New service set up to support Greater Manchester pubs and clubs
A new Night Time Economy Office has been launched in Greater Manchester as part of a mission to support the region's pubs and clubs ahead of reopening in 2021.
A new Night Time Economy Office has been launched in Greater Manchester as part of a mission to support the region’s pubs and clubs ahead of reopening in 2021.
Spearheaded by Night Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord, the NTE Office is set up to provide employers and employees with answers to questions surrounding funding, licensing, training, mental health and business innovation.
The NTE Office has partnered with “a range of organisations” to support the sector – which is hoping to reopen fully within a matter of months.
The government’s current roadmap for relaunching the economy dictates that outdoor hospitality venues can welcome back customers from April 12.
Indoor pubs and restaurants can resume service on May 17.
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Nightclubs and live music venues are scheduled to reopen on June 21 – more than fifteen months after originally closing their doors.
In the weeks ahead, the Night Time Economy Office will act as a ‘signposting service’ for people in the industry – with staff contactable via email and Twitter.
Lord stated: “The Prime Minister’s roadmap has provided some much-needed clarity and even hope for those working in Greater Manchester’s night time economy but there is still a long way to go and months until businesses can even partially start to open their doors again.
“That’s why we are launching this service. We want to make sure employers and employees can access the support they need and get answers to their questions and make sure as many as possible can open again later this year.
“Whether they want to ask about licensing, training or employment, mental health support or business innovation we will work to provide bespoke support quickly to those working in or running a business in the night time economy.
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“The night time economy represents 10% of the whole UK workforce so it’s not just vital for the individual people and businesses but also Greater Manchester as a whole that we support them through the pandemic and beyond to reopen as quickly and safely as possible.”
The wider sector has also called on the government for “additional clarity” following the announcement of the roadmap.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), commented: “The sector urgently needs additional clarity on reopening and critical financial support from the Chancellor if we are to avoid economic and social damage that will last a generation.”
To contact the Night Time Economy Office, go to @NTEOffice on Twitter and send a direct message or email [email protected].
Audio
Little Simz announces biggest-ever Manchester gig ahead of new album
Danny Jones
The queen of British rap, the one and only Little Simz, is coming back to Manchester for what will be her biggest headline show in this city to date.
A whole three years on from her last album No Thank You, the rapper from Islington is heading back out on the road after wrapping up the recording of her sixth studio LP, Lotus.
The first single ‘FREE’ has already dropped, and despite the release date itself being pushed back, news of a new Little Simz tour later this year more than makes up for it, if you ask us.
Little Simz already has two NME Awards to her name for Best British Solo Act and Best British Album, not to mention a BRIT itself for Best New Artist in 2022; oh yeah, and she won the Mercury Prize as well as a BET Hip Hop Award over in the States for ‘Best International Flow’ – all before she turned 30.
With that in mind, you can understand why so many are frothing at the mouth to hear her new record when it does finally drop.
There doesn’t appear to be any problems with the album itself: Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, to use her full name, is simply busier than ever and has just booked a role in a film because, yes, she acts too.
Lotus will now drop on Friday, 6 June, just in time for fans to get learning the lyrics ahead of festival season, which we have no doubt she’ll play a big part in.
You can hear the first taste of the next chapter down below:
Little Simz returns to Manchester for a Co-op Live debut on 16 October with tour supports still yet to be announced.
Pre-sale goes live on Wednesday, 9 April from 10am for official Co-op members and general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (11 April).
AJ Tracey is playing a VERY intimate gig in Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
London rapper and respected grime artist AJ Tracey is ‘live and direct’ once again, announcing a whole host of UK dates, one of which is a rather intimate gig right here in Manchester.
It’s official: one of UK rap’s leading gents is getting back on the road and he’s showing a ‘Little More Love’ to lots of cities, including Manchester.
In a post on the UK star’s socials, AJ Tracey trades his music persona for that of a sports pundit as he announces the dates for his upcoming tour while impersonating an F1 commentator.
Anyone looking to attend Tracey’s ‘Not Even A Tour’ can catch the star up and down the country on his over 20-date tour with a stop in Manchester as soon as this month.
The rapper has reached phenomenal heights since dropping the unforgettable ‘Ladbroke Grove’ in 2019 and is heading out across the nation to make sure everyone knows about it.
Get ready to spit bars left and right as this rapper’s discography is stacked with serious tunes like ‘Dinner Guest’, ‘West Ten’, ‘Thiago Silva’ and more.
More recently, he collaborated with Walsall’s finest Jorja Smith for a flirty garage beat also known as ‘Crush’ with the video being the two artists talking it out in a good old fashioned caff.
The latest collaboration with Smith marks the start of a new era for Mr. Live and direct as it fell in line with the announcement of his third studio album.
Titled Don’t Die Before You’re Dead, we’re sure he’ll be “building a vibe” wherever he goes and probably previewing a few exclusive tracks from his upcoming project too.
This gig may come as quite a surprise for any hardcore fans of the ‘Ladbroke Grove’ star as the venue in which he’s performing is definitely intimate only, holding just over 250 guests.
This rap giant is bringing his unbelievable beats to none other than the legendary small-cap city centre live music venue, The Deaf Institute, at the end of this month.
It’s safe to say you won’t get many more chances, if any, to see him in such a tight-knit space again.
AJ Tracey is bringing ‘Not Even A Tour’ to Deaf Institute in Manchester on 30 April, with tickets on sale Friday 4 April from 12 noon.
The Manc -
26th February 2021 
