Survivors of the Manchester Arena attack have reflected on how they’ve rebuilt their lives in a powerful new series for BBC Radio Manchester.
The four-part podcast titled ‘Manchester Arena Bomb – Stories of Hope’ sees presenter Katie Thistleton revisit the scene of the blast which left 22 dead and hundreds injured after an Ariana Grande gig in May 2017.
Now, four years on from the attack, people who made it out alive reveal how they’ve found the strength to persevere and forge new lives for themselves.
Over the course of the series, BBC speak to a steward who was working his last shift when the bomb exploded; a family who return to the Arena to read letters describing their mental and emotional journey; a university student who suffered shrapnel wounds in the attack; and a woman whose family were seriously injured on the night.
Annette McNeil and her daughters Erin and Caitlin make an emotional return to the Arena during the podcast / Image: BBC
Episode One sees steward Usman Ahmed tell his story of saving lives, the ongoing impact on his mental health and the importance of his faith – with the former Arena steward striking up a new friendship with Martin Hibbert (who suffered 22 shrapnel wounds which left him paralysed from the waist down).
Since the attack, Martin has set up a survivors unit and is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro later this year with hopes of raising £1m for the Spinal Injuries Association.
Episode Two sees Annette McNeil and her daughters Erin and Caitlin make an emotional return to the Arena and watch a special performance by 17-year-old Alexis Wade who has her singing lessons paid for by Liv’s Trust (a fund set up by the family of 15-year-old Olivia Campbell Hardy who died in the attack).
The third instalment of the series sees student Millie Tomlinson (who suffered injuries in the bombing) meet the sister of Martyn Hett – who was killed in the blast. Together, the pair talk about grief and what’s involved in moving forward.
Episode Four sees Jenny Howarth is visited at her family-owned Wonkey Donkey Sanctuary in Yorkshire by Rob Grew – a man who remembers helping Jenny’s two aunties on the night of the bombing.
Survivors Usman Ahmed and Martin Hibbert meet during the podcast / Image: BBC
Kate Squire, editor of BBC Radio Manchester, says: “This series is about bringing people together by sharing life-changing conversations that are powerful, honest and raw.
“Four years on, we tell the amazing stories of recovery, hope, and the remarkable determination of those who were there that night striving to not only survive, but to live on – changing their own lives, and the world, for the better.”
Presenter Katie Thistleton says: “This podcast is one of the best things I’ve ever done, but also one of the hardest. It was difficult to hear about the victims’ experiences, but also incredibly inspiring to see the strength and resilience of these wonderful people.
“There are some amazing stories amongst these four episodes and some powerful moments. These stories and the messages they bring with them have changed my outlook on life and will stay with me.”
You can listen to Manchester Arena Bomb – Stories of Hope on BBC Sounds.
Manchester
Urban Outfitters is FINALLY opening at The Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
Shoppers’ prayers have been answered – The Trafford Centre is finally getting an Urban Outfitters.
Despite being a staple retailer on the high street, there’s never been an Urban Outfitters at the iconic shopping centre before.
Instead, fans have had to rely on the huge three-storey store on Market Street in the city centre.
The American brand is famed for its trend-led fashion pieces, vintage and retro items, and its homeware and lifestyle pieces.
Urban Outfitters typically have thrift-shop-inspired interiors too, with industrial fixtures and custom-made display units.
And now, all that looks set to open in The Trafford Centre soon, with huge hoardings now up for a unit on the first floor, right next to John Lewis.
It follows a busy summer of openings at the major shopping centre, which have included a supersized Zara concept store and neighbouring new openings for Pull & Bear and Bershka.
Viral toy retailer Pop Mart, home of the Labubus, has also recently opened its doors there.
There’s also a new-look section of the food court, home to a Hello Oriental, Chit n Chaat, Blanchflower and more.
And across the way at Trafford Palazzo is that massive new Primark Home, the first in Great Britain.
Shoppers have been begging for an Urban Outfitters to open at The Trafford Centre for more than a decade.
Tweets going back as far as 2010 say things like: “Do I need to start a petition for Urban Outfitters to open at the Trafford centre?”
Another person wrote: “trafford centre just needs to grow up and put an urban outfitters in it”
And someone else said: “Where in Trafford centre is urban fking outfitters?!”
An opening date hasn’t yet been announced, but watch this space.
Historic Manchester pub issues apology for ’embarrassing’ toilets and asks for support
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most iconic pubs, Mr Thomas’s Chop House, is finally undergoing a major upgrade after admitting its building has become an ’embarrassment’.
The historic Cross Street boozer has shared a public apology for the ‘deteriorating’ state of its stunning building.
Mr Thomas’s Chop House is now pleading for support from punters as it undergoes the weeks-long scheme of improvements.
Visitors will find a reduced menu while renovations are taking place.
The pub said that it’s aware that the Grade II-listed pub has been in need of improvement for a while, but explained these works have been hampered by leasing issues.
Mr Thomas’s Chop House explained that it’s been ‘existing on over 30 short-term lease extensions for 8 years while our landlords negotiated with the superior landlord’.
It’s left them unable to invest into the building – until now.
The pub will be adding brand-new toilets downstairs (they said the old ones were ‘an embarrassment’), as well as improving the kitchens and adding a new beer cellar.
In their statement, Mr Thomas’s Chop House said: “First of all, we owe you, our loyal customers, an apology.
Mr Thomas’s Chop House is undergoing a refurb
“Over the past few years bits of our stunning building have deteriorated. The toilets have become a bit of an embarrassment. We are sorry.
“The fact is, we (The Victorian Chop House Company) have been existing on over 30 short-term lease extensions for 8 years while our landlords negotiated with the superior landlord.
“As a result of this uncertainty we haven’t been able to invest into the fabric of the building.
“But now the wait is finally over. And together with our landlords we are finally beginning a scheme of renovations which will return Tom’s to the state it should be in!”
Work began last week and is expected to last for around three weeks.
They also wrote: “Things will be slightly different but we are so excited. Please help us stay afloat while we work to restore Tom’s.”
The Manc -
19th May 2021 
