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Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has received international recognition for the measures it has taken to ensure a COVID-safe operation to protect its passengers and employees.

Working closely with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Public Health England, LJLA is one of the few UK airports to have implemented the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines on air travel during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

To earn this ICAO recognition, the airport had to conduct a detailed and thorough review of all of its procedures and provide evidence of 77 specific actions required that cover all aspects of airport travel, from social distancing, toilets and touchpoints to security processes and exiting of the building in a COVID-safe manner.

The team at the airport also performed desktop reviews to demonstrate the measures through assessments, procedures and schedules, as well as an on-site audit by a team of auditors and medical specialists.

Paul Staples, Operations Director of LJLA, said: “Our colleagues at the airport have worked hard throughout the pandemic to provide as much protection as possible for our passengers and airport workers from the spread of COVID-19.

“We have further developed the measures we have taken and the recognition that these are now being implemented in accordance with the latest international ICAO guidelines gives passengers further assurance that their journey through the airport is as COVID-safe as possible.”

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Tommy Gaughan, left, and James Harrison

The Salford Rum Company asks Greater Manchester rum drinkers to identify their favorite rum venues and rum cocktails in the city and beyond to create the official Manchester and Salford rum map.

A celebratory map is being made by local artist Dave Draws, known for his intricate and popular maps of northern towns and villages. It’s created in time for World Rum Day (July 10th), with Salford Rum founders Tommy Gaughan and James Harrison on social media asking their 13,000 followers to share their ultimate goals for rum and rum cocktails in Greater Manchester. Visit the Salford Rum Facebook page for details.

The rum card will be available for download free of charge and drinkers can, if they wish, also collect urgently needed funds for the Salford Lads Club through voluntary donations, while the original is being raffled off at a special party to promote fundraising overall.

The brand’s followers have already highlighted venues across the city that boast amazing rum cocktails and hatch.

James Harrison, Co-Founder of Salford Rum, said, “It’s been a whopping 12 months for Salford Rum – one that could have been very different if it hadn’t been for the legions of loyal, local fans who built us through our beers drank rum pure and in cocktails. A sense of community is at the core of what we strive for. So the least we can do is put out a fan-driven map and bring together the best of Greater Manchester rum cocktails

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Tamara Habberley

Small businesses from a variety of industries have until June 30th to apply for government funding to access free Brexit training and advisory services valued at thousands of pounds on all aspects of importing and exporting support.

Companies with up to 500 employees and an annual turnover of no more than £ 100 million can apply for training and advice on completing customs declarations, using customs software and systems and managing import and export-related processes such as VAT, Excise duties and rules of origin. The SME Brexit Support Fund could provide up to £ 2,000 to businesses to help with training or professional advice.

Tamara Habberley, Senior Consultant at The VAT People, based in Stockport, a specialist consultancy that advises and trains companies on their VAT and customs duties, said: “This opportunity to help with import and export is a fantastic opportunity for Companies, their knowledge and skills in this complex area.

“We regularly work with companies from a wide variety of industries who need help dealing with the complexities of customs and sales tax, and this will provide a much-needed lifeline at a time when many companies are short of cash.”

VAT People, who will provide training and advisory services to companies under the government program, have provided tailored training opportunities to companies for several decades. Companies can apply for funding online through the PwC website.

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French fries with talagani cheese

A new Greek restaurant has opened on Bold Street in Liverpool, described as a hybrid between a restaurant and a takeaway.

Laros is the brainchild of owner Nikolaos Fylladitakis from Crete, who has been in the hospitality industry for many years and owns his own restaurants in town. He said Laros was created to deliver the true authenticity of Greek street food, including its “better than halloumi” cheese fries.

Nikolaos added: “Laros means delicious and we promise you that: high quality, healthy, authentic Greek street food. Our goal is to take you on a journey through the real Greek flavors we would enjoy at home and put an end to the misconception that street food cannot be prepared with the best ingredients and the care of a fine kitchen .

“Philoxenia, ie the love for strangers, the eagerness to show hospitality, is the core of our culture in Crete. When we greet you in our house, we will tell you something. We want you to feel like part of the family, enjoy our best wine, our best meat, feel our culture and travel through our history.

“We take great pride in offering our guests our best food and warmest stories. Here in Laros we promise you exactly that: a delicious warm welcome and an introduction to real Greek cuisine, a mixture of street food, authenticity and comfort. “