Headlines: ‘Safe place’ scheme set up in Liverpool after series of attacks

Merseyside Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, is working with partners to create ‘safe spaces’ across the city after a series of hate crimes in Liverpool.

Bars, nightclubs and other venues are being encouraged to apply to join the ‘You’re Safe Here’ scheme, which uses a simple badge to identify certified safe spaces.

The mark aims to reassure the public that staff have been trained in what to do if they are a victim of hate crime or other unacceptable behaviour.

Andi Herring, CEO and co-founder of LCR Pride Foundation, said: “While this scheme has been launched following a series of hate crimes against the LGBT+ community in the city, it is intended to provide safe spaces for all.

“It has been designed to be simple to understand and for ‘safe space’ venues to be easily recognisable.

“There are no codewords or complex processes, just effective training that will empower venues to recognise issues and respond effectively, while also giving customers the confidence to ask for help.”

Liverpool appoints new Heritage Chief

Liverpool City Council has created a new role – Head of Heritage Preservation and Development - in its first major move since the city lost its UNESCO World Heritage status.

Alan Smith, who has been involved in Operations and Management of the city’s Grade I listed St George’s Hall since November 2007, has been appointed to the new role.

Alan’s goal will be to support the preservation, protection, improvement and enhancement of all of the council’s heritage assets and historic parks. His primary focus will be on the stewardship of St George’s Hall, Town Hall and Croxteth Hall.

He will also be tasked with leading a team to devise a new arts strategy for the city’s collections, and a new fundraising strategy as well as curating an events, engagement and education programme to showcase and celebrate the city’s heritage to audiences of all ages.

Liverpool Theatre Festival

The second annual Liverpool Theatre Festival has been hailed a success after attracting an audience of 2,700 theatregoers across 12 days.

The outdoor festival programme featured 23 performances of 16 shows. Liverpool Theatre Festival was created by Liverpool theatre producer Bill Elms and was first staged in September 2020 to help support the city’s creative arts industry during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Theatres and live entertainment venues were ordered to close immediately under the Government’s first national lockdown guidelines.