Notes from the North: An arena for Blackpool, making a difference in Calderdale and a suspended councillor
All the highlights from our exclusive reporting as part of The Lead North, including battling to fight poverty in Calderdale and an interesting idea from Blackpool
It’s not just that Blackpool doesn’t have an arena - the entire county of Lancashire doesn’t have one.
Part of that, opponents will say, is because there are two in Manchester and one in Liverpool. Managing big venues is an enormous undertaking and finding investment can be a challenge.
But Blackpool sees millions of tourists and has a rare opportunity to make it happen right next to the Tower. If it doesn’t happen now, when?
In Calderdale, Kim and her sister set the Mothershare charity up 11 years ago and she admits she didn’t think she’d still be needed all these year’s later. But, she is because she says the problem of child poverty has worsened over the last decade.
And I don’t mind telling you that The Lancashire Lead was first to report on the suspension of a Reform councillor at Lancashire County Council this week - with the traditional local media and even The Guardian following our example some hours later.
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Each week on The Lead our senior editor for The Lead North, Luke Beardsworth, highlights some of the stories we’ve been breaking exclusively, covering extensively and staying the course on to ensure communities have access to verified independent journalism. If you have any stories you think we should be covering, or tip-offs, you can contact luke@thelead.uk
Who pays for Blackpool to have a world-class arena?
A new world-class arena is not an unthinkable outcome for Blackpool Central- but comes with clear and obvious obstacles to overcome.
Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, has reiterated his desire that a new arena be built on the site of Blackpool Central.
The future of Blackpool Central is up in the air after the collapse of Nikal Ltd in 2024, as was first reported by The Blackpool Lead.
But clearly, a truly world-class arena for Blackpool is not the easiest path to take.
‘No child should have to go to school in someone else’s underwear’: Halifax charity founder on battle to end child poverty
When Kim Sheddon and her sister Emma Jayne Carter set up the Halifax-based charity Mothershare, they didn’t know how long they would be needed.
The mission statement was simple: to provide essential equipment and clothing for babies and children, supporting parents and carers in meeting basic needs and improving lives.
Now, 11 years after its formation, Mothershare is helping more families across Calderdale than ever before.
Senior Reform UK figure at County Hall in Lancashire suspended by party
A senior Reform UK councillor has been suspended by the party after being confirmed as the author of leaked messages where it was alleged the party is far more ‘hardline’ on immigration than they are showing to the public.
County Cllr Tom Pickup, who represents Padiham and Burnley West at Lancashire County Council, is lead member for finances and resources and was seen as a senior figure within the party locally, will now sit as an independent.
Pickup shared a number of messages in a far-right Whatsapp group which included stating: “Everyone in Reform is a lot more hardline on immigration than is typically stated publicly, to get a majority government we have to be tactical.”
He also said that he hoped for the return of ousted MP Rupert Lowe as Reform UK party leader in future.
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