Business

Uber’s closest taxi rival Bolt is launching in Manchester this week

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th April 2022

The second-largest ride hailing taxi app Bolt is set to launch in Manchester and Salford later this week.

With more than four million passengers riding with over 65,000 drivers since its launch, which has seen it spread to 17 different UK cities.

It’s launching with a big discount too, offering new users £10 off their first ride until the end of May.

Bolt says its lower commissions, attractive pricing and high customer service levels have allowed it to expand so quickly.

Bolt will launch in Manchester and Salford. Credit: Supplied

It’s now the fastest-growing mobility platform in the world, offering everything from taxis to courier services to scooters in various locations.

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Bolt was founded in 2013 and runs its ride-hailing service in the UK, with more products earmarked for launch later in the year.

Josh Ryan, country manager, UK rides at Bolt said: “Launching in Manchester and Salford is a huge landmark for Bolt as we look to roll out more affordable services amid a wider mobility offering.

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Bolt has launched in 17 different UK cities.

“The city is renowned for its fantastic culture and sport, great nightlife and atmosphere and we’re on a mission to help local residents, students and more make the most out of it by connecting them with the people and places they love.

“Bolt offers residents an affordable and responsible way to get around and we can’t wait to welcome the first set of passengers on board.”

Manchester will be the first city where Bolt will activate its long-term partnership with The Bike Project, which refurbishes and gives out bicycles to local refugees to support in both social and physical mobility.

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Read more: Drivers warned they could receive fines of up to £100 for having a messy car

Mancs can donate bikes to the initiative at pop-up hubs, and will be encouraged to make small donations to the Bike Project through the Bolt app

New drivers who sign up as a Bolt driver won’t pay any commission for the first two months.

Bolt launches here on 14 April. You can take £10 off your first ride with the code ROLLWITHBOLT until 31 May.

Featured image: Supplied

Business

Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.

Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.

The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.

This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.

Middleton regeneration plans
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.
Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.
Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.
Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)

The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.

This comes just weeks after the borough of Rochdale was named the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2025’, being handed the baton by last year’s recipient, Bolton.

Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.

Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.

For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.

This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.

The proposed Middleton regeneration plans including a cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.
Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.
Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)

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This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.

The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.

Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”

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

Featured Image — Publicity Pictures (supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)

Business

Bury FC announce partnership with big-name local brand after ‘milestone’ season

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bury FC sponsorship deal with JD

Following their landmark North West Counties Football League title, Bury FC are toasting their trophy success with a significant new partnership, as multinational franchise JD Sports will be sponsoring the side moving forward.

The Premier Division champions sealed what they have dubbed a “milestone” first piece of silverware and first promotion for some time with a 4-0 win over Burscough FC last weekend: a moment which feels like a far cry away from the uncertainty of recent years.

A NWCFL Division One North title did come during the Bury AFC era.

It was only back in 2019 that Bury were dismissed from the EFL entirely, splintering into two teams after 125 years; fast forward to 2025 and now the Greater Manchester club are looking to reconsolidate their position in the football pyramid with efforts such as this latest commercial move.

Also founded in Bury back in 1981, JD Sports is the latest and most established local organisation to sponsor The Shakers to date, marking a big step forward for those around Gigg Lane.

While the exact nature of their collaboration (i.e. featuring logo on kits, around the stadium and so on) is yet to be detailed, nor has the initial length of the partnership deal been confirmed, getting the brand on board is still a big coup.

Not only is the retailer a well-known name in sports apparel and high-street fashion, with their own line of more than 90 JD Gyms across the UK too, but as a fellow local turned nationwide business from the same borough, their success story is also one that Bury FC can take plenty of inspiration from.

With a league record-breaking 8,719 fans filing into their historic home ground for the final game of the season, demonstrating an extraordinary level of support and loyalty throughout the community, teaming up with JD is an extension of “reignited pride” and brings football back to the heart of the local area.

As for JD – which also boasts a glowing global presence in over 36 countries – sports partnership manager Abi Haywood went on to add: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Bury FC, a club that sits at the heart of our community. As a company founded in Bury, this partnership means a lot to us.

“It’s about more than football – it’s about giving back to the town that helped shape who we are. We’re proud to support Bury FC and to play a part in the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.”

The Shakers signed off the announcement by stating: “As Bury FC continues its mission to climb back up the football pyramid, the Club remains deeply committed to regaining its place at the heart of the community.

“With the support of local businesses, lifelong fans, and a town full of pride, Bury FC is building a future worthy of its historic name.”

Here’s hoping this is just the start of an already brilliant comeback and that Bury never need come back from so close to the brink again.

Up The Shakers.

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Featured Images — @ftchris/Leo Reynolds (via Flickr)

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