Businesses in St Helens Borough are invited to sign up to a free digital webinar next month to help get their business online. Run by Google’s not-for-profit online marketing training initiative, Google Garage, and supported by MP for St Helens North, Conor McGinn, as well as the St Helens Ambassador Network – established to attract growth to the borough – the programme will provide free digital skills training to individuals and businesses to help them adapt to the current coronavirus pandemic and grow their offer online.

Ronan Harris, Google’s UK & Ireland Managing Director, said: “Local businesses, like those in St Helens, are the lifeblood of our communities. Like millions up and down the country, we want to help small businesses both survive and thrive. Through this free Google Digital Garage training course, we hope to provide the tools and digital skills to help St Helens businesses adapt to operating in the current context. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, we want to show that having an online presence can have a transformative impact on all businesses.”

Conor McGinn, who instigated the event and will be among those in attendance on the day, said: “The importance of being confident and capable online in this digital age is integral to anyone wanting to develop their business, especially as we all learn to adapt to know ways of working due to Covid-19. I am pleased to have worked in partnership with Google Garage to create this opportunity for local businesses, community companies and individuals to attend this webinar.

“Digital skills are key to delivering the ambitious agenda for jobs and growth in St Helens North and across the borough and I encourage local firms to take up this training offer.” Commenting on the importance of having a strong online presence, local businessman, Chis O’Dea – managing director of award-winning retail empire, OD’s, and member of the St Helens Ambassadors scheme – said: “Having a website and social media has proved to be a huge lifeline for us this past six-months or so, allowing us to continue trading during national lockdown when some shops were forced to close to stop the spread the coronavirus.

“The way the world is going at the moment, we know that a high proportion of shoppers prefer to do their shopping online if it’s more convenient for them. Online trading has been a huge success for us and I hope it paves the way for more businesses to extend their offer to help their business grow.”
Showing her support to the programme, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Business, Councillor Kate Groucutt, said: “Given the challenges we currently face and the change in customer habits in certain sectors, particularly retail, it’s important more than ever that businesses have an online presence. “Businesses – no matter how big or small in size or turnover – are all of equal importance in our borough and we as a council want to see them flourish. That’s why I’d encourage any business that may benefit from this free webinar to sign up to pick up new skills and discover new ways of working.”

For businesses unable to attend, Google Digital Garage is also running a series of free live webinars, Monday to Friday, covering a selection of courses aimed at helping individuals and small businesses, including:
• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Build your Personal Brand Online
• Get Started with Digital Advertising
• Get your Business Visible on Google
• Writing for Social Media
• Safety First: Protect Yourself Online
Google Digital Garage will take place between 10:00am-11:30am on Friday 2 October.

To receive a registration link, email cathrynwhite@sthelens.gov.uk
For more Google Digital Garage webinars, visit https://events.withgoogle.com/digitalgaragewebinars/weekly-webinars/#content

For more information on the St Helens Ambassador Network visit www.investsthelens.co.uk or follow @investsthelens on Twitter.

When it comes to recycling, Ribble Valley is ‘top of the pots’, according to new figures. The borough has seen the biggest increase in recycling in Lancashire in the last two years – a 24 per cent boost in the collection of green waste and 22 per cent in recyclables.

Ribble Valley is also the only borough to see a reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill. The figures also place the borough fourth in Lancashire for the collection of target material and third for low contamination rates, meaning Ribble Valley residents are placing the right items in the right bins.

Ribble Valley Borough Council made it easier for people to recycle more plastic last year, by allowing them to put pots, tubs and trays in their blue bins. And the move has clearly struck a note with the borough’s green-keen households.

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Stephen Atkin-son said: “To have the highest increase in recycling of any borough in Lancashire, along with a reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill, is a fantastic achievement.
“These rates have been achieved by a tremendous workforce, who collect refuse from one of the largest geographical boroughs in the North, and residents, who have engaged enthusiastically with our recycling schemes.”
John Heap, the council’s director of community services, added: “Collecting refuse is hard work, but the job has to be done and our lads just get on with it.

“They walk mile upon mile ensuring the borough’s refuse is collected or recycled and their dedication is typical of the care and effort that our workers put into making Ribble Valley a great place to live and visit.”
You can do your bit to boost the borough’s recycling rates by placing the following items in your blue bin: glass bottles and jars, food tins, drink cans, foil trays, empty aerosol cans; metal tins, bottle caps and jar lids; plastic bottles, lids, pots, tubs, trays and punnets (film lids and absorbent pads should be placed with general rubbish); plant pots, tubs and trays.
Please rinse items before putting them in the bin to protect the recycling stream from contamination.

Oldham Council has submitted plans to transform a historic town hall space into an independent-style food market.

Situated in the Egyptian Rooms of the landmark Old Town Hall, the casual dining market would deliver a brand-new offer to Oldham town centre.

Featuring six food and drink concessions, it would cater for around 200 people with both inside and outside seating including a large covered al-fresco dining area on Parliament Square.

The venue proposes a similar concept and layout to existing independent food markets across Greater Manchester – with food and drink traders located on the perimeter and a central dining and socialising space. Potential stalls could include coffee, pizza and a bar.

Oldham Council has now applied for permission to redevelop the room – which was once home to the Borough Treasurer’s Rates Hall – and is in discussions with potential operators.

Cllr Sean Fielding, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “This would be an exciting new food and drink experience for Oldham and a great addition to the Old Town Hall and the fantastic businesses already based there and across the town centre.

“We’re committed to ensuring Oldham has a vibrant leisure and night-time economy and we are confident a market like this will be welcomed by residents and visitors.”

Following a £37 million redevelopment, the Grade II-listed Old Town Hall was transformed from a derelict building. It is now home to a seven-screen Odeon cinema, Nandos and Molino Lounge.

The council has submitted a bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund to support the delivery of the food market.

If successful, the funding will also support other regeneration projects across the town centre including public realm improvements and the creation of a digital start-up hub.

Cllr Fielding added: “Coronavirus has had a huge impact on Oldham – which is why it’s more important than ever to do everything we can to create investment, jobs and opportunities for people.

“We look forward to hearing the outcome of the Future High Street Fund which will enable us to deliver key regeneration projects to help our town build back better.”

Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, said: “Many residents and operators in Oldham have spoken to me about how thriving the night time economy used to be.

“I have now had many visits and very positive conversations with Cllr Sean Fielding, the Leader of Oldham Council. Sean completely understands and supports the idea of re-invigorating the sector and last year assembled a Night Time Economy Taskforce.

“Last year, during one of my visits, I was shown a very ambitious project, the Egyptian Rooms and was told about the plans to bring it to life and expand footfall into the Old Town Hall.

“Now, even during these challenging times, I’m delighted the Egyptian Rooms are progressing.

“Not only will it create many jobs but could also become a nucleus to make other independents flourish, as we have seen with food halls in other areas of Greater Manchester.”

If approved, work will begin on the Egyptian Rooms later this year with a planned opening of summer 2021.

St Helens Council is calling on residents, businesses and community groups to help identify ways of introducing enhanced spaces for people to walk and ride their bikes.

This will ensure social distancing is maintained during essential journeys and exercise during and after the coronavirus pandemic.    Since launching the ‘St Helens Liveable Streets’ consultation last week, the council has already received a good range of views on where cycling and walking facilities are needed the most – but is urging even more residents, businesses and groups to have their say online.   

It’s easy to raise an issue – just put a pin on the map to raise issues and leave a suggestion on how active travel and social distancing can be achieved.  Comments will help the council to secure emergency funding to deliver walking and cycling facilities, and support project delivery in the future. St Helens is continuing to develop it’s cycling and walking networks.

A new Toucan crossing on Boardman’s Lane is being completed this week and improvements to greenway routes at College Street is ongoing. St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, Councillor Richard McCauley, said:

“The council is committed to introducing more sustainable, healthier ways of travel in our communities – which is evident through a number of recent and ongoing road improvement schemes across the borough.  

“Whether you travel by car, bike, foot – or you live or have a business in the area – we want to hear your thoughts to help shape this ambitious project and improve transport infrastructure in our communities.” The consultation will run until Monday 31 August. To take part, visit sthelensliveablestreets.commonplace.is