Need to knowA high street favourite closing down, a popstar announcing a show at the Jacaranda, and parents angry over the ongoing closure of a Merseyside school are among today’s stories
21:16, 15 Jan 2026Updated 21:17, 15 Jan 2026
Fans queuing for The Jacaranda(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Here are five stories published by the Liverpool Echo you may have missed today.
1) High street favourite shuts up shop in Liverpool city centre
A retail giant has had its last day in Liverpool, with the shutters now being pulled down on the store. Poundland on Lord Street has had posters up for weeks now confirming its closure. One of the posters has been counting down to the final day, and now, on Thursday, January 15, that day has come. Poundland previously confirmed it would be shutting further UK stores by February as part of its closure programme – including the city centre shop. The discount retailer already trimmed the size of its chain throughout 2025, as it hoped to turn around its performance and secure its future on Britain’s high streets. READ HERE.
2) Gigs and Christmas markets could be coming to Everton’s new home
Christmas markets and outdoor concerts at Everton’s new dockland home have moved a step closer after the club secured a vital licence from Liverpool Council. The Blues have won support from the city council to hold events on the plaza outside the Hill Dickinson Stadium potentially as soon as this summer. The 52,769-capacity ground at Bramley-Moore Dock has already attracted the Rugby League Ashes Test Match in its inaugural season alongside staging The Toffees’ first home games away from Goodison Park in 133 years. Now the club is planning to expand its offer outside the stadium footprint. READ HERE.
3) Popstar announces intimate show at The Jacaranda
A British popstar and former girl group member has announced an intimate show at Liverpool’s Jacaranda. Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne will play the Slater Street venue in support of her new album, Ego Told Me To, next month. Leigh-Anne rose to fame as a member of Little Mix, the four-piece group formed on ITV’s The X Factor in 2011. Under the mentorship of Tulisa, the band went on to win the competition, making history as the first group ever to do so. What came next was years of success, international acclaim and touring opportunities across the world, with hits including “Shout Out to My Ex”, “Black Magic”, “Wings”, and “Sweet Melody”. READ HERE.
4) Parents ‘angry’ about ongoing closure of Merseyside special school
Parents are “angry and distressed” about the ongoing closure of a special school in Merseyside, and believe the situation is having a negative impact on their children. Alt Bridge School in Huyton has been closed for several days, and there is no definite date for when the pupils can return. The Liverpool ECHO was contacted by one concerned parent who has children attending the special school. They asked to remain anonymous, but told us about the difficulties they have faced over the last few weeks: “We were told the heating had gone at the start of December, so the kids were going into an unheated school at the height of winter.” READ HERE.
5) Paedophile who subjected girl to years of abuse dies in prison
A paedophile jailed for a sick campaign of abuse against a young girl has died in prison. Brian Sheridan died at HMP Liverpool on Boxing Day aged 85. Sheridan was jailed in December 2024 after his vile past caught up with him. The monster paid the young victim to perform sex acts and incited her to have sex with another man. The pensioner was also said to have exhibited an array of sickening behaviour towards other children, including encouraging them to dress in “sexualised costumes”. The Prison and Probation Ombudsman has launched an investigation into Sheridan’s death. Jailing him at Liverpool Crown Court, the Judge Garrett Byrne told Sheridan he had shown “no shred of regret, remorse or empathy”. READ HERE.
Read all the latest headlines at Liverpool ECHO.
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