Campaigner highlights the value of retrospective fundraising
David Barton has his say on the latest issues facing Southport and Sefton.
David with Senior Manager, June Bradshaw and Mr. Lee Durkin
A prominent campaigner for the heritage of Southport has chosen to showcase a well-respected Fundraising Bakery that has long occupied a prestigious unit on the main thoroughfare of Liverpool Road, Southport.
“Lathams the Bakers” is a family run Business that has been serving the local community up and down Southport since 1967. It has five shops across the town with a star site based at 35C Liverpool Road forming a cornerstone of Birkdale Village. The business has and continues to fundraise for a number of charitable causes, especially Children In Need (CIN) and Comic Relief both through retail promotions and behind the scenes.
Senior Manager- June Bradshaw and her teams continue to work hard across all branches providing seasonal treats and themed baked delicacies produced on site. The Birkdale Store is locally acclaimed amongst local residents for its impressive copper dome structure and intricate architectural detailing originating to the early 20th Century.
Every year the Bakery has organised and ran fundraising activities for a number of special causes, but has this year been impacted by the international instability caused by transient legislation designed to keep the country safe. It is hoped that the famed
Gingerbread and Shortbread Pudsey & Blush Bears will make an appearance later in the year once things have settled in a move that will encourage others to also aid the BBC Charity beloved by so many up and down the country.
David Barton, former Councillor for the Dukes Ward covering the Town Centre and West Birkdale, has continued to campaign for improved Placemaking that combines traditional architecture with due consideration for the pre-existing built environment. He has observed all key qualities at Lathams.
The community campaigner, whose ultimate focus has been and remains the restoration of Southport, hopes to see more collective support from other businesses and organisations before the year closes. Having observed the combined positive and constructive efforts of Birkdale resident- Mr. Lee Durkin who has been proactively liaising with people regarding various neighborhood matters, Mr. Barton is hoping to secure wider support across East Birkdale with fundraising for Pudsey Bear.
Mr. Barton says: “I’d firstly like to extend a huge congratulations to Lathams for their continued endeavours to improve community life for so many CIN, particularly over the last decade that I have closed observed starting back in 2010.”
He says: “Not only is it a pleasure to be championing a successful Old Build like Birkdale Lathams, but it has been humbling to see another business so passionately involved with helping the wider community. Ever since I was a little boy at Kingswood School on Westcliffe Road, CIN has been a foremost part of the calendar and I hope that others, such as Mr. Durkin are able to use their resources to get more help for disadvantaged children and their families across the UK.”
Mz. Bradshaw said: “At Lathams we are proud to be able to provide a true community service for all our customers and the Charities that we continue to fundraise for. As ardent supporters of CIN, it’s humbling to be recognized for the work that we do both front of house ad behind the scenes.”
Mr. Durkin says: “It’s wonderful to be supporting such a well-known charity like CIN! As a fellow alumnus of Kingswood, this is something that our teachers would have been proud to see us doing. I will most definitely be having detailed discussions with the people I meet around Southport and Birkdale for work and hope that I can get some more businesses on board before the New Year.”
“Lathams is such a key part of East Birkdale and the village that it features prominently on my online website page in recognition of its top-class charity work and its beauty as a magnificent building. If Coronation Street and EastEnders can work together for CIN then so can we.”
“Lathams The Bakers” Opening Hours are: Mon - Sat 9:00 am – 4:00pm.
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