The Liverpool Echo reports that the vacant Griffiths Funeral Home at Grange Bank, Grange Road (next to The Wro) could become a new community bar cafe. Entrepreneur Tim Bacon, the man behind The Living Room chain has already had initial approval from planning officers.

It’s not surprising that there is some local opposition to the plans but I can’t see any relevance in mentioning that the building used to be a funeral parlour.

Futher to my post about the latest West Kirby planning news, The Daily post reports that the controversial Sail Hotel project has been given something of a lifeline.

The company behind the hotel development is Carpenter Investments and it has been given a further six months to revise and put forward it plans for a hotel on the edge of Marine Lake. Wirral Council is quoted as saying:

Having regard to the matters identified in the report and the further information considered by members [at their meeting] Cabinet instructs officers to undertake further discussions with Carpenter Investments and the appointed consultants, with a further report to be submitted to Cabinet in the next six months to enable it to take a final view on the future of the project.

I will try to keep you posted on further news.

This weeks Wirral Globe has exclusives (their words) on news about proposed West Kirby developments.

Firstly, the controversial Sail Hotel project is to be put on hold for the foreseeable future. There have been strong opinions about this proposed hotel and maybe a postponement will create an opportunity for other ideas to surface. Globe report.

Secondly, the proposal to make The Crescent a pedestrianised area has met with a majority resistance from local traders and The Globe reports that the project will not go ahead.

From 1st April public swimming baths up and down the country start to offer free swimming for those 60 and over and 16 or under. It’s all part of the campaign to encourage people to get active or stay active.

I don’t know, but I suspect you’ll be asked for proof of age or you might need to pay a one-off charge for a special free swimmer card (or something like that) that you’ll need to bring with you on each visit. Also check with the pool for times that you can swim for free.

From what I can tell on this page the Wirral is participating – do tell me if that’s not the case.

Happy swimming!

The BBC reports that ex Liverpool FC star Robbie Fowler denies a charge of driving whilst using a mobile phone.

Reported as living at Caldy Road, Caldy, Fowler will be leaving the Wirral for a period of time to play football in Australia.

If convicted the striker could be fined £60 or given three penalty points on his driving licence.

The plans for the new Aldi store on the site of the old cinema in Bridge Road, West Kirby have been given the green light. But, it is conditional on the relocation of the existing petrol station. I mentioned the proposed site for the new petrol station the other week.

I’m wondering if West Kirby jewellers Philip & Charles is to close down? The shop in The Crescent is part of a family owned business based in Ormskirk – the Ormskirk  shop closes this weekend reports alocal newspaper. As you can see from that report – it isn’t clear if our local shop is to close too those I’m presuming it is.

UPDATE: As the photo clearly shows, the shop is closing down.

Can anyone confirm? Please a comment if you can.

A security guard was attacked with a crowbar as he delivered cash to Morrisons in Dee Lane. The guard was outside Morrisons at just before 5pm yesterday when he was set upon by two men. They hit him with a metal bar before grabbing the box full of cash.  They drove away in a silver Skoda Octavia, later found dumped nearby. Police believe the crooks got into a white van outside the Hilbre Court Hotel, on Banks Road, after ditching the Skoda.

My wife informs me that Elton John was in West Kirby on Thursday! Can anyone confirm this?

What other celebs have you seen in West Kirby (local footy players & managers don’t count  - that’s way too easy!) ?

I see that plans have been submitted for…

erection of petrol filling station including canopy and sales building together with car wash facilities, parking and landscaping APP/2008/6865

The site is described as land to rear of Telephone Exchange, adjacent to 43 Orrysdale Road, West Kirby, CH48 4EP. That’ll be opposite the Concourse car park then!

I wonder does this have anything to do with the proposed plans for the Aldi store in Bridge Road – as the existing petrol station is on that proposed site?