The Supreme Court has ordered insurers to pay out hundreds of millions to businesses following claims made during the COVID pandemic.
Thousands of small firms have been waiting for money to cover losses from the first national lockdown, which they believed would be covered by business interruption insurance.
However, despite companies being unable to trade, many insurers – including the likes of Hiscox, RSA, QBE, Argenta, Arch and MS Amlin – refused to pay, arguing that only specialist policies covered such widespread closures.
The Supreme Court has now rejected this appeal, with insurance companies being urged to pay up on many policies.
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This will be of huge relief to all those businesses which took out business interruption insurance who have yet to receive a penny. It shouldn’t have gone this far. https://t.co/JC3Xrr0ltX
The Hiscox Action Group (HAG), representing 400 claimants, called the ruling a “full victory”.
MP for Manchester Central Lucy Powell also hailed the decision as a “relief”, saying “it shouldn’t have gone this far”.
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One firm representing companies that have suffered losses due to COVID-19 is My Business Solicitor – which is supporting claims for actual and forecast losses, loan charges, staff costs and rent.
The company warned businesses: “Many insurance companies will now approach previous and potential claimants to make a minimal offer of compensation in order to reduce their costs.
“You deserve more.
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“As lockdown measures tighten, there is no better time to claim.”
Sheldon Mills, from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which brought the case on behalf of policyholders, said: “Coronavirus is causing substantial loss and distress to businesses and many are under immense financial strain to stay afloat.
“Today’s judgment decisively removes many of the roadblocks to claims by policyholders.
“We will be working with insurers to ensure that they now move quickly to pay claims that the judgment says should be paid, making interim payments wherever possible.”
You can find out if you’re eligible for a claim by visiting My Business Solicitor online.
Business
Printworks’ Vue cinema is the latest to get a comfort upgrade with new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats
Emily Sergeant
Cinephiles across Manchester are now able to enjoy the latest movie releases in ultimate comfort.
If you hadn’t already heard, over at the popularMediaCity Vue cinema complex, 75 brand-new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats were installed across seven screensat the end of last year, offering film fans what is, quite literally, the chance to sit in the best seats in the house.
And now,Printworks is getting in on the action as well, as a whopping 163 new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats have now been installed at Vue Manchester Printworks too.
Each seat provides the very-best view of the big screen and comes with a host of premium features.
Some of these exciting premium features include extra-wide armrests, a personal table forsnacks and drinks, your very-own beverage cooler – which is ideal for films with a particularly long run-time – and even backs and legs that recline independently, so you can find the most relaxing viewing position possible.
Ultra Lux seats have arrived at Vue Manchester Printworks / Credit: Vue Gallery / Supplied
Vue currently has 93 state-of-the-art cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland, totalling more than 850 screens – and Vue Manchester Printworks is the latest to benefit from upgraded seating.
This means that anyone heading to thecinema to see some of the latest and upcoming releases like Project Hail Mary, The Drama, Hoppers, Scream 7, How To Make a Killing, and so many more, can experience comfort like never before.
“We’ve invested in bringing Vue’s premium seating to our venues and can’t wait for customers to enjoy an even more comfortable cinema experience on their next visit,” commented Brodie Lyons, who is the Area Manager for the two Vue venues in Manchester.
“It’s truly the best way to immerse yourself in a film.”
Tickets for screenings at Vue Manchester Printworks and Vue Quayside Manchester start from £7.99, with upgrades to Ultra Lux available on selected tickets.
It couldn’t be a better time to lose yourself in the power of cinema – and treat yourself to an Ultra Lux experience.
You can book tickets for upcoming films online by visiting myvue.com.
Featured Image – Supplied
Business
First look drone footage of £500m wellness resort Therme Manchester under construction released
Emily Sergeant
Impressive aerial drone footage has revealed the scale and outline of the £500m Therme Manchester development.
In case you hadn’t heard, after several years of planning, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September, and now developers have released drone footage of the site showing the scale of the project and the work as it’s underway.
Once complete around the end of 2028, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a lagoon and wave pools, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, water slides and affordably-priced luxury, across spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
CGIs of the £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort, set to open in 2028 / Credit: Supplied
From above, the outline of the project’s central circular hub – which is a key feature of the design, as previously seen only in CGI renderings – is now clearly visible on the ground in the newly-released drone footage as construction progresses at pace.
Spanning a site that’s roughly the size of 28 football pitches, developers say the emerging layout marks a shift from concept to construction, as the outline of the scheme starts to take form within the landscape.
Newly-released drone footage of Therme Manchester / Credit: Supplied
As groundwork progresses across the site, the aerial footage also begins to show how the development’s wider footprint will sit within the surrounding area.
Speaking on the release of the new drone footage, and what it means for the future of Therme Manchester, Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Lingham said: “For the first time, you can see the design translating into reality. The central hub is a defining part of the scheme, and it’s now clearly visible on site as the project begins to take shape.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete for the end of 2028.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
The Manc -
15th January 2021 
