A shelter which helps the homeless stay warm in Liverpool is set to stay open more often this winter.
Located at St Stephen Church, the shelter has previously only opened when temperatures have fallen below freezing on three consecutive nights.
But with a cold winter forecast, council bosses took the decision to help the city’s homeless by ordering that it also opens when the temperature drops to two degrees.
The shelter is organised by charity the Whitechapel Centre and can house up to 20 rough sleepers who refuse to go into temporary accommodation.
Mayor Joe Anderson said: “There is still a misconception that those who are sleeping rough are doing so because there is nowhere for them to go.
“We fund 750 beds a night in Liverpool but not everybody is accepting the offer of help despite the ‘No Second Night Out’ gaining tremendous support from the public.
”We have to accept that some rough sleepers are refusing help and with a harsh winter ahead we need to find new ways to solve that problem.”
If you see see or are worried about someone sleeping rough, call the ‘No Second Night Out’ line on 0300 123 2041 or email info@whitechapelcentre.co.uk