A convoy of coaches from across the North West region headed down the M6 and M55 to Blackpool yesterday to raise awareness and protest against job losses in the travel industry.
Coach companies and operators from across the region made their way to the popular seaside resort and tourism hotspot of Blackpool yesterday as they campaigned against cuts facing the travel industry as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As there are fears that thousands of drivers could lose their jobs, with many being left unable to work during lockdown, the #HonkForHope rally is aimed at raising awareness of the damaging effects that the pandemic has had on the UK’s coach industry.
The rally, which started at 11am yesterday, saw the convoy make its way down the M6 and M55 to Blackpool.
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Coaches were seen lining the first lane of the motorways.
The convoy’s journey ended at Blackpool Promenade and was widely broadcast by participants and members of the public across social media platforms as it took place.
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This is a great statement, 14552 people spending a minimum of £20 each, one company in 2 months took nearly £300k of direct spend into Blackpool, that’s one family company, and one place! @Douglas4Moray @KateForbesMSP @CharlotteV @FergusEwingMSP @routeonetim pic.twitter.com/lshxFSIp3g
What a brilliant turn out for today’s #HonkforHope in Blackpool. Feels like one big family! @Coatham here representing our corner of the North East 🚌🚌🚌 Never seen so many coaches in one place! pic.twitter.com/z2drmIQKfv
Went to view the convoy, 16 minutes of coaches, non stop from around the UK , impressive turnout, still need to count the number , here’s the start #honkforhopepic.twitter.com/Of0LM09Bxl
The #HonkForHope UK event was organised by Jenna Rush, Managing Director of Seaton Burn-based North East Coach Travel, and Matthew Forsyth, General Manager of Northumberland operator M J Forsyth Travel.
The concept for a convoy rally was said to have moved from idea to reality in around a week.
Organisers said it was conceived to show the diverse nature and needs of the UK’s coach sector, which is something they argue has not yet been understood by the government.
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Jenna Rush said: “This is a large industry and many operators specialise in areas where no support has been received.”
“As an example, our business centres on private hire.”
“We carry out no home-to-school transport and so have not benefited from any continuing contract payments.”
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
15th July 2020 
