England is set to enter a second national lockdown on November 5.
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that large portions of the economy would be forced to hibernate for a four-week period ahead of Christmas 2020 due to COVID-19 cases rising across the country.
The new rules dictate that many businesses must close until at least December 2.
Johnson outlined the types of business that would need to shut during his address on Saturday, but now the government has published a provisional list detailing the rules for each industry.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Which businesses will close during the second lockdown?
The government has confirmed that most business premises must close from November 5 – December 2.
Non-essential retail stores are included in the list, which will mean the following stores will have to shut down:
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Clothing shops
Electronics stores
Vehicle showrooms
Travel agents
Betting shops
Auction houses
Tailors
Car washes
Tobacco and vape shops
Non-essential retail can however remain open for delivery and click-and-collect services.
Indoor and outdoor leisure facilities must also close from November 5. These include:
Bowling alleys
Leisure centres
Gyms
Swimming pools
Golf courses and driving ranges
Dance studios
Stables and riding centres
Soft play facilities
Climbing walls and climbing centres
Archery and shooting ranges
Water parks
Theme parks
Personal care facilities must also close during the second lockdown. Businesses in this sector include:
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Hairdressers and barbers
Hair, beauty and nail salons
Tattoo parlours
Spas
Massage parlours
Body and skin piercing services
Non-medical acupuncture
Tanning salons
Most hospitality, entertainment and culture venues are also being instructed to shut down from Thursday. These include:
Pubs
Bars
Restaurants
Theatres
Concert halls
Cinemas
Museums
Galleries
Casinos
Adult gaming centres
Arcades
Bingo halls
Zoos
Botanical gardens
Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to operate takeaway and delivery services. However, takeaway of alcohol will be banned.
What can stay open during the second lockdown?
Essential retail stores can continue trading throughout the second lockdown. Business included in this bracket are:
Food shops
Supermarkets
Garden centres
Retailers providing essential goods and services.
Accommodation can remain open for those who ‘have to travel for work purposes’.
This means that hotels and hostels may be permitted to operate for certain visitors, but the rules for this sector will be set out in law at a later date.
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Schools, colleges, universities and playgrounds will stay open as normal, although there are growing calls for some of education facilities to close.
For more information on the restrictions coming into law on November 5, visit the government website.
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Council calls on public to suggest names for new public square in Stretford
Emily Sergeant
The Greater Manchester public is being called on to help name a brand-new public square in the heart of Stretford.
Could we have another ‘Boaty McBoatface’ on our hands? As far as public naming competitions go, the comical suggestion for the name of a new RMS ship back in 2016 – which was then given to a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) instead – will probably always lead the way as the most well-known entrant.
But now, it’s Greater Manchester‘s turn to give it a go and get creative with their naming suggestions, as Trafford Council inviting the local community to name a brand-new public square that’s set to open in the heart of Stretford next year.
Connecting the newly restored King Street and Pinnington Lane, Trafford Council says the new public square will play “a key part in the transformation of the area” and be a “focal point” for the area – with lots of greenery, seating areas, and spaces to “meet, rest and play” and host events too.
Residents are being encouraged to “put their imprint on the Square” by putting forward their suggestions for its name.
All the entries will be condensed into a shortlist and the public will then vote on their favourite.
With the naming competition fully underway, Trafford residents now have the opportunity to talk to the Stretford town centre team, get creative, and post entries into the voting box that’ll be in place in Stretford Mall up until Sunday 19 May, as well as submit their ideas via the Stretford town centre website.
To come up with their names suggestions, the Council wants residents to take inspiration from these three themes:
Heritage – celebrating the fascinating history embedded into Stretford’s identity
Culture – showcasing the rich and vibrant cultural tapestry that defines the essence of the town and its residents
Community – reflecting the strong sense of unity among Stretford’s residents, making the town a welcoming place to live, work, and socialise.
After submissions are closed, the Stretford town centre forum will then decide on three entries that “best represent the area” and have made best use of the inspiration topics to go to the public vote for the final decision.
A town centre polling station will be open for residents to cast their votes in person, or they can do so online via both a Google form or a range of social media polls.
The public vote will officially close on Sunday 16 June, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at The StretFest on Saturday 6 July, where the winner and name of the new public square will be announced.
Fancy shooting a suggestion then? Find out more on the Stretford Town Centre website here.
Featured Image – STC / Bruntwood
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.