The views of people in Sefton ahead of the local elections, a woman on why she moved back to Liverpool from The Netherlands and the former footballer running a coffee shop in Wirral are among the stories you might not have spotted
22:06, 21 Apr 2026Updated 22:16, 21 Apr 2026
Sarah Agger (front) and Charlotte Cloy (centre) from Cottage Coffee(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Here are five stories from the Liverpool ECHO you might have missed
1.) We asked the people of Sefton how they planned to vote in next month’s local elections
The Strand Shopping Centre in Bootle used to be “heaving, it was fabulous”, says Margaret Jones, 73, who has fond memories of shopping there in the 1960s. Ms Jones, who was born in Seaforth, says the centre had five shoe shops and a “chippy at the end” with “queues out the door” every day.
But, she said: “When I was a little girl compared to now, nothing in my eyes has been advanced. I used to go into town all the time but I don’t now because the square is disgusting. Everything is all hard work compared to what it used to be. There are no benches for people to sit on, not enough cleaning is done, there’s rubbish everywhere.”
She tells the ECHO she has always voted Labour but isn’t sure for the upcoming local elections, “would never vote Conservative” and is “in two minds about Farage” and Reform UK. Read the full story here.
2.) Mystery as police cordon off Netherton sports bar for five days
A sports bar in Netherton was reportedly cordoned off by Merseyside Police five days ago with questions surrounding the nature of the incident. The ECHO was told officers cordoned off Marti’s Bar on Marian Square, in Netherton, on Friday, April 17 and a police presence has been spotted at the sports bar since.
The ECHO has asked Merseyside Police about the presence at the pub and a spokesperson confirmed an investigation is ongoing. Due to the ongoing investigation the force said it cannot provide more information about the nature of the scene at the moment. The ECHO understands the scene is expected to stay in place for some time.
People have reported officers coming and going from Marti’s Bar and pictures show a large cordon in place with a number of Merseyside Police vehicles in attendance. Read the full story here.
3.) Woman’s time abroad inspired move to help others when she returned to Liverpool
Feeling isolated and sapped of her personality after struggling to integrate into her new surroundings abroad, Yvonne Bennett, 57, is now helping refugees feel at home in their new surroundings. After meeting her husband, Victor Hansen, while working on the Holland America Line cruise, the pair moved to the Netherlands in 1998.
However, after moving more than 500 miles, from Liverpool to the Netherlands she said that she “lost her personality” when she moved to her new surroundings. She told the ECHO: “I went because I met my first husband and that’s why I moved to the Netherlands, but very quickly he got quite sick with MS [multiple sclerosis], and it was really progressive MS.”
She added: “I had to really push myself to get into the services, like trying to speak to doctors, work out how the system worked, and learn how to get into the community. Where do you go for a hospital? Where do you go to the doctors? Where do you go to help in just everyday life really?” Read the full story here.
4.) Huge queues expected as Liverpool brand says ‘we’ll be back’
Liverpool-born fashion brand Noughts & Kisses is preparing to return to the city centre as a pop-up. The women’s wear and accessories retailer is set to open in Peter’s Lane in Liverpool ONE, with the opening scheduled from Wednesday, April 29 until Monday, May 4.
Noughts & Kisses was founded by Jemma Bradley in 2011 who started off selling sunglasses. The brand spiralled into an international success now known for its chic and stylish eveningwear, comfortable items and co-ords.
The company has since gone on to receive celebrity endorsement with Coleen Rooney seen sporting its items. Announcing its return as a physical shopping destination, Noughts & Kisses said: “We’re popping back up.” Read the full story here.
5.) Huyton coffee shop owner’s ‘dream becoming real’ as two new locations confirmed
A coffee shop located in a former stable is set to expand into two new locations. Cottage Coffee, a takeaway coffee shop located inside a former stable, can be found in McGoldrick Park in Huyton. Sarah Agger, 26, from Huyton has ran Cottage Coffee since April 2024 after her mum started the business in 2017.
The 26-year-old worked at the shop while playing semi-professional football, something she had done for Liverpool, Everton, and Manchester City. However, two ACL injuries led her to change career paths.
Her mum died in November 2024, leading Sarah to close the shop temporarily before reopening in March last year. Now, after getting a trailer, she is set to bring Cottage Coffee to Leasowe Road by Links View in Wirral and Anfield match days next season. Read the full story here.