’re isolated by a condition.
“It might be bad: if you’re buying drugs online you’re not necessarily being briefed about what the interactions are. They don’t know your full medical history.
“We have got this Wild West of health information. Health is being consumerised and I think there can be real harm in that.
“I always ask ‘why should I believe you?’ and that might be a good place for anyone to start.”
Deborah Cohen will be speaking at The Festival of Data, which is being held at ACC Liverpool from February 5-7. Hosted by the Civic Data Cooperative (CDC), the festival marks the end of the ambitious 5-year programme of work around data collection, visualisation, stewardship and innovation.
Funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and delivered by the CDC and Civic Health Innovation Labs at the University, it aims to share creative and imaginative ideas from businesses, communities and schoolchildren demonstrating how data will be used to deliver the best public services for the city region.
Deborah Cohen will be speaking at The Festival of Data in February, get more info here.
Get more health news on The Guide Liverpool here.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
Article updated Thursday, 22 January 2026.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, you might need to get thinking about how you’re going to show your love to that certain someone close to you.
And you’re in luck if you’re in and around Liverpool – because there’s a load of offers that’ll set hearts racing.
Frederik’s – Hope Street
Frederik’s is doing it differently, with not one Valentine’s evening but three.
Fred’s Weekend of Love from Thursday, February 12 to Saturday, February 14 is about celebrating love and whoever it’s with.
There’ll be live music or a DJ, and they’re offering five plates or pizzettes to share, plus a dessert each for £25pp (based on 2 diners).
Plates include pan-fried chilli & garlic prawns with cherry tomato and sourdough; slow roast beef ragu tagliatelle with parmesan, and buffalo cauliflower wings with a garlic aioli dip. (ve), and puds feature rich chocolate torte & red berry compote and sticky toffee pudding, with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce.
Find out more here.
Titanic Hotel
‘Love on the Docks’ is a great way to get into the good books and treat your other half to a luxurious night at the Regent Road hotel. From only £125 per couple, you can enjoy an overnight stay, a full English breakfast and a bottle of wine on arrival.
Add a romantic dinner in Stanley’s Bar & Grill – we recommend the Surf and Turf experience with two 6oz fillet steaks and a thermidor lobster tail with mornay sauce for £105 for two – or a Couple’s Retreat at its Maya Blue Wellness spa, and you’ll be in the good books for a long time to come.
Find out more here.
Miller and Carter
The Albert Dock restaurant’s offering the chance to indulge in two decadent experiences from Sunday, February 7 to Sunday, February 15.
Choose the Valentine’s set menu with a three course meal from £41.50 – including a main event 8oz fillet or 10oz Wagyu sirloin – to which you can add a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne for just £10; or if you prefer to share, go straight to the Limited-Edition Sharing Steak Experience for two.
Enjoy 28oz of 50-day aged Black Angus finest cuts, luxurious sides including sauteed greens and chantenay carrots, grilled lobster tail, and sumptuous steak sauce for £95 – or pair your experience with a bottle of luxury wine including Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne or Whispering Angel Rose for £135.
Find out more here.
Gusto
Celebrate the day of love with a dedicated three-course sharing menu and a glass of house wine for £50 per person, available from February 13-14.
Start with creamy Burrata, then devour 390g Chateaubriand or their Seafood Risotto for the main event, and finish with The Grande Éclair paired with strawberries and cream for an unforgettable dinner.
Find out more here.
Flight Club
Running between 13th and 15th February, Flight Club is giving the classic Galentine’s go-to – Bottomless Brunch – a fun and energetic twist with the addition of Social Darts.
What could be better than gathering all your BFFs together for flowing drinks, good food, and some competitive fun to toast the more time for your besties? Plus, throwing a dart can be pretty therapeutic!
Flight Club’s two-hour bottomless brunch includes a welcome cocktail to get the good times going, followed by a bottle of Prosecco or four beers each, live DJ sets and bottomless sourdough pizza paddles for the full two hours. The two hours are split with 60 minutes at the oche and the second hour at a bar table to polish off the pizza and Prosecco post-Social Darts. Tickets are priced from £33 per person.
Find out more here.
Malmaison
This Valentine’s Day, Malmaison has launched ‘Malentine’s Day’ with two offers available to enjoy.
Indulge in an overnight stay with a three‑course Veuve Clicquot dinner, complete with three perfectly paired drinks each, followed by a full cooked breakfast the next morning. Going all in? Add a bottle of Champagne and late checkout
Or, treat your loved one to an indulgent three course Valentines menu paired with three Veuve Clicquot cocktails
Available from the 1st February – 28th February
Find out more here
The Botanist
Cosy up at The Botanist and tuck into a three-course sharing menu for two for just £39.95 per couple.
No Valentine’s date? No problem!
Celebrate Galentine’s Day on February 13 instead with the ultimate ‘girl dinner’ featuring a fresh Caesar Salad, seasoned chips, and a perfectly chilled Martini. Whether it’s romance or friendship, you can make this February one to remember.
Find out more here.
Fazenda Radizio Bar & Grill
From £60 per head, you can enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, a butter-bathed lobster tail to share, its signature Churrasco Experience and a special Valentine’s dessert.
And you can celebrate love with them from February 9-15.
Find out more here.
Hope Street Hotel
Love is definitely in the air at the Hope Street Hotel where you can toast to romance in its luxurious spa. Stay in one of the rooftop or terrace suites, enjoy the private outdoor spa bath, and sip a complimentary bottle of Nyetimber under the stars.
The experience starts from £395 and is available to book until February 28.
Find out more here.
London Carriage Works
Dine at the London Carriage Works at the Hope Street Hotel and you can enjoy a special Valentine’s Lunch or Early Evening Dinner with two or three courses for £35 and £45 respectively.
Starters include Butternut squash, parmesan, pickled mushrooms and shallot, and Chalk stream trout with celeriac, green apple and vanilla; and mains feature pan-roasted rump of lamb, shoulder navarin, confit potato, black kale and mint, and poached chicken, thigh kiev, fennel, smoked garlic, and pomme anna.
The evening dinner menu is from £75 per person and includes an amuse bouche, a three course menu and coffee and truffles.
Find out more here.
Malmaison
Check in and turn the volume up on romance this Valentine’s Day at Malmaison. Enjoy an overnight stay with a three-course Veuve Clicquot dinner, complete with three perfectly paired drinks each, followed by a full cooked breakfast the next morning from £254.
Add a bottle of Champagne and late checkout and make the morning part of the fun.
Find out more here.
Voyager’s Restaurant & Bar
Nestled on Parr Street in the heart of Liverpool’s Ropewalks District, the restaurant has unveiled an irresistible Valentine’s menu that promises bold flavours, beautiful plates, and a touch of indulgence.
Voyagers’ Valentine’s menu, priced at £49 per person, includes a glass of fizz, freshly baked focaccia with marinated olives, two small plates and one side dish.
Standout dishes include chargrilled sea bass with curried parsnip purée and pomegranate; 8oz rump steak with chimichurri; burratina with blood orange, fennel, pistachio and honey; and salt & pepper squid finished with hot honey and garlic aioli.
Find out more here.
Voisin
It’s okay to be cheesy on Valentine’s Day and you can join Voisin in Heswall for a Cheese and Wine Tasting on Saturday, February 14 itself.
For £40 per person you get six wines paired with six cheeses.
Find out more here.
Smoke & Dough
Smoke & Dough Liverpool is where ‘love, laughter, and smoky flavours come together’ for a celebration you won’t forget. On February 14 – from 12 noon to 10.30pm – you can enjoy a four-course meal for £39.99 per person – and you even get a free glass of bubbly to toast your special event.
Find out more here.
BOXPARK
For a fun way to spend Valentine’s Day, team up as detectives and try to track down a murderer at BOXPARK’s live immersive Murder Mystery Bottomless Brunch, from 2pm to 7pm.
Along with plenty of clues to solve, you’ll get two hours of bottomless drinks, a choice of food vendors to keep all tastes happy and entertainment courtesy of DJ Tizzle.
Find out more here.
Keep checking back with us as we will be adding even more events and great places to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Liverpool.
For more events taking place around Valentines Day head over to our calendar here.
Raising more than £13,600, generous supporters of The Reader dug deep to support a life-changing reading project for care-experienced children.
Launched last November, the UK’s biggest Shared Reading charity’s six-week festive appeal set out to raise £10,000 for its inspiring Reading Heroes project, which pairs care-experienced children aged two to 15-years-old with highly trained Volunteers.
The Reader is a charity that uses the power of literature and reading aloud to transform lives across the UK. Launching in 2016, the Reading Heroes aims to spark a love of reading stories and poems.
Volunteers give an hour a week to read stories and poems aloud with the children, both online and in-person for nine months.
Emma McColl, Senior Manager of Programme Delivery at The Reader, said:
“We would like to thank the public and local community for their remarkable support in raising £13,600 for our 2025 Christmas Appeal to help recruit, train and support up to 250 volunteers for Reading Heroes.
“We currently have children waiting to read in person or online, and more to be referred as part of both Reading Heroes (for children aged five to 15) and for Tiny Heroes (reading with Early Years children aged two to four).
“The children referred to us have often faced really hard things in their young lives and Reading Heroes is making such a difference, with every reading session and every page turned together. It’s such a joy to hear and to witness the positive impact that is being made by our amazing volunteers who give up their time to read with a child each week.
“Our new recruitment campaign also marks the beginning of the National Year of Reading 2026, which has been launched by the government and National Literacy Trust following research which shows the number of children and young people reading for pleasure has fallen to its lowest level in two decades.”
Children are referred to the Reading Heroes project and its follow-on legacy programme by Virtual Schools in Liverpool City Region (LCR), Sefton, Halton, Bolton, Bury, Oldham and London’s Tower Hamlets.
After their one-to-one reading sessions end, a book is posted to their home every two months for the next year – and they are invited to join a range of special Meet the Author events. The work is overseen by a dedicated, experienced project team at The Reader who train and support volunteers to deliver lively and engaging Shared Reading sessions. They also provide ongoing safeguarding provision ensuring carers, partners, volunteers and the young people are supported throughout.
Author, broadcaster, writer and director Stephen Fry, recently said of the Reading Heroes project:
“You can fob a youngster off with devices, games and even with books, but nothing comes close to the sharing out loud of a story. Care- experienced children especially need to feel the warmth, delight and affection that this simple act can offer. I salute you, Reading Heroes, you are doing wonderful things.”
The latest data collected from children and young people who took part in the Reading Heroes project, between January 2023 and December 2024, reveals how much it improves their confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing:
- 82% of carers agreed that Reading Heroes had improved their child’s confidence
- 79% said that it had helped to boost self-esteem
- 74% of carers agreed that Reading Heroes had improved their child’s wellbeing
- 84% agreed that it had given their child something to look forward to.
Last year The Reader’s second Christmas Appeal hit a final total of £9,600 to fund the expansion of reading groups for people living with dementia and their families across the Liverpool City Region.
The charity’s first Christmas appeal in 2023 raised more than £7,000 in support of First Page, its family-focused project across the North West helping Early Year children to build confident, positive and rewarding relationships with books and reading for pleasure.
For more information about The Reader, visit here.
To find out more about The Reader’s series of events for 2026, visit here.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
The finalists for the 2026 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards have been revealed, with 55 individuals and organisations shortlisted from more than 500 nominations across 17 categories.
This year’s awards introduce four new categories, reflecting the continued growth and diversity of the region’s cultural and creative sector. New additions include Live Event of the Year, Excellence in Film and TV, and awards recognising digital, gaming and creative media talent for the first time.
The Excellence in Film and TV category highlights the Liverpool City Region’s booming screen industry, with hundreds of productions choosing the area as a filming location and local talent gaining international recognition through BAFTAs, Emmys and Golden Globes. Live Event of the Year celebrates the unforgettable moments that have brought communities together through culture.
Other categories recognise how creativity is being used to drive innovation, community cohesion and positive change across education, health, business and the environment.
Councillor Mike Wharton, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade, said the awards are an important moment to celebrate the region’s cultural impact.
He said: “The Liverpool City Region is at the forefront of culture. We are brimming with creativity and these awards give us the chance to celebrate artists, innovators, community activists and businesses who are all using culture and creativity to make a real difference.
“From grassroots projects to large-scale events, it’s been an incredibly exciting year. The standard was exceptionally high and all of our finalists should be proud to have made it this far.”
An independent judging panel reviewed more than 500 nominations to create the final shortlist. New judges joined the panel this year, including Jay Hynd, founder and managing director of The Guide Liverpool, TV producer Jernice Easthope and BBC presenter Ngunan Adamu, who previously hosted the awards. They were joined by returning judges Kate Royse, Director of the Hartree Centre, and Dr Emma Roberts from Liverpool John Moores University.
One category decided entirely by the public is the People’s Choice Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture. Six finalists will go forward to a public vote, opening next month. The shortlisted organisations are:
PopVox Choir
Shakespeare North Playhouse
The Unity Theatre
Alder Hey’s Arts for Health
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival
Liverpool Sound City
Broadcaster Ngunan Adamu, judging the awards for the first time, said she was inspired by the entries.
She said: “The standard was incredibly high. The creativity, passion and real-world impact of these projects really stood out. The Liverpool City Region has such a special cultural identity, and it was a privilege to see just how much talent exists across the area.”
For the first time, the awards ceremony will be hosted in Liverpool, taking place at the Everyman Theatre in June. The event is supported by sponsors including The ACC Liverpool Group, The Guide Liverpool, Hope Street Hotel, Trojan Lighting Solutions and Copeland Group Services.
More information about the awards and categories can be found at here.
Keep up to date with news around the City Region on our website.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
Legendary Liverpool record shop The Musical Box has discovered a connection to two pivotal figures in The Beatles career.
The shop on West Derby Road already has confirmed history linking it to John Lennon and original drummer Pete Best who regularly went in there in the early 60s to look for new releases.
Now, thanks to a customer, they’ve been able to add another two names to their famous customer list: manager Brian Epstein and Joe Flannery, who was the band’s booking manager in the early days.
The Musical Box, which was recognised last year as the oldest independent record store in England, has been in the same family for four generations.
Tony Quinn, his wife Paula and their son Craig currently run the shop, taking it on from Tony’s mum Diane and nan Dorothy, who was the original owner.
Diane is now 88 but is still able to recall some of the big names who popped in more than 60 years ago.
So, when a customer commented on The Musical Box’s social media that friends Joe Flannery and Brian Epstein were among them, Tony and Paula were able to double check with her.
Paula explains:
“We put a 1960s post on our socials and one person commented underneath that we were mentioned in Joe Flannery’s book which was called Standing in the Wings.
“They sent us a page highlighting a quote saying: ‘he took a trip with Brian Epstein to the font of all wisdom, The Musical Box, for records that NEMS did not have in stock’.
“I mentioned this to Diane, my mother-in-law, and she said she was aware that Joe Flannery used to come into the Tuebrook shop while she was there. He used to live in Tuebrook, by the Carlton, and she said she’d met him several times because he used to come in and promote his brother’s band, Lee Curtis and the All-Stars.
“We think he came in with Brian Epstein around 1962/63 because that’s when they were working together.”
Paula says it makes sense that they would have chosen The Musical Box because the shop was known at the time for having records by artists that weren’t so well known in the UK.
“Diane has told me that seamen used to visit the shop who’d been to America and they’d tell her and her mum all about the new artists they were aware of. Then when Diane and Dorothy saw the artists’ names on a new release list they would order them in.
“That explains how they had records and artists nobody else knew about at the time – they were being given a heads-up by the customers.
“They used to get American GIs based at Burtonwood coming in too, asking for Elvis Presley before he was well-known here, so the same happened. Diane said to her mum, ‘there’s that Elvis Presley on the new release list’, so then they ordered it in.
“They were always introducing the city to all these new artists.”
This latest Beatle story fits another piece into the fascinating jigsaw of The Musical Box’s history, and Paula says they’re grateful to customers who help them continually add to it.
“People are definitely very invested in the history of our shop, we’ve got lovely loyal customers and we’d never have known about this without them,” she adds.
“It’s not just our history, it’s customers’ past too. When they come in all those memories come back so we’re keeping it going for them as well.”
Find out more about The Musical Box here.
Find out about the new documentary about the early days of The Beatles here.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
A whole host of entertainment is coming to the Everyman this year, with something for everyone to enjoy, including interactive performances, lively cabaret, indulgent afternoon teas, and behind-the-scenes stories.
From the creators of the hugely popular Murder at Afternoon Tea series, DBY Interactive makes its return with a brand-new crime-solving murder mystery.
After the success of the sell-out shows Til Death Do Us Part and The City of Curses at the Everyman, the Grand Finale Audiences can now enjoy a Valentine’s Special running from Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 February, with afternoon tea served during the matinee performances.
Thrillseekers can also expect to see other instalments later in the year, including Rest in Pieces Afternoon Tea from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 April, followed by Last One Standing from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 July, Reunion of Revenge from Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 September, and Murder at Blackout from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December. Seasonal highlights to look forward to include a spine-tingling Halloween Special on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, as well as a festive Christmas Special on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December.
For all the lonely hearts out there, Nana Funk’s Lonely Hearts Bingo on Saturday 7 February is the perfect night out. You can expect plenty of fun bingo games and laughs, with special guests Caz & Britney joining the party.
Anyone fancying a spot of karaoke will appreciate Nana Funk’s GLASTONBURYOKE! on Saturday 27 June, where Nana will lead the audience through classic hits from Worthy Farm’s finest and invite everyone to make their own kind of music.
Following their previous sold‑out cabaret success, The Spare Rib presents Galentine’s Burlesque Extravaganza on Saturday 21 February. Enjoy a brunch show at 11:30am or join for an evening of sparkle and empowerment.
Or, for those looking for a behind-the-scenes peek, you can take an exclusive hour-long tour of the Everyman Theatre and uncover the secrets that bring productions to life with Behind the Curtain: Everyman Building Tours. Tours run on Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 February. If you’re looking for something a little more social, Tea & Talks is a monthly gathering where conversation about the wonderful world of theatre takes centre stage. Enjoy a brew and a scone while discovering what really happens before the curtain goes up, on Friday 6 February and Friday 6 March.
New for 2026, with a proper Scouse twist, Downstairs at the Everyman invites audiences to an evening of theatre in collaboration with actors Catherine Rice and Rob Jarvis. A Pie, A Pint & A Play takes place on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 May, featuring standout performances from some of Liverpool’s finest actors alongside exciting emerging talent.
For the more adventurous, why not join Reel Tours on the third Thursday of every month to test your cinematic knowledge in Liverpool’s most exciting film quiz. If you’re looking for a laugh, Well Funny Live is a night of comedy and feel-good vibes, showcasing some of the UK’s finest comedians every fourth Thursday of the month. Each ticket helps fund vital community health and wellbeing projects through Well Funny CIC, founded by comedians Jack Miller and Amy Eggeling.
The Liverpool Scratch Network is a free monthly event dedicated to exploring new work and connecting industry professionals with emerging creatives, giving actors the chance to act, directors the chance to direct, and writers the opportunity to hear their ideas brought to life off the page.
With a vibrant mix of events and a wonderfully diverse programme at the Everyman, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. From inclusive performances to community-led experiences, it’s the perfect way to have a great night out.
Find out more and book tickets here.
Find out more about the Everyman’s murder mystery experience here.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
This year’s Africa Oyé in Sefton Park won’t be free for the first time in its history, but Artistic Director Paul Duhaney says the economic reality of an ever-growing festival meant it was its only chance of survival.
He’s pledged to keep ticket prices low for Liverpool residents and to give away thousands through local community organisations.
He explained:
“I understand that people don’t want to have to pay for something’s that always been free, but we’ve done it in the cheapest way we can and you have to look at the reasons,”
“We want people to understand why we’ve had to charge because this isn’t about money-grabbing. We’re a non-profit organisation, we’re a registered charity, so if we do make a profit it goes back into next year.
“There was just a tipping point where it was either ticketed or no festival at all and we’d rather give it a shot and try and make as many concessions as we can.”
Paul, who’s been with Africa Oyé since the late ‘90s, says he always wanted to preserve its free status.
“I’ve probably done about 5,000 interviews where I’ve said, ‘we have to keep this festival free’. There couldn’t be anyone more determined than me and we wouldn’t be where we are if we hadn’t fought to keep it free all these years.
“But times have changed, the cost of everything increases every year, and we just couldn’t afford it anymore.
“In the last 10 years our audience numbers have been going up and up and with that you get new licensing conditions. Over a certain capacity the rules change and prices go up – you have to have a set amount of toilets, security, traffic management, safety measures, all this in addition to paying for the artists, the staging, and the sound.
“The list of things we have to pay for goes into the hundreds.
“We get a certain amount of money from the Arts Council, and a bit from the city council, but combined that was nowhere near enough to support the festival. We had to basically find another 50% from things like sponsorship and fundraising, to try and bring additional money in, but it still wasn’t enough.
“So we had to take a year out and come up with a new business plan and a new strategy to keep the festival going.”
Paul says the first step was to work out how to make the transition as painless as it could be, especially for local festivalgoers and residents.
“We worked out how many tickets we could give out free, how many at a reduced rate for residents and then concentrated on higher ticket prices for people living outside the region.
“We’ll still be allowing people freedom of movement, if they want to come with their children in the afternoon then the parents come back later on.
“And we’re working on how we can allow people to bring in a small amount of food, maybe a picnic, and also making sure all the food traders have an affordable meal option.
“We’re upping our artistic programme – we’ve already announced Patoranking who’s one of the biggest artists in African music – and we’re increasing our family zone to create more entertainment for younger children.
“We’ll have to have a fence around the site to mitigate as much risk as we can, it’s about keeping people safe, but we’ll get that up and down as quickly as possible.”
As the UK’s largest celebration of African music and culture moves into a new era, Paul hopes its fans will appreciate why a tough decision had to be made.
“We have been victims of our own success, the bigger the event the bigger the costs, but if we can manage to keep the prices around where they are this year I think people will be happy with that.”
Africa Oyé 2026 is in Sefton Park on June 20 & 21. £6 early bird tickets which went on sale in October have all gone now, but tickets for Liverpool residents priced £11 are still on sale. Children under 12 get free entry with a paying adult and there’s a discount for groups of four people.
Book your tickets on the Africa Oye website.
Find more music events across Liverpool on our calendar.
Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.
From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.
Sefton Council is submitting a bid for Bootle to become the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028.
The UK Town of Culture is a new competition targeted towns of all sizes across the country with the winning town awarded £3 million to deliver a six-month cultural programme in 2028.
Sefton’s bid puts local people, creativity and community pride at the heart of the town’s future. If successful, it will fund a programme featuring arts, music, performance, heritage and wellbeing activities designed and delivered with local residents, artists, businesses, schools and community organisations. The programme would aim to attract visitors, create opportunities for local talent, leave a lasting legacy beyond 2028 and complement the ongoing transformation of Bootle Strand and the town centre.
Sefton’s bid builds on Bootle’s thriving cultural scene, led by Salt and Tar. The venue already boasts major headline acts for its 2026 Music Weekender, including Nile Rodgers & CHIC and The Waterboys.
Salt and Tar has quickly established itself as a vital social and creative hub, bringing new footfall, supporting local businesses and generating real momentum in the town. Its community-led events and partnerships have strengthened local connections and shown how culture can drive regeneration and boost pride of place as the wider Strand transformation progresses.
To shape both the bid and its delivery, the Council is forming a Bootle Place Partnership Group to ensure a collaborative approach and an authentic local voice throughout. The group will include representatives from the local community and community groups, businesses, schools and local colleges.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said:
“Bootle is bursting with creativity, community spirit and a determination to shape its own future.
“Our UK Town of Culture 2028 bid is focused on local people, celebrating what makes Bootle unique, opening up opportunities for our young people, creative talent and using culture to support regeneration and wellbeing.
“If we’re successful, the six-month programme we have planned for summer 2028 will bring new experiences to our streets and spaces and leave a real legacy of pride, skills and investment for years to come.
“And becoming the first UK Town of Culture will be a great boost for the ongoing regeneration based around Bootle Strand.”
Over the coming months, Sefton Council will invite residents, artists, young people, community organisations, voluntary groups, educators and businesses to help shape the bid. This will be done through community conversations, workshops and ideas sessions.
Find out more on the Sefton Council website.
Find out who’s performing at Bootle’s Salt and Tar in 2026 here.
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This Valentine’s Day, Voyagers Restaurant & Bar is inviting couples to enjoy a globally inspired dining experience designed to impress.
Nestled on Parr Street in the heart of Liverpool’s Ropewalks District, the restaurant has unveiled an irresistible Valentine’s menu that promises bold flavours, beautiful plates, and a touch of indulgence.
Voyagers’ Valentine’s menu, priced at £49 per person, includes a glass of fizz, freshly baked focaccia with marinated olives, two small plates and one side dish.
Standout dishes include chargrilled sea bass with curried parsnip purée and pomegranate; 8oz rump steak with chimichurri; burratina with blood orange, fennel, pistachio and honey; and salt & pepper squid finished with hot honey and garlic aioli.
Diners can elevate the evening further with dessert for an additional £7 per person, choosing from dark chocolate fondant with espresso ice cream or white chocolate and rose water cheesecake with red velvet and strawberries. A glass of Taittinger Champagne is also available as an upgrade for £5 per person.
Voyagers also offers a tempting cocktail menu, including the Strawberry Field Sgroppino or the Valentine’s special Breakfast in Bed Martini, with prices starting from £12.
Jake Perry, Head Chef at Voyagers, said:
“We had such a phenomenal Valentine’s weekend last year that we wanted to recreate the offer with a fresh, seasonal menu while keeping everything people loved about the experience.”
As an added thank you, guests dining at Voyagers over Valentine’s weekend will receive a 25% off food voucher, valid until the end of August 2026.
The Valentine’s Day menu offer is available for Friday 13 February & Saturday 14 February.
Bookings are now open on the Voyagers Liverpool website.
Find more great Valentines Day offers across Liverpool on our website.
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Afternoon tea in Liverpool is getting a glitterball makeover as OH ME OH MY confirms the return of its Disco Afternoon Tea for 2026.
Set just behind the Three Graces and moments from the River Mersey, OH ME OH MY’s atmospheric downstairs space has become known as a go-to spot for events, weddings and celebrations, alongside its popular weekday and weekend afternoon tea offering.
Following a successful run of dates last year, Disco Afternoon Tea is now a regular fixture, taking place every Sunday, with occasional Saturdays, from midday to 3pm throughout the coming months.
The experience puts a lively spin on a classic, pairing freshly baked scones, sweet treats and savoury bites with disco classics and feel-good tunes from the venue’s in-house DJ, Jimmy the Gent. Guests are invited to enjoy a relaxed afternoon of tea, dancing and nostalgia in one of the city’s most elegant hidden spaces.
OH ME OH MY owner Natalie Haywood said the idea was born from wanting to bring a bit more fun and movement into a traditional afternoon tea setting.
She said the Disco Afternoon Tea is perfect for birthdays, celebrations or simply a different way to spend time with friends, family or colleagues, adding that it has proved popular with guests of all ages who love good food, great music and a lively atmosphere.
Alongside the disco dates, OH ME OH MY continues to host its much-loved Twinkle Afternoon Tea every Friday. Available between midday and 3pm, the weekday offering includes a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, homemade cakes, pastries and fluffy scones, ideal for a relaxed midweek treat in the city centre.
And there’s more to look forward to as spring approaches. The venue’s rooftop bar, GOODNESS GRACIOUS, is set to reopen in the coming weeks, offering panoramic views across Liverpool’s waterfront and the perfect backdrop for cocktails as the sun sets over the Mersey.
Disco Afternoon Tea runs from midday to 3pm on Sundays and selected Saturdays at OH ME OH MY in Liverpool city centre.
Further details and bookings are available via the venue’s website.
Check out The Municipal Hotel Liverpool as it unveils a series of exclusive offers for 2026.
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A portfolio of Liverpool City Region projects is in line to receive £30m from a new £500m national innovation fund.
The projects are seeking funding from the Government’s Local Innovation Partnership Fund but could leverage a further £360m from the private sector, bringing the total investment to around £400m.
Led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the fund is designed to support the development and scaling of high-potential existing and emerging innovation clusters across the UK.
The Combined Authority is acting as Lead Bidder for the city region’s submission for funding, with the programme governed through the Local Innovation Partnership Group, made up of representatives from civic institutions, universities, industry, and the social economy.
Following a Combined Authority-led call for projects before Christmas, the Local Innovation Partnership Group has produced a portfolio of projects. The Combined Authority will work with UKRI to finalise the submission and the projects, with final funding figures due to be revealed in early summer 2026.
Speaking about the shortlist, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:
“Innovation has been central to my vision for the Liverpool City Region from the very start – not as an abstract idea, but as a practical way to build a stronger, fairer and greener economy that works for local people.
“That’s why we’ve set ourselves an ambitious goal to invest 5% of our GVA into research and development by 2030. Done right, that could unlock billions of pounds in economic growth and support tens of thousands of high-quality, well-paid jobs across our region.
“The £30m we’re in line to receive from the Local Innovation Partnership Fund reflects the growing confidence in our region’s ability to turn bold ideas into real-world impact. By working closely with UKRI and our partners across academia, industry and the social economy, we’ve brought together a strong and credible pipeline of projects that have the potential to be genuinely transformational for the Liverpool City Region.”
The draft shortlist of projects will be submitted to UKRI for review in February, where the project portfolio will undergo a quality assurance process before final selection is completed in March/April 2026.
Find out more on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority website.
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Southport restaurant Volare win huge award crowning them the UK’s Best Restaurant!
The warm and welcoming family-run venue, which specialises in delicious home-cooked Italian food, won the honour at The UK SBA Small Business Awards in London.
It adds to a growing number of awards for Volare, which also collected the People’s Choice Restaurant of the Year title at the Your Southport Stars Awards for the past two years running.
The UK Small Business Awards takes place every year to honour the remarkable achievements of businesses and entrepreneurs across the UK.
Volare owner Onofrio Maimone said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the title of the best restaurant in the whole of the UK!
“This is a huge honour for us. We are growing our collection of trophies in the restaurant!
“We will add this one to our two Southport Restaurant Of The Year trophies we won at the last two Your Southport Stars Awards.
“It feels very humbling for all of us to win this.
“We didn’t even go to the awards! We missed it! The ceremony took place on a Saturday in London – Saturday nights at Volare are so busy, we just couldn’t get away.
“I thought we had no chance of winning. We were up against some fantastic restaurants from across the country.
“To win – it was just outstanding. I couldn’t believe it when they contacted me to let me know.”
To the many customers who have enjoyed dining at Volare over the years, this accolade will come as absolutely no surprise. It’s no wonder why the judges were so impressed.
Volare was opened in 2007 by Onofrio Maimone and his wife Cinzia Lopalco, with son Jason Maimone operating as Head Chef.
Due to its growing success, Volare expanded into the neighbouring building in 2023, creating what it is today – modern but classic, bigger but still keeping its cosy family atmosphere.
At the start of this season they announced a successful partnership with Southport Football Club, where they provide hospitality on matchdays.
Volare has always been a huge supporter of the local community and local initiatives in a variety of ways.
Onofrio Maimone said:
“The judges came to Southport and spent some time in our restaurant, asking lots of questions about what we’re all about, and how we operate.
“Volare is very much a family-run restaurant serving authentic Italian food which we cook with passion.
“We course the very best ingredients we can. We import many of them directly from Italy – others are locally sourced, for example from the fish market in Fleetwood.
“We are very proud of our wine selection too with some fantastic Italian wines to savour.
“I grew up and spent my first 25 years in Sicily, and enjoy bringing the very best of authentic Italian cooking to Southport.
“The Italian Government recently honoured us for championing authentic Italian cooking in the UK.
“Working in the hospitality industry is tough, and the margins are getting tighter.
“We survive because we are so passionate about what we do, and because any profits we make we re-invest back into developing the business.
“We believe in growth. We are always looking at what can we improve? What can we make even better? How can we improve our offering?
“It’s all about the quality of the experience for our customers, both in terms of the quality of the food and the quality of the service. It’s about looking after every customer and making sure that they really enjoy the time they spend here with us.
“It is about hard work; commitment; and really believing in what we do.
“Hard work always pays off!
“Three years ago we bought and redeveloped the unit next door to us and expanded.
“The move has really paid off – diners love our new-look, and we are so busy.
“Now we have grown again. We’re very proud to be working with Southport Football Club on their hospitality offering at the club every home match.
“Our family are all big Southport FC supporters! The club are making many positive changes off the pitch, which we hope will translate into even more positive results on the pitch.
“The bigger and the more successful the club can become, the more that everyone in our town, including all the local businesses, will benefit.
“We are optimistic about the future.
“With the right support from supporters and local businesses, they can really thrive.
“Hopefully Volare and Southport FC can continue to bring home more trophies in the years ahead!”
The Small Business Awards Restaurant of the Year Awards Top 10:
- Volare
- JJ Cakes
- Gio’s Italian Deli
- The Old White Horse Inn
- The Hengist Restaurant
- The Spice Circuit Kitchen
- Basilico
- Trancio Ltd
- Angelo’s Trattoria (East Rainton)
- Fermento Contemporary Pizzeria
You can book a table at Volare here.
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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has stressed the importance of guaranteeing a top-eight Champions League finish after their 3-0 victory in Marseille made it all the more likely.
For only the second time this season Slot’s side beat a top-tier side by three goals – Eintracht Frankfurt the other back in October – courtesy of a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, an own goal from Geronimo Rulli and a late Cody Gakpo strike.
The win lifted Liverpool into fourth, two points ahead of ninth-placed Barcelona, with Qarabag to come at home next week as they seek to avoid the play-off round and go directly into the last 16.
“It’s very important because we have had to play with the same players because of injuries for most of the season,” said Slot after his side extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches, currently the best in Europe’s top-five leagues.
“That could be the reason why we have run out of energy in some of the games when we’ve conceded.
“I don’t think Virgil (van Dijk) has had more than three days off, the same for Ryan (Gravenberch) and others but they constantly show up no matter how many setbacks we’ve had this season.
“It’s always very difficult to play Marseille because of their passionate fans and the quality of their players, but what makes it even harder is the quality of their manager.
“We were prepared for that. We took the ball off them three or four times in the first half but couldn’t find the player who was completely free, apart from one time and he (Hugo Ekitike) was fractionally offside.
“On the ball we were controlled but what made the difference this time was that after we had a big chance and hit the post, they had a big chance and put it over: usually this season that goes in.
“But we were able to make it 2-0, 3-0 and so that makes the perception of the game completely different.
“Against Burnley (Saturday’s 1-1 draw) we created three or four times more than we did tonight but tonight we scored three.”
The match also marked the return of Mohamed Salah after his month at the Africa Cup of Nations immediately off the back of his explosive comments about being “thrown under the bus” as results took a dive.
“It says a lot about how big a professional he is that he can be away for more than a month with a different team and be so fit to play 90 for us after one day’s training,” added Slot.
“He was so close to a goal, it would usually be a goal from him, but it didn’t harm us because we scored three.”
Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi was unhappy with his team’s performance.
“We played poorly, conceding a silly goal before half-time,” he said.
“We lost possession too often in the middle because we misunderstood the game, we misjudged their pressing. We had a few chances that we didn’t manage well. We still have too many ups and downs in our matches.”
Read the Liverpool vs Marseille match report here.
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Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool return was less impactful than he would have hoped as he was overshadowed by Dominik Szoboszlai in a 3-0 victory in Marseille which made a Champions League top-eight finish all the more likely.
While all eyes were on the Egypt international it was his close friend – and the team’s most consistent performer – who surprised the hosts with a clever free-kick under the wall in first-half added time.
The set-piece probably favoured Salah’s left foot but Szoboszlai took charge with a low shot which crept under the jump of Leonardo Balerdi and inside the post.
Jeremie Frimpong’s second-half cross deflected in off goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli just as pressure was starting to build, before Cody Gakpo’s added-time strike secured only Liverpool’s second win by three goals against a top-tier side this season.
Salah was making his first start since November 26, when Liverpool were humiliated 4-1 at home to PSV Eindhoven, their final defeat of nine in 12 matches prior to the current 12-game unbeaten stretch.
His subsequent omission from the team led to those explosive comments about being “thrown under the bus”, suggesting his relationship with boss Arne Slot had broken down and his own immediate future was in doubt but the Africa Cup of Nations provided a natural break.
He was deployed up front with Hugo Ekitike in a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Florian Wirtz and Szoboszlai as twin number 10s, but the bench was weakened further by injury to Federico Chiesa in the warm-up which left four senior outfield players.
The role appeared to suit Salah with slightly less responsibility to chase back while getting him closer to the penalty area and although he was not heavily involved he looked tuned into his team-mates’ wavelengths despite a month away.
His one chance of the first half saw him divert Frimpong’s cross onto the roof of the net with his hip while an offside flag spared his embarrassment for putting a second-half header wide – but there was no hiding when he screwed wide with only Rulli to beat.
However, this game showed that his influence is no longer match-defining. Wirtz, Szoboszlai and, to a lesser extent, Ekitike now hold sway.
Results on Tuesday had opened the door for Liverpool to avoid the play-offs and Atletico Madrid’s draw in Galatasaray was another boost.
A Marseille tifo featured The Beatles reading a newspaper with the headline ‘Que l’histoire se repete’ – loosely translated as ‘That History repeats itself’ – in reference to the 2-1 UEFA Cup win against Liverpool here in 2004.
Joe Gomez and Alexis Mac Allister both sent early attempts wide but it was the tenacity of Liverpool’s press which brought the first big chance.
Ryan Gravenberch nicked the ball off Michael Murillo and released Salah, who sent Szoboszlai clear on the right. Although Ekitike converted the low cross he had strayed offside.
However, Szoboszlai made it a goal or assist in each of his last five European games by becoming the first Liverpool player since Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2022-23 to score multiple direct free-kicks in a single season.
Alisson Becker saved from Amine Gouiri and Mason Greenwood either side of half-time and as the game opened up Ekitike struck the post and Wirtz forced Rulli into a sharp near-post save.
Timothy Weah had Marseille’s two best efforts before Frimpong’s driving run along the backline brought the relief of a second goal, then substitute Gakpo added the gloss.
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It’s a beautiful landmark red brick building on one of the busiest streets in the city centre.
But it’s what happens inside 98 Paradise Street that’s made it such a popular stop for locals, tourists and football fans alike.
Local artist and architectural illustrator Grace Cummings from Childwall opened art, lifestyle and gift store Wander there in summer 2024.
31-year-old Grace had been one of the creatives who had an upstairs studio and her Grace Emily Design prints for sale at MerseyMade on the same site.
When that closed, she didn’t want to lose what had become a valuable hub for independents, so decided to take it on herself.
Wander now stocks work by more than 30 different artists and makers, championing the talent of local artists and giving them an outlet right in the heart of the city.
Items include jewellery, jam, bags, soaps, candles, clothing, prints, games, books, notepads and diaries with makers such as McCready Bag, Annie Moon Ceramics, Liverpool Jam Co. and Jules B Jewellery.
Ceramicist Annie, who’s from Litherland, is one of those who isn’t just stocked in Wander, she also works there so has a chance to meet fellow artists and also customers.
She said:
“I originally met Grace through MerseyMade, we got on well and when Grace was opening the shop she asked if I’d give her a hand. I’m usually in my studio at home so this is a great opportunity for creative networking.
“When you’re working by yourself, you’re not getting immediate feedback, but here I’m meeting people who are buying my ceramics as well and I get to hear them talking about how much they love something without actually realising it’s me who’s made it.”
Everything on the shelves at Wander comes from creatives who Grace and Annie already know through the art community, or they’ve spotted at local markets. Their DMs are open so they connect via social media too, and get submissions on their website.
“It can be really difficult to get your work seen by people online, so it makes a difference to have a physical showcase and we want Wander to be accessible to everybody,” adds Annie.
“People can come in, browse to find something they like, and we have a little write-up on all our artists so they can read where their things are coming from and find out more about the maker.
“We really want to encourage the people of Liverpool to shop independently and support local, independent makers, and customers do tell us that’s important to them.
“If you go to other cities in the UK, for example Glasgow, there are so many opportunities to support an independent company, whether it’s clothing or art or lifestyle like we have, but in Liverpool there’s a much more limited selection.
“I think because of that people do want to help and build it up if they can rather than seeing another independent business close down.”
With Pocket cafe adjoining, Annie says they often find customers grab a coffee then walk through to look around.
As well as local shoppers, Wander attracts a lot of tourists and fans in the city centre on their way to Liverpool and Everton home games.
“Tourism, and especially football tourism, a big for us,” says Annie.
“Since Eurovision, Liverpool always seems really busy with visitors, it’s just been up and up since then.
“People want to leave with something from where they’ve visited, but maybe not always a traditional souvenir. Liverpool is a very creative city, with such a lot of talent, so they can find it at our shop.”
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Following his own personal experience of cancer, Liverpool housing executive Paul Dolan launches new Cook off for Cancer campaign.
Designed to celebrate the unifying act of sharing food with others, the Cook off for Cancer campaign will consist of a year-long series of culinary fundraising events and initiatives to raise money for national children’s cancer charity Young Lives vs Cancer.
Riverside Chief Executive Paul Dolan knows only too well how life-changing a cancer diagnosis can be after receiving a shock bowel cancer diagnosis in 2024, just two weeks after starting his new role as Chief Executive.
Across the Liverpool City Region, Riverside owns and manages 22,036 homes.
Following successful surgery and a return to work last year, Paul became determined to give something back with a specific focus on children and young people diagnosed with cancer.
Now, inspired by his time working as a Michelin-trained chef with Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons in Oxford, the new Cook off for Cancer campaign will, over the next twelve months, target housing professionals, national and local businesses, celebrity chefs and the public.
Throughout this year, Cook off for Cancer participants will be able to take part in a variety of national and regional events to celebrate the joy of eating with others while also raising donations to support the work of Young Lives vs Cancer.
Those interested in getting involved can request an information pack via Microsoft Forms to receive more information about the fundraising events as well as a suite of campaign materials.
Based across the UK, Young Lives vs Cancer is the leading national charity for children and young people living with cancer and their families. In 2023/2024, the charity supported 227 families in Liverpool through its specialist social worker teams.
Commenting on the personal significance of the Cook off for Cancer campaign, Paul Dolan, Chief Executive of Riverside, said:
“I know first-hand just how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be – not only for yourself but also for those who love you the most. During my treatment I became particularly concerned for my two children who had to learn how to live alongside a parent who has cancer.
“It’s with this in mind that I have started the Cook off for Cancer campaign. Cancer is a cruel disease but especially for children. The important impact that Young Lives vs Cancer has for children and their families cannot be overstated and I hope that many will join me this year in raising as much money as possible for this deserving charity.”
Sue Collins, Director of Fundraising and Engagement at Young Lives vs Cancer, added:
“We’re delighted that Paul Dolan and The Riverside Group have chosen to raise funds for Young Lives vs Cancer. Every penny raised will allow us to continue the vital work we do, supporting children and young people throughout the UK, who are experiencing a cancer diagnosis.
“At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time. I want to personally thank Paul and The Riverside Group for believing in our mission and standing with Young Lives vs Cancer.”
Commenting on the impact of Young Lives vs Cancer’s free accommodation service ‘Jack’s House’, Joanne Drea said:
“Jack’s House is such an amazing place and was such a lifeline for my son Isaac and myself. Staying here meant after a day of treatment we didn’t have to make the 40-mile journey home, which could take up to two hours or even more during busy times. With its proximity to the hospital, it meant Isaac could go straight to bed after his chemo/radiotherapy if he needed and he felt comfortable there. Jack’s House really is a ‘home from home’ and the team are wonderful. We have made such good friends with them and still visit them from time to time.”
To donate to the Cook Off for Cancer campaign, click here.
Get more information about Riverside here.
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BOXPARK Liverpool is bringing the city’s biggest Super Bowl LX Live Screening Party, on Sunday 8th February.
The award-winning venue will transform into the ultimate American Football fan zone, combining live sporting action from the USA with an all-out BOXPARK party atmosphere. Guests can expect a full production viewing experience with huge screens, surround sound, and an unbeatable atmosphere from start to finish.
The night will feature DJs, live bands, cheerleaders, and a packed schedule of entertainment and games to keep the party going until the early hours.
BOXPARK Liverpool, in partnership with Coors, will also bring the fun with a bucking bronco, beer pong, giveaways and a series of high-energy eating challenges.
With plenty of food and drink available across the venue, guests can fuel up with BOXPARK Liverpool’s street food traders, including burger kitchen Shake?, Christakis, Rogue Pizza, Simply Salt N Pepper and Yoki Social Table, and enjoy an unmissable range of drinks, including ice-cold Coors, as the biggest night in American sport unfolds.
As well as the main event, guests can look forward to the infamous Super Bowl halftime show, this year featuring Bad Bunny, promising an even bigger late-night spectacle.
Joel Lee, General Manager at BOXPARK Liverpool, said:
“The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and we’re bringing it to Liverpool in true BOXPARK style. From huge screens and surround sound so you won’t miss a second of the action, to live DJs, bands, games and entertainment running all night long, this is set to be an amazing late-night event for American Football fans and party lovers alike.
“We’re really excited to be hosting the city’s biggest live Super Bowl screening party, with plenty of street food traders serving up incredible dishes, plus challenges, giveaways and the halftime show everyone will be talking about, it’s going to be a night to remember. We can’t wait to welcome everyone down on Sunday 8th February.”
More information and tickets are available on BOXPARK’s website.
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Thousands of messages from around the world helped Reds’ superfan Isaac Kearney on the road to recovery after an operation just over a week ago.
Seven-year-old Isaac, who has the rare Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, was swamped with Get Well wishes after the surgical procedure at Alder Hey.
Mum Melissa, 34, says people said they wished they had Isaac’s strength, while others praised his bravery and told him ‘you’ll never walk alone’, and she said:
“It’s unbelievable.
“We tell Isaac about all the messages and it makes you realise how much support he has. To know that people are thinking about him has definitely helped him – and us – on his road to recovery, and that’s an amazing feeling.”
The Kirkby mum of three adds:
“I posted news about the operation on social media and one of the first people to like a post after he’d woken up was Darwin Nunez, and when I told Isaac his face lit up.
“It helps so much.”
Isaac became a viral sensation when Melissa started a TikTok account for him about two years ago to give hope and support to other parents of children with Isaac’s condition, and to raise awareness of the syndrome, an extremely rare chromosomal disorder thought to affect around one in 50,000 babies and which impacts cognitive and physical development.
Isaac, who has a sister Florence, five, and six-month old brother Sonny, will face a lifetime of care and medical support.
He went into hospital on January 13 so surgeons could remove his adenoids (tissue which can become enlarged behind the nose) to try to help his breathing after he was diagnosed with sleep apnea which causes it to stop and start in April last year. They also placed grommets (tiny tubes) into his eardrum in a bid to help his hearing.
It was only a small operation but it was the worst procedure Isaac has gone through so far.
Melissa explained:
“It gets harder the older Isaac gets as he becomes more aware of everything,”
“This was one of the most minor operations he’s had but he took it the worst.
“He was fasted before which was hard because for Isaac, who’s been diagnosed with autism too, food is his comfort; and sensory needs mean he hates plasters and anything attached to him like the cannula, and he screamed the hospital down until that was taken out.
“As soon as it was, he was a different child – the Isaac everyone knows and loves.”
Although a minor operation, it is one of more the young LFC fan will probably have to endure this year.
Isaac suffers from cleidocranial dysplasia which means his skull, which should have closed over soon after birth, remained open and consultants looking after him must now operate to break down and rebuild his skull so that the gap no longer remains.
Melissa said:
“They said they wanted to wait until he was seven before they did the reconstruction and Isaac is eight in February and so we are waiting to hear when that might be.
“They will also rebuild his face, to bring it out more, so again that might help his breathing. Otherwise he may have to be put on a CPAP machine at night to deliver pressurised air while he sleeps – and he would definitely hate that!”
What Melissa and husband Alan can be assured of is the support from fans – and non-fans – across the globe.
She said:
“This time we had messages from Brisbane, from Brazil, from Holland and Ireland, all over the world.
“Isaac went to the game on Saturday and people went up to him to check he was okay, one family from Australia again, and another from Poland.
Melissa, a phlebotomist in a GP surgery who’s currently on maternity leave, smiled:
“To know that we have that family of support means so much,”
“Before Isaac went down for his operation I asked people to keep him in their thoughts, and we felt the presence of everyone. That means so much, to have had it then and to know it will be there in the future.
“Isaac realises he is so lucky to have this support, and to have people say how proud they are of him, and it really does help – even though I don’t think he realises how big this all is.
“What he’s going through is hard, and it’s going to get harder. But for him to know that so many people are behind him, and us as a family, is lovely.”
You can keep up to date with Isaac on his Instagram page.
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Since 2006, dot-art has been at the heart of the Liverpool City Region’s cultural landscape, championing local artists and making art accessible to all.
To celebrate their 20th birthday in 2026, the social enterprise is planning a series of events and exhibitions, as well as reflecting on their impact over the past two decades.
February will see the launch of two exhibitions. At the dot-art space at INNSiDE hotel on Old Hall Street, “TWENTY” will showcase large scale work by twenty dot-art Member artists and open with an evening of drinks, nibbles and live music on Thursday 5th February. One week later, on 12th February, the dot-art Gallery will host the launch of “20×20”, another group show, this time focusing on smaller, more affordable works, with each piece measuring just 20x20cm. This pair of exhibitions allows dot-art to showcase as many of their talented artists as possible in this milestone year.
Another highlight is the launch of the dot-art Prize Draw, which will offer the chance to win original artwork worth over £1000 while raising money for their work with schools. Every quarter, the draw will feature a stunning new painting from a dot-art artist, which you could win for just £5 per entry. You’ll be supporting both dot-art’s community of brilliant visual artists, and Art Bytes, their national programme bringing creativity and confidence to young people in schools across England.
Enter the draw here (open until 15th March).
dot-art’s small, dynamic team have achieved a lot in the past twenty years. From 2011 they were the first in the city to deliver regular art classes for working people at evenings and weekends, which ran for 14 years. They introduced an art rental service to the city’s businesses which operates successfully to this day. Shorter term projects include the dot-art Dark Room and the Liverpool Plinth, which gained international publicity. Liverpool Art Fair was started back in 2012 to give artists across the region a selling platform and has gone from strength to strength since moving to the Royal Liver Building in 2023. More recent highlights include the twelve Flower Streets murals, which transformed a neighbourhood in Kirkdale and won awards along the way, and the launch of Art Bytes, a national inter-school art programme based on the success of the dot-art Schools programme in our region since 2012.
Facts and figures:
- 600 artists given long term support
- 21,000 school children engaged
- £5 million in social value for school children
- 30,000 hours of creative teaching delivered
- 68,000 visitors to Liverpool Art Fair
- 2300 artists shown at Liverpool Art Fair
- 100 public and corporate art projects
- 122 exhibitions of local artist’s work
- 54 studio spaces provided
- 750 works of art rented to businesses
- 16 regional and national awards won
Lucy Byrne, dot-art’s founder and Managing Director commented:
“I am incredibly proud and thankful to see dot-art reach this landmark anniversary. Reflecting on the past twenty years, I feel so privileged to have been able to build an organisation I am passionate about, that enriches people’s lives in many ways. Art brings people together, and none of this would have been possible without my fantastic team, past and present, and the many wonderful partners we collaborate with. This could only have been possible in Liverpool where creativity and culture part is part of our DNA. Imagine what we can achieve in the next twenty years!”
After two decades of nurturing creative talent, building confidence, and developing the local art market, dot-art remains committed to their founding belief: art is for everyone. From schoolchildren discovering their creative voice to businesses investing in local talent, from community groups creating murals to individuals finding their perfect artwork – dot-art continues to make visual art accessible, relevant, and life-changing.
Find out more on the Dot Art website.
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Alder Hey has announced a major expansion of its 360° virtual tour, offering children, young people and families an even more immersive way to explore the hospital.
Funded by Alder Hey Children’s Charity, the enhanced virtual tour lets users take a 360° view of Alder Hey’s hospital environment and walk through key spaces as if they were there, all from the comfort of their home. The project supports Alder Hey’s Vision 2030 ambitions to improve patient and family experience through innovation.
Designed specifically to support children and young people, the virtual tour aims to:
- improve the experience of visiting Alder Hey
- help users understand where to go and what different areas look like
- reduce anxiety by familiarising families with clinical and non-clinical spaces before they arrive
The expansion also introduces 52 new embedded videos, bringing the total in the virtual tour to 110, along with avatars of staff and young people and enhanced signage to help users navigate the site more easily and understand what to expect in different areas.
The newly expanded model now includes a wide range of additional clinical, research and community spaces across the Alder Hey campus and beyond, including Alder Hey’s MediCinema, Catkin Centre, Medical laboratories and Innovation Hub. It also features several community and outreach buildings.
With this latest phase complete, an additional 125,585 square feet has been mapped, bringing the combined total across phases one and two to 313,585 square feet. The project now represents the first full hospital map of its kind and the largest 360° hospital model in Europe.
Nathan Askew, Chief Nurse at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“By mapping newer areas and expanding our 360° virtual map, we’re allowing families to see more of Alder Hey before they arrive, helping them understand where they’re going and what to expect. We know from the positive feedback from the initial virtual map that this helps to reduce anxiety and improve the overall experience.”
Since its original launch, the virtual tour has attracted more than 30,000 visits and has been used by over 17,000 people, demonstrating its value in helping families feel more prepared and confident ahead of appointments or admissions.