Good afternoon, these are the latest ECHO headlines.
Independent shop is the target of two shoplifters just days before Christmas
The independent Southport gift shop Gifts Delight was targeted by two cruel shoplifters.
The business turned to social media for support. In a post uploaded to Instagram the business said: ''Family of scum bags just stole quite a few items from our store. PM me if you know them, please share and beware of them''.
Business owner Fiona Chadwick told the ECHO the pair stole a number of items including three light-up bottles and a boxed plant. They then proceeded to leave the store without paying.
READ MORE: Road cordoned off by police after woman hit by bus
Fiona voiced her family's frustrations as well as her own, as she said: ''It's horrible and annoying. We work hard seven days a week and people think they can steal from us''.
Merseyside police confirmed that this incident coincided with another which had taken place at Gifts Delight on Lord Street.
Read the full story here
New M&S store set to open in Liverpool
Further details have been announced about the brand new Marks and Spencer store opening in Liverpool ONE.
The new store is set to open in place of the vacant South John Street building which homed Debenhams until last year. The M&S store is set to open its doors in mid-2023 and will boast two floors.
M&S's current Church street location will be closed. The new store will see a more modern Marks and Spencer with a café, coffee section and in-store bakery planned.
The new store is set to become a staple of Liverpool ONE.
Read the full story here
Suspect named after woman killed in hit and run
Katherine West died after she was knocked down in a street in Wigan.
Katherine West was knocked down by an SUV on Ladies Lane, Wigan, last November. The driver did not remain at the scene. The mum- of-three was taken to hospital where she died of her injuries on December 16, 2021.
A police update issued today announced a man had been charged in connection to the incident. Jack Knowles, from Hindley has been charged with causing death by careless driving and committing an act with the intent to pervert the course of public justice.
The 33-year-old will appear at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court on February 1 next year.
Read the full story here
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