Launched in January 2026, the scheme connects retailers, town centre staff, Fylde Council officers and Lancashire Police in a real-time communication network. The impact has been felt almost immediately. In the very first month of operation, shoplifting incidents dropped by an extraordinary 53% compared to the same month the previous year, with that positive trend continuing across the full three-month period.

The power of the system was brought to life on one particularly busy Saturday in the scheme’s early weeks, when a flurry of incidents tested, and demonstrated exactly what partnership working can achieve. A call from Home Bargains to the neighbourhood policing team set off a chain of coordinated responses that saw a known pair arrested at the train station after committing thefts from B&M, M&S, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, with hundreds of pounds’ worth of goods recovered. At the same time, CCTV operators tracked two males who carried out a bulk theft from Boots and attempted to enter Superdrug, allowing staff to act quickly and turn them away.

Jean, Store Manager from Superdrug, one of the scheme’s participating retailers, said: “The radio link has proven to be a great tool against antisocial behaviour and shoplifting. Within the first two weeks of it going live, several shoplifters were either caught or deterred. There are many retailers asking about the radios and keen to join the link – the scheme is already making a real difference.”

The scheme was made possible through a brilliant collaboration between partners, with funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) meaning every participating business has been able to access the scheme completely free of charge during the 12-month trial.

Councillor Chris Dixon, Lead Member for Social Wellbeing at Fylde Council, said: “This scheme is about more than crime figures. It’s about making St Annes a place where businesses can thrive, residents feel safe and everyone who visits, works or lives here can enjoy a vibrant and welcoming town centre. We’re committed to working with all our fantastic partners to ensure this scheme has a long and successful future.”

Sergeant Adam Robinson, from Fylde Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The ShopSafe Radio System is a fantastic example of how partnership working can make a real difference and we are already seeing in the results from the first three months of the trial the tangible difference this is making with a significant decrease in shoplifting in the scheme implemented areas.

“By improving communication between businesses, CCTV, and our officers, we can respond quickly to incidents, prevent crime, and create a safer environment for everyone.

“This initiative is about building confidence and ensuring St Annes remains a vibrant and welcoming town centre. We look forward to continuing to grow the project in the coming months and years ahead.”

Mike Sheppard, Business Development Manager from ShopSafe, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with Fylde Council and Lancashire Police to provide smart radios that empower fast, effective communication between those on the front line of tackling retail crime.”

Al Yusuf, LANPAC Manager, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the three‑month milestone of the ShopSafe radio scheme in Fylde. In a short space of time, the scheme has already demonstrated its value by strengthening communication between businesses and partners, helping to prevent crime and respond quickly to incidents. This early success reflects the commitment of local retailers to working together to create a safer environment for staff, customers, and the wider community, and we look forward to continuing to build on this momentum.”

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “It’s fantastic to see the success of the ShopSafe Radio Scheme and the positive impact it has had during its first three months.

“This initiative builds on the work of Op Vulture, which tackles retail crime across Lancashire, and is a great example of what effective partnership working can achieve to prevent, deter and tackle crime.

“As Commissioner, I will continue to work closely with partners and invest in schemes that help make our county a safer place for everyone.”

Pupils from Heyhouses Endowed C.E. Primary School, Mayfield Primary School and St Thomas’ Church of England Primary School are busy creating kite designs which will be hand-painted onto the windows of 15 businesses across St Annes town centre by community art studio Durose Studios, which has been a beloved fixture on St Andrews Road South for over six years. Each school received a package of art materials supplied by Fylde Council from local business Dawson Art & Craft Emporium – one of the 15 businesses proudly taking part in the trail itself.

The free self-guided trail, running from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September during the Kite Festival weekend, encourages visitors to make their way from the promenade through the town centre, popping into participating businesses along the route. Trail leaflets will be available from each participating business and the Discover Fylde bus on the promenade, with a fun twist for families -each window features a hidden letter, and those who find them all will be in with the chance to win a prize.

Participating businesses include Dawson Art & Craft Emporium, Durose Studios, Eat the Italian Way, Fable, Fresh Café, Holland & Barrett, Margaret’s Florist, #NoFilter Coffeehouse & Bistro, Orchard Tea Rooms, Palace Pets, Scarlett & Jack’s, Storytellers Inc., The Cheese Emporium, The Pier Inn and Wood Street Coffee.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “The Kite Festival is one of our most-loved events, and this trail is a fantastic way to extend that buzz right through the heart of St Annes town centre.

“We want visitors to explore beyond the promenade, discover our wonderful independent businesses, and take a moment to appreciate the incredible artwork our local schoolchildren have produced. It’s a real celebration of community creativity, and I can’t wait to see it come to life in September.”

Iz Durose, Founder of Durose Studios, added: “Durose Studios is the Fylde coasts’ creative inclusive community hub, ran by artists, that uses creativity to build community, teach new skills and to make the arts accessible for everyone.

“We are so excited to be partnering on this project in collaboration with Fylde Council at St Annes Kite Festival; the event brings international crowds to our gorgeous town and we can’t wait to work with local schools and businesses to create the trail!”

Find out more about the St Annes International Kite Festival, here.

Funded by the Department of Education, the programme offers free holiday club places to school-aged children from Reception to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals. Paid places are also available for families who are not eligible for the free provision, meaning even more children can get involved.

This summer, the HAF programme has lots of clubs and activities to choose from. Whether your child enjoys sports, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures or fun games, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Each session includes a nutritious lunch, along with a range of fruit and snacks to keep children fuelled throughout the day.

Councillor Chris Dixon, Lead Member for Social Wellbeing, said: “The HAF programme makes a genuine difference to families who need it most. Summer should be a time children look forward to, and this programme makes sure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, gets the chance to try new things, eat well and have a brilliant time.”

Eligible families will receive their HAF voucher code by text and email when the booking system goes live on Monday 22 June. Places are limited, so early booking is strongly encouraged.

Parents who believe they qualify but have yet to receive a voucher code should contact their child’s school directly.

For full details about the summer HAF programme, including activity locations, schedules and booking instructions, click here. If you have any questions about the Fylde HAF Programme, contact HAF@fylde.gov.uk

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From young people who had fallen out of education to adults facing homelessness, mental health challenges and long-term unemployment, the Foundation’s programmes have offered genuinely life-changing support right across the Fylde area.

Over the past year, 116 adults were supported through the Fylde Focus 19+ programme, with 57 securing employment in roles ranging from teaching assistance to marketing. A further 60 young people aged 16 to 18 were helped through the NEET programme, with 50 progressing into education or training and 60 supported into work. The Training Ground programme exceeded its targets, helping 152 people gain qualifications – well above the original goal of 120 – while the Apprenticeship Scheme successfully placed ten local people with employers across Fylde, from hospitality to healthcare.

Support was delivered in community venues across the borough, including St Annes Job Centre and local community centres, ensuring it was accessible to those who needed it most. Strong partnerships with Jobcentre Plus, Lancashire County Council, YMCA Harbour House, and local colleges meant residents received wraparound support that went far beyond finding a job.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “These results are something our whole community should be incredibly proud of. Behind every one of these figures is a real Fylde resident whose life looks genuinely different today. That is exactly what this funding was meant to achieve, and AFC Fylde Community Foundation have delivered it brilliantly.

“What makes this work so special is that it met people where they were – in local community centres, at Jobcentre Plus and through trusted one-to-one support that tackled real barriers like housing, mental health and the cost of living. This wasn’t a tick-box programme; it was meaningful, personalised help for some of our most vulnerable residents, and the results speak for themselves.

“Fylde Council is proud to have directed our UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation into partnerships like this one, and I’d like to thank everyone at AFC Fylde Community Foundation for their incredible dedication to the people of Fylde.”

Although UKSPF funding for these programmes has now concluded, support for local residents and employers continues through Connect to Work – a new DWP initiative offering specialist employment support. To find out more, visit https://www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk/connect-to-work/

From supporting neighbours through difficult times to making art accessible at the Fylde Gallery and caring for the borough’s much-loved green spaces and beaches, volunteers are at the very heart of Fylde’s communities. The Council is encouraging anyone inspired to get involved to explore the wide range of opportunities available right across the Fylde Coast.

Volunteering is also central to some of the Council’s most exciting new initiatives. Last month, Fylde Council launched a call for community organisations to help shape a brand new network of Resilience Hubs, which will bring together wellbeing, early intervention and crisis support services all under one roof. Funded through the government-backed Crisis and Resilience Fund, the hubs are a testament to what can be achieved when the Council and the voluntary sector work hand in hand. Community groups, charities and social enterprises interested in getting involved can submit an Expression of Interest here.

Councillor Chris Dixon, Lead Member for Social Wellbeing, said: “Volunteers Week is a wonderful opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who gives their time and energy to help others across Fylde. Whether you already volunteer or you’re thinking about where to start, there has never been a better moment to get involved – your community needs you and will be better for it.”

To find out more about volunteering opportunities in Fylde, visit our website.

Organised by Keep Britain Tidy in partnership with the Lowther Gardens (Lytham) Trust and Fylde Council, the ceremony will bring together local authorities, environmental organisations and community groups from across the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North East to celebrate excellence in green space management and the vital role these spaces play in supporting health, wellbeing and biodiversity.

The Green Flag Award is the internationally recognised quality mark for parks and green spaces, and Fylde’s selection as host reflects the borough’s outstanding track record in delivering award-winning parks and coastal spaces that residents and visitors can be truly proud of.

Mayor of Fylde, Councillor Richard Redcliffe, will deliver the keynote address at the event, highlighting the borough’s continued commitment to environmental quality, community engagement and sustainable park management across the Fylde Coast.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: “Hosting the regional Green Flag Awards ceremony right here at the Lowther Pavilion is a fantastic recognition of everything Fylde has to offer – from our beautiful coastline, countryside and parks to the dedicated staff and volunteers who work so hard to keep them in outstanding condition.

“This is a proud moment for our whole community, and we can’t wait to celebrate the incredible green spaces that make Fylde such a special place to live and visit.”

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager, said: “We are delighted to be announcing this year’s Green Flag Awards in Fylde and providing an opportunity for our winners from across the North of England to experience the beautiful parks and green spaces in Fylde. We are extremely grateful to Fylde Council and The Lowther Trust for hosting the 30^th anniversary celebrations in July.”

The ceremony will recognise the dedication of staff, volunteers and partners who work tirelessly to maintain and enhance Fylde’s valued green spaces, with award presentations to the very best-managed sites across the region.

The 2025/26 programme channelled £857,692 of government investment into three core areas: communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. In that time, it helped deliver three phases of the St Annes Masterplan, completing improvements in St Annes Square, Pier Link and Garden Street, supported a vibrant programme of new events that drew visitors in record numbers, and enabled the Shop Local loyalty scheme to drive footfall to independent retailers throughout the borough.

The impact on people and skills has been equally impressive. Partnerships with AFC Fylde Community Foundation and Blackpool & Fylde College delivered hundreds of positive outcomes for residents facing barriers to employment, while the Council’s apprenticeship programme helped young people build careers right here on the Fylde Coast. The Small Business Academy provided free expert support to local businesses, equipping entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to grow.

Whilst the UKSPF programme has now concluded, Fylde businesses and employers can continue to access a range of support through Invest in Fylde, the Council’s dedicated economic growth service. Invest in Fylde offers tailored advice and guidance for businesses looking to start, grow or invest in the area, including support with business planning, accessing funding, finding premises and connecting with training and skills provision. The service is free to access and available to businesses of all sizes across the borough.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “The UKSPF programme has been a genuine game-changer for Fylde. We have seen communities come together, businesses grow stronger and residents transform their futures; and every single one of those achievements is something we should be enormously proud of. This investment has made a real, lasting difference to people’s lives across our borough, and I want to thank every partner, business and resident who played a part in making it such a success.

“Although the UKSPF programme has now ended, our commitment to supporting Fylde’s businesses and people absolutely has not. Through Invest in Fylde, we are continuing to make sure that anyone who wants to start a business, grow their enterprise or find their next opportunity in this wonderful borough knows exactly where to turn to for help.”

Fylde employers can also access support through Connect to Work, a free, voluntary programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and available across Lancashire. The programme is designed to help people overcome barriers to employment or remain in work through personalised, expert guidance – and for businesses, it offers a practical route to building a stronger, more inclusive workforce. Employers who partner with Connect to Work can benefit from access to a new pool of job-ready candidates and improved staff retention and wellbeing, all at no cost to their business.

To find out more about business support available through Invest in Fylde, visit www.investinfylde.co.uk or email invest@fylde.gov.uk.

Recent work led by the Environment Agency, with partial funding from United Utilities, has focused on clearing built-up debris, vegetation and reeds to keep the waterway flowing freely and healthily. Contractors also carried out vital de-silting around the tide gates at Graving Dock Bridge, further improving the movement of water through the channel.

Additionally, the Ribble Rivers Trust, supported by United Utilities funding, will undertake hydrological modelling and develop additional works designed to enhance river flow, improve water quality and support local wildlife. This could include the repurposing of trimmed vegetation to create new habitats. The second phase of this work will take place over the next 18 months and will provide opportunities for the local community to get involved.

Councillor Tommy Threlfall, Lead Member for Environment, said: “Residents and wildlife alike will feel the difference this work makes to Liggard Brook. As well as enhancing the natural environment, these improvements will help manage water volumes and reduce flooding risk – bringing real, practical benefits to local communities. Together, we’re committed to improving the health and vitality of Liggard Brook for wildlife, residents and generations to come.”

Caitlin Middleton, from the Environment Agency, said: “Working closely with our partners allows us to deliver long lasting improvements for Liggard Brook. By combining our expertise, we’re enhancing habitats, supporting wildlife and ensuring the Brook is well maintained for now and into the future.”

Iain Pilling, Area Engagement Lead for United Utilities in Lancashire, said: “This important work at Liggard Brook will not only help to improve water quality but also support the conservation of local wildlife by removing debris and offer opportunities for new habitats. We all have a role to play in protecting the environment, and we are pleased to be working in partnership to deliver this project.”

Jack Spees, CEO of the Ribble Rivers Trust, said: “Going forward, we hope to deliver a project that brings together partners and local communities to improve Liggard Brook. Such that more natural processes can be implemented to provide a better environment and asset for the local community.”

All of this activity forms part of a long-term partnership between the Environment Agency, United Utilities, Ribble Rivers Trust, Beaverbrooks the Jewellers and Fylde Council.

On Wednesday 20 May, Fylde Council’s Environmental Protection team coordinated and attended a major multi-agency enforcement operation at Bath Street Car Park in Lytham, working alongside Lancashire Police, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the Environment Agency and Council Licensing colleagues to tackle fly-tipping, waste crime and associated vehicle and licensing offences.

The operation was delivered under the 3 Es framework – Engage, Educate and Enforce – bringing together face-to-face advice for drivers, waste carriers and businesses with proportionate enforcement action. Officers carried out checks on vehicle tax, MOT, insurance and waste carrier registration to ensure that anyone transporting waste within Fylde holds the correct permit and is operating within the law. Licensing and roadworthiness checks were also carried out on licensed taxis to confirm they are meeting their compliance obligations and that passengers can travel with confidence.

Significant results were delivered across the operation. 30 taxis were stopped and checked, resulting in five words of advice, three verbal warnings and one suspension. Of the more than 60 additional vehicles stopped – including vans, flatbed trucks and cars – four immediate prohibition notices were issued by the DVSA, with one vehicle so severely defective it had to be towed away. A further 20 drivers were educated on vehicle defects including faulty headlights, tyres close to legal limits and number plate issues. One Fixed Penalty Notice was issued for failure to produce a waste carrier licence, and two police traffic offence reports were handed out for using a mobile phone while driving and driving without vehicle tax.

Councillor Michelle Morris, Lead Member for Customer and Operational Services, said: “Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime – it blights our open spaces, costs taxpayers money to clear up and makes people feel unsafe in their own communities. Operations like this show that we will not tolerate it. Working alongside our partners, we are taking real, visible action to protect the places our residents love.”

Councillor Chris Dixon, Lead Member for Social Wellbeing, said: “Residents using taxis in Fylde must know that the vehicles they travel in are safe, roadworthy and compliant. This operation gave us the opportunity to check exactly that, alongside our wider enforcement activity. It’s a great example of what can be achieved when agencies work together with a shared purpose.”

John Neville, Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency, said: “We’re taking faster, more targeted action against those in the waste sector we suspect are breaking the law.

“We can’t tackle this alone and joint partnership operations such as this means we can combine our powers to stop illegal activity.

“Our collective efforts to disrupt criminals and gather intelligence helps us prevent waste crime. We’ll continue to pursue those who commit crime and harm the environment.”

The 26 elegant new heritage lighting columns, featuring ornate panels celebrating the Clifton family crest alongside oak and elm leaf designs, are now in place along the full length of the street. Alongside the lighting installation, redundant street furniture and old utility posts have been removed, opening up the streetscape and giving Clifton Street a cleaner, more characterful appearance. The 28 London Plane trees, whose canopies were carefully pruned as part of the first phase of the project in January, are now thriving alongside the new columns.

Pavement reinstatement works are progressing to restore surfaces to a high standard following the installation works. The finishing touches – decorative banners designed by Lytham primary school children and new flower baskets – are still to come and will complete the transformation of Clifton Street into a vibrant, welcoming town centre ahead of Lytham Club Day on Saturday 27 June.

Councillor Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “Clifton Street is already looking transformed, and it’s brilliant to see the vision becoming a reality. The new lighting columns are simply stunning, and removing the old clutter that had built up over the years has made an enormous difference to the feel of the street. This has been a real labour of love for Lytham, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved for the community.”

Councillor Catherine Powell of Lytham Town Council added: “Lytham Town Council are delighted to see the new heritage Lamppost installed and we will soon be adding hanging baskets to each one. They will complement the wonderful artwork for the banners from our three schools. The quality of the children’s artwork is superb so we will arrange an exhibition of the original pieces for all to see.

“Lytham Town Council will continue to work with Fylde and Lancashire County Council to ensure that all potential trip hazards are all made good.”

The improvements are designed to support independent businesses, attract visitors and create a distinctive streetscape that Lytham can be proud of for generations to come. Find out more at the dedicated project webpage.