Taking to Twitter last night, Sacha wrote: “Sadly, tonight I was punched and attacked regarding my views on reopening. I’m fine, but Demi is beside herself. What sort of a world are we living in?”
Demi is Sacha’s other half, who was reportedly present at the time of the attack.
In a follow up tweet this morning, Sacha wrote: “Thank you so much for all the kind words of support. Totally humbled.
“I’ll always speak up for what I believe in and fight for Hospitality.”
Thank you so much for all the kind words of support. Totally humbled.
I’ll always speak up for what I believe in and fight for Hospitality.
I’m just pleased it wasn’t this fella throwing the punches.
Sacha Lord has been a prominent figure in Greater Manchester for many years.
Tens of thousands of people have experienced some of the best nights of their lives as a result of his industry leading events – such as the many seasons of The Warehouse Project and over ten years of Parklife Festival.
However, his mission to get pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants reopened at the same time as non-essential retail – arguing that hospitality poses no greater risk than shops – has put him at the forefront of the lockdown fight here in Greater Manchester.
It’s estimated that the delay in reopening indoor hospitality has cost the sector roughly £7 billion over the five weeks in which businesses had to remain closed. It has also left thousands of industry staff unemployed.
Sacha claimed that the government had been unable to provide evidence for their reasoning behind their roadmap (and decision to delay the reopening of hospitality), and took to social media to confirm that his case was with a High Court Judge.
Imagine punching someone whilst with their wife,because u disagree with them campaigning to get an industry that supports 6m people, back open. What sort of lowlife coward must you be? Trying to tweet sensibly without silly talk,but I’m so mad.@Sacha_Lord is a gent.
This is terrible. @Sacha_Lord has fought tirelessly to save the industry he loves, to keep people's jobs and livelihoods. He has always followed the evidence and never put a single life at risk. Shame on his attacker and shame on anyone who doesn't condemn this. #IstandwithSachahttps://t.co/YKnUOFm1DC
Thankfully, tomorrow, on Monday 17 May, indoor hospitality will finally reopen its doors and welcome customers back into their businesses.
With industry-leading COVID safety measures in place, it’s a time for the sector to once again prove itself as a safe space during a very uncertain time.
Lots of restauranteurs have gone to great lengths to keep staff and diners happy and safe during this next phase, however, if you’re worried, make sure you call your local restaurant or pub to check what changes have been made.
It’s been a tough year and a half for the sector, but there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel – it’s now time to support them during this hugely important moment.
Featured image – Darren Robinson Photography
Manchester
Smoke billows across Manchester city centre as historic mill goes up in flames
Daisy Jackson
Smoke is billowing across the Manchester skyline this evening after a huge fire has struck the historic Hotspur Press building.
The former mill just off Whitworth Street West has gone up in flames, with smoke seen for miles.
People have been sharing pictures and videos of the blaze from all over the city centre.
The Hotspur Press stands just below the train lines between Manchester Oxford Road and Deansgate train station, meaning that the fire has caused significant travel disruption.
BREAKING 🚨 Huge fire in Manchester city centre right now – historic Hotspur Press is ablaze with major disruption to trains out of Oxford Road #manchester#mcrpic.twitter.com/SnA52oiqxm
Trains out of Manchester Oxford Road are currently all showing as delayed.
The building was set to be redeveloped into a student accommodation tower block, with a recent planning application requesting to change the original consented brick cladding to an aluminium façade. A large emergency services response is on the scene.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) told The Manc: “Firefighters are currently tackling a large fire at the derelict Hotspur Press building on Cambridge Street in Manchester. An evacuation of the neighbouring apartment buildings is taking place.
“The public are advised to stay away from the area while crews continue to tackle the fire.”
A further update from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service at around 7pm said: “Crews are working hard to tackle the fire at the Hotspur Press building. 20 fire engines from stations across Greater Manchester are at the scene, where three floors of the building are alight. Multiple jets and the air unit are in use to prevent the spread of the fire.
“All floors of the two apartment blocks at 1 Cambridge Street have been evacuated.”
National Rail has said: “There is a fire next to the track at Manchester Oxford Road, closing all lines at this station. As a result, trains may be cancelled, severely delayed by up to 100 minutes or revised.
“If you are travelling this evening, your train may not run its full route and may terminate / start from a different station.
“Please check before you travel as major disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day.”
As the police cordon has expanded, local businesses have been impacted – Bunny Jackson’s on First Street has been evacuated and is closed.
They shared: “We have had to evacuate due to a fire near by! We’re unsure of when we will be able to reopen. Safety first, folks!”
Plumes can be seen for miles, with residents in Salford, Hyde, Bolton, and further afield reporting sightings, including some even in Cheshire – fair to say it’s one of, if not the largest, fire in Manchester city centre for some time.
Witnesses have said that crowds are now being cleared from the area due to a risk of asbestos.
A witness at the scene told The Manc that a police officer wearing a mask was urging bystanders to exit the vicinity immediately, stating that “smoke is asbestos-contaminated because of the roof.”
If nearby, please keep away and urge others to stay safe.
Nearby apartments and buildings are being evacuated, and trains have been hit with heavy disruption due to Oxford Road station being in such close proximity.#GreaterManchesterpic.twitter.com/0mkxEJAj98
Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a series of huge concerts this year
Daisy Jackson
Manchester is famed for its music venues, from the tiny (The Peer Hat) to the massive (The Co-op Live) – and now our beautiful cathedral is getting in on the concert action too.
Manchester Cathedral will be the host of a captivating concert series this year as the Echoes live music series comes to town.
The packed programme of concerts ranges from pop music to soul and reggae, all set against the backdrop of the Grade I-listed landmark.
Running from September all the way into November, Echoes will bring together live entertainment with timeless architecture in the city’s most majestic setting.
The line-up includes nostalgic pop royalty like Peter Andre, B*Witched, and Vengaboys, who’ll be bringing pure party energy to the Manchester Cathedral.
Some of the world’s most soulful voices will also be filling the grand building, with performances from Tunde of Lighthouse Family, Heather Small of M People, and Sister Sledge.
There’ll be more 90s energy with Noughties Baby, as JLS’s Marvin Humes brings Dappy as a special guest.
Completing the line-up this autumn are indie rockers The Feeling and a night of reggae with Maxi Priest and David Rodigan.
Expect nostalgia, energy and soul beneath the historic vaulted ceilings and sandstone arches of the Manchester Cathedral.
Whether you’re reliving the soundtrack of your youth, soaking in some proper anthems, or just basking in the acoustics of the magnificent cathedral, Echoes will have something for you.
The concert series is brought to you by JBM Music with tickets on sale on Friday 27 June from 9am HERE.
You can see the full line-up with dates below.
Echoes at Manchester Cathedral concert line-up in full
Thursday 25 September – Sister Sledge
Friday 26 September – Tunde Of Lighthouse Family
Saturday 27 September – B*Witched
Thursday 2 October – Peter Andre
Saturday 4 October – Marvin Humes Presents Noughties Baby with special guest Dappy
Friday 31 October – The Feeling
Saturday 1 November – Boney M
Thursday 27 November – Maxi Priest & David Rodigan
Friday 28 November – Vengaboys
Saturday 29 November – Heather Small – The Voice Of M People
The Manc -
16th May 2021 
