Up in Southport, there's a storm a-brewing.

More than 2,000 businesses, homeowners and drivers have, if you'll pardon the pun, got the hump...BIG TIME.

It was nearly there.

It survived two rounds of savage council cuts, £15.6m has so far been spent on its redevelopment, and there was even a date set for completion.

But sadly, it seems, the cuts might have caught up with grand plans for Southport Cultural centre.

This week an extensive campaign was launched to drive people to Liverpool to do their Christmas shopping.

'Christmas by Liverpool' is the collaborative effort of Liverpool BID, MetQuarter, Liverpool ONE and Merseyrail, and is aimed at directing shoppers into Merseyside as opposed to Manchester or Cheshire Oaks for example.

Flyers sent to 750,000 homes across 5 counties will ensure around 3 million people get the message to shop Liverpool.

And while it is undoubtedly hugely positive for Liverpool, independent retailers up here in Southport are furious, particularly about Merseyrail's involvement.