Hello and welcome to the latest instalment of the ECHO's new 'Our Liverpool' feature.
In this daily round-up, we'll be showcasing the best of ECHO content, plus many of the major talking points on Merseyside - as well as some more light-hearted insights to help keep those winter blues at bay. I'm Jess, a writer on the What's On team with a slight obsession with books, shopping, film, and dogs.
If that gets you worried, fear not, as I'll be joined by a rotating team of writers to ensure you're in the loop on all the Merseyside moments that have piqued our interest. Today, I'll be out and about in the city chatting to some local businesses for upcoming stories I'm working on. If there's a local businesses you think needs our attention, let us know in the comments section.
READ MORE: Aigburth woman shares reality of renting clothes as she wears designer dresses for £40
Live music, baked goods, a fairground, oh my!
It's Chinese New Year this week, with the Year of the Rabbit upon us. ECHO reporters have been speaking to Chinese businesses and rounding up the wide range of events on offer.
What's On's own Charlotte Roszko compiled a guide of everything going on across the city, while I visited the tiny Berry Street bakery that offers delectable sweet and savoury treats to the masses.
Manager of Bonbon Bakery Janice Zhen was on hand to speak with me about the business, which she's worked at since she was a teenager. The daughter of the owners, Janice was keen to champion the traditional baked goods sold at the little city centre store, and hopes more people will come to visit and discover exactly what they have to offer.
Bonbon Bakery, which opened a decade ago, sells creations which are baked fresh each day and displayed behind expansive glass cases. Customers take a tray to choose which items they may want before taking them to the counter where they're boxed up. There's a vast selection of baked goods, all of which are very reasonably priced. You can read the full story here.
Man flees with machete
Armed police officers rushed to the scene of a stabbing after a man with a "large machete in his trousers" was seen walking towards Breeze Hill flyover.
ECHO reporter Benjamin Roberts-Haslam detailed the incident in an article yesterday, revealing Merseyside Police confirmed officers were called to the flyover after a woman was stabbed inside a house on Bedford Road in Walton. It occurred at around 12.20pm yesterday (Monday, January 16).
A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article after he reportedly fled the scene for the flyover. You can read the full piece here.
Mum sheds 14 stone after struggling to fit into friend's kitchen
A fast food addict mum who ate McDonald's three times a day has shed 14 stone - after she became too big to fit in her friend's kitchen.
In this incredible story, ECHO reporter James McNeill details how 31-year-old Melanie Malone was bullied for her weight in school, which she claims triggered a vicious cycle of binge eating for comfort. At one point, Melanie was consuming around £5,400 worth of takeaways a year. In 2018, 5ft 3in Melanie tipped the scales at 23 stone and reached a dress size 28.
The mum-of-one said that at her largest, every day was a challenge as she struggled to walk, would break seats, and was even unable to fit into the bath. You can read Melanie's inspiring story and how she lost 14 stone in the full article here.
And finally... Chinese New Year 2023 horoscopes reveal what's in store for your zodiac sign this year
Horoscopes can be a fun and unique way to prepare for the year ahead. On Chinese New Year, it is common for people to give gifts of money, clothes and food, while the year's horoscopes can bring different kinds of treasures and expectations.
Each Chinese zodiac sign is given a horoscope for the year, and the Rabbit is said to be lucky for many. Celebrity astrology expert Marites Allen spoke to the Express about what each sign can expect for 2023. Whether you could be lucky in love, finance, your career or more, you can read all about it here.
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