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The Liverpool City Region is set to welcome stage two of the men’s Tour De France on Saturday, 3 July 2027.
Competitors will race from the Cumbrian town of Keswick through Lancashire eventually travelling through the boroughs of Knowsley and St Helens, before finishing the stage in a super sprint along Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.
The full routes for both the men’s and women’s races were revealed as ten host towns and cities were illuminated simultaneously in a nationwide “Tour de Skies” moment, marking the next major milestone on the road to the 2027 Grand Départs – set to be the largest free sporting spectacle in British history.
The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July, with the opening stage finishing in Carlisle, before stage two travels from Keswick to finish on The Strand in Liverpool city centre.
To celebrate the announcement, all start and finish venues were lit up simultaneously, with a yellow beam illuminating the sky from the city’s Three Graces, St George’s Dock building and the Mersey Tunnels.
The announcement will also present a huge multi-million-pound boost to the Liverpool City Region tourism economy and will put a timely spotlight on the region’s active travel programme, which is delivering more than 600km of new cycling and walking routes.
The arrival of the Tour De France completes an impressive hat-trick of global sporting events coming to the Liverpool city region over the next few years, with The Open to be staged at Royal Birkdale this July and the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships to be hosted at Everton FC’s stadium in 2028.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to work with our local authorities to attract this major event to our region. The Tour de France is one of the world’s most iconic sporting spectacles, so it’s only right that it comes to the UK’s most decorated sporting region. Whether you’re into the Premier League or Rugby League, the drama of the Grand National or the prestige of England’s golf coast, we are the home of truly sensational sporting moments.
“Welcoming the finish of stage two with the backdrop of our iconic waterfront will be an unforgettable occasion – not just for cycling fans, but for everyone who lives here or comes to visit. It’s a huge opportunity to support our thriving £6.25 billion visitor economy, showcase our region to a global audience, and play a part in sporting history.”
Chris Boardman, multiple Yellow Jersey holder on the tour and now National Commissioner at Active Travel England, said:
“I never thought I’d see the world’s biggest race finishing just eight miles from my home, on roads I know so well. It will be an incredible spectacle. The route to Liverpool’s iconic waterfront — starting in the Lake District and rolling through Lancashire — promises tough, hilly and spectacular racing. The beauty of cycling is that it’s free to watch and open to everyone. Few sports let you get this close to the stars or offer such versatility — from getting to work or school to bringing the whole country together. That’s why I love cycling, and why I’m thrilled to see the Tour coming to my back yard.”
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council commented:
“I am absolutely thrilled that the men’s 2027 Tour de France is set to travel through Knowsley on its way to a spectacular finish in Liverpool City Centre. Back in 2012 we were proud to host the Tour of Britain in the borough – which I know ignited a real passion for cycling, so I think the news about the Tour De France will be very warmly welcomed by residents. What a fantastic opportunity for people to catch a glimpse of the peloton and have the chance to witness this world-famous sporting spectacle right here in Knowsley.”
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, British Cycling, said:
“The Grand Départs in 2027 are about so much more than six unforgettable stages of racing – it’s about unlocking lasting change for communities right across Britain. Through Joy – our collective, game-changing social impact programme – we will put opportunity, wellbeing and community pride right at the heart of this moment in sporting history.”
Alongside the route announcement, organisers also revealed Joy, the social impact programme at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ, that aims to tackle inactivity and improve mental wellbeing, support communities to thrive, and to make Britain more productive and prosperous.
Six core programmes will be rolled out across the home nations, with organisers working collaboratively with governments, local councils, core delivery partners and community representatives to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills, break down barriers for girls in sport, and to showcase community culture through the voices of Britain.
Additionally, British Cycling will look to recruit more than 7,000 volunteers for the Grand Départ, inviting people across the UK to play a hands-on role in delivering the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting event. Thousands of opportunities will be available across route operations,
spectator support and community engagement, offering people of all ages the chance to be part of Tour history, with more details to be announced when the programme is launched in the spring.
Find out more about the Tour De France here.
Find out about some of the incredible events taking place in Liverpool in 2026 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.
Southport is set for another bumper year in 2026 with a whole host of shows and festivals taking place in the seaside town throughout 2026.
Spanning 22 miles of coastline, Southport and the surrounding area offers a cavalcade of wonderful experiences.
Whether it is the walking and cycling trails, 100 iron life-size statues in Crosby, kite surfing in Ainsdale, sand dunes, red squirrels, beautiful pine woods at the National Trust protected site in Formby, there is so much natural beauty to soak up.
And if that wasn’t enough this year, it has one of its biggest and most diverse events programmes to date.
Boasting a calendar packed full of events – many absolutely free – that will bring colour, creativity and big crowds to the town month after month.
And alongside returning favourites, several brand-new events are set to make their debut, adding fresh energy to an already busy programme.
Here Visit Southport picks out just some of the must-see events to put in your diary and make it a year to remember…
Lightport (14 – 16 February)
Lord Street | Free
Southport kicks off the year in spectacular style as Lightport transforms the town after dark.
Created by international artists Lucid Creates, this immersive light and sound experience turns familiar streets into a glowing, walk-through canvas.
Expect bold projections, large-scale installations and an atmospheric festival feel across key locations. Free, family-friendly and designed to be enjoyed at your own pace, Lightport is set to be one of the standout moments of the year.
Cristal Palace (3 – 4 April)
Lord Street | Free
Lord Street becomes the stage for a striking open-air spectacle as world-renowned French street theatre company Transe Express brings Cristal Palace to Southport.
A 15-metre-wide flying chandelier suspended above the street will be accompanied by live music, aerial performance, and choreographed movement, transforming the iconic boulevard into a dramatic ballroom.
Big Top Festival (2 – 3 May)
Town centre locations | Free and ticketed events
Modern circus takes over Southport as the Big Top Festival returns with performances from some of the world’s leading companies, including Circa and Gandini Juggling.
Across open-air stages and pop-up venues, visitors can enjoy breathtaking acrobatics, live music and hands-on workshops. With Southport’s long links to circus heritage, the festival feels right at home in the town centre.
Southport Beer Week (20 – 25 May)
Town centre venues | Free entry
Cheers to a good year! New for 2026, Southport Beer Week launches as a town-wide celebration of real ale and great beer.
Organised by Southport BID, pubs and bars across the town centre will host tastings, special events and promotions over four days, giving locals and visitors plenty of reasons to explore Southport’s independent venues.
Southport Food and Drink Festival (29 – 31 May)
Victoria Park | Free entry
A firm favourite on the events calendar, the Southport Food and Drink Festival returns with a tempting mix of street food traders, producers and live entertainment.
From gourmet burgers and hot wings to paella, crepes and churros, visitors can sample flavours from around the world in a relaxed, family-friendly setting in Victoria Park.
The 154th Open Championship (12 – 19 July)
Royal Birkdale Golf Club | Ticketed
Southport will be firmly in the global spotlight in July as Royal Birkdale hosts The Open Championship for the 11th time.
Championship play runs from Thursday 16 July to Sunday 19 July, with thousands of visitors expected in the town making it one of the biggest moments of the year for the resort.
Southport Flower Show (20 – 23 August)
Victoria Park | Ticketed
The UK’s largest independent flower show, welcoming more than 55,000 visitors each year, returns for four days in August.
The 2026 show will feature stunning floral displays, show gardens, celebrity guests, shopping, food and drink, plus a full programme of entertainment, cementing its place as a highlight of Southport’s summer season.
Southport Air Show (29 – 30 August)
Southport seafront | £12 (under 16s free)
A much-loved summer event, the Southport Air Show returns with two days of thrilling aerial displays.
Aviation fans from across the region flock to the town each year, with spectacular performances set against the backdrop of Southport’s coastline.
British Musical Fireworks Championship (26 – 27 September)
Victoria Park | £13 (Under 5s free)
Tonnes of explosives equals tonnes of fun! Music, colour and pyrotechnics combine at one of Southport’s most-loved events.
Known for its dramatic finales and crowd-pleasing performances, the British Musical Fireworks Championship lights up Victoria Park with two nights of carefully choreographed displays.
Southport Comedy Festival (2 – 18 October)
Victoria Park | Ticketed
They say laughter is the best medicine, so Southport is serving up another big dose of hilarity. Now in its 15th year, the Southport Comedy Festival returns to Victoria Park for 17 days of live comedy, welcoming performers from across the UK.
The festival, which attracted more than 6,000 people last year, will once again take place in a massive luxury heated and seated marquee, and big names already confirmed include
Henning Wehn, Gary Delaney, Scott Bennett and rapidly rising comedy and TV star Laura Smyth.
More exciting names to be announced soon.
Keep an eye on the festival website or join the mailing list to find out first who will be making Southport Smile in 2026.
Books Alive! (24 – 31 October)
Various town centre venues | Free and ticketed events
Running throughout October half-term, this reimagined literature festival has been created especially for families and young readers.
Storytelling installations, live performances, and author-led workshops will turn Southport into a living storybook, bringing stories to life across the town.
The Atkinson (throughout the year)
Lord Street |Free entry to exhibitions, with some ticketed events
Southport’s cultural hub has a packed programme planned for 2026, with exhibitions, theatre, comedy, music and family shows running throughout the year.
Highlights include the continuation of The Atkinson’s 150th Anniversary Exhibition, featuring works by L. S. Lowry, Laura Knight, and Walter Sickert; the popular Sefton Open celebrating local artists; and a major ARTIST ROOMS exhibition showcasing works by Gilbert & George, drawn from the Tate and National Galleries of Scotland collections.
Alongside exhibitions, audiences can also expect touring theatre, live comedy and music across the year.
Southport’s cultural hub will deliver a packed year of exhibitions, theatre, comedy, music, and family shows in 2026.
Find out more at Visit Southport and Southport 2026.
Find out what else is on across Southport 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 hopeful that pending a successful outcome of the business case, works to Southport Pier should be expected to get underway in early 2026.
A full restoration of the unsafe structure, which has sadly been closed since December 2022 for health and safety reasons, will now take place thanks to a £20 million investment from the UK Government’s Growth Mission Fund subject to the business case being approved.
In order to be successful in accessing the funding Sefton Council were required to submit a formal business case to the Government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
The business case will now be assessed at a special Growth Mission Fund panel later this month (January 2026).
The initial funding announcement, confirmed last year, follows extensive planning, structural assessments and public safety measures undertaken by Sefton Council since it was forced to temporarily close the pier to keep people safe.
The Grade II listed structure, the second longest in Britain, stretches 3600 feet and encompasses breathtaking views of the town’s Marine Lake, Promenade and beach.
Thanks to Government funding, the restoration will go far beyond the original decking replacement plans approved three years ago.
Following detailed surveys, the scope now includes:
– Full replacement of decking boards and timber joists
– Extensive steelwork repairs and replacements due to corrosion
– Installation of new gates and CCTV
– Implementation of a new long-term maintenance regime
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council said:
“I have been on record countless times saying we would be ready to start these works as soon as we get funding and we are staying completely true to our word.
“A two-stage design and build procurement process has already been completed, while listed building consent is also secured.
“We were delighted with the announcement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 2025 who, as we do, recognises the importance of Southport Pier and the agreement to support the Pier with up to £20million of investment.
“The Council has now submitted a full and complete business case to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and we still expect work will begin in early 2026.
“We are working closely with the DBT to progress this process at pace.
“The business case has set out the up-to-date construction costs while also addressing the need for ongoing yearly maintenance including options such as the use of the Pier contingency fund, planning obligations and other forms of income raising initiatives.
“Southport Pier is a structure with a rich history but regrettably with a poor refurbishment programme carried out in early 2000s the refurbishment left the pier very vulnerable!
“However we have never considered giving up on it. The Pier is a symbol of Southport’s identity, history, and now, thanks to the Council and Central Government, secured for the town’s future too.
“Consultation has also taken place with Historic England, the Southport Pier Trust, and the Pier Society, ensuring the works fully respect the pier’s historic significance.
“I am grateful to the Government for recognising the importance of Southport Pier. This funding allows us to deliver a safe, sustainable and significant restoration that will benefit generations to come.”
Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport and the northern parishes, said:
“This next step on the way to the reopening of Southport Pier is fantastic news for our town. Thanks to the Government’s £20 million commitment in the June spending review, this proposal now sets out a clear plan for the repair, reopening, and long-term maintenance of the Pier.
As the jewel of Southport’s coastline, the pier’s decline in recent years has been a matter of both local and national concern. This proposal by Sefton Council offers a promising opportunity to restore a much-loved landmark and reaffirm this Government’s commitment to the preservation and support of local cultural heritage. Its revival will not only boost our local economy but also reignite pride across throughout my constituency.”
Find out more about Southport Pier here.
Find out what’s on in Southport in 2026 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.
Plans by Peel Waters for 90 new waterside homes at Wirral Waters have been approved by Wirral Council.
The new scheme will form phase two of Redbridge Quay, within the regeneration area’s Northbank neighbourhood, and follows on from the completion of the award-winning Miller’s Quay development last year.
Phase two of Redbridge Quay is being developed as a joint venture between Qualis Developments and Forshaw Group and will be the next available residential development along Dock Road.
The development comprises 84 one-bedroom and six three-bedroom apartments across six blocks and will be four storeys high with pitched roofs. Each apartment will benefit from energy efficiency measures to reduce CO2 emissions, including solar panels and EV charging, and will have access to cycle parking. Nearby amenities will include a new 4,300 sq ft Sainsbury’s store on the corner of Dock Road and Duke Street.
Landscaping, open space, and public realm are central to the design of the apartments to create a vibrant, accessible and community-focussed space for residents, with two gardens, 19 newly planted trees, seating areas, and two greens connecting the development to the attractive waterside walkway.
Each apartment building has been designed to reflect the areas dockland heritage and complement nearby residential developments, including phase one of Redbridge Quay, Miller’s Quay, and the regenerated Grade II listed former grain warehouses at East Float.
Qualis Developments is a property development company specialising in the design and build of high-quality new homes across the North of England, with ‘Great Central’ in Sheffield among their recent projects. Qualis will be working in a joint venture with Forshaw Group, a residential property developer that specialises in transforming unused land and buildings.
Wirral Waters is part of Peel Waters, a UK wide portfolio of vibrant and innovative, waterfront developments, delivering large-scale, sustainable regeneration projects, creating jobs, economic growth, new homes and new public realm across the country.
Richard Mawdsley, Director of Development at Wirral Waters, said:
“We’re excited to bring yet another residential development to Wirral Waters as the community along Northbank continues to grow.
“Phase two of Redbridge Quay will build on the momentum we have created at Millers Quay and the first phase of Redbridge Quay to create a sustainable neighbourhood which supports the creation of a strong and healthy community.
“We’re delighted to be working with Qualis Developments and Forshaw Group to bring these fantastic new apartments to the people of Wirral. They will be a great addition to the Northbank neighbourhood and to the wider Wirral Waters regeneration area.”
Richard Dean, Managing Director at Qualis Developments, commented:
“Securing planning approval for phase two of Redbridge Quay is an exciting milestone for everyone involved. Wirral Waters is a regeneration programme of real scale and ambition, and we are delighted that Qualis can play a role in its next chapter.
“Working closely with Forshaw Group and Peel Waters, our focus is on delivering well-designed, energy-efficient homes that contribute to a thriving and sustainable neighbourhood. We’re looking forward to getting on site and bringing these homes to life.”
Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:
“This is another significant milestone for Wirral Waters and a further vote of confidence in Wirral. By redeveloping brownfield land into high-quality, energy-efficient homes, we are not only delivering much-needed housing for local people but also creating vibrant communities.
“Developments like Redbridge Quay show the real progress we are making in building sustainable neighbourhoods, driving forward the regeneration at Wirral Waters, and helping to shape a vibrant waterside community for generations to come.”
Find out more about Wirral Waters here.
Find out what’s on across the Wirral 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.
To mark its second birthday, Jacaranda Baltic will host a special event featuring live music and giveaways.
The night will showcase the very best of Liverpool’s local talent, the cornerstone of the brand’s ethos and identity.
Tickets are priced at just £2, with doors opening at 6pm.
In just two years, Jacaranda Baltic has hosted multi-GRAMMY Award–winning artists, former Glastonbury headliners, Coachella main-stage acts, Mercury Prize winners, Creamfields headliners, Isle of Wight Festival headliners, Reading & Leeds headliners, and more than 20 artists who have gone on to sell out Wembley Arena.
This success lies in Jacaranda Baltic’s unique approach: an accessible and affordable way for fans of physical music to experience world-class artists in their home city.
Artists who have performed at Jacaranda Baltic include:
- Bastille
- Faithless
- Travis
- Jess Glynne
- Michael Kiwanuka
- Dizzee Rascal
- Becky Hill
- Craig David
- The Libertines
- Jake Bugg
- Cat Burns
- The Zutons
Artists from across the world continue to travel to Jacaranda Baltic, drawn by one of the UK’s most committed audiences for physical music. Liverpool’s reputation as the UK’s city of music plays a significant role in the venue’s continued success.
The space has become one of the UK’s premier destinations for album launch shows and events, offering artists a proven platform to deliver top-tier launches directly to their fans.
Graham Stanley, Managing Director of Jacaranda Records, said:
“Liverpool is what makes Jacaranda Baltic work. There is such a concentrated audience of music lovers and record buyers here that artists know if they come to Liverpool, they can deliver a top-tier album launch to their fans.”
Namina Koroma, Manager of Jacaranda Record Store, added:
“The record store at Jacaranda Baltic still feels new to us, so it is hard to believe it has already been two years. Our team loves working in the Baltic Triangle — it brings a completely different energy, especially during the summer months.”
Find out what’s on at Jacaranda here.
Find more music shows 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.
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre is set to welcome back a popular immersive installation designed to inspire recycling.
The ‘Infinity Room’ exhibit, designed by not-for-profit Every Can Counts, uses mirrors and suspended aluminium cans to demonstrate the infinite recyclability of aluminium, and raise awareness about the importance of recycling amongst children and the wider public.
Following its successful debut at the centre back in June 2023, the installation returned this week, with a visit from local primary school, Widnes Academy, to mark the occasion. The exhibit will remain at Catalyst throughout 2026, giving families, schools, and other visitors in the local area plenty of chance to visit and enjoy the exhibit while learning about recycling.
Through engaging displays and interactive learning opportunities, Catalyst is also using the installation to teach visitors about the important links between chemistry and the climate, weaving in content from the national curriculum.
Inside the giant drink can-shaped installation, visitors will find themselves surrounded by an infinite reflection of suspended aluminium cans. As they take it in, a narrator will lead them on an educational journey through aluminium can recycling and its environmental benefits.
Made using 1,500 recycled cans and 25 square metres of mirrors, the installation also offers a great photo opportunity.
Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said:
“We’re so pleased to be bringing the Infinity Room back to Catalyst after its popular first visit. The installation is designed to capture attention and spark conversations about aluminium’s value and why recycling matters.
“Aluminium can be reused again and again and every empty can has the potential to be back on the shop shelves in as little as 60 days. We hope visitors to Catalyst and our installation leave feeling motivated to keep that cycle going.”
Meryl Jameson, Marketing Manager at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum, said:
“We’re excited to welcome the Infinity Room back to Catalyst following the enthusiasm it received during its first run. It’s a brilliant way to engage visitors with an important message, while offering a fun and immersive experience for families and young people.
“At Catalyst, we’re passionate about helping people explore science and understand the impact we can all have on the world around us. Working with Every Can Counts helps bring sustainability to life in a creative, hands-on way – and we hope it encourages visitors to make sure every drink can they use is recycled.”
Visitors can explore the Infinity Room at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum as part of a standard admission ticket.
The centre is closed on Mondays, open from 10am – 2pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 10am – 4pm for the rest of the week. The ‘Infinity Room’ will be located within the Interactive Gallery on the ground floor.
Every Can Counts is a unique partnership formed between drink can manufacturers, drink can fillers and the wider recycling industry, all with the goal of reaching a 100% recycling rate for drink cans. The programme provides free recycling support to businesses and organisations around the UK. Find out more information about Every Can Counts here.
Find out more on the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre website.
Find out what’s on across Liverpool this week 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.
Can you believe it’s only just over 12 weeks before the Randox Grand National Festival gets underway at Aintree?
The epic race meeting is one of the premier fixtures in Liverpool’s sporting and leisure calendar, and even though it’s an annual event we’re never anything less than excited about it.
It means three days of racing – including the most popular steeplechase in the world, The Grand National itself – and three days of all-out glamming it up on Merseyside.
So whether you’ll be an armchair watcher, or someone who’ll catch all the action from the pub or the famous racecourse itself, let the countdown begin.
Here’s everything we know so far …
When is this year’s Randox Grand National Festival?
The festival is on from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11.
Tickets for the Grand National (Saturday) are now 80% sold out.
Where will it be held?
That’s a question absolutely no-one probably needs to ask but just in case, as always it will be held at Aintree Racecourse, just two minutes’ walk from Aintree Train Station.
How much are tickets?
Online, tickets start from £31.50 on Opening Day, Thursday, April 9 for a Festival Zone ticket – impressively the same as last year! – which gets you access to viewing over the closing stages of every race; viewing access of the Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure; the chance to relax and socialise in the Red Rum Garden with live entertainment throughout the day; access to the Rum & Ginger Bar with screens and betting facilities; live music in the Aintree Pavilion, plus Tote betting facilities and big screen viewing.
Prices increase up to £130 for the Platinum Lounge Seats (for over 21s only) which include exclusive access to the private bar, a birds-eye view directly above the Finishing Post, a covered seating area, access to the Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure and complimentary race card.
Tickets start at £45.90 for Ladies Day on April 10 (Festival Zone) and £38.70 on April 11, Grand National Day itself, for The Embankment. Festival Zone tickets then are from £70.20.
Plus, there are lots of luxury experiences to be had like Private Boxes, Pavilion Executive Boxes and Grandstand Boxes, along with amazing hospitality packages available for each day.
Where can I buy tickets?
You can purchase tickets online from The Jockey Club website.
Can I still buy tickets?
Yes of course, but you’d better be quick, because tickets sell quickly – especially for Grand National Day itself with tickets for the Queen Mother Roof, Earl of Derby Lower Seats, Earl of Derby Lower Seats, Queen Mother Seats, Princess Royal Seats and Gallery, and Platinum Lounge Seats already sold out!
What can I expect on each day?
Thursday, April 9 is Opening Day which sets the tone for the entire festival and marks the start of yet another amazing festival. Gates open at 11am with the first of seven races starting at 1.45pm.
Friday, April 10 is Ladies Day when gates will open at 10.30am with, again, the first of seven races starting at 1.45pm.
Ladies Day is one of the most glamorous race days when The Style Awards are held and when the spotlight shines not just on the horses and jockeys but on the best dressed of Liverpool with usual categories like Best Dressed and Most Sustainably Dressed. Iconic retailer Debenhams is the Official Style Partner of Ladies’ Day at the Randox Grand National Festival 2026.
Gates open earlier at 10am on Saturday, April 11, Grand National Day and the first race is at 1.20pm, with the big race going under starter’s orders at 4pm.
What’s new for this year?
Plenty!
* Best Hat: There’s a new category of Best Hat to be included in The Style Awards! Turning up the glamour for 2026, it’s been created to honour the bold, unforgettable, and show-stopping headpieces that define Ladies Day at Aintree. The prize for this – along with the other categories – is to be revealed soon, but what we do know is that Debenhams Ambassador and world-renowned milliner Lisa Tan will join the 2026 judging panel, bringing her exceptional eye for race-day style.
* Longma: Luxury dining experience Longma is being introduced this year, ‘where the thrill of the racetrack meets the grace of the dragon’. The package includes a six-course Pan-Asian curated dining experience, an Asian-inspired afternoon tea with signature sushi selection, and an inclusive bar with curated cocktails, champagne and fine wines. Prices start at £840.
* Numbersixvalverde: Celebrating 20 years since Numbersixvalverde’s iconic Randox Grand National victory is another exclusive hospitality experience with a package that includes a four-course Grand Luncheon, brunch canapés, and chef’s stations serving a variety of boards, bowls and small plates throughout the day. There’s also an afternoon tea and inclusive bar. Priced from £780.
You can also find out more about the Randox Grand National Festival 2026 here.
Keep up to date with everything at the Randox Grand National Festival 2026 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.
January is long, cold, wet and payday feels like an eternity away. We all feel the hit this month and for the past few years it’s been our job to ease those January blues.
The Guide Liverpool January Jackpot is back and we have some HUGE prizes for you to win everyday for a full week, starting on Blue Monday, 19 January 2026.
You loved it so much last time, we’re bringing it back for one week only with a massive prize to be won each day, but you must be following us on Instagram to enter!
Jay Hynd, founder and director of The Guide Liverpool, says: “It’s incredible.
“We have got some brilliant prizes this year and we can’t wait to cheer everyone up with a bit of fun and the opportunity to win big everyday for a full week, starting on Blue Monday.
“We were absolutely staggered with the response last time; how big January Jackpot was and how popular it was with everyone. We had thousands of people enter, and we had millions of views across all our socials.
“January is a gloomy month. You’ve got all those things we hate about winter, the cold and the rain, without the Christmas to look forward to. So we couldn’t not do it again and help people beat the blues.”
We’ve teamed up with some of the best events, venues, attractions and hotels in Liverpool City Region to get your 2025 off to a great start.
Just have a look at some of the prizes you could win:
A Pair of Platinum tickets with hospitality to see Foo Fighters live at Anfield Stadium
An overnight stay for two in a superior room with breakfast, and two hours of thermal access in Maya Blue Wellness
An M&S Bank Arena family show bundle with tickets to Disney on Ice and Harlem Globetrotters
A Pair of Silver tickets to see My Chemical Romance live at Anfield Stadium
A huge Albert Dock themed prize with overnight stay, attraction tickets, and food & drink included
VIP tickets to see Nile Rodgers & CHIC live at Bootle’s Salt & Tar + tickets to see both The Waterboys & The Saw Doctors
Tickets to see Rick Astley and UB40 at M&S Bank Arena
A Pair of Platinum tickets to see Zach Bryan live at Anfield with hospitality
There’s so much going on in the city for 2026, and you could be slap bang in the thick of it!
Every day starting on Blue Monday 19 January we will give you the chance to get your hands on one of these incredible prizes. We’ll announce a new prize every morning on our Instagram page, @TheGuideLiverpool and reveal the winner later the same day at 8pm.
With each new day there’ll be another prize!
Here’s how you can enter The Guide Liverpool January Jackpot:
You will only have 12 hours to enter each day’s competition and you must do this on each prize’s individual Instagram post.
We will be asking you to FOLLOW @TheGuideLiverpool and our second page @TheNorthernGuideUK.
You will need to LIKE the post, and COMMENT underneath it, you will find directions of what to comment within each of the posts.
We will then select a winner at random, using a random generator that same day, giving you at least a full 12 hours to enter. We will notify each winner following the draw.
Terms and Conditions vary per prize.
For the latest news in Liverpool click here.
The historic Woolton Picture House is proud to announce a five-day Valentine’s programme of classic movies.
From Friday 13th to Tuesday 17th February, the much-loved cinema will showcase a curated selection of iconic love stories, using the power of the big screen to raise vital funds for its long-term restoration.
The season opens on Friday 13th with a slice of fried gold for those who prefer their romance with a side of survival. The ultimate ‘Zom-Rom-Com’ Shaun of the Dead kicks off the festivities, proving that Valentine’s at the Picture House truly offers something for everyone-even those dodging the undead.
The programme spans the full spectrum of romance, featuring Casablanca, a timeless Hollywood classic that reminds us why Woolton is the perfect place for the beginning of a beautiful friendship between the cinema and its supporters. The lineup also includes the Oscar-winning Moonlight, modern tear-jerker The Notebook, and the ultimate feel-good favorite, Pretty Woman.
For those celebrating with friends, a special ‘Galentine’s’ screening of Bridesmaids promises a night that is ready to party, while families are invited to enjoy a tale as old as time with the animated classic Beauty and the Beast.
Kevin Fearon, one of the driving forces behind the community campaign said:
“After welcoming thousands of people back through our doors over Christmas, we wanted to create a programme that celebrates love in all its forms. Every ticket sold is a love letter to this building, helping us move one step closer to securing its future as a community-owned landmark.”
As the cinema continues its journey back into community ownership, the team is urging film fans to move quickly. To miss out on these limited screenings would be a big mistake. Huge!. Tickets go on sale at 10:00am on Saturday 17th January. Given the record-breaking demand for the Christmas season, early booking is highly recommended for what many consider one of the most beautiful and romantic cinematic settings in the country.
Valentine’s Screenings Programme:
Friday 13 February
7pm – Shaun of the Dead
Saturday 14 February
2pm – Casablanca
7pm – Pretty Woman
Sunday 15 February
2pm – Some Like It Hot
7pm – The Notebook
Monday 16 February
2pm – Beauty and the Beast (animated)
7pm – Bridesmaids
Tuesday 17 February
2pm – Enchanted
7pm – Moonlight
The Valentine’s season follows a festive reopening that raised £60,000 in just 12 days, bringing the campaign total to just under £220,000. Woolton Picture House still needs to raise £700,000 to purchase the building and begin restoring it as a community-owned cultural venue, hosting film, live performance, music and local events.
Built in 1927, Woolton Picture House is Liverpool’s oldest surviving cinema and its only remaining single-screen picture house. Each temporary reopening offers audiences not only a chance to enjoy classic films in a unique setting, but also the opportunity to play a direct role in securing the cinema’s future.
Book tickets on the Woolton Picture House website.
Find out what else you can do in Liverpool on Valentines Day on our calendar.
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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 new documentary about the life of Sir Paul McCartney following the Beatles’ break-up is to be released next month.
Man On The Run will feature interviews with Sir Paul, as well as previously unseen footage and archive materials as it chronicles the formation of Wings with his late wife, Linda.
The documentary will premiere around the world on Prime Video on February 27.
A trailer for the documentary was released on Tuesday evening, which shows footage of Sir Paul speaking and images of him and Linda, who died of cancer in 1998.
Directed by Morgan Neville, its producers said it will show Sir Paul “as he faces emotional, artistic, and personal challenges while defining a new decade of music”.
In the trailer, Sir Paul says of the aftermath of the Beatles’ break-up: “I fell very depressed, but I was very lucky, because I had Linda.”
The Beatles broke up in 1970, and Sir Paul and Linda went on to start Wings in 1971 with former Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine.
They recorded seven studio albums including Band On The Run in 1973, before their split in 1981.
Wings achieved 12 UK top 10 singles including a number one with Mull Of Kintyre, and eight UK top 10 albums.
The band is best known for songs such as Jet, Silly Love Songs and Live And Let Die, the theme to the 1973 James Bond film.
Paul Mescal will sing as Sir Paul McCartney in the new Beatles films – read here.
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Everton in the Community (EitC) has opened registration for the 10th edition of its annual Sleepout at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Taking place on Friday 2 October, this year’s ‘Stadium Sleepout’ promises to be a landmark occasion, commemorating a decade of Blues coming together to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity’s ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ (HIWTHI) programme.
Supporters will have the chance to experience the superb sightlines of the stunning waterfront stadium, braving the winds off the River Mersey while gaining a snapshot of the daily challenges faced by people affected by homelessness across the Liverpool City Region.
Over the last 10 years, thousands of Evertonians have raised almost £500,000 for HIWTHI, which provides life-changing support to local young adults at risk of homelessness through the charity’s four-bedroom residential house and tailored outreach services.
During this decade, the Sleepout has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people across the city region. HIWTHI has prevented more than 150 individuals from falling into homelessness and provided 120 with tailored outreach support, including more than 80 who have progressed into employment, education or gained qualifications, and over 70 who have been supported to move into their own accommodation.
Now in its 10th year, EitC’s flagship fundraising event is challenging participants to raise a minimum sponsorship target of £150, with a £35 registration fee securing a place.
Since its launch in 2016, the Sleepout has become a hallmark event for EitC supporters. The first event was backed and attended by former Under-23s manager and Blues star David Unsworth and his entire squad and backroom staff and became the springboard for a season-long fundraising campaign for HIWTHI. Through a series of events, challenges and public donations, more than £230,000 was raised to secure a property which now offers young adults a safe place to stay while they get back on their feet.
HIWTHI provides at-risk young people with a place to rebuild their lives, along with bespoke support covering housing and tenancy management, budgeting, mental health, relationships and advocacy. The programme also helps participants stay on track and progress towards independent living, further education or employment. For example, the charity supported a former resident, Zahraa, to secure a full-time job, complete her college course and begin university, while continuing to provide guidance with her accommodation.
A decade of Sleepouts has shown the incredible impact supporters can make, and EitC is inviting everyone to take part in this historic event to help sustain the HIWTHI programme and continue its life-changing support for young adults.
Sarah Hunter, EitC’s Fundraising Manager, said:
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of our annual Sleepout, and we’re thrilled to invite supporters to be part of this milestone event at Hill Dickinson Stadium. It’s a special opportunity to come together as a community, experience a night that gives insight into the daily challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and raise vital funds for young people in need through HIWTHI.
“Over the past decade our incredible supporters have helped hundreds of young people avoid homelessness and take steps towards independence. We can’t wait to welcome them, and many new faces, to what promises to be a memorable and inspiring evening on the banks of the Mersey.”
Sign up for the Everton in the Community Stadium Sleepout here.
Heading to Everton’s next home game? Find out why you should park in Liverpool Waters ahead of kick-off.
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Calderstones School is opening its doors to Beatles fans for the first time since John Lennon left almost 75 years ago.
The school, formerly Quarry Bank High School where the legendary Beatle went between 1952 and 1957, is running tours around the building from this weekend.
Highlights will include the chance to stand on the original stage where John performed for the first time ever with The Quarry Men and climb the tower to the place where they were formed in 1956 before changing their name to The Beatles – and even sit at the musician’s old desk!
For fans it’s the opportunity they have been wanting for decades and, for the school, and in particular Tom Barry, the technology teacher who’s been inspirational in developing the new visitor attraction, it’s a chance to set the record straight.
Tom, a teacher at the school for the last three years said:
“I don’t so much has want to rewrite history, but correct it,”
“Our school hall, built in the 1930s, was the site of the first performance by John with The Quarry Men at a school dance in 1956 – not on the back of a wagon Rosebery Street where people make pilgrimages.
“And John had poems published in the Merseybeat magazine and people say that’s the first place they’re in – but we have copies of John’s literature about 10 years before 1964 when that was published.”
“One of the biggest messages I want to get across is that John didn’t hate his time here, as is written, but hated the way it was run.
“It was a Victorian school, he was here only a few years after the war, and it was strict and stern. For someone with John’s humour, it probably wasn’t the best environment.
“But from stories we’ve found, he probably had the happiest five years of his life here, because all he did every day was mess around with his mates, and laugh, and play practical jokes on people and entertain them.
“And, in his last year when Mr Pobjoy took over as headmaster, the school became more nurturing and he was encouraged to write poems for the school magazine, create artwork for the school magazine and events, and perform his music at the school dance.
“All the things he’d go on to be so famous for.”
Beatles fan Tom, 29, from West Derby, had the idea for the John Lennon School Tour when he first joined Calderstones:
“I said to the head that we weren’t capitalising on the huge interest the school held for Beatles fans, and at that time I wasn’t thinking of anything monetary, just in terms of allowing fans to come into the school every now and then.
“But when I started uncovering all sorts of different stories and found artefacts which are currently on loan to The Beatles Museum in Mathew Street, we realised it could be a lot bigger than we’d originally thought.
“It stems from the fact that there are pieces of history hidden purely because some people at the school over the years didn’t really want the publicity of ‘this is where John Lennon went’. But there are a lot of firsts that happened here that have been credited to other places like I say, so part of it is correcting what a lot of the history books say.”
As well as midweek private tours at the end of the school day, The John Lennon School Tours will be held ‘quietly’ every other two weeks until the six-week summer holidays when an exhibition in the detention room – ‘where John spent a lot of his time’ – will become part of the tour and feature the memorabilia currently on loan.
“I’ve done a lot of research, I’ve tracked down John’s classmates and got their stories and verified them, and we found John’s school desk locked away in the attic of one of the manor houses which had become bit of a dumping ground.
“We have school magazines with his artwork, the school ledger where he’s inducted into the school, and all that is coming back to us ready for Beatle Weekend. Until then you can have a general tour and see some of the sites that were a formative part of his life and the start of The Beatles.”
Tom says it’s been ‘cool’ to make so many discoveries:
“It’s nice to be on the other side of Beatles events and to be the expert and have people asking me. It’s fascinating and it’s a privilege.
“The fact that John left just shy of 75 years ago and no-one has done anything with this stuff – maybe because they didn’t know it was there … but yeah, it’s a privilege that it’s been left and someone who really cares about the school and the story and The Beatles can pick it up.”
Tom, whose love of The Fab Four began when he inherited records from his late grandfather, Alan, goes on: “The fundraising element of the tours will benefit the school with the money going into a John Lennon pot so we can do related projects with the kids to keep the legacy going, and it encourages them to look at what they can achieve.
“Quite a lot of prominent figures have come through the school including politicians and government officials and other musicians like John Power from the Cast and the La’s. The kids are proud of where they come from and who’s been before, and it gives them something to aim for.
“There’s been so much mystery over the years and it’s super exciting to be the person who can showcase the school and make fans happy by giving them something they’ve wanted to see, and to complete the story of John Lennon and The Quarry men, because it’s their story as well.”
Find out more about the tours here.
Find out more about 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.
Disney+ has announced it has signed a deal with Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters’ production company to release a new series.
The two-year deal between Disney+ and the couple’s Matriarch Productions will see the streamer release original scripted and unscripted series made by the company.
The Adolescence stars said in a joint statement:
“We are beyond thrilled to be working with Disney+ and through this creative partnership will strive to produce inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking storytelling.”
Matriarch Productions, which is best known for producing Netflix hit Adolescence, and was also behind Hulu Original series A Thousand Blows – along with The Story Collective and Water And Power Productions, which has its second season available to stream on Disney+.
Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), added:
“Stephen and Hannah have proven they know how to tell bold, impactful stories and our vision also aligns with them around providing a platform for underrepresented voices in the UK.
“Distinctive, local stories that entertain and resonate with audiences are what Disney+ are committed to championing, making Matriarch the perfect partners as we look to evolve our production slate in the UK.
“This is a dream, and we’re thrilled to continue working with them.”
Matriarch Productions saw its first feature film, Boiling Point, premiere at the London Film Festival (LFF) in 2021, earning four Bafta Film nominations, it was adapted into a six-part BBC television series of the same name in 2022.
The company’s best known work, Adolescence, features This Is England star Graham as Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie, played by Owen Cooper, when armed police burst into his home to arrest his son.
Eddie is then chosen as Jamie’s appropriate adult, accompanying him at the police interview and learning the extent of what his son is accused of doing.
The programme, co-written by Graham and Jack Thorne, has prompted a national conversation around online safety, examining so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, which has led to misogyny online and bullying using social media.
Last year, Graham and Thorne were invited to a parliamentary meeting on the subject by Labour MP Josh MacAlister, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also praised the show, urging Parliament and schools to watch it, and saying he had watched the show with his own children.
You can watch Stephen Graham’s previous production, Adolescence, here.
Find out more about Adolescence’s huge win at the Golden Globes 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.
Liverpool is set to welcome the Artisan Craft & Spirits Festival this March, hosted at the iconic historic St George’s Hall.
Jointly delivered by Your City Events and headlined by Turncoat Distillery, the one-day festival will bring together independent distillers from across the UK for a celebration of modern British spirits, craftsmanship, and creativity, all set within one of the country’s most impressive heritage venues.
Positioned as one of the largest gatherings of craft distillers under one roof in the Northwest, the festival will feature unlimited tastings, free masterclasses, live atmosphere, and the opportunity for guests to meet the makers behind the bottles shaping the future of UK distilling.
Distillers travelling from around the country will host their own interactive spaces, offering guests insight into flavour profiles, production methods, and the stories behind their brands. From gin and rum to vodka, whisky and beyond, the festival promises a curated experience designed for both enthusiasts and those new to craft spirits.
The Artisan Craft & Spirits Festival will run across two dedicated sessions on Saturday 7 March:
• Day Session: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
• Evening Session: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Each session offers the same distillers, tastings, and experiences, allowing guests to choose the time that suits them best. As Liverpool’s headline distillery, Turncoat Distillery will act as host for the event, welcoming producers from across the UK and showcasing the city’s growing reputation within the modern spirit’s landscape.
Turncoat will also lead exclusive tastings and headline masterclasses during each session. Tickets are available across a range of options, including General Admission, VIP tickets, and a limited number of concession tickets for students and over-65s.
VIP tickets include fast-track entry, access to a dedicated lounge, guaranteed seating, and additional on-site benefits.
Find out more on the St George’s Hall website.
Find more great events across Liverpool on our calendar.
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Hard Day’s Night Hotel is launching the ‘The Inside Story’, a stunning 224-page, limited-edition hardcover coffee table book, that chronicles the extraordinary 15-year journey behind the creation of the world’s only Beatles-inspired hotel.
Created by celebrated artist and musician, Shannon MacDonald and legendary Cavern Club owner, Bill Heckle, the book features over 80 of Shannon’s evocative paintings, with historical narrative provided by Bill.
From early struggles and bold ambition to perseverance, triumph and global recognition, the book tells a deeply personal and richly detailed story. It opens with Room 101, featuring Shannon’s original Hard Day’s Night Hotel logo, and unfolds through pivotal moments in The Beatles’ accolades, historically and chronologically culminating to the final room: the Las Vegas Show… LOVE.
To coincide with the book launch, a brand-new, never-before-seen painting by Shannon, widely known as “The World’s Greatest Beatles Artist” (a title bestowed on her by Liverpool’s very own Lord Mayor), will be unveiled at an exclusive VIP red-carpet evening at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel in Liverpool on Friday 6th February 2026.
This highly anticipated artwork marks the final piece in Shannon’s long-standing creative journey with the hotel, completing the visual story that now adorns the walls of this iconic North John Street landmark. Until the moment of its reveal, the painting will remain a closely guarded secret, to be unveiled live in the hotel lounge by Shannon herself alongside Cavern Club owner Bill Heckle.
The VIP launch is expected to welcome distinguished guests including Julia Baird, John Lennon’s sister, along with other Beatles dignitaries, creatives, and cultural figures. Shannon and Bill, who first met at a Beatles Convention in Connecticut in 1994 and have remained close friends ever since, will be present to speak and sign copies of the book.
Set within Liverpool’s Grade II-listed Central Buildings and opened in 2008 in the heart of the Cavern Quarter, the hotel has become an international destination for Beatles fans and music lovers alike.
Liam Baker-Bellew, the hotel’s first-ever Liverpool-born General Manager, says:
“This VIP evening is our way of thanking Shannon and Bill for their extraordinary dedication, creativity, and support over the years. It’s also a moment to celebrate not just the launch of the book and the unveiling of the final painting, but our identity, our heritage, and our future.
We are the only Beatles-inspired hotel in the world, but more than that, we are a living part of Liverpool’s cultural story. As we step into 2026, this marks the next chapter for Hard Day’s Night Hotel, honouring where we’ve come from while looking forward to what’s next.’
Find out more about the Hard Days Night Hotel ‘The Inside Story’ here.
Find out what’s on in Liverpool this week 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.
Liverpool Cruise Port is looking forward to another record breaking year as it sails into greater success with more cruise liners and visitors than ever before.
In 2026, 120 vessels – up by five from last year – will visit the city, with 220,000 guests and 80,000 crew members on board.
That translates to more than £20m being ploughed into the Liverpool City Region as the Port, part of the privately-owned Global Ports Holding which took over in April 2024, celebrates increasing progress and prosperity year on year.
“In addition to that we support supply chains, local hauliers, local jobs – we recruit 50 local jobs throughout the season – and so the overall economic benefit is much bigger,”
John Mawer, general manager of Liverpool Cruise Port said:
“What we can quantify is £20m, based on what we know people will spend in the region.
“When you talk about the 50 jobs, the hotel bed stays, hauliers and supply chains, people who bring produce and fuel etc., our economic footprint is even wider.
“All indications are that it will be our biggest year yet, a record breaking year with the biggest number of passengers, and so it’s all good news.”
John adds:
“We are incredibly fortunate that since Covid when our industry was relatively decimated for the best part of a year and a half, we have bounced back as a real success story, not just regionally but internationally.”
Much of that is due to the hard work and efforts of GPH and Liverpool Cruise Port which has worked hard to showcase the North West region: establishing partnerships to ensure Liverpool is positioned strongly internationally, offering convenience and value along with operational expertise, and providing varied shore excursions and destination tours within the area.
“When you package all that up, it shows a growing market and a successful business. We are really happy with the acquisition of Liverpool and things are moving in the direction that we’d hoped – delivering 20.8% more people into the city this year than in 2022 – and that will promote further investment which we want to unlock going forward.”
Liverpool Cruise Port will look forward to welcoming the iconic Disney Dream for the first time in September with a fanfare and a series of events involving the community.
And Cunard’s Queen Anne, for which the city is godparent, will return for her fourth visit in June as part of a 12-night British Isles cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin and the Royal Caribbean will be among other big name favourites whose vessels we’ll see arriving.
The contribution Liverpool Cruise Port makes to the city is huge, and although it is a commercial and private operator it remains invested, says John, in Liverpool and its cruise liner legacy.
“We are a community beacon and a source of excitement and heritage, and we don’t want to move away from that.
“Even though we are a private company we want to retain all those values.”
Away from the financial side of the company, Liverpool Cruise Port is planning a host of events and projects in 2026 to cement its positive social and environmental impact on the region, including:
* A Women in Maritime Day teaming up with Fred Olsen
* Maritime Careers Day to mark International Day of the Seafarer in which local maritime education establishments and employers will be involved
* International Coastal Clean Up Day, a port initiative to bring together partners and Sefton Council to highlight biodiversity and the effects on the environment
Liverpool Cruise Port has also partnered with Fred Olsen, Mersey Ferries and Liverpool City Council to put defibrillators on the Pier Head, to which the city council is going to add a Stop the Bleed cabinet, which will help the night-time economy and the community on and around the waterfront focal point.
John concludes:
“It’s really important to say that there is a monetary and economic impact to what we do, but we also want to be a driver for those community initiatives.
“Rather than just counting the pennies we want to ask how, as an institution, do we give a little back to.
“And that’s something there will definitely be more of this year.”
Find out more about Liverpool Cruise Port here.
Find out what’s on across Liverpool in 2026 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.
LOOK Climate Lab is a biennial programme exploring how photography can be a relevant and powerful medium for talking about climate change.
Open Eye Gallery is set to transform into a lab, bringing together researchers, activists and artists to test their ideas, and encouraging audiences to discuss systematic changes needed for dealing with the climate crisis.
LOOK Climate Lab 2026 will take place from 23 January 2026 to 29 March 2026, with this year’s programme focusing on gardens and how people connect with green spaces.
Max Gorbatskyi, Open Eye Gallery’s curator, said:
From memorials to places to hang out with friends, from horticultural perfection to an accidental hedge near your house or a tree that brings back memories, we examine the role plants play in our lives, and how our lives shape theirs.
LOOK Climate Lab 2026 projects include:
- My Nature Connection. Photographer Stephanie Wynne has been collaborating with volunteers for Whitby Park Community Garden exploring the positive impact of nature connections, developed in partnership with Chester Zoo as part of their Networks for Nature programme.
- Pansy Project. Paul Harfleet has been planting pansies at sites of homophobic and transphobic abuse since 2015. Through this quiet yet powerful act, the ongoing project gently confronts hate crime and brings visibility to LGBTQ+ experiences that often go unreported.
- Emergence. A socially engaged project between volunteers at Victoria Park Butterfly House and visual artist Anna Wijnhoven. Through a series of photographs and collaborative work, it celebrates the often unseen efforts of those who sustain this unique urban sanctuary. Part of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Cultural Events Programme.
- OFFSHOOT is a collaboration between University of Salford Art Collection, RHS Garden Bridgewater and Open Eye Gallery. Socially engaged photographers Fiona Robinson, Anoosh Ariamehr and Liz Lock have been working at RHS Garden Bridgewater and with different groups from the Salford community, including youth groups, wellbeing and community groups.
- Meanwhile, artist Yan Wang Preston embarked on a memory gathering process in response to the oldest tree at RHS Bridgewater. This magnificent sweet chestnut tree, estimated to be 300 years old, stands on the historical grounds of RHS Bridgewater. If trees are memory keepers, what might this tree recollect from the past three centuries?
- TreeStory Wigan. The Story of Wigan Through its Trees was launched in 2025 by Open Eye Gallery and dot-art in partnership with Wigan Council, celebrating Wigan’s 50th anniversary. Much of Wigan’s green space has been reclaimed from post-industrial sites, transforming former coalfields into thriving natural habitats. Through photography, creative workshops, school visits and outdoor adventures, led by socially engaged photographers Lizzie King and Andy Yates, the project is bringing together local schools, community groups, and residents to share their personal TreeStories and connect with Wigan’s unique natural and industrial heritage.
- Veterans’ Oaks is a nationwide, community-led initiative to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two – historically marked as the ‘oak anniversary’. Through the symbolic act of planting oak trees across the United Kingdom, the initiative commemorates, remembers and celebrates the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the generation who lived through the war – both military personnel and civilians – and pledges to safeguard the nation’s environmental future in our struggle against climate change.
- Seeds of Change is a live project reimagining urban green spaces at the University of Salford. Three students and graduates, Nia Hoffman, Fariba Najafi Barzegar and Frances Veltkamp, have been working in collaboration with university staff, Open Eye Gallery and landscape architects Planit to design a series of multi-sensory and sustainable artworks and planting interventions for the space. The project transforms the space into a vibrant, welcoming, and ecologically rich ‘green doorway’ for the campus.
- Roam, River, Roam is a practice-as-research project by artist and producer Liz Wewiora, which forms part of her wider current PhD in collaboration with the University of Salford and Open Eye Gallery. Liz has been working as a photographic artist in residence with different communities located at the points where various rivers meet. The residency explores individuals’ relationship to their local river and its surrounding public green spaces.
The events programme includes workshops, talks, open meetings and more – to be announced soon.
Find out the latest in 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.
Spice Girl Melanie C has said the iconic girl group are “frightened” to do a reunion the wrong way in a recent interview.
The singer, 52, also known to fans as Sporty Spice, addressed the possibility of a Spice Girls reunion with Rebecca Judd on her Apple Music show, following speculation around this year’s 30th anniversary of their hit single Wannabe.
The pop group, who formed in 1994, went on to dominate the charts with hits such as Who Do You Think You Are? and Viva Forever – and was comprised of Mel C, full name Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Lady Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell-Horner.
Mel C said her bandmate Bunton, who was known as Baby Spice, is rooting for a reunion.
She told Judd: “I’m not going to throw anybody under the bus. We all are so proud, of course we are, of our legacy. It’s amazing. And it is 30 years and we do have to celebrate that in some way this year. I’m always optimistic.”
Chisholm described herself and singer Brown, or Mel B, as the “cheerleaders” pushing for a possible reunion.
She said: “Emma’s totally with us, but we all love it so much. I think it’s so precious to us.
“We’re frightened to do it the wrong way. Do you know what I mean? So it’s like we’re still working, we’re always talking, lines of communication are open and we are just waiting until we all decide on exactly the best way to do it.”
The girl group’s debut single Wannabe was released in 1996 and after two years at the top of the charts, Halliwell-Horner, nicknamed Ginger Spice, shocked the world when she left in 1998, citing “differences between us”.
In December 2000, the rest of the group went their separate ways, announcing an indefinite hiatus.
The Spice Girls reunited in 2012 for the closing ceremony of the London Summer Olympics and in 2019 for their Spice World tour – which did not feature Lady Beckham, who was also known as Posh Spice.
Since then, the chart-topping girl group has been the subject of speculation about their return to the stage.
In April 2024, Sir David Beckham sparked an online frenzy when he posted a video of the girl band singing and dancing onstage to their 1998 hit Stop at Lady Beckham’s 50th birthday party.
The former footballer later shut down the rumours of a reunion, and in an interview with US magazine Variety, he said: “I’ll still work at it, don’t worry.”
The full interview with Mel C is available on The Rebecca Judd Show on Apple Music.
Find out the latest in 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.
Child killer Jon Venables is set to have his latest bid for freedom heard by the Parole Board.
The 43-year-old, who tortured and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, will have his case heard by parole chiefs at an oral hearing more than two years after his last appeal.
In 2023, the Parole Board rejected the bid and found he still posed a danger to children and could go on to offend again.
Venables was jailed alongside Robert Thompson after the pair of 10-year-olds snatched James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.
Venables was released on licence in July 2001 and recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.
He was once again freed in August 2013 and then called back in November 2017 for the same offence, with parole judges considering his case again in September 2020.
The Daily Mirror reported that James’s family was informed on Tuesday of the upcoming parole hearing, which it said is expected next month.
No date has yet been confirmed by the Parole Board.
Spokeswoman Kym Morris, on behalf of James’s mum Denise Fergus, told the paper:
“Once again, Denise Fergus has been forced to confront a process that reopens unimaginable trauma.
“Denise was hoping for a redirection … allowing her a measure of peace and protection from further distress. That hope has now been taken away.”
Ms Morris added that Ms Fergus’s application to observe the hearing has been granted.
Victims have been able to attend parole hearings held in private under reforms rolled out nationally in April as part of efforts to boost confidence in the justice system.
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A season of brand-new Murder Mystery Afternoon Teas is coming to the Everyman after completely selling out every show in 2025.
The hugely popular whodunnits are created by Liverpool-based DBY Interactive and written by the company’s founder Becky Brooks.
Last year they put on around 20 shows Downstairs at the Everyman and amateur sleuths snapped up every ticket almost as soon as they went on sale.
Now the theatre has commissioned another series of four new Agatha Christie style Afternoon Tea shows across the new year – plus there’ll be a murderous Valentine’s Special entitled ‘The Grand Finale’.
Becky, who lives in Wirral, came up with the idea of combining afternoon tea with an immersive murder mystery where audience members get to play detective and work out which character is the villain.
She launched the concept in April 2024, working with a core cast of talented local actors, and they proved an instant hit.
Becky said:
“The Everyman have really supported us, and helped us grow our voice and our identity, which has been brilliant,”
“I want the audiences to feel part of the shows, it’s escapism so they can really throw themselves into the experience and just enjoy themselves.
“You can feel the atmosphere in the room, how relaxed people are and how much they’re getting into it, and there’s such a mixed age range.
“When we first started out it was an older audience but now a lot more younger people come with parents or grandparents, and we get a few teenagers too, they’re normally the best detectives in the room!”
Becky says she writes her shows in layers, so people can get decide for themselves how much they get involved in the sleuthing
“Some people come just for the theatrical experience and the fun of it, and some really want to be challenged with all the clues and working out a motive.
“I tend to write the show and then go through it and work on the finer details and connections to make sure there are enough subtle clues. There’s nothing better than having a sudden twist when, as an audience member, you think you know what’s happened, but it’s also great for the cast to see someone get it because they were really listening.
“I love those moments when there’s a collective gasp because a room full of people are totally in your story, that’s such a good feeling.”
One of the things audiences love most about DBY’s murder mystery afternoon teas – as well as the scones – is the interaction: they get to interrogate characters at their tables as part of the show.
“People do work together and collaborate on ideas with other tables, so you get this community detective hub going on,” adds Becky.
“I think the setting really helps that because it’s a bistro and we only have 76 people in the room so it’s such an immersive very personal experience.”
Tickets for the Valentine’s Special, The Grand Finale featuring world-famous illusionist Theodore the Magnificent, are already on sale with shows from Thursday February 12 to Saturday February 14.
Then there’ll be a further four brand-new ones to come in April, July, September and December. Rest In Pieces is set at the wake of a WWII decoder who’s put a code in her will which the audience needs to decipher. Last One Standing has guests with hidden histories heading to a luxury island in the 1920s, and Union of Revenge is based in the 1960s in an ex-asylum now turned into the home of an artist.
The final show of the year, a Christmas special, will be Murder at Blackout, where the Everyman basement becomes a WW2 bunker filled with characters who may or may not be who they say they are.
Tickets for those four shows will go on sale soon, and Becky is excited to welcome new and returning fans, and reunite her cast.
“I’ve been growing the company for 10 years and the actors I work with I think are some of the best in the North West,” she says. “They bring it all to life and I’m so lucky to have them.
“Having all our shows sell out is a writer’s dream, I’ve always loved murder mysteries and interactive theatre so it’s so nice that other people love it too.”