Southport businesses and Southport MP Damien Moore have won victory in their mission to move Southport’s first Covid Local Testing Site away from a busy shopping area.


The facility was due to open inside the Sefton Council One Stop Shop in Cambridge Arcade tomorrow (Wednesday, August 5).


But numerous local business owners and members of the public contacted their local MP to share their concerns over the choice of location.


Twelve local traders yesterday sent a letter to Sefton Council urging a rethink over the plans, sending copies to Damien Moore and to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.


Mrr Moore has spent the past few days campaigning for a change of location, saying: “The Sefton Council One Stop Shop in the arcade is inappropriate for this facility.


“I support the idea of a Covid testing station in Southport. But people who suspect they have Coronavirus should not be queueing up inside a busy shopping arcade or displaying symptoms while families are innocently sat next to them eating their lunch or visiting nearby shops.


“Numerous constituents have contacted me with excellent suggestions for other locations for this facility to be sited, within the town centre area but away from where local businesses would be directly affected.


“It is exceedingly clear that this is not an appropriate location to encourage those with symptoms of Covid-19 to attend, even with the social distancing guidelines outlined.”


Sefton Council has now revealed that the Coronavirus Local Testing Site will instead be situated inside Southport Town Hall, with access from Corporation Street.
It is due to open from this Thursday (6th August).


Damien Moore said: “I am glad that the very serious concerns of so many local businesses and local residents have been listened to.


“It is great to see a Covid test centre in Southport town centre, which is within walking distance for a large number of local people.

“But the location should not impact our shops, restaurants and cafes which are working so hard to rebuild their trade after a difficult few months. It is also important for it to be situated in a location which is safe.


“Once the new Covid Local Testing Site opens in Southport this Thursday, I would urge anyone who feels they have symptoms to access it.


“It is vital that anyone who has the Coronavirus symptoms of a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss or change in their normal sense of taste or smell visits www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or calls 119 to book a test. This centre will operate by appointment only.


“Mobile Coronavirus Test Sites will continue to operate at sites across Sefton over the next few weeks.”


Local children are being asked to brighten up the test centre by sending in drawings, paintings, and other colourful artworks which will be displayed in the two test sites in Sefton (Bootle and Southport). You can post completed masterpieces to Sefton Council, Bootle Town Hall, Oriel Road, L20 7AE, or email them to communications@sefton.gov.uk

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That sounds a better if not perfect place.

Yes, use a beautiful, public building.

Originally Posted by susanb

Yes, use a beautiful, public building.

It's the same building.
The One Stop Shop is part of the town hall.