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AJ Handley-Rowe - 10th November 2021

Firefighters to now wear cameras after Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations

Emily Sergeant

Firefighters in Greater Manchester are to now start using body-worn cameras following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has says the Inquiry ‘highlighted the importance’ of capturing clear information and recording decision-making during major incidents, particularly when multiple emergency services are required to respond to ‘complex and fast-moving’ situations, as was, of course, the case with the Manchester Arena attack back in 2017.

The introduction of body-worn cameras will support this by providing a real-time record of what crews see, hear, and communicate while attending incidents.

A total of 233 cameras will be rolled out across the service, giving firefighters the ability to record high-definition video and audio while attending incidents.

We’re rolling out body‑worn video cameras across our Service following Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations.

The technology will support operational learning, transparency and real‑time decision‑making – helping our firefighters and officers provide the best possible… pic.twitter.com/aoHezIXWEv
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) April 11, 2026

The devices can also livestream footage in real time, so that senior officers can view incidents as they unfold and provide additional support when it’s needed most.

Frontline officers who attend incidents will be the first to receive the cameras, followed by prevention and protection teams, and then the incident command academy as the rollout continues.

Following a successful pilot trial back in May 2025, when the cameras were tested in real incident conditions, the cameras will now be used at a wide range of incidents – from house fires and road traffic collisions, to larger and more complex emergencies.

GMFRS working at Hotspur Press — Firefighters to now wear cameras after Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations / Credit: GMFRS

Footage will help crews to review how incidents were handled, improve training, and strengthen safety for both firefighters and the public.

“Introducing body worn cameras is a significant step forward for our service,” commented Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Carlos Meakin. “It’s about giving firefighters the tools they need to work safely and effectively at complex or fast-moving incidents, while also helping to protect our crews by providing a clear record of the challenges they face on the frontline.

“The ability to livestream footage and review it afterwards will strengthen how we support crews on the ground, improve training, and enhance how we respond to major emergencies.

“This investment reflects our commitment to learning from the Manchester Arena Inquiry and continuing to strengthen how we respond to incidents across Greater Manchester.”

Featured Image – GMFRS

Inside Soho House Manchester as rooftop pool finally opens

Daisy Jackson

Inside Soho House Manchester as rooftop pool finally opens. Credit: Supplied

Soho House Manchester finally opened its doors to members late last year – but there’s still more to come.

The exclusive members’ club, which costs from £2,400 per year to access, faced several years’ worth of unavoidable delays as it transformed the old Granada Studios.

And even now that members can finally visit the space for networking, dinner and drinks, events, and working, Soho House isn’t actually finished.

Instead, the hotly-anticipated venue is opening in phases – the latest of which is that beautiful rooftop pool, with views overlooking the city from the top of the former television studio.

New images taken inside Soho House Manchester show several of the completed spaces, from lounges with beautiful natural light flooding through skylights, to stylish candlelit dining rooms, to gorgeous bedrooms.

In keeping with the building’s history, the Soho House design team have stuck with a premium mid-century interior, including terrazzo flooring and warm wood details, muted green and orange colour palettes, and chrome furniture.

Have a look inside Soho House Manchester:

Soho House Manchester is now open. Credit: Supplied

Beautiful interiors — Soho House Manchester is now open. Credit: Supplied

There are now 22 beautiful bedrooms up on the sixth floor, exclusively available to Soho House Members, which carry on the 1950s heritage design.

As the build continues, members will soon have access to a Soho Health Club with a gym, reformer Pilates studio, smoothie bar, and infrared sauna and steam room.

Every Soho House has a strict no-photos policy to protect to privacy of members – which means unless you fancy forking out £333.33 a month, you might never see inside it beyond the club’s official photography.

Featured image: Supplied