Manchester City Council has announced it will extend free school meals throughout the 2022 Christmas holidays to make sure that no children go hungry this winter.
Council bosses said they were responding “to the lack of action being taken by the central government” in order to address the “desperate situation thousands of people could soon face”.
The move was announced on Wednesday 5 October as part of an £8m package of local support designed to help Manchester residents deal with spiralling bills and soaring food costs caused by runaway inflation.
It is hoped that the move will pull a large number of children out of food poverty this winter, as it is is estimated that the cost-of-living crisis could adversely affect up to 100,000 households in Manchester this winter.
We are here to help with this Winter’s rising food and energy costs
Call our FREE Cost of Living Advice Line for support.
As well as extending free school meals through the winter break, council bosses are also setting up a support line to connect people with local foodbanks, pantry services, and dedicated meal providers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Inspiration is being taken from the Council’s previous work supporting people throughout the Covid pandemic, where emergency hubs were established to provide people with essentials.
A new Cost of Living Advice Line has just gone live this week, through which residents can contact the Council via phone, or online, to get advice on how to access support this winter. between Monday and Friday, 9am–4pm.
ADVERTISEMENT
The number for the hub is 0800 023 2692 and will function in a similar way to the Covid emergency response seen during the pandemic, putting residents in touch with local support and advice services.
Elsewhere, the Council’s Welfare Provision Scheme is being expanded to provide emergency hardship support, and a new website has been set up to help make it easy for residents who are in financial difficulty or crisis to apply for grants and support.
Additionally, the Council and its health partners will be getting in touch with residents about Winter wellbeing information, including Flu and Covid-19 vaccination details set within help around food, heating and household bills linked to the Cost-of-Living crisis.
However, bosses recognise that far more needs to be done to avert the “impending disaster.”
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “As we head into the winter months many residents in Manchester are staring down the barrel of true hardship.
“We are proud of the work the Council has already done in recent years to alleviate poverty and create an economy in Manchester which works for everyone, but it is clear that in these dire times greater action is needed.
“The steps taken by the government have not gone nearly far enough and much more has to be done if we are to prevent our residents from slipping below the poverty line.
“A lot has been said about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis but we believe that in the absence of leadership from the centre, we need to take action with the powers we have at our disposal.
“By declaring a Cost of Living emergency the Council is laying out just how seriously we are taking this situation. We are not prepared to stand idle as more and more of our residents are exposed to hardship.”
An adorable new Jellycat store has just opened in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The world’s most adorable brand has launched a big new opening in Manchester just in time for Christmas – welcome to the Jellycat General Store.
The viral stuffed toy brand has created a charming traditional corner shop experience, where every shelf is stocked with all your essentials in cuddly toy form.
From squishy toilet rolls to smiling eggs to bunches of flowers, and ranging from pint-sized keyrings to giant plushies, there’s a Jellycat for everyone here.
They’re even arranged much like a supermarket would be, with an aisle full of fruit and vegetable-shaped toys and another of sports equipment and games.
Though first famed for its soft bunny toys and its signature black cats, Jellycat has hugely diversified its range in recent years and now you can get plushies in every shape and size imaginable.
It’s created something of a cult following for the toys, which appeal to all ages.
With this new Manchester store within Selfridges, Jellycat has taking inspiration from nostalgic shopping experiences, down to building window displays of retro tins and adding a striped awning over the entrance.
There’s even a blue bench outside where you can take photos with a giant Jellycat character.
The new shop within Selfridges at the Trafford Centre follows successful openings in Birmingham and others across Europe.
Vicki Cain, store director at Selfridges Manchester Trafford, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the new Jellycat General Store to Selfridges Trafford.
“It’s a fun destination for customers to explore the Jellycat collection, with so many fabulous creations to choose from. Who could resist cuddling up to one of the giant Jellies?
“Our customers are huge fans of Jellycat, so this new opening is perfectly timed for those starting their Christmas shopping.”
The Jellycat General Store is open now at Selfridges at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.
Inside the Jellycat General Store in Manchester
The viral toilet roll Jellycat toyAisles at the Jellycat General Store are arranged by themeSeasonal Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shopJellycat’s signature black catsThe Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop come in all shapes and sizesAn adorable gherkinJellycat flowersThe nostalgic Jellycat General Store in ManchesterCredit: The Manc Group
A huge Oasis-themed bar and music venue has opened in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new bar and gig venue that’s a shrine to all things Oasis is opening in Manchester city centre this week.
From memorabilia from the band’s history to artwork inspired by their work, Definitely Maybe is packed out with nods to the Gallagher brothers.
The bar has taken over the old Black Dog Ballroom site in the Northern Quarter, in the basement unit of Afflecks.
This huge Oasis bar splits into a few sections, from a live music stage to a mini gallery displaying memorabilia and posters.
There’s even a pair of Liam Gallagher’s Tommy Hilfiger pants suspended in one display unit.
Other items on display include one of Noel’s guitars (and a few more signed replicas), a pair of Liam’s maracas, early photography and sketches, and live gig photography.
Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
There are even Oasis lyrics scrawled along the wall of the bar, and globe-shaped light fixtures.
You can play pool, make use of the free photobooth, and sip on themed cocktails while feeling like a Rock n Roll Star.
Oasis-inspired cocktails include the Pina Columbia, the Strawberry Lemonade, and the She’s Electric.
Entry to the bar costs £5, but you’ll get a drinks token in return – or you can buy a membership for the rest of the year for just £6.
Definitely Maybe is already a well-loved name in Bolton and now it’s here in the city centre ready to help you live our your Rock n Roll Star dreams.
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2022 
