The Forestry Commission have launched a new shuttle bus service in a bid to cut traffic congestion in the Lake District. The Grizedale Wanderer X30 connects Haverthwaite to the Grizedale Visitor Centre at Grizedale Forest. The service commenced on March 21 and will run until November 2 2008.
The fifth annual Leigh and Wigan Words Together Literary Festival will be held March 24 to April 5 2008. Highlights include BBC newsreader George Alagiah discussing multiculturalism in the UK. For more information visit the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust website.
Diners in Preston can now check out the hygiene ratings of the city’s restaurants on a new website set up by Preston Council. The Preston FoodSafe site shows the ratings given by environmental health officers and currently lists 790 premises.
Chester City Council is to spend £300,000 to protect the city’s historic Rows from vandalism and fire. The current CCTV network will be extended and video equipment replaced with digital technology. Heat detection equipment will also be installed in the walkways.
Councillor Neil Ritchie, Executive Member for Environment said, ‘The Rows are a vital part of Chester’s heritage so the council, with support from Chester Community Safety Partnership, is providing the investment needed to secure their future. Extending CCTV coverage on the Rows will help to improve safety for residents and visitors and heat detectors will play an important role in protecting lives and property.’
Manchester-based boxer Ricky Hatton will defend his IBO Light Welterweight title against Mexican Juan Lazcano at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 24 2008. Tickets for the fight, dubbed the Homecoming, go on sale on March 14 at 10 am. Those unable to buy tickets will be able to watch the fight live on Sky Box Office.
Preston’s Museum of Lancashire has been designated a Quality Assured Visitor Attraction by Visit Britain, the official British Tourist Authority. Charlotte Steels, Assistant Keeper said, ‘We are all delighted by this award. The staff work hard to make the museum a welcoming place for visitors and it’s fantastic that we have been given this acknowledgement.’
The shortlist for the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2008 includes more businesses from North West England than any other region. The entrants are:
Boltongate Old Rectory – Ireby, near Carlisle – Bed & Breakfast of the Year
Hillbark Hotel – Wirral – Small Hotel of the Year
Liverpool 08 Place – Liverpool - Tourist Information Centre of the Year
Manchester Central – Manchester – Business Tourism Award
Radisson Edwardian – Manchester – Large Hotel of the Year
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic – Liverpool – Tourism Website of the Year
Stone Cottage – Penrith – Self-Catering Holiday of the Year
Sunset Park Holiday Homes - Hambleton, near Blackpool – Caravan Park of the Year
Tullie House – Carlisle – Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
The awards will be held at St George’s Hall in Liverpool on April 23 2008, the first time they have been held outside London.
Elton John has announced that his Las Vegas show, Elton John The Red Piano, will come to England later this year. Shows will be held at the Birmingham National Indoor Arena on November 19, the Liverpool Echo Arena on December 17, and the MEN Arena on December 20.
The Red Piano show has been running at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas since 2004. Tickets go on sale at 9 am on March 14 2008.
The 10th Creamfields festival will take place at Daresbury on August 23 and 24 2008. Acts confirmed include Kasabian, Fat Boy Slim, Paul Van Dyke, Tiesto, Simian Mobile Disco, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, Pete Tong, Felix Da Housecat, Judge Jules, Mike Pickering, Graeme Park, Dave Haslam, and Jon Da Silva.
Merseytravel, Liverpool’s local transport authority, has purchased the Beatles Story at Albert Dock from a group of private investors. In February they also revealed they would be opening a second Beatles Story at the Pier Head ferry terminal.