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

Campaigners set up petition to pedestrianise Tib Street in the Northern Quarter

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pedestrianise Tib Street petition Northern Quarter

Local campaigners in Manchester have set up a new petition to hopefully pedestrianise what they have deemed the ‘untapped’ Tib Street in the Northern Quarter.

And not only do they arguably have a strong point, but the proposal might have legs, too.

Even if the name Tib St doesn’t quite ring a bell, if you live centrally or have been to the city centre enough times, the chances are you’ll likely have walked down it at least once or twice.

More importantly, you could be walking, drinking, eating and plenty more there soon, if the people behind this petition pull off the plans they’re hoping to put in place with the help of Manchester City Council.

Staging a small, simple but considered and definitive demonstration on Friday, 24 October, a group of Manc businesses, residents and volunteers gathered to hold out the banner seen above, calling for exactly what it says: for local authorities to pedestrianise Tib Street.

They believe it has more potential. (Credit: The Manc Group)

Having seen the success of nearby Thomas Street and Edge St, which have become two of the busiest parts of what is already one of Manchester’s most vibrant districts and cultural hubs, they essentially want a piece of the action – and you can’t exactly blame them.

While at least part of the road is well utilised with the likes of Northern Soul, Evelyn’s, MyThai, and other independents sit pretty tucked away up into the slightly raised buildings above street level, with that recognisable bridge hanging above, the thoroughfare as a whole still remains a bit of a bottleneck.

It’s arguably even more so further down the street as you head more towards Ancoats, too, with the backstreet sitting behind the likes of Tib Street Tavern, Matt and Phreds, and The Butcher’s Quarter still mainly reserved for little more than deliveries and people trying to secure a shortcut.

Nearby native Fiona Moinuddin, who has rallied to try and get the Council on side in the past, says: “Pedestrianisation has already transformed other parts of NQ, and Tib Street should be next.

“This is about making our streets safer, supporting local businesses, and giving people space to enjoy our city centre. I’m calling on the Council to listen to residents and act.”

In fact, there have already been calls to roll back the road to a bygone era and bring back one particular treasured piece of its heritage.

Northern Quarter’s iconic ‘Big Horn’ could be coming back to Tib Street
Before it was known for lorries, diversions and traffic, it was home to a rather famous bit of artwork.

Chatting with the Tavern’s co-owners on the day, Rory O’Keefe and Jon Dootson, they told The Manc that “it’d be so much better for the street to be closed.”

“We’ve obviously got Dorsey Street, which could be opened up and turned into a terrace of a sort of community garden, and just tidy this area up and make it look a lot nicer for the city – it’ll be great for businesses as well.”

“I think there are too many cars coming down here. Obviously, everything’s mainly featured on Stevenson Square, and we feel a little bit left out around the corner.”

They also noted that although it’s been great to see how their Thomas and Edge St neighbours are thriving, not to mention they’ve been around for over two decades themselves, they have sadly lost a lot of business due to the disparity – especially when the sun comes out.

We also spoke to Matt and Phreds‘ boss, Claire Turner, who said: “Tib would be really good for pedestrianisation, so we can have some outdoor furniture, maybe even bring some live music into the street in the summer; it would just kind of tie everything together with the rest of the Northern Quarter.

“I understand it’s not going to be for everybody, but I’m hoping the council will logistically sort everything out so that there’s still plenty of access for deliveries etc., but I just think it’s a positive thing for all of us.”

If you’d like to get behind the movement, you can sign the petition to pedestrianise Tib Street HERE.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Business

Tesco announces MASSIVE recruitment drive for 28,000 extra Christmas staff

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Outside a Tesco store

Tesco has launched a massive festive recruitment drive, with more than 28,000 temporary roles up for grabs.

With the festive season fast approaching, and most British supermarkets having already unveiled their Christmas food and drink ranges for 2025, Tesco is gearing up for what is always one of the busiest times for the year for the retail industry by launching a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drive.

The jobs will mainly involve working in Tesco’s Superstores and Extra stores.

Shifts will either be early morning, day, or evening shifts, so that prospective applicants can find an opportunity that fits around them. 

With a wide range of roles available, the tens of thousands of temporary staff across the UK – including here in Greater Manchester – will be tasked with serving customers, restocking shelves, and fulfilling online orders by picking, packing, and delivering.

“With the busy Christmas period ahead, we are looking for people who can bring warmth, enthusiasm, and a helpful service to every shopping trip,” commented Ela Golab, who is Tesco’s Group People Services Director.

Pay starts from £12.64 per hour, and a night premium of an additional £2.35 per hour – with plenty of different flexible shifts available.

“From turkey and mince pies to decorations and crackers, it’s a big job keeping our shelves stocked up for the nation’s celebrations,” Tesco said in a statement on its recruitment website. “That’s why we need you – you’ll help keep our shelves filled and our customers jolly.”

Tesco says ‘no day is ever the same’ and festive colleagues will be able to ‘feel the impact’ they make on every shift, as they send customers home with a smile.

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No experience is ‘necessary’ for these temporary roles, Tesco says – just the ‘right attitude’.

Fancy it then? If you’re keen to join Tesco’s teams across the UK this Christmas, then head on over to the supermarket’s recruitment website here to apply, or you can pop into your nearby store for more information.

Featured Image – Tesco plc

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