Manchester

Libraries in Manchester are scrapping fines for late book returns for good

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th February 2022

Mancs will soon no longer have to pay a fine if they return their library books later than the due date.

Manchester City Council has announced a change to the way the city’s libraries operate in a bid to get more people using them and reading.

Fines already don’t apply to children and over 60s, but will soon also be abolished for everyone else who borrows books.

The only instance where library users will still be charged is if books are never returned.

The council says it wants to ‘reduce inequalities that exist around libraries’ by eliminating the financial worry involved in taking out book loans.

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Inside the Central Library in Manchester. Credit: WIkimedia Commons

The initiative is part of the council’s larger investment into libraries, which is also seeing the historic Didsbury Library given a makeover.

Chorlton Library, Longsight Library and Newton Heath Library are all set for renovations too.

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Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, executive member of libraries, said: “We want our libraries to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and I am delighted that we will be abolishing fines very soon.

“I believe that books and the joys of reading should not be tied by financial constraints.

Read more: Repairs to be made after ‘sickening’ vandalism of Manchester Arena attack memorial

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“Everyone, regardless of economic status, should be able to join the library and  enjoy reading and all that libraries offer.  

“I hope even more people will  be encouraged to borrow books from their local libraries.”

You can find your nearest library and sign up at www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries.

Featured image: The Manc Group

Manchester

Get Baked announces delay to first Manchester bakery – and ‘monumental’ changes

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Get Baked announces delay to first Manchester bakery - and 'monumental' changes

Get Baked has shared another major update on its move to Manchester – and while things are delayed, the plans are looking bigger than ever.

The viral bakery, famed for its gigantic chocolate ‘Bertha’, was set to open in the Northern Quarter in November.

But they’ve now confirmed the whole process has been delayed until February or spring next year.

The good news is that it’ll be worth the wait – Get Baked is now taking over the unit next door on Stevenson Square too, so it’s an even bigger space for its incredible coffee, pie, and a slice of its legendary 24-layer chocolate cake.

The Leeds-founded brand then teased that they’re bringing ‘monumental changes to our existing offering’ – and ones that ‘nobody will have seen coming’.

Whatever those changes are, they’ll then be rolled out to Get Baked’s Headingley store too.

Summing up what to expect in Manchester, they wrote: “It’ll sort of be like if Greggs shagged Gail’s but it happened in America so there’s sprinkles and unhealthy sh*t just absolutely everywhere.”

And explaining the delay, they said: “I announced the opening of Manchester a few months ago now, and explained that we were hoping for a November opening.

“That obviously hasn’t happened, which is sad, and unfortunately if you miss November, December is a bit of a write off because of Christmas, and so is January because tradespeople like to go back to work half way through the f*cking month.

“In all honesty though, even February is looking unlikely.

“The delay started (oxymoron?) because the renovation of our bakery took a lot longer than planned — we have doubled the size of the space that we moved into earlier in the year, which has been a lot of work, and it’s still ongoing.

“We have already outgrown the newly doubled space, but luckily for us, the unit next door to the one we have just taken, is now up for lease.

Get Baked announces delay to first Manchester bakery - and 'monumental' changes
Get Baked announces delay to first Manchester bakery – and ‘monumental’ changes

“So, we’re taking that space too, which will mean not only will I be sh*tting my pants at the thought of our overheads, but we’ll also be in a position where we can finally rollout stores the way we want to.”

Their statement also said: “In regard to the pending concept changes, I’ll leave you with this…

“In 2021 when I restarted Get Baked, I had a vision to create my own version of Greggs.

“Greggs is a truly wonderful situation, but it’s got too big for its boots in many ways hasn’t it.

“I’ve never been able to live out my fantasy of creating my version of Greggs, but half a million slices of Bruce (and Bertha) later, I’m nearly there. F*ck Greggs?”

You can keep up with the latest updates on Get Baked Manchester HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Manchester

An adorable new Jellycat store has just opened in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside the Jellycat General Store in Manchester

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 toy
The viral toilet roll Jellycat toy
Aisles at the Jellycat General Store are arranged by theme
Aisles at the Jellycat General Store are arranged by theme
Seasonal Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop
Seasonal Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop
Jellycat's signature black cats
Jellycat’s signature black cats
The Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop come in all shapes and sizes
The Jellycat toys at the new Manchester shop come in all shapes and sizes
An adorable gherkin
An adorable gherkin
Jellycat flowers
Jellycat flowers
The nostalgic Jellycat General Store in Manchester
The nostalgic Jellycat General Store in Manchester
Credit: The Manc Group

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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