Business

eStar Mercedes-Benz kits The Manc out with a branded fully-electric tourer van

The Manc and eStar Mercedes-Benz are keen to "bolster the importance of sustainability" in Greater Manchester.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 10th November 2021

eStar Mercedes-Benz is the new sponsors of one of The Manc’s original video series Mancs on Tour.

And we’ve been kitted out with a brand-new ride to celebrate it.

With sustainability being a huge focus for many businesses in Manchester right now, and following the latest Green Summit with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, this city is set to become the first in the country to adopt an accelerated carbon reduction plan – with an ambitious view to becoming carbon neutral by 2038 – and is also aiming to become the first city-region to deliver a carbon neutral transport network.

Just like The Manc Group, eStar Mercedes-Benz is keen to further “bolster the importance of sustainability” in Greater Manchester, which is why we’ve joined forces to spread the word and also raise awareness about the company’s electric vehicle range.

eStar is a Mercedes-Benz Van retailer specialising in electric mobility and operating throughout the North West England and North Wales, with a mission to work in partnership with the retail businesses to provide a consultative approach to ensure sustainable growth for now and for the future.

The company provides customers with anything from a small panel van, up to large, fully-electric people-carriers and HGVs.

eStar Mercedes-Benz has kitted The Manc out with a new branded fully-electric tourer van / Credit: The Manc Group

eStar says its unique position in the industry enables it to serve both the business and lifestyle community, but its services are not just limited to the supply of vehicles, as it’s also dedicated to keeping people moving and operating 24-hour servicing that’s delivered by highly-skilled Mercedes-Benz Technicians.

eStar has kitted The Manc out with a fully-electric Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer van to inform and inspire the people of Manchester, raise awareness about the importance of sustainability, and most-importantly, to support emission-free travel for our video series that’s fondly-named ‘Mancs On Tour’.

The Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer is an exceptional vehicle that offers “advanced safety, exceptional driver comfort, and unrivalled aftercare” to give drivers that extra peace of mind, and on top of that, the vehicle also produces zero emissions.

This means the vehicle is exempt from congestion and Clean Air Zone charges. 

eStar Mercedes-Benz is keen to further “bolster the importance of sustainability” in Greater Manchester / Credit: The Manc Group

Mancs on Tour is one of our newest original video series, which sees our very-own presenter Joe McGrath and videographer Tim Hoyle take to the road to visit all sorts of sights in and around Greater Manchester, with recent adventures having included a trip to the iconic Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and most-recently, a Halloween-themed immersive tour around a haunted abandoned mill, and plenty of other exciting adventures in the works.

You can also see the van featured in recent and upcoming episodes of our most-popular video series Takeaway Champions, as well as other videos posted across The Manc’s social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Keep your eyes peeled for more Mancs on Tour content, and of course, be on the look-out for our branded van on the roads around Greater Manchester and beyond.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

Business

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts as a ‘thank you’ following its cyber attack

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts to say ‘thank you’ for their cooperation during the recent cyber attack disruption.

Last month, the supermarket retailer’s stock was massively affected due to what was described as ‘malicious attempts by hackers to access [its] systems’, leaving shelves of stores across the UK bare, and payments by shoppers disrupted.

The company called it a ‘highly complex situation’, and also confirmed that hackers stole personal data – including members’ names and contact details.

The Co-op was just one business to be hit by cyber attacks this year, with other major ones affecting several other retailers like Marks & Spencer and Harrods.

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts as a ‘thank you’ following its cyber attack / Credit: Co-op (via Flickr)

Now that Co-op’s 2,300 food stores nationwide have successfully returned to usual trading, the retailer wants to show gratitude to its 6.5 million members who supported the business while the attack was taking place.

To say ‘thank you’, Co-op is offering its members a 25% discount on a £40 shop, meaning they can get £10 off their purchases.

“I’m very proud that, thanks to the work of our colleagues, we are very near to making a full and complete recovery from the recent cyberattack on our Co-op,” commented Co-op’s Managing Director of Food, Matt Hood, “and I’m delighted to see our stores looking back to normal and being able to serve our shoppers and communities.

“We are so grateful to our member owners for their support and patience with us during what was a very difficult time.

“I hope this gesture of appreciation goes a little way to showing them our thanks, with more value rewards to come over the summer.”

The 25% offer runs from today (Wednesday 18 June) right through to 24 June at all Co-op stores across the UK, and it can only be used by members one time.

Read more:

The offer is also open to new members who join.

Featured Image – Chris Bull (via Co-op)

Business

Plans for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have been green-lit

Danny Jones Danny Jones plans for new cultural hub in wythenshawe town centre approved

Proposals for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have officially been approved, with the overall regeneration plans valued somewhere in the region of £500 million.

The Greater Manchester town has long been accused of being neglected by local authorities and investors, but now natives and those living in and around the area are being asked to consult on what has the potential to be a huge transformation.

Wythenshawe town centre could look almost unrecognisable should everything go according to plan, not to mention inject a much-needed boost to the arts and creative industries in the area.

Put simply, this could be huge for a place long overlooked and deserving of some TLC.

wythenshawe culture hub
Credit: Manchester City Council

The simply titled ‘Culture Hub’ will aim to create a new community outlet and environment for everyone to enjoy, allowing them access to professional facilities and support, as well as further tap into that vital grassroots culture and creativity.

Discussions surrounding the project actually date back to 2022, when the idea was first pitched to Manchester City Council as part of a wider bid for a slice of Britain’s Levelling Up Fund.

While the UK government has a total of £4.8bn set aside for infrastructure and regional disparity works that fall under the initiative, the Culture Hub was set to cost £20m back then, though Wythenshawe is looking for an estimated half a billion to upgrade their town centre.

As per an official press release, the hub is set to sit within Civic – Wythy’s much-loved shopping complex – and will include space for food and drink on the ground floor, as well as a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes or local events on the first floor.

The Council itself is set to contribute a further £11.9m, as they hope to back future plans for a bustling new food hall spilling out onto an updated public square, with new workspaces for independent start-ups and growing Manc businesses.

wythenshawe town centre redevelopment
Credit: MCC

Meanwhile, a new 200-seater performance space will be created on the second floor, “providing a backdrop for a diverse range of performances, whether it’s dance or drama, music or modern art, there’ll be something for everyone.”

As touched upon, a larger public square will also be included, with improved outdoor areas, new paving and, crucially, more trees, plants and green spaces to make the town centre a much more natural, vibrant and welcoming space.

Private construction company Muse was appointed as the development partner for the new cultural hub and further Wythenshawe town centre regeneration initiative back in August 2024; as a local firm, they have a heavily vested interest in the 30,000 sq ft site and the surrounding area.

Work on the Culture Hub is due to commence this autumn, with the opening scheduled for some time in early 2027 – touch wood.

wythenshawe town regeneration
Credit: Manchester City Council (MCC)

Councillor Gavin White, who serves as an executive member on Manchester City Council’s executive housing and development team, said: “The Culture Hub planning approval is a really exciting milestone in the long-term regeneration of Civic.

“This is a statement of intent of how serious we are about investing in Wythenshawe’s town centre – and this is an early sign of what is to come. We want to build on the destination potential of Civic, create opportunities for local people and visitors to spend time in the area, and widen the offer for our residents to enjoy and participate in the arts right on their doorstep.  

“High streets are the soul of our communities and we are investing heavily in our town centres across the city, including Gorton and Moston, to celebrate how they bring people together, support businesses and help grow local economies.

“This is just the start for Wythenshawe, and the conversation we are having with local people is ongoing to make sure we can be guided by the very people who live and work in this community. I’d urge as many people as possible to tell us what they think about the future of their area.” 

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Joe Stockton, senior development manager at Muse, added: “Getting the green light for the new Culture Hub is a major milestone in our once-in-a-generation plans to work with local people to transform Wythenshawe town centre.

“The feedback that we’ve received so far for the hub has been really positive with many seeing it as a creative space where people and groups of all ages can spend time, learn new skills and explore culture in a positive way.”

“We look forward to getting started on construction later this year, which we hope the people of Wythenshawe will see as a significant sign of our intent to drive this project forward with their ongoing support.”

Exciting times ahead.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — CGIs via Manchester City Council

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